4 The Record: Behind The Scenes

In this episode, we discuss the process that state agencies follow when evaluating a new National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). We discuss the steps in the NAAQS designation process that state agencies take and the aspects of the process the facilities should be attentive to. We address the ambient data that state agencies utilize for designations, the concept of exceptional events, the s...

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Aditya Shivkumar around data science. We explore several data projects that utilize continuous emissions monitoring data to extract useful information about emissions limits, equipment reliability, and predictive alarms around operations. We then discuss how data science will enter new areas of environmental, health, safety, and sustainability pro...

In this episode we discuss the broad field of Data Science. We explore the history of Data Science and discuss how it can be used within EHS and sustainability programs. We cover the broad incentives such as regulation, policy changes, and ESG evolution that companies are encountering to further incorporate data into their decision making. We further drill down into the process of using data to ga...

In this episode, Kayla Turney joins us to provide an update on emerging contaminants with a focus on PFAS, among others. We talk about Federal PFAS regulatory and policy activity and explore additional compounds for listeners to keep an eye on in the future. We also discuss upcoming reporting and provide practical advice on best practices for Tier II reporting and changes to be aware of and prepar...

In this episode, we are joined by ehsAI CEO Margery Moore. Margery discusses ehsAI’s artificial intelligence (AI) platform that is used to automate the process of reading environmental permits, regulations, and other similar documents and summarizing the requirements contained therein. We talk about the background of AI and its use in other industries and how ehsAI has brought AI into the EHS aren...

In this episode Amy Marshall joins us once again to provide an end of 2021 air quality regulatory update. It has been 14 months since we first launched our new podcast format with a lookahead to a potential Biden administration. Now we are just under a year into the administration and explore the latest policy, regulatory, and legal activity. Topics covered include New Source Review, ambient stand...

In this episode, we explore the growing activity related to digital solutions for EHS programs. We discuss how digital solutions can be used to assist in automating, tracking, benchmarking, and establishing ongoing improvement approaches when it comes to EHS and sustainability programs. Stephanie Taylor shares some of the basics and lessons learned form her experience in assisting with the impleme...

In this episode, we continue the conversation related to fine particulate (PM2.5) current events and strategies to plan ahead for important permitting projects. We address how ambient monitoring for PM2.5 could fit into the planning process for upcoming projects. We also cover the possibility of innovative permitting approaches such as plantwide applicability limit (PAL) permits and the role that...

In this episode, we discuss U.S. EPA’s recent release of a supplement to the 2019 Fine Particulate (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) Integrated Science Assessment (ISA). The supplement document is a continuation of U.S. EPA’s re-evaluation of the PM2.5 NAAQS that is anticipated to be further tightened next year. We discuss where U.S. EPA stands in the NAAQS revision process. We...

In this episode, we continue our Environmental Justice policy conversation with Dan Dix by exploring cumulative risk assessments. We discuss what cumulative risk assessments are, what they address, the tools available to conduct them, and what they are attempting to ultimately measure. We round out the conversation by discussing how the cumulative risk assessment process could fit into Environment...

In this episode, we dig further into potential Environmental Justice (EJ) policy implications and explore the connections to ambient air quality monitoring. We discuss how ambient monitoring has evolved over time to the small sensors that are widely available to the general public today. We explore the advantages (and limitations) of the currently available small sensor technology. Finally, we rev...

In this episode, Amy Marshall and Rich Hamel discuss the latest activity around the Federal administration's two biggest priorities: Climate and Environmental Justice. The climate discussion focuses on Federal climate issues being addressed in the infrastructure bill, status of climate goals, state-level regulatory activity, and a few actions that are occurring internationally. The Environment...

In this episode the conversation with Amy Marshall about Federal administration activity continues. We continue to explore the possible implications around the removal of the previous administration’s guidance rulemaking. We discuss ongoing litigation around ambient standards, New Source Review (NSR), and One in Always In policy among others. We also explore new proposed rulemaking from the admini...

In this episode we are joined by Amy Marshall to revisit the air quality regulatory, policy, and ongoing litigation activities in play five months into the new U.S. EPA administration. We discuss actions that are being reconsidered and actions that have been vacated by the new administration. Among these topics is a discussion about the PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard reconsideration t...

In this episode we discuss connecting with CMS staff at regulatory agencies. We discuss what we should expect to see from the new Federal administration moving forward. From there we cover the technologies that we could see come to fruition in the coming years related to CMS and CMS data so that you can consider how those technologies and reporting obligations might impact your CMS programs. The c...

In this episode we discuss the foundations of a continuous monitoring sytem (CMS) program including good versus bad data, data validation considerations, and the importance of documentation. The institutional knowledge around a CMS program is critical and is something that is being lost at many facilities and state regulatory agencies over time. We address the philosophies to consider to retain an...

In this episode we explore the ongoing Federal push for emissions inventory standardization. We specifically discuss practical experiences with the Common Air Emissions Reporting (CAER) system being rolled out by U.S. EPA . We also highlight the possible expansion into the CAER system by different state agencies. The CAER system is an indicator of the ongoing trend towards greater electronic repor...

In this episode we discuss the various reporting layers that facilities encounter when preparing air emissions information for reporting. We also generally visit the growing importance of consistency across emissions reports. Common areas of possible inconsistency are discussed as is the role of state regulatory agencies in preparing emissions information on behalf of facilities (the NEI process)....

In this episode we take a practical look at National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit renewal applications. What is thw goal of a permit renewal process? What are some key areas to consider streamlining? We also look at upcoming PFAS considerations around NPDES permits

In this episode we take a practical look at Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements. Topics discussed include SPCC plan layouts, applicability requirements, and a quick look at some current legal activity around SPCC.

In this episode we look at the first several weeks of the new U.S. EPA administration. Part 2 of 2 turns toward more "day to day" permitting items. We explore some recent activity related to New Source Review reform and speculate on activity related to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Both items are important for future capital project planning. We also discuss potential PFAS re...

In this episoide we look at the first several weeks of the new U.S. EPA administration. Part 1 of 2 exames where two key priorities stand so far for two key priorities: Environmental Justice and Climate regulatory and policy. What's the latest and what is coming up next?

The upcoming Biden Administration of U.S. EPA will have among its list of priorties steps to address climate policy and regulation. This episode explories some of the policy and regulatory action that we might expect to see under the new administration. We also explore how some of these upcoming priorities might fit into climate planning that companies are already undertaking and how these connect...

In this episode we look ahead to the future of available air quality models. From there, we cover proactive steps that facilities can take to prepare for possible modeling obligations in advance of important capital projects. The importance of potential meteorological monitoring and ambient pollutant background monitoring are also covered in the context of upcoming projects.

In this episode we discuss the increasing strategic importance of air quality modeling in capital planning. We cover how modeling has evolved over time, review current events related to National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and talk about how air toxics programs are changing and how an increasing emphasis on environmental justice policy could influence modeling requirements in the future