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Mineral Wool/Wool Fiberglass Manufacturing NESHAP Rule Proposed

Monday, April 15th, 2013

This action proposes chromium and particulate matter (for metals) standards for wool fiberglass gas-fired glass-melting furnaces at area sources and adds these sources to the category list in the Urban Air Toxics Strategy. It also proposes amendments to the existing major source rules for Mineral Wool and Wool Fiberglass, supplementing the rule proposed on November 25, 2011. The proposed area source standards for the gas-fired glass-melting furnaces used to make wool fiberglass would increase the level of environmental protection.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 30, 2013. If anyone contacts the EPA requesting a public hearing by April 22, 2013, we will hold a public hearing on May 6, 2013. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on the information collection provisions are best assured of having full effect if the Office of Management and Budget receives a copy of your comments on or before May 15, 2013.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-04-15/html/2013-07257.htm

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EPA published CISWI and NHSM Rules and updated Area Boiler Rule on 2/7/13

Monday, February 11th, 2013

1) The CISWI/NHSM final rule (78 FR 9112) is published today, February 7, 2013, in the Federal Register.

CISWI = Commercial Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators = Incinerators and Boilers (or cement kilns) that burn any waste (where waste is defined by the NHSM rule)
NHSM = Non Hazardous Secondary Materials = Defines what is a waste, when that material is combusted or used as an ingredient (like in a cement kiln)

The effective date of the CISWI rule is August 7, 2013

New CISWIs (those constructed after June 4, 2010 or modified/reconstructed after Aug 7, 2013) must be in compliance within 6 months after the date of publication (Aug 7, 2013) of the final reconsideration rule or at startup, whichever is later.

The compliance date for existing CISWI sources subject to standards in this final rule is 5 years after the date of publication (February 7, 2018) of this final rule or 3 years after the state plan is approved, whichever happens earlier.

This action sets forth the EPA’s final decision on the issues for which it granted reconsideration in December 2011, which pertain to certain aspects of the March 21, 2011, final rule titled “Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units” (CISWI rule). This action also includes our final decision to deny the requests for reconsideration with respect to all issues raised in the petitions for reconsideration of the final commercial and industrial solid waste incineration rule for which we did not grant reconsideration. Among other things, this final action establishes effective dates for the standards and makes technical corrections to the final rule to clarify definitions, references, applicability and compliance issues. In addition, the EPA is issuing final amendments to the regulations that were codified by the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials rule (NHSM rule). Originally promulgated on March 21, 2011, the non-hazardous secondary materials rule provides the standards and procedures for identifying whether non-hazardous secondary materials are solid waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act when used as fuels or ingredients in combustion units. The purpose of these amendments is to clarify several provisions in order to implement the non-hazardous secondary materials rule as the agency originally intended.

Full information can be found at these links:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-07/html/2012-31632.htm
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-07/pdf/2012-31632.pdf

2) EPA’s Area Source Boiler Website (www.epa.gov/boilercompliance) has been updated to add highlights of the important changes, a revised example initial notification, and some information about electronic reporting.

Posted in EPA Air News, NESHAP | No Comments »

ICI – Boiler MACT released in Federal Register

Friday, February 1st, 2013

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Sources:
Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers, 7488-7522

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-01/pdf/2012-31645.pdf
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-01/html/2012-31645.htm

Posted in NESHAP | No Comments »

EPA finalizes the RICE NESHAP (reciprocating internal combustion engine) ammendments

Wednesday, January 16th, 2013

On January 14, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized amendments to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.

In this rulemaking, EPA addressed several petitions for reconsideration, legal challenges and new technical information submitted by stakeholders, including industry and environmental groups, which were brought to the EPA’s attention after publication of the 2010 standards.

Stationary engines generate electricity and power equipment at industrial, agricultural, oil and gas production, power generation and other facilities. EPA estimates there are over 1 million of these engines in the U.S., and this rule will apply to some of these engines.

