Appendix G 

Emissions Inventory 

Quality Assurance Project Plan 
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 Appendix G 

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FUTURE YEAR EMISSION INVENTORY 

DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT 

ATMOSPHERIC MODELING OF FINE 

PARTICULATE MATTER AND OZONE 

IN THE SOUTHEASTERN US 

DRAFT 

QUALITY ASSURANCE 

PROJECT PLAN 

Effective Date: March 2006

Emissions Inventory Quality Assurance Project Plan 

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 Appendix G 

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ASSOCIATION FOR SOUTHEASTERN INTEGRATED 

PLANNING 

ASIP 

FUTURE YEAR EMISSION INVENTORY DEVELOPMENT TO 

SUPPORT ATMOSPHERIC MODELING OF FINE 

PARTICULATE MATTER AND OZONE IN THE 

SOUTHEASTERN US 

QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN 

Effective Date: March 2006 

APPROVED BY 

(ASIP Technical Director) (ASIP Emission Inventory Tech. Advisor) 

(MACTEC Program Manager (MACTEC Quality Assurance Coordinator) 

(MACTEC Task Manager) (MACTEC Task Manager) 

 

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 Appendix G 

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Table of Contents 

FUTURE YEAR EMISSION INVENTORY DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT 

ATMOSPHERIC MODELING OF FINE PARTICULATE MATTER AND OZONE IN 

THE SOUTHEASTERN US 

QA PROJECT PLAN 

1.0 PROJECT MANAGEMENT ......................................................................................... 1

1.1 Problem Definition/Background................................................................................. 1

1.2 Project/Task Description ............................................................................................. 2

1.3 Project Organization.................................................................................................... 3

1.4 Quality Objectives and Criteria.................................................................................. 6

1.5 Special Training/Certification..................................................................................... 6

1.6 Documents and Records .............................................................................................. 6

2.0 DATA ACQUISITION ................................................................................................... 1

2.1 Point Source Procedures.............................................................................................. 1

2.2 Area Source Procedures .............................................................................................. 1

3.0 ASSESSMENT AND OVERSIGHT.............................................................................. 1

3.1 Assessments and Response Actions ............................................................................ 1

3.2 Reports to Management............................................................................................... 1

4.0 DATA VALIDATION AND USABILITY .................................................................... 1

4.1 Accuracy Assessment ................................................................................................... 1

4.2 Completeness Assessment............................................................................................ 1

4.3 Comparability Assessment .......................................................................................... 1

4.4 Representativeness Assessment................................................................................... 1

TABLES AND FIGURES 

 Page

 Figure 1. Project Organization Chart.................................................. 1-5 

 Figure 2. Audit Check Form ............................................................... 3-2 

 Table 1. Data Quality Objectives, Procedures, and Indicators ........... 1-8 

Distribution List: 

Pat Brewer, ASIP (Technical Director) 

Greg Stella, Alpine Geophysics, Inc. (ASIP Emission Inventory Technical Advisor) 

Douglas Toothman, MACTEC (Quality Assurance Coordinator) 

William Barnard, MACTEC (Program Manager, Area and Nonroad Source Task Leader) 

Edward Sabo, MACTEC (Point Source Task Leader) 

Dan Meszler, MESZLER Engineering Services, Inc. (Mobile Source Task Leader) 

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1.0 PROJECT MANAGEMENT 

1.1 Problem Definition/Background 

The Southeastern States Air Resource Managers (SESARM) has been designated by the United 

States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the entity responsible for coordinating and 

implementing regional planning for the eight SESARM states (Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, 

Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) plus Virginia, West 

Virginia, and Tribes. Through a memorandum of understanding, these parties are collaborating 

in the organization Visibility Improvement State and Tribal Association of the Southeast 

(VISTAS) on the technical analysis and planning activities that support state implementation 

plans for regional haze. The participating agencies have concluded that a collaborative regional 

process is also the most efficient approach for the states to develop the technical analyses 

supporting attainment demonstrations for the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and eight-hour 

ozone standards. Along with the local air regulatory agencies for Jefferson County, AL, 

Jefferson County, KY, Mecklenberg County, NC, Forsythe County, NC, Knox County, TN, and 

Shelby County, TN, these agencies have become signatory parties to the collaborative effort 

called the Association for Southeastern Integrated Planning (ASIP). SESARM will coordinate 

among participating agencies and oversee the performance of the ASIP inventory and modeling 

tasks in parallel with the VISTAS regional haze project tasks. Emissions inventory efforts 

include the development of emissions inventories and forecasts to be utilized in ASIP modeling 

efforts. 

