July 2010
PROPOSED AIR TRANSPORT RULE
On July 6, 2010 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the Transport Rule, which would require 31 states and the District of Columbia to significantly improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions that contribute to ozone and fine particle pollution in other states.

This proposal would require significant reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions that cross state lines. Emissions reductions will begin to take effect in 2012 – within one year after the rule is finalized. By 2014, the rule and other state and EPA actions would reduce power plant SO2 emissions by 71 percent over 2005 levels. Power plant NOx emissions would drop by 52 percent. This proposed rule would replace EPA’s 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR).

Key elements for the 31 affected states and the District of Columbia:

• Twenty-eight states would be required to reduce both annual SO2 and NOx emissions. By reducing the emissions from the upwind states, the proposal would help downwind states attain air quality standards, specifically the 24-hour PM2.5 standards established in 2006 and the 1997 annual PM 2.5 standards.
• Twenty-six states would be required to reduce NOx emissions during the hot summer months of the ozone season because they contribute to downwind states’ ozone pollution. By reducing the emissions from the upwind states, the proposal would help downwind states’ attain air quality standards, specifically the 1997 ground-level ozone standard.

Many power plants use a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEM) to measure their emissions. Stack Testing is also used in conjunction with the CEM data. These measurements are used to determine compliance with emission limits.

If you would like more information on air emissions testing, contact Louise Barton at 800-372-2471 ext. 225 or louise@aircomp.com.

For Area Source facilities, the proposed rule would establish standards to address emissions of Mercury, Particulate Matter (PM) (as a surrogate for non-Mercury metals), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) (as a surrogate for organic air toxics). For Major Source new and existing natural gas- and refinery gas-fired units and facilities and all existing units with a heat input capacity less than 10 million British thermal units per hour (MMBtu/hr) the proposed rule would establish a work practice standard instead of emission limits. Existing major source facilities would also be required to conduct an energy assessment to identify cost-effective energy conservation measures.

For all other existing and new boilers and process heaters located at major sources, the proposed rule would establish emission limits for Mercury, Dioxin, Particulate Matter (PM) (as a surrogate for non-mercury metals), Hydrogen Chloride (HCl) (as a surrogate for acid gases), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) (as a surrogate for non-Dioxin organic air toxics).

For CISWI facilities, the proposed rule would establish emission limits for Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Hydrogen Chloride, Particulate Matter, Carbon Monoxide, Dioxins/Furans, Nitrogen Oxides, and Sulfur Dioxide.

In addition to the emission limits, the proposal would also require stack testing for newly regulated subcategories, monitoring for newly regulated subcategories, additional monitoring for new sources, annual inspections of emission control devices, annual visible emissions test of ash handling operations, and that the owner/operator follow certain procedures for test data submittal.

If you would like more information on air emissions testing, contact Louise Barton at 800-372-2471 ext. 225 or louise@aircomp.com.

EPA has developed a comprehensive response plan that includes air sampling tactics. EPA Region 4 is monitoring using several methods to measure particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are expected to be present as a result of oil burning. Affected Region 4 areas where impact is possible include the states of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

EPA Region 6 is assessing the impacts of the spill on the air quality of far southeast Louisiana. EPA is utilizing PQ200 air samplers, DataRAM DR-4000 particulate monitors, Tedlar bags for VOC grab samples and AreaRAE air monitors. Additionally, SUMMA passivated canisters (SUMMAs) with flow controllers will be used to sample for VOCs. These methodologies are commonly used for source emission testing required of industrial facilities by EPA.

Air samples will be collected once every 24 hours by the PQ200 and analyzed for concentrations of particulates 2.5 microns and smaller. Grab samples for VOCs will be collected using Tedlar bags and low flow pumps, and analyzed using EPA/ERT TAGA bus instruments. The SUMMA® canisters will collect samples for VOCs every 8 hours and will be analyzed by method TO-15A. DataRAMs will be used in real-time monitoring of the PM-2.5 particulate levels and AreaRAEs to monitor for VOCs.

If you would like more information on air emissions testing, contact Louise Barton at 800-372-2471 ext. 225 or louise@aircomp.com.

In the last 40 years, EPA has ammended the Clean Air Act to set, and then refined, national air quality, auto emission, and anti-pollution standards. Standards have become stricter over time, with air permit limitations reducing emission limits. Stack Testing, following the EPA Test Methods, became a reliable and often required way to demonstrate compliance.