The final amendments generally apply to the following:
o engines typically used in sparsely populated areas for oil and gas production
o engines in remote areas of Alaska
o engines scheduled to be replaced in the next few years due to state or local requirements, and certain engines installed in 2006
o engine testing requirements for formaldehyde emissions
o engines for offshore vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf
o engines used in emergency demand response programs

CI engines are compression ignition engines that use diesel fuels. SI engines are spark ignition engines that use mainly natural gas and gasoline fuels.

EPA is also revising the new source performance standards (NSPS) for stationary internal combustion engines (ICE) to ensure consistency with the RICE NESHAP. In particular, specifying how the NSPS standard will apply to emergency engines used for demand response purposes.

AMENDMENTS
Area Source Stationary Spark Ignition Engines Above 500 HP
These engines are typically natural gas powered engines that are used to power equipment for oil and gas production.

EPA is replacing numerical emission limits for existing area source stationary spark ignition (SI) 4-stroke engines above 500 horsepower (HP) that are located in populated areas with requirements to install catalytic controls, conduct an initial test and annual performance checks of the catalyst, and equip the engine with a high temperature shutdown device or monitor the catalyst inlet temperature continuously.
o Populated areas are defined as not being on Department of Transportation (DOT) Class 1 pipeline segments or having more than 5 buildings within 0.25 mile radius of the engine.

EPA is specifying that existing area source stationary SI 4-stroke engines above 500 HP that are not located in populated areas are subject to management practices.
o Unpopulated areas are DOT Class 1 pipeline segments or having 5 or fewer buildings within 0.25 mile radius of the engine.

Remote Areas of Alaska
EPA is expanding the definition of remote areas of Alaska beyond those not on the Federal Aid Highway System.
This amendment addresses issues unique to Alaska residents who have more energy supply challenges and face harsh weather conditions. Engines scheduled to be replaced in the next few years due to state or local rules, and certain engines installed in 2006

EPA is amending the RICE NESHAP to:
o Allow Tier 1 and Tier 2 certified stationary CI engines, that are scheduled to be replaced due to state or local rules, to meet management practices until January 1, 2015, or 12 years after installation date, but not later than June 1, 2018.
o Specify that existing stationary area source Tier 3 certified CI engines installed before June 12, 2006, are in compliance with the NESHAP.

Compliance Alternative for Formaldehyde Emissions
EPA is adding an option for demonstrating the engines can meet the formaldehyde emission standard including:
o For existing and new SI 4-stroke rich burn (4SRB) non-emergency engines greater than 500 HP located at major sources, showing compliance with the formaldehyde percent reduction standard by demonstrating compliance with a 30 percent reduction of total hydrocarbon emissions.

Stationary CI Engines on Offshore Vessels on the Outer Continental Shelf
EPA is specifying that existing area source stationary CI non-emergency engines above 300 HP that are on offshore drilling vessels on the Outer Continental Shelf are subject to management practices.

Emergency Engines
EPA is specifying how NESHAP and NSPS standards will apply to a category of engines
called emergency engines.
Emergency engines may be used to prevent electrical outages and to test and maintain engines for up to a total of 100 hours per year.
In 2015, emergency engines will be required to use cleaner fuel — ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) — if they operate, or commit to operate, for more than 15 hours annually as part of blackout and brownout prevention, also known as emergency demand response.
o Switching to cleaner fuel will reduce emissions of HAP, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. Our information shows that only a small percentage of emergency engines currently use ULSD fuel. This will result in lower emissions.

Starting in 2015, entities with 100 horsepower (hp) or larger engines that operate, or commit to operate, for more than 15 hours and up to 100 hours per year for emergency demand response will need to collect and submit an annual report including location, dates and times of operation.
o Reporting requirements ensure compliance with the regulations and provide
information about the air pollution impacts of the engines.

