CPT Emissions Control & Environmental Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'Prevention of Significant Deterioration' (PSD) permitting apply to?
- All existing facilities regardless of size
- New major sources or major modifications in attainment areas (Correct answer)
- Minor sources in non-attainment areas
- Facilities handling hazardous waste
Correct answer: New major sources or major modifications in attainment areas
PSD permitting applies to new major stationary sources or major modifications at existing sources located in areas that meet national ambient air quality standards.
Question 2: In a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS), what is the purpose of a quarterly RATA (Relative Accuracy Test Audit)?
- To recalibrate zero and span values
- To verify CEMS accuracy against reference method measurements (Correct answer)
- To replace worn sensor components
- To report annual emissions totals
Correct answer: To verify CEMS accuracy against reference method measurements
A RATA compares CEMS readings against simultaneous EPA reference method stack tests to ensure the monitor is measuring emissions accurately.
Question 3: Which greenhouse gas reporting threshold requires a facility to report annually to EPA under 40 CFR Part 98?
- 1,000 metric tons CO2e per year
- 10,000 metric tons CO2e per year
- 25,000 metric tons CO2e per year (Correct answer)
- 100,000 metric tons CO2e per year
Correct answer: 25,000 metric tons CO2e per year
Facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of CO2 equivalent per year must report greenhouse gas emissions annually to EPA under the mandatory GHG reporting rule.
Question 4: What is a 'malfunction' exemption under the Clean Air Act, and what is its current legal status?
- A permanent exemption for all unplanned emissions events, still valid
- An exemption for excess emissions during equipment failures, struck down by courts (Correct answer)
- An exemption only for natural disasters, still valid
- A permit modification allowing temporary emission increases, still valid
Correct answer: An exemption for excess emissions during equipment failures, struck down by courts
The SSM (Startup, Shutdown, Malfunction) exemption that allowed excess emissions during equipment malfunctions was struck down by the D.C. Circuit Court, and facilities must now comply during these events.
Question 5: When using an infrared camera for optical gas imaging (OGI), what is the primary advantage over traditional Method 21 leak detection?
- OGI is less expensive per inspection
- OGI can detect leaks faster and visualize emission plumes without contact (Correct answer)
- OGI provides quantitative mass emission rates
- OGI requires no operator training
Correct answer: OGI can detect leaks faster and visualize emission plumes without contact
OGI cameras allow technicians to visually see gas plumes and rapidly survey large numbers of components without physically touching each one.
Question 6: Under the Clean Air Act Section 112, what is a 'synthetic minor' source?
- A source that only emits synthetic chemicals
- A source that accepts permit limits to stay below major source thresholds (Correct answer)
- A source with fewer than 10 emission points
- A source that uses synthetic fuels exclusively
Correct answer: A source that accepts permit limits to stay below major source thresholds
A synthetic minor source is one that voluntarily accepts enforceable permit conditions to limit its potential to emit below major source thresholds, avoiding MACT requirements.
Question 7: What environmental regulation requires facilities to prepare a Risk Management Plan (RMP) for extremely hazardous substances?
- Clean Water Act Section 311
- Clean Air Act Section 112(r) (Correct answer)
- RCRA Subtitle C
- EPCRA Section 313
Correct answer: Clean Air Act Section 112(r)
Clean Air Act Section 112(r) requires facilities that handle threshold quantities of listed regulated substances to develop and submit an RMP to EPA.
CPT Emissions Control & Environmental Compliance 3
What does 'Prevention of Significant Deterioration' (PSD) permitting apply to?