PEP/NPAP

The PEP/NPAP (National Performance Audit Program) provides EPA a means to assess the proficiency of agencies that are operating monitors in the State and Local Air Monitoring System (SLAMS) network under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits program and the CASTNET.

The NPAP is a quality assurance audit program required under Section 2.4 of 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 58, Appendix A (SLAMS and PSD, now combined in the October 2006 promulgated revision). The monitoring data from these networks are of utmost importance in protecting the public health. They are used to determine if an area is in attainment or non-attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and for trends assessment and modeling projections.

If the area is determined to be in non-attainment by this data then the State and Local agencies must develop a control strategy (State Implementation Plan – SIP) to come into attainment. The economic impact of this decision can be in the millions of dollars and the integrity of the data to make this decision is essential.