Standards of Performance for Electric Utility Steam Generating Units for Which Construction Is Commenced After September 18, 1978; Standards of Performance for Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units; and Standards of Performance for Small Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units, 9866-9886 [06-1460]
Download as PDF
9866
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 60
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2005–0031; FRL–8033–3]
RIN 2060–AM80
Standards of Performance for Electric
Utility Steam Generating Units for
Which Construction Is Commenced
After September 18, 1978; Standards of
Performance for IndustrialCommercial-Institutional Steam
Generating Units; and Standards of
Performance for Small IndustrialCommercial-Institutional Steam
Generating Units
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule; amendments.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to section
111(b)(1)(B) of the Clean Air Act (CAA),
EPA has reviewed the emission
standards for nitrogen oxides (NOX),
sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate
matter (PM) contained in the new
source performance standards (NSPS)
for electric utility steam generating units
and industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units. EPA proposed
amendments to 40 CFR part 60, subparts
Da, Db, and Dc, on February 28, 2005.
This action reflects EPA’s responses to
issues raised by commenters, and
promulgates the amended standards of
performance.
The final rule amendments revise the
existing standards for PM emissions by
SUMMARY:
Category
reducing the numerical emission limits
for both utility and industrialcommercial-institutional steam
generating units and revise the existing
standards for NOX emissions by
reducing the numerical emission limits
for utility steam generating units. The
amendments also revise the standards
for SO2 emissions for both electric
utility and industrial-commercialinstitutional steam generating units. The
numerical standard for electric utility
steam generating units has been
reduced, and the maximum percent
reduction requirement has been
increased. A numerical standard has
been added for units presently subject to
the NSPS and new industrialcommercial-institutional steam
generating units, and the maximum
percent reduction requirement for new
units has been increased. Both utility
and industrial steam generating units
can either meet a numerical limit or
demonstrate a percent reduction.
Several technical clarifications and
compliance alternatives have been
added to the existing provisions of the
current rules.
DATES: The final rule amendments are
effective on February 27, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Docket: EPA has established
a docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2005–0031. All
documents in the docket are listed on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov. Although listed in
the index, some information is not
publicly available, e.g., CBI or other
NAICS code
Fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units.
Fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units owned by the Federal Government.
Fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units owned by municipalities.
Fossil fuel-fired electric steam generating units in Indian Country.
Extractors of crude petroleum and natural gas.
........................
........................
State/local/tribal government ...........
22112
........................
921150
211
........................
13
321
322
325
324
316, 326, 339
331
332
336
221
622
611
24
26
28
29
30
33
34
37
49
80
82
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
Manufacturers of lumber and wood products.
Pulp and paper mills.
Chemical manufacturers.
Petroleum refiners and manufacturers of coal products.
Manufacturers of rubber and miscellaneous plastic products.
Steel works, blast furnaces.
Electroplating, plating, polishing, anodizing, and coloring.
Manufacturers of motor vehicle parts and accessories.
Electric, gas, and sanitary services.
Health services.
Educational services.
subject to the final rule amendments,
you should examine the applicability
criteria in 40 CFR part 60, sections
60.40a, 60.40b, or 60.40c. If you have
any questions regarding the
PO 00000
Regulated
Entities. Categories and entities
potentially regulated by the final rule
amendments are new, reconstructed,
and modified electric utility steam
generating units and new,
reconstructed, and modified industrialcommercial-institutional steam
generating units. The final rule
amendments will affect the following
categories of sources:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Examples of potentially regulated entities
221112
22112
This table is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
subject to the final rule amendments. To
determine whether your facility may be
Mr.
Christian Fellner, Energy Strategies
Group, Sector Policies and Programs
Division (C439–01), U.S. EPA, Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711;
telephone number: (919) 541–4003; email fellner.christian@epa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SIC code
Industry ............................................
Federal Government ........................
Any industrial, commercial, or institutional facility using a boiler as
defined in 60.40b or 60.40c.
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically through https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air and Radiation Docket, Docket ID
No. EPA–HQ–2004–0490, EPA/DC, EPA
West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The Public
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The telephone
number for the Public Reading Room is
(202) 566–1744, and the telephone
number for the Air and Radiation
Docket Center is (202) 566–1742.
Frm 00002
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
applicability of the final rule
amendments to a particular entity,
contact the person listed in the
preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
Worldwide Web (WWW). In addition
to being available in the docket, an
electronic copy of today’s action is
available on the WWW through the
Technology Transfer Network (TTN).
Following signature, EPA has posted a
copy of today’s action on the TTN’s
policy and guidance page for newly
proposed or promulgated rules at
https://www.epa.gov/ttn. The TTN
provides information and technology
exchange in various areas of air
pollution control.
Judicial Review. Under section
307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA),
judicial review of the final rule is
available only by filing a petition for
review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia by April 28,
2006. Under section 307(d)(7)(B) of the
CAA, only an objection to the final rule
that was raised with reasonable
specificity during the period for public
comment can be raised during judicial
review. Moreover, under section
307(b)(2) of the CAA, the requirements
established by today’s final action may
not be challenged separately in any civil
or criminal proceedings brought by EPA
to enforce these requirements.
Section 307(d)(7)(B) of the CAA
further provides that ‘‘only an objection
to a rule or procedure which was raised
with reasonable specificity during the
period for public comment (including
any public hearing) may be raised
during judicial review.’’ This section
also provides a mechanism for EPA to
convene a proceeding for
reconsideration, ‘‘if the person raising
an objection can demonstrate to EPA
that it was impracticable to raise such
objection within [the period for public
comment] or if the grounds for such
objection arose after the period for
public comment (but within the time
specified for judicial review) and if such
objection is of central relevance to the
outcome of the rule.’’ Any person
seeking to make such a demonstration to
EPA should submit a Petition for
Reconsideration to the Office of the
Administrator, U.S. EPA, Room 3000,
Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, with
a copy to both the person(s) listed in the
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section, and the Director of the Air and
Radiation Law Office, Office of General
Counsel (Mail Code 2344A), U.S. EPA,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.,
Washington, DC 20004.
Outline. The following outline is
provided to aid in locating information
in this preamble.
I. Summary of the Final Rule.
A. What are the requirements for new
electric utility steam generating units (40
CFR part 60, subpart Da)?
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
B. What are the requirements for
industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Db)?
C. What are the requirements for small
industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Dc)?
II. Background Information
A. What is the statutory authority for the
final rule?
B. What is the regulatory authority for the
final rule?
III. Responses to Public Comments
A. Electric Utility Steam Generating Units
(40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Da)
B. Industrial-Commercial-Institutional and
Small Industrial-CommercialInstitutional Steam Generating Units (40
CFR Part 60, Subparts Db and Dc)
IV. Impacts of the Final Rules
A. What are the impacts for electric utility
steam generating units (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Da)?
B. What are the impacts for industrialcommercial-institutional boilers (40 CFR
part 60, subparts Db and Dc)?
C. What are the economic impacts?
D. What are the social costs and benefits?
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution or Use
I. National Technology Transfer
Advancement Act
J. Congressional Review Act
I. Summary of Final Rule
The final rule amends the emission
limits for SO2, NOX, and PM for subpart
Da, 40 CFR part 60 (electric utility steam
generating units) the SO2 and PM
emission limits for subpart Db, 40 CFR
part 60 (industrial-commercialinstitutional steam generating units),
and the SO2 and PM emission limits for
subpart Dc, 40 CFR part 60 (small
industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units). With one
exception, only those units that begin
construction, modification, or
reconstruction after February 28, 2005,
will be affected by the final rule. The
exception is that the SO2 standard for
industrial-commercial-institutional
units presently subject to the NSPS has
been amended to reflect the difficulty of
units burning fuels with inherently low
sulfur emissions from consistently
achieving 90 percent reduction.
Compliance with the emission limits of
the final rule will be determined using
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
9867
similar testing, monitoring, and other
compliance provisions set forth in the
existing standards.
In addition to the emissions limits
contained in the final rule, we also are
including several technical
clarifications and corrections to existing
provisions of the existing amendments,
as explained below. We included
language to clarify the applicability of
subparts Da, Db, and Dc of 40 CFR part
60 to combined cycle power plants.
Heat recovery steam generators that are
associated with combined cycle and
combined heat and power combustion
turbines burning less than 75 percent
(by heat input) synthetic-coal gas are not
subject to subparts Da, Db, or Dc, 40
CFR part 60, if the unit meets the
applicability requirements of subpart
KKKK, 40 CFR part 60 (Standards of
Performance for Stationary Combustion
Turbines). Subpart Da of 40 CFR part 60
will apply to combined cycle and
combined heat and power combustion
turbines and the associated heat
recovery units that burn 75 percent or
more (by heat input) synthetic-coal gas
(e.g., integrated coal gasification
combine cycle power plants) and that
meet the applicability criteria of the
final rule amendments, respectively.
We also made amendments to the
definitions for boiler operating day,
cogeneration, coal, gross output, and
petroleum. The purpose of the final rule
amendments is to clarify definitions
across the three subparts and to
incorporate the most current applicable
American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) testing method
references. Also, we clarified the
definition of an ‘‘electric utility steam
generating unit’’ as applied to
cogeneration units.
A. What are the requirements for new
electric utility steam generating units
(40 CFR part 60, subpart Da)?
The PM emission limit for new and
reconstructed electric utility steam
generating units is 6.4 nanograms per
joule (ng/J) (0.015 pound per million
British thermal units (lb/MMBtu)) heat
input or 99.9 percent reduction
regardless of the type of fuel burned.
The PM emission limit for modified
electric utility steam generating units is
6.4 ng/J (0.015 lb/MMBtu) heat input or
99.8 percent reduction regardless of the
type of fuel burned. Compliance with
this emission limit can be determined
using similar testing, monitoring, and
other compliance provisions for PM
standards set forth in the existing rule.
While not required, PM CEMS may be
used as an alternative method to
demonstrate continuous compliance
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
9868
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
and as an alternative to opacity and
parameter monitoring requirements.
The SO2 emission limit for new
electric utility steam generating units is
180 ng/J (1.4 pound per megawatt hour
(lb/MWh)) gross energy output or 95
percent reduction regardless of the type
of fuel burned with one exception. The
SO2 emission limit for new electric
utility steam generating units that burn
over 75 percent coal refuse (by heat
input) is 180 ng/J (1.4 lb/MWh) gross
energy output or 94 percent reduction.
The SO2 emission limit for
reconstructed and modified electric
utility steam generating units burning
any fuel except over 75 percent coal
refuse (by heat input) is 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/
MMBtu) heat input or 95 percent
reduction and 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu)
heat input or 90 percent reduction,
respectively. The SO2 emission limit for
reconstructed and modified electric
utility steam generating units burning
over 75 percent coal refuse (by heat
input) is 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) or 94
percent reduction and 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/
MMBtu) or 90 percent reduction,
respectively. Compliance with the SO2
emission limit is determined on a 30day rolling average basis using a CEMS
to measure SO2 emissions as discharged
to the atmosphere and following the
compliance provisions in the existing
rule for the output-based NOX standards
applicable to new sources that were
built after July 9, 1997.
The NOX emission limit for new
electric utility steam generating units is
130 ng/J (1.0 lb NOX/MWh) gross energy
output regardless of the type of fuel
burned in the unit. Compliance with
this emission limit is determined on a
30-day rolling average basis using
similar testing, monitoring, and other
compliance provisions in the existing
rule for the output-based NOX standards
applicable to new sources that were
built after July 9, 1997. The NOX limit
for reconstructed and modified electric
utility steam generating units is 47 ng/
J (0.11 lb/MMBtu) heat input and 65 ng/
J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) heat input,
respectively.
B. What are the requirements for
industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Db)?
The PM emission limit for new and
reconstructed industrial-commercialinstitutional steam generating units is
13 ng/J (0.03 lb/MMBtu) for units that
burn coal, oil, gas, wood, or a mixture
of these fuels with other fuels. The PM
emission limit for modified industrialcommercial-institutional steam
generating units is 13 ng/J (0.03 lb/
MMBtu) heat input or 99.8 percent
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
reduction [with a maximum emission
limit of 22 ng/J (0.051 lb/MMBtu) heat
input] for units that burn coal, oil, gas,
wood, or a mixture of these fuels with
other fuels with two exceptions. The
standard for modified wood-fired units
with a maximum heat input less than or
equal to 250 MMBtu/h is 43 ng/J (0.10
lb/MMBtu) heat input and 37 ng/J
(0.085 lb/MMBtu) heat input for larger
modified wood-fired boilers. While not
required, PM CEMS may be used as an
alternative method to demonstrate
continuous compliance and as an
alternative to opacity monitoring
requirements.
Units burning only oil, that contains
no more than 0.3 weight percent sulfur,
or liquid or gaseous fuels with a
potential sulfur dioxide emission rate
equal to or less than 140 ng/J (0.32 lb/
MMBtu) heat input, may demonstrate
compliance with the PM standard by
maintaining certification of the fuels
burned. Such units are not required to
conduct PM compliance tests, conduct
continuous monitoring, or comply with
any other recordkeeping or reporting
requirements unless the boiler changes
the fuel burned to something other than
the certified fuels.
The SO2 emission limit for new and
reconstructed industrial-commercialinstitutional steam generating units is
87 ng/J (0.20 lb/MMBtu) heat input, or
92 percent reduction with a maximum
emission rate of 520 ng/J (1.2 lb/
MMBtu). Compliance with the SO2
emission limits is determined following
similar procedures as in the existing
NSPS.
Units burning only oil that contains
no more than 0.3 weight percent sulfur
or any individual fuel that, when
combusted without SO2 emission
control, have an SO2 emission rate equal
to or less than 140 ng/J (0.32 lb/MMBtu)
heat input are exempt from other SO2
emission limits and may demonstrate
compliance with the SO2 standard by
maintaining certification of the fuels
burned. Such units are not required to
conduct SO2 compliance tests, conduct
continuous monitoring, or comply with
any other recordkeeping or reporting
requirements unless the boiler changes
the fuel burned to something other than
the certified fuels.
An alternate numerical SO2 limit of
87 ng/J (0.20 lb/MMBtu) heat input has
been added both for units presently
subject to the NSPS and for modified
units. The alternative limit has been
made available to units presently
subject to the NSPS as well as modified
units in recognition of the technical
difficulties of facilities firing inherently
low sulfur fuels to achieve 90 percent
reduction.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
C. What are the requirements for small
industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Dc)?
The PM emission limit for new and
reconstructed small industrialcommercial-institutional steam
generating units is 13 ng/J (0.03 lb/
MMBtu) heat input for units that burn
coal, oil, gas, wood, or a mixture of
these fuels with other fuels. The PM
emission limit for modified industrialcommercial-institutional steam
generating units is 13 ng/J (0.03 lb/
MMBtu) heat input or 99.8 percent
reduction for units that burn coal, oil,
gas, wood, or a mixture of these fuels
with other fuels with one exception.
The standard for modified wood-fired
industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units is 43 ng/J (0.10
lb/MMBtu) heat input. These limits
apply to units between 8.7 MW and 29
MW (30 to 100 MMBtu/h) heat input.
While not required, PM CEMS may be
used as an alternate method to
demonstrate continuous compliance
and as an alternative to opacity
monitoring.
Units burning only oil that contains
no more than 0.5 weight percent sulfur
or liquid or gaseous fuels that, when
combusted without SO2 emission
control, have a SO2 emission rate equal
to or less than 230 ng/J (0.54 lb/MMBtu)
heat input, may demonstrate
compliance with the PM standard by
maintaining certification of the fuels
burned. Such units are not required to
conduct PM compliance tests, conduct
continuous monitoring, or any other
recordkeeping or reporting requirements
unless the boiler changes the fuel
burned to something other than the
certified fuels.
II. Background Information
A. What is the statutory authority for the
final rule?
New source performance standards
implement CAA section 111(b), and are
issued for categories of sources which
cause, or contribute significantly to, air
pollution which may reasonably be
anticipated to endanger public health or
welfare.
Section 111 of the CAA requires that
NSPS reflect the application of the best
system of emissions reductions which
(taking into consideration the cost of
achieving such emissions reductions,
any non-air quality health and
environmental impact and energy
requirements) the Administrator
determines has been adequately
demonstrated. This level of control is
commonly referred to as best
demonstrated technology (BDT).
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
Section 111(b)(1)(B) of the CAA
requires EPA to periodically review and
revise the standards of performance, as
necessary, to reflect improvements in
methods for reducing emissions.
commenced construction,
reconstruction, or modification after
June 9, 1989.
B. What is the regulatory authority for
the final rule?
The current standards for steam
generating units are contained in the
NSPS for electric utility steam
generating units (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Da), industrial-commercialinstitutional steam generating units (40
CFR part 60, subpart Db), and small
industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Dc).
The NSPS for electric utility steam
generating units (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Da) were originally promulgated
on June 11, 1979 (44 FR 33580) and
apply to units capable of firing more
than 73 megawatts (MW) (250 MMBtu/
h) heat input of fossil fuel that
commenced construction,
reconstruction, or modification after
September 18, 1978. The NSPS also
apply to industrial-commercialinstitutional cogeneration units that sell
more than 25 MW and more than onethird of their potential output capacity
to any utility power distribution system.
The most recent amendments to
emission standards under subpart Da,
40 CFR part 60, were promulgated in
1998 (63 FR 49442) resulting in new
NOX limitations for subpart Da, 40 CFR
part 60, units. Furthermore, in the 1998
amendments, the use of output-based
emission limits was incorporated.
The NSPS for industrial-commercialinstitutional steam generating units (40
CFR part 60, subpart Db) apply to units
for which construction, modification, or
reconstruction commenced after June
19, 1984, that have a heat input capacity
greater than 29 MW (100 MMBtu/h).
Those standards were originally
promulgated on November 25, 1986 (51
FR 42768) and also have been amended
since the original promulgation to
reflect changes in BDT for these sources.
The most recent amendments to
emission standards under subpart Db,
40 CFR part 60, were promulgated in
1998 (63 FR 49442) resulting in new
NOX limitations for subpart Db, 40 CFR
part 60, units.
The NSPS for small industrialcommercial-institutional steam
generating units (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Dc) were originally promulgated
on September 12, 1990, (55 FR 37674)
and apply to units with a maximum
heat input capacity greater than or equal
to 2.9 MW (10 MMBtu/h) but less than
29 MW (100 MMBtu/h). Those
standards apply to units that
The proposed rule was published
February 28, 2005 (70 FR 9706).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
III. Responses to Public Comments
A. Electric Utility Steam Generating
Units (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Da)
Greenhouse Gases
Comment: One group of commenters
state that CAA section 111 requires EPA
to set standards of performance for each
pollutant emitted by a source category
that causes, or contributes significantly
to air pollution which may reasonably
be anticipated to endanger public health
or welfare. The commenters presented
an argument to support their conclusion
that carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
greenhouse gases emitted by steam
generating units are ‘‘reasonably
anticipated to endanger public health or
welfare.’’ Thus, EPA must set NSPS for
greenhouse gases emitted from steam
generating units.
One commenter states that the
electricity sector includes the nation’s
largest sources of CO2 emissions, and it
is essential that EPA utilize its authority
to limit CO2 emissions under CAA
section 111. The commenter states that,
in the preamble, EPA alludes to the
importance of controlling greenhouse
gases, and that EPA revised its earlier
position that it did have authority to
regulate CO2; the commenter notes that
this position is currently under judicial
review. The commenter summarizes the
public health dangers from rising CO2
levels and provides supporting
attachments to its submittal. The
commenter states that technologies, e.g.,
integrated gasification combine cycle
(IGCC) technology and others, are
available to the electric utility industry
to reduce CO2 emissions that were not
available in 1979 when the power plant
NSPS were promulgated. The
commenter attached supporting
information on the available technology
for lowering CO2 emissions. For existing
sources, the commenter recommends
that EPA require States to implement
standards of performance for CO2 from
existing sources. According to the
commenter, CAA section 111(d)
provides that EPA require States to
implement standards of performance for
existing sources when the pollutant is
not regulated as a criteria pollutant. A
program of trading CO2 emission credits
is an effective way of regulating CO2
emissions from existing sources.
One commenter recommends that
EPA set CO2 emission limits as
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
9869
minimum thermal efficiency levels for
boilers.
Response: EPA’s statutory authority
for establishing NSPS to control air
pollutants from stationary sources is
under CAA section 111. EPA has
concluded that it does not presently
have the authority to set NSPS to
regulate CO2 or other greenhouse gases
that contribute to global climate change.
