OAR Recent Additions - 2001

December 2001

Information on the latest version, 6.21, of the REMSAD modeling system is now available
Information on the latest version, 6.21, of the Regulatory Modeling System for Aerosols and Deposition (REMSAD) system is now available on the Models Web page of the SCRAM Web site, under "Dispersion Models/Alternative Models".

Climate Change Education Resources Database
This database includes a wealth of education resources for educators, students, and the general public. Links are provided to lesson plans, videos, books, toolkits, and other fun materials – all on the subject of climate change.

Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing and Phosphate Fertilizers Production Plants: Air Toxics Rule: Fact Sheet
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend its toxic air pollutant rules for the phosphoric acid manufacturing plants and phosphate fertilizers production plants. The amendments would resolve issues and questions raised by industry after the original rules were issued.

Visit the OAR Policy and Guidance Information website to view rules, policy, and guidance documents produced by the USEPA Office of Air & Radiation (OAR).

EPA responses to citizens' allegations of deficiencies in State and local air operating permits programs
On December 19, 2001, a Web page was added that contains EPA responses to citizens' allegations of deficiencies in State and local air operating permits programs, as announced in a recent Notice of Availability. The citizen letters were submitted to EPA consistent with a 90-day comment period provided by EPA (12/11/2000 to 3/12/2001).

Control of Emissions from Nonroad Large Spark Ignition Engines and Recreational Engines (Marine and Land-Based); Extension of Comment Period
The Environmental Protection Agency published, in the Federal Register 2K TXT 32K PDF of October 5, 2001, a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing new emission standards for large spark-ignition engines, recreational vehicles using spark-ignition engines, and recreational marine diesel engines. This document extends the period for written comments on that notice of proposed rulemaking to January 18, 2002.

EPA is "re-engineering" AQS (Air Quality System) to use a relational database and graphical client software
EPA is "re-engineering" AQS to use a relational database and graphical client software. The mainframe version of AQS is no longer available for updating. It may still be used to retrieve data. The re-engineered version of AQS is expected to be available by the end of January 2002.

See the AQS Re-Engineering Project page for more information.

International Emission Inventory Conference, Emission Inventories - Partnering for the future conference
Information about the International Emission Inventory Conference,Emission Inventories - Partnering for the Future is now available. The conference will be held on April 15 -18, 2002 in Atlanta, GA.

"Availability Notice of Draft Guidance in Support of the Regional Haze Program for Comments" has been published.
A copy of "Availability Notice of Draft Guidance in Support of the Regional Haze Program for Comments" [PDF 40K] has been published in the Federal Register on December 12, 2001.

Additional documents about Regional Haze can be found at:

"Draft Guidance for Tracking Progress Under [PDF 2788K] the Regional Haze Program"

"Draft Guidance for Estimating Natural Visibility Conditions Under[PDF 16,500K] the Regional Haze Program"

Large Municipal Waste Combustors: Air Toxics Standards of Performance and Emissions Guidelines: Fact Sheet
The EPA is proposing to amend the standards of performance for large municipal waste combustors (MWC) [PDF 32K] by extending the time during which such units will be excused from compliance with the emission limits for carbon monoxide due to certain types of malfunctions.

EPA's Intentions to Approve New EMFAC Emissions Models for State Implementation Plan (SIP) Development
This memorandum "The Use of EMFAC2000 and EMFAC2001 Models in California" WPD [17K] PDF[17K]describes EPA's intentions to approve new EMFAC emissions models for state implementation plan (SIP) development, and clarifies when these new models will be required for transportation conformity analyses in California.

SIP Submissions Currently Under EPA Adequacy Review
The following SIP submissions are now under adequacy review and are available for public comment.

Region 10:
Fairbanks, Alaska (carbon monoxide attainment plan)
Medford, Oregon (carbon monoxide attainment plan)
Spokane, Washington (carbon monoxide attainment plan)

2002 6-day and 3-day Monitoring Schedule for TSP, Pb, PM-10, PM2.5 and VOC has been posted
This page contains the sampling schedule [PDF 10K] for TSP, PM-10, PM2.5 and VOs. A new calendar will be posted annually.

The Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center (AMTIC) is operated by EPA's Monitoring and Quality Assurance Group (MQAG). AMTIC contains information and files on ambient air quality monitoring programs, details on monitoring methods, relevant documents and articles, information on air quality trends and nonattainment areas, and federal regulations related to ambient air quality monitoring.

Pesticide Active Ingredient Production:Precompliance Plan Deadline: Fact Sheet
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to amend its rule [PDF 8K] to reduce toxic air emissions from pesticide active ingredient (PAI) production.

This amendment changes the date that facility owners/operators would be required to submit to EPA their precompliance plan from 6 months prior to the compliance date to 3 months prior to the compliance date. The precompliance plan includes requests for approval of compliance alternatives such as the use of alternative monitoring parameters and the use of prevention.

Pesticide Active Ingredient Production:Process Tank Definition: Fact Sheet
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to amend its rule [PDF 9K] for pesticide active ingredient (PAI) production by revising the definition of "process tank" to improve the clarity of the requirements of the rule.

Title V Permit Issuance Status maps and related tables have been posted
The first set of maps and related tables, Title V Permit Issuance Status shows how many sources have received and are expected to receive title V operating permits for each approved program in the United States.

The second set of maps and tables, Title V Related Permit Issuance Status shows the same information but adds in permits that sources take to avoid becoming subject to title V permitting (the so-called synthetic minor permits).

EPA Air Toxics Monitoring Newsletter
The EPA Air Toxics Monitoring Newsletter [PDF 87K] (A Publication of the STAPPA/ALAPCO/USEPA Air Toxics Monitoring Steering Committee) has been posted. This is a Special Edition posted November 2001 and titled "October AirToxics Workshop".

The purpose of this special edition of the Air Toxics Monitoring Newsletter is to summarize the October 29, 30 Air Toxics Workshop held in Rosemont, IL.

Individual data tables from the 2001 U.S. Emissions Inventory are now available
These tables are from the "Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-1999", which provides information on anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. The tables are available in both text (for spreadsheet analysis) and PDF formats. You can also download a zip file with all the tables in text format.

The Clean Air Markets Division has launched the new On-Line Allowance Transfer System (OATS)
On December 3, 2001 the On-line Allowance Transfer System (OATS) was launched. OATS is an Internet application that allows participants in the SO2 and NOx allowance markets to record their own allowance transfers, either by entering the data on screen or by submitting an XML file.

To submit allowance transfers you have two options: you can submit electronically or complete a paper form and send it the Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD). Allowances can be transferred for either the Acid Rain Program or NOx Budget Program.

November 2001

The 5th AMPET Conference will be held September 16, 17, & 18 2002 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama
The Aerospace Materials, Processes, and Environmental Technology Conference (AMPET) provides a forum for manufacturing, environmental, materials, and processes engineers, scientists, and managers to describe, review, and critically assess advances in these key technology areas.

PM 2.5 Bias Estimate charts based on 10/04/01 Extraction from AIRS
PM 2.5 Bias Estimates by Site based on 10/04/01 Extraction from AIRS

PM 2.5 Bias Estimates by Reporting Organization based on 10/04/01 Extraction from AIRS

The Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center (AMTIC) is operated by EPA's Monitoring and Quality Assurance Group (MQAG). AMTIC contains information and files on ambient air quality monitoring programs, details on monitoring methods, relevant documents and articles, information on air quality trends and nonattainment areas, and federal regulations related to ambient air quality monitoring.

2001 Hydrochloric Acid Production: Air Toxics Proposed Rule: Extension Notice

The EPA is announcing the extension of the public comment period on the proposed national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for hydrochloric acid (HCl) production facilities, including HCl production at fume silica facilities.

Visit the OAR Policy and Guidance Web site to read about other OAR Policy and Guidance actions and rules.

Reformulated Gasoline proposed rule
EPA issues proposed reformulated gasoline terminal receipt date rule; this would ease transition from winter grade to summer grade RFG.

Press Announcement
Fact sheet 13K PDF
(EPA420-F-01-033) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: 98K PDF
Draft Technical Support Document: 98K PDF (EPA420-R-01-017)

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Current OTAQ/Section105-Funded Outreach Projects
A brief sketch [47K PDF] of current projects funded through the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, either with Section 105 funding or with OTAQ program funding for projects intended to be national in scope.

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Change In Definition of Major Source for Operating Permits - Final Amendment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to change the definition of “major source” in the existing regulation for state operating permits programs. An industrial facility that emits air pollutants is known as a “source”. This change deletes the requirement that owners/operators of sources must count certain fugitive emissions of air pollutants (ex: sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen) not listed in the Clean Air Act as a toxic air pollutant when determining whether their facility is a major source subject to the operating permits program.

A Fact Sheet [PDF 12KB] is now available explaining the details of this amendment.

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New ‘David Ball Award’ will Honor Contributions to Environmental Awareness in Fire Protection
Kidde plc, in association with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proud to announce the creation of the annual ‘David Ball Award for Fire and the Environment ’.

The first award will be presented at the Fourth Earth Technologies Forum in Washington DC in March 2002. The Award is sponsored by Kidde in honor of David Ball, a long time employee of Kidde, the global fire prevention, detection and suppression group, who died in July 2001.

A Fact Sheet [PDF 12KB] is available for more information.

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Proposed Changes for the NELAC 7th Interim Meeting
The proposed changes for the NELAC 7th Interim Meeting are now available. These documents are preliminary drafts. They have not been formally released by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and should not at this stage be construed to represent Agency policy. They are being circulated for comments on their technical merit and policy implications.

Asphalt Processing and Asphalt Roofing Manufacturing: Air Toxics Rule: Fact Sheet
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a regulation to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants, or air toxics, from asphalt processing and asphalt roofing manufacturing facilities. Air toxics are those pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects in humans.

This regulation would apply to sources of air toxics from asphalt processing facilities and asphalt roofing manufacturing facilities. Asphalt processing facilities produce “blown” asphalt for use in the asphalt roofing manufacturing industry. Asphalt roofing manufacturing facilities produce shingles and roll roofing products by applying the “blown” asphalt to a fiberglass or felt substrate. Both types of facilities can be located together but asphalt processing facilities can also be located at refineries.

A Fact Sheet [PDF 15KB] is now available explaining the proposal.

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Compliance Certification Requirement: Removal of Direct Final Revision to the Operating Permit Rules: Fact Sheet
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to remove the direct final rule amending the state and federal operating permits rules before it is published in the Code of Federal Regulations.

A Fact Sheet [PDF 1KB] is now available explaining the EPA's November 5, 2001 action to remove the amendments from the Code of Federal Regulations.

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Indoor Air Quality, Secondhand Tribal Air - Air Toxics Now: Satellite Downlink Training
November 27, 2001
(1:00 - 2:00 p.m., ET)
This broadcast of the new, upbeat on-air news magazine, Air Toxics Now, will feature reports on the activities of the Mickey Leland Research Center and on a joint urban air toxics pilot project between, EPA, the State of Arizona and three Indian Tribes in Maricopa County. MACT related stories will be featured, including a visit to a boat manufacturing plant to hear recently promulgated MACT standard for boat manufacturing facilities, a report on the upcoming MACT Hammer deadline and the implications of this deadline on State, Local and Tribal air agencies, and a report on the success that the State of Virginia has had in integrating MACT limits into their Title V permits for furniture facilities.

