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VIM Technologies Attended the North American Energy Services (NAES) Annual Environmental Conference

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VIM was grateful for the opportunity to participate at the North American Energy Services (NAES) Annual Environmental Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona! It was incredible to reconnect with familiar faces and forge new connections within the NAES organization.

Our very own Rudi Muenster provided an update to the group on the reengineering of the EPA’s Emission Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS). His update was well received and stimulated insightful discussions on the innovative solutions addressing these changes. The conference truly showcased the commitment of NAES and its partners to environmental sustainably through compliance.

Thank you NAES for the opportunity to support your organization and the fine people working hard to assure environmental compliance – we are excited about the potential collaborations ahead.

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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84th Glass Problems Conference Recap

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VIM Technologies (VIM) thoroughly enjoyed attending the 84th Conference on Glass Problems at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. It was a remarkable event that brought together the best minds in the glass manufacturing industry.

The primary goal of the conference was to equip participants with insights into the existing factors influencing glass manufacturing, available technology options, and upcoming trends. This event was collaboratively organized by the Glass Manufacturing Industry Council and Alfred University, earning an endorsement from The American Ceramic Society.

Participating as an exhibitor afforded our company an exclusive perspective to observe the event’s key moments and interact with its attendees. The conference served as a hub of innovation, featuring diverse sessions, symposiums, and discussions. Notably, the focal point was the symposium entitled “The Future of Glass Manufacturing,” which delved into various technologies for energy and carbon savings, as well as advancements in furnace and refractory design.

It was great to connect with industry leaders, potential clients, and fellow exhibitors, all sharing a common passion for the glass manufacturing industry. We look forward to the next conference.

Recap of the 2023 VIM User Group and Training Event

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We are thrilled to take you through the highlights of the 2023 VIM User Group and Training event, held at the beautiful Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes in Tempe, Arizona from October 24 to 27, 2023. This event brought together VIM end-users for two days of in-depth product and regulatory training. It also served as a platform for end-users and vendors to come together and explore VIM’s latest industry insights and product updates.

Training and Networking
The event kicked off on Tuesday, October 24th, and continued throughout the day on Wednesday, October 25th. Attendees had the opportunity to choose from three tracks of training, including CEMLink 6 and Regulatory training. As a special treat, Wednesday evening featured a delightful Welcome Reception held by the hotel pool, where attendees mingled and exchanged ideas in a relaxed and picturesque setting.

User Group Sessions
Thursday, October 26th marked the commencement of the User Group sessions. . It began with a series of informative updates from VIM executives, providing insights into the company’s strategic direction and vision. The day proceeded with vendor and end-user presentations sharing valuable experiences and expertise, as well as a presentation by a representative from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), shedding light on regulatory matters.

Unforgettable Evening at Rawhide Western Town
One of the most memorable moments of the event was the off-site gathering on Thursday evening, hosted at Rawhide Western Town in Chandler, AZ. Attendees were treated to a delightful array of food and beverages, live music to set the mood, opportunities for capturing old-time photos, the mystique of a roaming magician, and even some dancing to cap off the evening. It was an opportunity for attendees to unwind, socialize, and create lasting memories.

Knowledge Sharing and Closing

The User Group event wrapped up on Friday morning with presentations from VIM staff specializing in Operations and Software Development. These sessions provided attendees with deeper insights into the inner workings of VIM and its commitment to innovation and service excellence.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended, and we would like to express our special thanks to our sponsors and vendors for their invaluable contributions in making this event truly remarkable. As we look back on this event, we also look forward to future gatherings and opportunities for shared learning and growth.

Check out some of the photos taken during this event. 

AREGC 2023

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VIM Technologies (VIM) participated in the 72nd annual AREGC Exhibit and Conference held in Park City, Utah.  The theme of the meeting was Bridging the Future of Power Generation, and it certainly delivered on this theme.  Odette Alsen, West Regional Sales Manager, represented VIM Technologies as we participated in this conference as a sponsor for the first time.Read more »

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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65th Annual IEEE-IAS/PCA Cement Conference Recap

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VIM was thrilled to continue support of the PCA by participating in the 65th annual IEEE-IAS/PCA Cement Conference, April 23-27 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. The event had an excellent technical lineup covering all aspects of the industry, including hot topics like AI, carbon sequestration, sustainability, and an economic outlook. Brian Shul provided a very inspiring and motivating keynote, thank you Brian for your service and sharing your story. It was also great to see and have time with so many partners, customers, and friends at the receptions and have the opportunity to meet a number of new individuals during the networking events. We look forward to seeing everyone next year in Denver!

If you would like to learn more about the Portland Cement Association PCA and their technical workshops, please visit https://www.cement.org/

We sadly learned that Brian Shul passed away shortly after this event on May 20th, 2023. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. You can learn more about Brian Shul here https://sleddriver.square.site/