Emission Solutions January 2012 Newsletter

AN INTERNET PUBLICATION OF KLAUS EQUIPMENT COMPANY - PITTSBURGH PENNSYLVANIA

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 1 - JANUARY 2012

IN THIS ISSUE

EPA Releases Air Quality Model to Study Harmful Air Pollution

California Air Resources Board Adopts Key Cap-and-Trade

EPA Accepts First GHG Reporting Data
JAY SAYS

EPA Releases Air Quality Model to Study Harmful Air Pollution

EPA has released a new version of its Community Multi-scale Air Quality model (CMAQ) that uses up-to-the minute meteorology and air chemistry data to determine how weather conditions affect pollution, and how pollution can affect and change weather. Version 5.0 of CMAQ allows scientists to analyze air quality at smaller, finer-resolution settings for individual towns and cities, and model air quality for the entire northern hemisphere. Currently, scientists use CMAQ to estimate air quality levels at the regional and national scales. CMAQ 5.0 allows scientists to study air pollution at the local level and much larger scales. Version 5.0 has the capability to use data from other air quality models. This gives the system more flexibility to address new and increasingly complex air pollution issues, and incorporate input from a worldwide community of CMAQ users.

Earlier versions of CMAQ have been used for more than a decade by EPA and states for air quality management. CMAQ uses meteor-ology and emissions data to evaluate air pollution trends and distribution. The system models multiple air pollutants, which include ozone, particulate matter, and air toxics to help air quality regulators determine the best air quality management scenarios for their communities, regions, and states. Also, the National Weather Service uses CMAQ to produce daily U.S. forecasts for ozone air quality. Air Compliance News Volume 17 Issue 4Fall ’11

California Air Resources Board Adopts Key Cap-and-Trade

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has adopted cap-and-trade regulation as a key element of the state’s climate plan. The cap-and-trade pro-gram will now join other major measures including standards for ultra-clean cars, low-carbon fuels and renewable electricity. The Board also approved an adaptive management plan to closely monitor the effect of the program on localized air quality and forests, in particular. The regulation sets a statewide limit on sources responsible for 85 percent of California’s greenhouse gas emissions and establishes a price signal needed to drive long-term investment in cleaner fuels and more efficient use of energy. The program is designed to provide covered entities the flexibility to seek out and implement the lowest-cost options to reduce emissions.

The regulation will cover 360 businesses representing 600 facilities and will be implemented in two phases: the first, beginning in 2013, will include all major industrial sources along with electricity utilities; the second, starting in 2015, brings in distributors of transportation fuels, natural gas and other fuels.

Companies are not given a specific limit on their greenhouse gas emissions but must supply a sufficient number of allowances (each the equivalent of one ton of Carbon Dioxide) to cover their annual emissions. As the cap declines each year, the total number of allowances issued in the state drops, requiring companies to find the most cost-effective and efficient approaches to reducing their emissions. The first compliance year when covered sources will have to turn in allowances is 2013.

By 2020 the state will reach the equivalent of the 1990-level of greenhouse emissions, as required under AB 32, California’s climate change legislation.
Air Compliance News Volume 17 Issue 4Fall ’11

EPA Accepts First GHG Reporting Data

EPA has launched the new electronic GHG Reporting Tool (e-GGRT) to allow 28 industrial sectors to submit their 2010 greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution data electronically. Prior to being finalized, more than1,000 stakeholders, including industry associations, states and NGOs were involved in testing to ensure clarity and user-friendliness. EPA expects to receive 2010 GHG data from approximately 7,000 large industrial GHG emitters and suppliers, including power plants, petroleum refineries and landfills.

EPA’s GHG Reporting Program, launched in October 2009, requires the reporting of GHG data from large emission sources across a range of industry sectors. Suppliers of products that would emit GHGs if released, combusted, or oxidized are also required to report GHG data. Under this program, covered entities are required to submit GHG data to EPA annually and the first round of data was to be submitted electronically by September 30, 2011. EPA plans to publish non-confidential GHG data collected through the GHGRP by the end of 2011. Air Compliance News Volume 17 Issue 4Fall ’11

Jay says
MARCELLUS GAS is changing the economic life and future of the people in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Life will never be the same “ENERGY is ABUNDANT” “Shale Gas Development is a Game-Changer of Huge Proportions”

Gov. Corbett: “It’s not just jobs. It’s national security. It’s national defense. It’s a future for our children, our grandchildren” Philadelphia Gas Works customers see an “annual savings of $594” thanks to Marcellus Shale development.

“We’re the Saudi Arabia of natural gas. This single-handedly can change the US economy”.

Best regards,
Jay Klaus
JKlaus@KlausEquipment.com
Klaus Equipment Company, Inc.
President