This broadcast is developed especially for State, Local and Tribal air toxics personnel and to support State, Local and Tribal implementation of air toxic reduction programs.

For all telecourses, APTI requests that participant's register to insure accuracy with the participant's APTI transcript. Registration is available online at http://registrar.epin.ncsu.edu/pr/default.htm.

To determine the closest downlink site, check out the site locator map at http://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/eog/apdln.html

Report for AP-42 Section 9.9.1,Grain Elevators & Processes
This report [949KB PDF] describes an emission field-testing program conducted by Midwest Research Institute under a contract with the National Grain and Feed Association. (NGFA). The emission factors are being considered as an addition to the current section 9.9.1 with factors for barge loading and unloading and ship loading.

Comments are due by January 15, 2002.

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National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone: Proposed Response to Court Remand of 8-hour Standard: Fact Sheet

As required by the D.C. Circuit Court, EPA has considered the possible beneficial effects of ground-level ozone pollution in shielding the public from potentially harmful, but naturally occurring, ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation from the sun. A Fact Sheet [PDF 1KB] is now available explaining the proposed response.

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Adequacy Review of SIP Submissions for Conformity
The Adequacy Review determines whether the motor vehicle emissions budgets in the SIP are adequate for conformity purposes. More information about the adequacy review process is available in our May 14, 1999, guidance, available on the conformity home page.

Questions regarding a particular SIP or State should be directed to your EPA Regional contact person.

New Energy Star Web Site
Energy Star provides businesses and consumers with energy-efficient solutions that save money while protecting the environment for future generations.

Take a look at the new Energy Star web site: http://www.energystar.gov/.

2001 ENERGY STAR Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Award
This year the ENERGY STAR® CHP Award highlights projects using at least 5% less fuel than separate heat-and-power generation. Projects must have a minimum of 12 months and 5,000 hours of operating data, and thermal energy must comprise between 10% to 90% of total net system output. Finally, all facilities must be operating within existing emission permit levels to apply.

The US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy will honor environmental leaders at the 2002 ENERGY STAR® Awards Ceremony. This event will be held March 26, 2002, at the Capital Hilton, located at 1001 16th St., NW, in Washington, DC

The ENERGY STAR Award Applications are now available. All applications are due December 17, 2001.

October 2001

Russia Air Management Program (RAMP) Report
The Russia Air Management Program (RAMP) report highlights the development, practical demonstration and evaluation of alternative approaches for improving air quality management policies and practices in Russia. The City of Volgograd, located south of Moscow, was chosen as the site for the RAMP pilot project.

Draft Section of Emission Factors for Unpaved Roads
A new draft document for AP-42 Section 13.2.2, Unpaved Roads, is now available for public review. Comments are requested by November 26, 2001.

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Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities:
Air Toxics Rule: Final Amendments
This action(63K PDF) finalizes amendments to the emissions standards for sterilization facilities by eliminating maximum achievable control technology(MACT) requirements for chamber exhaust vents. This action reduces safety problems associated with the existing requirements. This action also amends testing and monitoring requirements for sterilization chamber, aeration, and chamber exhaust vents to correct technical problems associated with the existing requirements. This file is the text of the final rule amendments.

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Schedule for Hands-On Training on the New AQS
Training has started for Regional, State, Local and Tribal agency staff who will be using the new AQS to add new data and update existing data.

Registration is handled by the AQS Contact at the appropriate Regional Office.

Boutique Fuels Report and Related Documents
EPA today is transmitting to President Bush it's report on the state and local "boutique"clean fuel programs called for by the President's National Energy Policy Report issued May 17, 2001. The Agency's report identifies several regulatory changes that can be made in the near term that could help to moderate gasoline price spikes during future transition periods when fuel producers switch from winter to summer grade cleaner-burning gasoline.

Read the entire report and download more information here.

Air Toxics Reporting Guide, Ambient Air Toxics Monitoring Pilot Study
The Air Toxics Reporting Guide, Ambient Air Toxics Monitoring Pilot Study, October 2001 (35K PDF) is available in the "Air Toxics" area.

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Draft Section of Emission Factors for Paved Roads
A new draft document for AP-42 Section 13.2.1, Paved Roads, is now available for public review. Comments are requested by November 23, 2001.

The Future of Radiation Protection: 2025
This report (284K PDF) describes the methodology and summarizes the findings of discussions about the future of radiation protection. More than 200 participants from Federal, State, Local and Tribal governments, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the private sector participated in discussions to identify emerging radiation protection-related challenges and opportunities.

Daily Environmental Monitoring Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal, state and local agencies have collected extensive environmental monitoring data from the World Trade Center site and nearby areas in Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey. Since September 11, EPA has taken samples of the air, dust, water, river sediments and drinking water and analyzed them for the presence of pollutants that might pose a health risk to response workers at the World Trade Center site and the public. The samples are evaluated against a variety of benchmarks, standards and guidelines established to protect public health under various conditions. EPA is collecting data from 17 fixed monitors in and around ground zero and is using portable sampling equipment to collect data from a range of locations.

2000 Air Quality Trends Summary Report
The 2000 Air Quality Trends Summary Report has been released. Trends Reports are EPA's "report card" on the status of air quality and air pollutant emissions. Reports are published annually, about ten months after year-end. Complete trends reports are published every two years, and summary reports every year.

EPA Administrator Whitman Announces Secondhand Smoke-Free Campaign Kick-Off to Protect Children's Health
EPA Administrator Christie Whitman unveiled a new public health initiative designed to protect America's children from the risks of secondhand smoke in their own homes. Whitman announced a national television and print media campaign, and released a new brochure and other outreach materials to help families protect their children. Throughout the month of October, Whitman has been focusing on environmental risks to children's health. Secondhand smoke is an environmental trigger to asthma, the cause of ten million missed school days for children in the US Read the press release.

Quarterly Air Toxics Monitoring Newsletter
The October, 2001 issue of "The Quarterly Air Toxics Monitoring Newsletter" (63K PDF), a publication of the STAPPA/ALAPCO/USEPA Air Toxics Monitoring Steering Committee, is now available.

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Mobile Source Air Toxics
The "Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT) Rule Questions and Answers" (28K PDF) (EPA420-F-01-031) is now available. This document contains responses to questions received by the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA” or the “Agency”) concerning the Mobile Source Air Toxics (“MSAT”or “Toxics”) Rule published in the Federal Register on March 29, 2001 (66 FR 17230). Regulated parties may use this document to aid in achieving compliance with the MSAT regulations. However, this document does not in any way alter the requirements of these regulations. While the answers provided in this document represent the Agency’s interpretation and general plans for implementation of the regulations at this time, some of the responses may change as additional information becomes available or as the Agency further considers certain issues.

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Daily Environmental Monitoring Summary
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal, state and local agencies have collected extensive environmental monitoring data from the World Trade Center site and nearby areas in Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey. Since September 11, EPA has taken samples of the air, dust, water, river sediments and drinking water and analyzed them for the presence of pollutants that might pose a health risk to response workers at the World Trade Center site and the public. The samples are evaluated against a variety of benchmarks, standards and guidelines established to protect public health under various conditions. EPA is collecting data from 17 fixed monitors in and around ground zero and is using portable sampling equipment to collect data from a range of locations.

Source Determinations for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Facilities
The EPA is making available for public review and comment a preliminary draft of its pending guidance on Source Determinations for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Facilities under the Clean Air Act New Source Review and Title V Programs. The comment period on the draft guidance will close on November 14, 2001.

27th Annual Mileage Estimates for 2002 Model Year Cars
On October 9, EPA Administrator,Christine Todd Whitman announced the release of the 2002 model year fuel economy and emissions data for cars and light trucks. The Fuel Economy Guide includes the city and highway values for all 2002 models, as well as useful information about fuel efficiency, vehicle safety, and global warming. The Green Vehicle Guide is a consumer tool which rates vehicles according to their environmental performance and contains other related information.

Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units: Standards of Performance
The EPA is amending the current provisions in the standards of performance for industrial-commercial-institutional steam generating units. The provisions permit owners and operators of new steam generating units located at chemical manufacturing plants and petroleum refineries burning high-nitrogen byproduct/wastes to petition the Administrator for a site specific nitrogen oxides emission limit. This file (12K PDF) is the fact sheet.

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EPA and OSHA Environmental Monitoring Data From World Trade Center and Surrounding Areas
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman and US Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) John Henshaw announced today that both federal agencies are providing the public with extensive additional environmental monitoring data from the World Trade Center site and nearby areas in Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey. Both agencies have taken hundreds of samples to monitor environmental conditions since September 11, and have found no evidence of any significant public health hazard to residents, visitors or workers beyond the immediate World Trade Center area. Rescue crews and nearby residents should take appropriate precautions.

In response to public requests for more detailed information, EPA is making the results of environmental and occupational sampling available at http://www.epa.gov/, and will post additional data as it becomes available.

2000 Quality Assurance Report of the PM2.5 Ambient Air Monitoring Program
An external draft of the calendar year 2000 Quality Assurance Report of the PM2.5 Ambient Air Monitoring Program is now available for review and comment. The report is based on an AIRS data extraction of July 11, 2001.

Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends 1975 Through 2001
"Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends 1975 Through 2001" (EPA420-R-01-008, September 2001) summarizes key fuel economy and technology usage trends related to model year 1975 through 2001 light vehicles sold in the United States. The report finds that since 1988, average new light vehicle fuel economy has declined 1.7 miles per gallon (mpg); more than seven percent. The average fuel economy for model year 2001 vehicles is 20.4 mpg, as low as it has been any year since 1980. This is primarily due to the increase in light truck market share and increased vehicle weight and performance.

Clean Air Markets Update Newsletter: Premier Issue
The first issue of the Clean Air Markets Update, a periodic report focused on the application of market mechanisms for environmental protection is now available. The Update is produced by EPA’s Clean Air Markets Division, which manages the U.S. sulfur dioxide (SO2) trading program. In these pages, key elements involved in the design, implementation, and operation of market-based mechanisms, focusing on emissions trading will be explored. How market mechanisms can be successfully applied to local and national environmental problems will also be covered. The Update offers a governmental perspective on emissions trading that primarily targets a global audience of government officials. Members of the academic, business, and environmental communities may also find many of our articles of interest

EPA Releases Draft Regional Haze Guidance Documents
EPA has announced the availability of two draft guidance documents, entitled "Tracking Progress" (2.8MB PDF) and "Estimating Natural Visibility Conditions (16.5MB)," in support of the regional haze program. Specifically, the guidance documents provide information to EPA regional, state, local and tribal air quality management authorities, as well as the general public, on ways to address program requirements. The guidance also indicates how the agency intends to exercise its discretion in implementing Clean Air Act provisions and EPA regulations concerning the tracking of progress and the estimation of natural visibility conditions under the regional haze program. Comments on the two draft guidance documents are due to the Agency by Friday, November 16, 2001. More information on this topic can be found here: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/whatsnew.html.

