Notice: Most Air Quality forms are fillable PDFs. Microsoft's Edge browser and Firefox browsers do not allow for fillable PDFs, if you wish to fill out a PDF you may use Adobe Acrobat Reader , Chrome browser , or Safari browser.
Training
The Division of Air Quality conducts several air quality related trainings throughout the year.
Spring 2020 VE Certification sessions have been CANCLED due to guidance and restrictions concerning COVID-19.
Since a 6-month VE Certification document will not be issued, all persons who have been previously certified are considered as “Trained” and may continue to perform Visible Emission Evaluations and Observations as required by permit requirements to the extent practical. For Title V permits that require opacity determinations be made by a person who is currently VE certified, and no “Certified” person is available, permit deviations from monitoring requirements could be noted and described on the Title V SEMI-ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT (SFN 52737).
The Department conducts training semi-annually to provide air pollution control personnel and other interested persons the opportunity to become certified to evaluate visible emissions in accordance with EPA Reference Method 9 . To become certified, a person must attend, or have attended, a classroom session and successfully complete a field session involving the visual reading of 25 black smoke emissions and 25 white smoke emissions.
VE Classroom Registration Form.
All sessions are held in Bismarck at the Environmental Training Center (2639 East Main Avenue).
For more information about visible emissions evaluator certification, to include training in EPA Reference Method 22, contact the Division of Air Quality at 701-328-5188, or email Keith Hinnenkamp (KHinnenk@nd.gov) or Rebekah Pfaff (RPfaff@nd.gov). Training and certification is conducted free of charge.
Spring Training
A classroom session and several field sessions are conducted each spring. The current schedule for training is May 5, 6 and 7, 2020. Training on May 5th is intended for first time trainees only. The normal field sessions for recertification are scheduled for May 6 & 7, 2020. Click here for a link to a memo with more specific information on Visible Emissions Spring Training.
Fall Training
A classroom session and several field sessions are conducted each fall. The current schedule for training is October 6, 7 and 8, 2020. Training on October 6th is intended for first time trainees only. The normal field sessions for recertification are scheduled for October 7 & 8, 2020. Click here for a link to a memo with more specific information on Visible Emissions Fall Training.
More information on EPA Reference Methods 9 and 22 can be found on the EPA's website . The Division has developed the Visible Emissions Observation Form (SFN 8441).
List of Certified Individuals
All Odor Certification Sessions for 2020 have been CANCLED due to guidance and restrictions concerning COVID-19.
Since odor certification training will not be conducted in 2020, all persons who have been previously certified are considered as “Trained” and may continue to perform odor evaluations as necessary to the extent practical.
The Department conducts training and certification sessions annually to provide air pollution control personnel and other interested persons the opportunity to become certified in the evaluation of odors pursuant to Chapter 33.1-15-16 of the North Dakota Air Pollution Control Rules.
The primary objective of training is to familiarize trainees with the:
- Requirements of Chapter 33.1-15-16 – Restriction of Odorous Air Contaminants.
- Use of a device to measure the intensity of an odor.
- Department field odor survey procedures.
The trainee must demonstrate the ability to distinguish various odorous samples and concentrations by successfully completing the three tests prescribed in the Department's Odor Certification Guideline.
Training and certification sessions will be held in Bismarck on May 12 and 13, 2020 at the Gold Seal Center located at 918 E. Divide Avenue. Additional sessions may be scheduled elsewhere across the State if there is sufficient interest by at least three persons per location; sessions have been held in the recent past at Minot, Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Fargo, West Fargo, and Beulah.
For more information about the certification process, contact Elizabeth Trythall at 701-328-5153 or (EKTrythall@nd.gov). Training and certification is conducted free of charge.
Last Updated: 05/08/2020
