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Regulatory News
EPA Proposes Revisions to the Clean Power Plan
August 31, 2018 and September 10, 2018
EPA is proposing to replace the Clean Power Plan with revised emissions guidelines for existing EGUs, proposing new regulations that provide direction to both EPA and the states on the implementation of emission guidelines, and proposing revisions to the NSR program that will help prevent NSR from being a barrier to the implementation of efficiency projects at EGUs. The emission guidelines propose that heat rate improvement (HRI) measures are the best system of emission reduction (BSER) for existing coal-fired EGUs. The EPA will hold a public hearing on October 1, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois. Comments on this proposed action must be received no later than October 31, 2018.
EPA Requesting Comments on Proposed Withdrawal of Oil and Gas Control Techniques Guidelines
March 9, 2018
EPA is requesting comments for the proposed withdrawal of Control Techniques Guidelines (CTG) for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry. In addition, EPA is continuing its review of the related 2016 oil and gas NSPS rule.
EPA Extends Comment Period for Clean Power Plan Repeal
February 1, 2018
For the proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan, EPA is adding hearing locations and extending the comment period to April 26, 2018.
EPA Updates Guidance for MACT Major Source Reclassification
February 8, 2018
EPA has publish a Federal Register notification regarding the reclassification of major MACT sources that accept emission limitations. The new memorandum can be found here.
EPA Proposes Revisions to GHG New Source Review Rule
October 3, 2016
EPA is proposing revised GHG PSD and Title V permitting regulations. These revisions include GHG applicability levels and significant emission rates.
EPA Proposes Revisions to GHG New Source Review Rule
October 3, 2016
EPA is proposing revised GHG PSD and Title V permitting regulations. These revisions include GHG applicability levels and significant emission rates.
EPA Establishes Initial Air Quality Designations for 2010 SO2 NAAQS
July 12, 2016
EPA has published initial air quality designations for certain areas in the U.S. for the 2010 primary sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA has designated the areas as either nonattainment, unclassifiable/attainment, or unclassifiable based on the weight of evidence for each area, including available air quality monitoring data and air quality modeling.
EPA Clarifies NSR Applicability and Amends NSPS Rules for Oil and Gas Sources
June 3, 2016
EPA has finalized a revision to New Source Review (NSR) and title V program applicability for sources in the oil and natural gas sector(40 CFR Parts 51, 52, 70, and 71), and has amended current new source performance standards (NSPS) for this sector (40 CFR Part 60 Subparts OOOO and OOOOa).
The NSR update clarifies the meaning of the term adjacent that is used to determine the scope of a stationary source for purposes of the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment NSR (NNSR) preconstruction permitting programs and the scope of a major source in the title V operating permit program in the onshore oil and natural gas sector.
The NSPS amendments address standards for both greenhouse gases (GHGs) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for new oil and gas sources.
New 8-hour Ozone Rule
October 26, 2015
EPA has revised the primary and secondary NAAQS for ozone O3 to provide requisite protection of public health and welfare, respectively. The EPA is revising the levels of both standards to 0.070 parts per million (ppm), and retaining their indicators (O3), forms (fourth-highest daily maximum, averaged across three consecutive years) and averaging times (eight hours). The EPA is making corresponding revisions in data handling conventions for O3 and changes to the Air Quality Index (AQI); revising regulations for the PSD program to add a transition provision for certain applications; and establishing exceptional events schedules and providing information related to implementing the revised standards. The EPA is also revising the O3 monitoring seasons, the Federal Reference Method (FRM) for monitoring O3 in the ambient air, Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) analyzer performance requirements, and the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) network.
New EGU Source Carbon Rule
October 23, 2015
EPA has finalized new source performance standards (NSPS) that, for the first time, will establish standards for emissions of CO2) for newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed affected fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units (EGUs).
Existing EGU Source Carbon Rule
October 23, 2015
EPA has established final emission guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired EGUs. Specifically, the EPA is establishing: CO2 emission performance rates representing the best system of emission reduction (BSER) for two subcategories of existing fossil fuel-fired EGUsfossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units and stationary combustion turbines; state-specific CO2 goals reflecting the CO2 emission performance rates; and guidelines for the development, submittal and implementation of state plans that establish emission standards or other measures to implement the CO2 emission performance rates, which may be accomplished by meeting the state goals.
Proposed Carbon Trading Programs
October 23, 2015
EPA is proposing a federal plan to implement the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission guidelines (EGs) for existing fossil fuel-fired EGUs under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The EGs were proposed in June 2014 and finalized on August 3, 2015 as the Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (also known as the Clean Power Plan or EGs). This proposal presents two approaches to a federal plan for states and other jurisdictions that do not submit an approvable plan to the EPA: a rate-based emission trading program and a mass-based emission trading program. These proposals also constitute proposed model trading rules that states can adopt or tailor for implementation of the final EGs.
