Posts Tagged ‘Clean Air Act’

« Older Entries

Settlement with Ash Grove Cement Corporation to Reduce Thousands of Tons of Air Emissions

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013

Ash Grove Cement Company has agreed to pay a $2.5 million penalty and invest approximately $30 million in pollution control technology at its nine Portland cement manufacturing plants to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice.

In addition, Ash Grove has agreed to spend $750,000 to mitigate the effects of past excess emissions from several of its facilities. The settlement requires Ash Grove to meet stringent emission limits and install and continuously operate modern technology to reduce NOx, SO2, and particulate matter (PM). Ash Grove is required to reduce NOx emissions at nine kilns, some of which will have the lowest emission limits of any retrofit control system in the country. In addition, modern pollution controls must be installed on every kiln to reduce PM emissions, and on several kilns to reduce SO2 emissions. In addition, at its Texas facility, Ash Grove will shut down two older, inefficient kilns, while a third will be replaced with a cleaner, newly reconstructed kiln. Ash Grove will also spend $750,000 on a project to replace old diesel truck engines at its facilities in Kansas, Arkansas, and Texas, which are estimated to reduce smog-forming nitrogen oxides by approximately 27 tons per year.

The settlement is part of EPA’s national enforcement initiative to control harmful air pollution from the largest sources of emissions, including portland cement manufacturing facilities. This is also the first settlement with a cement manufacturer that requires injunctive relief and emission limits for PM. SO2 and NOx, two key pollutants emitted from cement plants, can harm human health and are significant contributors to acid rain, smog, and haze. These pollutants are converted in the air into fine particles of particulate matter that can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, and premature death.

Eight states and one local agency have joined the United States in the settlement, including: Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

The settlement was lodged today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. It will be available for viewing at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html .

More information about this settlement: www.epa.gov/enforcement/air/cases/ashgrove.html

More about EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/data/planning/initiatives/index.html

This agreement included plants located in Foreman, Ark.; Inkom, Idaho; Chanute, Kan.; Clancy, Mont.; Louisville, Neb.; Durkee, Ore.; Leamington, Utah; Seattle, Wash.; and Midlothian, Texas.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized, Violations, Washington Air News | No Comments »

Clean Air Act Settlement with Wisconsin Utilities to Reduce Emissions

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Justice, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin announced a Clean Air Act (CAA) settlement with Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) that will significantly reduce air pollution from three coal-fired power plants located near Portage, Sheboygan, and Cassville, Wis.

WPL operates the plants that are covered by the settlement, and the other defendants, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC), Madison Gas and Electric Company, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company, are co- and former owners of the units. WPL and its co-defendants agreed to invest more than $1 billion in pollution control technology, spend a total of $8.5 million on environmental mitigation projects, and pay a civil penalty of $2.45 million to resolve alleged violations of the CAA.

“EPA is committed to protecting communities by reducing air pollution from the largest sources of emissions,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The pollution reductions and the significant investment in local environmental projects required under this agreement will ensure that the people of Wisconsin and neighboring states have cleaner, healthier air.”

“This settlement will improve air quality in Wisconsin and downwind areas by significantly reducing releases of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and other harmful pollutants,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “This agreement also demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to enforcing the New Source Review provisions of the Clean Air Act, which help ensure clean air for those communities affected by large sources of air pollution.”

Under the settlement, the defendants must install new pollution control technology on the three largest units, continuously operate the new and existing pollution controls, and comply with stringent pollutant emission rates and annual tonnage limitations. The settlement also requires WPL and WPSC to permanently retire, refuel, or repower four additional coal-fired units at the Edgewater and Nelson Dewey plants. The actions taken to comply with this settlement will result in annual reductions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) of approximately 54,000 tons from 2011 levels. This settlement covers all seven coal-fired boilers at the Columbia, Edgewater, and Nelson Dewey power plants.

