Air Emissions Inventory – Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and all of Texas
Report due March 31st, every year
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires to submit Air Emissions Inventory (EI).
Introduction to Air Emissions Inventory: Purpose, Content, and User Navigation
An air emissions inventory, a crucial tool for government and environmental bodies, is a comprehensive list detailing the volume of pollutants released into the atmosphere from various facilities over a set time period. The content of these inventories typically covers criteria pollutants like particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, among others, with data collected from diverse sources, including waste management sites and industrial plants. These inventories are significant as they provide users with a navigation map for tracking emissions sources, understanding pollution patterns, and developing air quality improvement strategies. Access to such inventories, along with news updates and instructions on their use, is usually facilitated through online platforms and digital tools. In addition to air emissions, some inventories also track releases to water, offering a holistic view of environmental impact. Nevertheless, the creation and maintenance of emission inventories involve specific requirements, and any question concerning data collection methods or criteria should be accurately addressed to ensure reliability.
What is the Emission Inventory in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and all of Texas?
An Emission Inventory is a comprehensive report to the TCEQ that summarizes a facility’s annual emissions data of regulated air quality pollutants and air emissions testing. Emission reports are summarized for the calendar year. Businesses have an air operating permit that requires yearly reporting of their criteria and hazardous air pollutant emissions, emission factors, and point sources.
How to Report?
TCEQ requires to submit an EI report through STEERS – Air Emissions Inventory reporting (AEIR) system, using any of the following options:
- Interactive Web Entry
- Text File Upload
When to Report?
The completed Emissions Inventory Report must be submitted to TCEQ by March 31st, every year
Who should submit?
(a) Applicability. The owner or operator of an account or source in the State of Texas or on waters that extend 9.0 nautical miles from the shoreline meeting one or more of the following conditions shall submit emissions inventories or related data as required in subsection (b) of this section to the commission on media approved by the commission:
(1) an account which meets the definition of a major facility/stationary source, as defined in §116.12 of this title (relating to Nonattainment and Prevention of Significant Deterioration Review Definitions);
(2) any account in an ozone nonattainment area emitting a minimum of ten tons per year (tpy) volatile organic compounds (VOC), 25 tpy nitrogen oxides (NOX ), or 100 tpy or more of any other contaminant subject to National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS);
(3) any account that emits 0.5 tpy or more of lead (Pb);
(4) any account that emits or has the potential to emit 100 tpy or more of any contaminant, except for greenhouse gases as listed in §101.1 of this title (relating to Definitions) individually or collectively;
(5) any account which emits or has the potential to emit 10 tpy of any single or 25 tpy of aggregate hazardous air pollutants as defined in Federal Clean Air Act (FCAA), §112(a)(1); and
(6) any minor industrial source, area source, non-road mobile source, or mobile source of emission test report are subject to special inventories under subsection (b)(3) of this section. For purposes of this section, the term “area source” means a group of similar activities that, taken collectively, produce a significant amount of air pollution.
Let RSB Help you During this Process
- VOC Testing
- Let RSB Engineers help you prepare and submit the Emissions Inventory Report before the deadline.
- We are certified by Texas Board of Professional Engineers to offer and perform engineering services in the State of Texas (Registration No. F-16311)
- Our knowledge and experience allows us to execute efficiently and cost-effectively environmental projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Emissions Inventory (EI) important?
The development of EI database is very important to air quality management and helps us define the main sources in the study area and have the best solution for clean air action. The results from EIs can be used to study in other sectors related to human health, economic loss from air pollution, etc.
How do you develop an Emissions Inventory (EI)?
The stages involved in developing a reliable EI for one specific area are as follows:
(1) List types of sources: Point Sources, Area Sources, or Line Sources
(2) Determine the types of pollutants emitted by each of the sources listed.
(3) Find out the emission factor (EF) for each of the concerned pollutants
(4) Determine the number and size of specific sources in the area
(5) Multiply the appropriate numbers from steps (3) and (4) to obtain the total emissions and then sum up the similar emissions to obtain the total for the area.
Can I get an extension on my emissions inventory due date?
In Texas EI is due April 1st of each year. No, extensions are not granted for emissions inventory.
How is data for an Air Emissions Inventory collected?
Data for an Air Emissions Inventory is collected using a combination of direct measurement, emissions factors (e.g., amount of pollutant produced per unit of fuel burned), and activity data (e.g., amount of fuel burned).
Who uses the information from an Air Emissions Inventory and why?
The information from an Air Emissions Inventory is used by scientists, policymakers, and environmental organizations to understand pollution patterns, track changes in air quality over time, and inform policies and strategies for air quality improvement.
