Westar

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

WESTAR Technical Committee
2026-07-22 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-24 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-05-27 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-22 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-25 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-25 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.

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

WESTAR Planning Committee
2026-07-02 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-05-07 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-02 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-05 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.

Advanced Inspector Training (NACT 355) -- In-Person Training
2026-06-23 08:30 - 2026-06-25 16:30 (America/Denver) | Montana DEQ – Colonia Building, 2401 Colonial Drive, Helena, 59601, United States
COURSE BROCHURE
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.
To Register Click: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Virtual Training: Sources & Control of Volatile Organic Air Pollutants
2026-06-09 08:30 - 2026-06-12 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
COURSE BROCHURE
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This basic course is designed for individuals within a regulatory agency whose role is to evaluate volatile organic compound emission sources for permitting and to determine the ongoing compliance status of such emission sources. This class is intended for new permit and compliance engineers and scientists who are responsible for permitting and compliance activities.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Those completing this course will gain a basic understanding of the different types of volatile organic emission sources that are present at industrial facilities and the types of control devices that are available for certain emission sources. Attendees will be able to perform regulatory reviews involving the following elements of gaseous emissions and control:

Basics of organic chemistry and photochemistry
VOC properties
National emissions and the regulatory approach
Source measurement of VOCs
Surface coating processes
Graphic arts processes
Petroleum refining and product storage and distribution
Liquid asphalt
Degreasing processes
Dry cleaning processes
VOC control methods

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course prepares the student to evaluate techniques typically used to control volatile organic emissions from certain industrial sources. Process descriptions, emission sources and characterizations, regulatory requirements, and emission controls are discussed, along with techniques for field evaluation. Industrial sources covered include surface coating, graphic arts, petroleum refining, petroleum product storage and distribution, liquid asphalt, degreasing and dry cleaning. Supporting topics include basic organic chemistry, photochemistry, VOC properties, source measurement, national emissions inventory, and the Federal approach to regulation of VOC sources.
To Register Click: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Continuous Monitoring Systems (SRCE 104): In-Person Training
2026-06-02 08:30 - 2026-06-04 16:30 (America/Phoenix) | Maricopa County Air Quality Dept, 301 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85003, United States
COURSE BROCHURE
The Continuous Monitoring Systems (CMS) training course is 3 days and in-person. It provides participants with a basic understanding of CMS including an overview of how to perform regulatory reviews and includes key concepts, terminology, techniques, and information on CMS, including types, regulations, analytical techniques, systems design and components, performance specifications (PS), quality assurance (QA) requirements, commonly used technologies, audits/inspections, and enforcement procedures. In addition to the instructor presentation and lecture, participants have opportunities to apply their knowledge through practical exercises, facilitated discussions, and knowledge check games.
There are four modules in this course and an introductory module:

Course Introduction
Module 1: Introduction to CMS
Module 2: Overview of CMS and CMS Design and Components
Module 3: Performance Specifications, Quality Assurance, and Commonly Used Technologies

TARGET AUDIENCE
This course is intended for a broad audience and could include participants with non-technical backgrounds (e.g., a basic degree in science) as well as technical backgrounds (e.g., a chemical engineering degree). No prior knowledge of CMS is presumed. This course is intended primarily for new hires or any participants who need an understanding of CMS in their job responsibilities.
Staff who could benefit from the course include, but are not limited to the following:

Staff who are inspection and/or enforcement personnel
Staff who observe stack test and CMS certifications
Staff who are reviewing audit reports
Staff who work on permits

To Register Click: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Virtual Training: Fugitive Volatile Organic Compounds (TOXC 240)
2026-05-21 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
COURSE BROCHURE
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This course is intended for new, entry-level as well as semi-experienced stationary source permit engineers, inspectors, regulatory agency staff, and environmental specialists in business and government. The course is designed to provide an overview of VOC leak inspections.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Those completing this course will gain a basic understanding of the general information associated with fugitive VOC emission inspections. Attendees will be able to perform regulatory reviews involving the following elements of fugitive emissions:

Regulated Facilities
Components
Estimating Emissions
Regulations and Standards
Portable Hydrocarbon Analyzers
Field Inspections

