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-----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 3:48 PM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory Items from EPA
Items from EPA
----------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Ammonia Emissions from Anthropogenic Nonagricultural Sources
(2) Leavitt signs nonroad diesel rule ----------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Ammonia Emissions from Anthropogenic Nonagricultural Sources
From: "NEI Listserv" <NEI_Listserv@epamail.epa.gov>
Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 15:30:16 -0400 National Emission Inventory - Public review of new report entitled
"Ammonia Emissions from Anthropogenic Nonagricultural Sources" - April
2004, Draft Final Report The Emission Factor & Inventory Group announces the availability of this draft report. Comments are due by June 30, 2004. The contact is Roy
Huntley at(919)541-1060, or Huntley.Roy@epa.gov. The report is available online at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/eiip/techreport/volume03/eiip_areasourcesnh3.pdf.
Ammonia (NH3) emissions are an important contributor to fine particulate
matter (PM) formation. Consequently, increased attention is being paid to
accurate quantification and characterization of NH3 emissions. A 1994
United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report entitled
Development and Selection of Ammonia Emission Factors," hereafter referred
to as the "1994 guidance," contains the results of a literature review and compiled NH3 emission factors (Battye et al., 1994). The purpose of this new emissions guidance for "anthropogenic sources" is to update the
materials presented in Chapters 4 (Ammonia Emissions in Industry), 5 (Ammonia Emissions from Combustion), and portions of Chapter 6
(Miscellaneous Sources) of the 1994 guidance.
(2)Leavitt signs nonroad diesel rule (from Argus Air Daily, 5/11/04) EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt signed the nonroad diesel rule May 11,
placing strict emissions and sulfur level requirements on the engines and diesel
fuel used by construction and agricultural equipment. The package of engine and diesel fuel standards will lead to a greater
than 90 pct reduction in emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides
once the national inventory of nonroad diesel equipment is replaced,
according to EPA. This includes a 738,000 ton cut in annual NOX emissions and a
129,000 ton reduction in PM. Nonroad equipment covered by the rule currently
accounts for 47 pct of diesel PM and 25 pct of NOX from mobile sources nationwide.
Leavitt hailed the rule as another milestone in US efforts to reduce air
pollution, and noted that the standards will benefit localities that are
trying to comply with federal air quality standards. "State and local communities
need a series of tools to solve this problem, particularly from mobile
sources," he said. The rule will include tougher standards for diesel engines used by nonroad
equipment, phased in from 2008 to 2014 and based on engine horsepower. In
addition, refiners will have to reduce the sulfur content in diesel fuel
from 3,400 parts per million (ppm) to 500 ppm beginning in 2007 and then to 15
ppm in 2010. By moving forward simultaneously with emissions and fuel
standards, Leavitt said the engine manufacturers will be able to include
pollution controls, similar to catalytic converters in passenger cars, that
will take advantage of the low sulfur diesel. In a move pushed for by environmentalists, EPA is requiring fuel for marine
and locomotive engines to meet the 15 ppm cap in 2012. The two-year delay
will allow for the development of emissions control technology for these
engines, Leavitt said. To spur the development of effective pollution controls, EPA also
announced its intent to consider new emission standards for marine and
locomotive engines. The standards may be modeled on the nonroad and highway
diesel rules to emphasize PM reductions. Without new standards, EPA
estimates that by 2030 marine and locomotive diesel engines will contribute about 27
pct of mobile source NOX and 45 pct of mobile source diesel PM2.5 emissions.
EPA says it will consider including existing locomotive engines in the
rule, which would likely require retrofitting engines with equipment such as particulate traps. The marine engine standard could potentially apply to
recreational and commercial engines, excluding commercial vessels, the
agency said. More information and the rule may be downloaded at:
http://www.epa.gov/nonroad-diesel/2004fr.htm -----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 3:59 PM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory BEP adopts Ch. 137 and NEW Emissions Training and
Website
------------------------------------------------------------
1. Board adopts Emissions Statement Rule
2. Emissions Inventory Training
3. New Emissions Inventory Website
-------------------------------------------------------------
1. Board adopts Emissions Statement Rule The Board of Environmental Protection adopted changes to Chapter 137, "Emission Statements" on June 17, 2004. Chapter 137 establishes requirements for sources to report air emissions from their facilities. The amendments require sources to report ammonia, fine particulates and greenhouse gases in addition to pollutants they already report. The rule was amended at the Board meeting to require a one-ton de minimis reporting level for greenhouse gases and a July reporting deadline for all pollutants.
(Editor's note: When the rule is posted to the DEP website, an announcement will be sent through Air-Inventory.)
