WESTAR Planning Committee
2024-05-02 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-07-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-08-01 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-09-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver)
The WESTAR Planning Committee includes air quality planners from the 15 member states. Planners from Tribal and local air agencies as well as EPA and Federal Land Management agencies are welcome to attend. These calls occur every month on the First Thursday at 2:00 Mountain Time. The purpose of the call is to identify policy issues of concern, make recommendations and comment on EPA policies and proposals, and exchange information and expertise on relevant topics.
If you are interested in attending these calls, please contact Jay Baker at jbaker@westar.org.

6-Month Check-In: SIP Development
2024-05-09 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
WESTAR’s Training Program will host this virtual 6th month check-in (a continuation of WESTAR’s SIP Development training course)is for state, local and tribal air quality professional staff working, or planning to work, in the State Implementation Planning (SIP) Program.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
SIP Development Materials

Who Are These People & Why Do They Hate Me? (Re)Building Trust in Government.
2024-05-14 08:00 - 2024-05-15 17:00 (America/Denver) | Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver, 1717 Champa Street, Denver, CO, 80201, United States
COURSE DESCRIPTION: WESTAR’s Training Program will host this 2-day leadership training on building trust in government for agency personnel in leadership positions at an agency.
Quantifiable polls, research and empirical evidence in the United States shows that people are increasingly suspicious and distrustful of government, science and expertise, particularly those public interest initiatives that are perceived to disrupt and change people’s lives.
Community opposition and protest can derail the best plans and intentions. Angry, cynical and emotional people don’t represent their interests very well, and simply ignoring or dismissing their skepticism isn’t a productive or effective option.
Managing public projects and policy requires an understanding of why people feel and react the way they do, and learning how to better prevent and handle that public emotion and opposition, to build relationships and rebuild public trust.
This course is a highly researched, time tested, effective approach for dealing with public anger, emotion, fear and opposition associated with public engagement and public information programs.
The class builds on proven, recognized global best practices in public participation and consensus building as well as continually updated and practical research from experts in public outrage, risk communication and behavioral science. The course helps managers and staff understand and manage authentic public involvement, and to deal with citizen anger in decision-making and public policy. This is a hands-on, customized, dynamic 2- day in person mix of interactive, large group discussions, videotape, small group problem solving with timely, real-world scenarios and exercises that gives people the understanding, tools and confidence to manage the tough public issues that they face.
COURSE BROCHURE
To register log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

WESTAR Technical Committee
2024-05-22 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-26 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-07-24 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-08-28 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver)
The WESTAR Technical Committee includes technical professionals from the 15 member states. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds including monitoring, emissions inventory, and modeling analysis. Technical professionals from Tribal and local air agencies as well as EPA and Federal Land Management agencies are welcome to attend. These calls occur every month on the First Thursday at 2:00 Mountain Time. The purpose of the call is to identify policy issues of concern, make recommendations and comment on EPA policies and proposals, and exchange information and expertise on relevant topics.
If you are interested in attending these calls, please contact Jay Baker at jbaker@westar.org.

TSC/WG Co-Chairs Monthly Coordination Call
2024-05-29 12:30 - 14:00 (America/Denver)
Monthly Coordination Call with WRAP Technical Steering Committee and WRAP Work Group Co-Chairs
Agenda
Work Group Updates

HAQAST Boston
2024-06-04 - 2024-06-05 | Boston, MA

WRAP Board Meeting
2024-06-05 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Denver)
Agenda

Monitoring Compliance Testing & Source Test Observation
2024-06-11 08:30 - 2024-06-13 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | South Coast AQMD, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA, 91765, United States
WESTAR’s Training Center will host this training course for state, local and tribal air quality professional staff working, or planning to work, in source testing.
This lecture-based course is designed for state, local and tribal air quality professional whose role is to observe source testing, evaluate source test methods, approve test protocols and review source test results as required under various federal and state regulations or as required by issued permits. This class is intended for compliance and field engineers, scientists and technicians who have responsibility for the above source testing tasks.
Those completing this course will gain a basic understanding of the general information associated with source testing and source test methods. This course develops the ability to plan, guide, evaluate, and (after experience on the job) perform source sampling measurements to determine rates of emissions from stationary sources. It clarifies EPA Reference Methods 1 to 4, and Method 5. The course develops knowledge of the equipment employed, understanding of why the prescribed methods are established, and ability to perform the calibrations and calculations which are a part of the reference methods.
To ensure that the source test methods utilized to demonstrate compliance are performed according to EPA guidelines, both agency and industrial personnel will be required to observe stack tests to document that compliance with the methodology is being achieved. This will mean that an observer must be intimately familiar with numerous stack test methods, each one with its own particular operation.
SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 45 attendees. Air quality staff from the fifteen western states receive registration preference.
REGISTRATION FEES:
There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal agency staff a $1,000 registration fee will be charged.
COURSE BROCHURE
Course Materials
To register log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