At least one area in seven states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, 

Virginia, and West Virginia) has been designated as nonattainment for the PM2.5 . In addition, 

South Carolina has one three-county area that was designated as unclassifiable. The PM2.5

compliance date is April 2010 unless a state demonstrates that more time is necessary in which 

case up to five additional years may be granted. State implementation plans (SIPs) will be due in 

April 2008 and the modeling year for the PM2.5 attainment demonstration will be 2009. 

The States of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, 

Virginia, and West Virginia have one or more nonattainment areas for the eight hour ozone 

standard. Basic nonattainment areas are required to attain the 8-hour ozone standard by June 15, 

2009, while moderate nonattainment areas are required to attain by June 15, 2010. This will 

require states with basic 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas to demonstrate attainment for the year 

2008 and moderate areas will require 2009 as the modeling year 

The objective of this project is to compile future year emission inventories to support fine 

particulate matter and ozone modeling efforts in the ASIP region for all source categories. This 

project has the following overall design specifications: 

• Pollutant Coverage - primary and precursor annual and seasonal emissions necessary 

to accurately model fine particulate matter and ozone, including primary PM2.5 and 

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PM10, ammonia (NH3), oxides of sulfur (SOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 

oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) 

• Source Coverage – all source categories except biogenic. 

• Geographic Areas – the ASIP states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, 

Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia) 

The inventories created under this contract will be used in creating future year modeling 

inventories (modeled under other ASIP work tasks) to support chemical transport modeling of 

fine particulate matter and ozone in the southeastern U.S. and to evaluate potential control 

strategies for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate and 

ozone. Two future year inventories will be prepared along with evaluations of various controls 

for those inventories. In addition, updates of the 2002 base year inventory will be performed 

under this contract as necessary to develop the projection years. 

The purpose of this Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) is to outline and guide the process 

for quality assuring the inventory development to ensure the development of complete, accurate, 

and consistent emission inventories. The QAPP is consistent with the recommendations in the 

EPA quality assurance requirements1

 and the Emission Inventory Improvement Program’s QA 

guidance2

. The QAPP includes tasks associated with obtaining State data, merging and 

augmenting State submittals with available EPA databases, improving the activity data and 

emission factors for important source categories, obtaining and developing growth and control 

factors, obtaining State and stakeholder review of the emission inventory, and providing 

documentation of the maintenance (revisions, updates, corrections) of the inventory. 

1.2 Project/Task Description 

EPA3

 has specified that calendar year 2002 be used as the base year for emission inventories to 

support planning efforts under the 8-hour ozone, PM2.5, and Regional Haze programs. ASIP has 

planned an iterative process to use and enhance the 2002 base inventory prepared by MATEC for 

the Visibility Improvement State and Tribal Association of the Southeast (VISTAS) as part of 

regional haze planning, that incorporates improved information as it becomes available. In 

addition, work on the PM2.5 and ozone NAAQS calls for continued measures of progress. As a 

consequence, emissions inventories for 2008 and 2009 will be required to assess such progress. 

• A revised 2009 Base G future year inventory based off of the 2009 projections 

developed previously for VISTAS (Base G due May 2006). This inventory will be 

developed using the final version of the 2002 VISTAS base year. The revised 2009 

inventory is designed to support modeling runs for fine particulate and ozone. It will 

be created using readily available growth and control information from the Clean Air 

Interstate Rule (CAIR), the Heavy Duty Diesel Rule (HDD Rule), the DOE’s Annual 

Energy Outlook 2006, and other EPA rules. In addition, control programs under 

these rules as well as State Implementation Plans (SIP) will be incorporated. The 

growth and control factors will be those developed for the VISTAS 2009 regional 

haze and PM2.5 inventory development effort augmented by updated information 

from other regional inventory development work and modifications based on State 

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comments. Typical year emissions for electric generating units (EGUs), wildfire and 

prescribed burning sources will be revised as necessary to incorporate new data. 

