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United States Office Of Air Quality EPA-454/C-98-002

Environmental Protection Planning And Standards Volume IX, No. 2

Agency Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 Spring 1998

Table of Contents

EIIP Subcommittee Looks to Revamp SCC Codes ..................... 2

Summer Emission Inventory Workshop Planned ...................... 3

New Release of FIRE..................................................................... 3

Windows Version of TANKS ........................................................ 4

Where Have All the Virtual Discussions Gone?........................ 5

It’s Spring.... Do You Know Where Your 1996 PEI Is?................. 6

Emission Factor Development -- A Collective Effort.............. 7

OTAG NOx SIP Call - Emission Inventory Comments

and Modifications ......................................................................... 9
2The CHIEF Newsletter Vol. IX, No. 2 Spring 1998

EIIP Subcommittee Looks to Revamp SCC Codes

By

Ron Ryan

The objective of the EIIP Emission Inventory Coding Subcommittee (EICS) is to evaluate a

potential major revamping of the Source Classification Codes (SCC) used in air emissions

inventories. SCCs are used to prepare and summarize annual emissions data, and they also

provide the necessary links to the chemical speciation and temporal allocation tables which

allow modeling inventories to be prepared. For point sources, SCCs are currently made up

of eight digits divided into four groupings (x-xx-xxx-xx).

Due to the expansion of emission inventories to cover a wider scope of both pollutants and

source types, and to the demand to codify an increasing variety of information about a

source within the SCC, both the point and area source classification systems have not

always provided a good solution to the new demands. The EIC subcommittee will be identifying the types of information that are necessary to an emission inventory and that should be

standardized or grouped by a code. The subcommittee will also be identifying the level in an

emission inventory system where each type of coded information should reside. Thus, the

detailed information embedded in some of the current codes which provides information

about the entire facility or emitting equipment - rather than process-level information - could

become a separate code specified at a different level in the emissions inventory. The EIC

subcommittee is not restricted to addressing just the process-level (SCC) data coding

needs, and is therefore identifying data coding needs at the facility, device, and emissions

levels as well.

A web page (www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/eiip/eic_sub.htm) has been created to disseminate

information on the proposals of the subcommittee, or you can contact Ron Ryan of EPA at

(919) 541-4330 or at ryan.ron@epa.gov .
3The CHIEF Newsletter Vol. IX, No. 2 Spring 1998

New Release of FIRE

By Ron Ryan

The first Windows version (v6.0) of the Factor Information and Retrieval (FIRE) data

system is now available from the FIRE 6.0 Web Page (www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/fire.html). The

system runs under Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and Windows NT, and contains EPA’s recommended default emission factors for criteria and hazardous air pollutants for cases where better

data are not otherwise available.

In addition to the upgrade to Windows, FIRE 6.0 contains emission factors from AP-42, Fifth

Edition, through Supplement C. FIRE 6.0 also contains all EPA point and area Source Classification Codes (SCC) through April 8, 1998, and provides a convenient interface to these codes.

Please send any comments on the software or corrections to the emission factors to Ron Ryan,

ryan.ron@epa.gov, (919) 541-4330.

Summer Emission Inventory Workshop Planned

By Steve Bromberg

The second in a series of summer emission inventory workshops for State and Local air agencies and EPA is scheduled for August 18-19, 1998 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The first

workshop, held last year in Durham, NC, focused on the 1996 Periodic Emission Inventory (PEI).

This year the concentration will be on emerging

issues. While the agenda has not been finalized,

topics will include PM-2.5, new ozone and PM

NAAQS, NOx SIP call, Toxics, and data management.

The format for the workshop will be presentations

and interactive breakout groups.