EPA Asbestos Air Monitoring Data in the New York City Area
Since September 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been taking samples of the air, dust, water, river sediments and drinking water and analyzing them for the presence of pollutants that might pose a health risk to response workers at the World Trade Center site and the public.

This map shows the locations of EPA air monitoring stations in lower Manhattan.

Combustion Turbine Initiative Meeting
The agenda for the Combustion Turbine Initiative Meeting, set to take place October 9, 2001, is available to the public.

September 2001

Air Toxics Emissions
The August 2001 Draft report: "The Projection of Mobile Source Air Toxics from 1996 to 2007: Emissions and
Concentrations" (EPA420-R-01-038) (3.0MB PDF) details the methodologies used to project future emissions of toxic air pollutants from mobile sources, which consist of highway vehicles and other nonroad mobile sources such as lawn mowers and other small engines, nonroad equipment, airports, marine vessels, and railroads.

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Updated List of NELAC Teleconferences
An updated list of National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) teleconferences (16K PDF) through the end of 2001 is now available.

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3-Month Telecourse Schedule
The Air Pollution Distance Learning Network 3-Month Telecourse Schedule has been updated with the September and October schedule

On-Site Assessment Committee Teleconference Summary
The On-site Assessment Committee of the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) met by teleconference on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The meeting was led by its chair, Mr. Alfredo Sotomayor of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. A list of action items is given in Attachment A. A list of participants is given in Attachment B. The purpose of the meeting was to address items of importance as identified in the committee’s previously distributed meeting agenda.

Click here to read the summary. [19K PDF]

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Control of Emissions from Nonroad Large Spark Ignition Engines and Recreational Engines (Marine and Land-based)
In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, emission standards are being proposed for several groups of nonroad engines that cause or contribute to air pollution but that have yet to be regulated by EPA. These engines include large spark-ignition engines such as those used in forklifts and airport tugs; recreational vehicles using spark-ignition engines such as off-highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles; and recreational marine diesel engines. Nationwide, engines and vehicles in these various categories contribute to ozone, CO, and PM nonattainment. These pollutants cause a range of adverse health effects, especially in terms of respiratory impairment and related illnesses. The proposed standards will help states achieve air quality standards. In addition, the proposed standards will help reduce acute exposure to CO, air toxics, and PM for operators and other people close to the emission source. They will also help address other environmental problems, such as visibility impairment in our national parks.

Pre-publication signature version

Preamble [500K PDF]
Regulations [988K PDF]
Contact: Margaret Borushko, phone: (734) 214-4334, email: borushko.margaret@epa.gov

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Quality Management Plan for the PM Supersites Program
This document [280K PDF] is a Quality Management Plan (QMP) for the environmental data operations of the PM Supersites Research Monitoring Program. The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) staff developed this QMP to outline the roles of organizations involved in the Supersites Particle Monitoring Program. About Portable Document Format (PDF) Files

E-GRID 2000 Version 2.0 Released
E-GRID 2000, Version 2.0, released in September 2001, includes data from 1996 through 1998, encompassing more than 4600 power plants and more than 2000 generating companies. E-GRID 2000's 1998 data have been reconfigured to reflect the industry's current structure, including company mergers, power plant divestiture to nonutility companies, and grid reconfigurations through December 31, 2000. New data files on interchange and state imports/exports are included in Version 2.0. E-GRID is accessible through a user-friendly data browser or by viewing Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, both downloadable from this web site.

Open Market Trading Report The following report: "Emission Quantification for Stationary Sources: Preliminary Technical Guidance" has been added to the Innovative Strategies Documents area. [572K .zip]

This stationary source technical guidance document was prepared to assist State agency staff in evaluating quantification protocols (QP's) and DER's for NOx and VOC trading, and to assist owners and operators of emission sources in evaluating, selecting, and implementing DER quantification options for stationary sources. This document does not address quantification of emissions from mobile sources.

This page provides information on the .zip and other file types.

Hydrochloric Acid Production: Air Toxics Proposed Rule
The U.S. EPA is proposing a rule to control emissions of toxic air pollutants during hydrochloric acid (HCl) production. The hazardous air pollutants that would be reduced by the proposed rule are hydrogen chloride and chlorine. The rule, as proposed, would affect new, reconstructed, and existing HCl production facilities, including those at fume silica facilities.

This file is the text of the fact sheet. [12K PDF]
This file is the text of the proposed rule. [178K PDF]

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Landfill Gas Emissions Telecourses
On September 18, 19, 25, & 26, 2001 EPA is conducting telecourses entitled, Evaluation of Landfill Gas Emissions.

The objective of these broadcasts are to provide guidance and describe the proper techniques to be used by agency personnel in evaluating the compliance status of a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill. The broadcast will emphasize a systematic approach to evaluating a MSW landfill, provide guidance in sampling techniques, and give pointers in selecting appropriate analytical techniques for determining compliance.

2000 Acid Rain Program Compliance Report
The Acid Rain Program was established under Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments ("the Act"). The program calls for major reductions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), the pollutants that cause acid rain. Using a new, market-based approach to environmental protection, the program sets a permanent cap on the total amount of SO2 that may be emitted by electric utilities nationwide at about one half of the amount emitted in 1980, and allows flexibility for individual utility combustion units to select their own methods of compliance. The program also sets NOx emission limitations (in lb/mmBtu) for certain electric utility boilers, representing about a 27 percent reduction from 1990 levels.

To read the 2000 Acid Rain Program Compliance Report, click here.

International Emission Inventory Conference "Emission Inventories - Partnering for the Future"
"Emission Inventories - Partnering for the Future" will be held April 15-18, 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia. This is the eleventh annual symposium on emission inventories and is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Emission Factor and Inventory Group, with assistance from the EPA Region IV office.

Events of September 11 and the Aftermath
Administrator Christie Whitman and all EPA employees send their deepest condolences to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy.

More information concerning EPA's response to this tragedy is available at http://www.epa.gov/.

Diesel Fuel Analysis Program
Presentations from the August 2001 Workshop on the analysis of diesel fuel effects on emissions.

New AQS User Registration Form
An updated version of the registration form is available. Note: The version dated 8/13/01 is still acceptable. The updates were minor formatting changes and additional explanation of certain fields.

Preliminary Summary Emissions Reports
The Acid Rain Program and OTC preliminary summary emissions reports have been updated. The Acid Rain Program reports are through the second quarter of 2001. The OTC reports are through September 1, 2001.

Please note that EPA has not quality assured these data, so these are preliminary reports. Sources are still allowed to resubmit these data.

Asthma Environmental Education and Management Grants
EPA is making available $150,000.00 in Federal grants to conduct in-home asthma environmental education and management. Read the Federal Register notice:

55K WordPerfect || 63K PDF.

About Portable Document Format (PDF) Files

Extension of Comment Period for the Method for Computing Growth for Electric Generating Units
The Announcement of Extension of Comment Period for the Availability of Documents for the Response to the Remands in the Ozone Transport Cases Concerning the Method for Computing Growth for Electric Generating Units is now available in both 3K Wordperfect and 4K PDF Formats.

August 2001

CAP 2000 (Compliance Assurance Program)
On August 23, 2001 the Administrator issued a denial to the Ethyl Corporation's request to reconsider the CAP 2000 regulation. The Administrator has also denied two other Ethyl petitions to reconsider a Heavy Duty gasoline rule and an OBD/IM rule. The denial document and the cover letter from the Administrator to Kevin Fast, Counsel for Ethyl Corp. are available below:

• Cover Letter [58K PDF]
• EPA Response Document to Ethyl Petitions [116K PDF] [178K WPD]

These and other documents relating to this petition may also be found at EPA's Air Docket #A-96-50, Room M-1500 (mail code 6102), 401 M St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20460. The docket is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. weekdays. The docket may also be reached by telephone at (202) 260-7548. As provided in 40 CFR Part 2, a reasonable fee may be charged by EPA for photocopying.

Read more about Automobiles and Light Trucks.

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Global Warming Web Quizzes
Interactive quizzes have been added on the Climate Trends, Atmospheric Change, Future Climate and Impacts pages. Click on the "Test Your Knowledge" buttons. Also, a quiz is available for kids.

Wood Residue Combustion in Boilers
AP-42 Section 1.6 Final Version, Wood Residue Combustion in Boilers is now available.

Testing and Monitoring Provisions for Stationary Sources
In response to a petition for judicial review submitted by the Appalachian Power Company, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing an amendment to the general opacity provisions of the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) concerning opacity monitoring at stationary sources of air pollutants. EPA had originally issued this amendment on October 17, 2000. In its petition, the Appalachian Power Company stated that the amendment went beyond the intent of the rulemaking by making a substantive change in a non-substantive rulemaking. EPA agrees that the increased monitoring required by the amendment could be considered a substantial change in some cases over the former requirement. Therefore the Agency is issuing this direct final rule to withdraw the amendment.

This file (12K PDF) is a fact sheet explaining the action.

Radon Public Service Announcement Wins Award Nomination
"The National Radon Test: Man on the Street" Public Service Announcement has received a nomination for a 2000 Community Service Emmy Award from The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Biodiesel Emissions Analysis Program
This program seeks to quantify the air pollution emission effects of biodiesel on various types of diesel engines.

Contact: Tia Sutton, phone: (734) 214-4018, or email: sutton.tia@epa.gov

New Air Quality Index (AQI) Kids Web Site
The New Air Quality Index (AQI) Kids web site is now available. The site features three chameleons - K.C., Koko, and Kool - who lead the kids through air quality information and two games. The major topic pages in the site are "Clean & Dirty Air," "What is the AQI?," "Air Pollution and Health," "What Can I Do?," and "Games" ("AQI Game Show" and "AQI Color Game").

Public Hearing to Discuss EPA's Proposed BART Guidelines
A list of speakers and a tentative schedule (PDF 21K) for a public hearing to discuss EPA's Proposed BART Guidelines in Chicago, IL, on Monday, August 27, 2001, is now available on-line in PDF format.

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Local Air Toxics Assessment and Reduction Training Workshop
This workshop on November 13-15, 2001 will bring together community organizations, academic institutions, and local, state, tribal and federal governments working on local air toxics to share experiences and learn from each other. The workshop will summarize the best current knowledge and experience and identify future air toxics assessment and reduction needs. It will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Detroit, Michigan.

Limited Maintenance Plan for PM10
Many PM₁₀ nonattainment areas have been meeting the national ambient air quality standards for five years or more and have a low risk of future exceedances. A policy is needed that would allow both states and EPA to deal more efficiently with low risk areas so that our limited resources can be focused on higher priority areas, including areas that still are not meeting the standard or at risk of continued nonattainment. This policy option provides a simplified approach to meeting maintenance plan requirements for areas with acceptably low risks of future nonattainment. This is based on a 1 in 10 year probability of exceeding the PM₁₀ NAAQS. The LMP is a streamlined approach because it does not require areas that meet its qualification criteria to perform dispersion modeling, or to project emissions into the future, or to meet certain conformity requirements. All other requirements related to redesignation requests must still be met (i.e., an approved SIP, the area must be meeting the NAAQS, an attainment inventory, etc.).