For a combined total of 100 hours per year, emergency engines can be used for the
following purposes:
o maintenance and testing,
o emergency demand response for Energy Emergency Alert Level 2 situations,
o responding to situations when there is at least a 5 percent or more change in
voltage, and
o operating for up to 50 hours to head off potential voltage collapse, or line overloads, that could result in local or regional power disruption.

The rules restate that in an emergency, such as hurricane or ice storm, any engine of any size can operate without meeting control requirements or emission limits.
Emergency engines that commit to run less than 15 hours for emergency demand response can operate without meeting federal control requirements or numeric emission limits.

BACKGROUND
In 2004, EPA finalized the first regulation for stationary RICE greater than 500 HP located at major sources of HAP. In 2008, EPA finalized regulations for new RICE less than or equal to 500 HP located at major sources and new RICE located at area sources.

On March 3, 2010, EPA promulgated NESHAP for existing stationary CI RICE that are used at:
o area sources of air toxics emissions and constructed or reconstructed before June 12, 2006,
o major sources of air toxics emissions, have a site rating of less than or equal to 500 HP and constructed or reconstructed before June 12, 2006,
o major sources of air toxics for non-emergency purposes, have a site rating of greater than 500 HP and constructed or reconstructed before December 19, 2002.

On August 20, 2010, EPA promulgated NESHAP for existing stationary SI RICE that are used at:
o area sources of air toxics emissions and constructed or reconstructed before June 12, 2006,
o major sources of air toxics emissions, have a site rating of less than or equal to 500 HP and constructed or reconstructed before June 12, 2006.

After the publication of the final rules in 2010, various stakeholders raised a number of issues through lawsuits, petitions for reconsideration of the final rule and other communications. The stakeholders requested that EPA reconsider requirements for operation of emergency engines, the control and monitoring requirements associated with existing SI engines at area sources, the requirements affecting engines in remote areas of Alaska and provisions related to agricultural engines. EPA granted the petitions, and, to address the issues, is making these amendments.

EPA proposed amendments on May 22, 2012. A public hearing was held in Washington, D.C. on July 10, 2012, and comment was accepted on the proposed amendments through August 9, 2012. EPA has evaluated the issues raised and has made amendments based on our assessment of the comments provided.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
The rule is posted at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/new.html.
For more information on how to comply with the rule, please see:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/rice/ricepg.html.

Today’s rule and other background information are also available either electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, EPA’s electronic public docket and comment system, or in hardcopy at the EPA

For further information about the action, contact Melanie King of EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Energy

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BOILER MACT Adjustments from 12/2011 reconsideration proposal

Wednesday, December 26th, 2012

EPA’s Air Rules for Major and Area Source Boilers and Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators
_______________________________________________________________________________________
This fact sheet summarizes the key comments received and the adjustments from the December 2011 proposal.

COMMENTS SUBMITTED ON PROPOSALS
Substantive comments were received on the proposals, including new data. Comments focused on a number of key topics.

• Boiler Major Source Rule:
o Achievability of carbon monoxide (CO) limits
o Justification for a solid fuel subcategory for mercury and hydrogen chloride (HCl)
o Establishment of a single PM emission limit for the solid fossil fuel subcategory
o Ability of certain gases to qualify as Gas 1 fuel (i.e., as clean as natural gas)
o Extending the compliance date
o Allowing averaging between subcategories for units that use natural gas

• Boiler Area Source Rule:
o Extension of the initial compliance date for existing boilers subject to tune-up requirements
o Reduced frequency of tune-ups for certain boilers
o Applicability based on definitions of “seasonal boiler,” “temporary boiler,” and “residential boiler”

• CISWI Rule:
o Further subcategorization of the solid-fuel Energy Recovery Unit (ERU) subcategory
o Proposed definition of “homogeneous waste”
o Definition of “contained gaseous material”
o Use of uncorrected CO Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) data during periods of startup and shutdown

• NHSM Rule:
o Revised definitions of “clean cellulosic biomass,” “contaminants,” and “established tire collection program”
o Concepts of “grouping” of contaminants and “design to burn” within the contaminant legitimacy 2 criterion
o Expansion of categorical list of non-waste fuels

KEY ADJUSTMENTS FROM RECONSIDERATION PROPOSAL TO FINAL

Based on additional data received, EPA made adjustments to several emission limits for major source boilers and CISWI units. Other changes are mainly editorial, to clarify applicability and implementation issues raised by the commenters.