Control programs that are “on-the-books” and “on-the-way” will be incorporated into 

the estimates. Three control strategy inventories will also be developed for 2009. 

• A 2008 Inventory Base G (available Spring/Summer 2006). This inventory will be 

created using information developed for the 2009 inventory with revised growth and 

control factors to account for a 2008 projection rather than a 2009 projection. The 

inventory will still include “on-the-books” and “on-the-way” control programs as 

well as any SIP or other State specific controls. 

This QAPP focuses on the tasks associated with developing these inventories. 

Projection Inventory Activities. The effort includes the following area source activities: 

1. Assemble data needed to update the 2009 VISTAS inventory to account for Base G 

changes to the base year 2002 inventory and any changes to growth or control factors for 

2009 based on State/workgroup review. 

2. Prepare the 2009 inventory using data received as part of step 1. 

3. Assemble data needed to develop the 2008 ASIP inventory. This includes development 

of growth and control factors for 2008 which are not currently available. 

4. Prepare the 2008 ASIP projection inventory using data developed in step 3. 

5. Recommend methods for control strategies for 2009. 

6. Prepare 2009 control strategy inventories. 

7. Revise the 2002 “typical year” inventory for electric generating units (EGUs) with any 

updated data. 

8. Revise the “typical year” inventory for wild and prescribed fires with any updated data. 

Other Activities. In addition to the above tasks related to projecting emissions, a report 

detailing the methods used to develop the projections will be prepared. 

1.3 Project Organization 

Figure 1 and Table 1 identify the individuals and organizations participating in the project. Their 

specific roles and responsibilities include: 

• Ms. Pat Brewer, Technical Coordinator, will plan, conduct, and supervise technical 

and managerial aspects of the project. She will facilitate communications among 

State/local agencies, MACTEC, and the SESARM Executive Director. 

• Mr. Greg Stella, Emission Inventory Technical Advisor, will work with the Technical 

Coordinator to define the emission inventory development activities needed to 

support PM2.5 and ozone modeling and planning activities. 

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• State/local Agency Coordinators will compile and submit data to MACTEC, 

participate in QA/QC reviews, and help revise, update, and correct the inventory. 

• William Barnard, MACTEC Program Manager, will direct and monitor technical and 

financial performance throughout the project and will serve as a senior primary 

contact with ASIP on contract and project management issues. Mr. Barnard will also 

direct aspects of the projection inventory development related to area and mobile 

sources. He will plan and conduct the technical aspects of the development of the area 

and mobile source inventories, supervise daily activities, identify effective QC 

procedures and make recommendations on needed QC procedures. 

• Edward Sabo, MACTEC Point Source Task Leader, will plan and manage all point 

source activities. He will plan and conduct the technical aspects of the development 

of the point source inventory, supervise daily activities, identify effective QC 

procedures and make recommendations on needed QC procedures. 

• Dan Meszler, MACTEC Mobile Source Task Leader, will plan and manage all 

mobile source activities. He will plan and conduct the technical aspects of the 

development of input files for the MOBILE and NONROAD models and for nonroad 

sources not covered by the NONROAD model. He will help identify effective QC 

procedures and make recommendations on needed QC procedures. 

• Douglas Toothman, MACTEC QA Coordinator, will help ensure that adequate 

QA/QC procedures are incorporated into the inventory development process. He will 

work independent of the inventory development Task Leaders to assist in the conduct 

of project QA/QC assessments. 

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FIGURE 1 – PROJECT ORGANIZATION CHART 

ASIP 

Technical Coordinator

Pat Brewer 

ASIP Emission Inventory 

Technical Advisor 

Greg Stella 

MACTEC 

Program Manager 

William Barnard 

MACTEC 

QA Coordinator 

Doug Toothman 

MACTEC 

Point Source Manager

Edward Sabo 

MACTEC 

Area/Mobile Source Manager

William Barnard 

ASIP 

State/local Coordinators 

MACTEC Technical Support 

Engineers, Scientists, Programmers, Graphic Artists, Editors 

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1.4 Quality Objectives and Criteria 

The goal of the inventory process is to provide the best possible inventory under given resource 

constraints. Data Quality Objectives (DQO) are statements about the level of acceptable 

uncertainty or error. Their purpose is to ensure that the final data will be sufficient for the 

intended use of the inventory. A well-developed and implemented quality assurance program 

fosters confidence in the inventory and any resulting regulatory program. It also gives the end 

user important information about the limitations of the emission estimates in order to avoid 

misuse of data. 