The basis of the policy is an in depth statistical analysis of the air quality data of all the PM₁₀ monitoring sites in the country over the past 10 years. EPA looked at the design values of all sites and their relationship to the PM₁₀ NAAQS, and their variability from year to year. Our analysis showed that these sites have had a minimum of five years of clean air quality data, little or no emissions growth and no substantial growth expected, and the statistical record of their data indicates that there is a very low probability that they will experience air quality violations in the future. Click here to read the fact sheet (11K PDF).

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2001 NELAC Standards Now Available
The 2001 National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) Standards are now available:

1. Chapter 1 Program Policy and Structure Standard (181K PDF)
2. Chapter 2 Proficiency Testing Standard (193K PDF)
3. Chapter 3 On-Site Assessment Standard (108K PDF)
4. Chapter 4 Accreditation Process Standard (71K PDF)
5. Chapter 5 Quality Systems Standard (244K PDF)
6. Chapter 6 Accrediting Authority Standard (120K PDF)

The standards are also available under 2001 NELAC Standards.

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Boat Manufacturing: Final Air Toxics Rule
The United States Environmental Protection Agency is issuing final NESHAP for new and existing boat manufacturing facilities. This file (12K PDF) is the fact sheet for the final rule.

Green Book Web Site Has Been Updated
The Green Book provides data on areas of the country where air pollution levels persistently exceed the national ambient air quality standards. These areas are designated "Non-Attainment" areas. Non-Attainment areas are broken up into 6 Criteria pollutants. From here you can view the list and choose which pollutant you wish to view and the areas of the country which exceed each of those standards.

Emission Inventory Improvement Program: One-Pagers
EIIP "One-Pagers" are source-specific papers with methodology for PM10, PM2.5, and NH3. These source specific papers are review drafts with National Emissions Inventory (NEI) methodology for PM10, PM2.5, and NH3 and suggestions for making refinements to the NEI estimates. Comments on any of the review drafts should be directed to the EPA contact listed in each paper.

Indoor Air Quality Building Education and Assessment Model (I-BEAM) Computer Software
I-BEAM is computer software for use by building professionals and others interested in indoor air quality in commercial buildings. I-BEAM dates and expands EPA's existing Building Air Quality guidance and is designed to be comprehensive state-of-the-art guidance for managing IAQ in commercial buildings. I-BEAM contains text, animation/visual, and interactive/calculation components that can be used to perform a number of diverse tasks.

SIP Submissions Now Under Adequacy Review
The following SIP submissions are now under adequacy review and are available for public comment.  You can access them via EPA's conformity adequacy website.
Posted: August 10, 2001

• Region 8:
  • Denver, Colorado (PM-10 maintenance plan)
• Region 9:
  • Phoenix, Arizona (CO attainment demonstration)

NOx Budget Trading Program Workshop Follow-up Materials
The following are follow-up materials from the July 25-26, 2001 NOx Budget Trading Program Workshop in Louisville, Kentucky:

• NOx Budget Trading Program Workshop web site
  • Presentations
  • Questions and Answers

Chemical Recovery Combustion Sources: Kraft, Soda, Sulfite, and Stand-Alone Semichemical Pulp Mills: Air Toxics Rule Technical Corrections
EPA has issued technical corrections to NESHAP for new and existing sources used in chemical recovery processes at kraft, soda, sulfite, and stand-alone semichemical pulp mills. This file (11K PDF) is a fact sheet about the technical corrections to the final rule.

About Portable Document Format (PDF) Files

Allowance System for Controlling HCFC Production, Import & Export
A public hearing on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on an Allowance System for Controlling HCFC Production, Import and Export (published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2001) will be held on Monday, August 27, 2001. This hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the 1st Floor Meeting Room at 501 3rd Street, NW in Washington, D.C.

View the Proposed Rulemaking on an Allowance System for Controlling HCFC Production, Import and Export

Title V & Synthetic Minor Permit Issuance Rate Tables
The latest Title V and Synthetic Minor permit issuance rate tables have been updated:

• Title V Permit Issuance Statistics: By Region; and
• Title V Permits Issuance Status: By Region.

The maps with color-coded permit issuance status have also been updated at:

• Title V Permit Issuance Status: United States; and
• Title V Related Permit Issuance Status: United States (Includes Title V permits and Synthetic Minor permits).

July 2001

Electric Utility Steam Generating Units & Industrial-Commercial- Institutional Steam Generating Units: Partial Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule
Due to relevant adverse comments, the EPA is withdrawing two provisions from the direct final rule published on April 10, 2001 (66 FR 18546) for 40 CFR subpart Da and Db. This file (10K PDF) is the text of the fact sheet.

About Portable Document Format (PDF) Files

Resource Kit for High School Science Teachers
The National Safety Council's Environmental Health Center has created a kit to help teachers explore radiation issues with their students. The new kit is available FREE to high school teachers to help educate students about radiation and risk.

You can order your Understanding Radiation Kit online at: http://www.nsc.org/ehc/rad.htm. You may also e-mail your request to: cohend@nsc.org.

NOx SIP Call and Section 126 Notice of Data Availability
As explained in a Notice of Data Availability (51K PDF) signed on July 27, 2001, EPA is putting a number of documents into the NOx SIP call Docket (A-96-56) and the Section 126 Docket (A-97-43), relevant to the remands by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (B.C. Circuit) concerning growth rates for seasonal heat input by electric generating units.

U.S. EPA's 2002 Climate Protection Awards
The Climate Protection Partnerships Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations for the 2002 Climate Protection Awards (see attached application form (104K PDF)). This award program was established in 1998 to recognize exceptional leadership, personal dedication, and technical achievements in protecting the climate.

Contact: Caley Johnson, Climate Protection Partnerships Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460

• Telephone: 1-202-564-2319,
• Fax: 1-202-565-2134, or
• E-mail: johnson.caley@epa.gov
  
  Application Deadline: August 31, 2001

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Green Diesel Engine Technology
The following press release: "Green diesel engine technology meets EPA rule for cleaner diesel trucks and buses" was released on July 27, 2001.

Contact: Cathy Milbourn by phone: (202) 564-7824 or by e-mail: milbourn.cathy@epa.gov.

New Page on Tribal Air Web Site
This new page contains links to "Projects and Activities in Indian Country." Tribes are encouraged to share their progress, activities, and accomplishments with other Tribes by submitting news items to mckelvey.laura@epa.gov.

Diesel Fuel Analysis Program

• Workshop Announcement, (3K TXT) (26K MS-Word97) describing workshop planned for August 28, 2001, to discuss EPA staff discussion document and other technical issues regarding EPA analysis of fuel effects on emissions.
• Staff Discussion Document, Strategies and Issues in Correlating Diesel Fuel Properties with Emissions, (300K PDF)
• Contractor report, describing Southwest Research Institute's work developing the heavy-duty diesel emissions database and using the database to model the effect of diesel fuel parameters on emissions. July 2001. (1.8M PDF)

Contact: Cleophas Jackson, phone: (734) 214-4824, or email: jackson.cleophas@epa.gov or Megan Beardsley, phone: (734) 214-4848, or email: beardsley.megan@epa.gov
About Portable Document Format (PDF) Files

This page provides more information on other file types.

Guide on How to Build Radon-Resistant Homes
Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Build Radon-Resistant Homes (7.9 MB PDF). This 81-page, fully illustrated guide contains all the info you need in one place to educate home builders about radon-resistant new construction (RRNC), including: Basic questions and detailed answers about radon and RRNC; Specific planning steps before installing a system; Detailed installation instructions with helpful illustrations; Tips and tricks when installing a system, Marketing know-how when dealing with homebuyers; and, Architectural drawings. EPA Document Number 402-K-01-002, April 2001.

Energy Star News: 1-Watt for Standby Power
On June 28, 2001, President Bush highlighted ENERGY STAR as a central part of the Administration's efforts to promote energy conservation. Bush focused on "standby power," the energy consumed by electronic equipment and small household appliances that are turned "off."

Large Municipal Waste Combustors: Standards of Performance
This action proposes to amend the standards of performance and emission guidelines for large municipal waste combustors by expanding the definition of mass burn rotary waterwall municipal waste combustors to include mass burn tumbling-tile grate waterwall municipal waste combustors. This file is the text of the proposed rule.

Large Municipal Waste Combustors: Standards of Performance for Units Constructed After Sept. 20, 1994 or Modified After June 19, 1996 and Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Units Built on or Before Sept 20, 1994: Direct Final Rule (45K PDF).

About Portable Document Format (PDF) Files

National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report, 1999
This is the 27th annual report documenting air pollution trends in the United States. This document highlights the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) most recent assessment of the nation’s air quality, focusing on the 20-year period from 1980 to 1999. It features comprehensive information for the criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants, as well as relevant ambient air pollution information for visibility impairment and acid rain.

International Emission Inventory Conference: "Emission Inventories - Partnering for the Future"

"Emission Inventories - Partnering for the Future" will be held in the Spring of 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia. This is the eleventh annual symposium on emission inventories and is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Emission Factor and Inventory Group, with assistance from the EPA Region IV office.

Imports of Vehicles, Engines and Equipment Website
Imports of Vehicles, Engines and Equipment, a new website, is now available. Requirements, forms, and other information are displayed on this site.

Revised 2000 Emissions Scorecard
We have modified the data to reflect late resubmissions. Please replace all previous files with the revised versions most recently posted.

Updated List of Emissions Reporting Contacts for e-mail Submission:

• Sources listed by Plant Name
• Sources listed by ORIS

Revised PARS Software Available
The installation file is called pars_setup.exe (instead of just setup.exe)(3.8MB EXE). Download it to your PC then run it to install the PARS program. The installation file has been updated since the 7/9/01 version.

This page provides more information on the executable (i.e., .exe) file type.

Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions & Sinks: 1990-1999
The 2001 U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory has been released and can be obtained here. Readers can download the entire document in a single file, or download individual chapters.

About Portable Document Format (PDF) Files

Nationwide Forecast Map Added to AIRNOW
A map showing the air quality forecasts for each of the 161 participating locations has been added to AIRNOW. It can be accessed from the forecast page.

Quarterly Air Toxics Monitoring Newsletter
The July, 2001 issue of The Quarterly Air Toxics Monitoring Newsletter (60K PDF), a publication of the STAPPA/ALAPCO/USEPA Air Toxics Monitoring Steering Committee, is now available.

New Sun Protection Fact Sheet
The new fact sheet named "Sunscreen: The Burning Facts" (954K PDF) educates the public about sunscreens and other important sun protection measures so individuals can protect themselves from damaging UV rays.

EPA Announces NOx Budget Trading Program Workshop
The United States Environmental Protection Agency will host a NOx Budget Trading Program Workshop in the Washington, DC area from September 26-27.

AIRS Conference 2001 - Air Data In Transition: July 30 - Aug 2, 2001
This year's AIRS Conference will be held July 30 through August 2 at the Downtown Marriott Hotel, 75 South West Temple St., Salt Lake City, Utah 84101.

The primary focus of this year's conference is directed towards the Air Quality and Compliance user communities, including tribal agencies, that collect and report data to the AIRS system. The emissions portion of AIRS was phased out last year and is no longer operational. As a result, this year's AIRS conference will not focus much of its time on data management issues associated with emission inventories.

