Pod Technologies

Overview

Pod Technologies provides product development and engineering services for energy and air quality. Areas of experience include:

• Combustion and air pollution control
• Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS)
• Air pollution regulations and test methods

Update

Recent energy and air quality news, information, and opinion:

Acid Rain Program Database Updated

The Acid Rain Program (ARP) Database is updated with Second Quarter 2010 data. The database provides unit-level information available from US EPA Clean Air Markets Data and Maps. Information includes unit type, fuels used, air pollution control devices installed, as well as links to files containing Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) information and unit emissions data.

Acid Rain Program Database

08/28/2010

Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule

On September 22, 2009 US EPA issued the Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule. The rule requires reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from large sources and suppliers in the United States. The rule is intended to collect accurate and timely emissions data to inform future policy decisions.

Under the rule, suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHG emissions are required to submit annual reports to EPA. The gases covered by the proposed rule are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and other fluorinated gases including nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and hydrofluorinated ethers (HFE).

• Press Release
• Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Information Sheets for Source Categories Covered in the Rule
  • Applicability Tool
  • Power Point Presentatation of the Mandatory Reporting of GHG Rule. (pdf, 26pp., 258kB)
  • Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule, Detailed Presentation. (pdf, 74pp., 460kB)

9/24/2009

Part 75 Emissions Monitoring Policy Manual

US EPA has posted a Draft Part 75 Emissions Monitoring Policy Manual. The draft addresses January 24, 2008 amendments to 40 CFR Part 75 and the conversion of the Clean Air Markets Division data systems to the Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS).

Draft Part 75 Emissions Monitoring Policy Manual. July 10, 2009 (pdf, 364pp., 130MB)

For more information, see the Part 75 Emissions Monitoring Policy Manual webpage.

7/27/2009

US House of Representatives passes the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES)

The US House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill aimed at capping and reducing US greenhouse gas emissions and lowering the country's dependence on foreign oil. Some reports in the press:

• House Passes Carbon Cap-and-Trade Bill. Buisness Week, 06/26/2009
• Forecast: Sunny and Windy - House Approves Obama Climate Change Bill. Power Magazine, 06/29/2009
• House passes sweeping energy, climate bill. CNNMoney, 06/26/2009
• House Passes Bill to Address Threat of Climate Change. New York Times, 06/26/2009
• US House supports emissions bill. BBC, 06/26/2009

US EPA has assessed the economic implications of policies to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the US economy, and has provided an overview of the economic analyses and the modeling tools and methods used. In addition, there is information on long term scenarios of climate related economic impacts and non-CO2 greenhouse gases:

• US EPA: Climate Economics

6/26/2009

US EPA Emission Measurement Documents

US EPA has posted updated versions of documentation for Clean Air Markets continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS). These revised versions reflect the transition to the Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS), the January 24, 2008 revisions to 40 CFR 75, and the 2008 Court decisions regarding the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) regulations.

• Plain English Guide to the Part 75 Rule. June 2009 (pdf, 118pp., 823kB)
• Part 75 Administrative Processes. 03/11/2009

In addition, the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) has posted a summary of recent projects:

OAQPS Measurement and Monitoring Projects. March 2009 (pdf, 15pp., 53kB)

And, a revised list of US EPA test methods has been posted:

Summary of EPA Test Methods. June 2009 (pdf, 10pp., 25.7kB)

6/04/2009

Events

Upcoming energy, air quality, and instrumentation events:

• Southern California Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Annual Conference 2010. September 8, 2010. Southern California Gas Company Energy Resource Center, Downey, CA.
• Southern California Air Quality Management Disrict (SCAQMD) Public Consultation Meeting: Proposed Amended Regulation XX - Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM). September 8, 2010. SCAQMD Headquarters, Diamond Bar, CA.
• Southern California Air Quality Management Disrict (SCAQMD) Public Workshop: Proposed Amended Regulations XVII - Prevention of Significant Deterioration, and XXX - Title V Permits. September 9, 2010. SCAQMD Headquarters, Diamond Bar, CA.
• Engine Emissions Seminar: Technology Advancement Strategies For Engine Emissions Control. September 23, 2010. Southern California Gas Company Energy Resource Center, Downey, CA.
• Fuel Cell Technology for the Commercial and Industrial Sector. October 13, 2010. Southern California Gas Company Energy Resource Center, Downey, CA.
• Fuel Cell Technology for the Residential Sector. October 13, 2010. Southern California Gas Company Energy Resource Center, Downey, CA.
• ISA Orange County Section Automation OC - Expo, Training & Oktoberfest. October 26, 2010. Old World Village Festival Hall, Huntington Beach, CA.