TSC/WG Co-Chairs Monthly Coordination Call
2024-06-26 12:30 - 14:00 (America/Denver)
Monthly Coordination Call with WRAP Technical Steering Committee and WRAP Work Group Co-Chairs
Agenda

Advanced Inspector Training (NACT 355)
2024-07-16 08:30 - 2024-07-18 12:00 (America/Denver) | Utah DEQ, 195 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT, 84116, United States
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The Advanced Inspector Training Course focuses on issues and techniques for the more senior inspector to help enhance and improve their inspection techniques and results. This course does not focus on any specific media but covers subject applicable to inspections in all media. The course is intended to provide additional tools to obtain information before, during, and after an inspection. The course will present “best practices” for conducting inspections and give the students an opportunity to discuss how these “best practices” apply or not to their own inspections. Each class will have the opportunity to discuss and evaluate specific issues or areas of interest to them.
SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Air quality staff from the fifteen western states receive registration preference.
REGISTRATION FEES: There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal employees the registration fees are $100.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
Course Materials
To Register Log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Petroleum Refining (TOXC 231)
2024-07-23 08:00 - 2024-07-24 17:00 (America/Denver) | Montana DEQ – Billings, 1371 Rimtop Drive, Billings, MT, 59105, United States
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This basic two-day course focuses on air quality and oil and gas facilities, and intended for permit engineers, compliance engineers, and inspectors.
The course is designed to provide an overview of Petroleum Refining. The initial section of this course will introduce participants to the terminology, basic chemistry, and process related emissions common to petroleum refineries. Participants will also be introduced to the many New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) and other air quality regulatory program requirements potentially applicable to a Petroleum Refinery. This discussion will include the air pollutants of concern and common techniques. The remainder of the course will focus on the four steps in the refining process – separation, treatment, conversion and blending. In addition, emissions and the control of air pollutants associated with supporting activities (such as waste water collection and treatment, tank farms, and safety flares) will be discussed.
SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Air quality staff from the fifteen western states receive registration preference.
REGISTRATION FEES: There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal employees the registration fees are $100.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
Course Materials
To Register Log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Industrial Boilers (TOXC 226)
2024-07-25 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Montana DEQ – Billings, 1371 Rimtop Drive, Billings, MT, 59105, United States
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Those completing this course will gain a basic understanding of the general information associated with industrial boiler operations Attendees will be able to perform regulatory reviews involving the following elements of industrial boilers:

Air Pollution – Why
Boiler Uses
Boiler Theory and Operation
Air Pollution Formation
Air Pollution Control Devices
Boiler Regulations
Typical Permit Conditions
Inspection Procedures

SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Air quality staff from the fifteen western states receive registration preference.
REGISTRATION FEES: There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal employees the registration fees are $100.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
Course Materials
To Register Log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Control Devices (TOXC 106)
2024-07-26 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Montana DEQ – Billings, 1371 Rimtop Drive, Billings, MT, 59105, United States
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Those completing this course will gain a basic understanding of the general information associated with volatile organic compound control devices. Attendees will be able to perform regulatory reviews involving the following elements of gaseous emissions control: The following topics will be covered in this course:

Absorbers
Adsorbers
Condensers
Oxidizers
Process descriptions
Rule discussion
Inspection procedures

SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Air quality staff from the fifteen western states receive registration preference.
REGISTRATION FEES: There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal employees the registration fees are $700.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
Course Materials
To Register Log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Introduction to Air Quality Permitting
2024-07-29 08:00 - 2024-07-30 17:00 (America/Denver) | Northern Nevada Public Health, 1001 E. Ninth Street, Reno, NV, 89512, United States
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This basic permitting writing training course focuses on the most important air pollution permitting aspects of the Clean Air Act’s mandatory NSR/PSD and Title V permitting programs including sections on operating permit requirements, permit drafting and analysis, source monitoring, compliance and enforcement, alternative approaches, and record keeping and resources. The NSR portion of the course focuses on the treatment of key NSR components (applicability, BACT, impact analyses).
SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Air quality staff from the fifteen western states receive registration preference.
REGISTRATION FEES: There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal employees the registration fees are $700.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
Course Materials
To Register Log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Aggregate, Hot Mix Asphalt, & Concrete Batch Facilities (TOXC219)
2024-08-06 08:30 - 2024-08-07 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Washington Dept of Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Those completing this course will gain a basic understanding of the general information associated with aggregate, asphalt, & concrete batching operations plants. Attendees will be able to perform regulatory reviews involving the following elements of Aggregate, Asphalt, and Concrete Batching operations:
The following topics will be covered in this course:

Emissions and Health Impacts
Aggregate Industry
Aggregate Process
Engineering Evaluation
Inspection Procedures for Aggregate, Asphalt and Concrete operation
Concrete Emissions and Effects
Hot Mix Process and Control
Permit Requirements
Health Impacts

SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Air quality staff from the fifteen western states receive registration preference.
REGISTRATION FEES:
There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal agency staff a $100 registration fee will be charged.
COURSE BROCHURE
Course Materials
Slide Deck
To register log onto EPA’s Knowledge

Industrial Boilers (TOXC226)
2024-08-08 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Washington Dept of Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Those completing this course will gain a basic understanding of the general information associated with volatile organic compound control devices. Attendees will be able to perform regulatory reviews involving the following elements of gaseous emissions control: The following topics will be covered in this course:

Absorbers
Adsorbers
Condensers
Oxidizers
Process descriptions
Rule discussion
Inspection procedures

SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Air quality staff from the fifteen western states receive registration preference.
REGISTRATION FEES:
There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal agency staff a $100 registration fee will be charged.
COURSE BROCHURE
Course Materials
To register log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Poly Resin & Fiberglass Facilities (TOXC228)
2024-08-09 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Washington Dept of Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Those completing this course will gain a basic understanding of the general information associated with polyester resin and fiberglass plants. Attendees will be able to perform regulatory reviews involving the following elements of Polyester Resin and Fiberglass plants: The following topics will be covered in this course:

Plastics and Plastic Resin Uses
Plastic Resin Theory/Operation
Air Pollution Control Devices
Implementing Regulations
Typical Permit Conditions
Inspection Procedures
Federal Regulations

SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Air quality staff from the fifteen western states receive registration preference.
REGISTRATION FEES:
There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal agency staff a $100 registration fee will be charged.
COURSE BROCHURE
Course Materials
To register log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Postponed: Basic Inspector Training (NACT 350)
2024-08-13 08:30 - 2024-08-15 12:30 (America/Denver) | Portland Oregon State Building, 800 Northeast Oregon Street, Portland, OR, 97232
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Those completing this course will have an understanding of the compliance assessment practices that are employed for evaluating air emission sources. The individual will gain an understanding of the following inspector tasks:

Role of the field inspector
Permit conditions compliance documentation and evidence gathering
Complaints handling and other inspection investigations
Inspection of air pollution sources

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course provides an overview of the aspects of inspection preparation, the procedures for conducting an inspection, and follow-up tasks that must be completed after conducting an inspection. Proper procedures are covered for investigating an air pollution complaint, conducting an inspection, and gathering evidence of an emission source compliance. The course also introduces various federal environmental laws and regulations to individuals that are new to environmental compliance programs.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
TO REGISTER log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

ONLINE - Effective Permit Writing
2024-08-27 09:00 - 2024-08-29 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This online course presents information on the major national programs in air pollution stationary source permitting. This course was designed to provide methods and procedures used to effectively draft and review permit conditions used with a variety of permit programs. This course is designed for personnel of state, local and tribal permitting agencies who are new to permit programs, managers of programs which are impacted by permits, and inspectors who must read and interpret permit conditions. Examples of the various types of permit conditions are presented along with practical exercises.
MAJOR TOPICS:

Identification of the components required in a complete permit application evaluation,
Explanation of the functions and purposes of each component of a complete permit application,
Description of the characteristics of an effective permit,
Explanation of the process, approaches that can be used to assure an effective permit is produced.

WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
To REGISTER log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Air Quality Dispersion Modeling - Santa Fe
2024-09-10 08:30 - 2024-09-11 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | State of New Mexico, 1190 St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM, 87124
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 2-day training course is not intended to produce modelers but rather to focus on atmospheric science principles, model options, and configurations, as well as pre- and post-processing steps that ultimately determine the outcome of the modeling study. The course will develop a solid understanding of regulatory air dispersion modeling fundamentals combined with the application of this knowledge toward solving real-world air quality challenges. Practical and real-world AERMOD examples will be utilized throughout the course to effectively demonstrate how these topics work together to influence model outcomes. In addition, hands-on training is incorporated throughout the training to reinforce concepts.
The intent of the course is to empower permit engineers and managers with the knowledge and real-world experience needed to quickly assess the validity of model selection, configuration, and results interpretation as related to specific regulatory programs. Emphasis is on explaining and demonstrating important modeling concepts that permit writers and managers must understand to make informed and defensible decisions during the permitting process to ensure the permit conditions meet regulatory requirements.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
To REGISTER log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Principles of Environmental Compliance (NACT335)
2024-09-10 08:30 - 2024-09-12 17:00 (Pacific/Honolulu) | State of Nevada, 901 S. Stewart Street, Carson City, NV, 89701
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: New, entry-level stationary source inspectors, regulatory agency staff, and environmental specialists in business and government.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Those completing this course will gain a basic understanding of the general information associated with air pollution control and enforcement. The following topics will be covered in this course:
• Developing a framework for designing effective compliance strategies
• Understand different concepts and principles of environmental compliance and enforcement
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This intensive 3-day course provides a framework for designing effective compliance strategies and enforcement programs.
The course defines the terms compliance and enforcement, introduces basic principles, and explores different approaches for implementing each element of the framework. The instructors who guide participants through the concepts and principles of environmental compliance and enforcement deliver the course through a series of exercises. Participants, through a “case study” will take part in a negotiation session to resolve a violation of environmental requirements that mimics a real-life enforcement situation.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
TO REGISTER log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Intermediate NSR/PSD Permitting
2024-09-23 08:30 - 2024-09-26 16:30 (America/Denver) | Clark County – Division of Air Quality, 4701 West Russell Road, Ste. 200, NV, 89118, United States
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 4-day Intermediate NSR/PSD Permitting training course is for SLT agency personnel who have, or will have, permitting responsibilities for major sources. The objectives of the course are to provide with a high-level understanding of permitting elements, regulatory requirements, and policies pertaining to the major permitting programs, and provide attendees with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to identify pertinent regulatory and policy materials, and the ability to apply these to day-to-day responsibilities and activities.
Major Topics Include:

New Source Review and Prevention of Significant Deterioration Programs – Background and History
Definitions
Applicability
Requirements
BACT
NAAQS Analysis
Netting Analysis
Increment and Other Analyses
NSR Reform
Relationship between NSR and other programs
Effective Use of Exclusions and Permit Procedures
Pre-Application Monitoring Waivers
Nonattainment Area Applicability and Requirements
Operating Permits

REGISTRATION FEES: There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal employees the registration fees are $1000.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
To Register Log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Fugitive Dust (PLAN 252)
2024-09-24 | Alaska DEC, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK, 99501, United States
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course presents a comprehensive overview of fugitive dust emissions and controls. The course includes the how, what, where and health impacts of particulate matter and the problem that fugitive dust presents. The course also discusses the rules and regulations that have been adopted by some agencies to control fugitive dust and the methods that are used to determine compliance with and/or violations of these regulations.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Planning and rulemaking staff who may be dealing with statewide or regional particulate matter rule development or attainment issues or who are developing responses to site-specific fugitive dust emissions. Also permit writers and inspectors dealing with operations that generate fugitive dust, such as construction activities, aggregate, concrete, cement, asphalt and mining operations and activities with vehicle traffic on unpaved surfaces.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this one-day course, learners will be able to understand how fugitive dust is determined and regulated and explain fugitive dust control in the context of the following topics:

Health effects of particulate matter (PM10) pollution
Fugitive dust sources
Dust control measures
Fugitive dust rules and regulations
Dust control plans
Visible dust emissions and test methods

SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Air quality staff from the fifteen western states receive registration preference.
REGISTRATION FEES: There are no registration fees for state, local or tribal air quality agency staff. For federal employees the registration fees are $100.
WESTAR’s funding and mission limit attendance at WESTAR’s educational opportunities to staff from government air pollution control agencies.
Course Brochure
To Register log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge
