EPA is Proposing a Plan to Help Protect Air Quality

(1) First Air Quality Permit Requirements Proposed for Industry in 'Indian Country'

(2) Proposal to Cut Air Toxics Emissions from Degreasers

(1) First Air Quality Permit Requirements Proposed for Industry in 'Indian Country'

EPA is proposing a plan to help protect air quality in areas under tribal jurisdiction, without slowing the areas' economic growth. As part of EPA's efforts to update and improve the New Source Review (NSR) permitting program, the plan would implement NSR requirements for the first time in "Indian Country."

The proposed plan Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) would require new industrial facilities and facilities making modifications to obtain air quality permits. These facilities have not previously been subject to air permitting requirements in Indian Country.

The proposed plan includes two NSR rules:

1) The minor NSR rule, would apply to new and modified minor stationary sources and to minor modifications at major stationary sources in Indian Country. A minor source is one that generally emits less than 100 tons per year of a target air pollutant. A major source emits more than 100 tons.

2) The nonattainment major NSR rule would apply to new major stationary sources and major modifications in areas of Indian Country that do not meet national air quality standards.

Under the proposed plan, EPA would have the authority to review these permit applications, or to delegate review to tribes able to take on the responsibility. An EPA-approved tribal plan for implementing NSR could be used in place of the FIP.

EPA will accept comment on this proposal for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.

(2) Proposal to Cut Air Toxics Emissions from Degreasers

EPA is proposing options to reduce air toxics emissions by up to 70 percent from halogenated solvent cleaning operations. Halogenated solvents, also known as degreasers, are used to remove soils such as grease, oils, waxes, carbon deposits and tars from metal, plastic, fiberglass and other surfaces.

The proposal includes two options, both of which would result in increased health protection for the public and cost savings for the industry. The proposals would impose an annual cap on emissions of the solvents methylene chloride, perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene. The caps would provide affected facilities with the flexibility to reduce their emissions using any traditional methods available. Most degreasing operations already emit less than either proposed caps. The proposal would focus on facilities posing the highest risks by requiring them to reduce emissions and meet the cap.

EPA issued a national rule to limit emissions of air toxics from degreasing operations in 1994. This rule is one of 96 rules called maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standards that require 174 industry sectors to eliminate 1.7 million tons of 187 air toxics. Congress listed these toxic air pollutants in the Clean Air Act. There are nearly 1,900 degreasing operations in the United States. EPA estimates that the 1994 standards prevent nationwide emissions of air toxics by 85,300 tons per year.

The proposal addresses the residual risk and the eight-year technology review provisions in the Clean Air Act. These provisions direct EPA to review existing control technology standards. EPA is to tighten those standards if needed to protect health or because of improvements in emissions reduction methods.

EPA will accept public comment on its proposal for 45 days following publication of the proposed action in the Federal Register.

Source: U.S. EPA

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