The settlement also requires the defendants to spend $8.5 million on projects that will benefit the environment and human health in communities located near the facilities, including $260,500 to the U.S. Forest Service and $260,500 to the National Park Service, to be used on projects to address the damage done from the emissions. The remaining $7.479 million will be spent on a combination projects, including up to $2.1 million on land acquisition and restoration; up to $5,000,000 on a long term major solar photovoltaic (PV) power purchase agreement or a solar PV panels installation project; and up to $2 million on renewable energy resource enhancements for existing wind farms and hydroelectric facilities.

Reducing air pollution from the largest sources of emissions, including coal-fired power plants, is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011-2013. SO2 and NOx, two key pollutants emitted from power plants, have numerous adverse effects on human health and are significant contributors to acid rain, smog, and haze. These pollutants are converted in the air to fine particles of particulate matter that can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, and premature death. Reducing these harmful air pollutants will benefit the communities located near the facilities, particularly communities disproportionately impacted by environmental risks and vulnerable populations, including children. Because air pollution from power plants can travel significant distances downwind, this settlement will also reduce air pollution outside the immediate region.

This is the 26th judicial settlement secured by the Justice Department and EPA as part of a national enforcement initiative to control harmful emissions from power plants under the CAA’s New Source Review requirements. The total combined sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emission reductions secured from these settlements will exceed 2 million tons each year once all the required pollution controls have been installed and implemented.

Sierra Club is co-plaintiff to the settlement.

The settlement was lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.

More information about the settlement: http://www.epa.gov/enforcement/air/cases/wisconsinpower.html

More information about EPA’s enforcement initiative: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/data/planning/initiatives/2011airpollution.html


Tags: , ,
Posted in EPA Air News, Violations | No Comments »

Interim Determination to Stay and Defer Sanctions for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

Thursday, February 14th, 2013

EPA is proposing to fully approve two permitting rules submitted by California as a revision to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD or District) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These rules were adopted by the SMAQMD to regulate the construction and modification of stationary sources of air pollution within Sacramento County. EPA is proposing to approve this SIP revision based on the Agency’s conclusion that the rules are consistent with applicable Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements, policies and guidance. Final approval of these rules would make the rules federally enforceable and correct program deficiencies identified in a previous EPA rulemaking on July 20, 2011.  SMAQMD’s Proposed Rule Revions are to Rule 214 & 217.

More detailed  information below.

Air Quality Implementation Plans; Revisions:  California; Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District; Stationary Source Permits, 10589-10591

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-14/html/2013-03249.htm

Interim Final Determination to Stay and Defer Sanctions: Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, 10554-10556

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-14/html/2013-03250.htm

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in EPA Air News, Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD | No Comments »

Notice Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Clean Air Act

Thursday, December 27th, 2012

On December 20, 2012, the Department of Justice lodged a proposed consent decree with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in the lawsuit entitled United States v. Kentucky Utilities Company, Civil Action No. 3:12-cv-00076-CFVT.

The United States filed this lawsuit under the Clean Air Act. The United States’ complaint seeks civil penalties and injunctive relief against Kentucky Utilities Company for violations of state and federal opacity, New Source Review, and Title V regulations at the company’s electric generating station in Ghent, Kentucky. The proposed consent decree requires Kentucky Utilities to perform injunctive relief, pay a civil penalty of $300,000, and pay $500,000 for a mitigation project to fund the replacement of one or more coal-fired boilers used by public schools in Kentucky through geothermal technologies.

The publication of this notice opens a period for public comment on the proposed consent decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and should refer to United States v. Kentucky Utilities Company, D.J. Ref. No. 90-5-2-1-08850/1. All comments must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days after the publication date of this notice. Comments may be submitted by email or by mail:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-12-27/html/2012-31099.htm
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-12-27/pdf/2012-31099.pdf

Tags: ,
Posted in EPA Air News, Violations | No Comments »

Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. pays EPA $1.45 million penalty

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Glass Container Manufacturer Agrees to Install Pollution Controls and Pay $1.45 Million to Settle Clean Air Act Violations

Settlement to reduce emissions at facilities in Georgia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice announced that Ohio-based Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc., the nation’s largest glass container manufacturer, has agreed to install pollution control equipment to reduce harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM) by nearly 2,500 tons per year and pay a $1.45 million penalty to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations at five of the company’s manufacturing plants.