2. Emissions Inventory Training. With the passage of Chapter 137, the Emissions Inventory Program has kicked into high gear. Letters requesting the 2003 Emissions Inventory will be mailed to all facilities on Monday, June 28. The deadline for inventory submission this year is September 1. In addition to collecting data on criteria pollutants, this will be our first year collecting greenhouse gas emissions. To assist facilities with this new reporting requirement and to explain the changes in Chapter 137, we will be offering two Emissions Inventory Training classes. The first training program is scheduled for Augusta on July 28; the second will be an on-line webcast on August 4. Registration is required for the training sessions. To register, contact Tammy Gould (287-7036 or mailto:tammy.gould@maine.gov)
3. New Emissions Inventory Website. In addition to the upcoming training sessions, the Emissions Inventory Program proudly unveiled a new website this week, http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/emissions/. The expanded site contains information on criteria pollutant, greenhouse gas and hazardous air pollutant reporting, as well as in i-Steps "How To" Guide and information for the general public on how to get information about emissions near their homes. Check it out!
-----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2004 10:27 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory Air CHIEF 11 available
Subject: Version 11 Air CHIEF CD From: "CHIEF Info" <info.chief@epamail.epa.gov> Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 09:05:03 -0400 X-Message-Number: 1
The Emission Factor & Inventory Group has released version 11 of the Air CHIEF CD-ROM. Air CHIEF is available free of charge by filling out the online order form at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/software/airchief/index.html We will begin shipping the CD July 15, 2004.
The Air CHIEF CD-ROM gives the public and private sector access to air emission data specific to estimating the types and quantities of pollutants that may be emitted from a wide variety of sources. Updated annually, Air CHIEF offers on one disc literally thousands of pages contained in some of EPA's most widely used and requested documents. Included are the US EPA Emission Factor and Inventory Group's most popular emission estimation tools.
For more information about Air CHIEF, visit the web page at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/software/airchief/index.html
The Info CHIEF Help Desk Supporting EPA's Emission Factor & Inventory Group
info.chief@epa.gov
-----Original Message----- From: David [mailto:dwdixon@gwi.net] Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 4:03 PM To: air-inventory@informe.org Subject: air-inventory Greenhouse gas emissions reporting Do I understand that emission factors are not included in I-STEPS for greenhouse gases and that facilities must essentially file two emission statements for 2003; one for criteria air pollutants using I-STEPS and a second one using the spreadsheet or other format to quantify greenhouse gas emissions.
I am concerned with having clients sign the certification statement using emission factors provided by the licensing staff review when those factors are not consistent with the AP-42 emission factor generally built into the I-STEPS calculations. The few that I saw provided no basis for suggesting an alternative factor but if it is based on an emission test or test from a comparable facility it would seem appropriate that the reason for using other than the normal factor should be explained. Have you compiled data to show the difference in total emissions before and after the 2002 QA effort?
In response to the discussion at the Board meeting when Chapter 137 was amended, will the Bureau provide some written guidance about de minimis sources so that calculations are not required to prove that emissions from certain operations are below 1 ton/year? Will this issue be discussed at the training program?
Regarding the list server, is there a web site to log onto to view the responses to other questions that have been asked or is everything just handled via e-mail?
-----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 4:32 PM
To: David; air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Karagiannes, Mike
Subject: RE: air-inventory Greenhouse gas emissions reporting
Lot's of questions in one e-mail! Here goes:
First, we are not using i-Steps for greenhouse gas emissions. That is
because we do not need greenhouse gas emissions calculated to the
process-segment level; only to the facility level. Facilities can use a
spreadsheet or another piece of proprietary software (as long as DEP can
check the calculations) to develop the emissions footprint. The greenhouse
gas sheet (green paper included in the recent mailing) is for summarizing
emissions for ease of data entry.
Second, you or your clients should take up their individual concerns with
the appropriate Licensing Unit Engineer. AP-42 factors are based on
national emission data models. While AP-42 is built into i-Steps, it may
not be the most accurate emissions factor for an individual facility. I
don't believe that we compiled statistics on whether emissions went up or
down, but anecdotally, the impression that I got from observing the process
was that more went down than up.
Third, no, we are not prepared at this time provide any more guidance on de
minimus sources. We hope that people will focus first on combustions sources
and, as we all get better at this, work our way down from there. By the
time of training, I hope to have a sheet showing how much burning of
individual fuels would equal one-ton. (We'll also post that on the
website.) I would be very interested in suggestions for de minimus sources
from this list.
Finally, no, we are not preparing a web site to view past responses. Sorry.
Please save past messages as you see fit.
- Tammy Gould, DEP
-----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 8:10 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Hodsdon, Becky S
Subject: air-inventory i-Steps Version Issue, GHG Emissions Factors for
Biofuels, EI Tra ining - CHANGE IN LOCATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. i-Steps Version Issue
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Factors for Biofuels
3. Emissions Inventory Training - CHANGE IN LOCATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. i-Steps Version Issue
It has recently come to my attention that there may be multiple 5.0 versions
of Satellite i-Steps being used by facilities. The most recent version of
Satellite i-Steps (and the one everyone should be using) is Version 5.0.364.
