(a) All owners and operators opting to comply using EPA Method 21, Volatile Organic Compound Leaks at 40 CFR Part 60, appendix A-7 (see table 1, section 200.9 of this Title), must meet the following requirements:
(1) For the purposes of complying with the fugitive emissions monitoring program using EPA Method 21, a fugitive emission is defined as an instrument reading of 500 ppm CH4 and VOC.
(2) For purposes of instrument capability, the fugitive emissions definition shall be 500 ppm or greater CH4 and VOC using a Flame Ionization Detector (FID)-based instrument.
(3) If an analyzer other than a FID-based instrument is used, a site-specific fugitive emission definition must be developed by the owner or operator that would be equivalent to 500 ppm CH4 and VOC using a FID-based instrument. Such site-specific fugitive emission definition is subject to approval by the Department.
(b) Optical gas imaging. All owners and operators opting to comply using OGI must meet the following requirements:
(1) OGI equipment must be capable of imaging gases in the spectral range for CH4 and VOC in the potential fugitive emissions.
(2) Calibration and maintenance procedures must comply with those recommended by the manufacturer.
(c) Alternative techniques. The Department may approve the use of an alternative technique that may be used in lieu of, or in combination with, OGI, Method 21, or other previously approved alternative methods. A proposed alternative method must be able to demonstrate that it is capable of identifying leaks and that it is at least as effective as the leak detection methods achieved using Method 21 or OGI. Owners and operators seeking approval of an alternative technique must submit the following information to the Department:
(1) Describe the technology and, at a minimum, include information on:
(i) Commercial availability of proposed alternative.
(ii) Other approved applications or uses.
(iii) Reliability (ability to detect emissions at a specified threshold and frequency, as well as identify or determine specific emission leak locations).
(iv) Capable of identifying leaks and is at least as effective as leak detection achieved using Method 21 or OGI demonstrated through field test data and modeling.
(v) Limitations/Restrictions (detection limits, weather/temperature/moisture, maximum/minimum operating parameters, other).
(vi) Data quality indicators for precision and bias.
(vii) Quality control and quality assurance procedures for proper operation.
(viii) Describe how the technology works.
(ix) How the technology quantifies emissions.
(2) Description of use, maintenance and calibration.
(i) Description of where, when and how the alternative technique will be used.
(ii) User guide.
(iii) Manufacturer-recommended maintenance and calibration.
(iv) Calibration process.
(3) Process for recordkeeping.
(i) Frequency of data measurements.
(ii) Data logging capabilities.
(4) Training documentation or program, including any ongoing support provided.
(5) Provide any documentation associated with field testing or modeling to demonstrate leak detection is at least as effective as that achieved using Method 21 or OGI.
Adopted New York State Register February 16, 2022/Volume XLIV, Issue 07, eff. 3/3/2022