See the Airs Conference page for more information.

Adjustment to Reformulated Gasoline VOC Standard - Final Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a rulemaking that will make it easier for oil refiners to use ethanol in cleaner-burning gasoline supplied to the Chicago and Milwaukee areas, while continuing to achieve ground-level ozone benefits similar to those in the Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) program.

The rule helps provide maximum flexibility for refiners and helps reduce costs for blending ethanol into gasoline by adjusting the volatile organic compounds (VOC) standards for ethanol reformulated gasoline. This final rule (68K PDF) recognizes the environmental benefits of ethanol and ensures that it will continue to play a significant role in the cleaner-burning RFG program.

For more information, Contact:
Barry Garelick, phone: (202) 564-9028, email: garelick.barry@epa.gov.

Reinforced Plastic Composites: Air Toxics Rule: Fact Sheet
EPA is proposing a rule to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants during the production of reinforced plastic composites. Reinforced plastic composites facilities produce a variety of reinforced plastic products, including fiberglass bath tubs and showers, automobile and recreational vehicle parts, storage tanks, and engine and tool covers. The primary air toxic emitted during the production of reinforced plastic composites is styrene.

This file (9K PDF), available on the TTN OAR Policy & Guidance page, is a fact sheet on the proposed rule.

Final SAB Dioxin Reassessment Review Report Now On SAB Web Site
In April 1991, EPA announced that it would conduct a scientific reassessment of the potential health risks of exposure to dioxin and related compounds. The Agency initiated the reassessment to review emerging scientific knowledge of the biological, human health, and environmental effects of these substances.

This document available on the Science Advisory Board web site, contains EPA revisions, and comments of several external peer review panels.

November 2001

First Quarter 2001 Hourly Emissions Data
The EPA's Clean Air Market Programs collect emission data from electric power plants and other generation facilities. The hourly emission reports for the first quarter of 2001 are now available for download and viewing.

STAPPA/ALAPCO, EPA, ECOS and Tribal Groups Issue Joint Statement on Vision and Goals for the National Air Program
The Joint Statement on Vision and Goals for the National Air Program is the result of a collaborative process between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The National Tribal Environmental Council, The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals at Northern Arizona University, the Environmental Council of the States, the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators, and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials.

Representatives from each of these organizations worked together for many months to establish a shared 10-year vision for the National Air Program. The principles in the Joint Statement are intended to guide policymakers and administrators at all levels of government in employing a long-term, strategic approach to air quality management. These air management partners are committed to an ongoing dialogue and are collectively overseeing a set of concrete actions designed to help make the Joint Statement on Vision and Goals a reality. The Joint Statement has been published (final draft) and was made available to the public n February 2001.

• Click here (805K PDF) for the Joint Statement. 
• Click here (80K PDF) for the Executive Summary. 

Comments or feedback concerning this final draft document are welcome. Please contact Hollis Hope or Mike Hadrick at EPA's Office of Air & Radiation, 202-564-7400 or you may send e-mail to hope.hollis@epa.gov or hadrick.michael@epa.gov.

Final SAB Dioxin Reassessment Review Report
The SAB Dioxin Reassessment Review Subcommittee (DRRS) (of the SAB Executive Committee) met on November 1 and 2, 2000 to review revised sections of the EPA draft document Exposure and Human Health Reassessment of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) and Related Compounds (in addition, the DRRS met via public teleconference on January 23 and on April 23, 2001, to discuss several issues that needed further resolution).

The final Science Advisory Board (SAB) dioxin reassessment review report is now on the SAB web site and available for download (184K) in PDF format.

New Source Review (NSR) 90-Day Review and Report to the President
In May 2001, The National Energy Policy Development Group, in its National Energy Policy Report, recommended that "the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and other relevant agencies, review New Source Review regulations, including administrative interpretation and implementation, and report to the President within 90 days on the impact of the regulations on investment in new utility and refinery generation capacity, energy efficiency, and environmental protection."

Updated Quarterly Report Review Process for Determining Final Annual Emissions
These policies apply in 2001 to emissions reporting under the Acid Rain Program and the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) NOx Budget Program. A redline/strikeout version is provided to make it easy to identify changes from the December 2000 version. Second quarter 2001 ETS User Bulletin is now available.

Average Annual Emissions and Fuel Consumption for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
An updated fact sheet on average annual emissions and fuel consumption for passenger cars and light trucks is now available. (April 2000, EPA420-F-00-013) 21K PDF

Contact: Jennifer France, phone: (734) 214-4510, or email: france.jennifer@epa.gov

Acid Rain Regulations
This letter represents U. S. EPA’s official determination of applicability [PDF File 27.6k] under §72.6(c) of the Acid Rain regulations for Unit 1 at the CH Resources-Syracuse plant (“Syracuse”), ORISPL 010621, Unit 1 at the CH Resources-Beaver Falls plant (“Beaver Falls”), ORISPL 010617, and Unit 1 at the CH Resources-Niagara Falls plant (“Niagara Falls”), ORISPL 050202 in New York, all of which are owned by CH Resources, Inc (CH Resources). This determination is made in response to CH Resources’ March 2, 2000 request, in which CH Resources suggests that the units were initially exempt from the Acid Rain Program under §72.6(b)(5) and are still exempt under §72.6(b)(4).

Particulate Matter: Preliminary Draft Staff Paper: Fact Sheet
As required under the Clean Air Act, the periodic review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) is now underway. The second external review draft "Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter" was released for public and peer review on April 12, 2001. The Criteria Document assesses new scientific information regarding the health and environmental effects of airborne PM. The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) Staff Paper is intended to bridge the gap between the scientific review contained in the Criteria Document and the decisions required of the Administrator in reviewing a NAAQS. EPA is now releasing a preliminary draft PM Staff Paper for public and peer review. The preliminary draft PM Staff Paper and draft Criteria Document will be reviewed at a public meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) in July 2001. EPA will carefully review and consider comments received during both the public comment period and th e July CASAC meeting to produce a revised Criteria Document which will be followed by a revised draft Staff Paper, which will be made available for public and peer review. This file contains a fact sheet summary of EPA’s preliminary draft PM Staff Paper.

EPA NOx Budget Trading Program Workshop
EPA is planning to hold two workshops in the coming months to address implementation of the NOx Trading Program under the Section 126 rule and the NOx SIP Call. The first workshop has been scheduled for July 25-26 in Louisville, Kentucky. Also, EPA is considering an additional workshop near Washington, DC, but would like to gauge interest in this workshop before finalizing plans.

EPA Denies California's Request for Waiver
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has denied California's request for a waiver from the oxygen content requirement for California-covered area. Given the legal constraints within the Clean Air Act, EPA cannot approve the State of California’s request to waive the federal oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline (RFG), Administrator Christie Whitman announced today. After an extensive analysis, the Agency concluded that there is significant uncertainty over the change in emissions that would result from a waiver. California has not clearly demonstrated what the impact on smog would be from a waiver of the oxygen mandate. “We cannot grant a waiver for California since there is no clear evidence that a waiver will help California to reduce harmful levels of air pollutants,” said Whitman.

Ozone Maps for Oregon Added
Ozone maps have been added for the state of Oregon. Today's map and Yesterday's 1-hour and 8-hour peak maps can be accessed from the Oregon Where I Live page.

Preliminary Acid Rain Program Summary Emissions Reports
These reports contain state-by-state utility emissions through the First Quarter of 2001. These are the same data as in the Year-to-Date Summary Emissions Reports, but they are tabulated by state for easy viewing. See the description of Summary Emissions Reports for details on the information presented.

MOBILE6 Model
EPA is developing extensions to MOBILE6 that will integrate the calculation of highway vehicle particulate emissions and air toxic emissions into the model.

• MOBILE6.1 Particulates Scoping Document 15K PDF 16K WPD
• MOBILE6.2 Toxics -- Scoping Document 17K PDF 23K WPD

On-Board Diagnostics: Vehicle Service Information
On May 30, 2001 EPA Administrator Christine Whitman signed the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing changes to EPA's 1995 vehicle service information regulation.

Contact: Holly Pugliese, telephone: (734) 214-4288 or email: pugliese.holly@epa.gov

Final Yucca Mountain Standards Signed by EPA Administrator
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promulgating public health and safety standards for radioactive material stored or disposed of in the potential repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Section 801 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EnPA, Public Law No. 102-486) directs EPA to develop these standards.

Take the smoke-free home pledge
Breathing secondhand smoke can be harmful to your children's health. You can protect your children by making your home smoke-free. Take the Smoke-Free Home Pledge by calling the toll-free Smoke-Free Home Pledge Hotline at 1-800-513-1157 and protect your children from the health risks of secondhand smoke. Click here to view the brochure.

May 2001

New Presentation of Acid Rain Information
Acid Rain Program plant locations, operating company, and regulatory phase are now provided in a variety of formats. This information is simply a new presentation; it can also be found in E-GRID and C-MAP.

List of AIRNOW Publications Available in Spanish
Publicaciones De Airnow Disponibles En Espanol: A page has been added listing AIRNOW Publications which are available in Spanish.

SIP Submissions Now Under Adequacy Review
The following SIP submissions are now under adequacy review and are available for public comment.  You can access them via EPA's conformity adequacy website.

Posted:  May 30, 2001
• Region 8:
  Denver, Colorado (ozone maintenance plan)

Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART)
On May 29, 2001 EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman announced that she will move forward with a proposed rule to help states take steps to control haze-causing emissions from older power plants and industrial facilities. The proposed rule technically known as "best available retrofit technology," or BART, will be available at this site as soon as it is signed.

The version of the BART rule currently under review by the Administrator is also available at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1main.html under Proposed and Final Preambles and Rules.

Central Data Exchange (CDX) is now available.
The Central Data Exchange is open and ready for business beginning May 24. Before you send your Air Emissions Inventory data through CDX, you must first register using your customer retrieval key. Your customer retrieval key is generated from pre-registration information. If you have not already pre-registered with CDX, please download and complete the spreadsheet provided below. Send the completed spreadsheet attached to an e-mail to Roy Chaudet at rchaudet@lmi.org.

If you need assistance, please contact CDX Technical Support at 1-888-890-1995.

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Conference Presentations
These presentations were delivered at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Conference on May 16, 2001, in Charlotte, NC. They relate ideas about emissions monitoring.

Correction/Update to OBODM Model
A correction/update has been made to the OBODM model. The updated version is now available as OBODM1318. Please see the README for errata information. Also, now available is the two volume user's manual for the model. All of the above can be found on the Models page of this website under the section entitled "Alternative Models/Toxics Models".

AIRS Conference 7/30/01 - 8/2/01 in Salt Lake City
This year's AIRS Conference will be held July 30 through August 2 at the Downtown Marriott Hotel, 75 South West Temple St., Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. The primary focus of this year's conference is directed towards the Air Quality and Compliance user communities, including tribal agencies, that collect and report data to the AIRS system. The emissions portion of AIRS was phased out last year and is no longer operational. As a result, this year's AIRS conference will not focus much of it's time on data management issues associated with emission inventories. Other EPA conferences will handle the data management aspects of emission inventories (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/).

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making available to the public information related to a July 11, 2000, proposal under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program under section 612 of the Clean Air Act.

