Category: Industry News

ECMPS 2.0 Rollout Delayed to 2026: What You Need to Know

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On April 22nd, 2025, EPA’s Clean Air and Power Division (CAPD) provided a status update on the ECMPS 2.0 re-engineering effort. The blog post can be found here.

The key takeaway from the message is the delay for ECMPS 2.0 implementation until at least Q1 2026 (from Q3 2025). This announcement didn’t take us by surprise considering the beta testing environment has been unavailable for 9 of the last 10 months!

If you haven’t already done so, we strongly encourage you to get set up with CDX and CBS test accounts and start playing around with the new ECMPS 2.0 web-based client tool. EPA created a quick start guide that will walk you through setting up your test accounts in all applications (CBS, CDX and Login.gov). It also describes the various roles and responsibilities within CDX and what to expect during the official migration expected sometime next year.  To get a copy of the startup guide click here or visit the re-engineering page at https://www.epa.gov/power-sector/ecmps-re-engineering-effort.

We are excited to hear that ECMPS 2.0 beta environment is back on-line, but most importantly to hear that it’s been backfilled with historical MP, QA, and EM data through Q3 2024. The ECMPS 2.0 tool, even when it was on-line, was relatively unusable due to out-of-date records in monitoring plans and the divergence of data between production and beta systems. Any JSON files that were produced by a DAHS likely contained outdated monitoring plan information that weren’t present in the beta system.

Some other good news is that there was no mention of any JSON schema updates. This means that any CEMLink6 DAHS systems running 6.2.620 or greater are equipped with the tools they need to start playing around in the beta environment. If you’re unsure the version you’re running or need help getting your DAHS updated, please contact our support group at support@vimtechnologies.com or call us 1-866-484-6435 and follow the prompts for support.

Unfortunately, one area where EPA is digging in their heels, is regarding Contractor Access. This is a topic we have been very vocal about to both EPA and industry for the last 3 years. This is a feature that’s available in CBS and the current stand-alone ECMPS 1.0 Client Tool and one that the vendors (DAHS, Consultants and Stack testers) rely on to access key information. Without an equivalent feature in ECMPS 2.0, industry will be forced to add a significant number of preparer agents under the sponsor (original DR or ADR) to get the support they need.  It’s imperative that industry press EPA on this subject because it will pose a significant burden to you as it’s currently architected.

VIM will continue to stay abreast of the ECMPS 2.0 developments and update this blog as relevant information becomes available. Please contact our COMPAS group at compas@vimtechnologies.com for more information concerning the ECMPS 2.0 implementation or any questions you may have.

 

President Signs Proclamation Granting MATS Rule Exemption For Certain Sources

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On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the President issued a Presidential Proclamation exempting specified stationary sources, listed in Annex I of the Proclamation, from compliance with the “National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units Review of the Residual Risk and Technology Review” (89 Federal Register 38508) (the “Rule”).  A copy of the Proclamation and Annex I list is available HERE.  As specified in the Proclamation, the President’s exemption extends the compliance deadline for two (2) years beyond the Rule’s current compliance date (i.e., for the period beginning July 8, 2027 through July 8, 2029).  During the 2-year exemption period, the coal-fired sources listed in Annex I are subject to the compliance requirements that they are currently subject to under the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) as the MATS Rule existed before the “RTR” MATS Rule (89 Federal Register 38508).

Facilities listed in Annex I must maintain compliance with the pre-RTR MATS standards. Monitoring, reporting, and quality assurance programs should continue to follow the requirements in place before the 2024 RTR amendments.  Affected sources not listed in Annex I must comply with the RTR MATS Rule requirements effective July 8, 2027.  It is unclear if MATS affected sources not listed in Annex I can request a similar Presential exemption.

While the exemption provides temporary relief to some sources, facilities should continue preparing for eventual compliance with the RTR MATS Rule.  Proactive planning and system readiness are essential for long-term compliance.

For more information or to schedule a compliance consultation, please contact VIM Technologies, Inc. (VIM).  VIM remains committed to being a trusted partner in environmental compliance, helping clients navigate regulatory changes with confidence and precision.

Stay tuned to the VIM Technologies News section for ongoing updates and expert insights on air compliance regulations.

 

April 2024 Steering Committee Session Recap

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On April 11, 2024, Rudi Muenster met with members of the Steering Committee at the Duke Energy office in St. Petersburg, Florida, to discuss business development directives for the year ahead.

It was an action-packed day, with each team member bringing their perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing their organization and industry. Everyone rolled up their sleeves and tackled issues related to cyber security, challenges in staffing, major regulatory initiatives, and employee training. The group concluded the meeting by identifying and prioritizing various CEMLink6 development items in the backlog for the next 24 months. Team members provided valuable input on the timing of the release schedule and major features to be introduced, and they took the lead on writing functional development specifications.

The Steering Committee is a multidisciplinary advisory group of various industry members advising VIM on functional requirements associated with the CEMLink product. We’re eagerly seeking new team members from the pharmaceutical, pulp, and paper, and refining industries to join the team. Your unique perspectives and expertise will be invaluable.

For more information or to reach out to the Steering Committee with any questions, please send an email to steeringcommittee@vimtechnologies.com. To view existing Steering Committee members, visit www.vimtechnologies.com/steering-committee/.

Part 75 ECMPS Re-Engineering Update

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On February 6, 2024, the EPA’s Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD) hosted a webinar to discuss modifications to the existing ECMPS 1.0 Client Tool to accommodate the Good Neighbor Rule and MATS Rule electronic reporting requirements that became effective January 1, 2024.  The deadline for implementing ECMPS 2.0 continues to be postponed indefinitely.  Indications are pointing to either a 2024 Q3 or 2025 Q1 implementation schedule, with 2025 the likely scenario.

