What were the “Hot” Topics at the December 1 – 2, 2009 U.S. EPA/AWMA Information Exchange?

ALL4 Senior Consultant Roy Rakiewicz attended the annual Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA)/ U.S. EPA Information Exchange that was held at Research Triangle Park, NC on December 1 and 2, 2009. The primary topics that were addressed during this year’s event are summarized below:

–  Climate Change – Five sessions were related to climate change and included discussions regarding anticipated climate change impacts, the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Title V Tailoring Rule, the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Rule, GHG Mitigation Scenario modeling, and Cost Analyses for GHG Abatement from Coal-fired Utility Boilers. 

–  Black Carbon – Three sessions were dedicated to Black Carbon issues including a Climate/Air Quality Science Overview, the Policy Case for Black Carbon Research, and Black Carbon Measurement techniques.

–  Emissions Factor Development – One presentation focused on U.S. EPA’s overhaul of the current emissions factor systems and movement towards a single web-based system referred to as “Web-Fire.”

–  Utilities – Seven sessions pertained to regulatory and technical issues around power generation and addressed upcoming Regulatory Steps, Coal Combustion Residue issues, Control of Mercury Emissions, Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Status, Comments on the Draft Utility MACT Information Collection Request (ICR), and Mercury testing issues.

While the presentation topics didn’t introduce  any real new ground, new details and plans were discussed.  The attitude of the presenters and their almost universal focus on shaping industrial policy through regulatory policy was unmistakable.  Industry will continue to face significant challenges as regulatory policy is developed in 2010 and beyond. Stay tuned for a more in-depth summary of the event which will be provided in a future edition of 4 The Record.