Custom Instrumentation Services Corporation attended the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) CEMS User’s Group conference in Raleigh, North Carolina in early May. There were some interesting presentations on software updates by the EPA and rule changes by the EPA. The most common discussions concerned the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS). Some of the rule changes include:

· The final rule sets standards for all hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emitted by coal- and oil-fired electric generating units (EGUs) with a capacity of 25 megawatts or greater.

· These rules set technology-based emissions limitation standards for mercury and other toxic air pollutants, reflecting levels achieved by the best-performing sources currently in operation

· Existing sources generally will have up to 4 years to comply with MATS.

Þ This includes the 3 years provided to all sources by the Clean Air Act. EPAs analysis continues to demonstrate that this will be sufficient time for most, if not all, sources to comply.

Þ Under the Clean Air Act, state permitting authorities can also grant an additional year as needed for technology installation. EPA expects this option to be broadly available.

Here is a fact sheet that summarizes the rule changes. The EPA MATs website is

http://www.epa.gov/mats/index.html. Feel free to contact CiSCO with any more questions at 303-790-1000.