Selection of NOX Emission Level
Comment: One group of commenters
state that to meet the requirements of
CAA section 111, EPA must establish a
NOX limit of no more than 0.5 lb/MWh
for electric utility steam generating
units. The commenters present
information and data references to
support their selection of a NOX
emission level for the NSPS.
One commenter states that a lower
NOX emission standard of 0.7 or 0.8 lb/
MWh is justified based on existing
demonstrated technology and is
consistent with the mandate in section
111 of the CAA. The commenter cites
two fluidized bed boilers that began
operating in the late 1980s and have
been retrofitted with selective noncatalytic reduction (SNCR) and have
actual NOX emission rates between 0.12
and 0.13 lb/MMBtu.
One commenter states that the
standards for NOX are insufficiently
stringent and do no reflect the best
system of emission reduction as
required by CAA section 111. The
commenter provides the following
supporting rationale for their view: The
1.0 lb/MWh standard is based on an
input-based level of 0.11 lb/MMBtu,
which is well above the levels being
achieved with recent selective catalytic
reduction (SCR) installations. The
commenter attached 2003 data showing
at least 62 coal-fired plant units
achieving a rate of 0.100 lb/MMBtu or
below and 37 units emitted at a rate at
or below 0.080 lb/MMBtu. New plants
should be able to do better. EPA
acknowledges that SCR can reduce NOX
emissions by at least 90 percent.
Because most existing facilities subject
to the final rule are meeting rates of
0.30–0.60 lb/MMBtu without SCR, units
with SCR should readily achieve these
levels. Even though EPA recognizes that
SCR is BDT, it is proposing a less
stringent standard based on fluidized
beds and advanced combustion controls
as an alternative to SCR or SNCR. This
contravenes section 111. EPA uses
efficiency data for existing plants rather
than higher efficiency levels achievable
by new plants using either SCR or IGCC
technology. A standard closer to the
lower end of the range being considered
is appropriate.
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
9870
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
One commenter states that new coalfired units can achieve NOX emission
limits of less than 0.500 lb/MWh
through the implementation of low NOX
burners and SCR technologies.
One commenter reviewed recent
BACT determinations in new source
permits for electric utility steamgenerating units of more than 250
MMBtu/h (combusting bituminous, subbituminous, anthracite and lignite coal)
from EPA’s Clean Air Technology
Center RACT/BACT/LAER
Clearinghouse (RBLC) and examined the
five most recent permitting decisions.
The commenter included RBLC data
showing that the permitted NOX
emission limits for all five were 0.07 or
0.08 lb/MMBtu. The commenter states
that, as reflected in the RBLC, a limit of
0.08 lb/MMBtu is achievable using SCR
and low NOX burners, and notes that
EPA cites SCR as the basis for its
proposed limit of 1.0 lb/MWh
(equivalent to 0.11 lb/MMBtu). The
commenter recommends an outputbased standard equivalent to a heatinput based standard between 0.07 and
0.08 lb/MMBtu.
Response: EPA disagrees that the
amended NSPS are inappropriate. EPA
acknowledges that boiler types and
control configurations are technically
capable of achieving lower NOX
emissions. EPA has concluded that with
advanced combustion controls, coalfired electric utility steam-generating
units are able to achieve a NOX
emissions rate of 1.0 lb/MWh (0.11 lb/
MMBtu). The incremental cost of
requiring SCR for reduction to 0.7 lb/
MWh (0.08 lb/MMBtu) is approximately
$5,000 per ton. The final NOX standard
is based on the best demonstrated
technology taking into account costs,
other environmental impacts, and
additional energy requirements.
Requiring SCR in addition to advanced
combustion controls not only increases
costs and decreases the net efficiency of
the unit, but leads to ammonia
emissions and catalyst disposal
concerns. States and BACT permitting
process are still capable of requiring
additional controls as appropriate.
NOX Control for Lignite-Fired SteamGenerating Units
Comment: Several commenters
disagree with EPA’s assessment of the
feasibility of meeting the proposed NOX
limit for lignite-fired boilers. The
commenters disagree with EPA’s
assessment that units burning lignite
can meet the proposed NOX limit with
either SCR or fluidized bed combustors
and SNCR because EPA is specifying a
boiler design that has never been built
larger than 300 MW and is generally no
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
larger than 100 MW. According to the
commenter, this violates CAA section
111(b)(5) which prohibits setting a
standard based upon a particular
technology. One commenter states that
information was provided to EPA prior
to proposal suggesting that pore
pluggage of SCR catalysts makes the
proposed limit of 1.0 lb/MWh
unachievable at lignite units. According
to the commenter, there were no
commercial applications of SCR (retrofit
or new unit applications) for either
northern or southern lignite. One
commenter cites published research
showing SCR technology ineffective for
NOX reduction from lignite-fired steamgenerating units and states that it is
unlikely that any new pulverized coal
units using Fort Union lignite would
install SCR technology to reduce NOX
emissions. The commenter also states
that combustion controls, the only
effective means to reduce NOX
emissions at some lignite-fired units,
have been problematic for Fort Union
lignite. The commenter recommends
retaining the current NSPS of 1.6 lb/
MWh for units burning Fort Union
lignite.
Response: EPA disagrees that lignitefired steam-generating units would not
be able to achieve the amended NSPS.
While there are no existing lignite-fired
electric utility steam-generating units
with SCR in the United States, there is
considerable experience in the industry
to show that use of SCR on lignite is
technically feasible. EPA has concluded
that the primary reason that no
pulverized lignite-fired units are
equipped with SCR is because no new
pulverized lignite unit has been built in
the United States since 1986.
The Electric Power Research Institute
testing of SCR catalyst in a slipstream at
the Martin Lake Power plant showed
acceptable results from Gulf Coast
lignite. In addition, two recent permit
applications for pulverized lignite-fired
utility units in Texas (Twin Oaks 3 and
Oak Grove facilities) propose to use SCR
to control NOX emissions to 0.07 and
0.10 lb/MMBtu, respectively. Finally,
technology suppliers report that SCR
has been successfully used on lignite
and brown coal boilers in Europe. EPA
has concluded that SCR can be used on
lignite boilers in the United States and
catalyst suppliers have indicated that
they will offer performance guarantees
on these applications.
Pore plugging and binding of a
catalyst is a common problem
experienced by pilot test facilities. In
full scale installations, this concern is
addressed during the SCR design stage.
The methods used to avoid this problem
include duct design to promote ash
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
fallout prior to the SCR, catalyst reactor
design to avoid ash buildup, and on-line
cleaning methods (soot blowers and
sonic horns).
In addition, the use of SCR is not
required to comply with the amended
NOX standard. The existing Big Brown
facility in Texas burns pulverized Gulf
Coast lignite and is able to achieve 0.15
lb NOX/MMBtu with combustion
controls alone. EPA has concluded that
new lignite-fired units would either be
able to achieve the amended standards
without the use of any backend controls
or could use SNCR to comply. Existing
units at 0.15 lb/MMBtu would only
need 30 percent NOX reduction to
comply with the amended NOX
standard. This level of control has been
demonstrated for existing pulverized
coal (PC) units retrofit with SNCR, and
new units could achieve even better
results.
Fluidized bed combustion and
gasification are also options for new
lignite units. The proposed permits for
the Westmoreland and South Heart
facilities in North Dakota both propose
to burn Fort Union lignite in fluidized
beds and use SNCR to achieve a NOX
emissions limit of 0.09 lb/MMBtu. With
regard to size, Foster Wheeler recently
designed a 460 MW supercritical
fluidized bed.
Selection of SO2 Emission Limit
Comment: One group of commenters
state that EPA’s proposed SO2 standard
for electric utility steam-generating
units violates CAA section 111 because
it does not reflect BDT for this source
category. EPA also did not consider
foreign experience or advanced scrubber
designs, which indicate lower SO2
limits have been achieved and are
achievable. The processes that have
demonstrated greater than 98 percent
SO2 removal and for which vendors
offer guarantees greater than 98 percent
are the magnesium-enhanced lime
(‘‘MEL’’) flue gas desulfurization (FGD)
process, the Chiyoda CT–121 bubbling
jet reactor, and circulating fluidized bed
scrubbers. Further, design
enhancements and additives are
available that can increase SO2 removal
efficiencies above 98 percent for other
technologies within this general class.
Also, EPA did not consider the use of
coal washing in its determination.
Response: EPA has concluded that 98
percent control is possible with certain
control and boiler configurations under
ideal conditions. The amended SO2
standard is based on a 30-day average
that includes the variability that occurs
from non-ideal operating conditions.
The best long-term SO2 control
performance data that EPA has available
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
are for the Harrison, Conemaugh,
Northside, Clover, and similar facilities.
The amended standards are based on
operational data from these facilities.
EPA has concluded that this level of
control is achievable for a broad range
of coal and boiler types.
Comment: One group of commenters
state that to meet the requirements of
CAA section 111, EPA must establish a
SO2 limit of no more than 0.9 lb/MWh
for all utility steam-generating units.
Alternatively, if EPA finds that this
standard would be cost-prohibitive for
high sulfur coal, then it should either
set emissions limits on a sliding scale
that reflects BDT for coals of increasing
sulfur content, or establish both
stringent emissions limits and stringent
percentage reduction requirements that
would apply simultaneously. The
commenters’ review of proposed and
final emission limits in recent permits
and permit applications for 32 recent
coal-fired steam-generating unit projects
found 9 units with emissions limits of
0.10 lb/MMBtu or lower (0.95 lb/MWh
or lower, assuming 36 percent
efficiency) and 22 units with emission
limits of 0.13 lb/MMBtu or lower (1.2
lb/MWh or lower).
One commenter states that the
standard for SO2 is insufficiently
stringent and does not reflect the best
system of emission reduction as
required by CAA section 111. The
commenter provides the following
supporting rationale:
• About 70 percent of coals in use can
meet the proposed limit with add-on
controls. The data before EPA supports
a limit at the low end of the range being
considered by EPA (0.90–2.0 lb/MWh)
rather than the proposed level (2.0 lb/
MWh), which is at the top of the range.
• All coals currently in use can meet
a more stringent standard, e.g., 88
percent of coals currently in use can
meet 1.1 lb/MWh without pretreatment
and using wet lime FGD that
consistently achieves a 97 percent
reduction; EPA has determined that
reductions greater than 98 percent are
demonstrated.
• For high sulfur coals, other
technologies are available, e.g., IGCC
technology which is capable of
reductions of over 99 percent. The
highest sulfur coals (uncontrolled level
of 7.92 lb/MMBtu) can meet 1.1 lb/MWh
using technologies that reduce sulfur
levels by 99 percent. Other options for
meeting more stringent standards
include coal washing and blending with
low sulfur coals.
• Actual 2003 emissions data show
25 plants with scrubbers achieving
emissions at or below 0.10 lb/MMBtu
(data attached to commenter’s
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
submittal). EPA’s BACT/LAER
clearinghouse establishes permitted
levels for new scrubbers below the
proposed standard and as low as 0.06
lb/MMBtu; IGCC units show even lower
permitted levels, 0.03 and 0.032 lb/
MMBtu.
• Vendors of scrubber report removal
efficiencies of 99.5 percent of sulfur
from high sulfur coal (as high as 4
percent) achieving SO2 emission rates of
0.04 lb/MMBtu. The commenter
attached a supporting report by a vendor
of scrubber equipment.
• New Source Review (NSR)
enforcement settlements reflect better
emission rates than 0.21 lb/MMBtu even
at existing plants. EPA routinely obtains
commitments for FGD retrofits to meet
rates of 0.100 to 0.130 lb/MMBtu. The
commenter attached supporting consent
decrees.
• EPA’s proposed standards rely on
an estimate that new plants will operate
at a 36 percent gross efficiency even
though the top 10 percent of existing
units operate at 38 percent. This is
unreasonable given that the standards
will govern new PC plants, with new
supercritical plants able to achieve a net
efficiency of 45 percent and a gross
efficiency of 40 percent.
One commenter states that new coalfired units can achieve SO2 emission
limits of 0.500 to 1.5 lb/MWh
depending on sulfur content. The
commenter supports lower SO2 limits
for lower sulfur coal and suggests that
this can be done by maintaining a
percent reduction requirement or setting
a range of SO2 limits based on sulfur
content of coal. The commenter
recommends that where a percent
reduction limit is used, it should be in
addition to the emission rate limit.
One commenter recommends an
output-based limit equivalent to a heatinput based limit of 0.10 lb/MMBtu.
Based on a survey of EPA’s RBLC for
recent permitting decisions, permitted
SO2 levels of 0.022 to 0.12 lb/MMBtu,
are common State requirements. EPA’s
argument for a higher limit to account
for the highest-sulfur coal is flawed
because industry can use lower sulfur
coal or use technologies to reduce SO2
emissions beyond the proposed level.
Response: EPA acknowledges that
certain boiler and coal configurations
are technically capable of achieving SO2
emissions rates of 1.0 lb/MWh. The
NSPS are based on limits that can be
achieved on a consistent basis for a
broad range of boiler and coal types.
High sulfur coals are an important part
of the United States energy resources,
and spray dryers for SO2 control are
important in locations with limited
water resources. EPA has concluded
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
9871
that it is vital that the amended NSPS
preserve the use of both high sulfur
coals and spray dryers. Therefore, EPA
is amending the SO2 standard to allow
units greater flexibility in complying
with the final SO2 standard. The
amended SO2 standard is either 1.4 lb/
MWh or 95 percent reduction on a 30day rolling average. The numerical limit
is aggressive, but preserves the ability of
approximately half the coals presently
used in the United States to use spray
dryers. The percent maximum reduction
requirement is similarly aggressive, but
preserves the ability of units to burn
high sulfur coals. Based on the sulfur
content of coals presently being burned
in the United States, EPA has concluded
that the majority of new units will
comply with the 1.4 lb/MWh standard,
but has provided the maximum percent
reduction requirement to address the
concerns of users of high sulfur coals.
The BACT permitting process and states
requirements are able to require
additional controls as appropriate.
Comment: One commenter states that
many scrubbers used for high sulfur
coals—3 to 4 percent sulfur—will be
unable to meet the proposed SO2 limit
of 2.0 lb/MWh on a consistent basis.
According to the commenter, EPA has
based their decision on a single, high
performance magnesium-enhanced lime
scrubber, i.e., the Harrison facility in
Pennsylvania. The commenter states
that the specialty agent used at the unit
may not be broadly available and brings
into question whether the SO2 levels
being attained at this plant can be
sustained long term. The commenter
also states that EPA’s use of a scrubber
at a single facility as the basis for the
SO2 limit is in conflict with CAA
section 111(b)(5), which prohibits
setting a standard based upon a
particular technology.
The commenter continues by stating
that there is considerable uncertainty
that the high removal efficiency that
would be required for high sulfur coals
can consistently and broadly be
achieved. According to the commenter,
coals with sulfur content exceeding 2.5
percent would require removal
efficiencies of up to 98 percent; for these
coals, wet scrubbers are the sole option
and uncertainties in meeting the NSPS
may dissuade some from using such
coals.
Response: The final rule amendments
allow units to either comply with an
output-based limit of 1.4 lb/MWh or
demonstrate 95 percent reduction. The
maximum percent reduction
requirement is achievable for multiple
boiler and control configurations and
addresses concerns of the use of high
sulfur fuels.
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
9872
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
Particulate Matter Emission Limit
Comment: One commenter states that
fabric filters, the technology on which
the proposed PM emission standard is
based, is problematic with coals whose
sulfur content exceeds 1.5 percent. With
only 134 of 1,250 U.S. coal-fired power
plants using fabric filters, the
commenter notes that with the
exception of a limited number of
applications on small atypical boilers,
there are no fabric filters in operation on
plants firing sulfur greater than 2.0
percent by weight. The commenter cites
an example of a plant that encountered
problems after installing a fabric filter
on a unit burning medium-or highsulfur coal. For this reason, the
commenter states that EPA’s proposed
PM standard is neither achievable nor
adequately demonstrated for all coals.
Response: In general, EPA disagrees
with the comment that the use of fabric
filters to control PM emissions is
problematic for electric utility steam
generating units firing coals with sulfur
contents exceeding 1.5 percent. The
example cited by the commenter is for
a retrofit application of a fabric filter at
an existing facility for which the
temperature of the flue gas in the fabric
filter unit was not maintained above the
acid dew point. Consequently, acid mist
formed in the flue gas, condensed on the
bags and internal components of the
unit, and adversely impacted the
performance of the control device.
Based on discussions with fabric filter
equipment suppliers, EPA has
concluded that a similar problem
should not occur in fabric filters
installed on new and reconstructed
facilities because of the capability at
these sites to incorporate design options
that will maintain the temperature of
the flue gas passing through the fabric
filter at levels above the acid dew point
of the flue gas. These options include
use of high temperature bags and
injection of hydrated lime to lower the
acid dew point of the flue gas. The
Department of Energy sponsored two
demonstration projects (SNOX Flue Gas
Cleaning Demonstration Project (SNOX)
and SOX-NOX-ROX-Box Flue Gas
Cleanup Demonstration Project (SNRB)
projects) that successfully used fabric
filters for PM control for electric utility
steam generating units burning high
sulfur coal, potential SO2 emissions of
5 and 6 lb/MMBtu, respectively. In
addition, two recent permit applications
propose to use fabric filters for PM
control while burning relatively high
sulfur coals. The Longview power plant
in West Virginia is proposing to burn
2.5 percent sulfur coal, and the Elm
Road plant is proposing to burn coal
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
with potential SO2 emissions of 4 lb/
MMBtu.
EPA recognizes that in certain sitespecific situations where an existing
electric utility steam generating unit
becomes subject to the NSPS because of
modifications to the unit, replacement
of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP)
with a fabric filter could be problematic.
Not all locations may be able to costeffectively maintain the temperature of
the flue gas in a fabric filter above the
acid dew point of the flue gas because
of existing site conditions and space
constraints. Therefore, EPA decided it is
appropriate to establish a separate PM
standard for modified sources subject to
subpart Da, 40 CFR part 60. Owners and
operators of modified electric utility
steam generating units subject to the
NSPS are given the option of meeting
either a 0.015 lb/MMBtu or 99.8 percent
reduction standard. ESPs can be
modified to cost-effectively achieve this
level of control.
Comment: One commenter takes issue
with EPA’s proposed input-based
standard for PM emissions. According
to the commenter, although EPA
determined that ESPs and fabric filters
are the best demonstrated technology for
controlling filterable particulate matter,
EPA’s justification for the revised PM
limit is based on three plants where
fabric filtration is used. The commenter
also states that of the three plants, two
use fluidized bed boilers, which use
limestone as an active bed material,
significantly altering the nature of the
PM generated for collection. The
commenter states that the record does
not support the proposed NSPS for PM
for ESPs or that fluidized bed
combustors are appropriate units on
which to base PM standards for
pulverized coal steam generating units,
which are projected to make up the
majority of new units.
Response: EPA has gathered
additional stack test data that indicates
an ESP could be used by the majority of
coal types to comply with the final rule
amendments. Based on ESP cost
models, they are often less expensive
than fabric filters for high sulfur
applications. Additional information is
available in the PM control cost
memorandum.
Comment: One group of commenters
state that the proposed opacity limit
does not reflect BDT because the
proposed rule retains the existing
opacity limit of 20 percent. The
commenters state that this limit is over
20 years old, and is not based on the
performance of modern baghouse
control systems. Because EPA has
acknowledged in the proposed rule that
the former 0.03 lb/MMBtu PM limit
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
should at least be halved to 0.015 lb/
MMBtu, there should be a proportionate
halving of the opacity limit, from 20
percent to 10 percent. Ten percent
opacity can be easily and continuously
attained by subpart Da, 40 CFR part 60,
facilities using appropriate control
technology. There are existing power
plants around the country with BACT
limits of 10 percent for opacity,
including the Sevier Power Company—
Sigurd plant in Utah, Intermountain
Power in Utah, and Plum Point Energy
in Arkansas.