The official comment period for the proposal ended on September 11, 2000. However, EPA received information after September 11, 2000 from outside parties through letters, meetings and the Agency's own efforts to obtain information to address public comments. Today, the Agency is making new information obtained after the close of the comment period available for public review and comment. The information being made available includes: sector description and size, alternatives currently used in each sector and technically viable alternatives. Because we plan to use this information in the future when developing a final rule, EPA wants to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on it.

RBLC Data Entry/Edit Area Closed
As of today, the RBLC Data Entry/Edit area will be closed so the data tables may be moved. The RBLC as a whole will remain open and users will still be able to conduct searches and generate reports. The only change will be that authorized individuals will not be able to enter or edit their agency's RBLC data. We hope to have the data edit/entry area open again in mid-June. If you experience any problems with the system, please send an e-mail to (the CATC/RBLC Webmaster).

A page has been added listing AIRNOW Publications which are available in Spanish.

Proposed Revisions to 40 CFR Parts 72 and 75 (Emissions Monitoring)
SO2 auction proceeds are now available in a 6.1 Mb Excel spreadsheet that provides information at the unit and plant level for each year.

QA/QC Software for NIF version 1.2
The NEI Input Format (NIF) is the format most widely used by state and local agencies to transfer data to the EPA's National Emissions Inventory (NEI). The most current versions of the NIF and all user documentation is posted here for users to download.

On this page, you will find the new QA/QC Software for NIF version 1.2.

Nutritional Yeast Manufacturing: Air Toxics: Final Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promulgating a regulation that will reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants and volatile organic compounds from nutritional yeast manufacturing plants. Nutritional yeast is a product that is used as an ingredient in yeast-raised baked products, and as a nutritional food additive. This document contains the preamble and regulatory text language. There is also a fact sheet available.

Technical Support for PM2.5 Data Management Tool
A database tool was developed to assist in the process of collecting PM2.5 data from the monitors, administering and housing the information, and reporting it to the EPA. The Technical Support for PM2.5 Data Management Tool (7K PDF) has been extended thru Sept. 30, 2001 and is posted in the "Data Management and AIRS Reporting" area.

Denial of Petition to Remove Methanol from Toxic Air Pollutant List: Fact Sheet
The EPA is denying a petition to remove methanol from the list of toxic air pollutants the Clean Air Act requires the Agency to regulate. This file (9K PDF) contains the Fact Sheet for EPA's denial of the petition on methanol.

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Reorganized SIP Information
Information about State Implementation Plans (SIPs) that have been determined Adequate or Inadequate has been reorganized for quicker and more efficient access to Region and State Plans.
Contact:  Angie Spickard, phone:  (734) 214-4283 or email  spickard.angela@epa.gov

2000 Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) NOx Budget Program Compliance Report
The NOx Budget Program was established by the states in the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) to reduce NOx emissions region-wide as a part of each state's effort to attain the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ground level ozone.

Click here to read the NOx Budget Program Compliance Report.

Averaging, Banking, and Trading (ABT) Program
List of Companies with Registered Tier 2 Gasoline Sulfur Baselines for the Gasoline Sulfur Averaging, Banking, and Trading (ABT) Program.

To promote credit and allotment trading, the following list (PDF 14k) provides contact information of companies with registered Tier 2 Gasoline Sulfur Baselines. This list does not indicate whether or not credits or allotments have been or will be generated.

Economic Impact Analysis for the Final Vegetable Oil Processing NESHAP
This report (311K PDF) analyzes the economic impacts of an air pollution regulation to reduce emissions of hexane, which is a solvent, generated in the production of crude vegetable oils and meals. Hexane is a hazardous air pollutant (HAP). This analysis presents the economic impacts of two regulatory alternatives. The first alternative is the MACT floor, and the EPA is promulgating this regulatory alternative. The economic impact results are also presented for an above-the-MACT-floor alternative, and these results are presents for comparison purposes only.

New Publication from the Radiation Protection Division
Field Demonstration Of Permeable Reactive Barriers To Remove Dissolved Uranium From Groundwater, Fry Canyon, Utah: September 1997 through September 1998 Interim Report (PDF 3.69MB)

Updated List of Emissions Reporting Contacts for Email Submission
The list of emissions reporting contacts has been updated:

• Sources listed by Plant Name
• Sources listed by ORIS

New Generation Mobile Source Emissions Model
EPA is undertaking an effort to develop a new set of modeling tools for the estimation of emissions produced by on-road and off-road mobile sources. This new web page includes background information as well as a detailed report, "EPA's New Generation Mobile Source Emissions Model: Initial Proposal and Issues." 200K PDF or 285K WPD The report outlines an initial approach for the model, for the purpose of eliciting comments from stakeholders and model users.

Comments on this are requested by July 1, 2001.
Contact: John Koupal, phone: (734) 214-4942 or email: newgen@epa.gov.

2000 NELAC Constitution, Bylaws and Standards
The 2000 National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) Constitution, Bylaws and Standards can be obtained for the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). The accession number is PB2001-104049. The paper copy price code is A13 ($54.00) and the microfiche price code is A03 ($23.00). The sales desk phone number is 1-800-553-6847 (or locally (703) 605-6000) and the website address is http://www.ntis.gov.

The 1999 NELAC standards can also be obtained through NTIS (accession number is PB2000-102120INZ).

Ozone Maps for Oklahoma Added to AIRNOW
The AIRNOW web site now has ozone maps for the state of Oklahoma. Today's map and Yesterday's 1-hour and 8-hour peak maps can be accessed from the Oklahoma, Where I Live page.

April 2001

Fuel Additives/Detergents
Docket Item IV-D-01:  Review of Infineum Corporation's VEKTRON® 6913 Gasoline Fuel Additive Test Program by Jose Pinheiro, contractor to Infineum:

• Cover Letter from Jose Pinheiro to Infineum   2K PDF
• "Comments on the Statistical Analysis of the VEKTRON® 6913 Fleet Test", Report from Jose Pinheiro to Infineum   96K PDF

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AIRS Conference 7/30 - 8/2 in Salt Lake City
This year's AIRS Conference will be held July 30 thru August 2 at the Downtown Marriott Hotel, 75 South West Temple St., Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. 
The primary focus of this conference is directed towards the Air Quality and Compliance communities.

We have contracted for 225 sleeping rooms for participants from the Air Quality and Facility/Compliance Subsystems at the government per diem rate of $75 per night plus applicable taxes. (This rate is guaranteed through July 9, 2001.)

Please contact the hotel directly at 800/228-9290 or 801/531-0800 for your reservations. Incidentally, their Fax # is 801/532-4127.  Be sure to ask for the AIRS block of rooms.  Their web site is www.marriott.com/marriott/slcut.

Soon we will be taking registrations for the conference via this website or by fax (919/541-5449) so stay tuned!

AIRNOW debuts for 2001 Ozone Season!
The AIRNow website has a new look to allow easier navigation throughout the site. However, AIRNow still contains many useful data products from the original site. Real-time Ozone Maps, Air Quality forecasts, and links to State and local Air Quality websites are all still available on the AIRNow website.

Daily ozone forecasting begins today for many areas of the country.

Generation of ozone maps will officially begin May 1, 2001! However, maps are already available for many states who are already submitting data. Check here frequently for availability of maps and the addition of new participating areas.

New Features for 2001

Ozone Maps - Eastern Canada, Arkansas, and Kansas are new 2001 participants in the Ozone Mapping System.

Publications - We have added "Ozone and Your Patients Health". This is a 40 minute video developed by EPA and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine for physicians and other primary care providers.

Environmental Monitoring Management Council (EMMC) Methods Format
The Guideline Document 45 (PDF 69K) (GD-045) Environmental Monitoring Management Council (EMMC) Methods Format is now available.

Clean Air Transportation Communities Request for Proposals: Conference Call Summaries for March 27 and March 29
EPA has published questions and answers received during the first two Clean Air Transportation Communities RFP conference calls on March 27 and March 29.  The summaries include additional information to follow-up on questions for which complete answers could not be given during the calls.

• March 27, 2001 Conference call summary:   13K PDF
• March 29, 2001 Conference call summary:   11K PDF

National Air Monitoring Strategy
The overarching objective of the National Air Monitoring Strategy is to provide a blueprint for managing the nation's air monitoring networks such that changing priorities and needs, both national and local, can be accommodated within a scientifically sound and resource optimized framework.

This section of the Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center (AMTIC) includes a number of documents which provide a description of the strategy and reflect ongoing components of the strategic plan under development.

MOBILE6 Model: Computer-Based Training
EPA is developing a variety of training opportunities for MOBILE6 users. The first of these is this Computer-Based Training: 1.9M ZIP After unzipping the file, please see "ReadmeCD.txt" for instructions.

Contact: fax: (734) 214-4939 or email: mobile@epa.gov.

Air CHIEF CD-ROM, Version 8
The Air CHIEF CD-ROM gives the public and private sector users 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.

This version of Air CHIEF contains many features, such as linking between related documents, web links directly to the CHIEF web site for easy access to the most recent updates, and enhanced full-CD searching.

Vegetable Oil Production: Air Toxics Rule for Solvent Extraction: Fact Sheet
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promulgating a rule to limit emissions of toxic air pollutants from facilities that use hexane to extract oil from vegetable seeds. Hexane is a toxic air pollutant that, upon long-term exposure, can cause permanent nerve damage.

Click here to read the fact sheet.

New HEAST Radionuclide Slope Factors
These pages provide the latest information and guidance on using radionuclide slope factors from the Health Effects Assessment Summary Tables (HEAST) - Radionuclides Table (formerly Table 4). EPA, other federal agencies, states and contractors who are responsible for the identification, characterization and remediation of sites contaminated with radioactive materials use radionuclide slope factors in risk assessments to calculate potential risks to the general public. EPA classifies all radionuclides as known human cancer causing agents (Group A carcinogens).

Mobile Source Air Toxics
Final Rule to Control Emissions of Hazardous Air Pollutants from Mobile Sources Preamble and Regulations. 320K HTML 290K PDF

Contact:  Margaret Borushko, phone:  (734) 214-4334 or email:  borushko.margaret@epa.gov

NOx Allowance Market Analysis
The NOx Market Analysis has been updated as of April 2001.

Amendment to the Tier 2 / Gasoline Sulfur Regulations
The following SIP submissions are now under adequacy review and are available for public comment.  You can access them via EPA's conformity adequacy website.

• Region 4:
  Louisville, Kentucky (ozone maintenance plan)
  
• Region 5:
  Louisville, Kentucky (ozone maintenance plan)
  

State and Local Climate Change Program Solicits Proposals for State GHG Inventories and Action Plans
This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals from state agencies involved with climate change and air quality issues, for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories and GHG mitigation plans. To this purpose, EPA will make available grants of up to $25,000 (for inventories) and up to $75,000 (for mitigation plans) to each recipient in the form of cooperative agreements.

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings
This document presents guidelines for the remediation/cleanup of mold and moisture problems in schools and commercial buildings; these guidelines include measures designed to protect the health of building occupants and remediators. It has been designed primarily for building managers, custodians, and others who are responsible for commercial building and school maintenance. It should serve as a reference for potential mold and moisture remediators. EPA 402-K-01-001, March 2001.