Table 1 summarizes the Data Quality Objectives for the ASIP inventories that will be compiled 

for this contract. The first column of Table 1 defines four data quality objectives: accuracy, 

completeness, comparability and representativeness. The second column identifies the 

procedures that will be used to achieve each objective. The third column identifies Data Quality 

Indicators (DQI), which are qualitative and quantitative descriptors used in interpreting the 

degree of acceptability or utility of data. 

1.5 Special Training/Certification 

All staff performing data review and analysis are air quality professionals and have sufficient 

education/experience to perform emission estimation calculations and work with emission 

inventory databases. Most staff have received specific emission inventory training through 

conferences, workshops, self-study programs, and on-the-job work experiences. There are no 

specifically mandated training requirements for work performed on this project. 

1.6 Documents and Records 

QAPP Control. Any changes to this QAPP will be initiated either by the Program Manager, the 

Task Leaders, or the QA coordinator. Each change will be given a revision number and date in 

the document control block in the upper corner of the affected pages. It will be the responsibility 

of the initiating person to distribute copies of the changed pages to all the persons on the 

Distribution List and to the appropriate project team members. 

Data Collection Records. Clear documentation of the data collected from the State/local 

agencies, EPA, and other agencies is integral to the quality analysis review. Records will be 

maintained containing a description of the data received, the name of the person and agency 

submitting the data, the date of the submission, and other relevant information about the data 

submission. The following types of data will be collected during this project: 

• EPA’s 1999 National Emission Inventory (Version 2 Final) 

• State CERR submittals 

• State/local agency data submittals in NIF 3.0 format 

• Growth factors assembled by EPA 

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• EPA’s Final Summary Emission Reports for 2002 with CEM information for electric 

utilities regulated by the Acid Rain Program 

• EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory for 1999/2000 with ammonia emissions data 

• Point source surveys for target facilities to obtain missing information 

• State/local agency submittals of updated activity data related to fugitive dust sources, 

primarily paved and unpaved roads, livestock activities and agricultural activity 

(tilling). 

• State agency submittals of information necessary to calculate fire emissions and 

geographically locate where these fires occurred in 2002. 

• State agency submittals of updated activity data for animal operations for use with the 

Carnegie Mellon University ammonia model. 

• State/local agency revisions, updates, corrections in response to various QA/QC 

checks. These may be provided in a variety of formats depending on the nature of the 

response. 

• Department of Energy fuel efficiency data 

• EGAS growth factors 

• VMT data 

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TABLE 1

DATA QUALITY OBJECTIVES, PROCEDURES, AND INDICATORS 

Data Quality Objective Procedures Example Indicators 

Accuracy - reduce uncertainty in 

emission estimates where possible, 

validate that data elements needed 

for modeling are within accepted 

parameters, and verify that emission 

estimates agree with accepted 

reference values. 

1. Identify weaknesses in existing 

inventories, identify new 

methods/data to reduce 

uncertainty, and obtain new 

activity/emission factor data where 

available. 

2. Use EPA’s NIF QA tool and adhoc reports to perform 

computerized checks of valid 

codes/data ranges and to identify 

outliers. 

3. Conduct senior technical review 

of pollutant totals by facility, 

source category, state, and region. 

4. Compare to other published data. 

1. Qualitative assessment of the 

inventory’s strengths and 

weaknesses. 

2. 100% of stack data and temporal 

factors in valid ranges for > 100 

tpy sources. 

3. 100% of sources have valid 

geographic coordinates. 

4. 100% correction of significant 

outliers. 

5. Agreement of ASIP emissions and 

EPA CEM data and EPA TRI data. 

6. Compare projection emissions to 

base year emissions to ensure that 

values are within expected ranges. 

Completeness – include all major 

point sources, include emission 

estimates for PM2.5 and ammonia, 

verify that all important areas source 

categories are included for all 

counties and all mobile source 

categories are accounted for. 

1. Compare ASIP utility data to EPA 

CEM data. 

