40 CFR Part 60, Subpart VV - Standards of Performance for Equipment Leaks of VOC in the Synthetic Organic Chemicals Manufacturing Industry for which Construction, Reconstruction, or Modification...January 5, 1981, and on or Before November 7, 2006

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the October 23, 2015 proposals for a federal plan to implement the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission guidelines (EGs) for existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGUs), for model trading rules for implementation of the EGs, and for amendments to the Clean Air Act (CAA) 111(d) framework regulations, and the June 30, 2016 proposed rule concerning design details of the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP).

Because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received an adverse comment, we are withdrawing the direct final rule titled, “Revisions to Procedure 2—Quality Assurance Requirements for Particulate Matter Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems at Stationary Sources.”

On August 26, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule to revise provisions in the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and title V permitting regulations applicable to greenhouse gases (GHGs) to fully conform with recent court decisions. The EPA is extending the comment period on this proposed rule that was scheduled to close on December 2, 2016. The EPA received a letter requesting the extension of the proposed rule public comment period to allow the public additional time to review the rule and supporting documentation.

This action provides notice that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Gina McCarthy, denied a petition for reconsideration of the final Standards of Performance for New Residential Wood Heaters, New Residential Hydronic Heaters and Forced-Air Furnaces published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2015.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to revise provisions applicable to greenhouse gases (GHG) in the EPA's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and title V permitting regulations. This action is in response to the June 23, 2014, U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Utility Air Regulatory Group (UARG) v. EPA and the April 10, 2015, Amended Judgment by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) in Coalition for Responsible Regulation v. EPA. The proposed PSD and title V revisions involve changes to several regulatory definitions in the PSD and title V regulations, revisions to the PSD provisions on GHG Plantwide Applicability Limitations (PALs), and revisions to other provisions necessary to ensure that neither the PSD nor title V rules require a source to obtain a permit solely because the source emits or has the potential to emit (PTE) GHGs above the applicable thresholds. In addition, the EPA is also proposing a significant emissions rate (SER) for GHGs under the PSD program that would establish an appropriate threshold level below which Best Available Control Technology (BACT) is not required for a source's GHG emissions.

On June 30, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule titled, “Clean Energy Incentive Program Design Details.” The EPA is extending the comment period on the proposed rule, which was scheduled to close on September 2, 2016, by 60 days until November 1, 2016. The EPA is making this change to allow for requested tribal consultation in response to the proposed rule.

This action promulgates technical and editorial corrections and revisions to regulations related to source testing of emissions. We have made corrections and updates to testing provisions, and added newly approved alternatives to existing testing regulations. These revisions will improve the quality of data and provide flexibility in the use of approved alternative procedures. The revisions do not impose any new substantive requirements on source owners or operators.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing notice that it has responded to 11 petitions for reconsideration of the final rule titled “Oil and Natural Gas Sector: New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Reviews,” published in the Federal Register on August 16, 2012, and seven petitions for reconsideration of subsequent amendments published in the Federal Register on September 23, 2013, and December 31, 2014. The agency previously granted reconsideration of several discrete issues and took final action on reconsideration through documents published in the Federal Register on September 23, 2013, December 31, 2014, August 12, 2015, and June 3, 2016. The Administrator denied the remaining requests for reconsideration in separate letters to the petitioners. The basis for the EPA's action is set out fully in a separate document available in the rulemaking docket.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing notice that it has responded to two petitions for reconsideration of the final rule titled “Reconsideration of Certain Startup/Shutdown Issues: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) From Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units and Standards of Performance (NSPS) for Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Utility, Industrial-Commercial-Institutional, and Small Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units,” published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2014. The Administrator denied the requests for reconsideration in separate letters to the petitioners. The letters and a document providing a full explanation of the agency's rationale for each denial is in the docket for these rules.

On June 30, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule titled, “Clean Energy Incentive Program Design Details.” The EPA is extending the comment period on the proposed rule that was scheduled to close on August 29, 2016, by four days until September 2, 2016. The EPA is making this change to align the public comment period with the public hearing submittal time frame.

This action amends the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Petroleum Refineries in three respects. First, this action adjusts the compliance date for regulatory requirements that apply at maintenance vents during periods of startup, shutdown, maintenance or inspection for sources constructed or reconstructed on or before June 30, 2014. Second, this action amends the compliance dates for the regulatory requirements that apply during startup, shutdown, or hot standby for fluid catalytic cracking units (FCCU) and startup and shutdown for sulfur recovery units (SRU) constructed or reconstructed on or before June 30, 2014. Finally, this action finalizes technical corrections and clarifications to the NESHAP and the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Petroleum Refineries. These amendments are being finalized in response to new information submitted after these regulatory requirements were promulgated as part of the residual risk and technology review (RTR) rulemaking, which was published on December 1, 2015. This action will have an insignificant effect on emissions reductions and costs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing amendments to the standards of performance for stationary compression ignition (CI) internal combustion engines to allow manufacturers to design the engines so that operators can temporarily override performance inducements related to the emission control system for stationary CI internal combustion engines. The amendments apply to engines operating during emergency situations where the operation of the engine or equipment is needed to protect human life, and to require compliance with Tier 1 emission standards during such emergencies. The EPA is also amending the standards of performance for certain stationary CI internal combustion engines located in remote areas of Alaska.