As soon as final arrangements have been made with

the hotel, preliminary information will be sent to all

that attended last year’s workshop. Information will

also be posted on the EFIG Web page and sent to

subscribers of the CHIEF List Server. If you are a

State, Local or EPA employee involved in the preparation of air emission inventories, make your

plans now to attend this important meeting.
4The CHIEF Newsletter Vol. IX, No. 2 Spring 1998

Windows Version of TANKS

By Dennis Beauregard

It doesn’t seem very long ago that we were concerned about TANKS 1.0 users who might not yet

have the Windows 3.1 operating systems on their PC’s. As a result, we decided to continue using

the Foxpro programming language for DOS when we developed TANKS 2.0 to provide a tool for

DOS and Windows users. Although we were interested in developing TANKS 3.0 as a Windows

program, resource constraints precluded what was perceived as an enhancement of the DOS

program and we focused on the more substantive improvements. We’re now up to TANKS 3.1 and

are still using the Foxpro programming language for DOS. What is now forcing the issue is the

increasing number of users experiencing problems with installing and operating the current DOS

based program on Windows 95 (and to some lesser extent on Windows NT)

operating systems.

We continue to be concerned about developing tools for a wide variety of

TANKS users and this time the question concerns users who might not have

Windows 95 as an operating system. Fortunately, we came up with a

solution that should please Windows 3.1 and 95 users. We plan to offer

TANKS Version 4.0 in 16 and 32 bit versions and users will have the option

of selecting the version preferred during installation of the program. This

will allow the Windows 3.1 users to install a 16 bit version compatible with

their systems while Windows 95 users will be able to install a 32 bit version and realize the full performance of their operating systems. While that

is the plan, should we encounter problems with the technology or funding, we may have to restrict

our efforts to developing a 16 bit application and delay developing a 32 bit version of TANKS until

some later date (most likely a year or two down the road when most users are operating with Windows 95 or 98).

In the past when we’ve released new versions of TANKS, we have coordinated updates of Section

7.1 of AP-42 with updates to the program. The concept has always been that TANKS is an extension of Section 7.1 of AP-42 (which has grown to 100 pages) and it should be possible to perform

hand calculations using AP-42 that agree with the numbers generated by TANKS. We do not

anticipate updating AP-42 this time since the main focus of this effort is to convert TANKS from a

DOS program to a Windows program. However, the conversion to Windows has presented an

opportunity to include some enhancements to facilitate emission calculations and we will be seeking

comments on the new information included in the Beta version of the model which may necessitate

minor revisions to Section 7.1 of AP-42 at a later date. A notice will be posted on the CHIEF Web

site describing the new information forming the substance of the enhancements and seeking comments regarding the appropriateness of adding this information to TANKS and Section 7.1 of AP-42.

The most significant enhancements will include:

Incorporation of more newer meteorological data

Including speciation profiles for crude oils and distillates (this information was generated by

the American Petroleum Institute to support the Refinery MACT standard)

Including a “placeholder” for calculational routines and inputs now under development by the

American Petroleum Institute for floating roof landing losses (emissions from the complete emptying

and refilling of floating roof tanks)
5The CHIEF Newsletter Vol. IX, No. 2 Spring 1998

We will be Beta testing TANKS Version 4.0 early in the summer to ensure that the final product

is as error free as possible. If you are interested in participating in the Beta testing of TANKS

Version 4.0, please E-mail me at beauregard.dennis@epa.gov. We hope to have the final

version of the program available for use later in the summer.

Where Have All the Virtual Discussions Gone?

By Ron Myers

Prior to going to a Web based information delivery system, there was a “Public Messages” area on

the CHIEF BBS. The BBS message area was very active with approximately ten to fifteen postings

per week. A similar area now exists on the CHIEF Web which we call the “CHIEF Public Forum.”

However, since we began the Web based forum in August 1997, CHIEF users have posted only 64

messages and responses. Compared to the relative plethora of messages routinely posted to the

dial up BBS, I wonder what happened to everybody? Could it be that we have hidden the link and

most people don’t know that it exists? Perhaps we have done such a good job educating everyone

that there are no more questions for people to ask? Or maybe there are sufficient other communication networks for State, local, industry, consultants and Federal environmental organizations to share

their questions and solutions that CHIEF users do not need another network.

