On March 15, 2021, the EPA Administrator signed the final revisions to 40 CFR Part 97, Subpart GGGGG, CSAPR NOx Ozone Season Group 3 Trading Program. Subpart GGGGG requires additional NOx reductions from power plants located in twelve (12) states beginning with the 2021 ozone season. The twelve (12) affected States are Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The new Group 3 Trading Program would be in addition to the existing Groups 1 and 2 NOx Ozone Trading Programs. The final rule does not include ozone season NOx emission limits for non-EGUs. The rule will become effective sixty (60) days after the Federal Register publication date. VIM will post a copy of the Federal Register publication when it becomes available. A copy of the prepublication version of the rule can be found here.
Latest News
Version 6.2.100 of CEMLink6 Now Available
Version 6.2.100 of CEMLink6 is now available. Updates are available to those with an active maintenance contract.
If you would like more information, or to update your CEMLink6 system to this version, please contact VIM Support at 410-859-5455.
Beginning with this version, VIM requires all DAHS server and Client computers to be running Microsoft .NET 4.8. If your server or client computers were deployed prior to September 2019 OR if you have had Windows updates deactivated, it’s likely that your systems will need to have this update installed. More information and documentation on determining your version of .NET, how to access an update, and when this needs to be completed is available here.
For more information on our maintenance and support services, please contact Eva Fewster at 410-859-5455 or eva.fewster@vimtechnologies.com.
CEMLink 6 Excel Add-In Released
VIM Technologies has released our latest version of the CEMLink 6 Excel Add-In – a CEMLink 6 tool designed to reduce the challenges associated with assembling and populating CEDRI reporting templates, state-specific reporting, and corporate fleet-wide data aggregation spreadsheets. This latest CEMLink 6 Excel Add-In is now available in the latest release (6.2.100), released on March 1, 2021.
Populate Excel Reports with the Click of a Mouse
The CEMLink 6 Excel Add-In will allow users to retrieve their compliance data directly, reliably, safely, and repeatedly from the CEMLink 6 server and use it to populate Excel reports with the click of a mouse. Users can manage and maintain connections to multiple servers, making it easy to run reports across an entire fleet.
Once licensed, users will be prompted to download the Excel Add-In from the DAHS server and can load the CEMLink6 plugin directly into Microsoft Excel. There are no limits on the number of workstations, users, or spreadsheets that can interface with a CEMLink6 DAS.
The first step in retrieving data is to configure and manage each of the CEMLink6 server connections. Users have the ability to collect and combine data from one or more servers across their fleet, all being tied into a single spreadsheet.
The next step involves the configuration of lists. “Lists” define the type of data that is being retrieved and contain details on the location where data is to be placed in each spreadsheet. Typically these steps are only done once, unless the reporting requirement or CEDRI template changes.
The final step entails running the report by using the “Get Data” feature and passing through a date range. With a few clicks of a mouse, it populates the Excel spreadsheet.
How to Get the CEMLink 6 Excel Add-In
To gain access to this feature in CEMLink 6, users will need to purchase a license. Complete configuration of your report(s) by VIM is also available, but not required. Please send an e-mail to support@vimtechnologies.com with the following information:
- Desired delivery date
- Number of DAS(s) the Excel add-in will communicate with
- Type(s) of data needed (raw, calculated, other)
- How are you planning to use the Excel Add-in? (provide sample files)
- Ad-hoc query
- Custom dashboards
- Title V / Emission inventory / CEDRI / Other Sample Reports
Our Support Team will review your requirements and issue a proposal for the license and any configuration needed.
Want to know more about CEMLink6 Excel Add-In and CEDRI reporting requirements? Read VIM’s article in December’s World Cement Magazine
Odette Alsen Joins VIM Technologies as West Regional Sales Manager
VIM Technologies is pleased to announce Odette Alsen as the new Regional Sales Manager for the West Region. Odette will provide sales and support for customers in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Odette brings over two decades of experience in business development and consulting engineering. With formal training in chemical and environmental engineering, she has spent her career in all facets of the environmental engineering field ranging from site remediation, water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, and regulatory compliance. Her most recent experience has included consulting engineering and regional sales with an emphasis on the oil and gas sector and environmental monitoring.Read more »
DC Circuit Court of Appeals Vacates Ace Rule
On January 19, 2021, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule. The Court concluded, “Because promulgation of the ACE Rule and its embedded repeal of the Clean Power Plan rested critically on a mistaken reading of the Clean Air Act, we vacate the Ace Rule and remand to the Agency. We also vacate the amendments to the implementing regulations that extend the compliance timeline.” A copy of the Court’s decision is available here.
