Emission Evaluation & Stack Testing for Air Quality
Directions for sampling notifications and reports, and links to technical guidance on stack testing of emissions. Resources include stack test methodology and requirements for compliance and performance tests. Find information on Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) and Predictive Emission Monitoring System (PEMS) certification, performance evaluation, Relative Accuracy Test Audits (RATAs), and performance specifications.
If your facility requires initial or continuous demonstration of compliance for air emission standards, you may need to conduct stack testing (also referred to as source sampling, emission testing, or performance testing) on the timeline designated in your applicable state and/or federal rules.
- Guidelines for Stack Sampling Facilities (Formerly Chapter 2 of the TCEQ Sampling Procedures Manual) - provides guidance on necessary facility provisions for measuring the emission of significant air contaminants, for example, sampling ports on exhaust stacks and sampling platforms.
- RG-578 Submitting a Complete Air Emission Test Report New (Formerly Chapter 14 of the TCEQ Sampling Procedures Manual)– provides guidance on what makes a complete stack test report, a requirement by some New Source Review permits on reporting.
- Cooling Tower Monitoring (Formerly Appendix P of the TCEQ Sampling Procedures Manual) - outlines the requirements of the Air Stripping Method (Modified El Paso Method) for Determination of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Water Sources. This method has been cited in federal regulations to characterize emissions from cooling towers.
- Hot Mix Asphalt Plants – Data In Lieu of Testing Under certain conditions, TCEQ may allow data in lieu of testing for new and relocated hot mix asphalt plants.
- Guidance for Determining Maximum Allowable Operating Rates for an Emission Performance Test and Requesting a Retest ¬ supersedes an earlier Texas Air Control Board memo from 1980 and provides guidance on determining the Maximum Allowable Operating Rates during pretest planning activities, stack test observations, and in the review of stack test reports, and the circumstances in which retesting may be required due to a facility operating above the Maximum Allowable Operating Rate.
- Determination of Ammonia: Phenol-Nitroprusside Method - provides guidance on the determination of Ammonia from a stack using TCEQ Lab Method 3, or the Phenol-Nitroprusside Method.
- Determination of Hydrogen Sulfide in Stack Gas - provides guidance on the determination of Hydrogen Sulfide from within a stack using TCEQ Lab Method 17.
- Particulate in Stack Gases - provides guidance on the determination of particulate matter from a stack using TCEQ Method 23, additionally where the stack gas or particulate matter is not a source of Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfur Trioxide, or Sulfuric Acid.
- Particulate (Including ammonium Sulfate and Ammonium Sulfite) in Stack Gases Containing Sulfur Oxides and Ammonia - provides guidance on the determination of particulate matter from a stack using TCEQ Method 24 when the stack gas contains Sulfur Oxides and Ammonia and is a modification of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency Method 8 and Method 5.
Most facilities that conduct stack testing must meet reporting and notification requirements as established in their applicable permits and state and federal rules.
- EPA Emission Measurement Center – EPA Promulgated Reference Methods, Alternative Test Methods, CEMS/PEMS Performance Specifications, Quality Assurance / Quality Control Procedures (commonly referred to as Appendix F) for CEMS RATA, Cylinder Gas Audits, and Relative Accuracy Audits.
- General Air Quality Rules for Sampling – Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC), Section 101.8
- General Monitoring and Testing Requirements for Non-Attainment Areas – 30 TAC Chapter 117
- Performance Tests – Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR) Section 60.8
- Performance Testing Requirements – 40 CFR Section 63.7
- TCEQ Environmental Laboratory NELAP Accreditation – For certain methods, all analytical data generated by a mobile or stationary laboratory to support compliance with an air permit must be obtained from a NELAC (National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference) accredited laboratory.
- Clean Air Act National Stack Testing Guidance – EPA’s guidance expands upon Compliance Monitoring Strategy and the High Priority Violation Policy, improves uniformity on how stack tests are conducted, improves coordination between EPA and state/local agencies, and enhances EPA oversight of state/local programs.
Stack Test Online Reporting System (STORS)
On May 22, 2023, the Stack Test Online Reporting System (STORS) module became available in STEERS (State of Texas Environmental Electronic Reporting System) to accept stack test documents (reports and notifications) electronically.
This module applies to anyone required to submit initial or continuous demonstration of compliance for air emission standards or stack tests, which are also referred to as source sampling, emission testing, or performance testing. This will not replace any reporting required by the EPA.
Beginning January 1, 2024, all stack test notifications must be submitted using the online electronic reporting system.
Beginning July 1, 2024, all stack test reports must be submitted using the online electronic reporting system. Only one stack test report per source is required. Reports are no longer required to be submitted to the regional offices or Air Permits Division.
Please see the STORS Guidance on how to use and access STORS.
We are making further efforts to streamline and ease your important compliance efforts and we welcome your feedback at STORS@tceq.texas.gov.
Below are the most common state and federal resources related to engine testing, including rules and answers to frequent questions.
- Stationary Engines and Turbines – 30 TAC Section 106.512 (Permits By Rule)
- Air Quality Standard Permit for Oil and Gas (Non-Rule)
- Performance Standards for Stationary Compression Ignition Internal Combustion Engines – 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart IIII
- Performance Standards for Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines – 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart JJJJ
- Standards for Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines – 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart ZZZZ
- Method 19 – Sulfur Dioxide Removal and Particulate, Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides from Electric Utility Steam Generators, and FAQs
- EPA Implementation Question and Answer Document (Subparts JJJJ, IIII, ZZZZ)
The EPA provides other resources with the intent to improve consistency in the information required for test plans, normal load determination, significant figure use, and defining “startup.”