We have found that previous version 5.0's do not "bubble up" all pollutants
when adding a new group and process and may produce some report errors. If
you have not downloaded Satellite i-Steps within the last few months, please
check the version you are using. You will find the version number on the
opening page just below the Audit/Security box as you log in or you can go
to HELP > ABOUT I-STEPS... If you need to download the correct version,
please go to http://sat.i-steps.com/ <http://sat.i-steps.com/> .
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Factors for Biofuels
We have received several calls since the mailing was sent last week asking
for greenhouse gas emission factors for wood and wood waste fuels. After a
little research, we have the following.
3814 lbs. CO2 / ton of wood and wood waste used
0.456 lbs. CH4 / ton of wood and wood waste used
0.152 lbs. N2O / ton of wood and wood waste used
Within the next few weeks, these factors will be added to the "Worksheet for
Small Combustion Sources" found on our website at
http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/emissions/ghg-tools.htm
<http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/emissions/ghg-tools.htm> .
3. Emissions Inventory Training - CHANGE IN LOCATION
Due to an unexpected and overwhelming response and registration for the
Augusta Emissions Inventory Training class on July 28, we have decided to
cancel the on-line training program scheduled for August 4 and, instead,
offer the training program in Bangor at the same date and time. Therefore,
Emissions Inventory Training will now be held on Wednesday, August 4, from 9
a.m. to noon, at the DEP Offices on the campus of BMHI, Conference Room 4B.
Registration is still required due to the interest in this program.
The Augusta program has filled and we will be contacting individuals from
the Bangor area and north in an effort to move some to the Bangor site. If
you were registered for the Augusta program and would like to change to the
Bangor site, please contact me.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us
[mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of David
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 9:49 AM
To: 'Gould, Tammy'; air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: 'Hodsdon, Becky S'
Subject: RE: air-inventory i-Steps Version Issue, GHG Emissions Factors
for Biofuels, EI Training - CHANGE IN LOCATION
Regarding emission factors for wood burning in units of lbs/ton, it is necessary to specify the moisture content of the wood fuel. A ton of wet wood is not the same as a ton of dry wood, that is, a facility would burn two tons of wet wood to achieve the energy output it would get from burning one ton of dry wood (approximately). Most facilities will have consumption records based on the "as-fired" moisture content for which I believe the weight of the water is close to equal to the weight of the wood on a dry fuel basis. If the emission factor is based on the dry weight basis, and the use is based on "as-fired" wood, then greenhouse gas emissions will be greatly over-estimated. The guidance therefore should specify the fuel moisture content. The alternative is to specify the factor in terms of lbs per millions of Btu's.
-----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 1:13 PM
To: David; air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Karagiannes, Mike
Subject: RE: air-inventory GHG Emissions Factors for Biofuels
The emission factors for wood combustion were derived from the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. (NCASI)(http://www.ncasi.org/miner.stm)calculations sheets for pulp and paper mills. Your point is well taken, and indeed, the worksheet is labeled "Typical Emission Factors." The biofuel emission factors are based on information from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2001, Appendix B and from IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, 1996, Volume II, Section 1.
Facilities wishing to derive a more precise emission estimate should feel free to refer to the NCASI sheet which also provides a carbon dioxide emission factor for burning of wood and wood waste in kg CO2/million btu fuel used.
We felt the typical emission factors used in the NCASI spreadsheet were appropriate for estimating emissions from wood, particularly for many of the smaller wood combustion sources in the state. While the Department will suggest appropriate emission factors and sources for factors, facilities should feel free to use others, as long as all supporting documentation for their use is included with their emission inventory summary form.
- Tammy Gould, DEP -----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us
[mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of David
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 11:04 AM
To: 'Gould, Tammy'; air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: 'Karagiannes, Mike'
Subject: RE: air-inventory GHG Emissions Factors for Biofuels
The referenced NCASI factors recognize the point I was making about moisture content of wood. It provides emission factors in terms of Tg/GJ (teragrams per gigajoule) i.e. in terms of mass of emissions per heat input. NCASI provides a table of energy content of wood at various moisture contents ranging from 0% to 40%. At 0% the heat content (HHV)is 20 GJ/ton while at 40% moisture it is 10.9 GJ/ton. The emissions are calculated on the basis of GJ, not tons, so moisture content must be factored into the calculation. Failing to take moisture into account can result in almost a 50% error (10.9/20 GJ/ton).