2. Compare ASIP point source 

ammonia data to EPA TRI data. 

3. State/local agencies compare 

facility list to their Title V permit 

lists. 

4. Compare small point source 

emissions to area source 

emissions. 

5. Compare PM10 and PM2.5 

emissions. 

6. Plot area source spatial 

distributions by source category 

and county. 

1. 100% of all utilities accounted for 

in database. 

2. 100% of large ammonia sources 

in TRI accounted for in database. 

3. 100% of Title V sources 

accounted for in database 

4. Small point sources included as 

either small point sources or as 

area sources. 

5. PM2.5 and ammonia emissions 

included in inventory 

6. Area source emissions for 

important source categories for all 

counties in region. 

7. All mobile sources accounted for. 

8. Explanation of any missing data 

or sources. 

Comparability – verify that 

emission estimates are similar to 

other peer-reviewed inventories and 

that any major deviations are 

explained. 

1. Compare emission totals by 

source category, pollutant, 

geographic region, and year with 

previous emission inventories. 

1. Explanation for large 

discrepancies in emissions 

Representativeness – use emission 

estimation methods that reflect local 

conditions and the time period of 

interest. 

1. Identify where national defaults 

used instead of local activity data. 

2. Identify where emissions were 

grown for base year 2002 data 

were not available. 

3. Identify growth factors for 

projection years. 

1. Explanation for use of national 

defaults. 

2. Determination of representative 

values for “typical years” for some 

sources for projections (i.e., fires, 

utility emissions). 

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Data Handling Records. Another key element of the QA program is maintaining written 

documentation of calculations, assumptions, and all other activities associated with incorporating 

the State/local agency submittals and other data with the projection and base year inventories. 

Nearly all data being developed and/or compiled will use computerized databases or other 

electronic files. For many of these databases, we will use blank fields in the database tables to 

keep track of the source of the data. We will also maintain a log of activities to document how 

the data described above were incorporated to create the ASIP inventories. The log will include 

complete descriptions of the data sources used, the procedures used to incorporate the data, the 

approach used to determine the completeness, and any contacts made with data submitters to 

resolve questions. A file will be maintained to ensure that the data handling records are retained 

and easily located. 

QA/QC Records. We will perform a variety of quality control reviews of the inventory. For 

example, we will check stack parameters, source classification codes, and geographic 

coordinates for point sources that emit at least 100 tons of any pollutant per year. Reports 

containing the results of these checks will be transmitted to the State/local agencies for 

investigation and correction. Documentation of each finding will include a description of the 

action or data reviewed that led to the quality concern and will provide recommendations for 

corrective actions. 

Corrective Action Records. Records of corrective and follow-up actions identified during the 

quality review process will be maintained. Both the corrective action identified and the results of 

the actions taken in response will be documented for inclusion in the final report. If no 

corrective action can be made, we will document the implications on the overall quality of the 

inventory. 

Data Reporting Package. The final data reporting package will contain four elements: 

• An emission summary report that describes the emissions inventory by pollutant and 

source category, summarizes the methods and data used to compile the inventory, 

assesses the limitations and appropriate uses of the inventory data, and contains any 

other information pertinent to the inventory; 

• A quality assurance summary report that describes the quality assurance efforts 

completed, summarizes the corrective actions taken, and provides suggestions for 

further inventory improvement based on the results of the quality assurance process; 

• Electronic data files containing the ASIP inventories in NIF 3.0 format; and 

• Electronic and paper files containing all original data submittals and all backup 

documentation will be stored on file at MACTEC for a period of no less than three 

years.

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2.0 DATA ACQUISITION 

The projection year ASIP inventories will rely primarily on air emission information from 

existing databases. The data collection, handling, and management process is described below, 

along with the associated quality control procedures and methods. The QC system is designed 

to: 

• Provide routine and consistent checks and documentation points in the inventory 

development process to verify data integrity, correctness, and completeness; 

• Identify and reduce errors and omissions; 

• Maximize consistency within the inventory preparation and documentation process; 

• Facilitate internal and external inventory review processes. 

The data acquisition process should be viewed as an iterative process. As decisions are made, 

new questions will surface that require solutions, until the iterations are complete. 