• Boiler Major Source Rule
o Adding a separate subcategory for fluidized bed units with fluidized bed heat exchangers designed to burn coal
o Adjusting the definition of the limited use subcategory, allowing more flexibility on unit operations without increasing emissions or harm to human health and the environment.
o Adding performance test procedures for conducting performance stack test for demonstrating compliance with the alternate TSM emission limits.
o Establishing one single PM limit for all coal/solid fossil fuel subcategories.
o Allowing alternative total TSM emission limits for three liquid fuel subcategories, increasing the flexibility of the final rule.
o Adjusting some emission limits due to new data, corrections to old data and inventory changes.
o Reducing frequency of required tune-ups for some units, including units with continuous oxygen and CO trim systems.
o Revising definitions, including those for “30-day rolling average” and “daily block average,” “energy assessment” and “qualified energy assessor,” and “startup” and “shutdown.”
o Revising the sampling frequency for gaseous fuel-fired units that elected to demonstrate that the unit meets the specification for mercury for the unit designed to burn gas 1 subcategory.
o Extending the compliance time for demonstrating compliance with the numeric emission limits and energy assessment requirement to three years from the effective date of the amended rule, to provide facilities sufficient time to install controls or to make other compliance-related decisions. Existing boilers may request an additional year beyond that if technology cannot be installed in time.

• Boiler Area Source Rule
o Extending the initial compliance date for existing boilers subject to tune-up requirements to March
21, 2014.
o Revising the deadline for initial notification for existing boilers to no later than January 20, 2014.
o Dual-fuel fired boilers: revising provisions for existing dual-fuel fired units that fuel switch from gas
to coal, biomass or oil such that they would still be considered existing sources.
o Temporary boilers: amending the definition to allow petitioning for an extension beyond 12 months
for qualifying as a temporary boiler.
o Seasonal boilers: revising the definition of seasonal boiler to allow for 15 days of use during the
shutdown period for periodic testing and to clarify that the shutdown must be for a period of at
least 7 consecutive months each 12-month period.
o Limited-use boilers: adding a subcategory for boilers that have a federally enforceable average
annual capacity factor of no more than 10 percent and requiring these units to conduct tune-ups
every five years.
o Reducing frequency of tune-ups for boilers with an oxygen trim system that maintain an optimum
air-to-fuel ratio.
o Changing the energy assessment provisions and related definitions to better define the scope of the
assessment and allow for more streamlined assessments, including allowing sources already
operating under certain energy management programs to satisfy the assessment requirement.
o Revising PM emission limit requirements such that combustion of oil meeting certain sulfur content requirements by new oil-fired boilers is considered an alternative method of meeting the PM emission standard and that such units are not required to meet the PM emission limit.
o Reducing the fuel sampling and performance testing requirements such that after demonstration of initial compliance, under certain circumstances, further fuel sampling for boilers subject to a Hg emission limit and further PM performance testing for boilers subject to a PM emission limit is not required.

o Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerator (CISWI) Rule
o Revising emission limits, include small remote incinerators (SRI), incinerators, energy recovery units (ERU) and waste burning kilns subcategories resulting from additional data, updated unit inventories, and methodology adjustments.
o Establishing separate emission standards for all nine pollutants from coal and biomass energy recovery units (ERUs).
o Expanding authorization to use uncorrected continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) data during periods of startup and shutdown to all pollutants for which a source demonstrates compliance with CEMS.
o Clarifying the methodology for establishing and monitoring oxygen levels.
o Removing the definition of homogeneous waste and retaining the requirement that certain facilities that combust solid waste obtain a determination from the EPA that such waste is homogenous.
o Requiring continuous parameter monitoring systems, instead of PM CEMS, for waste-burning kilns and large ERUs.
o Extending the effective dates for all CISWI, including small remote incinerators, to provide facilities sufficient time to install controls or to make other compliance-related decisions. Existing units will need to comply no later than three years after EPA approves a state plan or five years after the publication date of these final changes, whichever is earlier.
o Correcting the definition of waste-burning kiln and clarifying that the threshold for determining if a unit is subject to the CISWI rule is whether it “combusts” solid waste material.

o NHSM Rule
o Revising contaminant legitimacy criterion for NHSMs used as fuels, to make clear flexibility in how contaminant comparisons between NHSMs and traditional fuels may be made.
o Adding “dewatered pulp and paper sludges burned on-site at facilities that use a significant portion of materials as fuels where such dewatered sludges are managed in a manner that preserves the meaningful heating value of the materials” to the list of categorical non-waste fuels.
o Adding “coal refuse that has been recovered from legacy piles and processed in the same manner as currently-generated coal refuse” to the list of categorical non-waste fuels.
o Finalizing new rulemaking petition process for other categorical non-waste determinations.
o Streamlining existing petition process for NHSMs transferred off-site.

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EPA Finalizes Clean Air Standards for Industrial Boilers, Incinerators and Cement Kilns

Friday, December 21st, 2012

On December 20th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized changes to Clean Air Act standards for boilers and certain incinerators that will achieve extensive public health protections by slashing toxic air pollution, including mercury and particle pollution, while at the same addressing feedback provided by industry and labor groups, increasing the rule’s flexibility and dramatically reducing costs. As a result, 99 percent of the approximately 1.5 million boilers in the U.S. are not covered or can meet the new standards by conducting periodic maintenance or regular tune-ups.

The final adjustments to the standards are based on an extensive analysis of data and input from states, environmental groups, industry, lawmakers and the public. As a result of information gathered through this review, including significant dialogue and meetings with public health groups, industry, and the public, the final rule dramatically cuts the cost of implementation by individual boilers that EPA proposed in 2010. At the same time, these rules will continue to deliver significant public health benefits. EPA estimates that for every dollar spent to reduce these pollutants, the public will see $13 to $29 in health benefits, including fewer instances of asthma, heart attacks, as well as premature deaths.

Today’s rules set numerical emission limits for less than one percent of boilers – those that emit the majority of pollution from this sector. For these high emitting boilers and incinerators, typically operating at refineries, chemical plants and other industrial facilities, EPA is establishing more targeted emissions limits that protect public health and provide industry with practical, cost-effective options to meet the standards.

EPA has also finalized revisions to the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials Rule to provide clarity on what types of secondary materials are considered non-waste fuels and provide greater flexibility in rule implementation. This final rule classifies a number of secondary materials as categorical non-wastes when used as a fuel and allows for operators to request that EPA identify specific materials through rulemaking as a categorical non-waste fuel.

Particle pollution and other harmful pollutants released by boilers and incinerators can lead to adverse health effects including cancer, heart disease, aggravated asthma and premature death. In addition, toxic pollutants such as mercury and lead that will be reduced by this rule are linked to developmental disabilities in children. These standards will avoid up to 8,100 premature deaths, prevent 5,100 heart attacks and avert 52,000 asthma attacks per year in 2015.

In a separate EPA action today, to meet a court deadline, the agency issued final amendments to the 2010 clean air standards for the cement manufacturing industry. The final amendments maintain the significant emission reductions from the 2010 standards, while providing industry additional time to implement the revised rules.