Response: Since opacity is used as an
indication on PM emissions, EPA has
provided sources with two options to
demonstrate continuous compliance
with the amended PM standard. Sources
may elect to install and operate PM
CEMS and demonstrate compliance
each boiler operating day. For these
units, opacity monitoring shall no
longer be required. Units that do not
install PM CEMS shall perform stack
tests to demonstrate compliance and
shall still be subject to the existing 6minute opacity limit. In addition,
sources shall use bag leak detectors or
monitor ESP parameters in addition to
developing a site-specific opacity trigger
level that is based on the opacity during
the stack test. Sources that deviate from
this opacity or other parameter are
required to perform a stack test within
60 days of the deviation. Stack opacity
characteristics are different for fabric
filters and ESP. Therefore, EPA has
concluded that a site-specific opacity
trigger is the best approach to monitor
continuous compliance.
B. Industrial-Commercial-Institutional
and Small Industrial-CommercialInstitutional Steam Generating Units (40
CFR Part 60, Subparts Db and Dc)
Comment: Several commenters
opposed both the proposed single SO2
limit of 0.24 lb/MMBtu heat input and
the limit of either 0.15 lb/MMBtu heat
input or 95 percent reduction for a
variety of reasons. Several commenters
believed that these approaches would
discourage the use of high sulfur coals
found in the Midwest and would be
difficult to meet consistently for
circulating fluidized bed boilers and
boilers burning low sulfur coal. They
also stated that industrial boilers cannot
routinely achieve high percent
reductions of 95 percent or more, as
would be required to meet these
standards, because of variations in coal
quality and operational variations due
to fluctuations in steam demand. Also,
meeting 95 percent reduction would not
be feasible for existing units that are
modified. Three of the commenters
recommended adopting the same SO2
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
standard as subpart Da, 40 CFR part 60
(90 percent reduction with a 70 percent
reduction for units that demonstrate
emissions below 0.20 lb/MMBtu heat
input). Two commenters recommended
retaining the current 90 percent SO2
reduction requirement with an
alternative emission limit of 0.24 lb/
MMBtu heat input. One commenter
supported EPA’s decision that the
current SO2 emission limits in subparts
Db and Dc of 40 CFR part 60 should not
be amended because option 1 and 2
would impose unacceptable compliance
costs and are not warranted. One
commenter also opposed reducing the
SO2 limit for units with heat input
capacities of 10–75 MMBtu/h.
Several commenters maintained that
the changes to the SO2 limit to remove
the percent reduction requirement
should apply to existing units as well as
new units. Excluding existing units
from the change would provide a
disincentive to use low sulfur coal and
would not provide relief for existing
compliance problems. Many existing
boilers were designed to achieve 90
percent reduction using high sulfur
coals. An existing unit that wanted to
switch to low sulfur coal would have
difficulty in meeting a 90 percent
requirement using existing control
equipment. Also, circulating fluidized
bed (CFB) boilers that use low sulfur
coal have had difficulty in achieving a
90 percent reduction consistently. The
technical impossibility of measuring
uncontrolled SO2 emissions at a CFB
unit creates an inherent difficulty in
adjusting limestone injection rate to
accommodate short-term variations in
coal sulfur content. One such unit that
burns low sulfur coal has been cited for
short-term violations of the NSPS even
though average emissions were in the
range of 0.13 lb/MMBtu (0106).
Response: After considering all the
comments and additional information
provided by commenters, we have
decided to provide industrial units the
following options. Units presently
subject to the NSPS and modified units
may reduce SO2 emissions by 90
percent or meet an SO2 emission limit
of 0.20 lb/MMBtu heat input. New and
reconstructed units that become subject
to the NSPS after February 28, 2005,
may reduce SO2 emissions by 92
percent or meet an SO2 emission limit
of 0.20 lb/MMBtu heat input. This
approach will be more stringent than
the existing subpart Db, 40 CFR part 60,
requirements, and at the same time
allow units with difficulty in achieving
high levels of SO2 control to overcome
compliance demonstrations problems by
burning low sulfur fuels.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
IV. Impacts of the Final Rule?
A. What are the impacts for electric
utility steam generating units (40 CFR
part 60, subpart Da)?
We estimate that 5 new electric utility
steam generating units will be installed
in the United States over the next 5
years and affected by the final rule. All
of these units will need to install addon controls to meet the PM, SO2, and
NOX limits required under the final
rule. However, these boilers will already
be required to install add-on PM, SO2,
and NOX controls to meet the reduction
requirements of the existing NSPS.
Compared to the existing NSPS, the
incremental PM, SO2, and NOX
reductions resulting from the final rule
will be 530 tons of PM, 8,400 tons of
SO2, and 1,400 tons of NOX. Using this
comparison, the annualized cost of the
final utility amendments are $4.4
million.
Using this comparison, we expect the
final rule to result in an increase in
electrical supply generated by
unaffected sources (e.g., existing electric
utility steam generating units), we have
concluded that this will not result in
higher NOX, SO2, and PM emissions
from these sources. Other emission
control programs such as the Clean Air
Interstate Rule (CAIR), the Clean Air
Mercury Rule (CAMR), and PSD/NSR
already promote or require emission
controls that would effectively prevent
emissions from increasing. All the
emissions reductions estimates and
assumptions have been documented in
the docket to the final rule.
A more accurate assessment of the
emissions reductions and annualized
costs of the final utility amendments
include other regulatory programs that
are presently requiring controls beyond
what is required by the existing NSPS.
The BACT permitting process requires
new sources to install controls at or
beyond what the final NSPS
amendments require. In addition, the
recently finalized CAIR and CAMR
rules, along with the proposed revisions
to ambient particulate matter standards,
will push permits even lower. The
amended NSPS reflect the levels of
control presently being required by
these other programs. Therefore, the
actual environmental benefits and cost
impacts of the final rule are essentially
zero. A more detailed discussion of the
cost and emissions impacts of the
amended NSPS is available in the
docket.
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
9873
B. What are the impacts for industrialcommercial-institutional boilers (40 CFR
part 60, subparts Db and Dc)?
We estimate that approximately 186
new industrial-commercial-institutional
boilers will be installed in the United
States over the next 5 years and affected
by the final rule. All of these units will
need to install add-on controls to meet
the PM and SO2 limits required under
the final rule. However, these new
boilers will already be required to
install add-on PM and SO2 controls to
meet the existing NSPS. The new source
requirements under the maximum
achievable control technology (MACT)
program and PSD/NSR require new
units presently to install controls
beyond what is required by the existing
NSPS.
Wood-fired boilers are the only
industrial sources that could potentially
use the alternative compliance limit in
the boiler MACT and would not be
required to meet the new source MACT
limit. We estimate that 17 new woodfired boilers will be installed in the
United States over the next 5 years and
affected by the final rule. Using the
existing NSPS as a baseline, the
additional annualized costs are $2.2
million, and the PM emissions
reductions are 930 tons. EPA has
concluded that new wood-fired units
will not use the compliance alternatives
available in the boiler MACT and that
they will comply with the new source
PM limit of 0.025 lb/MMBtu. Due to
PSD/NSR and the limited applicability
of the alternate compliance limit to new
units, it will primarily only be used by
existing wood-fired boilers. Thus, we
concluded that the PM and SO2
reductions and costs resulting from the
final rule will essentially be zero.
C. What are the economic impacts?
Even though actual costs and benefits
are essentially zero, EPA prepared an
economic impact analysis comparing
the existing NSPS with the amended
NSPS to evaluate the impacts the final
rule will have on electric utilities and
consumers of goods and services
produced by electric utilities. The
analysis showed minimal changes in
prices and output for products made by
the industries affected by the final rule.
The price increase for affected output is
less than 0.003 percent, and the
reduction in output is less than 0.003
percent for each affected industry.
Estimates of impacts on fuel markets
show price increases of less than 0.01
percent for petroleum products and
natural gas, and price increases of 0.04
and 0.06 percent for base-load and peakload electricity, respectively. The price
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
9874
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
of coal is expected to decline by about
0.002 percent, and that is due to a small
reduction in demand for this fuel type.
Reductions in output are expected to be
less than 0.02 percent for each energy
type, including base-load and peak-load
electricity.
D. What are the social costs and
benefits?
The social costs of the final rule are
estimated at $0.4 million (2002 dollars).
Social costs include the compliance
costs, but also include those costs that
reflect changes in the national economy
due to changes in consumer and
producer behavior in response to the
compliance costs associated with a
regulation. For the final rule, changes in
energy use among both consumers and
producers to reduce the impact of the
regulatory requirements of the rule lead
to the estimated social costs being less
than the total annualized compliance
cost estimate of $6.5 million. The
primary reason for the lower social cost
estimate is the increase in electricity
supply generated by unaffected sources
(e.g., existing electric utility steam
generating units), which offsets mostly
the impact of increased electricity prices
to consumers. The social cost estimates
discussed above do not account for any
benefits from emission reductions
associated with the final rule.
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR
51735, October 4, 1993), EPA must
determine whether the regulatory action
is ‘‘significant’’ and, therefore, subject to
review by OMB and the requirements of
the Executive Order. The Executive
Order defines ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ as one that is likely to result in
a rule that may:
(1) Have an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the
economy, a sector of the economy,
productivity, competition, jobs, the
environment, public health or safety, or
State, local, or Tribal governments or
communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or
otherwise interfere with an action taken
or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary
impact of entitlements, grants, user fees,
or loan programs, or the rights and
obligations of recipients thereof; or
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues
arising out of legal mandates, the
President’s priorities, or the principles
set forth in the Executive Order.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
Pursuant to the terms of Executive
Order 12866, OMB has notified EPA
that it considers the final rule
amendments a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ within the meaning of the
Executive Order. EPA has submitted
this action to OMB for review. Changes
made in response to OMB suggestions or
recommendations will be documented
in the public record.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
The final rule amendments do not
impose an information collection
burden under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq. The final rule amendments
result in no changes to the information
collection requirements of the existing
standards of performance and would
have no impact on the information
collection estimate of project cost and
hour burden made and approved by
OMB during the development of the
existing standards of performance.
Therefore, the information collection
requests have not been amended. The
OMB has previously approved the
information collection requirements
contained in the existing standards of
performance (40 CFR part 60, subparts
Da, Db, and Dc) under the provisions of
the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq., at the time the standards
were promulgated on June 11, 1979 (40
CFR part 60, subpart Da, 44 FR 33580),
November 25, 1986 (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Db, 51 FR 42768), and
September 12, 1990 (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Dc, 55 FR 37674). The OMB
assigned OMB control numbers 2060–
0023 (ICR 1053.07) for 40 CFR part 60,
subpart Da, 2060–0072 (ICR 1088.10) for
40 CFR part 60, subpart Db, 2060–0202
(ICR 1564.06) for 40 CFR part 60,
subpart Dc. Copies of the information
collection request document(s) may be
obtained from Susan Auby by mail at
U.S. EPA, Office of Environmental
Information, Collection Strategies
Division (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460,
by e-mail at auby.susan@epa.gov, or by
calling (202) 566–1672. A copy may also
be downloaded off the Internet at
https://www.epa.gov/icr.
Burden means the total time, effort, or
financial resources expended by persons
to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose
or provide information to or for a
Federal agency. This includes the time
needed to review instructions; develop,
acquire, install, and utilize technology
and systems for the purposes of
collecting, validating, and verifying
information, processing and
maintaining information, and disclosing
and providing information; adjust the
existing ways to comply with any
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
previously applicable instructions and
requirements; train personnel to be able
to respond to a collection of
information; search data sources;
complete and review the collection of
information; and transmit or otherwise
disclose the information.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number. The OMB control
numbers for EPA’s regulations in 40
CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
generally requires an agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis of any
rule subject to notice and comment
rulemaking requirements under the
Administrative Procedure Act or any
other statute unless the agency certifies
that the rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Small entities
include small businesses, small
organizations, and small governmental
jurisdictions. For purposes of assessing
the impacts of the final rules on small
entities, small entity is defined as
follows: (1) A small business that is an
ultimate parent entity in the regulated
industry that has a gross annual revenue
less than $6.5 million (this varies by
industry category, ranging up to $10.5
million for North American Industrial
Classification System (NAICS) code
562213 (VSMWC)), based on Small
Business Administration’s size
standards; (2) a small governmental
jurisdiction that is a government of a
city, county, town, school district or
special district with a population of less
than 50,000; or (3) a small organization
that is any not-for-profit enterprise that
is independently owned and operated
and is not dominant in its field.
After considering the economic
impacts of today’s final rule
amendments on small entities, we
conclude that this action will not have
a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. We
have determined for electric utility
steam generating units, based on the
existing inventory for the corresponding
NAICS code and presuming the
percentage of entities that are small in
that inventory (estimated to be 3
percent) is representative of the
percentage of small entities owning new
utility boilers in the 5th year after
promulgation, that at most, one entity
out of five new entities in the industry
may be small entities and thus affected
by the final rule amendments.
We have determined for industrialcommercial steam generating units,
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
based on the existing industrial boilers
inventory for the corresponding NAICS
codes and presuming the percentage of
small entities in that inventory is
representative of the percentage of small
entities owning new wood-fueled
industrial boilers in the 5th year after
promulgation, that between two and
three entities out of 17 in the industry
with NAICS code 321 and 322 may be
small entities, and thus affected by the
final rule amendments.
Based on the boiler size definitions
for the affected industries (subpart Db of
40 CFR part 60: greater than or equal to
100 MMBtu/h; subpart Dc of 40 CFR
part 60: 10–100 MMBtu/h), EPA
determined that the firms being affected
were likely to fall under the subpart Dc
of 40 CFR part 60 boiler category. These
two or three affected small entities are
estimated to have annual compliance
costs between $70 and $105 thousand
which represents less than 5 percent of
the total compliance cost for all affected
wood-fired industrial boilers. Based on
the average employment per facility
data from the U.S. Census Bureau, for
the corresponding NAICS codes under
the subpart Db of 40 CFR part 60 and
subpart Dc of 40 CFR part 60 categories,
the compliance cost of these facilities is
expected to be less than 1 percent of
their estimated sales. For more
information on the results of the
analysis of small entity impacts, please
refer to the economic impact analysis in
the docket.
Although the final rule amendments
will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small
entities, EPA nonetheless has tried to
reduce the impact of the final rule
amendments on small entities. In the
final rule amendments, the Agency is
applying the minimum level of control
and the minimum level of monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting to affected
sources allowed by the CAA. This
provision should reduce the size of
small entity impacts.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (UMRA) of 1995, Public
Law 104–4, establishes requirements for
Federal agencies to assess the effects of
their regulatory actions on State, local,
and Tribal governments and the private
sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA,
EPA generally must prepare a written
statement, including a cost-benefit
analysis, for proposed and final rules
with ‘‘Federal mandates’’ that may
result in expenditures by State, local,
and Tribal governments, in the
aggregate, or by the private sector, of
$100 million or more in any 1 year.
Before promulgating an EPA rule for
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
which a written statement is needed,
section 205 of the UMRA generally
requires EPA to identify and consider a
reasonable number of regulatory
alternatives and adopt the least costly,
most cost-effective, or least burdensome
alternative that achieves the objectives
of the rule. The provisions of section
205 do not apply when they are
inconsistent with applicable law.
Moreover, section 205 allows EPA to
adopt an alternative other than the least
costly, most cost-effective, or least
burdensome alternative if EPA
publishes with the final rule an
explanation why that alternative was
not adopted.
Before EPA establishes any regulatory
requirements that may significantly or
uniquely affect small governments,
including Tribal governments, EPA
must develop a small government
agency plan under section 203 of the
UMRA. The plan must provide for
notifying potentially affected small
governments, enabling officials of
affected small governments to have
meaningful and timely input in the
development of EPA’s regulatory
proposals with significant Federal
intergovernmental mandates, and
informing, educating, and advising
small governments on compliance with
the regulatory requirements.
EPA has determined that the final rule
amendments contain no Federal
mandates that may result in
expenditures of $100 million or more
for State, local, and tribal governments,
in the aggregate, or the private sector in
any 1 year. Thus, the final rule
amendments are not subject to the
requirements of section 202 and 205 of
the UMRA. In addition, we determined
that the final rule amendments contain
no regulatory requirements that might
significantly or uniquely affect small
governments because the burden is
small and the regulation does not
unfairly apply to small governments.
Therefore, the final rule amendments
are not subject to the requirements of
section 203 of the UMRA.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255,
August 10, 1999), requires EPA to
develop an accountable process to
ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input by
State and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that
have federalism implications.’’ ‘‘Policies
that have federalism implications’’ is
defined in the Executive Order to
include regulations that have
‘‘substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the
National Government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
9875
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.’’
The final rule amendments do not
have federalism implications. They will
not have substantial direct effects on the
States, on the relationship between the
National Government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government, as specified in
Executive Order 13132. The final rule
amendments will not impose substantial
direct compliance costs on State or local
governments, it will not preempt State
law. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does
not apply to the final rule amendments.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
Executive Order 13175, (65 FR 67249,
November 9, 2000), requires EPA to
develop an accountable process to
ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input by
Tribal officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have Tribal
implications.’’ ‘‘Policies that have Tribal
implications’’ is defined in the
Executive Order to include regulations
that have ‘‘substantial direct effects on
relationship between the Federal
Government and the Indian tribes, or on
the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes.’’
The final rule amendments do not
have tribal implications, as specified in
Executive Order 13175. They will not
have substantial direct effects on tribal
governments, on the relationship
between the Federal Government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities between the
Federal Government and Indian tribes,
as specified in Executive Order 13175.
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not
apply to the final rule amendments.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997), applies to any rule that:
(1) Is determined to be ‘‘economically
significant’’ as defined under Executive
Order 12866, and (2) concerns an
environmental health or safety risk that
EPA has reason to believe may have a
disproportionate effect on children. If
the regulatory action meets both criteria,
EPA must evaluate the environmental
health or safety effects of the planned
rule on children, and explain why the
planned regulation is preferable to other
potentially effective and reasonably
feasible alternatives EPA considered.
EPA interprets Executive Order 13045
as applying only to those regulatory
actions that are based on health or safety
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
9876
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
risks, such that the analysis required
under section 5–501 of the Executive
Order has the potential to influence the
regulation. The final rule amendments
are not subject to Executive Order 13045
because they are based on technology
performance and not on health and
safety risks.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution or Use
This action is not a ‘‘significant
energy action,’’ as defined in Executive
Order 13211, because it is not likely to
have a significant adverse effect on the
supply, distribution, or energy use.
Further, we concluded that this action
is not likely to have any adverse energy
effects.
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
I. National Technology Transfer
Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act (NTTAA) of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104–
113; 15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs EPA to
use voluntary consensus standards in
their regulatory and procurement
activities unless to do so would be
inconsistent with applicable law or
otherwise impractical. Voluntary
consensus standards are technical
standards (e.g., materials specifications,
test methods, sampling procedures,
business practices) developed or
adopted by one or more voluntary
consensus bodies. The NTTAA directs
EPA to provide Congress, through
annual reports to OMB, with
explanations when an agency does not
use available and applicable voluntary
consensus standards.
Today’s action does not involve any
new technical standards or the
incorporation by reference of existing
technical standards. Therefore, the
consideration of voluntary consensus
standards is not relevant to today’s
action.
J. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. EPA will submit a
report containing today’s action and
other required information to the U.S.
Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller
General of the United States prior to
publication of the final rule in the
Federal Register. A major rule cannot
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
take effect until 60 days after it is
published in the Federal Register.
Today’s action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). The final
rule amendments will be effective
February 27, 2006.
‘‘Electric utility steam-generating unit,’’
and ‘‘Gross output’’ and by adding in
alphabetical order the definitions of
‘‘ISO conditions’’ and ‘‘Petroleum’’ to
read as follows:
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 60
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Intergovernmental
relations, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
*
Dated: February 9, 2006.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the preamble,
title 40, chapter I, part 60 of the Code
of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
I
PART 60—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 60
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
Subpart Da—[Amended]
2. Section 60.40Da is amended by
revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
I
§ 60.40Da Applicability and designation of
affected facility.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Heat recovery steam generators
that are associated with stationary
combustion turbines burning fuels other
than 75 percent (by heat input) or more
synthetic-coal gas on a 12-month rolling
average and that meet the applicability
requirements of subpart KKKK of this
part are not subject to this subpart. Heat
recovery steam generators and the
associated stationary combustion
turbine(s) burning fuels containing 75
percent (by heat input) or more
synthetic-coal gas on a 12-month rolling
average are subject to this part and are
not subject to subpart KKKK of this part.