2.1 Projection Year Inventory Procedures

For the projection inventories, the following procedures will be used to compile and quality 

assure the inventory: 

1. Use the final version (Base G) of the 2002 VISTAS Base/Typical Year inventory as a 

starting point. 

a. Back calculate uncontrolled emissions for 2002 Base/Typical Year inventory to 

use as starting point for sources that will be grown for the projection inventory. 

(unclear) 

2. Prepare/Obtain Growth and Control files 

a. Obtain growth factor files from EGAS for use with categories that will be grown 

with EGAS growth factors; incorporate Annual Energy Outlook 2006 information 

into EGAS to replace the AEO 2004 data currently embedded in EGAS. 

b. Obtain control factors for “on-the-book” and “on-the-way” controls as well as any 

controls for control strategy evaluations. Controls will be obtained from recent 

EPA rulemakings, proposed rules (e.g., Clean Air Interstate Rule [CAIR]), and 

State SIPs. For EGUs, control information will be obtained from VISTASsponsored IPM runs, supplemented with state-supplied adjustments as to where 

future controls will be installed. 

c. Determine/obtain growth factors for non-EGAS sources (e.g., agricultural crops, 

fertilizers, etc.). Growth factors for these sources will be calculated from existing 

projection inventories prepared by EPA (e.g., EPA Ammonia Inventory). Growth 

factors will be calculated using linear interpolation of projected emissions if the 

actual year is not available. 

3. Project sources using growth and control factors 

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a. For sources to be grown using EGAS growth factors, apply growth and control 

factors. 

b. For sources not using EGAS growth factors, apply non-EGAS growth factors. 

c. Identify and resolve any errors/discrepancies from the use of EGAS growth 

factors or other growth factor data 

d. Track comments/concerns received and corrective actions taken 

4. Determine emissions for sources requiring “typical” year emission updates. 

a. These sources include EGUs and fires 

b. For fires make any modifications needed including incorporating the long-term 

effects of prescribed burning programs. Update and revise the typical emissions 

based on changes submitted by State air and forestry personnel and to include 

future year projections of prescribed burning. 

c. Update the typical year emission data from EGU sources based on State 

comments and any revised CEM or IPM data. 

5. Develop mobile source emission inventories 

a. Prepare projected VMT for review by States/stakeholders for onroad mobile 

sources. 

b. Prepare SMOKE ready MOBILE input files for review by States/stakeholders. 

MOBILE input files will contain required control programs either “on-the-books” 

or “on-the-way”. (my understanding is this subtask is not MACTEC’s 

responsibility) 

c. Prepare NONROAD model input files for review by States/stakeholders. 

NONROAD input files will contain required control programs either “on-thebooks” or “on-the-way”. 

d. Run the NONROAD 2005 model, develop emission summaries and provide to 

States/Stakeholders for review/comment. 

e. Develop growth factors and projected emissions for nonroad sources not in the 

NONROAD model. Growth factors will be based on existing estimates from 

EPA rulemaking projections (e.g., Heavy Duty Diesel and other rules). Provide 

growth factors for review by States/Stakeholders. 

f. Prepare non-NONROAD model emission estimates. Provide for 

States/Stakeholder review/comment. 

6. Conduct QA/QC to identify errors and inconsistencies 

a. Prepare ad-hoc reports to identify gaps and logical inconsistencies. 

b. Ask States/local agencies to provide feedback on large scale inconsistencies and 

on missing sources. 

c. Update database with State/local supplied revisions. 

d. Track comments/concerns received and corrective actions taken 

7. Provide inventory for review by stakeholders 

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a. Prepare an emission summary report that describes the emissions inventory by 

pollutant and source category, summarizes the methods and data used to compile 

the inventory, assesses the limitations and appropriate uses of the inventory data, 

and contains any other information pertinent to the inventory 

b. Prepare a quality assurance summary report that describes the quality assurance 

efforts completed, summarizes the corrective actions taken, and provides 

suggestions for further inventory improvement based on the results of the quality 

assurance process 

c. Provide electronic data files containing the ASIP inventories in NIF 3.0 format 

d. Track comments/concerns received and corrective actions taken 

8. Incorporate feedback from stakeholders and prepare final reports and electronic files 

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 Appendix G 

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Project: ASIP 2002 Inventory

Section: 3

Revision No. 0

Revision Date: 3/17/2006

Page 1 of 3

3.0 ASSESSMENT AND OVERSIGHT 

The subsections in this group address the activities for assessing the effectiveness of project 

implementation and associated QA and QC activities. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure 

that the QA Project Plan is implemented as prescribed. The assessment consists of external 

activities that include a planned system of review and audit procedures by personnel not actively 

involved in the inventory development process. The key concept of this component is 

independent objective review by a third party to access the effectiveness of the internal Quality 

Control program and the quality of the inventory, and to reduce or eliminate any inherent bias in 

the inventory process.

