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Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS) Update

EPA’s ECMPS software is comprised of a single Client Tool that performs data checks, monitoring plan updates, QA data entry (or import) and QA checks as well as having a component that submits the EDR files to the EPA (ECMPS files are now in three separate forms – a monitoring plan file, QA files and a data file). The EDR reporting format is changing from the current text file format to an XML reporting format. There are additional changes to how and when a monitoring plan is reported, how and when QA data is reported as well as changes to the hourly data format. It is the responsibility of the CEMS/DAHS software providers (like CiSCO) to create and offer new EDR reporting packages that will meet all of the new ECMPS requirements. The Client Tool has gone through Beta testing and is now in it’s Gamma version. It is EPA’s intent to release Version 1 of the Client Tool in March 2008. If you would like to get more information on the new ECMPS requirements and the Client Tool software go to the following link:http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/business/ecmps.


Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Update

CAIR NOx and CAIR SO2 are programs that encompass most of the eastern half of the United States. Plants will be required to report NOx and SO2 mass emissions as part of their EDR reporting (many sites already report mass emissions for the ozone season, but the CAIR programs extend the reporting to year round, for most states, and include some states and plants that do not currently report to the federal EPA). The rules take effect in two different years, NOx reporting starts in 2008 and SO2 reporting starts in 2009. For specifics on CAIR go to the following link: http://www.epa.gov/cair/index.html.


Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) Update

CAMR is a program that encompasses the entire United States. Plants will be required to report Mercury emissions as part of their EDR reporting. The rule takes effect in 2009 and all effected sites must have a Mercury CEMS (or other accepted alternatives) installed and certified by January 1, 2009. For specifics on CAMR go to the following link: http://www.epa.gov/camr/.

 

Court Vacates CAMR

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23068517/


Timeline for CAIR, CAMR & ECMPS

The following is the timeline for the ECMPS reporting and the CAIR & CAMR changes:

  • 2008 is the “transition” year for ECMPS reporting and every site will be allowed to report their EDR’s in the new ECMPS format and use the new Client Tool. If a site chooses to start reporting using ECMPS in 2008, the site can change to the ECMPS format at any time during the year – it does not have to be the first quarter of 2008. With a few exceptions, sites can choose to continue using the existing EDR format throughout 2008. Sites wanting to report using the ECMPS format will have to inform EPA of that intention by the following dates: to report First Quarter 2008, sites must inform EPA prior to February 1; to report Second Quarter 2008, sites must inform EPA prior to May 1; to report Third Quarter 2008, sites must inform EPA prior to August 1; to report Fourth Quarter 2008, sites must inform EPA prior to November 1.

 

  • 2008 is also the year for reporting under the CAIR NOx program. Each site that falls under the CAIR NOx regulations must update their monitoring plan (using the current EDR reporting format and MDC) as well as complete all QA for the CAIR NOx program prior to January 1, 2008. If a site is currently reporting under ARP (Acid Rain Program) or Subpart H, they can continue to report using the existing EDR format for all of 2008 or they can switch to the new ECMPS format at any time during 2008. Sites that are new to 40CFR75 and CAIR NOx must report using the new ECMPS reporting format when reporting their first EDR in April 2008 (note that the monitoring plan submittals for CAIR NOx for plants new to federal reporting must be made prior to January 1, 2008 so those submittals must be made using the current EDR format and MDC, not the new ECMPS and Client Tool).

 

  • 2009 is the full implementation year for ECMPS. Every site is required to report in the new format using the new Client Tool software. The first report is due in April 2009.

 

  • 2009 is the implementation year for the CAIR SO2 program. All sites that fall under the CAIR SO2 regulations must report SO2 mass emissions starting from January 1, 2009 (that is the April 2009 reporting period). All reporting will use the ECMPS format and Client Tool software.

 

  • 2009 the implementation year for the CAMR program. All sites that fall under the CAMR regulations must report Mercury mass emissions starting from January 1, 2009 (that is the April 2009 reporting period). All reporting will use the ECMPS format and Client Tool software.