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Spring 2016 Smoke School: USEPA Method 9
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will offer a course in the Evaluation of Visible Emissions during the week of April 11, 2016. The class will run from Wednesday, April 13 through Thursday, April 14, 2016. Class begins at 9:00 A.M. each morning with registration beginning at approximately 8:00 A.M.; everyone must sign in one time only.
All newcomers attending for initial certification (not recertification) are expected to be present for a lecture session at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, April 12th; persons recertifying are welcome to attend the lecture as well. The lecture will include discussion of visible emissions and the finer points of reading opacity. The lecture will be held at the Ramada Limited Motel, 3281 Northfield Drive, Springfield, Illinois.
The class will be held at the Ramada Limited Motel, 3281 Northfield Drive, Springfield, Illinois. The telephone number is (217) 523-4000. A block of rooms has been set aside for the session, so please mention you are attending "Smoke School" when making your reservations. All participants must arrange for their own meals and lodging. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency does not charge a fee for this instruction and all materials necessary for the course will be supplied with the exception of writing tools and a clipboard. Please be reminded this class is held outside, so dress appropriately and bring your own lawn chair.
Please fill out the online registration form prior to April 8, 2016. If you do not have access to the Internet please contact Linda Kulek at (217) 524-0546 to receive a registration form by mail. Remember to check the designated box for either certifying the first time or recertifying.
If you have any questions contact Kevin Mattison by e-mail at
[email protected]
or by phone (847) 294-4019.
Don't Forget! Annual Emission Reports Are Due May 1st!
All air permitted sources must file their Annual Emission Reports with the Illinois EPA annually. For more information about Annual Emission Reports and links to helpful online emission calculators, click here. (Facilities that just became eligible for the Registration of Smaller Sources (ROSS) program do NOT have to complete the 2015 report). If you have questions about completing your report please contact the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 800-252-3998.
Illinois EPA Suspends Vehicle Emissions Test Notice Mailings
Secretary of State to temporarily allow license plate renewals
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The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) and the Illinois Secretary of State's office today announced temporary policy changes regarding vehicle emission test notification and vehicle renewal procedures.
Due to the budget impasse, Illinois EPA was forced to suspend the mailing of vehicle emissions test notices beginning in December 2015. Vehicle owners whose license plates expire at the end of March 2016 will be the first motorists who will not receive the vehicle emissions test notice.
As a result, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that he will temporarily allow license plate renewals for vehicle owners who have not yet taken the EPA emissions test, citing an unfair burden to Illinois citizens. Motorists may renew their license plates, but will be informed they are still required to get the vehicle tested. White also noted that when Illinois EPA resumes mailing out vehicle emissions test notices to the public, his office will resume regular vehicle registration procedures.
Vehicles subject to testing in 2016 include most even model-year vehicles with a model-year of 1996-2012. Generally, most 1996 and newer gasoline-powered passenger vehicles are subject to testing after they are four years old. 2007 model year and newer heavy duty trucks, with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) between 8,501 and 14,000 are also subject to testing. Diesel powered vehicles, vehicles powered exclusively by electricity, and certain other vehicles are not required to test. Illinois EPA has an exempt vehicle list available on the Agency website. In addition, some ZIP codes in Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties are also exempt from testing.
The Illinois Secretary of State's Office offers paperless License Plates Renewal Notices via email to individuals who register at www.ilsos.gov/greenmail/. Electronic notices include a statement as to whether compliance with the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Law is required before a vehicle's registration can be renewed.
Illinois EPA is committed to working with affected motorists to ensure they are well informed of their testing date and answering any questions they may have regarding emissions testing. Information has been posted on the Agency website at www.epa.illinois.gov to note that vehicle emissions test notices are no longer being sent by mail. Motorists in the testing area are encouraged to use the Illinois Secretary of State online tool at www.ilsos.gov/regstatus/ to determine whether a vehicle is due for emissions testing. Motorists in the testing areas may also contact Illinois EPA at 847-758-3400 or 800-635-2380 for additional assistance.