3.1 Assessments and Response Actions 

The MACTEC Quality Assurance Coordinator will conduct technical systems audits throughout 

the project. Audits are managerial tools used to evaluate how effectively the emission inventory 

team complies with predetermined specifications for developing an accurate and complete 

inventory. The MACTEC QAC will conduct audits at the initiation of each project to review 

the Work Plan and QAPP, at the 50% complete and 75% complete levels to review the technical 

aspects of each project and at the 95% completion level to review the data submittal package. 

This provides assessment of the project during the planning stage, the data collection stage, the 

emissions calculations stage, and the report preparation stage. An example audit checklist for 

point sources is presented in Figure 2. 

3.2 Reports to Management 

Audit reports will be distributed within two weeks of the conduct of each audit to the persons 

interviewed and the MACTEC Task Leaders. A summary of the types of quality concerns found 

will be periodically forwarded to the MACTEC Program Manager to keep him informed of the 

quality issues found and actions being taken to resolve them. Audit reports will be retained in a 

file and used to conduct subsequent audits and plan follow-up activities. When an audit team 

finds items that require immediate action, they will inform the MACTEC Program Manager of 

the necessary corrective actions. 

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The Hickory And Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point, NC PM2.5 

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 August 21, 2009
Project: ASIP 2002 Inventory

Section: 3

Revision No. 0

Revision Date: 3/17/2006

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AUDIT CHECKLIST

Auditor: ______________________________________ 

Date: _________________________________________ 

Data/Procedure Reviewed: _____________________________________________________________ 

___________________________________________________________________________________ 

Project Personnel Involved in Work: _____________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Instructions: Select a facility or source category with high emissions and evaluate the quality of the data 

and adequacy of the data handling procedures. Record the findings and recommendations for corrective 

actions, if any, on this checklist and comment sheet. If recommendations for corrective actions are made, 

discuss them with the Project Manager immediately following the audit. Conduct follow-up activities to 

determine if the actions taken in response to the recommendations appropriately resolved the quality 

issues identified. 

I. DATA

A. Identify the source category evaluated: _____________________________________________ 

B. Describe the data included in the master file for the facility or source category. 

 _____________________________________________________________________________ 

 _____________________________________________________________________________ 

C. Are the data documented in a manner that will not have the potential to be misinterpreted? Y/N 

 Were the instructions for documenting the data followed? ................................................. Y/N 

D. Are there missing data fields? .................................................................................................... Y/N 

 What procedures are taken by the Task Leaders to ascertain missing? 

___________________________________________________________________________ 

 ___________________________________________________________________________ 

 At what point in the inventory process are requests for missing data made? 

___________________________________________________________________________ 

 ___________________________________________________________________________ 

 How is the receipt of the missing data handled? 

 ___________________________________________________________________________ 

 ___________________________________________________________________________ 

 Is the procedure followed to ascertain missing data efficient and adequate? ............................ Y/N 

E. How do emissions compare to other inventories? 

 1999 NEI Version 2 Final ________________________________________________________ 

 2000 TRI _____________________________________________________________________ 

 2002 ETS/CEM ________________________________________________________________ 

 Are differences in emissions understandable and explainable? ................................................. Y/N 

 If any of the values are incorrect, explain how the emissions data were corrected. 

