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Do you have a boiler that burns anything other than natural gas? If so, you should be aware of recent EPA actions – there is an impending deadline….. (Boilers that burn natural gas are exempt from this rule)

On March 21, 2011, EPA published final national emission standards for hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from new and existing boilers and process heaters. At the same time, EPA took the unusual step of announcing reconsideration of the final standards concurrent with the March publication. In connection with that move, EPA delayed the effective date of the standards applicable to affected sources located at major HAP sources pending reconsideration or resolution of legal challenges.

However, the area source boiler standards contained in the March rule were not stayed. An “area” HAP source is any facility that has the potential to emit less than ten tons per year of any single HAP or less than 25 tons per year of combined HAPs.

The applicable area source deadlines include the following:

INITIAL NOTIFICATION

Initial notification of applicability:

September 17, 2011 for existing affected sources
September 17, 2011 or within 120 days after startup, whichever is later, for new affected sources.

Initial notification of compliance status:

July 19, 2012 for existing sources subject to tune-up work practices and/or energy assessment requirements;
July 19, 2014 or within 60 days of completing the performance stack test for existing sources subject to emission limits;
September 17, 2011 or 120 days after startup, whichever is later, for new sources. (Note however, that if a performance stack test is required, the notification must be submitted within 60 days of test completion.)

COMPLIANCE DATES

March 21, 2012 for existing sources subject to a tune-up work practice or management practice standard;
March 21, 2014 for existing sources subject to an emission limit and/or energy assessment requirements;
May 20, 2011 or on start up, whichever is later, for new sources.

A boiler is “existing” if construction or reconstruction was commenced on or before June 4, 2010. Conversely, an affected source is “new” if construction commenced after June 4, 2010.

The rule can be found at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/boiler/boilerpg.html.

Fact sheets, etc. are at http://www.epa.gov/airquality/combustion/actions.html#feb11

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EPA has issued the final Boiler MACT
The Boiler MACT and related rules can be found at http://www.epa.gov/airquality/combustion/actions.html

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GH Tailoring Rule
As of January 2, 2011 any new major stationary source that is subjected to PSD for pollutants other then GHG emissions and has the potential to emit greater than 75,000 tpy of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) will be required to obtain a PSD permit for GHG.

Coming up on July 1, 2011, all new sources that have the potential to emit or will emit over 100,000 tpy of CO2e and any existing major source that will increase GHG emissions by 75,000 tpy will require PSD preconstruction review. These sources will be required to obtain a Title V permit.