We would be pleased if the latter were true. However, based upon the number of calls still received

by our INFO CHIEF help desk and the technical staff, I know that there are still a lot of questions

about estimating emissions. I also know from many of these conversations that people use many

valuable approaches to estimate emissions where the tools EPA provides do not address the specific

(or general) situation encountered. I also believe that everyone can benefit from the knowledge

gained by the experiences of others. We in the EFIG do not have all of the answers on estimating

emissions for a facility or regional inventory. Often we learn more from others than we provide.

The primary purpose for the CHIEF FORUM is to provide a mechanism for seeking solutions to

emission estimating problems from the emission inventory user community. It is also a central location to document and critique estimation methodologies supported by few if any valid source test

data and a repository of emission estimation methods developed by those outside EFIG. These

methodologies may range in validity from essentially equivalent to those provided by EFIG to being

based upon consensus agreements between different stakeholders. In the previous dial up BBS

Public Forum, good experiences and suggestions were presented that I believe made this a valuable
6The CHIEF Newsletter Vol. IX, No. 2 Spring 1998

It’s Spring....

Do You Know Where Your 1996 PEI Is?

By Lee Tooly

In July of last Summer, the EFIG distributed guidance discussing the preparation and submittal of the

1996 Periodic Emission Inventory (PEI). In that guidance, it was requested that the 1996 PEI data be

submitted electronically to EPA in July 1998. The Clean Air Act requires that state and local agencies

prepare PEIs every three years for specific ozone and carbon monoxide nonattainment areas. Beginning with the 1990 base year inventory, PEIs should be developed for 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999, etc.

The EPA Regional Offices are working with their State/ local agencies to determine the regulatory

significance of the 1996 PEI, in each case. The purpose of the PEIs include tracking emissions

relative to reasonable further progress (RFP) requirements, e.g., VOC reductions. The 1996 PEI may

also be especially important for those areas that opt-in to the transitional nonattainment status under

the new ozone NAAQS.

In addition to the guidance distributed last Summer, the EFIG also distributed for each State, their

portion of the EPA National Emission Trends (NET) inventory data for 1996. The NET inventory is

developed by EFIG and includes data for most criteria pollutants, for each county in a State, e.g.,

nonattainment area(s), as well as the rest of the State. The State/ local agencies were asked to

review and confirm, or correct if necessary, the EPA’s national emission inventory data. The EFIG’s

1996 NET inventory data was distributed to the State/ local agencies to help initiate the development

of their 1996 PEI.

As described in the PEI Guidance, and now updated on the EPA’s 1996 PEI Web site, there are

several data transfer options available to State/ local agencies for submitting their 1996 PEI data

electronically to EPA. The most likely data transfer options at this point in time are: the AIRS/AFS (for

point sources only); the EPA’s new NET input format; and the NET text overwrite file for the 1996 data

as provided by EPA. The EIIP/ EDI standard format is another option, and could continue to be an

option for the future if State/ local agencies become familiar and want to use the standardized

resource for others to consult. It also provided a place for questions which sometimes fueled the formulation of a hypothesis upon which to develop better information. One improvement of the new Web

based forum is that postings are no longer automatically deleted after 60 days. This is important since

most solutions are valid for much more than a 2 month period.

This is a solicitation for increased usage of this resource. As with the previous “Public Forum,” most

messages with any linkage to emission factors or inventories will be posted as submitted. Exceptions

are those which contain advertisements or inflammatory remarks. I encourage you to make use of this

valuable forum.
7The CHIEF Newsletter Vol. IX, No. 2 Spring 1998

Emission Factor Development --

 A Collective Effort

By Tom Pace

Uncle Sam Wants You! Well, not really, but we do want your input on

emission estimation methodologies. The Emission Factors and Inventory Group (EFIG) in EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) recognizes that it

can’t possibly be “everybody’s expert” on each and every industrial process source that emits any of

the several hundred pollutants that are regulated by the Clean Air Act. Public involvement in the

development of emission estimation methods is essential. Our process for obtaining public input is

outlined in Appendix B to the Procedures for Preparing Emission Factor Documents, located on the

Internet at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/program.html. Most stakeholders interested in air quality

have perspectives and information that are potentially useful in the emission factor development

process. We must continue to find new ways to tap into this stakeholder knowledge pool at a time

when we are all being “overwhelmed by information.”

