Improved Point Source Inventory Through Validation and Audit of Reported Data, South Coast Air Quality Management District

The Annual Emissions Reports (AERs) filed by over 3,000 facilities provide the basis for the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (District’s) point source emissions inventory. Accuracy of the inventory has significant implications since it is used for planning, rule development, and emission fee calculation purposes as well as for determining the applicability of federal, state, or local programs (e.g., Title V, RECLAIM). Emission fees collected through the AER Program represent more than 20 percent of District’s budget. The reporting software, which was used this year by 72 % of point source facilities for filing their AERs, has considerably reduced the reporting errors and facilitated data processing by District. Additional Quality Control (QA/QC) of the data reported by facilities is also conducted by the Contractor to identify potential reporting errors based on the specific criteria established by the District. Finally, to further validate the point source inventory, the reported data are audited by District to ensure compliance with District rules, policies and emission calculation guidelines. Implementation of these steps has substantially improved the District’s point source inventory and generated additional revenues in emission fees for the District