PM2.5 Report
PM2.5 Speciation Trends Network Special Study is posted in the "PM2.5 Speciation" area. Download or view Adobe PDF File (PDF 457kb).

Emission Measurement Development Activities
Highlights of Emission Measurement Development Activities for 2000-2001 is now available HLTS2001.PDF (PDF 261kb).

Amendments to Air Toxics Rule
Ferroalloys Production: Ferromanganese and Silicomanganese: Amendments to Air Toxics Rule - Proposal (PDF 32k), Fact Sheet (PDF 13k), Direct Final Rule (PDF 57k).

Analyses of 1999 PM Data for the PM NAAQS Review
These files document all analyses conducted in association with the EPA memorandum titled "Analyses of 1999 PM Data for the PM NAAQS Review," November 17, 2000. These analyses were conducted for the review of the Particulate Matter (PM) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Both 1999 PM10 and PM2.5 data were extracted from EPA’s Atmospheric Information Retrieval System (AIRS) data base on various dates in July, 2000. Each analysis is documented in a separate attachment to this memorandum (20K .ZIP).

Learn more about .ZIP files

March 2001

2001 SO2 Allowance Auction Results
The 2001 SO2 Allowance Auction took place on March 28, 2001. Allowances were auctioned that could first be used in 2001 as well as in 2008. The auction results can be viewed here.

NVFEL Earth Day 2001 Celebration
The National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) will celebrate Earth Day by holding an Open House in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Sunday, April 22, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

C-MAP Launched
The Clean Air Mapping and Analysis Program provides maps and emissions data to assess progress in reducing emissions from power plants under the Acid Rain Program and the Ozone Transport Commission Nitrogen Oxides Budget Program.

E-GRID 2000 Released
The Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (E-GRID) is a comprehensive source of data on the environmental characteristics of all electric power generated in the United States. An integration of 18 different federal data sources, E-GRID 2000 provides information on air pollutant emissions and resource mix for individual power plants, generating companies, states, and regions of the power grid. The data are expressed in terms that allow direct comparison of the environmental attributes of electricity generation at any level.

Polymers & Resins IV-PET Production: Air Toxics Rule: Extension of Compliance Dates
This direct final rule (45K PDF) extends the compliance dates for the equipment leak provisions of the Group IV Polymers and Resins National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) as it applies to facilities manufacturing polyethylene terephthalate resins. This rule extends the compliance date for existing sources until August 27, 2001. The compliance date for new sources is extended until initial start up or August 27, 2001, whichever is later.

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St. Louis 1-Hour Ozone Attainment Status

• Proposed Delay of Effective Date
  In compliance with an order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, EPA on March 12, 2001 issued a formal determination regarding whether St. Louis attained the national air quality standard for ozone (smog) by its Clean Air Act deadline (1996). Based on air quality data, EPA has determined that St. Louis did not attain the ozone standard by its deadline. EPA is proposing in this notice that this determination will not become effective for at least 60 days from the date that the determination is printed in the Federal Register.
• Final Determination and Reclassification
  On March 12, 2001, EPA issued a final finding that St. Louis did not meet the 1-hour ozone standard by November 15, 1996, the attainment date for moderate nonattainment areas set forth in the Clean Air Act. Under the law, the St. Louis area is to be reclassified from a moderate to a serious nonattainment area . However, this determination will not become effective for at least 60 days from the date that the determination is printed in the Federal Register. This is EPA’s notice determining that St. Louis did not meet its attainment date.

Technical Support Document for the Heavy Duty Engine/Diesel Fuel Benefits Analysis
The "Final Heavy Duty Engine/Diesel Fuel Rule: Air Quality Estimation, Selected Health and Welfare Benefits Methods, and Benefit Analysis Results" report is now available. This analysis presents estimates of the potential benefits from the Heavy Duty (HD) Engine/Diesel Fuel rule occurring in 2030.

Integrated Iron and Steel Plants - Background Information for Proposed Air Toxics Standards
This document (466K PDF) provides background information for EPA's proposed rule to regulate integrated iron and steel manufacturing facilities that produce steel from iron ore, focusing on reducing air toxics emitted at a number of points at these facilities, including sinter plants that recover fine-sized materials, blast furnaces that produce iron, and basic oxygen process furnaces that produce steel. EPA issued the proposed rule January 19, 2001.

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Board of Trade Clearing Corporation Member Reimbursement Agreement Form
The Board of Trade Clearing Corporation Member Reimbursement Agreement Form (16K PDF) has been added to the 2001 SO2 Auctions page (at very bottom of page).

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EPA Launches "The Childhood Asthma Campaign"
Stepping up the fight against childhood asthma, EPA and the Advertising Council today launched a national media drive, "The Childhood Asthma Campaign," alerting parents to indoor environmental triggers of asthma attacks, such as mold and secondhand smoke from cigarettes.

"Childhood asthma is an epidemic in this country and many parents feel helpless to protect their children from attacks," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "So EPA and the Ad Council are launching an aggressive nationwide campaign to teach parents that asthma attacks are not inevitable and that there are things they can do to help prevent these dangerous incidents."

Visit EPA's web site on Asthma and Indoor Environments for more information.

Status of the New Source Review Improvement Rulemakings
This document is a memorandum from the then Assistant Administrator, Robert Perciasepe to the New Source Review Stakeholders, dated January 19, 2001.

Office of Air & Radiation Receives Big Chalk Award
 BigChalk.com has awarded the EPA's Office of Air & Radiation it's Excellence in Education Award for 2001. Over 110,000 web sites were previewed and the OAR site was chosen in the top 2% based on rich content and academic relevance. We will also be listed in their directory of "Most Educational Sites on the Web." This award was presented in March 2001.

Updated List of NELAP-Accredited Labs
The EPA has updated it's list of NELAP Accredited Labs. Note that any corrections to this list must be made through the primary accrediting authority. Files are available in Adobe Format as well as Excel Format.

CHIEF Newsletter Updated
Each quarter the Emission Factor and Inventory Group publishes The CHIEF Newsletter to inform the public about new emission estimation tools, conferences and other information relating to emission factors and inventories. The Winter 2001 edition of the CHIEF Newsletter is available in PDF format.

SO2 Allowance Market Analysis Updated Through End of 2000
Through the end of 2000, over 11,600 transfers moving 111 million allowances were reported to the Allowance Tracking System. Approximately 59 percent of these allowances (66 million) were transferred within organizations. The remaining 45 million allowances transferred through the end of 2000 were transferred between organizations. Overall, the magnitude of trades between organizations is growing.

Click here to read more.

Preliminary Acid Rain Program Summary Emissions Reports for the 4th Quarter of 2000
EPA has not quality assured these data, so these are preliminary reports. Sources are still allowed to resubmit these data. Quality assured data may be found in the annual Emissions Scorecards.

Reopened Comment Period for Method 203
A Federal Register notice reopening the comment period for Method 203 was published on Wednesday, February 28, 2001. The notice reopens the comment period an additional 30 days (until March 30, 2001). The website specified in the Federal Register notice for obtaining a copy of proposed Method 203, however, is incorrect; a copy of proposed Method 203 can be obtained at the following website: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/proposed.html .

Fuel Additives & Detergents: Notice of Availability for Public Comment
EPA is requesting comment on the results of a gasoline additive emissions test program submitted to EPA for technical review by Infineum Corporation. EPA invites comment to inform its decision-making concerning the evaluation of the emissions reduction testing program and the resulting conclusions made by Infineum associated with use of this additive.

Prepublication Federal Register Notice   73K WPD or 43K PDF, Fact Sheet (coming soon)

Contact: Michael Ball, phone: (734) 214-4897 or email: ball.michael@epa.gov

February 2001

Speciation Trends Network Quality Assurance Project Plan
A copy of the "Speciation Trends Network (STN) Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)" (PDF 321K) is available in the "PM_2.5 Speciation" area. This is the final model QAPP that replaces all previous versions. This model QAPP can be utilized by the State and Local agencies for the operation of their speciation samplers.

Diesel Fuel February 28, 2001, Press Release
"EPA Gives the Green Light on Diesel-Sulfur Rule" 2K HTML or 140K WPD or 7K PDF  Contact:  Mary Manners, phone:  (734) 214-4873 or email:  manners.mary@epa.gov

EPA's National Compliance Assistance Providers Forum
Register or find out more.

Invitation to Discuss Air Toxics Programs
All interested tribal environmental professionals are invited to join a conference call to discuss air toxics programs. The meeting is scheduled for March 12, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. EST. The call in number is 919-541-4427. The purpose of the call is to develop a mechanism to work with the tribal environmental staff on developing the administrative structure for addressing air toxics risks, and obtaining comments on the workplan (PDF 114 KB).

Supreme Court Upholds EPA on Smog, Particulate Rules
The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the constitutionality of the Clean Air Act as EPA had interpreted it in setting the 1997 health-protective ambient air standards for smog and particulates. "The Supreme Court issued a solid endorsement of EPA's efforts to protect the health of millions of Americans from the dangers of air pollution, and affirmed our constitutional authority to set these kinds of health protection standards in the future," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "Congress delegated to EPA the standard-setting function and EPA carried it out appropriately."

Map Zoom Capability Added to AIRSGraphics
The AIRS Graphics website has been enhanced by adding the capability enlarge (zoom) maps and charts that you create. The zoom capability, provided by a Java applet, is now the default way of viewing maps, but standard GIF images also are available by changing AIRS Graphics Preferences.

Indoor Air Quality and Student Performance
Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can cause or exacerbate illnesses in children and adults, which in turn leads to absence from school. Poor IAQ can cause health symptoms that decrease performance while at school. Recent data suggest that poor IAQ can reduce a person's ability to perform specific mental tasks requiring concentration, calculation, or memory. Poor indoor air, containing a variety of particles and gaseous contaminants, most often occurs when schools fail to follow simple practices that create and maintain a healthy indoor environment. EPA has developed a three-page fact sheet (EPA 402-F-00-009, August 2000) that presents more information about the problem of poor IAQ, its causes, health consequences, and solutions.

2001 SBO/SBAP National Conference
Planning for the Small Business Ombudsman (SBO), Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) 2001 conference is well underway. It will be held April 2-5 in Austin, Texas. The registration brochure was mailed to all State and local SBAPs and SBOs in early January. Information on special events, session descriptions and registration can be obtained at the SBO Conference web site. Reservations at the conference hotel must be made by March 7, 2001 to guarantee a room.

Updated list of Emission Testing Firms
An updated list of Emission Testing Firms that lists most of the environmental testing firms in the U.S. can be found under "Instructional Material" then SOFTWARE. This list will be updated on an "as needed" basis only.

Quarterly Air Toxics Monitoring Newsletter
The Quarterly Air Toxics Monitoring Newsletter is a publication of the STAPPA/ALAPCO/USEPA Air Toxics Monitoring Steering Committee. Click here (23K PDF) to view the January 2001 newsletter

New Website Design for OAR
The Office of Air & Radiation has re-designed its website for improved navigation and organization of information. Many of the design changes have been inspired from users comments and we invite you to continue to let us know how we can improve this service for you.