This action sets forth the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final decision on the issues for which it granted reconsideration on January 21, 2015, which pertain to certain aspects of the February 7, 2013, 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). The EPA is finalizing proposed actions on these four topics: Definition of “continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) data during startup and shutdown periods;” particulate matter (PM) limit for the waste-burning kiln subcategory; fuel variability factor (FVF) for coal-burning energy recovery units (ERUs); and the definition of “kiln.” This action also includes our final decision to deny the requests for reconsideration of all other issues raised in the petitions for reconsideration of the 2013 final commercial and industrial solid waste incineration rule for which we did not grant reconsideration.

This action finalizes amendments to the current new source performance standards (NSPS) and establishes new standards. Amendments to the current standards will improve implementation of the current NSPS. The new standards for the oil and natural gas source category set standards for both greenhouse gases (GHGs) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Except for the implementation improvements, and the new standards for GHGs, these requirements do not change the requirements for operations covered by the current standards.

This action finalizes the technical corrections that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed on February 17, 2015, to correct and clarify certain text of the EPA's regulations regarding “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coal- and Oil-fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units and Standards of Performance for Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Utility, Industrial-Commercial-Institutional, and Small Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units”. We are also taking final action to remove the rule provision establishing an affirmative defense for malfunction.

This action proposes amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Refinery MACT 1 and Refinery MACT 2 regulations and the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for petroleum refineries, which were published on December 1, 2015. In that action, as a result of a risk and technology review, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to Refinery MACT 1 and Refinery MACT 2. In this action, the EPA is proposing to amend the compliance date in Refinery MACT 1 for maintenance vent standards that apply during periods of startup, shutdown, maintenance or inspection for sources constructed or reconstructed on or before June 30, 2014. In this action, the EPA is also proposing to revise the compliance dates in Refinery MACT 2 for the standards that apply during startup, shutdown, or hot standby for fluid catalytic cracking units (FCCU) and startup and shutdown for sulfur recovery units (SRU) constructed or reconstructed on or before June 30, 2014. These proposed revisions do not affect requirements that apply during normal operations. Finally, the EPA is proposing technical corrections and clarifications to the NESHAP and the NSPS for petroleum refineries. This action will have an insignificant effect on emissions reductions and costs.

This action finalizes the residual risk and technology review conducted for the Petroleum Refinery source categories regulated under national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) Refinery MACT 1 and Refinery MACT 2. It also includes revisions to the Refinery MACT 1 and MACT 2 rules in accordance with provisions regarding establishment of MACT standards. This action also finalizes technical corrections and clarifications for the new source performance standards (NSPS) for petroleum refineries to improve consistency and clarity and address issues related to a 2008 industry petition for reconsideration. Implementation of this final rule will result in projected reductions of 5,200 tons per year (tpy) of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) which will reduce cancer risk and chronic health effects.

On September 18, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed three rules titled, “Source Determination for Certain Emission Units in the Oil and Natural Gas Sector,” “Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New and Modified Sources,” and “Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country: Federal Implementation Plan for Managing Air Emissions from True Minor Sources Engaged in Oil and Natural Gas Production in Indian Country.” The EPA is extending the comment period on the three proposed rules that was scheduled to close on November 17, 2015. The EPA has received several letters from trade and business organizations, states and tribes requesting additional time to review and comment on the three proposed rule revisions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing amendments to the standards of performance for stationary compression ignition (CI) internal combustion engines to allow manufacturers to design the engines so that operators can temporarily override performance inducements related to the emission control system for stationary CI internal combustion engines operating during emergency situations where the operation of the engine or equipment is needed to protect human life, and to require compliance with Tier 1 emission standards during such emergencies. The EPA is also proposing to amend the standards of performance for certain stationary CI internal combustion engines located in remote areas of Alaska.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing four public hearings to be held on the proposed “Federal Plan Requirements for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electric Utility Generating Units Constructed on or before January 8, 2014; Model Trading Rules; Amendments to Framework Regulations.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for the proposed rule titled, “Revisions to Test Methods, Performance Specifications, and Testing Regulations for Air Emission Sources,” that was published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2015. The 60-day comment period in the proposed rule is scheduled to end on November 9, 2015. The extended comment period will close on December 9, 2015. The EPA recently added a technical justification to the docket for the revision in the proposed rule regarding Subpart JJJJ of Part 60 (Standards of Performance for Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines). We also added background information to support our reasoning for soliciting comment about Method 7E stratification. Therefore, the EPA is extending the comment period to allow the public additional time to submit comments and supporting information on these and other aspects of the proposed rule.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a public hearing for the proposed rule titled, “Revisions to Test Methods, Performance Specifications, and Testing Regulations for Air Emission Sources,” that was published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2015. The hearing will be held in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The EPA is proposing technical and editorial corrections and revisions to regulations related to source testing of emissions. The EPA is proposing to make corrections and updates to testing provisions that contain inaccuracies and outdated procedures, and to provide alternatives to existing testing regulations. The revisions will improve the quality of data and provide testers flexibility to use recently-approved alternative procedures. Many of the changes were suggested by testers and other end-users and will not impose new substantive requirements on source owners or operators.