To Register Click: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Virtual Training: Industrial Boilers (TOXC 226)
2026-05-20 09:00 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
COURSE BROCHURE
TARGET AUDIENCE: This course is intended for new, inexperienced state, local and tribal air quality professionals.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Boilers are one of the most common emission sources and range in use from small fire tube boilers to large utility boilers associated with power plant facilities. The course discusses uses of boilers, heat transfer methods and fundamentals of operation of modern industrial and utility boilers including those fired by natural gas, biomass municipal waste and coal (circulating fluidized bed units). The course also discusses steam turbines and power generation. This is followed by a detailed discussion on emissions and control techniques such as Low-NOx burners, FGR, staged combustion, SCR and SNCR. New technologies such as Ultra Low-NOx 9 ppm burners, applicable federal and local BACT regulations, permitting requirements and agency inspection procedures and safety concerns are thoroughly discussed.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 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

To Register Click: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Virtual Training: Stationary Gas Turbines (TOXC 224)
2026-05-19 09:00 - 15:45 (America/Los_Angeles)
COURSE BROCHURE
TARGET AUDIENCE: This course is intended for new, inexperienced state, local and tribal air quality professionals.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Stationary gas turbines are popular as combined-cycles, peaking power plants and cogeneration facilities. The course discusses the uses of gas turbines, and fundamentals of operation of modern turbines with emphasis on state-of-the-art controls to achieve some of the lowest emission concentrations for this source category. The course also discusses combined cycles with HRSG units, steam turbines and power generation. This is followed by a detailed discussion on emissions and control techniques such as Dry Low-NOx combustors with staged combustion, water or steam injection followed by SCR and CO catalysts. Applicable federal and local BACT regulations, permitting requirements, and agency inspection procedures and safety concerns are thoroughly discussed.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Those completing this course will gain a basic understanding of the general information associated with stationary gas turbines plants. Attendees will be able to perform regulatory reviews involving the following elements of stationary gas turbines:

Gas turbine history, theory of operation
Gas turbine uses
Air pollution control devices
Gas turbine regulations
Typical permit conditions
Inspection procedures
Continuous emission monitoring
Source testing requirements

To Register Click: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Monitoring Compliance Testing & Source Test Observation -- In-Person Training
2026-05-12 08:30 - 2026-05-14 17:00 (America/Denver) | Idaho DEQ, 1410 N. Hilton Street, Boise, ID, 83706, United States
COURSE BROCHURE
This lecture-based course is designed for state, local and tribal air quality professionals 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.
To Register Click: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Virtual Training: NOx Control & Regulation
2026-04-21 09:00 - 2026-04-23 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
COURSE BROCHURE
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This course was designed to address the needs of tribal, state, and local air agency personnel involved in the permitting and compliance assessment of existing regulatory requirements as well as those personnel involved in the development of nitrogen oxide (NOx) control programs. This class is intended for new permit and compliance engineers and scientists who are responsible for permitting, compliance, and SIP planning activities.
ABOUT THE COURSE: This course presents fundamental information on NOx emissions from combustion sources such as industrial and utility boilers. The goal of this course is to present information that will help environmental professionals address present and future NOx control issues. The course introduces a broad range of control technology topics and identifies some of the sources for obtaining further information on these topics.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Those completing this course will gain an understanding of the mechanisms by which NOx is formed in the combustion process as well as sources of NOx emissions and the history related to regulating NOx emissions from these sources. Attendees will be able to perform regulatory reviews involving the types, applicability, capability, and limitations of available control techniques to suppress the formation of NOx emissions or to minimize NOx emissions.
To Register Click: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Virtual Training: Air Toxics & Regulating Hazardous Air Pollutants
2026-04-14 09:00 - 2026-04-16 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
COURSE BROCHURE
DESCRIPTION: This three-day course provides an overview of air toxics emission sources that may be regulated under the Clean Air Act. The following topics will be covered:

History and Types of Air Toxics
Federal Air Toxic Laws and Programs
State Air Toxics Programs
Exposure and Toxicity Assessments
Risk Characterization
Compliance Assessment – Federal and State Programs

COURSE MATERIALS: Training course materials will only be available electronically. Attendees will receive an online document sharing link for access to materials. It is the attendee’s responsibility for downloading files and for providing the device or media on which to view materials. WESTAR will provide hard copies only for those needing accommodation.