I assume that the reason for reporting greenhouse gas emissions under Chapter 137 is to enhance the precision and accuracy of the greenhouse gas emission baseline and projected emissions as used in the Stakeholder process for measuring progress toward meeting the prescribed goals for 2010 and 2020. The referenced NCASI guidance and the forestry and energy subcommittees of the Greenhouse Gas Stakeholder process are clear in their definition of greenhouse gas stating that CO2 emissions from biomass combustion should not be included in the inventory because the emissions are "carbon neutral", that is they are part of the natural carbon cycle. I would like to suggest that the Department provide guidance at the July 28 training program to make it clear that CO2 from biomass is not a greenhouse gas by definition and that only methane and nitrous oxide need to be included in the calculation of greenhouse gases from biomass combustion. -----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 7:59 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Karagiannes, Mike; dwdixon@gwi.net
Subject: FW: air-inventory GHG Emissions Factors for Biofuels
To the list:
Mike Karagiannes represents the Department of Environmental Protection on the Maine Greenhouse Gas Initiative stakeholder group and is a member of the Buildings and Facilities workgroup. I asked him to respond to Dave Dixon's inquiry about biomass being "carbon neutral" and the moisture content of wood. Here are his responses.
- Tammy Gould, DEP
-----Original Message-----
From: Karagiannes, Mike
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 11:59 AM
To: Gould, Tammy
Subject: RE: air-inventory GHG Emissions Factors for Biofuels
David,
I don't think your assessment on CO2 is as clear cut as you define it. CO2
by definition is a greenhouse gas it is only carbon neutral in the big
picture. At the facility inventory level it is necessary to report your CO2
emission and it only becomes neutral when put into the broader scheme. I
have had several discussion with facilities that support the neutrality
assumption but plan to report the CO2 emission in the context of the
inventory.
As for the moisture content of the wood, you are correct that moisture does
effect the amount of CO2 released. The figure that Tammy had was a last
resort factor for facilities that don't have the expertise to use the other
factors. Your average boiler operator wouldn't have clue on what a teragrams
per gigajoule was.
Thank You for your input.
Mike Karagiannes
-----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 10:11 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory CO2 Emission Factor for Waste Oil
I had a question earlier this week about a CO2 emission factor for waste oil. Waste oil is generally classified on greenhouse gas emission factor pages as an "Alternative fossil fuel." The CO2 emission factor is influenced greatly by the waste oil mixture and water content.
To calculate a CO2 emission factor for waste oil:
84.29 kg CO2/mmBtu x heat content (expressed as mmBtu/gal) = EF kg CO2/gal
waste oil used
Many of you have your waste oil analyzed and may have the heat content number readily availlable. In the absence of analytical information, we recommend that you use the heat content of diesel - 0.137 mmBtu/gal. Our licensing engineers believe that waste oil is more similar to diesel than to #2 or #6 fuel oil.
Therefore, the default CO2 emission factor for waste oil is:
84.29 kg CO2/mmBtu x 0.137 mmBtu/gal = 11.5 kg CO2/gal waste oil used
------
If you were thinking of attending on of the Emissions Inventory training programs and had not signed up, do so soon! As of this morning, we had one slot available in Augusta and seven available in Bangor.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us
[mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of Gould, Tammy
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 9:51 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory Missing Pollutants on Summary Report
To AIR-Inventory List:
We've received several comments recently that when the Summary Report in Satellite i-Steps is printed, one or more pollutants and emission totals are missing, ususally PM2.5 and ammonia. Also, people have remarked that the i-Steps Summary Report looks different from the facility report you may have received during the recent QA process.
The summary report sent to facilities as part of the QA process is actually generated by a report software (Crystal Reports) and not from Satellite i-Steps. It appears that the report function of i-Steps has not kept pace with the additional criteria pollutants. In the interim, we'd ask that you just write any missing pollutants and their emission totals on the Summary Report or separate certification statement (if you are already sending one). Emissions totals by pollutant can be found from the Map > Facility Emisisons button (for facility wide total) and Map > Group Emissions button(for group totals). We will accept either data set.
We're going to be contacting MACTEC, the company that services the i-Steps software, and find out if there is a work-around or when their expected fix date is.
- Tammy Gould, DEP -----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 8:29 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory FW: chief digest: July 30, 2004
To Air-Inventory List:
I am forwarding this post from EPA's CHIEF Digest.
FYI - Tammy Gould, DEP
CHIEF Digest for Friday, July 30, 2004.
Call for Participants
To take part in either of TWO Emissions Factors Improvement Workshops
Conducted by:
Emissions Factors and Policy Applications Group
Emissions Monitoring and Analysis Division
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
8:30 am to 4:30 pm, August 25, 2004 and 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, August 26,
2004
LOCATION: Washington, D.C. EPA East Conference room 1153
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Are there emissions factors that you need but can not find?
2. Would you like to know data quality (e.g., accuracy, precision) of
emissions factors and how to use that information?
3. Are there published emissions factors that you know are out of date?
4. Do you know of applications for which emissions factors are simply not
the right tools for the job?
If you answer 'yes' to any of these questions, this workshop is an
opportunity for you to be part of a major shift in how the air pollution
emissions factors program proceeds. The Emissions Factors and Policy
Applications Group and OAQPS management have assessed the state of
emissions factors development and applications and, as a result, have
planned significant changes to the program. These changes are intended to
ensure that users have the emissions quantification tools and information
needed, recognizing that EPA can no longer be the major emissions factors
provider.