This subpart will continue to apply to
all other electric utility combined cycle
gas turbines that are capable of
combusting more than 73 MW (250
MMBtu/h) heat input of fossil fuel in
the heat recovery steam generator. If the
heat recovery steam generator is subject
to this subpart and the combined cycle
gas turbine burn fuels other than
synthetic-coal gas, only emissions
resulting from combustion of fuels in
the steam-generating unit are subject to
this subpart. (The combustion turbine
emissions are subject to subpart GG or
KKKK, as applicable, of this part).
*
*
*
*
*
I 3. Section 60.41Da is amended by
revising the definitions of ‘‘Boiler
operating day,’’ ‘‘Cogeneration,’’
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
§ 60.41Da
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
Boiler operating day for units
constructed, reconstructed, or modified
on or before February 28, 2005, means
a 24-hour period during which fossil
fuel is combusted in a steam-generating
unit for the entire 24 hours. For units
constructed, reconstructed, or modified
after February 28, 2005, boiler operating
day means a 24-hour period between 12
midnight and the following midnight
during which any fuel is combusted at
any time in the steam-generating unit. It
is not necessary for fuel to be combusted
the entire 24-hour period.
*
*
*
*
*
Cogeneration, also known as
‘‘combined heat and power,’’ means a
steam-generating unit that
simultaneously produces both electric
(or mechanical) and useful thermal
energy from the same primary energy
source.
*
*
*
*
*
Electric utility steam-generating unit
means any steam electric generating
unit that is constructed for the purpose
of supplying more than one-third of its
potential electric output capacity and
more than 25 MW net-electrical output
to any utility power distribution system
for sale. For the purpose of this subpart,
net-electric output is the gross electric
sales to the utility power distribution
system minus purchased power on a 12month rolling average. Also, any steam
supplied to a steam distribution system
for the purpose of providing steam to a
steam-electric generator that would
produce electrical energy for sale is
considered in determining the electrical
energy output capacity of the affected
facility.
*
*
*
*
*
Gross output means the gross useful
work performed by the steam generated.
For units generating only electricity, the
gross useful work performed is the gross
electrical output from the turbine/
generator set. For cogeneration units,
the gross useful work performed is the
gross electrical output plus 75 percent
of the useful thermal output measured
relative to ISO conditions that is not
used to generate additional electrical or
mechanical output (i.e., steam delivered
to an industrial process).
*
*
*
*
*
ISO conditions means a temperature
of 288 Kelvin, a relative humidity of 60
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
percent, and a pressure of 101.3
kilopascals.
*
*
*
*
*
Petroleum means crude oil or
petroleum or a fuel derived from crude
oil or petroleum, including distillate,
residual oil, and petroleum coke.
*
*
*
*
*
I 4. Section 60.42Da is amended by
revising the introductory text in
paragraph (a) and adding paragraphs (c)
and (d) to read as follows:
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
§ 60.42Da
Standard for particulate matter.
(a) On and after the date on which the
performance test required to be
conducted under § 60.8 is completed, no
owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall cause to
be discharged into the atmosphere from
any affected facility for which
construction, reconstruction, or
modification commenced before or on
February 28, 2005, any gases that
contain particulate matter in excess of:
*
*
*
*
*
(c) On and after the date on which the
performance test required to be
conducted under § 60.8 is completed, no
owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall cause to
be discharged into the atmosphere from
any affected facility for which
construction, reconstruction, or
modification is commenced after
February 28, 2005, except for modified
affected facilities meeting the
requirements of paragraph (d) of this
section, any gases that contain
particulate matter in excess of either:
(1) 18 ng/J (0.14 lb/MWh) gross energy
output; or
(2) 6.4 ng/J (0.015 lb/MMBtu) heat
input derived from the combustion of
solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel.
(d) As an alternative to meeting the
requirements of paragraph (c) of this
section, the owner or operator of an
affected facility for which construction,
reconstruction, or modification
commenced after February 28, 2005,
may elect to meet the requirements of
this paragraph. On and after the date on
which the performance test required to
be conducted under § 60.8 is completed,
the owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from any affected facility for
which construction, reconstruction, or
modification commenced after February
28, 2005, any gases that contain
particulate matter in excess of:
(1) 13 ng/J (0.03 lb/MMBtu) heat input
derived from the combustion of solid,
liquid, or gaseous fuel, and
(2) 0.1 percent of the combustion
concentration determined according to
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
the procedure in § 60.48Da(o)(5) (99.9
percent reduction) for an affected
facility for which construction or
reconstruction commenced after
February 28, 2005 when combusting
solid fuel or solid-derived fuel, or
(3) 0.2 percent of the combustion
concentration determined according to
the procedure in § 60.48Da(o)(5) (99.8
percent reduction) for an affected
facility for which modification
commenced after February 28, 2005
when combusting solid fuel or solidderived fuel.
5. Section 60.43Da is amended by
revising the introductory text in
paragraphs (a) and (b) and adding
paragraphs (i), (j), and (k) to read as
follows:
I
§ 60.43Da
Standard for sulfur dioxide.
(a) On and after the date on which the
initial performance test required to be
conducted under § 60.8 is completed, no
owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall cause to
be discharged into the atmosphere from
any affected facility which combusts
solid fuel or solid-derived fuel and for
which construction, reconstruction, or
modification commenced before or on
February 28, 2005, except as provided
under paragraphs (c), (d), (f) or (h) of
this section, any gases that contain
sulfur dioxide in excess of:
*
*
*
*
*
(b) On and after the date on which the
initial performance test required to be
conducted under § 60.8 is completed, no
owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall cause to
be discharged into the atmosphere from
any affected facility which combusts
liquid or gaseous fuels (except for liquid
or gaseous fuels derived from solid fuels
and as provided under paragraphs (e) or
(h) of this section) and for which
construction, reconstruction, or
modification commenced before or on
February 28, 2005, any gases that
contain sulfur dioxide in excess of:
*
*
*
*
*
(i) On and after the date on which the
performance test required to be
conducted under § 60.8 is completed, no
owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall cause to
be discharged into the atmosphere from
any affected facility for which
construction, reconstruction, or
modification commenced after February
28, 2005, except as provided for under
paragraphs (j) or (k) of this section, any
gases that contain sulfur dioxide in
excess of the applicable emission
limitation specified in paragraphs (i)(1)
through (3) of this section.
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
9877
(1) For an affected facility for which
construction commenced after February
28, 2005, any gases that contain sulfur
dioxide in excess of either:
(i) 180 ng/J (1.4 lb/MWh) gross energy
output on a 30-day rolling average basis,
or
(ii) 5 percent of the potential
combustion concentration (95 percent
reduction) on a 30-day rolling average
basis.
(2) For an affected facility for which
reconstruction commenced after
February 28, 2005, any gases that
contain sulfur dioxide in excess of
either:
(i) 180 ng/J (1.4 lb/MWh) gross energy
output on a 30-day rolling average basis,
(ii) 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) heat
input on a 30-day rolling average basis,
or
(iii) 5 percent of the potential
combustion concentration (95 percent
reduction) on a 30-day rolling average
basis.
(3) For an affected facility for which
modification commenced after February
28, 2005, any gases that contain sulfur
dioxide in excess of either:
(i) 180 ng/J (1.4 lb/MWh) gross energy
output on a 30-day rolling average basis,
(ii) 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) heat
input on a 30-day rolling average basis,
or
(iii) 10 percent of the potential
combustion concentration (90 percent
reduction) on a 30-day rolling average
basis.
(j) On and after the date on which the
performance test required to be
conducted under § 60.8 is completed, no
owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall cause to
be discharged into the atmosphere from
any affected facility for which
construction, reconstruction, or
modification commenced after February
28, 2005, and that burns 75 percent or
more (by heat input) coal refuse on a 12month rolling average basis, any gases
that contain sulfur dioxide in excess of
the applicable emission limitation
specified in paragraphs (j)(1) through (3)
of this section.
(1) For an affected facility for which
construction commenced after February
28, 2005, any gases that contain sulfur
dioxide in excess of either:
(i) 180 ng/J (1.4 lb/MWh) gross energy
output on a 30-day rolling average basis,
or
(ii) 6 percent of the potential
combustion concentration (94 percent
reduction) on a 30-day rolling average
basis.
(2) For an affected facility for which
reconstruction commenced after
February 28, 2005, any gases that
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
9878
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
contain sulfur dioxide in excess of
either:
(i) 180 ng/J (1.4 lb/MWh) gross energy
output on a 30-day rolling average basis,
(ii) 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) heat
input on a 30-day rolling average basis,
or
(iii) 6 percent of the potential
combustion concentration (94 percent
reduction) on a 30-day rolling average
basis.
(3) For an affected facility for which
modification commenced after February
28, 2005, any gases that contain sulfur
dioxide in excess of either:
(i) 180 ng/J (1.4 lb/MWh) gross energy
output on a 30-day rolling average basis,
(ii) 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) heat
input on a 30-day rolling average basis,
or
(iii) 10 percent of the potential
combustion concentration (90 percent
reduction) on a 30-day rolling average
basis.
(k) On and after the date on which the
performance test required to be
conducted under § 60.8 is completed, no
owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall cause to
be discharged into the atmosphere from
any affected facility for which
construction, reconstruction, or
modification commenced after February
28, 2005, and that is located in a
noncontinental area, any gases that
contain sulfur dioxide in excess of the
applicable emission limitation specified
in paragraphs (k)(1) and (2) of this
section.
(1) For an affected facility that burns
solid or solid-derived fuel, the owner or
operator shall not cause to be
discharged into the atmosphere any
gases that contain sulfur dioxide in
excess of 520 ng/J (1.2 lb/MMBtu) heat
input on a 30-day rolling average basis.
(2) For an affected facility that burns
other than solid or solid-derived fuel,
the owner or operator shall not cause to
be discharged into the atmosphere any
gases that contain sulfur dioxide in
excess of if the affected facility or 230
ng/J (0.54 lb/MMBtu) heat input on a
30-day rolling average basis.
I 6. Section 60.44Da is amended by
revising paragraph (d) and adding
paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as follows:
§ 60.44Da
Standard for nitrogen oxides.
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
*
*
*
*
*
(d)(1) On and after the date on which
the initial performance test required to
be conducted under § 60.8 is completed,
no new source owner or operator subject
to the provisions of this subpart shall
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from any affected facility for
which construction commenced after
July 9, 1997, but before or on February
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
28, 2005, any gases that contain nitrogen
oxides (expressed as NO2) in excess of
200 ng/J (1.6 lb/MWh) gross energy
output, based on a 30-day rolling
average, except as provided under
§ 60.48Da(k).
(2) On and after the date on which the
initial performance test required to be
conducted under § 60.8 is completed, no
existing source owner or operator
subject to the provisions of this subpart
shall cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from any affected facility for
which reconstruction commenced after
July 9, 1997, but before or on February
28, 2005, any gases that contain nitrogen
oxides (expressed as NO2) in excess of
65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) heat input,
based on a 30-day rolling average.
(e) On and after the date on which the
performance test required to be
conducted under § 60.8 is completed, no
owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall cause to
be discharged into the atmosphere from
any affected facility for which
construction, reconstruction, or
modification commenced after February
28, 2005, except for an IGCC meeting
the requirements of paragraph (f) of this
section, any gases that contain nitrogen
oxides (expressed as NO2) in excess of
the applicable emission limitation
specified in paragraphs (e)(1) through
(3) of this section.
(1) For an affected facility for which
construction commenced after February
28, 2005, the owner or operator shall not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere any gases that contain
nitrogen oxides (expressed as NO2) in
excess of 130 ng/J (1.0 lb/MWh) gross
energy output on a 30-day rolling
average basis, except as provided under
§ 60.48Da(k).
(2) For an affected facility for which
reconstruction commenced after
February 28, 2005, the owner or
operator shall not cause to be
discharged into the atmosphere any
gases that contain nitrogen oxides
(expressed as NO2) in excess of either:
(i) 130 ng/J (1.0 lb/MWh) gross energy
output on a 30-day rolling average basis,
or
(ii) 47 ng/J (0.11 lb/MMBtu) heat
input on a 30-day rolling average basis.
(3) For an affected facility for which
modification commenced after February
28, 2005, the owner or operator shall not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere any gases that contain
nitrogen oxides (expressed as NO2) in
excess of either:
(i) 180 ng/J (1.4 lb/MWh) gross energy
output on a 30-day rolling average basis,
or
(ii) 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) heat
input on a 30-day rolling average basis.
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
(f) On and after the date on which the
performance test required to be
conducted under § 60.8 is completed,
the owner or operator of an IGCC subject
to the provisions of this subpart that
burns liquid fuel as a supplemental fuel
and for which construction,
reconstruction, or modification
commenced after February 28, 2005,
shall meet the requirements specified in
paragraphs (f)(1) through (3) of this
section.
(1) The owner or operator shall not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere any gases that contain
nitrogen oxides (expressed as NO2) in
excess of 130 ng/J (1.0 lb/MWh) gross
energy output on a 30-day rolling
average basis, except as provided for in
paragraphs (f)(2) and (3) of this section.
(2) When burning liquid fuel
exclusively or in combination with
synthetic gas derived from coal such
that the liquid fuel contributes 50
percent or more of the total heat input
to the combined cycle combustion
turbine, the owner or operator shall not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere any gases that contain
nitrogen oxides (expressed as NO2) in
excess of 190 ng/J (1.5 lb/MWh) gross
energy output on a 30-day rolling
average basis.
(3) In cases when during a 30-day
rolling average compliance period
liquid fuel is burned in such a manner
to meet the conditions in paragraph
(f)(2) of this section for only a portion
of the 30-day period, the owner or
operator shall not cause to be
discharged into the atmosphere any
gases that contain nitrogen oxides
(expressed as NO2) in excess of the
computed weighted-average emissions
limit based on the proportion of gross
energy output (in MWh) generated
during the compliance period for each
of emissions limits in paragraphs (f)(1)
and (2) of this section.
I 7. Section 60.48Da is amended by
revising paragraphs (g), (i), (k)
introductory text, (k)(1) introductory
text, (k)(1)(iv), (k)(2) introductory text,
and adding paragraphs (m), (n), (o), and
(p) to read as follows:
§ 60.48Da
Compliance provisions.
*
*
*
*
*
(g) The owner or operator of an
affected facility subject to emission
limitations in this subpart shall
determine compliance as follows:
(1) Compliance with applicable 30day rolling average SO2 and NOX
emission limitations is determined by
calculating the arithmetic average of all
hourly emission rates for SO2 and NOX
for the 30 successive boiler operating
days, except for data obtained during
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
startup, shutdown, malfunction (NOX
only), or emergency conditions (SO2)
only.
(2) Compliance with applicable SO2
percentage reduction requirements is
determined based on the average inlet
and outlet SO2 emission rates for the 30
successive boiler operating days.
(3) Compliance with applicable daily
average particulate matter emission
limitations is determined by calculating
the arithmetic average of all hourly
emission rates for particulate matter
each boiler operating day, except for
data obtained during startup, shutdown,
and malfunction.
*
*
*
*
*
(i) Compliance provisions for sources
subject to § 60.44Da(d)(1), (e)(1), or (f).
The owner or operator of an affected
facility subject to § 60.44Da(d)(1) or
(e)(1) shall calculate NOX emissions by
multiplying the average hourly NOX
output concentration, measured
according to the provisions of
§ 60.49Da(c), by the average hourly flow
rate, measured according to the
provisions of § 60.49Da(l), and dividing
by the average hourly gross energy
output, measured according to the
provisions of § 60.49Da(k).
*
*
*
*
*
(k) Compliance provisions for duct
burners subject to § 60.44Da(d)(1) or
(e)(1). To determine compliance with
the emission limitation for NOX
required by § 60.44Da(d)(1) or (e)(1) for
duct burners used in combined cycle
systems, either of the procedures
described in paragraphs (k)(1) and (2) of
this section may be used:
(1) The owner or operator of an
affected duct burner used in combined
cycle systems shall determine
compliance with the applicable NOX
emission limitation in §60.44Da(d)(1) or
(e)(1) as follows:
*
*
*
*
*
(iv) Compliance with the applicable
NOX emission limitation in
§ 60.44Da(d)(1) or (e)(1) is determined
by the three-run average (nominal 1hour runs) for the initial and subsequent
performance tests.
(2) The owner or operator of an
affected duct burner used in a combined
cycle system may elect to determine
compliance with the applicable NOX
emission limitation in § 60.44Da(d)(1) or
(e)(1) on a 30-day rolling average basis
as indicated in paragraphs (k)(2)(i)
through (iv) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(m) Compliance provisions for sources
subject to § 60.43Da(i)(1)(i) or (j)(1)(i).
The owner or operator of an affected
facility subject to § 60.43Da(i)(1)(i) or
(j)(1)(i) shall calculate SO2 emissions by
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
multiplying the average hourly SO2
output concentration, measured
according to the provisions of
§ 60.49Da(b), by the average hourly flow
rate, measured according to the
provisions of § 60.49Da(l), and divided
by the average hourly gross energy
output, measured according to the
provisions of § 60.49Da(k).
(n) Compliance provisions for sources
subject to § 60.42Da(c)(1). The owner or
operator of an affected facility subject to
§ 60.42Da(c)(1) shall calculate
particulate matter emissions by
multiplying the average hourly
particulate matter output concentration,
measured according to the provisions of
§ 60.49Da(t), by the average hourly flow
rate, measured according to the
provisions of § 60.49Da(l), and divided
by the average hourly gross energy
output, measured according to the
provisions of § 60.49Da(k). Compliance
with the emission limit is determined
by calculating the arithmetic average of
the hourly emission rates computed for
each boiler operating day.
(o) Compliance provisions for sources
subject to § 60.42Da(c)(2) or (d). Except
as provided for in paragraph (p) of this
section, the owner or operator of an
affected facility for which construction,
reconstruction, or modification
commenced after February 28, 2005,
shall demonstrate compliance with each
applicable emission limit according to
the requirements in paragraphs (o)(1)
through (o)(5) of this section.
(1) Conduct an initial performance
test according to the requirements in
§ 60.50Da to demonstrate compliance by
the applicable date specified in § 60.8(a)
and, thereafter, conduct the
performance test annually, and
(2) An owner or operator must use
opacity monitoring equipment as an
indicator of continuous particulate
matter control device performance and
demonstrate compliance with
§ 60.42Da(b). In addition, baseline
parameters shall be established as the
highest hourly opacity average
measured during the performance test. If
any hourly average opacity
measurement is more than 110 percent
of the baseline level, the owner or
operator will conduct another
performance test within 60 days to
demonstrate compliance. A new
baseline is established during each stack
test. The new baseline shall not exceed
the opacity limit specified in
§ 60.42Da(b), and
(3) An owner or operator using an ESP
to comply with the applicable emission
limits shall use voltage and secondary
current monitoring equipment to
measure voltage and secondary current
to the ESP. Baseline parameters shall be
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
9879
established as average rates measured
during the performance test. If a 3-hour
average voltage and secondary current
average deviates more than 10 percent
from the baseline level, the owner or
operator will conduct another
performance test within 60 days to
demonstrate compliance. A new
baseline is established during each stack
test, and
(4) An owner or operator using a
fabric filter to comply with the
applicable emission limits shall install,
calibrate, maintain, and continuously
operate a bag leak detection system
according to paragraphs (o)(4)(i) through
(viii) of this section.
(i) Install and operate a bag leak
detection system for each exhaust stack
of the fabric filter.
(ii) Each bag leak detection system
must be installed, operated, calibrated,
and maintained in a manner consistent
with the manufacturer’s written
specifications and recommendations
and in accordance with the guidance
provided in EPA–454/R–98–015,
September 1997.
(iii) The bag leak detection system
must be certified by the manufacturer to
be capable of detecting particulate
matter emissions at concentrations of 10
milligrams per actual cubic meter or
less.
(iv) The bag leak detection system
sensor must provide output of relative
or absolute particulate matter loadings.
(v) The bag leak detection system
must be equipped with a device to
continuously record the output signal
from the sensor.
(vi) The bag leak detection system
must be equipped with an alarm system
that will sound automatically when an
increase in relative particulate matter
emissions over a preset level is detected.
The alarm must be located where it is
easily heard by plant operating
personnel. Corrective actions must be
initiated within 1 hour of a bag leak
detection system alarm. If the alarm is
engaged for more than 5 percent of the
total operating time on a 30-day rolling
average, a performance test must be
performed within 60 days to
demonstrate compliance.
