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Module 1: Exceptional Events Core Concepts
After completion of this module, learners will be able to describe key concepts associated with the treatment of air quality data influenced by exceptional events. Specifically, learners will be able to:
- Define “exceptional event.”
- Identify examples of air quality events that are possible exceptional events and others that are not considered to be exceptional events.
- Locate the Clean Air Act provision related to exceptional events.
- List the statutory criteria for an event to be considered “exceptional.”
- Explain why ambient air monitoring data affected by an exceptional event may be flagged but are not removed from the Air Quality System (AQS).
- Locate the exceptional events regulations.
- Identify the air pollutants to which the exceptional events regulations apply.
- Explain what an exceptional events demonstration is.
- Identify entities that may submit exceptional events demonstrations.
- Identify factors that may be relevant to an exceptional events demonstration.
- Explain in general terms how exceptional events demonstrations are evaluated.
- Generally explain the term “regulatory significance” for purposes of the Exceptional Events Rule.
- Identify regulatory determinations and actions that have regulatory significance under the Exceptional Events Rule.
- Aside from the Exceptional Events Rule process, explain whether other mechanisms exist for the modification of ambient air monitoring data for certain regulatory determinations, actions, and analyses.
- Explain whether there are regulatory determinations or analyses for which there is no mechanism for ambient air monitoring data modification.
After completion of this module, learners will be able to explain the key components of an exceptional events demonstration as described in the Exceptional Events Rule. Specifically, learners will be able to:
- Identify the components of all exceptional events demonstrations, regardless of the type of event.
- Define the term “conceptual model.”
- Explain what a conceptual model for an exceptional events demonstration must include.
- Generally explain the “clear causal relationship” criterion in an exceptional events demonstration.
- Identify the types of information and analyses that are needed to show that a “clear causal relationship” exists (information and analyses related to event emissions, the transport of these emissions, and subsequent impact of the emissions on air quality at the specific monitor(s) that recorded the exceedance).
- Describe the comparison of pollutant concentrations measured at the monitor with the relevant National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).
- Explain whether data from non-regulatory ambient air monitors may be used in the “clear causal relationship” portion of an exceptional events demonstration.
- Describe the analyses/information needed to support the criterion that an event was “not reasonably controllable and not reasonably preventable.”
- Explain the circumstances when a full analysis of the “not reasonably controllable and not reasonably preventable” criterion may not be necessary.
- Identify natural sources that could result in an exceptional event.
- Identify human activities that could result in an exceptional event.
- Explain how to determine whether an air quality event caused by human activity is “unlikely to recur at a particular location.”
- Identify statements that should be made in an exceptional events demonstration to satisfy the “human activity that is unlikely to recur at a particular location or a natural event” criterion.
- Describe the public comment requirements that must be met during exceptional events demonstration development.
- Identify deadlines that apply to the development of an exceptional events demonstration.
- Generally describe the types of areas that must develop Exceptional Events Rule mitigation plans.
- Locate helpful resources that may facilitate the development of exceptional events demonstrations.
This course takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete.
PLAN106-SI: Exceptional Events Demonstrations
Assembling an Exceptional Events Demonstration
PLAN106-SI Course Exam