Base Programs and National/Regional Priorities. The base programs are those areas of the air program that continue day to day to ensure clean air in the state. This element of the air program includes, for example, air monitoring and analysis and speciation of fine PM. National/regional priorities are those specific areas of air pollution control that U.S. EPA or Region 5 has identified as deserving of particular attention. • Air Monitoring - The Bureau of Air will compile a complete and valid air quality database sufficient to meet program needs and U.S. EPA's requirements. The air-monitoring network will continue operation consistent with U.S. EPA’s guidelines and the approved air monitoring network plan. Efforts will continue with Region 5 to conduct audits on CEMs • State Permitting - The Bureau of Air will continue to process construction and “lifetime” operating permit applications for state (non-Title V/non-FESOP) sources and provide proposed construction permits to Region 5 as appropriate. • PM2.5 – The Bureau has prepared and submitted the 2002 base year inventory for PM2.5 and its precursors. This inventory will be the basis for future rate-of-progress plans, and modeling analyses for PM2.5 and regional haze. • Regional Haze/BART - The Bureau of Air has worked with the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium and Midwest Regional Planning Organization (LADCO) and other Midwestern states to develop and actively participate in a process to address the requirements of the 1999 Regional Haze Rule. The Bureau of Air will continue to participate in conferences and workshops necessary to address regional haze. The Bureau of Air and LADCO have worked with U.S. EPA to develop modeling approaches to address the impacts of BART-eligible sources. We have compiled lists of potential BART sources in Illinois and have performed CALPUFF modeling of all eligible units. We have also been working with affected companies to refine the inventories used for modeling and to prepare the requisite engineering studies.
Base Programs and National/Regional Priorities. Although the four program areas listed above are very focused priorities, the base programs must continue to function so as to maintain the progress we have achieved thus far both in the area of ozone reductions and with regard to other pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM). Such base programs include air monitoring, state permitting and data management, among others. Although many of the activities implementing Illinois EPA’s pollution prevention and small business programs are carried out by Field Operations Section inspectors and Permit Section analysts, coordination of these programs within the Bureau of Air is included in Base Programs. At the same time, there are key national and regional initiatives that should be included in our priorities, such as deployment of speciation monitoring network to assess fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and regional haze.
Base Programs and National/Regional Priorities. Air Monitoring: • Conduct Quality Assurance (QA) system audits of Illinois EPA ambient air quality monitoring network and provide the service of QA performance audits when needed in coordination with Illinois EPA. • Continue to provide assistance and technical support for the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) in coordination with Illinois EPA. • Work with the state to implement Lake Michigan PAMS data analysis plan. • Work with the state in reviewing and approving annual NAMS/SLAMS network plans. • Provide Illinois EPA the resources needed to support the national trend site for PM2.5 speciation. • Provide Illinois training in quality assurance and data reporting for PM2.5. • Support Illinois' efforts to secure Section 103 funding for PM2.5 monitoring. Assist Illinois EPA in conducting PM2.5 analyses. • Work with the state to implement the National and Regional Monitoring Strategies including NCore. • Work with the state to ensure data completeness in AQS. • Encourage Illinois establish a training program for the new monitoring technologies, including, but not limited to, NCore level 2 trace gases and toxics. Region 5 may do this by requiring it in the 103 workplan for PM 2.5, and toxics and we may provide/identify funding in the grant for this purpose. Permitting (other than Title V): • Facilitate timely resolution of permit problems; including resolution of national issues and common sense solutions for addressing identified concerns. • Provide technical assistance as requested by the state for issues such as applicability determinations. • Review draft permits consistent with the Memorandum of Agreement, including FESOP, netting, all PSD permits and permits of concern where there is reason to believe that public scrutiny will be high. • Provide all information relative to changes in construction permit program regulations and guidance in a timely manner. Small Business: • Promote regional communication and information exchange through quarterly conference calls and an annual conference. • Address questions, complaints, and compliance efforts regarding the Stratospheric Ozone Protection programs throughout the state. • Work with the state to develop a mechanism to assess how well small business MACT outreach is furthering compliance goals. • Continue to host quarterly calls with state/local dry cleaner contacts. • Continue to provide ongoing technical assistance to state/local dry cleaner contacts. Region 5 will continue to provide a con...
