Westar

WESTAR Technical Committee
2027-06-23 14:00 - 15:00, 2027-05-26 14:00 - 15:00, 2027-04-28 14:00 - 15:00, 2027-03-24 14:00 - 15:00, 2027-02-24 14:00 - 15:00, 2027-01-27 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-12-23 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-25 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) and 5 more dates
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.

WESTAR Planning Committee
2027-06-03 14:00 - 15:00, 2027-05-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2027-04-01 14:00 - 15:00, 2027-03-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2027-02-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2027-01-07 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-12-03 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) and 4 more dates
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.

Virtual Training: AERMOD Air Quality Dispersion Modeling
2026-08-25 08:30 - 2026-08-26 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
COURSE BROCHURE
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.
COURSE DELIVERY: This is a virtual, instructor-led training course.
SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 15 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.

TO REGISTER: EPA’s AirKnowledge Website

Leadership: Who Are These People & Why Do They Hate Me? (Re)Building Trust in Government.
2026-08-04 08:00 - 2026-08-05 17:00 (America/Phoenix) | Maricopa County Air Quality Dept, 301 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85003, United States
COURSE BROCHURE
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.
To register log onto EPA’s AirKnowledge

Virtual Training: Asbestos (NACT 251)
2026-07-29 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Denver)
COURSE BROCHURE
TARGET AUDIENCE: This course is intended for air pollution inspectors.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Those completing this course will gain and understanding of the health effects of asbestos exposure and the demolition and renovation NESHAP requirements for asbestos containing buildings. The emphasis is on inspector safety, case development, the decision to enter containment, sampling and decontamination.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed for air pollution inspectors. A variety of asbestos issues are discussed in this one-day course. Since contamination is a major concern when working near asbestos, safety is emphasized. The aspects of an effective inspection. Specific coverage is given to health effects of exposure, containment practices, sampling procedures, chain of custody and documentation.
COURSE DELIVERY: This is a virtual, instructor-led training course.
TO REGISTER: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Virtual Training: Fabric Filters (PERM 241)
2026-07-28 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
COURSE BROCHURE
TARGET AUDIENCE: This course is intended for new, inexperienced state, local and tribal air quality professionals.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a one-day course that presents the major uses for baghouses, operational theory and design, applicable regulations, permit conditions and inspection procedures. The course also includes a brief discussion of baghouse troubleshooting and maintenance. After completion of this one-day course, learners will be able to explain key aspects of baghouse operations, including:
• Fabric filtration
• Types of baghouses
• Design and operation of baghouses
• Operation and maintenance problems
• Baghouse inspection
COURSE DELIVERY: This is a virtual, instructor-led training course.
TO REGISTER: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Virtual Training: Effective Permit Writing
2026-07-14 09:00 - 2026-07-16 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
COURSE BROCHURE
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 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 and local 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.

COURSE DELIVERY: This is a virtual, instructor-led training course.
SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 35 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.

TO REGISTER: EPA’s AirKnowledge Website
