Update

The Acid Rain Program (ARP) Database is updated with Third Quarter 2009 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

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)

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.

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

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)

US EPA has posted presentation materials for the recent EPRI CEM Users Group Conference on their website. Topics included: greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting, mercury (Hg) monitoring, and information on Clean Air Markets (ARP, NBP, and CAIR).

• EPRI CEM Users Group Conference Materials. May 12, 2009, St. Louis, Missouri

US EPA is proposing mercury emission regulations for portland cement manufacturers. In addition to mercury, the changes would add or revise emission limits for hydrochloric acid (HCl), total hydrocarbons (THC), and particulate matter (PM).

Also inculded in the proposed amendments are performance specifications for mercury continuous emission monitors (CEMS), as well as updated recordkeeping and testing requirements:

• Performance Specification 12A—Specifications and Test Procedures
  For Total Vapor Phase Mercury Continuous Emission Monitoring
  Systems in Stationary Sources.
• Performance Specification 12B – Specifications and Test
  Procedures For Monitoring Total Vapor Phase Mercury Emissions
  from Stationary Sources Using a Sorbent Trap Monitoring System
• Procedure 5. Quality Assurance Requirements for Vapor Phase
  Mercury Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems Used for
  Compliance Determination at Stationary Sources

Portland Cement Manufacturing: Proposed Amendments to National Air Toxics Emission Standards: Proposed Rule. April 21 May 6, 2009 (pdf, 58pp., 1MB)

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has posted a draft final source test protocol for Rules 1110.2, 1146, and 1146.1. The protocol is for the periodic monitoring of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxygen (O2) from combustion sources. The protocol has been developed to ensure standardization of test procedures, and includes specifications for test conditions, test methods, test equipment, data collection/reporting, and quality assurance procedures.

Combustion Gas Periodic Monitoring Protocol for the Periodic Monitoring of Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon Monoxide, and Oxygen from Combustion Sources Subject to Rules 1110.2, 1146, and 1146.1.. Draft Version 0.0, April 9 May 1, 2009 (pdf, 24pp., 434kB)

Previously, SCAQMD posted a protocol for compliance testing:

Compliance Protocol for the Measurement of Nitrogen Oxides, Volatile Organic Compounds, Carbon Monoxide, and Oxygen from Sources Subject to South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1146 and 1146.1. March 10, 2009 (pdf, 38pp., 102kB)

For more information on Rules 1110.2, 1146, and 1146.1, see:

• SCAQMD Rule 1110.2 Support
• SCAQMD Rule 1146 & 1146.1 Support

The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has proposed amendments to methods for measurement of filterable fine particulate (Method 201A) and measurement of condensable particulate matter emissions from stationary sources (Method 202). The proposed amendments to Method 201A would add a particle-sizing device to allow for sampling of particulate matter (PM) with mean aerodynamic diameters less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5 or fine PM). The proposed amendments to Method 202 would revise the sample collection and recovery procedures of the method to reduce the formation of reaction artifacts that could lead to inaccurate measurements of condensable particulate matter (CPM).

• Preamble to Methods 201A and 202. (pdf, 54pp., 345kB)
• Method 201A – Method for Measurement of PM10 and PM2.5 Emissions – Proposal. (pdf, 77pp., 1003kB)
• Method 202 – Method for Measurement of Condensable Particulate Matter – Proposal. (pdf, 46pp., 509kB)

The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has finalized criteria for facilities to determine if predictive emission monitoring systems (PEMS) can be used instead of continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS). These evaluation criteria are known as Performance Specification 16—Specifications and Test Procedures for Predictive Emission Monitoring Systems in Stationary Sources. PEMS predict source emissions indirectly using process parameters that have a known relationship to pollutant concentration.

US EPA is allowing, but not requiring, facilities to predict their emissions in
compliance with the following rules:

• Standards of Performance for Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units (40 CFR Part 60); and
• Standards of Performance for Stationary Gas Turbines (40 CFR Part 60).

In addition, a number of facilities regulated by state and local agencies are considering their use. The rule also amends several testing and monitoring provisions to make minor clarifications and corrections, including the use of portable analyzers for quarterly relative accuracy audits. For more information, see:

• Performance Specification 16: Fact Sheet. (pdf, 1p., 18kB)
• Performance Specification 16: Final Rule. (pdf, 83pp., 314kB)