Proposed Definition for Adjacent for Oil and Gas Project in Major Source Determinations
September 18, 2015
EPA is proposing two options for determining whether two or more properties in the oil and natural gas sector are adjacent for purposes of defining the stationary source in the PSD and NNSR programs, and major source for the title V program (referred to collectively as source). The preferred option would define adjacent for the oil and natural gas sector in terms of proximity, and an alternative option to define adjacent in terms of proximity or functional interrelatedness.
EPA Issues Final Implementation Rule for 2008 Ozone NAAQS
March 6, 2015
EPA has issued a final rule for implementing the 2008 ozone (O3) NAAQS. The final rule includes requirements for attainment demonstrations, reasonable further progress (RFP), reasonably available control technology (RACT), reasonably available control measures (RACM), major new source review (NSR), emission inventories, and the timing of SIP submissions and of compliance with emission control measures in the SIP.
EPA Proposes New Ozone NAAQS
December 17, 2014
EPA has proposed to make revisions to the primary and secondary NAAQS for ozone (O3). The EPA is proposing to revise the primary standard to a level within the range of 0.065 to 0.070 parts per million (ppm).
EPA Final Action on Startup and Shutdown HAP Rule for Electric Generating Units
November 19, 2014
EPA has taken final action on its reconsideration of the startup and shutdown provisions in the final rules titled, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coal- and Oil-fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units and Standards of Performance for Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Utility, Industrial-Commercial-Institutional, and Small Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units.
EPA Provides Notice of Data Availability Regarding EGU Carbon Emissions Proposed Rule
October 30, 2014
EPA has issued a notice of data availability related to the public responses to the proposed carbon pollution (greenhouse gas) emissions rule for electric generating units.
EPA Issues Proposed Rule to Limit Electric Generating Unit Greenhouse Gas Emissions
June 18, 2014
EPA is proposing standards of performance for emissions of greenhouse gases from affected modified and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units. The goal of these standards to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the electric power sector in the U.S.
EPA Issues Final Rule for NSR Amendments in Indian Country
June 16, 2014
EPA has issued final amendments to the Federal Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country. The NSR minor source permitting deadline for true minor sources in the oil and natural gas sector is extended from from September 2, 2014, to March 2, 2016, and the registration deadline has been changed for new true minor sources in the oil and natural gas sector to conform with the changes to the NSR minor source permitting deadline. EPA is also also eliminating a requirement for all true minor sources that begin operation before September 2, 2014, to obtain a minor NSR permit 6 months after EPA publishes a general permit as this provision no longer affects any source.
EPA Proposes to Withdraw RACT/RACM Determinations for EGUs in Regional Cap-and-Trade Programs
June 9, 2014
EPA is proposing to withdraw any prior determination or presumption that compliance with the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) or the NOX SIP Call automatically constitutes reasonably available control technology (RACT) or reasonably available control measures (RACM) for NOX and SO2 emissions from electric generating unit sources participating in these regional cap-and-trade programs.
Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule for Oil and Gas Production in Indian Country
June 6, 2014
EPA is soliciting feedback on the implementation of the Indian Country Minor New Source Review program for oil and natural gas production emission sources. Potential new source permitting approaches are presented along with the current status of oil and gas production and permitting in indian country. Comments must be received on or before July 21, 2014.
Federal Minor Source NSR in Indian Country
May 30, 2014
EPA has issue final amendments to the federal minor New Source Review (NSR) program in Indian country. The amendments include clarification of the construction-related terms commence construction and begin construction . These new rules amend the original rule issued on July, 1, 2011.
Proposed Rule for 1-hour SO2 Monitoring
May 13, 2014
EPA has issued a proposed rule to characterize current air quality in areas with large sources of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions if such areas do not have sufficient air quality monitoring in place to identify maximum 1-hour SO2 concentrations.
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Air Modeling News
EPA Releases new versions of AERMOD, AERMET, and AERMAP
April 24, 2018
EPA has released new versions of AERMOD, AERMET, and AERMAP. AERMOD has the most significant changes including removing the Ambient Ratio Method (ARM) for ambient NO2/NOx ratios in preference to the ARM2 method. In addition, all three processors now have the capability to accept input and output file names on the command line.
EPA Issues Final Update to Appendix W Modeling Guidelines
December 20, 2016
EPA has finalized the latest update to the 40 CFR Part 51 Appendix W Guideline on Air Quality Models .