More CEMENT information: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/cement

More BOILER/INCEINERATOR information: www.epa.gov/airquality/combustion

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ICR’s for NESHAPS on Non-ferrous Metals Foundries, Mercury & Metal Furniture Surface Coating

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Submissions, and Approvals: NESHAP for Aluminum, Copper and Other Non-ferrous Metals Foundries, 64511-64512 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-22/pdf/2012-25922.pdf
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-22/html/2012-25922.htm

NESHAP for Mercury, 64508-64509
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-22/pdf/2012-25918.pdf
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-22/html/2012-25918.htm

NESHAP for Metal Furniture Surface Coating, 64510-64511 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-22/pdf/2012-25921.pdf
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-22/html/2012-25921.htm

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, NSPS for Metal Furniture Coating, 64512-64513 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-22/pdf/2012-25919.pdf
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-22/html/2012-25919.htm

Posted in EPA Air News, Information Collection Request (ICR) Testing, NESHAP, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Mercury NESHAP ICR submittted to OMB for review and approval

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NESHAP for Mercury (Renewal): AGENCY; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION; Notice.

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR which is abstracted below describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost.

DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before November 21, 2012.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On August 9, 2012 (77 FR 47631), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. Any additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to both EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice.

ICR Status: This ICR is scheduled to expire on November 30, 2012. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to either conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB.

Abstract: The affected entities are subject to the General Provisions of the NESHAP at 40 CFR part 61, subpart A, and any changes, or additions to the Provisions specified at 40 CFR part 61, subpart E.

Owners or operators of the affected facilities must submit a one-time-only report of any physical or operational changes, initial performance tests, and periodic reports and results. Owners or operators are also required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative. Reports are also required semiannually.

Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 160 hours per response. “Burden” means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.

Respondents/Affected Entities: Owners or operators of stationary sources which process mercury ore to recover mercury
Estimated Number of Respondents: 107.
Frequency of Response: Initially, semiannually and annually.
Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 20,490.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1,984,018, which includes $1,984,018 in labor costs, no capital/startup costs and no operating and maintenance costs.
Changes in the Estimates: There is no change in the burden hours in this ICR compared to the previous ICR. This is due to two considerations: (1) The regulations have not changed over the past three years and are not anticipated to change over the next three years; and (2) the growth rate for the industry is very low, negative or non-existent, so there is no significant change in the overall burden.
There is an increase in costs for both the respondents and the Agency from the most recently approved ICR. The increase in burden cost is due to an increase in labor rates. This ICR uses updated labor rates
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate burden costs.

FOR MORE INFO: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-22/pdf/2012-25918.pdf

Posted in EPA Air News, Information Collection Request (ICR) Testing, NESHAP | No Comments »

EPA reopens RICE NESHAPS comment period

Thursday, October 4th, 2012

SUMMARY: The EPA is reopening the public comment period for the proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines to solicit comment on specific issues raised during the initial public comment period regarding existing engines on offshore vessels.

DATES: Comments. Comments must be received on or before November 2, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-03/html/2012-24379.htm

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 7, 2012, the EPA published in the Federal Register the proposed rule, “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines;
New Source Performance Standards for Stationary Internal Combustion Engines” (77 FR 33812). The June 7, 2012, action proposed to make specific amendments to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE), as well as other regulations. The EPA received comments during the public comment period recommending that the RICE NESHAP be amended such that for any existing compression ignition (CI) RICE on offshore drilling vessels on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) that become subject to the RICE NESHAP as a result of the operation of the OCS regulations (40 CFR part 55), such engines may meet the NESHAP through management practices rather than numeric emission limits.\1\ This amendment was not contained or contemplated in the proposal that was published on June 7, 2012. However, the comments indicate several significant issues related to application of the NESHAP to regulation of existing marine vessel engines located in the OCS as a result of the OCS regulations; in particular, whether the numerical standards applicable to other CI engines located at area sources (marine vessels located in the OCS are generally located at area sources) are technologically feasible for existing marine engines located in the OCS. Some commenters note specific technological issues relevant to engines on marine vessels in the OCS. Commenters suggest that, to the extent marine vessel engines become subject to the NESHAP as a result of the OCS regulations, they should be subject to generally available control technology (GACT) requirements that they believe are more appropriate for these types of engines. Given the significance of these issues, the EPA believes it is appropriate to request comment on these issues in the context of this rulemaking.
—————————————————————————