In the last 25 years, the Emission Measurement Center (EMC) of the EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS), has provided national leadership in furthering the science of characterizing and measuring air pollutant emissions. The EMC has produced nearly one hundred Test Methods for measuring air pollutants emitted from the entire spectrum of industrial processes causing air pollution. The EMC is the EPA's focal point for planning and conducting field test programs to provide quality data in support of regulatory development, producing validated emission test methods, and providing expert technical assistance for EPA, State, and local enforcement officials and industrial representatives involved in emission testing.

EPA has planned a celebration on the National Mall April 24 – 25 to commemorate this event.

If you would like more information on stack testing, contact Louise Barton at 800-372-2471 ext. 225 or louise@aircomp.com.

Part I of the request required general facility information. Part II required fuel analysis and emission data, and Part III required emissions testing (stack testing) data. Parts I and II are due within 90 days of receipt of the ICR, which was sent out in late December, 2009. Part III, emission testing, is to be completed within 6 – 8 months of receipt.

For the facilities required to complete Part III, stack testing will be conducted for some combination of the following pollutants or potential surrogate groups:

• Non-Dioxin/Furan organic HAP: Carbon Monoxide, Total Hydrocarbons, Methane, Formaldehyde, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Volatile and Semi-Volatile Organic HAP
• Dioxin/furan: Dioxins/Furans, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide
• Acid Gas HAP: Hydrogen Chloride, Hydrogen Fluoride, Hydrogen Cyanide, Oxides of Nitrogen, Sulfur Doixide, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide
• Mercury and Non-Mercury Metallic HAP: Mercury, Non-Hg HAP Metals (including Antimony, Arsenic, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Lead, Manganese, Nickel, Selenium), Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 (Filterable and Condensable); Total Solids; Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide

Preliminary estimates of the burden associated with this information collection effort indicate a total of 125,098 hours and $75,972,758. This includes 537 facilities providing information on their boilers and fuel, 1,332 units providing HAP emission data and 12 months of fuel analyses, and 512 units required to conduct emissions testing.

If you would like more information on stack testing to comply with an ICR, contact Louise Barton at 800-372-2471 ext. 225 or louise@aircomp.com.

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). The final rule was signed by the Administrator on September 22, 2009. On October 30, 2009, the final rule was published in the Federal Register (www.regulations.gov) under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0508-2278.

Quantifying air emissions can be accomplished several ways, including a hybrid of direct measurement, often accomplished by stack testing and/or using a CEMS) and facility specific calculations. Facilities already reporting and collecting emissions data (e.g., via CEMS under the U.S. Acid Rain Program) must use direct measurement of emissions. Other source categories can use facility-specific calculations (e.g. feedstock, mass balance). Emission Factors may also be applied in some cases.

If you would like more information on direct measurement of GHG emissions from your facility, contact Louise Barton at 800-372-2471 ext. 225 or louise@aircomp.com.

September 2008
Air Compliance Testing Expands to Florida
Air Compliance Testing, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio, has acquired Air Consulting and Engineering, Inc. (ACE), of Gainesville, Florida. The new organization will operate as the Florida Office of Air Compliance Testing, Inc. This acquisition will expand the territory served by Air Compliance Testing to include the Eastern United States from the Great Lakes region to the Florida Keys.

Air Compliance Testing, Inc., founded in 1993, provides high quality, engineer-supervised, and guaranteed valid Air Testing Services to industrial, commercial, and government institutions. Services include Stack Testing, FTIR Spectroscopy Analysis, CEMS Services, Industrial Hygiene Monitoring, Air Dispersion Modeling, Mercury Monitoring, and various supporting Analytical Laboratory Services.

ACE was founded in 1984 by Mr. Stephen Neck, PE, QSTI, to provide professional Source Emission Testing, Engineering, and Air Permitting Services to industries located in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, and throughout the world, including Brazil, Dominican Republic, Germany, Puerto Rico, South Korea and Qatar. The acquisition includes an extremely experienced staff, including engineers, chemists, and technicians.

For information on Air Compliance Testing, go to www.aircomp.com or call 1-800-EPA-AIR1 (800-372-2471).

