Emissions Testing
Measuring emissions of air contaminants may be referred to as emissions testing, source testing, stack testing or performance testing. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality requires testing at a variety of sources to ensure that specific emission limits are being met and to ensure compliance with the North Dakota Air Pollution Control Rules. These tests are conducted in accordance with procedures approved or specified by the Department.
Each facility is assigned a DEQ AQ staff member for handling compliance questions and reporting review. In CERIS-ND, under Permits> Agency Contact you will see your DEQ AQ permit manager and under Submissions you will see your DEQ AQ compliance manager.
Questions may be addressed to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality at 701-328-5196 or email Keith Hinnenkamp (KHinnenk@nd.gov).
Tests are normally performed by independent testing companies with expertise in the applicable test method(s) being conducted. The Department must be notified at least 30 days prior to testing to allow sufficient time for:
- A Department review of the proposed test procedures and, if necessary, a test site inspection.
- A pre-test meeting with Department staff, (if necessary).
- Scheduling a Department representative to observe the performance test.
Each facility is assigned a DoAQ staff member for handling compliance questions and reporting review. If you have an issued Permit to Construct or Permit to Operate, please address questions to your facility's state Compliance Manager; the contact can be found through CERIS-ND under the Site> Details you should see the permit and compliance contacts for your site(s).
Required emissions testing notification and results should be submitted through CERIS-ND for the site(s) that are submitting testing.
Note: compliance schedules, notification forms, test forms are submitted and tied to the active permit that requires the report, notification, or test. Once logged into CERIS-ND go to Start a New Form> I have a reporting obligation to fulfull, here you will see a list of compliance forms you can submit. Alternativly, you can go to Dashboard> and across the top you can see reporting requirements that are Upcoming, As Needed, and those that have been started or have been submitted and are under review. You can also see the theses assigned forms/complaince schedules under Submissions.
Pro tip: If you have an active Operating Permit, under Submissions, filter the available forms by "AOP" (air operating permit) in the Form Name column of schedules to submit the testing/RATA protocol/notification form, stack test report form, or RATA report form tied to the active permit to operate. If you are submitting an initial testing report or initial notification required by a Permit to Construct (ACP [air construction permit]) then find the ACP permit number for your preconstruction permit and submit using that schedule form.
Emission testing notification/protocols and testing/RATA results should be submitted through CERIS-ND for the site(s) that are testing. Note: that only on form is needed for multiple units testing at the same site.
Each facility is assigned a DEQ AQ staff member for handling compliance questions and reporting review for emissions testing please contact the compliance manager assigned to your facility. In CERIS-ND, under Permits>Agency Contact you will see your DEQ AQ permit manager and under Submissions you will see your DEQ AQ compliance manager.
The Department generally requires that testing be conducted in accordance with methodology promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Alternative methods or deviations from a promulgated method must receive approval prior to the test. A complete listing of test methods is available under EPAs bulletin board system at https://www.epa.gov/emc .
The Department has developed a Standard Operating Procedure for the use of portable analyzers.
Portable Analyzer SOP
The Department maintains a list of air pollution testing firms that have requested to be included on the list and/or have tested in-state during the past three to five years. Firms wishing to be placed on the list should contact the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality at 701-328-5188 or email Rebekah Pfaff (rpfaff@nd.gov).
Emission Testing Firms
Last Updated: 05/11/2022