To Register Click: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Continuous Monitoring Systems (SRCE 104) -- In-Person Training
2026-04-07 08:30 - 2026-04-09 16:30 (Pacific/Honolulu) | Hawaii Clean Air Branch, 2827 Waimano Home Rd #130, Pearl City, 96782, United States
COURSE BROCHURE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Continuous Monitoring Systems (CMS) training course is 3 days and in-person. It provides participants with a basic understanding of CMS including an overview of how to perform regulatory reviews and includes key concepts, terminology, techniques, and information on CMS, including types, regulations, analytical techniques, systems design and components, performance specifications (PS), quality assurance (QA) requirements, commonly used technologies, audits/inspections, and enforcement procedures. In addition to the instructor presentation and lecture, participants have opportunities to apply their knowledge through practical exercises, facilitated discussions, and knowledge check games.
There are four modules in this course and an introductory module:

Course Introduction
Module 1: Introduction to CMS
Module 2: Overview of CMS and CMS Design and Components
Module 3: Performance Specifications, Quality Assurance, and Commonly Used Technologies

TARGET AUDIENCE
This course is intended for a broad audience and could include participants with non-technical backgrounds (e.g., a basic degree in science) as well as technical backgrounds (e.g., a chemical engineering degree). No prior knowledge of CMS is presumed. This course is intended primarily for new hires or any participants who need an understanding of CMS in their job responsibilities.
Staff who could benefit from the course include, but are not limited to the following:

Staff who are inspection and/or enforcement personnel
Staff who observe stack test and CMS certifications
Staff who are reviewing audit reports
Staff who work on permits

To Register click: EPA’s AirKnowledge

Virtual Training: Particulate Matter Control Devices
2026-03-24 09:00 - 2026-03-26 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This is an introductory course designed for agency inspectors and permit writers who have the responsibility to review and inspect sources of particulate emissions.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to give attendees a basic understanding of particulate formation and control systems. Course topics include:

Particle formation and behavior
Mechanical Separators
Fabric Filters
Wet Scrubbers
Electrostatic Precipitators
Compliance Monitoring (Parametric Monitoring, Testing, & Inspections)

COURSE DELIVERY: This is a virtual, instructor-led training course.
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.

TO REGISTER: EPA’s AirKnowledge Website

Intermediate NSR/PSD -- In-Person Training
2026-03-17 08:30 - 2026-03-20 16:30 (America/Denver) | Utah DEQ, 195 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT, 84116, United States
COURSE DESCRIPTION: WESTAR’s Training Program will host this 4-day Intermediate Permitting training course for 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:

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

COURSE MATERIALS: Training course materials will only be available electronically. Attendees will receive an online document sharing link for access to materials. It is the attendee’s responsibility for downloading files and for providing the device or media on which to view materials. WESTAR will provide hard copies for those needing accommodation.
SPACE LIMITATION: Registration is limited to 40 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

Virtual Training: Effective Permit Writing
2026-03-10 09:00 - 2026-03-12 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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

Virtual Training: AERMOD Air Quality Dispersion Modeling
2026-02-24 08:30 - 2026-02-25 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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

Virtual Training: Function of Common Air Pollution Control Devices
2026-02-18 09:00 - 2026-02-20 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Click here: COURSE MATERIALS

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This is an introductory course designed for agency inspectors, permit writers, and regulation developers who have the responsibility to review air pollution control devices.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to give attendees a basic understanding of the different types and operating characteristics of air pollution control devices that are available for particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, acid gases, and hazardous air pollutants. Course topics include:

Background on ideal gas law and capture and control of air pollutants;
Particulate controls, including separators, fabric filters, scrubbers, and electrostatic precipitators;
Volatile organic compound controls, including minimization, oxidation, condensation, adsorption, and absorption;
Carbon monoxide controls, including minimization, catalysts, and oxidation;
Acid gas controls, including prevention, absorption, and adsorption; and
Parametric monitoring of air pollution control equipment.

COURSE DELIVERY: This is a virtual, instructor-led training course.
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.

TO REGISTER: EPA’s AirKnowledge Website

WRAP Board Meeting
2026-02-11 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Denver)
Agenda