You can play an important role in the future of the program. To help
determine that role, you are invited to participate in a one-day workshop
either August 25 or 26. The workshop is designed to engage you and your
colleagues in resolving issues important to you. Representatives from
OAQPS will summarize the results of months of stakeholder discussions and
strawman plans to advance the emissions factors program both in data
development and in applications. The bulk of the workshop will be
interactive sessions focused on identifying and exploring means to make
the emissions factors program self-sustaining and to better address users'
needs.
Please obtain registration forms for the workshops at
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/meetnw/workshoppromo2.html and e-mail the
completed form to us at myers.ron@epa.gov
For more information contact Ron Myers at (919) 541-5407; or Sean
Mulligan of MACTEC Federal Programs at (919) 941-0333.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us [mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of David Dixon
Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 8:53 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory Grouping small emission units
In other years, the guidance has been that it is acceptable to group similar small emission units such as emergency diesel generators. Facilities generally only have a total fuel consumption for all of the units. What I have done is add the individual capacities and list the unit as “generators” emphasis on plural and use a typical stack for stack data. I guess it would be better to add a note saying that this represents a group of so many generators. Is this procedure still acceptable for the 2003 reports?
Were you planning to post the DEP responses on the various issues that were written on the flip charts during the training? I think that would be helpful.
As I recall, you said at training that the small boiler greenhouse gas calculator spreadsheet should only be used by facilities burning something like 50,000 gallons and that another spreadsheet would be posted to be used by larger fuel burning sources. I have not seen it yet. When will the added spreadsheet be available?
Mike said that staff were looking at the biomass greenhouse gas emission factor to address the moisture question. Has that been resolved yet?
Is there a way that we can keep i-STEPs records for multiple years in i-STEPS itself or is the only way to retain a copy of previous years data to keep the dbf files in a separate folder and then load that into i-STEPS if we ever want to refer back to previous data? (That of course would replace the current year and it could get pretty confusing as to which year of record we are dealing with, especially this year when we have two versions of 2002 data, the files as submitted and the files as edited and sent to facilities as a starting point for 2003 reporting.)
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us
[mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of Gould, Tammy
Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 9:58 AM
To: David; air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Hodsdon, Becky S; Karagiannes, Mike
Subject: RE: air-inventory Grouping small emission units
In response to David's questions below:
1. Generally, yes, it's acceptable to group similar small emissions. I
would advise anyone doing so to check with their Licensing Unit Project
Manager. They'll help determine what is appropriate to group as far as
emissions reporting is concerned. We have seen examples where people get a
little carried away on "grouping" and group emission units that are not
similar. Also, I would strongly recommend that you use the Note field on
the Group/Area page of i-Steps to list each source, horsepower, and maybe
even location.
2. Yes. We just finished the second training program yesterday and we will
be posting responses to the list. Also, I am adding a monthly digest of
list server messages to our list server page (
http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/emissions/listserver.htm). The monthly
digest will capture postings and information for people who choose not to
subscribe to the list.
3. The expanded combustion worksheet will be available when the monthly
digest is available -- as soon as our webmaster returns from vacation! For
anyone who needs it immediately, contact me by e-mail.
4. No, the moisture issue for biomass has not yet been addressed.
5. Not easily. To have multiple sets open or available, you need to change
one of the primary identifying fields -- the state, county or plant ID --
and the facility name -- for each dataset you want to open. I don't
recommend it because it can cause confusion and you still can only view
and/or edit one facility at a time!
If you want to compare information from one dataset to the other, print the
Facility Detail Report for one and compare that report to the other loaded
in i-Steps. I've heard complaints about the Detail Report as being too
long, but it does contain most of the fields that need to be looked at.
Also, you can use the <Alt><PrtScn> (alt-print screen) to capture i-Steps
screen images, paste them to MS Word (or other word processor or publishing
software) and print those pages for comparison.
- Tammy Gould, DEP
-----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2004 10:04 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Karagiannes, Mike; Hodsdon, Becky S
Subject: air-inventory Updates to DEP Emissions Inventory Website
The Emissions Inventory Program has made several recent updates to its
website.
1) Greenhouse Gas Expanded Combustions Worksheet -- Designed for facilities
that burn wood and/or more than 50,000 gallons of fuel oil. It contains
emission factors for methane and nitrous oxide. It is available at
http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/emissions/ghg-tools.htm.
2) Air-Inventory Digests -- Monthly compilations of our list server posting
are now available. May, June and July 2004 have been posted. See
http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/emissions/listserver.htm.
3) Chapter 137 -- A Microsoft Word version of Chapter 137, "Emission
Statements," is now available on the Recently Adopted Regulations page of
the DEP website. You'll find it at
http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/regulations/recentlyadopted.htm. NOTE: The
Secretary of State's rulemaking website has yet to be updated, so the only
electronic copy of the current Ch. 137 is at the link above.