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Applications are Open - 2016 Illinois Governor's Sustainability Award
The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is now accepting applications for the 2016 Illinois Governor's Sustainability Award! This award, begun in 1987, is the nation's longest standing state environmental award program that annually honors organizations and businesses who have made a commitment to the environment through implementation of outstanding and innovative sustainability practices.
The deadline for submitting your application is close of business May 20, 2016. Applications will only be accepted electronically. Application information, evaluation criteria, sample applications and more can be found on the ISTC website.
This program is open to all public and private Illinois organizations, and we encourage you to forward this announcement to colleagues that may also be interested in joining us. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact ISTC with any application or submission assistance:
Autobody Refresher Training 2016
The Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program will be hosting statewide regulatory refresher training opportunities for autobody spray equipment operators in late spring or early summer 2016.
In 2008, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) finalized the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart HHHHHH). This rule, commonly known as 6H, imposed new requirements upon all autobody shops in the country with the goal of reducing the emissions of hazardous air pollutants into the environment. Under one of the provisions of the 6H rule, autobody shop owners had to provide initial training and certification for all spray equipment operators by their applicable compliance date in either July 2008 or January 2011 or within 180 days of a new hire. In addition, spray equipment operators must receive refresher training and certification every five years to remain in compliance with the rule.
Attendees at the workshop will receive mandated training regarding:
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spray gun selection, setup and operation;
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spray technique to improve transfer efficiency;
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booth and filter maintenance; and
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environmental compliance with the rule.
The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program is in the process of scheduling dates and locations for the training. To receive more information about the dates and locations of the workshops, please click here.
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Reporting Reminder for Owners of Emergency Engines!
Owners of emergency generators being used in emergency demand response programs, or operated to respond to local reliability or electrical grid voltage or deviation issues, are required to submit an electronic report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) by March 31, 2016. This mandatory
annual report must be submitted through the Compliance and Emissions Data Reporting Interface (CEDRI) that is accessed through EPA's Central Data Exchange at
http://www.epa.gov/cdx
. The annual report must cover a range of information on 2015 operations as specified in CEDRI. For CEDRI help you may contact
[email protected]
.
If you operate an emergency generator being used in emergency demand response programs, or to respond to local reliability or electrical grid voltage or deviation issues, visit USEPA's website at
http://www3.epa.gov/ttn/atw/icengines/
for more information.
USEPA Adopts Modifications to the Training Requirements of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program
On February 10, 2016, the USEPA
finalized revisions to the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program to reduce burden and costs to industry and to clarify language for training providers. The RRP rules require that any firm that performs renovation, repair and painting projects that disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and pre-schools that were built prior to 1978 must use certified renovators that have completed a USEPA approved training course. USEPA will now allow online training for every other recertification for the renovator refresher training that is required under the lead-based paint program. Renovators who take the online training will be certified for three years; renovators who take the hands-on training will be certified for five years. The USEPA is also simplifying the certification process in states that do not have delegated programs under the Lead-based Paint Activities (abatement) program. Finally, EPA is clarifying language on the requirements for training providers.
Click here for more information on the federal RRP requirements.
If you have additional questions contact the Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 800-252-3998.
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SBEAP HELPLINE
800-252-3998
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The Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) is a federally mandated program to assist small businesses with their environmental requirements. SBEAP is a free, confidential, and non-regulatory resource for small business owners to help them understand and comply with state and federal air pollution regulations.
We offer a range of services to assist small businesses, including training seminars and workshops, current permit forms and instructions, links to various Illinois state agency environmental regulations, a quarterly newsletter with regular updates and information on pending and recently amended rulemakings, fact sheets, brochures and guides related to a wide range of small businesses, and links to a directory of environmental consultants.
The SBEAP program is located within the Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology at the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. For more information please
click here
.
Need Assistance?
Newsletter provided in partnership with the Illinois Small Business Development Center Network.
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| Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program |
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