\1\ See document numbers EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0708-0965 (comment from BHP Billiton Petroleum), EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0708-1004 at p. 3 (comment from Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association), EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-
0708-1020 (comment from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation), EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0708-1071 (comment from Offshore Operators Committee), EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0708-1105 at p. 6 (comment from American Petroleum
Institute), and EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0708-1145 at p. 2 (comment from Alaska Oil and Gas Association).
—————————————————————————

The RICE NESHAP does not on its face apply to mobile sources, including marine vessels. However, OCS Air Regulations, codified at 40 CFR part 55, specify that vessels are OCS sources when they are (1) permanently or temporarily attached to the seabed and erected thereon and used for the purpose of exploring, developing or producing resources therefrom, within the meaning of section 4(a)(1) of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. Sec. 1331, et seq.); or (2) physically attached to an OCS facility, in which case only the stationary sources aspects of the vessels will be regulated. 40 CFR 55.2. In addition, the OCS regulations provide that NESHAP requirements apply to a marine vessel that is an OCS source where the provisions are “rationally related to
the attainment and maintenance of the Federal or State ambient air quality standards or the requirements of part C of title I of the Act.” 40 CFR 55.13(e). As a result, the commenters have requested that any marine vessel that becomes subject to the requirements of the RICE NESHAP as a result of the operation of 40 CFR part 55, be subject to maintenance-based management practices similar to those proposed for remote spark ignition (SI) engines, rather than the numerical emission limits otherwise applicable. The commenters indicated that these management practices are more appropriate as GACT for existing stationary CI RICE on vessels operating on the OCS. The management practices proposed for remote SI engines and currently required in the rule for smaller CI engines include changing the oil and filter, inspecting the air cleaner or spark plugs and
inspecting all hoses and belts within specified intervals. Facilities have the option of using an oil analysis program to extend the oil change requirement. The EPA requests comment on the information provided in the public comments regarding compliance by existing stationary CI RICE on vessels operating on the OCS with the current RICE NESHAP emission limits, in particular, the comments related to technological feasibility.

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NSPS and NESHAP Review in the Oil and Natural Gas Sector

Thursday, August 16th, 2012

This action finalizes the review of new source performance standards for the listed oil and natural gas source category. In this action the EPA revised the new source performance standards for volatile organic compounds from leaking components at onshore natural gas processing plants and new source performance standards for sulfur dioxide emissions from natural gas processing plants. The EPA also established standards for certain oil and gas operations not covered by the existing standards. In addition to the operations covered by the existing standards, the newly established standards will regulate volatile organic compound emissions from gas wells, centrifugal compressors, reciprocating compressors, pneumatic controllers and storage vessels. This action also finalizes the residual risk and technology review for the Oil and Natural Gas Production source category and the Natural Gas Transmission and Storage source category. This action includes revisions to the existing leak detection and repair requirements. In addition, the EPA has established in this action emission limits reflecting maximum achievable control technology for certain currently uncontrolled emission sources in these source categories. This action also includes modification and addition of testing and monitoring and related notification, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, as well as other minor technical revisions to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants. This action finalizes revisions to the regulatory provisions related to emissions during periods of startup, shutdown and malfunction.

DATES: This final rule is effective on October 15, 2012.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-16/html/2012-16806.htm

Posted in EPA Air News, NESHAP, NSPS, Uncategorized | No Comments »

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