“The pollution controls required by today’s settlement will significantly reduce emissions that can impact residents’ health and local environment in communities located near glass manufacturing plants,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “These new pollution controls will improve air quality and protect communities from Georgia to Texas from emissions that can lead to respiratory illnesses, smog and acid rain.”

“This agreement will significantly reduce the amount of air pollution, known to cause a variety of environmental and health problems, from the nation’s largest manufacturer of glass containers,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “The settlement, the latest in a series of agreements with the glass manufacturing sector, addresses major sources of pollution at facilities located in four states and will mean cleaner air for the people living in those communities.”

The pollution controls required as part of the settlement to reduce NOx, SO2, and PM will cost an estimated cost of $37.5 million. Owens-Brockway will also spend an additional $200,000 to mitigate excess emissions at its plant in Atlanta by working with the Georgia Retrofit Program to retrofit diesel school buses and fleet vehicles with controls to reduce emissions, or it will assist with the purchase of new natural gas, propane, or hybrid vehicles.

Reducing air pollution from the largest sources of emissions, including glass manufacturing plants, is one of the EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011-2013. This is the fourth settlement in EPA’s National Glass Manufacturing Plant Initiative.

NOx, SO2, and PM, three key pollutants emitted from glass plants, have numerous adverse effects on human health and the environment. NOx and SO2 contribute to ground-level ozone, or smog, acid rain, and the destruction of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. NOx and SO2 can also irritate the lungs and aggravate of pre-existing heart or lung conditions. PM contains microscopic particles that can travel deep into the lungs and cause difficulty breathing, coughing, decreased lung function, and even death.

The facilities covered by the settlement are located in Atlanta, Ga.; Clarion, Penn.; Crenshaw, Penn.; Muskogee, Okla.; and Waco, Texas.

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is also a signatory to this consent decree.

The proposed consent decree will be lodged with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, and will be subject to a 30-day public comment period.

More information on the settlement: http://www.epa.gov/enforcement/air/cases/owensbrockway.html

More information about EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/data/planning/initiatives/index.html

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Violations | No Comments »

Settlement for Sinclair Oil’s 2008 Violations

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement with two subsidiaries of Sinclair Oil Corporation to resolve alleged violations of air pollution limits established in a 2008 consent decree at refineries in Casper and Sinclair, Wyo. Sinclair Casper Refining Co. and Sinclair Wyoming Refining Co. will pay stipulated penalties totaling $3,844,000 and spend approximately $10.5 million on additional pollution control equipment and other projects to resolve the allegations. The settlement will require the Sinclair companies to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by approximately 24 tons per year, sulfur dioxide (SO2) by approximately 385 tons per year, and particulate matter by approximately 59 tons per year.

The alleged violations stem from Sinclair’s failure to meet the terms of the 2008 consent decree, including exceeding NOx emissions limits at the Casper and Sinclair, Wyoming refineries and failing to comply with requirements to operate and maintain a flare gas recovery system at the Sinclair Refinery, resulting in excess emissions of SO2. The problems will be addressed by installing and operating a selective catalytic reduction system to control NOx emissions and by upgrading the flare gas recovery system to meet SO2 emissions limits. Sinclair will also complete a project to provide road paving at its Casper refinery that will reduce particulate matter emissions by an additional 59 tons per year and reduce fuel oil burning at the Casper refinery from the existing 188 tons per year limit to no more than 95 tons per year.

The settlement is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.

More about the settlement:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/caa/sinclair.html

More about EPA’s civil enforcement of the Clean Air Act: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/caa/index.html

More about EPA’s refinery initiative: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/caa/oil/

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in EPA Air News, Violations | No Comments »

NAAQS: Deadline extended for the 2010 Promulgated Designations for Primary Sulfur Dioxide

Friday, August 3rd, 2012

The EPA is announcing that it is using its authority under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to extend by up to 1 year the deadline for promulgating initial area designations for the primary sulfur dioxide (SO2) national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) that was promulgated in June 2010. With this extension, the EPA is now required to complete initial designations for this NAAQS by June 3, 2013.

