The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued a November 20th Federal Register Notice continuing both a final rule and a notice of final action on reconsideration for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (“NESHAP”) for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters (“Final Rule”). See 80 Fed. Reg. 72790.
EPA promulgated in 2011 a final NESHAP for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers and process heaters at major sources to meet the hazardous air pollutant standards reflecting the application of maximum achievable control technology (“MACT”).
EPA on January 31, 2013 promulgated final amendments to the boiler MACT. The agency subsequently received petitions from a variety of groups addressing various aspects of the rule.
EPA in the November 20th rule states it is retaining a minimum carbon monoxide (CO) limit of 130 parts per million and the particulate matter continuous parameter monitoring system requirements which is stated to be consistent with the previously referenced January 2013 final rule. The agency also states it is:
… making minor changes to the proposed definitions of startup and shutdown and work practices during these periods.
These changes are stated to be based on public comments the agency received.
The November 20th rule also addresses what are characterized as “a number of technical corrections and clarifications to the rule.” EPA states that the corrections will clarify and improve the implementation of the January 2013 final boiler MACT. However, EPA states the corrections do not have any effect on the environmental, energy, or economic impacts.
The November 20th Federal Register Notice also includes the agency’s final decision to deny the requests for reconsideration with respect to all issues raised in the petitions for reconsideration of the final MACT for which it did not grant reconsideration.
A copy of the link can be found here: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/20/2015-29186/national-emission-standards-for-hazardous-air-pollutants-for-major-sources-industrial-commercial-and.
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