___________________________________________________________________________ 

Figure 2 Audit Check Form

Emissions Inventory Quality Assurance Project Plan 

The Hickory And Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point, NC PM2.5 

North Carolina Attainment Demonstration 

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Project: ASIP 2002 Inventory

Section: 3

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Revision Date: 3/17/2006

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II. EMISSIONS DATABASE

A. Who provided the data for incorporation into the database? __________________________ 

 _______________________________________________________________________ 

B. Was there evidence that the data were reviewed for accuracy and completeness prior 

 to incorporation in the database? ............................................................................................... Y/N 

C. Were data logs maintained to describe how the data was incorporated? ................................... Y/N 

D. Ask the data incorporation personnel to explain the QC procedures followed to ensure 

 data quality. Do they agree with the procedures described in the QAPP? ................................ Y/N 

E. Does the computer system appear to be adequate for its intended use? (Ask the 

 data processing personnel about the problems they have experienced with the system.) .......... Y/N 

F. Is the data entry progressing as expected and are the procedures followed adequate 

 to ensure data quality? ............................................................................................................... Y/N 

III. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

IV. COMMENTS

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

V. SIGNATURES 

______________________________ ____________________________ 

(QA Auditor) (QA Coordinator) 

______________________________ ____________________________ 

(Program Manager) (Task Manager) 

______________________________ ____________________________ 

(Project Participant) (Project Participant) 

Figure 2 Audit Check Form (Concluded) 

Emissions Inventory Quality Assurance Project Plan 

The Hickory And Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point, NC PM2.5 

North Carolina Attainment Demonstration 

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 Appendix G 

 August 21, 2009
Project: ASIP 2002 Inventory

Section: 4

Revision No. 0

Revision Date: 3/17/2006

Page 1 of 1

4.0 DATA VALIDATION AND USABILITY 

Section 4 addresses the QA activities that occur after the data collection phase of the project is 

completed. Implementation of these subsections determines whether or not the data conform to 

the specified criteria, thus satisfying the project objectives. 

4.1 Accuracy Assessment 

A qualitative discussion of accuracy will include an assessment of the extent to which the 

initially identified weaknesses in the inventory have been remedied through the use of improved 

activity data, emission factors, or other sources of information. Remaining weaknesses will be 

assessed. 

The accuracy assessment will include a summary of whether any data identified as outside of its 

valid range remained outside of the valid range in the final inventory. If any data remained 

outside of its valid range, an explanation will be given. The qualitative discussion will also 

include a summary of errors or discrepancies identified in the QA/QC process. 

A final semi-quantitative discussion of accuracy will consist of pollutant summaries for 

individual facilities, industry types, source categories, and statewide totals. The ASIP inventory 

will be compared to other peer-reviewed inventories, and where major discrepancies exist, we 

will provide an assessment of the reasons for the differences in emission estimates.

4.2 Completeness Assessment 

A statement will be prepared assessing whether all required facilities, source categories, 

pollutants, and data elements were included in the inventory. If any facilities or source 

categories were not included, an explanation of the omission will be provided. If any individual 

data elements were not provided, we will discuss the elements, frequency of omissions, and 

overall impact on the quality of the inventory.

4.3 Comparability Assessment 

Several summations of emissions data will be made to address comparability. Overall 

percentage differences for individual facilities (current year to prior year), industry types, 

processes, and statewide inventory will be calculated. Explanations of any large differences will 

be made.

4.4 Representativeness Assessment 

A statement will be prepared describing where national defaults have been used instead of local 

activity data. 

Emissions Inventory Quality Assurance Project Plan 

The Hickory And Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point, NC PM2.5 

North Carolina Attainment Demonstration 

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 Appendix G 

 August 21, 2009
Project: ASIP 2002 Inventory

Section: 5

Revision No. 0

Revision Date: 3/17/2006

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5.0 REFERENCES 

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. March 2001. EPA Requirements for Quality 

Assurance Project Plans (EPA/240/B-01/003). http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/r5-

final.pdf

2. Emission Inventory Improvement Program (EIIP) Document Series - Volume VI Quality 

Assurance Procedures and DARS Software. EPA | TTN CHIEF | EIIP | Technical Reports | 

Volume VI Quality Assurance Procedures

3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. November 18, 2002. 2002 Base Year Emission 

Inventory SIP Planning: 8-hr Ozone, PM2.5 and Regional Haze Programs. 

http://www.4cleanair.org/members/committee/criteria/EPA200211181.pdf

Emissions Inventory Quality Assurance Project Plan 

The Hickory And Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point, NC PM2.5 

North Carolina Attainment Demonstration 

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 Appendix G 

 August 21, 2009