DATES: The new deadline is June 3, 2013.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-03/pdf/2012-19043.pdf

Tags: , , ,
Posted in EPA Air News | No Comments »

EPA to Review Technical Information on Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for New Power Plants

Monday, July 30th, 2012

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing technical information that is focused on pollution limits for new power plants under the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), based on new information provided by industry stakeholders after the rule was finalized.

By moving quickly to review the new information, this action will provide greater certainty for five planned future facilities, in Georgia, Kansas, Texas, and Utah, that would be covered by the standards. This review will not change the expected costs or public health benefits of the rule.

EPA will review monitoring issues related to the mercury standards for new power plants and will address other technical issues on the acid gas and particle pollution standards for these plants. The agency’s review will not change the types of state-of-the-art pollution controls new power plants are expected to use to reduce this harmful pollution.

The agency will follow an expedited, open and transparent process that includes public comment on any proposed changes. The agency will complete the rulemaking by March 2013 and will also use its Clean Air Act authority to stay the final standards for new power plants for three months during this review.

More information: http://epa.gov/mats/actions.html

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in EPA Air News | No Comments »

EPA proposes amendments for PC MACT (NESHAP: Portland Cement)

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

The EPA is proposing amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Portland cement industry for Portland cement plants issued under sections 112(d) of the Clean Air Act. Specifically, the EPA is proposing to amend the existing and new source standards for particulate matter (PM). The EPA is also proposing amendments with respect to issues on which it granted reconsideration on May 17, 2011. In addition, the EPA is proposing amendments to the new source performance standard for PM issued pursuant to section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act.

The EPA is also addressing the remand of the emission standards in the NESHAP by the D.C. Circuit on December 9, 2011. Finally, the EPA is proposing to extend the date for compliance with the existing source national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants to September 9, 2015.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 17, 2012. Any requests for a public hearing must be received by July 30, 2012. If the EPA holds a public hearing, the EPA will keep the record of the hearing open for thirty days after completion of the hearing to provide an opportunity for submission of rebuttal and supplementary information.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-07-18/pdf/2012-16166.pdf

Tags: , , ,
Posted in EPA Air News, NESHAP | No Comments »

EPA Greenhouse Gas Permitting Requirements Maintain Focus on Largest Emitters

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that it will not revise greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting thresholds under the Clean Air Act. Today’s final rule is part of EPA’s common-sense, phased-in approach to GHG permitting under the Clean Air Act, announced in 2010 and recently upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The final rule maintains a focus on the nation’s largest emitters that account for nearly 70 percent of the total GHG pollution from stationary sources, while shielding smaller emitters from permitting requirements. EPA is also finalizing a provision that allows companies to set plant-wide emissions limits for GHGs, streamlining the permitting process, increasing flexibilities and reducing permitting burdens on state and local authorities and large industrial emitters.

Today’s final rule affirms that new facilities with GHG emissions of at least 100,000 tons per year (tpy) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) will continue to be required to obtain Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits. Existing facilities that emit 100,000 tpy of CO2e and make changes increasing the GHG emissions by at least 75,000 tpy of CO2e, must also obtain PSD permits. Facilities that must obtain a PSD permit, to include other regulated pollutants, must also address GHG emission increases of 75,000 tpy or more of CO2e. New and existing sources with GHG emissions above 100,000 tpy CO2e must also obtain operating permits.

The GHG Tailoring Rule will continue to address a group of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). As of May 21, 2012, EPA and state permitting authorities have issued 44 PSD permits addressing GHG emissions. These permits have required new facilities, and existing facilities that make major modifications, to implement energy efficiency measures to reduce their GHG emissions.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/nsr/

Tags: , , ,
Posted in EPA Air News | No Comments »

« Older Entries