1. Staff Report Fall Business Meeting 2010 Portland, Oregon
WESTAR Staff Reports
Staff Report
Fall Business Meeting 2010
Portland, Oregon

2. WESTAR Training Program
Jeff Gabler

3. Training Program FY2010: 19 Training Courses Offered
Offered in 10 Different Western Cities
48.5 Days of Training
~570 Attendees
Completed Course Updates
APTI 470 – Quality Assurance for Air Pollution Measurement Systems
Offered at States of Arizona and Idaho (will offer in NM during 2010)
Currently Incorporating Updates Due to Technology Changes Associated With NCore Program and Other Minor Updates
APTI 419B – Preparation of Fine Particulate Emissions Inventories
E.H. Pechan Submitted Finalized Version
Discussions with EPA Staff Inquiring Whether They Have the Resources to Incorporate MOVES2010 and Other Updates Rather Than Using Contractor

4. Training Program
FY2010:
Active Participants on the National Training Strategy Project.
Vision of NTSP:
A national program providing training for federal, state, and local air quality professionals to develop and enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to accomplish their organizational objectives and support the national clean air mission.
Chaired NTSP Action Plan Committee and Related Subcommittees
Define Elements/Activities Necessary to Successfully Achieve NTSP
Member on 5 of 7 Action Plan Subcommittees including:
Curriculum Development
Administration
Communication
Needs Assessment
Course Development & Updates

5. Training Program FY2011: $367,500 Funding Offer 16-18 Courses
Conduct Training in Different Western Cities
40 – 45 Training Days
360 – 450 Staff Trained
Course Update Activities, As Appropriate

6. WESTAR Technical Program
Bob Lebens

7. Committees Planning Technical Sources Mobile Sources
National Ambient Air Monitoring Steering Committee representative
Sources
Mobile Sources
Track federal policy and regulatory actions affecting West
Analyze impacts on WESTAR states
Support Committees:
Information exchange
WESTAR comment development
Regional Haze Activities
The states are completing their BART determinations and RH SIP’s, with WRAP helping.
 (Regional Haze status table is in meeting material, on thumb drives)
Other WRAP Activities
Oil & Gas
The WRAP O&G Workgroup remains in place with bimonthly calls. The Phase III inventory process is moving forward with Wyoming’s funding help, and we are looking at updating these 2006 baselines to 2009 under a Phase IV effort. The Piceance Pilot Project (P3) is looking at Mobile Source Emissions.
Fire Emissions Tracking System
The FETS Project also has bimonthly calls. The FETS website is good on funding into sometime in early 2011, and we have some new funding for an additional effort for a comparative analysis of FETS fire emissions data as compared to the EPA defaults in the 2008 NEI. We are looking to prepare new “regional air quality planning grade” inventories for
  WRAP websites (WRAP & EDMS)
The WRAP websites and the Emission Data Management System contracts were consolidated under an Air Resource Specialists contract, with funding stable into the first quarter of These sites will be maintained with a low level of effort and no new development or training.
Technical Support System & Visibility Information Exchange Web System
The TSS & VIEWS websites will go into hibernation by the end of the year. They will remain available in static form; with no project changes after 2009 IMPROVE data are added this year.
There are two new and emerging projects before the WRAP.
WestJumpAQMS
The WestJumpAQMS Project was conceived by the State of New Mexico, the BLM, & BP Oil Company to begin the next round of regional modeling in response to ozone standards, focusing on the Four Corners Area. But proponents knew they needed inventories outside the Four Corners, and thus this will cover a wider western U.S. perspective. Initial funding is coming through New Mexico, from the BLM and EPA R6, and separately from BP, to the WGA for contracting. Additional resources are needed and being sought.
  Regional Transmission Expansion Project
The RTEP is a DOE funded project for the Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB) and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) to study transmission requirements under a range of alternative energy scenarios. The proponents want to incorporate the WRAP’s most recent PRP18b emissions data. The WRAP will go to states with a Technical Memorandum for updating this information and give the results back to the project principals.
There are also two WGA Cooperative Agreements which are paid for by the proponents and will occupy half Tom Moore’s time in the coming couple of years.
 (Not on slide)
National Park Service Critical Loads
This project will collate, database and publish Critical Loads air quality data.
NASA Satellite Data Management
This project will help work on applying NASA satellite data for use in air quality analysis and planning efforts in the WGA region. 7