July 2008
Air Compliance Testing staff passes SES Method Exams on their way to QI and QSTI
Air Compliance Testing's technical staff is in the process of completing the four Source Evaluation Society (SES) Group Method Exams. The entire technical staff is scheduled to complete all four group exams before the January 2009 regulatory requirement to have a Qualified Individual present at every test performed for Part 75. Once the exams are completed, staff members will be Qualified Individuals (QI) and can proceed to Qualified Stack Testing Individuals (QSTI). This is a step in the process of Air Compliance Testing obtaining accreditation and providing accredited Stack Testing Services

May 7, 2008
Air Compliance Testing becomes a CCX Approved Verifier for Landfill Gas Offsets
Air Compliance Testing has added Landfill Gas Offset projects to their Approved Verifier Services for the Chicago Climate Exchange® (CCX). The CCX is the world's first and North America's only active voluntary, legally binding integrated trading system to reduce emissions of all six greenhouse gases (GHG). Projects must obtain independent verification by a CCX approved verifier. Verifiers use information provided by the project owner or aggregator and site visits, if needed, to accurately assess a project's actual, annual GHG sequestration or destruction. An offset project is subject to initial verification, as well as annual verification for the duration of its enrollment in CCX. Go to www.chicagoclimatex.com for more information on CCX.

April 18, 2008
Air Compliance Testing teams with Environmental Concerns to Offer Turn-Key Mercury Monitoring Services
Air Compliance Testing, Inc. has teamed up with Environmental Concerns, Inc. to provide a one-stop, turnkey, comprehensive service to ensure mercury (Hg) monitoring in compliance with Appendix K of Part 75. Air Compliance Testing can also help determine the proper spiking levels for triple section traps and perform your annual Relative Accuracy Test Audits (RATA). Go to www.aircomp.com for information on all our services, or contact us at 1-800-EPA-AIR1.

Click here for more information on our Mercury Sorbent-Trap Testing services.

February 2008
Air Compliance Testing Welcomes Christopher Tecca
Chris Tecca has joined the Air Compliance Testing sales team, bringing over 15 years of experience to the team. He has specialized in technical sales of hardness testing equipment and services.

October 26, 2007
Air Compliance Testing to Become CCX Approved Verifier
Air Compliance Testing has applied to the Chicago Climate Exchange® (CCX)® to act as an Approved Verifier. The CCX is the world’s first and North America’s only active voluntary, legally binding integrated trading system to reduce emissions of all six greenhouse gases (GHG). Projects must obtain independent verification by a CCX approved verifier. Verifiers use information provided by the project owner or aggregator and site visits, if needed, to accurately assess a project’s actual, annual GHG sequestration or destruction. An offset project is subject to initial verification, as well as annual verification for the duration of its enrollment in CCX. Go to www.chicagoclimatex.com for more information on CCX.

October 5, 2007
Air Compliance Testing Acquires FBT Environmental and Testing Services
Air Compliance Testing recently announced that it acquired the assets of FBT Testing and Environmental Services’ Cincinnati, Ohio stack testing division.

Founded in 1992, FBT Testing and Environmental Services maintained clients in the power production, manufacturing, construction materials, and automotive industries. The acquisition is an implementation of Air Compliance Testing’s focus on growth and diversification through new products and acquisitions. Air Compliance Testing, founded in 1993, continues to be the largest air emissions testing company in Ohio.

Air Compliance Testing is looking forward to providing the clients of FBT the same superior quality testing services we provide to our current clients. It is also an opportunity to introduce them to the additional services Air Compliance Testing provides: FTIR, CEMS Maintenance Programs, Dispersion Modeling and OSHA Compliance Modeling. Go to www.aircomp.com for information on all our services, or contact us at 1-800-EPA-AIR1.

April 24, 2007
Houchin and Lisy pass SES Method Exams on their way to QSTI
Congratulations to Tyson Houchin and Robert Lisy on both passing the Source Evaluation Society (SES) Group Method Exams! The next step is for them to apply to the SES to obtain a Qualified Stack Testing Individual (QSTI) designation. This is a step in the process of Air Compliance Testing obtaining and providing accredited Stack Testing Services. Go to www.aircomp.com to learn about their complete line of air emission testing and monitoring services, to request more information, or to see a copy of the latest newsletter.

January 10, 2007
Air Compliance Testing Offers FTIR Services
Air Compliance Testing now offers FTIR services. Commonly referred to as FTIR, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. FTIR is the diagnostic tool of choice for Chemical Process Optimization, Benchmarking and/or Optimizing Pollution Control Technologies; Engineering Emissions Evaluations, Determining concentrations of multiple compounds. Go to www.aircomp.com to learn about their complete line of air emission testing and monitoring services, to request more information, or to see a copy of the latest newsletter.

Click here for more information on our FTIR services.

February 9, 2005
Air Compliance Testing's CEMS Maintenance Program
(PRWEB) February 9, 2005: Air Compliance Testing offers complete, turnkey Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) Maintenance Services. We can help you satisfy your CEMS and Continuous Opacity Monitoring System (COMS) QA/QC Program requirements.

Click here for more information on our CEMS services.