History - Several years ago we began to tap the collective expertise of the stakeholders through

various programs, including the Adopt-A-Factor program, partnerships with industry, and later

through the Emission Inventory Improvement Program (EIIP). The EIIP is on the Web at http://

www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/eiip. We have published massive amounts of information on CD ROMs

and on the Internet. Moreover, we are exploring ways to enhance stakeholder involvement in the

emission factor development process thru better communication and exchange of information. The

Internet is the logical medium to facilitate this process.

Our Web Site - The first step is to ensure that stakeholders know when their expertise is needed.

Communication is the key to this, and recent advances in technology have made this communication

job easier for all of us! The EFIG has established the Clearing House for Inventories and Emission

Factors (CHIEF) Web site to facilitate communication on all aspects of emission factor development

for stationary sources of air pollution. It can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/. It includes

the “What’s New” Web page that is used to alert users to ongoing activities in EFIG. Communication on EFIG projects is also available through the EFIG List server.

Electronic Data Interchange transfer procedure. (Please see the PEI Guidance, Chapters 2-3 and PEI

Web site for a more complete description of each data transfer format.)

The EFIG is currently prepared to accept any of the data transfer options as described for the 1996

PEI data submittal. It is anticipated at this time, that most State/ local agencies will submit their point

source data by AIRS/ AFS or the NET Input Format, and their area, mobile, and biogenic source data

using the NET Input Format. (Please refer to the EPA’s 1996 PEI Web site at http://www.epa.gov/oar/

oaqps/efig/ei for information and updates on the development of the NET Input Format.)
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Air Toxics Web Site - Another useful Web site is the Unified Air Toxics Web site http://

www.epa.gov/ttn/uatw/. This site contains a link to EPA Rules and Implementation, a Web

page that lists all ongoing MACT activity and contact points, complete with E-mail and phone

numbers. The purpose of the MACT program is to develop emission standards for hazardous

air pollutants under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). This page, and the MACT programs described therein, are not the responsibility of EFIG, but the MACT program (which is

managed by the Emission Standards Division (ESD) of OAQPS) does seek public input on

emissions and emission estimation techniques for programs under Title III of the CAA. The

MACT program encourages public participation early in the project. Additional information on

the MACT projects can be found in EPA’s Regulatory Agenda, published semiannually in the

Federal Register.

FYI Page - One additional information sharing tool that we recently established is a new Web

page to act as a repository for information developed by EPA or by outside parties which has

undergone limited EPA and external review and which EPA feels is potentially useful, but which

is not contained in AP-42. Thus, if neither the EPA nor the States have the resources available

to conduct the full public review and comment resolution necessary for inclusion in AP-42, the

information may, at EPA’s discretion, be made available on the FYI Web page for use with

appropriate caution. This Web page may be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/fyi.html.

Related Sites - Information about EPA’s mobile source emission models and inventories may

be obtained on the Web at the Office of Mobile Sources Web site http://www.epa.gov/

OMSWWW. Many States also maintain Web sites for emissions-related activities. For example, the California Air Resources Board’s site can be located at http://www.arb.ca.gov/

emisinv/eib.htm.

E-mail Directly to You - The CHIEF List server is an automated E-mail list that users can

subscribe to through their own E-mail. Once users have subscribed, they automatically receive

any message “broadcast” by the List server to subscribers. Any information placed on the

“What’s New” page of CHIEF is routinely sent to the List server subscribers. The EFIG uses

this method to alert Stakeholders to activities in which they may want to participate. Instructions for subscribing to the CHIEF List server are given below . . . Sign up TODAY!

Send an e-mail message to listserver@unixmail.rtpnc.epa.gov

 In the body of your E-mail message, type:

 subscribe CHIEF your-first-and-last-name

Not On-line? - EFIG recognizes that there are some Stakeholders that are not yet “on-line.”

Thus, we encourage other organizations that write newsletters (e.g., STAPPA/ALAPCO.