EPA Releases New Versions of AERMOD, AERMET, AERSCREEN, and MMIF
December 20, 2016
EPA has released new versions of AERMOD, AERMET, and AERSCREEN as well as an update to the Mesoscale Model Interface Program (MMIF) processor.
EPA Releases Draft Guidance on PM2.5 Precursor Assessments
December 9, 2016
EPA has released guidance for demonstrating compliance for PM2.5 precursors for public comment.
EPA Releases Draft Guidance on Modeled Ozone and PM2.5 Precuror Emissions
December 2, 2016
EPA has proposed a Tier 1 demonstration tool for ozone and PM2.5 precursors. This procedure is called Modeled Emission Rates for Precursors (MERPs) where presursor emissions would be evaluated against regional thresholds.
EPA Draft Guidance on SILs for Ozone and PM2.5
August 1, 2016
EPA has posted draft PSD guidance for NAAQS significant impact levels (SILs) impacts for ozone and PM2.5, and for PSD increment SILs for PM2.5.
EPA CALPUFF Version Update
July 26, 2016
EPA has released an update to its regulatory version of CALPUFF (version 5.8.5, dated 151214) modeling system.
Update to AERMINUTE Meteorological Data Processor
October 8, 2015
EPA has released an update to the AERMINUTE (Version 15272) 1-minute ASOS wind data processor. This current version includes the option to process 5-minute ASOS data files.
EPA Releases Update to MMIF
July 30, 2015
EPA has released an update to the beta MMIF utility. This utility converts prognostic meteorological model output fields (such as MM5 or WRF) into meteorological data that can be used in dispersion models such as AERMOD.
EPA Releases Updates to AERMOD, AERMET, and AERSCREEN
July 24, 2015
EPA has released updates of AERMOD (version 15181), AERMET (version 15181), and AERSCREEN and it's associated screening met data processor MAKEMET (version 15181).
EPA Proposes Updates to Appendix W Modeling Guidelines
July 14, 2015
EPA has issued proposed updates (including a fact sheet) to the the federal air quality modeling guidelines (40 CFR Part 51 Appendix W). These updates include updates to the AERMOD modeling system to address overprediction issues, plume rise for horizontal and capped stacks, and buoyant line sources. (Here's a link to the FR version).
The proposal includes additional Appendix W updates including incorporating recent EPA SIP modeling guidance memorandums, adding OLM and PVMRM as preferred Tier 3 screening methods for NO2 modeling, including AERSCREEN as a recommended screening model, removing the CALPUFF modeling system as an EPA-preferred model for long-range transport (while not affecting its use under the FLMs guidance regarding AQRV assessments), updating to modeling procedures for cumulative impact analysis, the use of AERMINUTE when ASOS meteorological data are used in air modeling analyses, and the use of MMIF and prognostic meteorological data.
EPA Releases Updated MATS Software and Issues Associated Draft Modeling Guidance
December 4, 2014
EPA has released updated Modeled Attainment Test Software (MATS) and draft modeling guidance for demonstrating attainment of air quality goals for ozone, PM2.5, and regional haze.
1-Hour NO2 Modeling Clarification Memo Issued by EPA
September 30, 2014
EPA has issued a clarification memo for NO2 modeling. This memorandum clarifies the applicability of current guidance in the Guideline on Air Quality Models (40 CFR Part 51, Appendix W).
Slides and Presentations for AERMOD Updates and 1-Hour NO2 Modeling
August 12, 2014
Presentation slides and an hour-long recording (click on link on the upper right hand side of the SCRAM page) concerning recent updates to the AERMOD modeling system and 1-hour NO2 modeling are available on the EPA SCRAM webpage.
Updated Version of AERSCREEN Released
May 28, 2014
EPA has released an updated version of AERSCREEN, dated 14147. Changes to AERSCREEN since version 11126 can be found in the Model Change Bulletin #4.
Final Guidance for PM2.5 Modeling
May 21, 2014
The EPA has finalized its guidance for modeling PM2.5 for permit applications. This guidance addresses the applicability and methods for adressing ambient impacts from secondary PM2.5 emissions.
New AERMOD Version Released
May 16, 2014
EPA has released an updated version of AERMOD, dated 14134. Updates to AERMOD can be found in the Model Change Bulletin #10. An update to the AERMOD User's Guide Addendum has also been issued.
New AERMET Version Released
May 16, 2014
EPA has released an updated version of AERMET, dated 14134. Updates to AERMET can be found in the Model Change Bulletin #5. An update to the AERMET User's Guide Addendum has also been issued.
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