Outdoor Air Quality

Converse has been providing air quality consulting service since implementation of the Clean Air Act amendments in 1990. The 1990 Clean Air act required businesses to reduce emissions of certain chemicals. Our goal is to help businesses comply with these requirements.

Converse has provided assistance to numerous major and minor sources, and has works to facilitate compliance with the local regulatory agencies. We provide clients with assistance in obtaining permits; prepare protocol documents for performance testing, conduct performance testing (Method 9 opacity testing). We also assist in developing emission inventories, calculating potential emissions (including actual emission calculations).

Air Quality Permitting
Air quality permitting encompasses a range of permit types. Our goal is to minimize unnecessary permitting delays, expedite the application approval processes, maximize operating flexibility, and simplify the recordkeeping and reporting procedures. Common permits include:

• Authority to Construct Permit
• Construction Permit
• Operating permit
• New Source Review and Title V Permit
• Dust Control Permit

Regulatory PM10 (dust) Compliance

Converse has significant experience in helping residential and commercial developers and local agencies comply with federal PM10 requirements for dust control. These regulations vary by location (most stringent in Clark County Nevada), but have several elements that are similar. They include: a dust permit, dust monitoring plan, employing BACT (such as trackout control and water suppression), and actual dust monitoring.

We also help clients work thru compliance issues with the local regulatory agency. After receiving a Notice of Violation (NOV), we work with the local regulatory agency to come to an agreement that enables the client to achieve compliance while setting a good example for the community. Our service includes:

• Fugitive dust control
• Dust control plans
• Dust suppressant evaluation
• Regulatory agency compliance
• Dust control permit application
• Negotiate NOV
• Participate in rule making sessions
• Dust compliance training seminars and field Òtool boxÓ sessions.
• Provide best management practices BMP for dust control

Air Quality Dispersion Modeling/Impact Analysis
Converse can conduct air dispersion modeling analysis. We use modeling tools to assist in the evaluation of impacts resulting from industrial air emissions. This includes:

• Compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
• Assessing hazardous air pollutant concentrations
• Assessing visibility and impacts in Class I areas
• Population exposure and emissions risk for human carcinogens.

Converse has completed limited CALPUFF long-range air quality modeling analyses, which requires an understanding and experience in meteorological data, dispersion theory, and atmospheric chemistry.

Control Technology Analysis
The equipment and types of chemicals can influence air pollution control technology requirements, which can have a significant effect on the cost of the permit application and on the cost of the industrial process.

• Best Available Control Technology (BACT)
• Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER)
• Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)

Ambient Air Monitoring
Converse conducts ambient air quality monitoring for dust and criteria & hazardous air pollutants. Our monitoring experience covers visible emissions evaluations (VEE) which complies with EPA Method 9 performance testing for opacity.

Annual Emission Inventory Reporting
Annual emissions inventories are part of determining air quality compliance and fee assessments. Converse has conducted emissions inventories for fugitive, mobile, and stationary point sources. We utilize available resources to determine appropriate emission factors and information developed by EPA, industry organizations, and equipment manufacturers.

NESHAP and NSPS Compliance
Converse is familiar with New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). NSPS rules apply to equipment at many sites. The NESHAPs, regulated by the 1990 Clean Air Act, are emissions standards for 188 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) known or suspected to cause health effects. For each new NESHAP (40 CFR 63), EPA must define the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standard (based on the top performing facilities in that industry).