The ECMPS 1.0 Client Tool MATS PDF Submit module will be modified to allow the submittal of XML, JSON, and PDF files and will be renamed accordingly.

CAMD stated that the release date for the stand-alone ECMPS Client Tool would follow the usual deployment schedule and take place around “mid-March.”  There were no personnel from EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) to clarify how certain reports would be formatted (XML vs. JSON vs. PDF).

The ECMPS 2.0 schema for the quarterly compliance report has not been finalized and the first report was anticipated to be in JSON format.  CAMD suggested that affected sources contact the delegated authority to obtain guidance on whether a PDF copy of the report could continue to be submitted in lieu of an XML or JSON.  The same confusion applies to the requirements to submit hourly PM CEMS data, hourly PM CPMS data, and 30/90-day rolling averages.  A recording of the webinar will be posted at https://www.epa.gov/power-sector/ecmps-re-engineering-effort but has not been loaded up yet.

All VIM Technologies customers running CEMLink6 who are subject to either the Good Neighbor Rule or the MATS Rule will require a CEMLink6 update before Q1 2024 reporting in April.  We are in the final phase of QC and will be prepared to release CEMLink6 Ver. 6.2.550 in late March.  This release will allow users to generate MATS quarterly compliance reports and PM CEMS quarterly emission reports in JSON format.

VIM recommends that MATS-affected sources contact their stack test contractors to ensure that they will provide the applicable required MATS stack test data elements specified in Sections 17 through 30 of Appendix E to the MATS Rule in XML format.  VIM is not planning to include a CEMLink6 module to generate XML files for MATS compliance tests for elements required in this section of the rule.

VIM Technologies will continue to stay on top of these changes and will provide an update when we know more.  In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our COMPAS group (COMPAS@vimtechnologies.com) if you have any questions.

 

ECMPS 2.0 Start Date Postponed

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UPDATE: ECMPS 2.0 Start Date Postponed

On November 15, 2023, the EPA’s Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD) hosted a webinar to discuss transitioning from ECMPS 1.0 (i.e., the ECMPS Client Tool) to the new web-based ECMPS 2.0 reporting platform. During the webinar, CAMD announced that ECMPS 2.0 would not be used to report quarterly QA and emissions files as initially scheduled for Q1 2024. Additionally, CAMD did not specify a new start date for ECMPS 2.0. The agency does not want to postpone the ECMPS 2.0 implementation date more than once, so they intend to conduct a thorough assessment of the status of the software platform before setting a new realistic start date. CAMD indicated that they hope to complete this assessment before the end of 2023. The webinar was recorded, and a copy will be posted to the ECMPS Re-engineering Effort website at https://www.epa.gov/power-sector/ecmps-re-engineering-effort

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EPA Administrator Signs Final Federal “Good Neighbor Plan” for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards

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UPDATE: EPA Publishes Final Good Neighbor Plan In Federal Register

On June 5, 2023, EPA published the final Federal “Good Neighbor Plan” for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards in the Federal Register.  The rule effective date is August 4, 2023.  A copy of the Federal Register version of the final rule is available here.  Read below our previous News Post concerning the final rule.

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EPA Administrator Signs Proposed MATS Rule Revisions

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On April 3, 2023, the EPA Administrator signed proposed revisions to Subpart UUUUU of 40 CFR Part 63, commonly known as the Mercury Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule.  The signed rule was submitted for publication in the Federal Register.  A copy of the unofficial internet version of the rule preamble is available here.  A redline/strikeout copy of the proposed rule is available here. Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before sixty (60) days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.  EPA also intends to host a virtual public hearing on fifteen (15) days after publication in the Federal Register.  VIM Technologies (VIM) will post an official copy of this rule notification once it is published in the Federal Register.  A few key proposed revisions are outlined below.

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EPA Administrator Signs Final Testing Provisions for Air Emission Sources Rule

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UPDATE (March 29, 2023)

Final Testing Provisions for Air Emission Sources Rule Published in Federal Register

The final “Testing Provisions for Air Emission Sources” rule was published in the Federal Register on March 29, 2023. The rule is effective on May 30, 2023. A copy of the final rule is available here

On March 7, 2023, the EPA Administrator signed the final “Testing Provisions for Air Emission Sources” rule and submitted it for publication in the Federal Register. The rule will become effective sixty (60) days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.
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ECMPS 2.0 Re-Engineering

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Did You Know?

The Emission Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS) 2.0 web-based reporting platform is scheduled for mandatory reporting by Acid Rain Program, Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CASPR), and Mercury Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule (Subpart UUUUU, 40 CFR Part 63) affected sources in 2024. More specifically, the Q1 2024 emissions and quality assurance (QA) files must be submitted via ECMPS 2.0 in JSON format by April 30, 2024, reporting deadline.Read more »

EPA Publishes Revisions to the Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Rule

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On January 6, 2023, EPA published revisions to 40 CFR Part 19, Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Rule in the Federal Register.  The rule adjusts the maximum (and minimum) statutory civil monetary amounts for the statutes administered by EPA.  For the Clean Air Act, the rule increased penalties from $109,024 per day per violation to $117,468 per day per violation. The rule also increases the monetary penalty for Clean Water Act violations from $59,973 to $64,618. This highest statutory civil penalty tier applies to violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, where penalties are assessed on or after January 6, 2023.  A second monetary penalty tier applies to violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, where penalties are assessed on or after January 12, 2022, but before January 6, 2023.  The rule becomes effective on January 6, 2023. A copy of the rule is available here.