New Source Review Modeling & Impacts Evaluation

Matthew KovarAir Permits Division

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Environmental Trade Fair 2015

By What Authority?

• TCEQ receives its authority from:• Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter

382 - Clean Air Act (TCAA)

• Federal Clean Air Act (FCAA)

• New minor sources or modifications shall comply with 30 TAC §116.111

• New major sources or major modifications in an attainment or unclassifiable area shall comply with 30 TAC §116.160

Federal Clean Air

Act

Texas Health & Safety

Code

Air Quality Demonstration

• Permit Reviewer determines which air contaminants and review types need to be included in the air quality analysis (AQA)

• Review types are:

• NAAQS

• PSD increments

• State property line

• Health effects

• Each review type has a specific set of associated air contaminants

• Some air contaminants are associated with more than one review type

Air Contaminant Data

Air Quality Demonstration Analysis

Permit ReviewerRequests Modeling

Air Quality Demonstrations

NAAQS:

SO2

NO2

COPSD Increment:SO2

NO2

Property Line:SO2

H2SO4

Health Effects:Styrene

NAAQS

SO2

NO2

CO

PSD Increme

nt

SO2

NO2

Property Line

SO2

H2SO4

Health Effects

Styren

e

Modeling Protocol• If project is major by itself or a major

modification, a protocol is required for all criteria pollutants with an increase:• Must be sent to EPA Region 6 for review

• May include protocol for state-only requirements

• Items to include in protocol are listed in protocol checklist

• Consider all the items in the protocol check list before you start on your protocol documentBefore you start, have a plan.

Modeling Protocol-Be Complete to Be Correct• Provide full documentation and details to

reduce review time and mitigate potential issues

• Protocol document should resemble AQA without modeling results

I wasn’t expecting

this!

Modeling Protocol-Background Info. Needed

• Station information• Time period• Monitored values• How will it be

used?• Justification

Pre-modeling Meeting• If the project is at a minor site or is a minor

modification at a major site, a protocol is not required, but recommended

• Provide a modeling summary two days prior to the pre-modeling meeting to give ADMT time to review and prepare

• Modeling summary includes same items as in protocol

Not aBrainstorming

Session

Pre-modeling Meeting-Tips• Provide full documentation and details to

reduce review time and mitigate potential issues

• Meeting could be for pre-protocol preparation• Meetings are typically conference calls

• Present your plan forthe air quality analysis

• Discuss any concerns or potential issues

Pre-modeling Meeting-Source Type Examples

Power Plants

Loading Racks

Air Quality Analysis• Pre-modeling meeting and/or protocol

increases your chances of a successful project

SUCCESS

AHEAD!

A good plan results in a successful air quality analysis.

Air Quality Analysis-What Is It?

• An addendum to the air permit application

• A stand-alone document

• Includes all information in support of the project

• Describes any deviations or changes from protocol or meeting summary

ModelingApproach

Justification &Supporting

Documentation

ModelingResults

Air Quality Analysis-Be Straightforward & Organized• Include a complete listing of all electronic files

• Summarize results demonstrating compliance

• Reiterate everything from the protocol and/or pre-modeling meeting

• Document any deviations from the protocol and/or pre-modeling meeting

• Present all information in a straightforward and organized fashion

• Provide as much documentation as possible

I would have never

thought to look here!

Avoiding Deficiencies• Deficiencies slow down the process and delay

permit issuance

• Lack of sufficient information

• Incorrect interpretations

Check for inconsistencies between model inputs and air quality analysis.

Avoiding Deficiencies• Deficiencies slow down the process and delay

permit issuance

• Lack of sufficient information

• Incorrect interpretations

Address all comments from meetings.

Monitor Selection Example

Project Site Location

Selected Monitor

Representative Monitor

Inappropriate Fugitive Source Characterization

Appropriate Fugitive Source Characterization

Updates in Modeling

AERMOD - Ambient Ratio Method 2 (ARM2)

• Must consider several factors to use ARM2:

• Tier 1 NOx modeling results

• In-stack NO2/NOx ratio of source

• Ozone background concentrations

Questions?

Contact Information• Matthew Kovar

Air Dispersion Modeling Team

(512) 239-0180

matthew.kovar@tceq.texas.gov

• Daniel MenendezTeam Leader – Air Dispersion Modeling Team

(512) 239-1537

daniel.menendez@tceq.texas.gov