Mike Karagiannes and I also want to thank everyone who attended training. It was nice to meet you all in person. Thank you to everyone who completed and evaluation form. We're looking at your responses and planning how best to meet your training needs! -----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us
[mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of Gould, Tammy
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2004 4:06 PM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Karagiannes, Mike
Subject: air-inventory Refridgerant Synonyms
I received two calls today about refridgerants and their common names. Most facilities are receiving maintenance reports with "R22" or "R404a" as the name of the refridgerant and can't figure out which greenhouse gas on the DEP list is is.
R22 = HCFC-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane, CAS No. 75-45-6)
R404a = HFC-134a (1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane, CAS No. 811-97-2)
R409A = a mixture of three reportable gases:
HCFC-22 (Chlorodifluromethane) 60%
HFC-142b (1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane) 25%
HCFC-124 (2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) 15%
I used a web search engine to find this information. If you get stuck on
one, please let me know.
- Tammy Gould, DEP -----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us
[mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of Gould, Tammy
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 10:29 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory Greenhouse Gas Emission Factors and 2002 Draft
MANE-VU Inventory Available
[See the end of this message for instructions on unsubscribing from this list]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. DOE Carbon Dioxide Emission Factors Website
2. 2002 Draft MANE-VU Inventory Available for Comment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. DOE Carbon Dioxide Emission Factors
The Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration has posted on
their website a list of CO2 emission factors for all types of fuels,
including fossil fuels and biomass. The website is
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/factors.html.
2. 2002 Draft MANE-VU Inventory Available for Comment
You are invited to review a draft of a regional emissions inventory being
compiled for purposes of modeling air quality and regional haze in the
Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US.
The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Visibility Union (MANE-VU) is charged with
improving visibility in major national parks and wilderness areas called
Class I areas. Class I areas are characterized by their natural beauty,
cultural significance and relative isolation from human impacts. However,
human activities that produce air pollution and regional haze are affecting
these areas.
Many Class I areas have reduced visibility due to human-caused air
pollutants (sulfates, nitrates, etc.). These pollutants have produced an
average visual range of 15-30 miles, which is one-third of the visual range
under natural conditions. Many vacationers are disappointed by the regional
haze that affects the vistas in these areas.
In order to effectively address and curtail regional haze, MANE-VU is
developing a 2002 emissions inventory of existing sources of air pollution
in the region. The inventory includes point sources (e.g. power plants),
area sources (e.g. dry cleaning, residential fuel combustion), nonroad
mobile sources (e.g. construction equipment), and onroad mobile sources
(i.e. cars & trucks). Improving the completeness and accuracy of the
inventory is an ongoing and iterative process, and we are offering you an
opportunity to review and comment on the inventory as part of that process.
MANE-VU is encouraging your participation as part of their commitment to
stakeholder participation.
A description of the inventory process can be found at
http://www.marama.org/visibility/EmissionsInventory/index.htm. The Maine
inventory data is available in summary form at
http://www.marama.org/visibility/EmissionsInventory/ME.xls. Detailed NIF
files (National Emissions Inventory Input Format, exported as Microsoft
Access database files) for each state and source category are available for
download from an associated ftp site.
If you have any comments or questions regarding Maine's emissions and
calculation methods, please contact DEP's David Wright at (207)287-6104 or
by e-mail david.w.wright@Maine.gov <mailto:david.w.wright@Maine.gov>.
Please send any comments on the inventory to Katie Sheen Abbott
(ksheen@marama.org <mailto:ksheen@marama.org>) at MARAMA by September 3,
2004.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us
[mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of Gould, Tammy
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 12:05 PM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Karagiannes, Mike
Subject: air-inventory CORRECTION: Refrigerant Mixture Composition and
Refrigerant Refer ences
To the list:
On 8/9/04, I posted a short list of refrigerants and their synonyms. The
mixture for R404a was inaccurate. The correct mixture is:
R404a = HFC-125 (44%)
HFC-143a (52%)
HFC-134a (4%)
I continue to receive numerous calls about refrigerants and their blend
names. Here are some web resources for you to use:
International Institute of Refrigeration
Classification of Refrigerants
http://www.iifiir.org/2endossiers_fiches_classification.htm
Refron.com
Info Center - MSDS Sheets, Technical Data
http://www.refron.com/InfoCenter/Home.asp
in particular, see their Refridgerant Data Summary
http://www.refron.com/InfoCenter/TechData/Refrig_Data_Sum.pdf
I apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused.
- Tammy Gould, DEP
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us
[mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of Gould, Tammy
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 4:05 PM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Karagiannes, Mike; Hodsdon, Becky S
Subject: air-inventory Answers To Questions Asked During Training
Programs
To the Air-Inventory list and training participants:
In late July and early August, the Department held two Emissions Inventory
Training Programs, one in Augusta and one in Bangor. Several questions were
asked during those programs for which Mike Karagiannes and I did not have an
immediate response. Here are answers to those questions.