Clean Air Transportation Communities: Innovative Projects to Improve Air Quality and Reduce Greenhouse Gases: Request for Proposals
Today’s Notice (100K WPD) or (87K PDF) announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals from state, local, multi-state, and tribal agencies involved with climate change and transportation/air quality issues, for pilot projects that have a high potential to spur innovations in the reduction of transportation-related emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT), at the local level and throughout the United States. EPA is particularly interested in projects that incorporate at least one of the following: smart growth efforts that reduce transportation-related emissions, commuter choice, and cleaner vehicles/green fleets (as described elsewhere in this solicitation).

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Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors: AP-42, Fifth Edition, Volume I: Stationary Point and Area Sources
Added new draft sections for 10.5, 10.6.1, 10.6.4, and 10.9 of AP-42, CH 10: Wood Products Industry.

Updated National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) Teleconference Schedule
This letter (244K PDF) is a response to questions raised by the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA). The letter provides guidance on grouping engines with different emissions standards into engine families.

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Emission Inventory Improvement Program (EIIP) Volume II Changes
EIIP Volume II Chapters 7 and 9, Preferred and Alternative Methods for Estimating Air Emissions from Surface Coating and Secondary Metal Processing, have been revised.

Revised 1999 National Emission Inventory Preparation Plan
This document (108K PDF) describes the procedures and the schedule that EPA’s Emission Factor and Inventory Group (EFIG) will follow in order to incorporate the emissions data received from a variety of sources into a comprehensive national inventory for both criteria and HAPs for the year 1999. This document describes when and how the various data sources will be used to produce a complete inventory and the quality checks that EFIG will perform on that inventory. Also described are when and how the data should be initially submitted, reviewed by submitters and other stakeholders, and subsequently corrected by State and local agency partners in order to produce an accurate inventory.

Monitoring for Permits Seminar
There will be a Monitoring for Permits Seminar May 17-18, 2001 following the Source Testing in the New Regulatory World Workshop May 15-16. This one and one-half day seminar is designed for Permit writers, emissions monitoring staff, and others interested in the most current developments associated with Part 70 monitoring, compliance assurance monitoring (CAM), MACT rule monitoring, and PAL and flexible permits monitoring.

To register please see the following: "seminar flyer" (12K PDF). The flyer is also available under Upcoming Events.

Guidance for Demonstrating Attainment of Air Quality Goals for PM2.5 and Regional Haze
This draft document has two purposes. The first is to recommend how to use modeling/analysis to demonstrate that a control strategy will lead to air quality which meets certain national goals. Goals include attaining national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particles with aerodynamic diameters < 2.5 micrometers (µm) (PM2.5) and making reasonable progress reducing regional haze. Final determination of whether an air quality goal for PM2.5 or regional haze is met will be based on a review of monitored data at the appropriate future date. Our intent in this guidance is to provide as reliable an indicator as possible of what these future monitored attainment or reasonable progress tests will show. Because this is a guidance document rather than a regulation, our recommendations are not requirements. A State may use alternative procedures if it presents compelling arguments for doing so in a particular case to the appropriate U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional office(s) and that office agrees with the State’s assessment.

January 2001

Findings of Failure to Submit Required State Implementation Plans for the NOx SIP Call: Final Rule
The EPA is taking final action making findings, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), that Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and the District of Columbia failed to make complete State implementation plan (SIP) submittals required under the CAA. Read the final rule.

Tier 1 to Tier 2 Transition for Nonroad Compression Ignition Engines
This letter (244K PDF) is a response to questions raised by the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA). The letter provides guidance on grouping engines with different emissions standards into engine families.

Air Toxics Source Category List: Revisions: Fact Sheet
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a notice of the revisions of the list of industrial sources (known as source categories) for which it develops regulations to control air toxics. Air toxics, also called hazardous air pollutants, are those pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer and other serious health problems. The revisions include the addition of three categories, the deletion of three categories, and several category name changes. Click here to read the fact sheet.

Gasoline Sulfur Rule Questions and Answers
This document contains responses to questions received by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the manner in which the EPA intends to implement and assure compliance with the gasoline sulfur regulations at 40 CFR Part 80. This document was prepared by EPA's Office of Air & Radiation, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Regulatory Enforcement.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone: Proposed Response to Court Remand of 8-hour Standard
When the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals remanded EPA's 1997 8-hour ozone standard in May 1999, the Court directed the Agency to consider the potential beneficial effects of ground-level ozone pollution in shielding the public from potentially harmful radiation from the sun. This notice (PDF 185K) (WPD 610K) is EPA's proposed response to the remand. This notice does not address other aspects of the court's remand that are on appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Amendment to the Tier 2/Gasoline Sulfur Regulations
Today’s action corrects, amends, and revises certain provisions of the Tier 2/Gasoline Sulfur regulations to assist regulated entities with program implementation and compliance.

• Direct Final Rule   870K WPD   150K PDF
• Concurrent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking   860K WPD   150K PDF

Contact:  Mary Manners, phone:  (734) 214-4873 or email:  manners.mary@epa.gov

To learn more about cleaner vehicles and cleaner gasoline and the Tier 2 Gasoline Sulfur Final Rulemaking, click here.

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Improving Air Quality With Economic Incentive Programs: Final Guidance: Fact Sheet
On January 19, 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released final guidance for states that want to use economic incentive programs to improve air quality and visibility. Economic incentive programs include a variety of measures designed to increase flexibility and efficiency, while maintaining accountability and enforceability of traditional air quality management programs. EPA drafted the guidance to encourage cost-effective and innovative approaches to achieving air pollution goals. The new guidance document outlines economic incentive programs that states may incorporate in their strategies for meeting air quality standards and visibility goals. The guidance provides advice on choosing an appropriate type of incentive program, what emission sources to include in that program and how to make a program successful. The guidance also includes a framework for designing EIPs to address environmental equity and disproportionate impacts on communities of concern. This file (PDF 17K) (WPD 47K) contains the text of the final guidance.

How to Bid in the EPA SO2 Allowance Auctions Ninth Annual Auction - March 26, 2001
To reduce acid rain, Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) established the Acid Rain Program, which uses an innovative, market-based allowance trading system to cut in half sulfur dioxide emissions. The CAAA mandated that EPA hold yearly auctions of a small portion of allowances (2.8 percent) reserved from the total allowances allocated to utilities each year. The auctions are intended to help signal price information to the allowance market and provide a public source of allowances for new utilities that are not allocated allowances. Utilities, environmental groups, allowance brokers, and anyone else interested in purchasing allowances can participate in the EPA auctions. Allowances sold at the auctions will be sold to the highest bidder until no allowances remain. EPA cannot set a minimum acceptable price for allowances in the auctions and bidders are not restricted as to the quantity or price of their bid.

To learn how to bid in the EPA SO2 Allowance Auctions Ninth Annual Auction, click here.

EPA and DOT Joint Guidance on Use of Latest Planning Assumptions in Conformity Determinations
This January 18, 2001 guidance memorandum (73K PDF) clarifies EPA's and DOT's expectations for implementing the transportation conformity rule's requirements for use of latest planning assumptions in conformity determinations.  This memorandum also reiterates EPA's expectations for using latest planning assumptions in the development of motor vehicle emission budgets in State Implementation Plans (SIPs).

Contact: Meg Patulski, phone: (734) 214-4842 or email: patulski.meg@epa.gov

Click here for more information about conformity.

Marine Diesel Engines
Emission Standards for Category 3 Marine Diesel Engines (Oceangoing), Proposal due April 30, 2002

Settlement Agreement 170K PDF

Contact:  Jean-Marie Revelt, phone:  (734) 214-4822 or email:  revelt.jean-marie@epa.gov

To learn more about Marine Diesel Engines, click here.

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SIP Submissions Under Adequacy Review
The following SIP submissions are now under adequacy review and are available for public comment. You can access them via EPA's conformity adequacy website.

Posted:  January 17, 2001
• Region 3:
  Kent and New Castle Counties, Delaware
  Baltimore, Maryland
  Cecil County, Maryland
• Region 5:
  Northwestern Indiana
  Posted:  January 10, 2001
• Region 5:
  Chicago, Illinois (post-96 rate of progress, attainment demonstration)
• Region 6:
  Houston, Texas
  Posted:  January 5, 2001
• Region 2:
  New Jersey (various counties)

Contact: Laura Voss Berry, telephone: (734) 214-4858 or email: berry.laura@epa.gov

Follow these links to learn more about Transportation/Air Quality and Conformity.

Comments on Explanation of Tribal Authority to Develop a Tribal Implementation Plan
This memorandum summarizes the comments from the Tribes on this document.

Regional Haze Regulations: Proposed Guidelines for Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) Determinations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend its regional haze rule to provide guidelines for state and tribal air quality agencies to use in determining how to set air pollution limits for a number of older, large utilities and other industrial plants.

• Fact Sheet
• Preamble and Proposed Amendment to Haze Rule

For more information on EPA's Visibility Improvement Program, click here.

"Improving Air Quality Through Land Use Activities" - Final Policy Guidance
This national guidance serves as an additional incentive for state and local communities who wish to develop "smart growth" strategies and account for the air quality benefits associated with these various land use activities.

Contact: Tracie Jackson, phone: (734) 214-4871, fax: (734) 214-4906, or email: jackson.tracie@epa.gov

To learn more about the Transportation Air Quality Center, click here.

Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–1999
The 2001 Draft Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–1999 is available for public comment now through February 20th in the publications section.

Diesel Fuel Analysis Program
EPA has launched a new Web page containing information about a new program that seeks to quantify the air pollution emission effects of diesel fuel parameters on various nonroad and highway diesel engines.

Contact: Cleophas Jackson, telephone: (734) 214-4824, or email: jackson.cleophas@epa.gov or Megan Beardsley, telephone: (734) 214-4848, or email: beardsley.megan@epa.gov

SIP Submissions Under Adequacy Review
The following SIP submissions are now under adequacy review and are available for public comment. You can access them via EPA's conformity adequacy website. Posted: January 5, 2001 Region 2: New Jersey (various counties)

Contact: Laura Voss Berry, telephone: (734) 214-4858 or email: berry.laura@epa.gov

Follow these links to learn more about Transportation/Air Quality and Conformity.

Revisions to the Part 70 and Part 71 Presumptive Minimum Fee Amounts
Two new memos replace the previous memo of September 29, 2000. One memo explains that the part 70 presumptive fee, effective on September 1, 2000, has been increased to $34.87, while the other explains that the part 71 fee, effective on January 1, 2001 has been increased to $36.07.

Conducting Surveys for Area Source Inventories
The final Emission Inventory Improvement Program (EIIP) Vol. III Ch.24, Conducting Surveys for Area Source Inventories is now available.

Update Number 13 to the Acid Rain Program Policy Manual
Update number 13 to the Acid Rain Program Policy Manual should be used in conjunction with the consolidated Acid Rain Program Policy Manual, released on March 28, 2000, or with the October 14, 1999 Policy Manual and Update #12.

Click here to view the rulemaking documents and fact sheets.

2001 Air Toxics Implementation Workshop & Training
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators and Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (STAPPA/ALAPCO) are co-sponsoring an Air Toxics Implementation Workshop in April 2001.