8. Ad Hoc Work Groups Oil & Gas Work Group Biomass Work Group
Implemented Council recommendations
Awaiting ozone standard
Biomass Work Group
Joint with NESCAUM/EPA
Woodheater NSPS
Ozone Work Group
Implementation Planning
Regional Haze Activities
The states are completing their BART determinations and RH SIP’s, with WRAP helping.
 (Regional Haze status table is in meeting material, on thumb drives)
Other WRAP Activities
Oil & Gas
The WRAP O&G Workgroup remains in place with bimonthly calls. The Phase III inventory process is moving forward with Wyoming’s funding help, and we are looking at updating these 2006 baselines to 2009 under a Phase IV effort. The Piceance Pilot Project (P3) is looking at Mobile Source Emissions.
Fire Emissions Tracking System
The FETS Project also has bimonthly calls. The FETS website is good on funding into sometime in early 2011, and we have some new funding for an additional effort for a comparative analysis of FETS fire emissions data as compared to the EPA defaults in the 2008 NEI. We are looking to prepare new “regional air quality planning grade” inventories for
  WRAP websites (WRAP & EDMS)
The WRAP websites and the Emission Data Management System contracts were consolidated under an Air Resource Specialists contract, with funding stable into the first quarter of These sites will be maintained with a low level of effort and no new development or training.
Technical Support System & Visibility Information Exchange Web System
The TSS & VIEWS websites will go into hibernation by the end of the year. They will remain available in static form; with no project changes after 2009 IMPROVE data are added this year.
There are two new and emerging projects before the WRAP.
WestJumpAQMS
The WestJumpAQMS Project was conceived by the State of New Mexico, the BLM, & BP Oil Company to begin the next round of regional modeling in response to ozone standards, focusing on the Four Corners Area. But proponents knew they needed inventories outside the Four Corners, and thus this will cover a wider western U.S. perspective. Initial funding is coming through New Mexico, from the BLM and EPA R6, and separately from BP, to the WGA for contracting. Additional resources are needed and being sought.
  Regional Transmission Expansion Project
The RTEP is a DOE funded project for the Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB) and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) to study transmission requirements under a range of alternative energy scenarios. The proponents want to incorporate the WRAP’s most recent PRP18b emissions data. The WRAP will go to states with a Technical Memorandum for updating this information and give the results back to the project principals.
There are also two WGA Cooperative Agreements which are paid for by the proponents and will occupy half Tom Moore’s time in the coming couple of years.
 (Not on slide)
National Park Service Critical Loads
This project will collate, database and publish Critical Loads air quality data.
NASA Satellite Data Management
This project will help work on applying NASA satellite data for use in air quality analysis and planning efforts in the WGA region. 8

9. Future Activities Ozone NAAQS Implementation Woodheater NSPS
Ozone Work Group, Technical Committee
Analyze Implementation
Implementation Workshop
Oil & Gas Work Group
Woodheater NSPS
Biomass Work Group
Committee Support
Expand WESTAR member state participation
Regional Haze Activities
The states are completing their BART determinations and RH SIP’s, with WRAP helping.
 (Regional Haze status table is in meeting material, on thumb drives)
Other WRAP Activities
Oil & Gas
The WRAP O&G Workgroup remains in place with bimonthly calls. The Phase III inventory process is moving forward with Wyoming’s funding help, and we are looking at updating these 2006 baselines to 2009 under a Phase IV effort. The Piceance Pilot Project (P3) is looking at Mobile Source Emissions.
Fire Emissions Tracking System
The FETS Project also has bimonthly calls. The FETS website is good on funding into sometime in early 2011, and we have some new funding for an additional effort for a comparative analysis of FETS fire emissions data as compared to the EPA defaults in the 2008 NEI. We are looking to prepare new “regional air quality planning grade” inventories for
  WRAP websites (WRAP & EDMS)
The WRAP websites and the Emission Data Management System contracts were consolidated under an Air Resource Specialists contract, with funding stable into the first quarter of These sites will be maintained with a low level of effort and no new development or training.
Technical Support System & Visibility Information Exchange Web System
The TSS & VIEWS websites will go into hibernation by the end of the year. They will remain available in static form; with no project changes after 2009 IMPROVE data are added this year.
There are two new and emerging projects before the WRAP.
WestJumpAQMS
The WestJumpAQMS Project was conceived by the State of New Mexico, the BLM, & BP Oil Company to begin the next round of regional modeling in response to ozone standards, focusing on the Four Corners Area. But proponents knew they needed inventories outside the Four Corners, and thus this will cover a wider western U.S. perspective. Initial funding is coming through New Mexico, from the BLM and EPA R6, and separately from BP, to the WGA for contracting. Additional resources are needed and being sought.
  Regional Transmission Expansion Project
The RTEP is a DOE funded project for the Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB) and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) to study transmission requirements under a range of alternative energy scenarios. The proponents want to incorporate the WRAP’s most recent PRP18b emissions data. The WRAP will go to states with a Technical Memorandum for updating this information and give the results back to the project principals.
There are also two WGA Cooperative Agreements which are paid for by the proponents and will occupy half Tom Moore’s time in the coming couple of years.
 (Not on slide)
National Park Service Critical Loads
This project will collate, database and publish Critical Loads air quality data.
NASA Satellite Data Management
This project will help work on applying NASA satellite data for use in air quality analysis and planning efforts in the WGA region. 9