(vii) For positive pressure fabric filter
systems that do not duct all
compartments of cells to a common
stack, a bag leak detection system must
be installed in each baghouse
compartment or cell.
(viii) Where multiple bag leak
detectors are required, the system’s
instrumentation and alarm may be
shared among detectors, and
(5) An owner or operator of a
modified affected source electing to
meet the emission limitations in
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
9880
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
§ 60.42Da(d) shall determine the percent
reduction in particulate matter by using
the emission rate for particulate matter
determined by the performance test
conducted according to the
requirements in paragraph (o)(1) of this
section and the ash content on a mass
basis of the fuel burned during each
performance test run as determined by
analysis of the fuel as fired.
(p) As an alternative to meeting the
compliance provisions specified in
paragraph (o) of this section, an owner
or operator may elect to install, certify,
maintain, and operate a continuous
emission monitoring system measuring
particulate matter emissions discharged
from the affected facility to the
atmosphere and record the output of the
system as specified in paragraphs (p)(1)
through (p)(8) of this section.
(1) The owner or operator shall
submit a written notification to the
Administrator of intent to demonstrate
compliance with this subpart by using
a continuous monitoring system
measuring particulate matter. This
notification shall be sent at least 30
calendar days before the initial startup
of the monitor for compliance
determination purposes. The owner or
operator may discontinue operation of
the monitor and instead return to
demonstration of compliance with this
subpart according to the requirements in
paragraph (o) of this section by
submitting written notification to the
Administrator of such intent at least 30
calendar days before shutdown of the
monitor for compliance determination
purposes.
(2) Each continuous emission monitor
shall be installed, certified, operated,
and maintained according to the
requirements in § 60.49Da(v).
(3) The initial performance evaluation
shall be completed no later than 180
days after the date of initial startup of
the affected facility, as specified under
§ 60.8 of subpart A of this part or within
180 days of the date of notification to
the Administrator required under
paragraph (p)(1) of this section,
whichever is later.
(4) Compliance with the applicable
emissions limit shall be determined
based on the 24-hour daily (block)
average of the hourly arithmetic average
emissions concentrations using the
continuous monitoring system outlet
data. The 24-hour block arithmetic
average emission concentration shall be
calculated using EPA Reference Method
19, section 4.1.
(5) At a minimum, valid continuous
monitoring system hourly averages shall
be obtained for 90 percent of all
operating hours on a 30-day rolling
average.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
(i) At least two data points per hour
shall be used to calculate each 1-hour
arithmetic average.
(ii) [Reserved]
(6) The 1-hour arithmetic averages
required shall be expressed in ng/J,
MMBtu/h, or lb/MWh and shall be used
to calculate the boiler operating day
daily arithmetic average emission
concentrations. The 1-hour arithmetic
averages shall be calculated using the
data points required under § 60.13(e)(2)
of subpart A of this part.
(7) All valid continuous monitoring
system data shall be used in calculating
average emission concentrations even if
the minimum continuous emission
monitoring system data requirements of
paragraph (j)(5) of this section are not
met.
(8) When particulate matter emissions
data are not obtained because of
continuous emission monitoring system
breakdowns, repairs, calibration checks,
and zero and span adjustments,
emissions data shall be obtained by
using other monitoring systems as
approved by the Administrator or EPA
Reference Method 19 to provide, as
necessary, valid emissions data for a
minimum of 90 percent of all operating
hours per 30-day rolling average.
I 8. Section 60.49Da is amended by
revising paragraphs (a), (b)(2), (f), (k)(3),
(l), and (o), and adding paragraphs (t),
(u), and (v) to read as follows:
§ 60.49Da
Emission monitoring.
(a) Except as provided for in
paragraphs (t) and (u) of this section, the
owner or operator of an affected facility,
shall install, calibrate, maintain, and
operate a continuous monitoring
system, and record the output of the
system, for measuring the opacity of
emissions discharged to the atmosphere,
except where gaseous fuel is the only
fuel combusted. If opacity interference
due to water droplets exists in the stack
(for example, from the use of an FGD
system), the opacity is monitored
upstream of the interference (at the inlet
to the FGD system). If opacity
interference is experienced at all
locations (both at the inlet and outlet of
the sulfur dioxide control system),
alternate parameters indicative of the
particulate matter control system’s
performance are monitored (subject to
the approval of the Administrator).
(b) * * *
(2) For a facility that qualifies under
the numerical limit provisions of
§ 60.43Da(d), (i), (j), or (k) sulfur dioxide
emissions are only monitored as
discharged to the atmosphere.
*
*
*
*
*
(f)(1) For units that began
construction, reconstruction, or
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
modification on or before February 28,
2005, the owner or operator shall obtain
emission data for at least 18 hours in at
least 22 out of 30 successive boiler
operating days. If this minimum data
requirement cannot be met with a
continuous monitoring system, the
owner or operator shall supplement
emission data with other monitoring
systems approved by the Administrator
or the reference methods and
procedures as described in paragraph
(h) of this section.
(2) For units that began construction,
reconstruction, or modification after
February 28, 2005, the owner or
operator shall obtain emission data for
at least 90 percent of all operating hours
for each 30 successive boiler operating
days. If this minimum data requirement
cannot be met with a continuous
monitoring system, the owner or
operator shall supplement emission data
with other monitoring systems approved
by the Administrator or the reference
methods and procedures as described in
paragraph (h) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(k) * * *
(3) For affected facilities generating
process steam in combination with
electrical generation, the gross energy
output is determined from the gross
electrical output measured in
accordance with paragraph (k)(1) of this
section plus 75 percent of the gross
thermal output (measured relative to
ISO conditions) of the process steam
measured in accordance with paragraph
(k)(2) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(l) The owner or operator of an
affected facility demonstrating
compliance with an output-based
standard under § 60.42Da, § 60.43Da,
§ 60.44Da, or § 60.45Da shall install,
certify, operate, and maintain a
continuous flow monitoring system
meeting the requirements of
Performance Specification 6 of
appendix B and procedure 1 of
appendix F of this subpart, and record
the output of the system, for measuring
the flow of exhaust gases discharged to
the atmosphere; or
*
*
*
*
*
(o) The owner or operator of a duct
burner, as described in § 60.41Da, which
is subject to the NOX standards of
§ 60.44Da(a)(1), (d)(1), or (e)(1) is not
required to install or operate a
continuous emissions monitoring
system to measure NOX emissions; a
wattmeter to measure gross electrical
output; meters to measure steam flow,
temperature, and pressure; and a
continuous flow monitoring system to
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
measure the flow of exhaust gases
discharged to the atmosphere.
*
*
*
*
*
(t) The owner or operator of an
affected facility demonstrating
compliance with the output-based
emissions limitation under
§ 60.42Da(c)(1) shall install, certify,
operate, and maintain a continuous
monitoring system for measuring
particulate matter emissions according
to the requirements of paragraph (v) of
this section. An owner or operator of an
affected source demonstrating
compliance with the input-based
emission limitation under
§ 60.42Da(c)(2) may install, certify,
operate, and maintain a continuous
monitoring system for measuring
particulate matter emissions according
to the requirements of paragraph (v) of
this section in lieu of the requirements
in § 60.48Da(o).
(u) An owner or operator of an
affected source that meets the
conditions in either paragraph (u)(1) or
(2) of this section is exempted from the
continuous opacity monitoring system
requirements in paragraph (a) of this
section and the monitoring
requirements in § 60.48Da(o).
(1) A continuous monitoring system
for measuring particulate matter
emissions is used to demonstrate
continuous compliance on a boiler
operating day average with the
emissions limitations under
§ 60.42Da(a)(1) or § 60.42Da(c)(2) and is
installed, certified, operated, and
maintained on the affected source
according to the requirements of
paragraph (v) of this section.
(2) The affected source burns only oil
that contains no more than 0.15 weight
percent sulfur or liquid or gaseous fuels
that when combusted without sulfur
dioxide emission control, have a sulfur
dioxide emissions rate equal to or less
than or equal to 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu)
heat input.
(v) The owner or operator of an
affected facility using a continuous
emission monitoring system measuring
particulate matter emissions to meet
requirements of this subpart shall
install, certify, operate, and maintain
the continuous monitoring system as
specified in paragraphs (v)(1) through
(v)(3).
(1) The owner or operator shall
conduct a performance evaluation of the
continuous monitoring system
according to the applicable
requirements of § 60.13, Performance
Specification 11 in appendix B of this
part, and procedure 2 in appendix F of
this part.
(2) During each relative accuracy test
run of the continuous emission
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
monitoring system required by
Performance Specification 11 in
appendix B of this part, particulate
matter and oxygen (or carbon dioxide)
data shall be collected concurrently (or
within a 30-to 60-minute period) by
both the continuous emission monitors
and conducting performance tests using
the following test methods.
(i) For particulate matter, EPA
Reference Method 5, 5B, or 17 shall be
used.
(ii) For oxygen (or carbon dioxide),
EPA Reference Method 3, 3A, or 3B, as
applicable shall be used.
(3) Quarterly accuracy determinations
and daily calibration drift tests shall be
performed in accordance with
procedure 2 in appendix F of this part.
Relative Response Audit’s must be
performed annually and Response
Correlation Audits must be performed
every 3 years.
I 9. Section 60.50Da is amended by
revising paragraph (g)(2) to read as
follows:
§ 60.50Da Compliance determination
procedures and methods.
*
*
*
*
*
(g) * * *
(2) Use the Equation 1 of this section
to determine the cogeneration Hg
emission rate over a specific compliance
period.
ER cogen =
(V
grid
M
+ 0.75 × Vprocess )
(Eq. 1)
Where:
ERcogen = Cogeneration Hg emission rate
over a compliance period in lb/
MWh;
E = Mass of Hg emitted from the stack
over the same compliance period
(lb);
Vgrid = Amount of energy sent to the grid
over the same compliance period
(MWh); and
Vprocess = Amount of energy converted to
steam for process use over the same
compliance period (MWh).
*
*
*
*
*
Subpart Db—[Amended]
10. Section 60.40b is amended by
revising paragraph (i) and adding
paragraphs (k) and (l) to read as follows:
I
§ 60.40b Applicability and delegation of
authority.
*
*
*
*
*
(i) Heat recovery steam generators that
are associated with combined cycle gas
turbines and that meet the applicability
requirements of subpart KKKK of this
part are not subject to this subpart. This
subpart will continue to apply to all
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
9881
other heat recovery steam generators
that are capable of combusting more
than 29 MW (100 MMBtu/h) heat input
of fossil fuel. If the heat recovery steam
generator is subject to this subpart, only
emissions resulting from combustion of
fuels in the steam generating unit are
subject to this subpart. (The gas turbine
emissions are subject to subpart GG or
KKKK, as applicable, of this part.)
*
*
*
*
*
(k) Any facility covered by subpart Eb
or subpart AAAA of this part is not
covered by this subpart.
(l) Any facility covered by an EPA
approved State or Federal section
111(d)/129 plan implementing subpart
Cb or subpart BBBB of this part is not
covered by this subpart.
I 11. Section 60.41b is amended by
adding the definition of ‘‘Cogeneration’’
in alphabetical order and revising the
definition of ‘‘Very low sulfur oil’’ to
read as follows:
§ 60.41b
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Cogeneration, also known as
combined heat and power, means a
facility that simultaneously produces
both electric (or mechanical) and useful
thermal energy from the same primary
energy source.
*
*
*
*
*
Very low sulfur oil for units
constructed, reconstructed, or modified
on or before February 28, 2005, means
an oil that contains no more than 0.5
weight percent sulfur or that, when
combusted without sulfur dioxide
emission control, has a sulfur dioxide
emission rate equal to or less than 215
ng/J (0.5 lb/MMBtu) heat input. For
units constructed, reconstructed, or
modified after February 28, 2005, very
low sulfur oil means an oil that contains
no more than 0.3 weight percent sulfur
or that, when combusted without sulfur
dioxide emission control, has a sulfur
dioxide emission rate equal to or less
than 140 ng/J (0.32 lb/MMBtu) heat
input.
*
*
*
*
*
I 12. Section 60.42b is amended by
revising paragraphs (a) introductory
text, (b), (d) introductory text, and (d)(3)
and by adding paragraphs (d)(4) and (k)
to read as follows:
§ 60.42b
Standard for sulfur dioxide.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs
(b), (c), (d), (j), or (k) of this section, on
and after the date on which the
performance test is completed or
required to be completed under § 60.8 of
this part, whichever date comes first, no
owner or operator of an affected facility
that commenced construction,
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
ER27FE06.000
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
9882
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
reconstruction, or modification on or
before February 28, 2005, that combusts
coal or oil shall cause to be discharged
into the atmosphere any gases that
contain sulfur dioxide in excess of 87
ng/J (0.20 lb/MMBtu) or 10 percent
(0.10) of the potential sulfur dioxide
emission rate (90 percent reduction) and
the emission limit determined according
to the following formula:
*
*
*
*
*
(b) On and after the date on which the
performance test is completed or
required to be completed under § 60.8 of
this part, whichever date comes first, no
owner or operator of an affected facility
that commenced construction,
reconstruction, or modification on or
before February 28, 2005, that combusts
coal refuse alone in a fluidized bed
combustion steam generating unit shall
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere any gases that contain
sulfur dioxide in excess of 87 ng/J (0.20
lb/MMBtu) or 20 percent (0.20) of the
potential sulfur dioxide emission rate
(80 percent reduction) and 520 ng/J (1.2
lb/MMBtu) heat input. If coal or oil is
fired with coal refuse, the affected
facility is subject to paragraph (a) or (d)
of this section, as applicable.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) On and after the date on which the
performance test is completed or
required to be completed under § 60.8 of
this part, whichever comes first, no
owner or operator of an affected facility
listed in paragraphs (d)(1), (2), (3), or (4)
of this section shall cause to be
discharged into the atmosphere any
gases that contain sulfur dioxide in
excess of 520 ng/J (1.2 lb/million Btu)
heat input if the affected facility
combusts coal, or 215 ng/J (0.5 lb/
million Btu) heat input if the affected
facility combusts oil other than very low
sulfur oil. Percent reduction
requirements are not applicable to
affected facilities under paragraphs
(d)(1), (2), (3) or (4).
*
*
*
*
*
(3) Affected facilities combusting coal
or oil, alone or in combination with any
fuel, in a duct burner as part of a
combined cycle system where 30
percent (0.30) or less of the heat input
to the steam generating unit is from
combustion of coal and oil in the duct
burner and 70 percent (0.70) or more of
the heat input to the steam generating
unit is from the exhaust gases entering
the duct burner; or
(4) The affected facility burns coke
oven gas alone or in combination with
any other gaseous fuels.
*
*
*
*
*
(k) On or after the date on which the
initial performance test is completed or
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
is required to be completed under
§ 60.8, whichever date comes first, no
owner or operator of an affected facility
that commences construction or
reconstruction after February 28, 2005,
and that combusts coal, oil, gas, a
mixture of these fuels, or a mixture of
these fuels with any other fuels shall
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere any gases that contain
sulfur dioxide in excess of 87 ng/J (0.20
lb/MMBtu) heat input or 8 percent
(0.08) of the potential sulfur dioxide
emission rate (92 percent reduction) and
520 ng/J (1.2 lb/MMBtu) heat input,
except as provided in paragraphs (k)(1)
or (k)(2). Affected facilities subject to
this paragraph are also subject to
paragraphs (e) through (g) of this
section.
(1) Units firing only oil that contains
no more than 0.3 weight percent sulfur
or any individual fuel with a potential
sulfur dioxide emission rates of 140 ng/
J (0.32 lb/MMBtu) heat input or less are
exempt from all other sulfur dioxide
emission limits in this paragraph.
(2) Units that are located in a
noncontinental area and that combust
coal or oil shall not discharge any gases
that contain sulfur dioxide in excess of
520 ng/J (1.2 lb/MMBtu) heat input if
the affected facility combusts coal, or
230 ng/J (0.54 lb/MMBtu) heat input if
the affected facility combusts oil.
I 13. Section 60.43b is amended by
adding paragraph (h) to read as follows:
§ 60.43b
Standard for particulate matter.
*
*
*
*
*
(h)(1) On or after the date on which
the initial performance test is completed
or is required to be completed under
§ 60.8, whichever date comes first, no
owner or operator of an affected facility
that commences construction,
reconstruction, or modification after
February 28, 2005, and that combusts
coal, oil, gas, wood, a mixture of these
fuels, or a mixture of these fuels with
any other fuels shall cause to be
discharged into the atmosphere from
that affected facility any gases that
contain particulate matter emissions in
excess of 13 ng/J (0.030 lb/MMBtu) heat
input, except as provided in paragraphs
(h)(2), (h)(3), (h)(4), and (h)(5).
(2) As an alternative to meeting the
requirements of paragraph (h)(1) of this
section, the owner or operator of an
affected facility for which modification
commenced after February 28, 2005,
may elect to meet the requirements of
this paragraph. On and after the date on
which the performance test required to
be conducted under § 60.8 is completed,
the owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall not
cause to be discharged into the
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
atmosphere from any affected facility for
which modification commenced after
February 28, 2005, any gases that
contain particulate matter in excess of:
(i) 22 ng/J (0.051 lb/MMBtu) heat
input derived from the combustion of
coal, oil, gas, wood, a mixture of these
fuels, or a mixture of these fuels with
any other fuels, and
(ii) 0.2 percent of the combustion
concentration (99.8 percent reduction)
when combusting coal, oil, gas, wood, a
mixture of these fuels, or a mixture of
these fuels with any other fuels.
(3) On or after the date on which the
initial performance test is completed or
is required to be completed under
§ 60.8, whichever date comes first, no
owner or operator of an affected facility
that commences modification after
February 28, 2005, and that combusts
over 30 percent wood (by heat input) on
an annual basis and has a maximum
heat input capacity of 73 MW (250
MMBtu/h) or less shall cause to be
discharged into the atmosphere from
that affected facility any gases that
contain particulate matter emissions in
excess of 43 ng/J (0.10 lb/MMBtu) heat
input.
(4) On or after the date on which the
initial performance test is completed or
is required to be completed under
§ 60.8, whichever date comes first, no
owner or operator of an affected facility
that commences modification after
February 28, 2005, and that combusts
over 30 percent wood (by heat input) on
an annual basis and has a maximum
heat input capacity greater than 73 MW
(250 MMBtu/h) shall cause to be
discharged into the atmosphere from
that affected facility any gases that
contain particulate matter emissions in
excess of 37 ng/J (0.085 lb/MMBtu) heat
input.
(5) On or after the date on which the
initial performance test is completed or
is required to be completed under
§ 60.8, whichever date comes first, no
owner or operator of an affected facility
that commences construction,
reconstruction, or modification after
February 28, 2005, and that combusts
only oil that contains no more than 0.3
weight percent sulfur or other liquid or
gaseous fuels with potential sulfur
dioxide emission rates of 140 ng/J (0.32
lb/MMBtu) heat input or less is not
subject to the PM or opacity limits in
this section.
I 14. Section 60.44b is amended by
adding paragraph (l)(3) to read as
follows:
§ 60.44b
*
Standard for nitrogen oxides.
*
*
(l) * * *
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
*
*
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
(3) After February 27, 2006, units may
comply with an optional limit of 270
ng/J (2.1 lb/MWh) gross energy output,
based on a 30-day rolling average. Units
complying with this output-based limit
must demonstrate compliance according
to the procedures of § 60.46a (i)(1), and
must monitor emissions according to
§ 60.47a(c)(1), (c)(2), (k), and (l).
I 15. Section 60.45b is amended by
revising the introductory text in
paragraph (c) and adding paragraph (k)
to read as follows:
§ 60.45b Compliance and performance test
methods and procedures for sulfur dioxide.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) The owner or operator of an
affected facility shall conduct
performance tests to determine
compliance with the percent of
potential sulfur dioxide emission rate
(% Ps) and the sulfur dioxide emission
rate (Es) pursuant to § 60.42b following
the procedures listed below, except as
provided under paragraph (d) and (k) of
this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(k) Units that burn only oil that
contains no more than 0.3 weight
percent sulfur or fuels with potential
sulfur dioxide emission rates of 140 ng/
J (0.32 lb/MMBtu) heat input or less
may demonstrate compliance by
maintaining records of fuel supplier
certifications of sulfur content of the
fuels burned.
I 16. Section 60.46b is amended by
revising paragraphs (a) and (b) and
adding paragraphs (i) and (j) to read as
follows:
*
*
*
*
*
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
§ 60.46b Compliance and performance test
methods and procedures for particulate
matter and nitrogen oxides.
