Continuous monitoring systems (CMS) have become a critical part of a facility’s ongoing compliance demonstration. U.S. EPA and individual states agencies are focused on expanded transparency, increased scrutiny, and the use of data analytics and targeting for enforcement purposes. This makes effective CMS management more crucial than ever before.
Businesses that prioritize continuous monitoring — and work with external consulting firms who know how to align system integration and data management with their strategic goals — will be better positioned to succeed in an increasingly complex and technical regulatory environment.
What Is a Continuous Monitoring System?
A Continuous Monitoring System is a tool that continuously measures and records actual data and information from an emissions source. The measured data is often used in real-time to operate the source and also demonstrate compliance with applicable regulations. A CMS must meet specific criteria depending on the nature of your operation, which may include formal certification.
The U.S. EPA distinguishes between four types of CMS:
- Continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS): To directly measure actual emission levels from a stationary source, such as nitrogen oxides of a flue-gas.
- Continuous emission rate monitors (CERMs):A sub-type of CEMS that measures pollutant rates in a standard such as mass per unit time.
- Continuous opacity monitoring systems (COMS):A relative indicator of particulate matter emissions by measuring the opacity of flue-gas.
- Continuous parametric monitoring systems (CPMS):To measure a specific parameter(s) and also used to extrapolate emissions data from it.
Speak With A Continuous Emission Monitoring Expert
ALL4’s CMS Expertise
ALL4 can work with your team and assist with all aspects of CMS data management related to 40 CFR Part 60, Part 63 and Part 75. Our team includes air quality regulatory experts with experience in:
- CMS procurement assistance
- CMS system integration
- Data acquisition and handling system (DAHS) implementation and optimization
- Initial CMS certification and ongoing quality assurance
- Site-specific monitoring
- State-specific data management and reporting
- CMS auditing
- CMS data forensics and expert witness testimony
- CMS permit condition review, development and negotiation
- Alternative Monitoring Petitions (AMP)
- Training and optimization
- Electronic Data Reporting (including EDR-E)
We’ll work with your technical departments and senior management to put together a package of services appropriate for your organization. Though we specialize in large and complex projects, we have the customer focus to work on continuous emissions monitoring projects of any size.
CMS and DAHS Reviews
There are several situations which may trigger a review of your CMS or DAHS. These include:
- Changes to 40 CFR Part 60, Part 63 or Part 75, or other governing regulations
- Poor data availability or quality, or changing data end use
- System errors that lead to lost allowances and subsequently cost you money
- Installation or modification of air pollution control equipment
- Inadequate or unavailable data substitution or validation capabilities
- Aging equipment
- Poor monitor availability
- Plant modifications
To learn more about how ALL4 can help with proactive CMS design and system integration, or any other air quality monitoring issue, please contact ALL4’s Tech Team Leader – CMS, Meghan Barber, directly (mbarber@all4inc.com or 610.422.1130).
Continuous Monitoring System Training
Related Posts:
Posted: February 2023
Many facilities that are subject to the requirements of a Title V Operating Permit must operate and maintain continuous monitoring systems (CMS) to demonstrate ongoing compliance with various state and Federal requirements in the permit. Managing the quality and evaluating […]
Read articlePosted: January 2023
Part 1 EHS&S Look Ahead // Colin McCall Greetings from ALL4 in 2023. I’d like to start the year once again by thanking our employees, clients, and partners for the support and for enjoying the journey with us. We never […]
Read articlePosted: December 2022
What Issues May Come Up During Stack Testing? When stack testing, there are a lot of moving parts that go into the operation to ensure that the stack testing event goes smoothly. Because of this, there are several common issues […]
Read articlePosted: September 2022
WHAT IS THE AGENCY PROPOSING? South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties in California. To streamline the monitoring requirements […]
Read articlePosted: August 2022
If you are new to Pennsylvania and are responsible for continuous monitoring systems (CMS) for your facility, you may be surprised by all the requirements that need to be followed, most of which do not apply in other states. Even […]
Read articlePosted: June 2022
The day has come – a driver such as a new regulation or a sustainability initiative has resulted in your facility needing to install a Continuous Monitoring System (CMS). We get it – that task can be very daunting. To […]
Read articlePosted: May 2022
Industrial facilities across the country are continuing to feel the impacts of the global pandemic, rising inflation, and supply chain disruptions. So how does this affect you and your ability to procure monitoring equipment? Unfortunately, the answer is that lead […]
Read articlePosted: February 2022
The Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD) is replacing the Emission Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS) with a new web-based platform – ECMPS 2.0. This transition is part of U.S. ongoing efforts to reengineer the CAMD Business Suite of tools […]
Read articlePosted: January 2022
The 2022 Look Ahead is a multi-part series consisting of 20 articles to celebrate ALL4’s 20th anniversary. View Part 1 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) – How to Prepare for 2022 Recordkeeping and Reporting // Sheryl Watkins Since its creation in […]
Read articlePosted: October 2021
On August 25, 2021, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issued a Compliance Advisory to facilities in the state that have an air permit that requires a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) with a 3-hour rolling average based […]
Read article