CARB, trade associations) to include information from the “What’s New” page and List server

in their newsletters as well. Draft items for public review can be sent by mail upon request if

you do not have Internet access. Call INFO CHIEF HELP DESK at (919) 541-5285 if you have

any questions.

The CHIEF Newsletter Vol. IX, No. 2 Spring 1998
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OTAG NOx SIP Call - Emission Inventory Comments

and Modifications

By Gregory Stella

In the Friday, November 7, 1997 issue of the Federal Register (FR Vol.

62, No. 216, pg. 60318), EPA proposed rulemaking (NPR) for the Finding

of Significant Contribution and Rulemaking for Certain States in the

Ozone Transport Assessment Group Region for Purposes of Reducing

Regional Transport of Ozone. This proposed rulemaking is to require

certain States to submit State implementation plans (SIP) measures to

ensure that emission reductions are achieved as needed to mitigate

transport of ozone (smog) pollution and one of its precursors – emissions

of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) – across State boundaries in the eastern half of the United States. The

notice proposed to find that the transport of ozone from certain States in the OTAG region significantly contributes to nonattainment of the ozone National ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) in

downwind States. Additionally, EPA proposed the appropriate levels of NOx emissions that each of

the affected States will be required to achieve. A 120-day comment period was established to receive

comments concerning all aspects of this proposed rulemaking and during this period over 350 comments were submitted, many dealing with potential modifications to the emissions inventory.

The emission inventories have and will be used to develop modeling of air quality, determine cost /

benefit analyses, and establish the emission budgets for each of the 23 jurisdictions currently covered by the SIP Call. In a major coordinated effort with the Office of Mobile Sources (OMS), the Acid

Rain Division (ARD), and various State and Regional air pollution offices, the Emissions, Monitoring,

and Analysis Division (EMAD) has been reviewing, assessing, and addressing comments as submitted to the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center. Comments were received for both the

1995/96 and 2007 base inventory files and covered all aspects and categories of the inventory. Each

comment was reviewed and after the appropriate office assessed the validity of the information

provided, it was included or excluded from the revised inventories.

OTAG’s daily and seasonal NOx emission inventories (http://www.iceis.mcnc.org/OTAGDC/ ) were

used as the basis for comment and modification. These inventories have since been supplemented

with accepted comments as submitted to the docket by March 9 and are planned to be used for the

final State-level budget determination. Examples of comments include changes as small as updating

existing control efficiency or boiler capacity information at specific sources to changes as large as

complete replacement of State inventories.

The CHIEF Newsletter Vol. IX, No. 2 Spring 1998

A Note of Caution About Emission Factors - The AP-42 carries no regulatory stature and users are

encouraged to seek out more accurate or more locally specific alternatives. The basis of each factor

should be evaluated by the user to ensure that its use is appropriate for a given facility. The CHIEF

Web site includes many of these alternative information sources [e.g., the Factor Information and

Retrieval System (FIRE), the FYI page mentioned above, Locating and Estimating (L & E) documents]. Also, the use of material balances, Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEM) or stack tests at

similar facilities may be more appropriate.
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The CHIEF Newsletter

Volume IX, No. 2

Spring 1998

The CHIEF Newsletter is produced quarterly by the Emission Factor and

Inventory Group; Emissions, Monitoring, and Analysis Division; of EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. Its purpose is to enhance communication within the emission factor and inventory community by providing new

and useful information and by allowing for the exchange of information between and among its readers. Comments on the Newsletter and articles for

inclusion in it are welcome and should be directed to Emission Factor and

Inventory Group (MD-14), US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone (919) 541-5285.

The contents of The CHIEF Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views

and policies of the Agency, neither does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

The evolution of this SIP Call inventory has been an intensive and collective effort of many government and private organizations over a number of projects for a number of years. And through

endeavors like these, EPA is able to develop programs that would meet both the Agency and the

States’ needs.

For additional information concerning the OTAG SIP Call inventory modifications, please contact

Gregory Stella at (919)541-3649 or at stella.greg@epa.gov.