Question 1: How do you express hours of operation for an emergency generator
that runs only 1/2 hour per week?
Answer 1: i-Steps does not allow you to enter Operating Hours/Day as a
fraction (only whole numbers, please). However, entering 1 Hour/Day, 1
Day/Week and 52 Weeks/Year and entering 26 Hours/Year will lead to EPA
identifying it as an "Incorrect Hours Per Year (CALC) Error." The average
annual hours per year must equal the hours/day x days/week x weeks/year.
(U.S. EPA, "NEI Quality Assurance and Data Augmentation for Point Sources,"
pp. 58) For equipment that does not operate 24/7/365, a mathematical
equation (using only whole numbers) equalling actual annual hours of
operation should be used, even if it doesn't reflect average hourly, daily
or weekly usage. To answer the question asked, an emergency generator that
is tested for 1/2 hour every week for 50 weeks per year would have an actual
hours/year operation of 25 hours. For EPA and i-Steps purposes, the
following should be done:
Operating Schedule - Hrs/Day - 1
Operating Schedule - Days/Wk - 1
Operating Schedule - Wks/Yr - 25
Operating Schedule - Hrs/Yr - 25
On the reverse side, if your equipment does operate 24/7/365 then the
operating hours/year is 8760. Please double check your multiplication as
EPA identified 147 "Incorrect Hours Per Year (CALC) Errors" at 57 facilities
in our 2002 NEI submission.
Question 2: Reporting emissions from insignificant sources? (We didn't get
the complete thought.)
Answer 2: I'm guessing that this question arose from "What is an
insignificant source?" When Ch. 137 was being amended, we discussed at
length with the Board of Environmental Protection if and how we address
really small sources of emissions. The Board rejected using the
"insignificant sources" list in Ch. 115 and instead adopted a de minimus
threshold that was a percentage of the minimum reporting threshold (for
criteria pollutants it is 1% of minimum reporting threshold and for
greenhouse gases it is 1 ton per year CO2 equivalents).
Obviously, it would have been easier for both of us to have a specific list
of activities or equipment for which you did not need to calculate
emissions. The current de minimus threshold gives facilities some leeway to
not report emissions from really small combustion source, but, at what point
do all those sources begin to exceed the de minimus threshold?
I don't believe this issue is gone away and I expect us to take a closer
look at it in future rulemaking.
Question 3: What happened to our Notes in the Satellite i-Steps data that
was returned to us?
Answer 3: We are not sure why, but many of you are not finding the Notes
you left on several i-Steps screens in past years. We are still
investigating, but it may have to do with a slight change we made to some of
the backend Oracle tables that we store your data in here at DEP. We still
have past years Notes available to us and can provide you hard-copies of
what was previously written.
Question 4: Where does the name, "i-Steps," come from?
Answer 4: Not a clue.
Question 5: Is control equipment accounted for in the emission factor?
Answer 5: Depends on the emission factor. Check the FIRE (Factor
Information REtrieval) database or speak with your Licensing Unit Project
Engineer. We want to ensure that control equipment is not being "double
counted".
Question 6: Control equipment selection per process unit emission
(NOTE: This was all that was scribbled down and I can't figure out what the
question is now. If this is still a pressing concern, would the person who
asked this please provide more information. Thank you.)
Question 7: List of useful websites, including EPA Chief.
Answer 7: Here goes:
EPA - Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emission Factors (CHIEF)
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/
AP-42 - Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/index.html
FIRE - Factor Information REtrieval Data System - great for looking up
emission factors
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/software/fire/index.html
Emission Inventory Related Codes - Where to find SCC, MACT, NAICS and SIC
Codes
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/codes/index.html
DEP's Greenhouse Gas Calculation Tools
http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/emissions/ghg-tools.htm
I'm sure you'll let me know if I missed any.
Question 8: The CO2, CH4, and N20 emission factors for wood do not take
into account the moisture of the wood. What is the assumed moisture content
for the given emission factors?
Answer 8: Mike Karagiannes reported back to me that is 12% moisture
(kiln-dried). (If anyone wishes to pursue this further, contact Mike and he
can give you the source of his information.)
Question 9: Do we need to report methane emissions from landfills?
Answer 9: No, that is considered an indirect emission.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us
[mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of Gould, Tammy
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 12:58 PM
To: Karagiannes, Mike; air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory New NCASI Greenhouse Gas Calculation Tool Website
To All:
NCASI has moved their greenhouse gas calculation tool website. It is now:
http://www.ncasi.org/programs/areas/other/ghgtools/default.aspx. The link
on Maine DEP's Greenhouse Gas Calculation Tool page will be updated later
this week.
Thanks to all who gave me a heads up.