UPDATE: On February 12, 2021, EPA issued a memorandum to all EPA Regional Administrators to clarify that states do not have any obligations under the ACE Rule or the previous Clean Power Plan. A copy of the EPA memorandum is available here.
New Year Resolutions: 5 Tips to Improve Your Air Compliance
It’s a New Year, and one that we couldn’t be happier to see arrive. The new year is the perfect time to take stock and set goals for the year ahead. It’s time to consider New Year’s Resolutions for improving your air compliance programs. We’ve compiled our Top 5 great ideas to consider when planning for the year ahead:
1. Perform Checks on your CEMLink 6 System
Clean up unwanted files off your CEMLink 6 hard drives and check your system’s available storage space, CPU usage, and SQL Server memory usage. Exported files that are no longer needed should be removed. Be sure you have good backups of your PLC and Database files on an external device, and make sure you have a useable backup of CEMLink 6. Make sure that all alarms are acknowledged with proper reason codes and action codes and check that automatic backups are included in your scheduler and are working properly. Check PC/VM storage space. Verify your QA Test Plan/Plan ahead of this year’s CGAs/Linearities and use the Compliance Calendar to help plan for these events. As always, if you have questions or wish for VIM to help, contact VIM Support.Read more »
VIM Technologies Welcomes John David Cutts as Central Regional Manager
VIM Technologies is thrilled to welcome John David Cutts as Regional Sales Manager, covering the Central Region.
John David’s 20+ years of Process Industry experience will be an invaluable asset for VIM Technologies and our clients. His experience spans a wide range of industries and applications, including Up, Mid, Downstream O&G, Biogas as well as Petrochemical and Chemical for End Users, OEM’s and EPCs. Putting his Process Industry knowledge to work, John David will help clients find the right implementation of CEMLink 6 for all their data collection and reporting needs. He will also work with clients on the Compliance Optimization & Monitor Performance Accuracy Service (COMPAS) program, with auditing services, assessments, and QA/QC plans.
Preparing for the Upcoming CEMLink6 Upgrade
Beginning with the next release of CEMLink6 (Version 6.2.100), scheduled for late February 2021, VIM will require all DAHS server and Client computers to be running Microsoft .NET 4.8. Up until this release, CEMLink6 required .NET 4.5. If your server or client computers were deployed prior to September 2019 OR if you have had Windows updates deactivated, it’s likely that your systems will need to have this update installed.
Please view documentation here for help determining the version of .NET, how to access an update, and when this needs to be completed. If you have any questions or would like to talk with someone about this further, please reach out to our support group at support@vimtechnologies.com.
EPA Publishes Revisions to the Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Rule
On December 23, 2020, EPA published revisions to 40 CFR Part 19, Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Rule in the Federal Register which increased violations to the Clean Air Act from $101,439 per day per violation to $102,638 per day per violation. The rule also increases the monetary penalty for violations to the Clean Water Act from $55,800 to $56,460. This civil penalty applies to violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, where penalties are assessed on or after December 23, 2020. The rule becomes effective on December 23, 2020. A copy of the rule is available here.
CEMLink6 Excel Add-In: CEDRI Reports Are Just a Few Clicks Away
VIM Technologies is in high gear and getting ready to release the CEMLink6 Excel Add-In – a CEMLink6 tool designed to reduce the challenges associated with assembling and populating CEDRI reporting.
Over the last four years, PC MACT affected facility managers have witnessed the EPA change its demand regarding CEDRI reporting formats and requirements numerous times. The most recent change took effect on September 24, 2020, discontinuing the web format and replacing it with a new, consolidated, Excel spreadsheet template. The change effectively mandates all PC MACT sources to use the latest Excel template in the upcoming reporting period.
Read more »