(a) The particulate matter emission
standards and opacity limits under
§ 60.43b apply at all times except during
periods of startup, shutdown, or
malfunction, and as specified in
paragraphs (i) and (j) of this section. The
nitrogen oxides emission standards
under § 60.44b apply at all times.
(b) Compliance with the particulate
matter emission standards under
§ 60.43b shall be determined through
performance testing as described in
paragraph (d) of this section, except as
provided in paragraph (i) and (j).
*
*
*
*
*
(i) Units burning only oil that
contains no more than 0.3 weight
percent sulfur or liquid or gaseous fuels
with a potential sulfur dioxide emission
rates of 140 ng/J (0.32 lb/MMBtu) heat
input or less may demonstrate
compliance by maintaining fuel
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
supplier certifications of the sulfur
content of the fuels burned.
(j) In place of particulate matter
testing with EPA Reference Method 5,
5B, or 17, an owner or operator may
elect to install, calibrate, maintain, and
operate a continuous emission
monitoring system for monitoring
particulate matter emissions discharged
to the atmosphere and record the output
of the system. The owner or operator of
an affected facility who elects to
continuously monitor particulate matter
emissions instead of conducting
performance testing using EPA Method
5, 5B, or 17 shall comply with the
requirements specified in paragraphs
(j)(1) through (j)(13) of this section.
(1) Notify the Administrator one
month before starting use of the system.
(2) Notify the Administrator one
month before stopping use of the
system.
(3) The monitor shall be installed,
evaluated, and operated in accordance
with § 60.13 of subpart A of this part.
(4) The initial performance evaluation
shall be completed no later than 180
days after the date of initial startup of
the affected facility, as specified under
§ 60.8 of subpart A of this part or within
180 days of notification to the
Administrator of use of the continuous
monitoring system if the owner or
operator was previously determining
compliance by Method 5, 5B, or 17
performance tests, whichever is later.
(5) The owner or operator of an
affected facility shall conduct an initial
performance test for particulate matter
emissions as required under § 60.8 of
subpart A of this part. Compliance with
the particulate matter emission limit
shall be determined by using the
continuous emission monitoring system
specified in paragraph (j) of this section
to measure particulate matter and
calculating a 24-hour block arithmetic
average emission concentration using
EPA Reference Method 19, section 4.1.
(6) Compliance with the particulate
matter emission limit shall be
determined based on the 24-hour daily
(block) average of the hourly arithmetic
average emission concentrations using
continuous emission monitoring system
outlet data.
(7) At a minimum, valid continuous
monitoring system hourly averages shall
be obtained as specified in paragraphs
(j)(7)(i) of this section for 75 percent of
the total operating hours per 30-day
rolling average.
(i) At least two data points per hour
shall be used to calculate each 1-hour
arithmetic average.
(8) The 1-hour arithmetic averages
required under paragraph (j)(7) of this
section shall be expressed in ng/J or lb/
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
9883
MMBtu heat input and shall be used to
calculate the boiler operating day daily
arithmetic average emission
concentrations. The 1-hour arithmetic
averages shall be calculated using the
data points required under § 60.13(e)(2)
of subpart A of this part.
(9) All valid continuous emission
monitoring system data shall be used in
calculating average emission
concentrations even if the minimum
continuous emission monitoring system
data requirements of paragraph (j)(7) of
this section are not met.
(10) The continuous emission
monitoring system shall be operated
according to Performance Specification
11 in appendix B of this part.
(11) During the correlation testing
runs of the continuous emission
monitoring system required by
Performance Specification 11 in
appendix B of this part, particulate
matter and oxygen (or carbon dioxide)
data shall be collected concurrently (or
within a 30- to 60-minute period) by
both the continuous emission monitors
and the test methods specified in
paragraphs (j)(7)(i) of this section.
(i) For particulate matter, EPA
Reference Method 5, 5B, or 17 shall be
used.
(ii) For oxygen (or carbon dioxide),
EPA reference Method 3, 3A, or 3B, as
applicable shall be used.
(12) Quarterly accuracy
determinations and daily calibration
drift tests shall be performed in
accordance with procedure 2 in
appendix F of this part. Relative
Response Audit’s must be performed
annually and Response Correlation
Audits must be performed every 3 years.
(13) When particulate matter
emissions data are not obtained because
of continuous emission monitoring
system breakdowns, repairs, calibration
checks, and zero and span adjustments,
emissions data shall be obtained by
using other monitoring systems as
approved by the Administrator or EPA
Reference Method 19 to provide, as
necessary, valid emissions data for a
minimum of 75 percent of total
operating hours per 30-day rolling
average.
I 17. Section § 60.47b is amended by
revising paragraphs (a) and (d), and
adding paragraph (g) to read as follows:
§ 60.47b
dioxide.
Emission monitoring for sulfur
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs
(b),(f), and (g) of this section, the owner
or operator of an affected facility subject
to the sulfur dioxide standards under
§ 60.42b shall install, calibrate,
maintain, and operate continuous
emission monitoring systems (CEMS)
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
9884
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
for measuring sulfur dioxide
concentrations and either oxygen (O2) or
carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations
and shall record the output of the
systems. The sulfur dioxide and either
oxygen or carbon dioxide
concentrations shall both be monitored
at the inlet and outlet of the sulfur
dioxide control device.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) The 1-hour average sulfur dioxide
emission rates measured by the CEMS
required by paragraph (a) of this section
and required under § 60.13(h) is
expressed in ng/J or lb/MMBtu heat
input and is used to calculate the
average emission rates under § 60.42(b).
Each 1-hour average sulfur dioxide
emission rate must be based on 30 or
more minutes of steam generating unit
operation. The hourly averages shall be
calculated according to § 60.13(h)(2).
Hourly sulfur dioxide emission rates are
not calculated if the affected facility is
operated less than 30 minutes in a given
clock hour and are not counted toward
determination of a steam generating unit
operating day.
*
*
*
*
*
(g) Units burning any fuel with a
potential sulfur dioxide emission rate of
140 ng/J (0.32 lb/MMBtu) heat input or
less are not required to conduct
emissions monitoring if they maintain
fuel supplier certifications of the sulfur
content of the fuels burned.
I 18. Section 60.48b is amended by
revising paragraphs (a), (b) introductory
text, (d), and adding paragraphs (j) and
(k) to read as follows:
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
§ 60.48b Emission monitoring for
particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.
(a) The owner or operator of an
affected facility subject to the opacity
standard under § 60.43b shall install,
calibrate, maintain, and operate a
continuous monitoring system for
measuring the opacity of emissions
discharged to the atmosphere and
record the output of the system, except
as provided in paragraphs (j) and (k) of
this section.
(b) Except as provided under
paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this
section, the owner or operator of an
affected facility subject to a nitrogen
oxides standard under § 60.44b shall
comply with either paragraphs (b)(1) or
(b)(2) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) The 1-hour average nitrogen
oxides emission rates measured by the
continuous nitrogen oxides monitor
required by paragraph (b) of this section
and required under § 60.13(h) shall be
expressed in ng/J or lb/MMBtu heat
input and shall be used to calculate the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
average emission rates under § 60.44b.
The 1-hour averages shall be calculated
using the data points required under
§ 60.13(h)(2).
*
*
*
*
*
(j) Units that burn only oil that
contains no more than 0.3 weight
percent sulfur or liquid or gaseous fuels
with potential sulfur dioxide emission
rates of 140 ng/J (0.32 lb/MMBtu) heat
input or less are not required to conduct
PM emissions monitoring if they
maintain fuel supplier certifications of
the sulfur content of the fuels burned.
(k) Owners or operators complying
with the PM emission limit by using a
PM CEMs monitor instead of monitoring
opacity must calibrate, maintain, and
operate a continuous monitoring
system, and record the output of the
system, for PM emissions discharged to
the atmosphere as specified in
§ 60.46b(j). The continuous monitoring
systems specified in paragraph
§ 60.46b(j) shall be operated and data
recorded during all periods of operation
of the affected facility except for
continuous monitoring system
breakdowns and repairs. Data is
recorded during calibration checks, and
zero and span adjustments.
Subpart Dc—[Amended]
19. Section 60.40c is amended by
adding paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) to read
as follows:
I
§ 60.40c Applicability and delegation of
authority.
*
*
*
*
*
(e) Heat recovery steam generators
that are associated with combined cycle
gas turbines and meet the applicability
requirements of subpart KKKK of this
part are not subject to this subpart. This
subpart will continue to apply to all
other heat recovery steam generators
that are capable of combusting more
than or equal to 2.9 MW (10 MMBtu/h)
heat input of fossil fuel but less than or
equal to 29 MW (100 MMBtu/h) heat
input of fossil fuel. If the heat recovery
steam generator is subject to this
subpart, only emissions resulting from
combustion of fuels in the steam
generating unit are subject to this
subpart. (The gas turbine emissions are
subject to subpart GG or KKKK, as
applicable, of this part).
(f) Any facility covered by subpart
AAAA of this part is not covered by this
subpart.
(g) Any facility covered by an EPA
approved State or Federal section
111(d)/129 plan implementing subpart
BBBB of this part is not covered by this
subpart.
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
20. Section 60.41c is amended by
revising the definition of coal to read as
follows:
I
§ 60.41c
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Coal means all solid fuels classified as
anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous,
or lignite by the American Society of
Testing and Materials in ASTM D388–
77, 90, 91, 95, or 98a, Standard
Specification for Classification of Coals
by Rank (IBR—see § 60.17), coal refuse,
and petroleum coke. Coal-derived
synthetic fuels derived from coal for the
purposes of creating useful heat,
including but not limited to solvent
refined coal, gasified coal, coal-oil
mixtures, and coal-water mixtures, are
also included in this definition for the
purposes of this subpart.
*
*
*
*
*
I 21. Section 60.42c is amended by
revising paragraphs (a), (b) introductory
text, and (b)(1) to read as follows:
§ 60.42c
Standard for sulfur dioxide.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs
(b), (c), and (e) of this section, on and
after the date on which the performance
test is completed or required to be
completed under § 60.8 of this part,
whichever date comes first, the owner
or operator of an affected facility that
combusts only coal shall neither: Cause
to be discharged into the atmosphere
from the affected facility any gases that
contain SO2 in excess of 87 ng/J (0.20
lb/MMBtu) heat input or 10 percent
(0.10) of the potential SO2 emission rate
(90 percent reduction), nor cause to be
discharged into the atmosphere from the
affected facility any gases that contain
SO2 in excess of 520 ng/J (1.2 lb/
MMBtu) heat input. If coal is combusted
with other fuels, the affected facility is
subject to the 90 percent SO2 reduction
requirement specified in this paragraph
and the emission limit is determined
pursuant to paragraph (e)(2) of this
section.
(b) Except as provided in paragraphs
(c) and (e) of this section, on and after
the date on which the performance test
is completed or required to be
completed under § 60.8 of this part,
whichever date comes first, the owner
or operator of an affected facility that:
(1) Combusts only coal refuse alone in
a fluidized bed combustion steam
generating unit shall neither:
(i) Cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from that affected facility
any gases that contain SO2 in excess of
87 ng/J (0.20 lb/MMBtu) heat input or
20 percent (0.20) of the potential SO2
emission rate (80 percent reduction),
nor
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
(ii) Cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from that affected facility
any gases that contain SO2 in excess of
SO2 in excess of 520 ng/J (1.2 lb/
MMBtu) heat input. If coal is fired with
coal refuse, the affected facility subject
to paragraph (a) of this section. If oil or
any other fuel (except coal) is fired with
coal refuse, the affected facility is
subject to the 90 percent SO2 reduction
requirement specified in paragraph (a)
of this section and the emission limit is
determined pursuant to paragraph (e)(2)
of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
I 22. Section 60.43c is amended by
adding paragraph (e) to read as follows:
§ 60.43c
Standard for particulate matter.
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
*
*
*
*
*
(e)(1) On or after the date on which
the initial performance test is completed
or is required to be completed under
§ 60.8, whichever date comes first, no
owner or operator of an affected facility
that commences construction,
reconstruction, or modification after
February 28, 2005, and that combusts
coal, oil, gas, wood, a mixture of these
fuels, or a mixture of these fuels with
any other fuels and has a heat input
capacity of 8.7 MW (30 MMBtu/h) or
greater shall cause to be discharged into
the atmosphere from that affected
facility any gases that contain
particulate matter emissions in excess of
13 ng/J (0.030 lb/MMBtu) heat input,
except as provided in paragraphs (e)(2)
and (e)(3) of this section. Affected
facilities subject to this paragraph, are
also subject to the requirements of
paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section.
(2) As an alternative to meeting the
requirements of paragraph (e)(1) of this
section, the owner or operator of an
affected facility for which modification
commenced after February 28, 2005,
may elect to meet the requirements of
this paragraph. On and after the date on
which the performance test required to
be conducted under § 60.8 is completed,
the owner or operator subject to the
provisions of this subpart shall not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from any affected facility for
which modification commenced after
February 28, 2005, any gases that
contain particulate matter in excess of:
(i) 22 ng/J (0.051 lb/MMBtu) heat
input derived from the combustion of
coal, oil, gas, wood, a mixture of these
fuels, or a mixture of these fuels with
any other fuels, and
(ii) 0.2 percent of the combustion
concentration (99.8 percent reduction)
when combusting coal, oil, gas, wood, a
mixture of these fuels, or a mixture of
these fuels with any other fuels.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
(3) On or after the date on which the
initial performance test is completed or
is required to be completed under
§ 60.8, whichever date comes first, no
owner or operator of an affected facility
that commences modification after
February 28, 2005, and that combusts
over 30 percent wood (by heat input) on
an annual basis and has a heat input
capacity of 8.7 MW (30 MMBtu/h) or
greater shall cause to be discharged into
the atmosphere from that affected
facility any gases that contain
particulate matter emissions in excess of
43 ng/J (0.10 lb/MMBtu) heat input.
I 23. Section 60.45c is amended by
revising the introductory text in
paragraph (a) and adding paragraphs (c)
and (d) to read as follows:
§ 60.45c Compliance and performance test
methods and procedures for particulate
matter.
(a) The owner or operator of an
affected facility subject to the PM and/
or opacity standards under § 60.43c
shall conduct an initial performance test
as required under § 60.8, and shall
conduct subsequent performance tests
as requested by the Administrator, to
determine compliance with the
standards using the following
procedures and reference methods,
except as specified in paragraph (c) and
(d) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Units that burn only oil containing
no more than 0.5 weight percent sulfur
or liquid or gaseous fuels with potential
sulfur dioxide emission rates of 230 ng/
J (0.54 lb/MMBtu) heat input or less are
not required to conduct emissions
monitoring if they maintain fuel
supplier certifications of the sulfur
content of the fuels burned.
(d) In place of particulate matter
testing with EPA Reference Method 5,
5B, or 17, an owner or operator may
elect to install, calibrate, maintain, and
operate a continuous emission
monitoring system for monitoring
particulate matter emissions discharged
to the atmosphere and record the output
of the system. The owner or operator of
an affected facility who elects to
continuously monitor particulate matter
emissions instead of conducting
performance testing using EPA Method
5, 5B, or 17 shall install, calibrate,
maintain, and operate a continuous
emission monitoring system and shall
comply with the requirements specified
in paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(13) of
this section.
(1) Notify the Administrator 1 month
before starting use of the system.
(2) Notify the Administrator 1 month
before stopping use of the system.
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
9885
(3) The monitor shall be installed,
evaluated, and operated in accordance
with § 60.13 of subpart A of this part.
(4) The initial performance evaluation
shall be completed no later than 180
days after the date of initial startup of
the affected facility, as specified under
§ 60.8 of subpart A of this part or within
180 days of notification to the
Administrator of use of the continuous
monitoring system if the owner or
operator was previously determining
compliance by Method 5, 5B, or 17
performance tests, whichever is later.
(5) The owner or operator of an
affected facility shall conduct an initial
performance test for particulate matter
emissions as required under § 60.8 of
subpart A of this part. Compliance with
the particulate matter emission limit
shall be determined by using the
continuous emission monitoring system
specified in paragraph (d) of this section
to measure particulate matter and
calculating a 24-hour block arithmetic
average emission concentration using
EPA Reference Method 19, section 4.1.
(6) Compliance with the particulate
matter emission limit shall be
determined based on the 24-hour daily
(block) average of the hourly arithmetic
average emission concentrations using
continuous emission monitoring system
outlet data.
(7) At a minimum, valid continuous
monitoring system hourly averages shall
be obtained as specified in paragraph
(d)(7)(i) of this section for 75 percent of
the total operating hours per 30-day
rolling average.
(i) At least two data points per hour
shall be used to calculate each 1-hour
arithmetic average.
(ii) [Reserved]
(8) The 1-hour arithmetic averages
required under paragraph (d)(7) of this
section shall be expressed in ng/J or lb/
MMBtu heat input and shall be used to
calculate the boiler operating day daily
arithmetic average emission
concentrations. The 1-hour arithmetic
averages shall be calculated using the
data points required under § 60.13(e)(2)
of subpart A of this part.
(9) All valid continuous emission
monitoring system data shall be used in
calculating average emission
concentrations even if the minimum
continuous emission monitoring system
data requirements of paragraph (d)(7) of
this section are not met.
(10) The continuous emission
monitoring system shall be operated
according to Performance Specification
11 in appendix B of this part.
(11) During the correlation testing
runs of the continuous emission
monitoring system required by
Performance Specification 11 in
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
9886
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with RULES2
appendix B of this part, particulate
matter and oxygen (or carbon dioxide)
data shall be collected concurrently (or
within a 30- to 60-minute period) by
both the continuous emission monitors
and the test methods specified in
paragraph (d)(7)(i) of this section.
(i) For particulate matter, EPA
Reference Method 5, 5B, or 17 shall be
used.
(ii) For oxygen (or carbon dioxide),
EPA reference Method 3, 3A, or 3B, as
applicable shall be used.
(12) Quarterly accuracy
determinations and daily calibration
drift tests shall be performed in
accordance with procedure 2 in
appendix F of this part. Relative
Response Audit’s must be performed
annually and Response Correlation
Audits must be performed every 3 years.
(13) When particulate matter
emissions data are not obtained because
of continuous emission monitoring
system breakdowns, repairs, calibration
checks, and zero and span adjustments,
emissions data shall be obtained by
using other monitoring systems as
approved by the Administrator or EPA
Reference Method 19 to provide, as
necessary, valid emissions data for a
minimum of 75 percent of total
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 Feb 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
operating hours on a 30-day rolling
average.
I 24. Section 60.47c is amended by
revising paragraph (a) and adding
paragraphs (c) and (d) to read as follows:
§ 60.47c Emission monitoring for
particulate matter.
(a) The owner or operator of an
affected facility combusting coal, oil,
gas, or wood that is subject to the
opacity standards under § 60.43c shall
install, calibrate, maintain, and operate
a COMS for measuring the opacity of the
emissions discharged to the atmosphere
and record the output of the system,
except as specified in paragraphs (c) and
(d) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Units that burn only oil that
contains no more than 0.5 weight
percent sulfur or liquid or gaseous fuels
with potential sulfur dioxide emission
rates of 230 ng/J (0.54 lb/MMBtu) heat
input or less are not required to conduct
PM emissions monitoring if they
maintain fuel supplier certifications of
the sulfur content of the fuels burned.
(d) Owners or operators complying
with the PM emission limit by using a
PM CEMS monitor instead of
monitoring opacity must calibrate,
maintain, and operate a continuous
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
monitoring system, and record the
output of the system, for PM emissions
discharged to the atmosphere as
specified in § 60.45c(d). The continuous
monitoring systems specified in
paragraph § 60.45c(d) shall be operated
and data recorded during all periods of
operation of the affected facility except
for continuous monitoring system
breakdowns and repairs. Data is
recorded during calibration checks, and
zero and span adjustments.
