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DEP > Air Bureau > EIP > Air-Inventory List Server > July 2005 Digest
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.maine.gov [mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.maine.gov]
On Behalf Of Gould, Tammy
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 9:58 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory New Emission Factor Table for Satellite i-STEPS
To Air-Inventory Listserve Recipients:
Several months ago, the Air Toxics and Emissions Inventory Program began discussions with MACTEC, the firm that created the i-STEPS software, about making a number of changes to the Satellite i-STEPS program. These changes would be implemented during the next year and in place for our 2005 inventory (due July 1, 2006). The first of several changes is updating the underlying AP-42 (default) emission factor table with FIRE 6.25 factors. Maine DEP will be using the Air-Inventory Listserve as the primary means for alerting facilities about these software changes and we are contacting you today about the first step in the process.
MACTEC has provided Maine DEP a comparison of emission factors from the existing AP-42 emission factor table to those in FIRE 6.25. Maine DEP found 198 SCC-pollutant combinations where the existing emission factor in Satellite i-STEPS does not equal the emission factor in FIRE 6.25 or for which FIRE 6.25 has no emission factor. In addition, we found a number of "anomalies" in the existing emission factor table - from historic factors that are no longer supported by U.S. EPA to facility-specific emission factors that erroneously made their way into the emission factor table. Maine DEP must now determine how to address these differences and direct the contractor accordingly.
We have posted a spreadsheet and a memo with further explanation on our ftp site at ftp://ftp.state.me.us/pub/dep/Air-Inventory/. The spreadsheet is named MDEP_newfactor_comment.xls and the memo is named i-STEPS_EFTable_Review_memo.doc. The spreadsheet lists all 198 SCC-pollutant combinations, existing and new emission factors, and contains our preliminary decisions regarding the new factor. In general, we recommend one of four actions:
* Accept new factor - Accepts the new factor from FIRE 6.25. New factors will affect the 2005 inventory.
* Remove old factor, add no new; convert existing entries to method 9 - The existing emission factor will be removed from the i-STEPS emission factor table for that SCC-pollutant combination with no replacement. Where that SCC-pollutant combination is used, the emission factor will become a local emission factor and emission calculations will use Estimated Emissions Method 9 - i-STEPS calculated/Local EF.
* Remove old factor, add no new - The existing emission factor will be removed from the i-STEPS emission factor table for that SCC-pollutant combination with no replacement. Maine DEP chose this option when it was clear that a data entry error may have occurred which placed an inaccurate emission factor in the emission factor table or we believe that a facility chose the wrong SCC for the process.
* Use an alternate emission factor - The MACTEC proposed emission factor does not use standard SCC units and Maine DEP proposes an alternative emission factor to use. All alternatives come from FIRE 6.25, however, they may be revoked factors.
We are soliciting input from the regulated community through the listserve
to review of determinations and make suggestions for a smooth transition.
Please send any comments you may have to me via e-mail at tammy.gould@maine.gov, by no later than Friday, July 22. If you have any questions, you may also contact me at (207)287-7036.
Thank you.
- Tammy Gould, DEP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Tammy L. Gould
Air Toxics and Emissions
Inventory Program
Bureau of Air Quality
Department of Environmental Protection
17 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0017
Tel: (207)287-7036
FAX: (207)287-7641
e-mail: tammy.gould@Maine.gov
Learn more about air emissions in Maine at http://www.state.me.us/dep/air/emissions/index.htm
<http://www.state.me.us/dep/air/emissions/index.htm/>