10. WESTAR Visibility Program
Don Arkell

11. General Regional Haze Activities (status table) Other WRAP Activities
States completing BART and regional haze SIPs
FIPs in process
SIP reviews, Issue resolutions underway
Other WRAP Activities
Oil & Gas Emissions Inventories ongoing
FETS in use until early 2011
WRAP and EDMS Websites at low operation w/consolidated contract
TSS/VIEWS going into hibernation w/2009 IMPROVE data
New or Emerging projects (outside funding)
WestJump AQMS (Four Corners, + regional modeling for ozone)
RTEP support with updated 2018 EI
Regional Haze Activities
The states are completing their BART determinations and RH SIP’s, with WRAP helping.
 (Regional Haze status table is in meeting material, on thumb drives)
Other WRAP Activities
Oil & Gas
The WRAP O&G Workgroup remains in place with bimonthly calls. The Phase III inventory process is moving forward with Wyoming’s funding help, and we are looking at updating these 2006 baselines to 2009 under a Phase IV effort. The Piceance Pilot Project (P3) is looking at Mobile Source Emissions.
Fire Emissions Tracking System
The FETS Project also has bimonthly calls. The FETS website is good on funding into sometime in early 2011, and we have some new funding for an additional effort for a comparative analysis of FETS fire emissions data as compared to the EPA defaults in the 2008 NEI. We are looking to prepare new “regional air quality planning grade” inventories for
  WRAP websites (WRAP & EDMS)
The WRAP websites and the Emission Data Management System contracts were consolidated under an Air Resource Specialists contract, with funding stable into the first quarter of These sites will be maintained with a low level of effort and no new development or training.
Technical Support System & Visibility Information Exchange Web System
The TSS & VIEWS websites will go into hibernation by the end of the year. They will remain available in static form; with no project changes after 2009 IMPROVE data are added this year.
There are two new and emerging projects before the WRAP.
WestJumpAQMS
The WestJumpAQMS Project was conceived by the State of New Mexico, the BLM, & BP Oil Company to begin the next round of regional modeling in response to ozone standards, focusing on the Four Corners Area. But proponents knew they needed inventories outside the Four Corners, and thus this will cover a wider western U.S. perspective. Initial funding is coming through New Mexico, from the BLM and EPA R6, and separately from BP, to the WGA for contracting. Additional resources are needed and being sought.
  Regional Transmission Expansion Project
The RTEP is a DOE funded project for the Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB) and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) to study transmission requirements under a range of alternative energy scenarios. The proponents want to incorporate the WRAP’s most recent PRP18b emissions data. The WRAP will go to states with a Technical Memorandum for updating this information and give the results back to the project principals.
There are also two WGA Cooperative Agreements which are paid for by the proponents and will occupy half Tom Moore’s time in the coming couple of years.
 (Not on slide)
National Park Service Critical Loads
This project will collate, database and publish Critical Loads air quality data.
NASA Satellite Data Management
This project will help work on applying NASA satellite data for use in air quality analysis and planning efforts in the WGA region.

12. WRAP Technical Support System Survey
Requested as background for discussion on future regional technical support needs
Telephone survey of senior planning staffs of nine western states, one FLM user agency, WRAP staff and two other RPOs
Presents summary descriptions of EDMS, FETS, VIEWS/TSS
Presents composite overview of responses to questions on use experience, need and scope of ongoing regional support, useful features of existing WRAP systems based on currently perceived needs including regional haze
Presents status of existing WRAP systems, summary of current projects at other RPOs
Presents findings and some conclusions about next steps, based on interviews
The survey and report was requested by WRAP co-chair Mary Uhl to help state air directors understand the features and contract costs of operating the existing systems that were used for regional haze planning.
The information in the report could be used to help air directors prioritize the features they would need to help with future regional support for upcoming NAAQS and ongoing regional haze.
WRAP has been reducing operations of all the systems to stretch available funding, pending additional funding, which is not at all certain at this time. (EPA has identified $1m of unexpended 2010 funds to be distributed equally among all 5 RPOs). WRAP staff has determined that the existing support systems, except for FETS have become outdated and it would be more cost-effective at this time to close out contracts on existing systems, develop a new, multi-purpose support system building on lessons learned rather than try to reconfigure the four existing systems to meet future needs.
This survey can inform discussions on what features of any new technical support the planners identified that should (or perhaps not) be incorporated in any new regional support effort.
The report also presents some observations, findings and conclusions about what the next steps should be toward addressing future regional support needs. These are based on the telephone interviews of state planners, WRAP and other RPO management staff, along with supporting material, provided by SEMAP, one of the other RPOs, that has been sent to WRAP members as background for the WRAP meeting later this week.