I 25. Section 60.48c is amended by
revising paragraph (g) to read as follows:
§ 60.48c Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
*
*
*
*
*
(g) The owner or operator of each
affected facility shall record and
maintain records of the amounts of each
fuel combusted during each day. The
owner or operator of an affected facility
that only burns very low sulfur fuel oil
or other liquid or gaseous fuels with
potential sulfur dioxide emissions rate
of 140 ng/J (0.32 lb/MMBtu) heat input
or less shall record and maintain
records of the fuels combusted during
each calendar month.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 06–1460 Filed 2–24–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 38 (Monday, February 27, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9866-9886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1460]
[[Page 9865]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Part II
Environmental Protection Agency
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
40 CFR Part 60
Standards of Performance for Electric Utility Steam Generating Units,
Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units, and Small
Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 9866]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 60
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0031; FRL-8033-3]
RIN 2060-AM80
Standards of Performance for Electric Utility Steam Generating
Units for Which Construction Is Commenced After September 18, 1978;
Standards of Performance for Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam
Generating Units; and Standards of Performance for Small Industrial-
Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule; amendments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 111(b)(1)(B) of the Clean Air Act (CAA),
EPA has reviewed the emission standards for nitrogen oxides
(NOX), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate
matter (PM) contained in the new source performance standards (NSPS)
for electric utility steam generating units and industrial-commercial-
institutional steam generating units. EPA proposed amendments to 40 CFR
part 60, subparts Da, Db, and Dc, on February 28, 2005. This action
reflects EPA's responses to issues raised by commenters, and
promulgates the amended standards of performance.
The final rule amendments revise the existing standards for PM
emissions by reducing the numerical emission limits for both utility
and industrial-commercial-institutional steam generating units and
revise the existing standards for NOX emissions by reducing
the numerical emission limits for utility steam generating units. The
amendments also revise the standards for SO2 emissions for
both electric utility and industrial-commercial-institutional steam
generating units. The numerical standard for electric utility steam
generating units has been reduced, and the maximum percent reduction
requirement has been increased. A numerical standard has been added for
units presently subject to the NSPS and new industrial-commercial-
institutional steam generating units, and the maximum percent reduction
requirement for new units has been increased. Both utility and
industrial steam generating units can either meet a numerical limit or
demonstrate a percent reduction.
Several technical clarifications and compliance alternatives have
been added to the existing provisions of the current rules.
DATES: The final rule amendments are effective on February 27, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Docket: EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0031. All documents in the docket are
listed on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Although listed
in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain
other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the
Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
through https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air and
Radiation Docket, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-2004-0490, EPA/DC, EPA West,
Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The Public
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air
and Radiation Docket Center is (202) 566-1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Christian Fellner, Energy
Strategies Group, Sector Policies and Programs Division (C439-01), U.S.
EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711; telephone number:
(919) 541-4003; e-mail fellner.christian@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulated Entities. Categories and entities
potentially regulated by the final rule amendments are new,
reconstructed, and modified electric utility steam generating units and
new, reconstructed, and modified industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units. The final rule amendments will affect the
following categories of sources:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples of potentially regulated
Category NAICS code SIC code entities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry................................... 221112 .............. Fossil fuel-fired electric utility
steam generating units.
Federal Government......................... 22112 .............. Fossil fuel-fired electric utility
steam generating units owned by
the Federal Government.
State/local/tribal government.............. 22112 .............. Fossil fuel-fired electric utility
steam generating units owned by
municipalities.
921150 .............. Fossil fuel-fired electric steam
generating units in Indian
Country.
Any industrial, commercial, or 211 13 Extractors of crude petroleum and
institutional facility using a boiler as natural gas.
defined in 60.40b or 60.40c.
321 24 Manufacturers of lumber and wood
products.
322 26 Pulp and paper mills.
325 28 Chemical manufacturers.
324 29 Petroleum refiners and
manufacturers of coal products.
316, 326, 339 30 Manufacturers of rubber and
miscellaneous plastic products.
331 33 Steel works, blast furnaces.
332 34 Electroplating, plating, polishing,
anodizing, and coloring.
336 37 Manufacturers of motor vehicle
parts and accessories.
221 49 Electric, gas, and sanitary
services.
622 80 Health services.
611 82 Educational services.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be subject to the final
rule amendments. To determine whether your facility may be subject to
the final rule amendments, you should examine the applicability
criteria in 40 CFR part 60, sections 60.40a, 60.40b, or 60.40c. If you
have any questions regarding the applicability of the final rule
amendments to a particular entity, contact the person listed in the
preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
[[Page 9867]]
Worldwide Web (WWW). In addition to being available in the docket,
an electronic copy of today's action is available on the WWW through
the Technology Transfer Network (TTN). Following signature, EPA has
posted a copy of today's action on the TTN's policy and guidance page
for newly proposed or promulgated rules at https://www.epa.gov/ttn. The
TTN provides information and technology exchange in various areas of
air pollution control.
Judicial Review. Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act
(CAA), judicial review of the final rule is available only by filing a
petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia by April 28, 2006. Under section 307(d)(7)(B) of the CAA, only
an objection to the final rule that was raised with reasonable
specificity during the period for public comment can be raised during
judicial review. Moreover, under section 307(b)(2) of the CAA, the
requirements established by today's final action may not be challenged
separately in any civil or criminal proceedings brought by EPA to
enforce these requirements.
Section 307(d)(7)(B) of the CAA further provides that ``only an
objection to a rule or procedure which was raised with reasonable
specificity during the period for public comment (including any public
hearing) may be raised during judicial review.'' This section also
provides a mechanism for EPA to convene a proceeding for
reconsideration, ``if the person raising an objection can demonstrate
to EPA that it was impracticable to raise such objection within [the
period for public comment] or if the grounds for such objection arose
after the period for public comment (but within the time specified for
judicial review) and if such objection is of central relevance to the
outcome of the rule.'' Any person seeking to make such a demonstration
to EPA should submit a Petition for Reconsideration to the Office of
the Administrator, U.S. EPA, Room 3000, Ariel Rios Building, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, with a copy to both the
person(s) listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, and
the Director of the Air and Radiation Law Office, Office of General
Counsel (Mail Code 2344A), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.,
Washington, DC 20004.
Outline. The following outline is provided to aid in locating
information in this preamble.
I. Summary of the Final Rule.
A. What are the requirements for new electric utility steam
generating units (40 CFR part 60, subpart Da)?
B. What are the requirements for industrial-commercial-
institutional steam generating units (40 CFR part 60, subpart Db)?
C. What are the requirements for small industrial-commercial-
institutional steam generating units (40 CFR part 60, subpart Dc)?
II. Background Information
A. What is the statutory authority for the final rule?
B. What is the regulatory authority for the final rule?
III. Responses to Public Comments
A. Electric Utility Steam Generating Units (40 CFR Part 60,
Subpart Da)
B. Industrial-Commercial-Institutional and Small Industrial-
Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units (40 CFR Part 60,
Subparts Db and Dc)
IV. Impacts of the Final Rules
A. What are the impacts for electric utility steam generating
units (40 CFR part 60, subpart Da)?
B. What are the impacts for industrial-commercial-institutional
boilers (40 CFR part 60, subparts Db and Dc)?
C. What are the economic impacts?
D. What are the social costs and benefits?
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With
Indian Tribal Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From
Environmental Health and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution or Use
I. National Technology Transfer Advancement Act
J. Congressional Review Act
I. Summary of Final Rule
The final rule amends the emission limits for SO2,
NOX, and PM for subpart Da, 40 CFR part 60 (electric utility
steam generating units) the SO2 and PM emission limits for
subpart Db, 40 CFR part 60 (industrial-commercial-institutional steam
generating units), and the SO2 and PM emission limits for
subpart Dc, 40 CFR part 60 (small industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units). With one exception, only those units that
begin construction, modification, or reconstruction after February 28,
2005, will be affected by the final rule. The exception is that the
SO2 standard for industrial-commercial-institutional units
presently subject to the NSPS has been amended to reflect the
difficulty of units burning fuels with inherently low sulfur emissions
from consistently achieving 90 percent reduction. Compliance with the
emission limits of the final rule will be determined using similar
testing, monitoring, and other compliance provisions set forth in the
existing standards.
In addition to the emissions limits contained in the final rule, we
also are including several technical clarifications and corrections to
existing provisions of the existing amendments, as explained below. We
included language to clarify the applicability of subparts Da, Db, and
Dc of 40 CFR part 60 to combined cycle power plants. Heat recovery
steam generators that are associated with combined cycle and combined
heat and power combustion turbines burning less than 75 percent (by
heat input) synthetic-coal gas are not subject to subparts Da, Db, or
Dc, 40 CFR part 60, if the unit meets the applicability requirements of
subpart KKKK, 40 CFR part 60 (Standards of Performance for Stationary
Combustion Turbines). Subpart Da of 40 CFR part 60 will apply to
combined cycle and combined heat and power combustion turbines and the
associated heat recovery units that burn 75 percent or more (by heat
input) synthetic-coal gas (e.g., integrated coal gasification combine
cycle power plants) and that meet the applicability criteria of the
final rule amendments, respectively.
We also made amendments to the definitions for boiler operating
day, cogeneration, coal, gross output, and petroleum. The purpose of
the final rule amendments is to clarify definitions across the three
subparts and to incorporate the most current applicable American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) testing method references.
Also, we clarified the definition of an ``electric utility steam
generating unit'' as applied to cogeneration units.
A. What are the requirements for new electric utility steam generating
units (40 CFR part 60, subpart Da)?
The PM emission limit for new and reconstructed electric utility
steam generating units is 6.4 nanograms per joule (ng/J) (0.015 pound
per million British thermal units (lb/MMBtu)) heat input or 99.9
percent reduction regardless of the type of fuel burned. The PM
emission limit for modified electric utility steam generating units is
6.4 ng/J (0.015 lb/MMBtu) heat input or 99.8 percent reduction
regardless of the type of fuel burned. Compliance with this emission
limit can be determined using similar testing, monitoring, and other
compliance provisions for PM standards set forth in the existing rule.
While not required, PM CEMS may be used as an alternative method to
demonstrate continuous compliance
[[Page 9868]]
and as an alternative to opacity and parameter monitoring requirements.
The SO2 emission limit for new electric utility steam
generating units is 180 ng/J (1.4 pound per megawatt hour (lb/MWh))
gross energy output or 95 percent reduction regardless of the type of
fuel burned with one exception. The SO2 emission limit for
new electric utility steam generating units that burn over 75 percent
coal refuse (by heat input) is 180 ng/J (1.4 lb/MWh) gross energy
output or 94 percent reduction. The SO2 emission limit for
reconstructed and modified electric utility steam generating units
burning any fuel except over 75 percent coal refuse (by heat input) is
65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) heat input or 95 percent reduction and 65 ng/J
(0.15 lb/MMBtu) heat input or 90 percent reduction, respectively. The
SO2 emission limit for reconstructed and modified electric
utility steam generating units burning over 75 percent coal refuse (by
heat input) is 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) or 94 percent reduction and 65
ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) or 90 percent reduction, respectively. Compliance
with the SO2 emission limit is determined on a 30-day
rolling average basis using a CEMS to measure SO2 emissions
as discharged to the atmosphere and following the compliance provisions
in the existing rule for the output-based NOX standards
applicable to new sources that were built after July 9, 1997.
The NOX emission limit for new electric utility steam
generating units is 130 ng/J (1.0 lb NOX/MWh) gross energy
output regardless of the type of fuel burned in the unit. Compliance
with this emission limit is determined on a 30-day rolling average
basis using similar testing, monitoring, and other compliance
provisions in the existing rule for the output-based NOX
standards applicable to new sources that were built after July 9, 1997.
The NOX limit for reconstructed and modified electric
utility steam generating units is 47 ng/J (0.11 lb/MMBtu) heat input
and 65 ng/J (0.15 lb/MMBtu) heat input, respectively.
B. What are the requirements for industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units (40 CFR part 60, subpart Db)?
The PM emission limit for new and reconstructed industrial-
commercial-institutional steam generating units is 13 ng/J (0.03 lb/
MMBtu) for units that burn coal, oil, gas, wood, or a mixture of these
fuels with other fuels. The PM emission limit for modified industrial-
commercial-institutional steam generating units is 13 ng/J (0.03 lb/
MMBtu) heat input or 99.8 percent reduction [with a maximum emission
limit of 22 ng/J (0.051 lb/MMBtu) heat input] for units that burn coal,
oil, gas, wood, or a mixture of these fuels with other fuels with two
exceptions. The standard for modified wood-fired units with a maximum
heat input less than or equal to 250 MMBtu/h is 43 ng/J (0.10 lb/MMBtu)
heat input and 37 ng/J (0.085 lb/MMBtu) heat input for larger modified
wood-fired boilers. While not required, PM CEMS may be used as an
alternative method to demonstrate continuous compliance and as an
alternative to opacity monitoring requirements.
Units burning only oil, that contains no more than 0.3 weight
percent sulfur, or liquid or gaseous fuels with a potential sulfur
dioxide emission rate equal to or less than 140 ng/J (0.32 lb/MMBtu)
heat input, may demonstrate compliance with the PM standard by
maintaining certification of the fuels burned. Such units are not
required to conduct PM compliance tests, conduct continuous monitoring,
or comply with any other recordkeeping or reporting requirements unless
the boiler changes the fuel burned to something other than the
certified fuels.
The SO2 emission limit for new and reconstructed
industrial-commercial-institutional steam generating units is 87 ng/J
(0.20 lb/MMBtu) heat input, or 92 percent reduction with a maximum
emission rate of 520 ng/J (1.2 lb/MMBtu). Compliance with the
SO2 emission limits is determined following similar
procedures as in the existing NSPS.
Units burning only oil that contains no more than 0.3 weight
percent sulfur or any individual fuel that, when combusted without
SO2 emission control, have an SO2 emission rate
equal to or less than 140 ng/J (0.32 lb/MMBtu) heat input are exempt
from other SO2 emission limits and may demonstrate
compliance with the SO2 standard by maintaining
certification of the fuels burned. Such units are not required to
conduct SO2 compliance tests, conduct continuous monitoring,
or comply with any other recordkeeping or reporting requirements unless
the boiler changes the fuel burned to something other than the
certified fuels.
An alternate numerical SO2 limit of 87 ng/J (0.20 lb/
MMBtu) heat input has been added both for units presently subject to
the NSPS and for modified units. The alternative limit has been made
available to units presently subject to the NSPS as well as modified
units in recognition of the technical difficulties of facilities firing
inherently low sulfur fuels to achieve 90 percent reduction.
C. What are the requirements for small industrial-commercial-
institutional steam generating units (40 CFR part 60, subpart Dc)?
The PM emission limit for new and reconstructed small industrial-
commercial-institutional steam generating units is 13 ng/J (0.03 lb/
MMBtu) heat input for units that burn coal, oil, gas, wood, or a
mixture of these fuels with other fuels. The PM emission limit for
modified industrial-commercial-institutional steam generating units is
13 ng/J (0.03 lb/MMBtu) heat input or 99.8 percent reduction for units
that burn coal, oil, gas, wood, or a mixture of these fuels with other
fuels with one exception. The standard for modified wood-fired
industrial-commercial-institutional steam generating units is 43 ng/J
(0.10 lb/MMBtu) heat input. These limits apply to units between 8.7 MW
and 29 MW (30 to 100 MMBtu/h) heat input. While not required, PM CEMS
may be used as an alternate method to demonstrate continuous compliance
and as an alternative to opacity monitoring.
Units burning only oil that contains no more than 0.5 weight
percent sulfur or liquid or gaseous fuels that, when combusted without
SO2 emission control, have a SO2 emission rate
equal to or less than 230 ng/J (0.54 lb/MMBtu) heat input, may
demonstrate compliance with the PM standard by maintaining
certification of the fuels burned. Such units are not required to
conduct PM compliance tests, conduct continuous monitoring, or any
other recordkeeping or reporting requirements unless the boiler changes
the fuel burned to something other than the certified fuels.
II. Background Information
A. What is the statutory authority for the final rule?
New source performance standards implement CAA section 111(b), and
are issued for categories of sources which cause, or contribute
significantly to, air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to
endanger public health or welfare.
Section 111 of the CAA requires that NSPS reflect the application
of the best system of emissions reductions which (taking into
consideration the cost of achieving such emissions reductions, any non-
air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements)
the Administrator determines has been adequately demonstrated. This
level of control is commonly referred to as best demonstrated
technology (BDT).
[[Page 9869]]
Section 111(b)(1)(B) of the CAA requires EPA to periodically review
and revise the standards of performance, as necessary, to reflect
improvements in methods for reducing emissions.
B. What is the regulatory authority for the final rule?
The current standards for steam generating units are contained in
the NSPS for electric utility steam generating units (40 CFR part 60,
subpart Da), industrial-commercial-institutional steam generating units
(40 CFR part 60, subpart Db), and small industrial-commercial-
institutional steam generating units (40 CFR part 60, subpart Dc).
The NSPS for electric utility steam generating units (40 CFR part
60, subpart Da) were originally promulgated on June 11, 1979 (44 FR
33580) and apply to units capable of firing more than 73 megawatts (MW)
(250 MMBtu/h) heat input of fossil fuel that commenced construction,
reconstruction, or modification after September 18, 1978. The NSPS also
apply to industrial-commercial-institutional cogeneration units that
sell more than 25 MW and more than one-third of their potential output
capacity to any utility power distribution system. The most recent
amendments to emission standards under subpart Da, 40 CFR part 60, were
promulgated in 1998 (63 FR 49442) resulting in new NOX
limitations for subpart Da, 40 CFR part 60, units. Furthermore, in the
1998 amendments, the use of output-based emission limits was
incorporated.
The NSPS for industrial-commercial-institutional steam generating
units (40 CFR part 60, subpart Db) apply to units for which
construction, modification, or reconstruction commenced after June 19,
1984, that have a heat input capacity greater than 29 MW (100 MMBtu/h).
Those standards were originally promulgated on November 25, 1986 (51 FR
42768) and also have been amended since the original promulgation to
reflect changes in BDT for these sources. The most recent amendments to
emission standards under subpart Db, 40 CFR part 60, were promulgated
in 1998 (63 FR 49442) resulting in new NOX limitations for
subpart Db, 40 CFR part 60, units.
The NSPS for small industrial-commercial-institutional steam
generating units (40 CFR part 60, subpart Dc) were originally
promulgated on September 12, 1990, (55 FR 37674) and apply to units
with a maximum heat input capacity greater than or equal to 2.9 MW (10
MMBtu/h) but less than 29 MW (100 MMBtu/h). Those standards apply to
units that commenced construction, reconstruction, or modification
after June 9, 1989.
III. Responses to Public Comments
The proposed rule was published February 28, 2005 (70 FR 9706).
A. Electric Utility Steam Generating Units (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Da)
Greenhouse Gases
Comment: One group of commenters state that CAA section 111
requires EPA to set standards of performance for each pollutant emitted
by a source category that causes, or contributes significantly to air
pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health
or welfare. The commenters presented an argument to support their
conclusion that carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse
gases emitted by steam generating units are ``reasonably anticipated to
endanger public health or welfare.'' Thus, EPA must set NSPS for
greenhouse gases emitted from steam generating units.
One commenter states that the electricity sector includes the
nation's largest sources of CO2 emissions, and it is
essential that EPA utilize its authority to limit CO2
emissions under CAA section 111. The commenter states that, in the
preamble, EPA alludes to the importance of controlling greenhouse
gases, and that EPA revised its earlier position that it did have
authority to regulate CO2; the commenter notes that this
position is currently under judicial review. The commenter summarizes
the public health dangers from rising CO2 levels and
provides supporting attachments to its submittal. The commenter states
that technologies, e.g., integrated gasification combine cycle (IGCC)
technology and others, are available to the electric utility industry
to reduce CO2 emissions that were not available in 1979 when
the power plant NSPS were promulgated. The commenter attached
supporting information on the available technology for lowering
CO2 emissions. For existing sources, the commenter
recommends that EPA require States to implement standards of
performance for CO2 from existing sources. According to the
commenter, CAA section 111(d) provides that EPA require States to
implement standards of performance for existing sources when the
pollutant is not regulated as a criteria pollutant. A program of
trading CO2 emission credits is an effective way of
regulating CO2 emissions from existing sources.
One commenter recommends that EPA set CO2 emission
limits as minimum thermal efficiency levels for boilers.
Response: EPA's statutory authority for establishing NSPS to
control air pollutants from stationary sources is under CAA section
111. EPA has concluded that it does not presently have the authority to
set NSPS to regulate CO2 or other greenhouse gases that
contribute to global climate change.
Selection of NOX Emission Level
Comment: One group of commenters state that to meet the
requirements of CAA section 111, EPA must establish a NOX
limit of no more than 0.5 lb/MWh for electric utility steam generating
units. The commenters present information and data references to
support their selection of a NOX emission level for the
NSPS.