This action proposes to amend the new source performance standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas source category by setting standards for both methane and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for certain equipment, processes and activities across this source category. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is including requirements for methane emissions in this proposal because methane is a greenhouse gas (GHG), and the oil and natural gas category is currently one of the country's largest emitters of methane. In 2009, the EPA found that by causing or contributing to climate change, GHGs endanger both the public health and the public welfare of current and future generations. The EPA is proposing both methane and VOC standards for several emission sources not currently covered by the NSPS and proposing methane standards for certain emission sources that are currently regulated for VOC. The proposed amendents also extend the current VOC standards to the remaining unregulated equipment across the source category and additionally establish methane standards for this equipment. Lastly, amendments to improve implementation of the current NSPS are being proposed which result from reconsideration of certain issues raised in petitions for reconsideration that were received by the Administrator on the August 16, 2012, final NSPS for the oil and natural gas sector and related amendments. Except for the implementation improvements and the setting of standards for methane, these amendments do not change the requirements for operations already covered by the current standards.

This action proposes technical and editorial corrections and revisions to regulations related to source testing of emissions. This proposed rule will make corrections and updates to testing provisions that contain inaccuracies and outdated procedures, and provide alternatives to existing testing regulations. These revisions will improve the quality of data and provide testers flexibility to use recently-approved alternative procedures. Many of these changes were suggested by testers and other end-users, and they will not impose new substantive requirements on source owners or operators.

This notice announces our approval of the Alternative Means of Emission Limitation (AMEL) requests for the operation of multi-point ground flares (MPGF) at The Dow Chemical Company's (Dow) Propane Dehydrogenation Plant and Light Hydrocarbons Plant located at its Texas Operations site in Freeport, Texas, and the ExxonMobil Chemical Company (ExxonMobil) Olefins Plant in Baytown, Texas, and its Plastics Plant in Mont Belvieu, Texas. This approval notice also specifies the operating conditions and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for demonstrating compliance with the AMEL that these facilities must follow. In addition, this notice solicits comments on an all aspects of an AMEL request from Occidental Chemical Corporation (OCC) in which long-term MPGF burner stability and destruction efficiency have been demonstrated on different pressure-assisted MPGF burners that OCC has proposed for use in controlling emissions at its Ingleside, Texas, ethylene plant. Lastly, this notice presents and solicits comments on all aspects of a framework of both MPGF burner testing and rule-specific emissions control equivalency demonstrations that we anticipate, when followed, would afford us the ability to approve future AMEL requests for MPGF in a more efficient and streamlined manner.

This action finalizes the residual risk and technology review conducted for the Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing and Phosphate Fertilizer Production source categories regulated under national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP). In addition, this action finalizes an 8-year review of the current new source performance standards (NSPS) for five source categories. We are also taking final action addressing Clean Air Act (CAA) provisions related to emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, review and revision of emission standards, and work practice standards. The final amendments to the Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing NESHAP include: Numeric emission limits for previously unregulated mercury (Hg) and total fluoride emissions from calciners; work practice standards for hydrogen fluoride (HF) emissions from previously unregulated gypsum dewatering stacks and cooling ponds; clarifications to the applicability and monitoring requirements to accommodate process equipment and technology changes; removal of the exemptions for startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM); adoption of work practice standards for periods of startup and shutdown; and revised recordkeeping and reporting requirements for periods of SSM. The final amendments to the Phosphate Fertilizer Production NESHAP include: Clarifications to the applicability and monitoring requirements to accommodate process equipment and technology changes; removal of the exemptions for SSM; adoption of work practice standards for periods of startup and shutdown; and revised recordkeeping and reporting requirements for periods of SSM. The revised NESHAP for Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing facilities will mitigate future increases of Hg emissions from phosphate rock calciners by requiring pollution prevention measures. Further, based on the 8-year review of the current NSPS for these source categories, the EPA determined that no revisions to the numeric emission limits in those rules are warranted.

This action finalizes amendments to new source performance standards (NSPS) for the Oil and Natural Gas Sector. On March 23, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) re-proposed its definition of “low pressure gas well” for notice and comment to correct a procedural defect with its prior rulemaking that included this definition. The EPA also proposed to amend the NSPS to remove provisions concerning storage vessels connected or installed in parallel and to revise the definition of “storage vessel.” This action finalizes the definition of “low pressure gas well” and the amendments to the storage vessel provisions.

This action finalizes amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants. On February 12, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to the NESHAP and the new source performance standards (NSPS) for the Portland cement industry. Subsequently, the EPA became aware of certain minor technical errors in those amendments, and thus issued a proposal to correct these errors on November 19, 2014 (79 FR 68821). The EPA received 3 comments on the proposal. In response to the comments received and to complete technical corrections, the EPA is now issuing final amendments. In addition, consistent with the U.S. Court of Appeals to the DC Circuit's vacatur of the affirmative defense provisions in the final rule, this action removes those provisions. These amendments do not affect the pollution reduction or costs associated with these standards.