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DEP > Air Bureau > EIP > Air-Inventory List Server > May 2005 Digest
-----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, May 17, 2005 8:52 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Cc: Hodsdon, Becky S; Greves, Rich
Subject: air-inventory i-STEPS Screen Changes and Training Manual Posted
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(1) i-STEPS Screen Changes and HAPS Reporting
(2) Training Manual Posted
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(1) i-STEPS Screen Changes - The Department is contemplating a number of changes
to the Satellite i-STEPS screens. This would include changes to the Help dialog
boxes, changing which fields are required to save a data screen, and changes
to the color-coding of the field names. We are seeking input from users on
potential changes. Is there something in particular that you could change
on a screen that would make it easier to use Satellite i-STEPS?
Please send your comments along by June 3 to Becky Hodsdon, DEP-Air Bureau,
17 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0017 or e-mail them to mailto:becky.s.hodsdon@maine.gov.
Any Satellite i-STEPS screen changes will NOT be implemented this reporting cycle. The Department's plan is to package Satellite i-STEPS screen changes with the 2004 data sets (which should be available for release in February 2005). MACTEC, the owner of the Satellite i-STEPS software, will not be incorporating changes in the program download. Maine users will need to download their 2004 data set (or future year data set) for the changes to be incorporated.
The Department is also considering using Satellite i-STEPS to calculate hazardous air pollutants (HAPS) from combustion sources. This would be implemented for the 2005 reporting year (deadline: July 1, 2006). More information will be forthcoming as we work on this added feature.
(2) Training Manual Posted
The Satellite i-STEPS Beginner Training manual, used in classes held recently
in Augusta, is available our website. The manual walks users through the entire
process -- from downloading the program and data, to editing and adding groups
and process units, to exporting the data to DEP.
Several errors discovered during class were corrected. The 42-page manual
is available for download at http://www.state.me.us/dep/air/emissions/isteps.htm.
The sample facility file used throughout the manual (Yancy's Yo-Yos) will remain on the ftp site through the remainder of this year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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/>
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us [mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us]
On Behalf Of Gould, Tammy
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 2:24 PM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory Emission Factor Selection Guidance and other issues
addressed
In January, the list received a message from David Dixon which raised several issues, including questions about emission factor selection (see below). A follow-up letter was received from Mr. Dixon and the Department has responded to his questions with a new guidance document and several new Q&A's on our website.
"Selection of Appropriate Emission Factors and Fuel Use" (May 2005) has been posted on our website at http://www.state.me.us/dep/air/emissions/docs/EF Selection_4_.pdf. The purpose of the guidance is to explain the heirarchy of sources of emission factors used for developing emission inventories and how the Department has arrived at its preferences.
On the Emissions Inventory Program - Criteria Pollutants - Reporting Requirements Questions and Answers page, http://www.state.me.us/dep/air/emissions/crit-rptng.htm, two new Q&A's have been added. They are:
In addition, two new Q&A's have been added to the Emissions Inventory Program - Greenhouse Gases - Reporting Requirements Questions and Answers page, http://www.state.me.us/dep/air/emissions/ghg-rptng.htm.
The EI Program hopes you find this additional guidance useful.
- Tammy Gould, DEP
________________________________
From: owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us
[mailto:owner-air-inventory@lists.state.me.us] On Behalf Of David
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 9:11 AM
To: air-inventory@informe.org
Subject: air-inventory NOx Emission Factors in i-STEPS
I received notice from one client that the Air Bureau QA review determined that our reported "emission factors/or emission estimates were NOT reasonable based on throughput" for NOx from a power boiler. The emission factor and method that had been used was i-STEPS method 8 which uses the nationally recognized AP-42 emission factor and allows i-STEPS to make the calculation of emissions. The Air Bureau proposes an emission factor that is almost double the nationally accepted emission factor. Certainly, the reported value was not "unreasonable". I applaud the Bureau's efforts to make the inventory accurate for Maine sources and conditions. However, while it may seem beneficial to Maine to use very conservative estimates, there is a real pitfall. If we start with high numbers then require a RACT control technology which then greatly overstates the resulting emission reduction, the ambient air quality benefit will not reflect the apparent change in emissions and it may be that the RACT technology did not achieve the expected results, and certainly not at the expected cost-effectiveness.