- Tammy Gould, DEP
-----Original Message-----
From: Gould, Tammy [mailto:Tammy.Gould@maine.gov]
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2004 12:51 PM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Wright, David W; Higgins, Lisa; Greves, Rich; Saball, Doug; Hodsdon,
Becky S; Karagiannes, Mike; Cone, Marc A; Roberts, Mark
Subject: air-inventory Seasonal Throughputs
A question was asked during our Bangor training session about seasonal
throughputs. For those using i-Steps, you'll know that under each
Group/Area, you are asked for the seasonal throughput for the equipment or
process. The dates given are:
December - February
March - May
June - August
September - November
It was asked how do you report emissions for a calendar year when you're
being asked for throughputs on a non-calendar year? I responded that
facilities could go back to the previous calendar year and grab the December
data to calculate the percent throughput.
After some additional questions were raised about this issue, I went to the
source: EPA's Consolidated Emissions Reporting Rule (CERR) (67 FR 39602).
If we were asking facilities for this information, it must be because EPA
was asking for it and they (EPA) would certainly be able to provide
clarification.
EPA defines Winter Throughput (%) as follows: Part of throughput or
activity for the three winter months (December, January, February, all from
the same year, e.g. Winter 2000 = January 2000 + February 2000 + December
2000).
I was in error when I told facilities to reach back to calculate percent
throughput. As odd as it may seem to use non-consecutive months, this is
consistent with EPA's requirement to do emissions reporting on a calendar
year.
For those who may have done it differently in the past or even on data
submitted for 2003, we will not be requiring any recalculation for past
year's data submitted. In Maine, it is not the Winter Throughput which is
important, but the Summer Throughput % -- June, July, and August --
particularly for facilities in ozone non-attainment areas. There should be
no doubt that those months will be from the same calendar year.
Please keep this in mind for the 2004 inventory due next year. Remember:
We are part of a continuously improving process.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us [mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of Gould, Tammy
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2004 11:13 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory Draft Rumford HAPs Report
forwarded from David Wright, DEP
The MEDEP is publishing a draft air toxics monitoring report for public comment. The report is entitled: Maine DEP's Ambient Air Toxics Monitoring Program in Rumford/Mexico, Maine 1997 - 2003, Revision of October 28, 2004, and is available on MEDEP's website at http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/monitoring/rumfordhaprpt.htm. Comments should be filed with MEDEP by January 15, 2005 in order to be fully incorporated into the final document.
Abstract of the Draft Rumford HAPs Report
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) initiated an Air Toxics (AT) Monitoring program in the Rumford Maine area in 1991. That pilot study found ambient levels of chloroform; tetrachloroethylene; 1,3-butadiene; and benzene above safe levels for long-term exposure. A follow-up study in 1992 found similar exposures across the state, with benzene; 1,3-butadiene; carbon tetrachloride, and chloroform posing unacceptable risks in several Maine towns. MEDEP sampled Rumford for ATs again in 1993, and found that ambient levels of Chloroform had decreased below ambient air guidelines. The decline was attributed to decreased use of chlorine in a local paper mill. Otherwise, the results were consistent with the results of earlier studies. Limited follow-up studies between 1995-1997 revealed the presence of benzene. However, the data could only indicate the potential for problems, as there was insufficient data to determine valid annual averages for comparison with the annual guidelines.
This report contains the results of MEDEP's detailed Air Toxics monitoring program in the Rumford area from late 1997 until 2003. During this time, MEDEP collected three, 24-hour samples every six days at three sites, until the summer of 1999, when MEDEP scaled back to one long-term trend site.
Monitoring locations were established in likely areas of high impacts from a local paper mill. The study site is located in a valley with complex meteorology, making it impossible to establish a "background" monitoring site. Samples were collected and analyzed for select Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) using EPA method TO-15. Method TO-15 contains many protocols to ensure that results accurately represent ambient concentrations of the pollutants that were monitored. Samples from collocation sites showed good replicate precision for most parameters.
Sample results were averaged, and compared to ambient air quality guidelines (AAQG). The results show that benzene levels posed a greater than acceptable cancer risk. That is, the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) was in excess of 10 in a million. Four other compounds likely exceed acceptable health risk levels: 1,3 butadiene; tetrachloroethene; carbon tetrachloride; and 1,2-Dibromethane. Twenty-six (26) compounds were determined to not pose a significant risk to public health. MEDEP was not able to determine the risk posed by air toxics that were not monitored for, the risk posed by 23 compounds that were sampled for but that lack risk-based ambient air guidelines, and for 14 compounds whose detection limits are too high to enable measurement down to their low ambient air guideline levels. Of particular concern are acrolein; 1,4 dichlorobenzene and 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, which have high detection limits, but were occasionally detected well in excess of their respective AAQGs. Chloroform concentrations have decreases from the levels that were detected in the earliest sampling efforts in the area, to levels that do not pose a risk.
For more information, to file comments, or to request a hard copy of the report, contact:
David Wright
Air Toxics & Inventory Program
Bureau of Air Quality, DEP
17 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333-0017
207-287-6104 (phone)
207-287-7641 (fax)
david.w.wright@state.me.us
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