One commenter states that a lower NOX emission standard
of 0.7 or 0.8 lb/MWh is justified based on existing demonstrated
technology and is consistent with the mandate in section 111 of the
CAA. The commenter cites two fluidized bed boilers that began operating
in the late 1980s and have been retrofitted with selective non-
catalytic reduction (SNCR) and have actual NOX emission
rates between 0.12 and 0.13 lb/MMBtu.
One commenter states that the standards for NOX are
insufficiently stringent and do no reflect the best system of emission
reduction as required by CAA section 111. The commenter provides the
following supporting rationale for their view: The 1.0 lb/MWh standard
is based on an input-based level of 0.11 lb/MMBtu, which is well above
the levels being achieved with recent selective catalytic reduction
(SCR) installations. The commenter attached 2003 data showing at least
62 coal-fired plant units achieving a rate of 0.100 lb/MMBtu or below
and 37 units emitted at a rate at or below 0.080 lb/MMBtu. New plants
should be able to do better. EPA acknowledges that SCR can reduce
NOX emissions by at least 90 percent. Because most existing
facilities subject to the final rule are meeting rates of 0.30-0.60 lb/
MMBtu without SCR, units with SCR should readily achieve these levels.
Even though EPA recognizes that SCR is BDT, it is proposing a less
stringent standard based on fluidized beds and advanced combustion
controls as an alternative to SCR or SNCR. This contravenes section
111. EPA uses efficiency data for existing plants rather than higher
efficiency levels achievable by new plants using either SCR or IGCC
technology. A standard closer to the lower end of the range being
considered is appropriate.
[[Page 9870]]
One commenter states that new coal-fired units can achieve
NOX emission limits of less than 0.500 lb/MWh through the
implementation of low NOX burners and SCR technologies.
One commenter reviewed recent BACT determinations in new source
permits for electric utility steam-generating units of more than 250
MMBtu/h (combusting bituminous, sub-bituminous, anthracite and lignite
coal) from EPA's Clean Air Technology Center RACT/BACT/LAER
Clearinghouse (RBLC) and examined the five most recent permitting
decisions. The commenter included RBLC data showing that the permitted
NOX emission limits for all five were 0.07 or 0.08 lb/MMBtu.
The commenter states that, as reflected in the RBLC, a limit of 0.08
lb/MMBtu is achievable using SCR and low NOX burners, and
notes that EPA cites SCR as the basis for its proposed limit of 1.0 lb/
MWh (equivalent to 0.11 lb/MMBtu). The commenter recommends an output-
based standard equivalent to a heat-input based standard between 0.07
and 0.08 lb/MMBtu.
Response: EPA disagrees that the amended NSPS are inappropriate.
EPA acknowledges that boiler types and control configurations are
technically capable of achieving lower NOX emissions. EPA
has concluded that with advanced combustion controls, coal-fired
electric utility steam-generating units are able to achieve a
NOX emissions rate of 1.0 lb/MWh (0.11 lb/MMBtu). The
incremental cost of requiring SCR for reduction to 0.7 lb/MWh (0.08 lb/
MMBtu) is approximately $5,000 per ton. The final NOX
standard is based on the best demonstrated technology taking into
account costs, other environmental impacts, and additional energy
requirements. Requiring SCR in addition to advanced combustion controls
not only increases costs and decreases the net efficiency of the unit,
but leads to ammonia emissions and catalyst disposal concerns. States
and BACT permitting process are still capable of requiring additional
controls as appropriate.
NOX Control for Lignite-Fired Steam-Generating Units
Comment: Several commenters disagree with EPA's assessment of the
feasibility of meeting the proposed NOX limit for lignite-
fired boilers. The commenters disagree with EPA's assessment that units
burning lignite can meet the proposed NOX limit with either
SCR or fluidized bed combustors and SNCR because EPA is specifying a
boiler design that has never been built larger than 300 MW and is
generally no larger than 100 MW. According to the commenter, this
violates CAA section 111(b)(5) which prohibits setting a standard based
upon a particular technology. One commenter states that information was
provided to EPA prior to proposal suggesting that pore pluggage of SCR
catalysts makes the proposed limit of 1.0 lb/MWh unachievable at
lignite units. According to the commenter, there were no commercial
applications of SCR (retrofit or new unit applications) for either
northern or southern lignite. One commenter cites published research
showing SCR technology ineffective for NOX reduction from
lignite-fired steam-generating units and states that it is unlikely
that any new pulverized coal units using Fort Union lignite would
install SCR technology to reduce NOX emissions. The
commenter also states that combustion controls, the only effective
means to reduce NOX emissions at some lignite-fired units,
have been problematic for Fort Union lignite. The commenter recommends
retaining the current NSPS of 1.6 lb/MWh for units burning Fort Union
lignite.
Response: EPA disagrees that lignite-fired steam-generating units
would not be able to achieve the amended NSPS. While there are no
existing lignite-fired electric utility steam-generating units with SCR
in the United States, there is considerable experience in the industry
to show that use of SCR on lignite is technically feasible. EPA has
concluded that the primary reason that no pulverized lignite-fired
units are equipped with SCR is because no new pulverized lignite unit
has been built in the United States since 1986.
The Electric Power Research Institute testing of SCR catalyst in a
slipstream at the Martin Lake Power plant showed acceptable results
from Gulf Coast lignite. In addition, two recent permit applications
for pulverized lignite-fired utility units in Texas (Twin Oaks 3 and
Oak Grove facilities) propose to use SCR to control NOX
emissions to 0.07 and 0.10 lb/MMBtu, respectively. Finally, technology
suppliers report that SCR has been successfully used on lignite and
brown coal boilers in Europe. EPA has concluded that SCR can be used on
lignite boilers in the United States and catalyst suppliers have
indicated that they will offer performance guarantees on these
applications.
Pore plugging and binding of a catalyst is a common problem
experienced by pilot test facilities. In full scale installations, this
concern is addressed during the SCR design stage. The methods used to
avoid this problem include duct design to promote ash fallout prior to
the SCR, catalyst reactor design to avoid ash buildup, and on-line
cleaning methods (soot blowers and sonic horns).
In addition, the use of SCR is not required to comply with the
amended NOX standard. The existing Big Brown facility in
Texas burns pulverized Gulf Coast lignite and is able to achieve 0.15
lb NOX/MMBtu with combustion controls alone. EPA has
concluded that new lignite-fired units would either be able to achieve
the amended standards without the use of any backend controls or could
use SNCR to comply. Existing units at 0.15 lb/MMBtu would only need 30
percent NOX reduction to comply with the amended
NOX standard. This level of control has been demonstrated
for existing pulverized coal (PC) units retrofit with SNCR, and new
units could achieve even better results.
Fluidized bed combustion and gasification are also options for new
lignite units. The proposed permits for the Westmoreland and South
Heart facilities in North Dakota both propose to burn Fort Union
lignite in fluidized beds and use SNCR to achieve a NOX
emissions limit of 0.09 lb/MMBtu. With regard to size, Foster Wheeler
recently designed a 460 MW supercritical fluidized bed.
Selection of SO2 Emission Limit
Comment: One group of commenters state that EPA's proposed
SO2 standard for electric utility steam-generating units
violates CAA section 111 because it does not reflect BDT for this
source category. EPA also did not consider foreign experience or
advanced scrubber designs, which indicate lower SO2 limits
have been achieved and are achievable. The processes that have
demonstrated greater than 98 percent SO2 removal and for
which vendors offer guarantees greater than 98 percent are the
magnesium-enhanced lime (``MEL'') flue gas desulfurization (FGD)
process, the Chiyoda CT-121 bubbling jet reactor, and circulating
fluidized bed scrubbers. Further, design enhancements and additives are
available that can increase SO2 removal efficiencies above
98 percent for other technologies within this general class. Also, EPA
did not consider the use of coal washing in its determination.
Response: EPA has concluded that 98 percent control is possible
with certain control and boiler configurations under ideal conditions.
The amended SO2 standard is based on a 30-day average that
includes the variability that occurs from non-ideal operating
conditions. The best long-term SO2 control performance data
that EPA has available
[[Page 9871]]
are for the Harrison, Conemaugh, Northside, Clover, and similar
facilities. The amended standards are based on operational data from
these facilities. EPA has concluded that this level of control is
achievable for a broad range of coal and boiler types.
Comment: One group of commenters state that to meet the
requirements of CAA section 111, EPA must establish a SO2
limit of no more than 0.9 lb/MWh for all utility steam-generating
units. Alternatively, if EPA finds that this standard would be cost-
prohibitive for high sulfur coal, then it should either set emissions
limits on a sliding scale that reflects BDT for coals of increasing
sulfur content, or establish both stringent emissions limits and
stringent percentage reduction requirements that would apply
simultaneously. The commenters' review of proposed and final emission
limits in recent permits and permit applications for 32 recent coal-
fired steam-generating unit projects found 9 units with emissions
limits of 0.10 lb/MMBtu or lower (0.95 lb/MWh or lower, assuming 36
percent efficiency) and 22 units with emission limits of 0.13 lb/MMBtu
or lower (1.2 lb/MWh or lower).
One commenter states that the standard for SO2 is
insufficiently stringent and does not reflect the best system of
emission reduction as required by CAA section 111. The commenter
provides the following supporting rationale:
About 70 percent of coals in use can meet the proposed
limit with add-on controls. The data before EPA supports a limit at the
low end of the range being considered by EPA (0.90-2.0 lb/MWh) rather
than the proposed level (2.0 lb/MWh), which is at the top of the range.
All coals currently in use can meet a more stringent
standard, e.g., 88 percent of coals currently in use can meet 1.1 lb/
MWh without pretreatment and using wet lime FGD that consistently
achieves a 97 percent reduction; EPA has determined that reductions
greater than 98 percent are demonstrated.
For high sulfur coals, other technologies are available,
e.g., IGCC technology which is capable of reductions of over 99
percent. The highest sulfur coals (uncontrolled level of 7.92 lb/MMBtu)
can meet 1.1 lb/MWh using technologies that reduce sulfur levels by 99
percent. Other options for meeting more stringent standards include
coal washing and blending with low sulfur coals.
Actual 2003 emissions data show 25 plants with scrubbers
achieving emissions at or below 0.10 lb/MMBtu (data attached to
commenter's submittal). EPA's BACT/LAER clearinghouse establishes
permitted levels for new scrubbers below the proposed standard and as
low as 0.06 lb/MMBtu; IGCC units show even lower permitted levels, 0.03
and 0.032 lb/MMBtu.
Vendors of scrubber report removal efficiencies of 99.5
percent of sulfur from high sulfur coal (as high as 4 percent)
achieving SO2 emission rates of 0.04 lb/MMBtu. The commenter
attached a supporting report by a vendor of scrubber equipment.
New Source Review (NSR) enforcement settlements reflect
better emission rates than 0.21 lb/MMBtu even at existing plants. EPA
routinely obtains commitments for FGD retrofits to meet rates of 0.100
to 0.130 lb/MMBtu. The commenter attached supporting consent decrees.
EPA's proposed standards rely on an estimate that new
plants will operate at a 36 percent gross efficiency even though the
top 10 percent of existing units operate at 38 percent. This is
unreasonable given that the standards will govern new PC plants, with
new supercritical plants able to achieve a net efficiency of 45 percent
and a gross efficiency of 40 percent.
One commenter states that new coal-fired units can achieve
SO2 emission limits of 0.500 to 1.5 lb/MWh depending on
sulfur content. The commenter supports lower SO2 limits for
lower sulfur coal and suggests that this can be done by maintaining a
percent reduction requirement or setting a range of SO2
limits based on sulfur content of coal. The commenter recommends that
where a percent reduction limit is used, it should be in addition to
the emission rate limit.
One commenter recommends an output-based limit equivalent to a
heat-input based limit of 0.10 lb/MMBtu. Based on a survey of EPA's
RBLC for recent permitting decisions, permitted SO2 levels
of 0.022 to 0.12 lb/MMBtu, are common State requirements. EPA's
argument for a higher limit to account for the highest-sulfur coal is
flawed because industry can use lower sulfur coal or use technologies
to reduce SO2 emissions beyond the proposed level.
Response: EPA acknowledges that certain boiler and coal
configurations are technically capable of achieving SO2
emissions rates of 1.0 lb/MWh. The NSPS are based on limits that can be
achieved on a consistent basis for a broad range of boiler and coal
types. High sulfur coals are an important part of the United States
energy resources, and spray dryers for SO2 control are
important in locations with limited water resources. EPA has concluded
that it is vital that the amended NSPS preserve the use of both high
sulfur coals and spray dryers. Therefore, EPA is amending the
SO2 standard to allow units greater flexibility in complying
with the final SO2 standard. The amended SO2
standard is either 1.4 lb/MWh or 95 percent reduction on a 30-day
rolling average. The numerical limit is aggressive, but preserves the
ability of approximately half the coals presently used in the United
States to use spray dryers. The percent maximum reduction requirement
is similarly aggressive, but preserves the ability of units to burn
high sulfur coals. Based on the sulfur content of coals presently being
burned in the United States, EPA has concluded that the majority of new
units will comply with the 1.4 lb/MWh standard, but has provided the
maximum percent reduction requirement to address the concerns of users
of high sulfur coals. The BACT permitting process and states
requirements are able to require additional controls as appropriate.
Comment: One commenter states that many scrubbers used for high
sulfur coals--3 to 4 percent sulfur--will be unable to meet the
proposed SO2 limit of 2.0 lb/MWh on a consistent basis.
According to the commenter, EPA has based their decision on a single,
high performance magnesium-enhanced lime scrubber, i.e., the Harrison
facility in Pennsylvania. The commenter states that the specialty agent
used at the unit may not be broadly available and brings into question
whether the SO2 levels being attained at this plant can be
sustained long term. The commenter also states that EPA's use of a
scrubber at a single facility as the basis for the SO2 limit
is in conflict with CAA section 111(b)(5), which prohibits setting a
standard based upon a particular technology.
The commenter continues by stating that there is considerable
uncertainty that the high removal efficiency that would be required for
high sulfur coals can consistently and broadly be achieved. According
to the commenter, coals with sulfur content exceeding 2.5 percent would
require removal efficiencies of up to 98 percent; for these coals, wet
scrubbers are the sole option and uncertainties in meeting the NSPS may
dissuade some from using such coals.
Response: The final rule amendments allow units to either comply
with an output-based limit of 1.4 lb/MWh or demonstrate 95 percent
reduction. The maximum percent reduction requirement is achievable for
multiple boiler and control configurations and addresses concerns of
the use of high sulfur fuels.
[[Page 9872]]
Particulate Matter Emission Limit
Comment: One commenter states that fabric filters, the technology
on which the proposed PM emission standard is based, is problematic
with coals whose sulfur content exceeds 1.5 percent. With only 134 of
1,250 U.S. coal-fired power plants using fabric filters, the commenter
notes that with the exception of a limited number of applications on
small atypical boilers, there are no fabric filters in operation on
plants firing sulfur greater than 2.0 percent by weight. The commenter
cites an example of a plant that encountered problems after installing
a fabric filter on a unit burning medium-or high-sulfur coal. For this
reason, the commenter states that EPA's proposed PM standard is neither
achievable nor adequately demonstrated for all coals.
Response: In general, EPA disagrees with the comment that the use
of fabric filters to control PM emissions is problematic for electric
utility steam generating units firing coals with sulfur contents
exceeding 1.5 percent. The example cited by the commenter is for a
retrofit application of a fabric filter at an existing facility for
which the temperature of the flue gas in the fabric filter unit was not
maintained above the acid dew point. Consequently, acid mist formed in
the flue gas, condensed on the bags and internal components of the
unit, and adversely impacted the performance of the control device.
Based on discussions with fabric filter equipment suppliers, EPA has
concluded that a similar problem should not occur in fabric filters
installed on new and reconstructed facilities because of the capability
at these sites to incorporate design options that will maintain the
temperature of the flue gas passing through the fabric filter at levels
above the acid dew point of the flue gas. These options include use of
high temperature bags and injection of hydrated lime to lower the acid
dew point of the flue gas. The Department of Energy sponsored two
demonstration projects (SNOX Flue Gas Cleaning Demonstration Project
(SNOX) and SOX-NOX-ROX-Box Flue Gas
Cleanup Demonstration Project (SNRB) projects) that successfully used
fabric filters for PM control for electric utility steam generating
units burning high sulfur coal, potential SO2 emissions of 5
and 6 lb/MMBtu, respectively. In addition, two recent permit
applications propose to use fabric filters for PM control while burning
relatively high sulfur coals. The Longview power plant in West Virginia
is proposing to burn 2.5 percent sulfur coal, and the Elm Road plant is
proposing to burn coal with potential SO2 emissions of 4 lb/
MMBtu.
EPA recognizes that in certain site-specific situations where an
existing electric utility steam generating unit becomes subject to the
NSPS because of modifications to the unit, replacement of an
electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with a fabric filter could be
problematic. Not all locations may be able to cost-effectively maintain
the temperature of the flue gas in a fabric filter above the acid dew
point of the flue gas because of existing site conditions and space
constraints. Therefore, EPA decided it is appropriate to establish a
separate PM standard for modified sources subject to subpart Da, 40 CFR
part 60. Owners and operators of modified electric utility steam
generating units subject to the NSPS are given the option of meeting
either a 0.015 lb/MMBtu or 99.8 percent reduction standard. ESPs can be
modified to cost-effectively achieve this level of control.
Comment: One commenter takes issue with EPA's proposed input-based
standard for PM emissions. According to the commenter, although EPA
determined that ESPs and fabric filters are the best demonstrated
technology for controlling filterable particulate matter, EPA's
justification for the revised PM limit is based on three plants where
fabric filtration is used. The commenter also states that of the three
plants, two use fluidized bed boilers, which use limestone as an active
bed material, significantly altering the nature of the PM generated for
collection. The commenter states that the record does not support the
proposed NSPS for PM for ESPs or that fluidized bed combustors are
appropriate units on which to base PM standards for pulverized coal
steam generating units, which are projected to make up the majority of
new units.
Response: EPA has gathered additional stack test data that
indicates an ESP could be used by the majority of coal types to comply
with the final rule amendments. Based on ESP cost models, they are
often less expensive than fabric filters for high sulfur applications.
Additional information is available in the PM control cost memorandum.
Comment: One group of commenters state that the proposed opacity
limit does not reflect BDT because the proposed rule retains the
existing opacity limit of 20 percent. The commenters state that this
limit is over 20 years old, and is not based on the performance of
modern baghouse control systems. Because EPA has acknowledged in the
proposed rule that the former 0.03 lb/MMBtu PM limit should at least be
halved to 0.015 lb/MMBtu, there should be a proportionate halving of
the opacity limit, from 20 percent to 10 percent. Ten percent opacity
can be easily and continuously attained by subpart Da, 40 CFR part 60,
facilities using appropriate control technology. There are existing
power plants around the country with BACT limits of 10 percent for
opacity, including the Sevier Power Company--Sigurd plant in Utah,
Intermountain Power in Utah, and Plum Point Energy in Arkansas.
Response: Since opacity is used as an indication on PM emissions,
EPA has provided sources with two options to demonstrate continuous
compliance with the amended PM standard. Sources may elect to install
and operate PM CEMS and demonstrate compliance each boiler operating
day. For these units, opacity monitoring shall no longer be required.
Units that do not install PM CEMS shall perform stack tests to
demonstrate compliance and shall still be subject to the existing 6-
minute opacity limit. In addition, sources shall use bag leak detectors
or monitor ESP parameters in addition to developing a site-specific
opacity trigger level that is based on the opacity during the stack
test. Sources that deviate from this opacity or other parameter are
required to perform a stack test within 60 days of the deviation. Stack
opacity characteristics are different for fabric filters and ESP.
Therefore, EPA has concluded that a site-specific opacity trigger is
the best approach to monitor continuous compliance.
B. Industrial-Commercial-Institutional and Small Industrial-Commercial-
Institutional Steam Generating Units (40 CFR Part 60, Subparts Db and
Dc)
Comment: Several commenters opposed both the proposed single
SO2 limit of 0.24 lb/MMBtu heat input and the limit of
either 0.15 lb/MMBtu heat input or 95 percent reduction for a variety
of reasons. Several commenters believed that these approaches would
discourage the use of high sulfur coals found in the Midwest and would
be difficult to meet consistently for circulating fluidized bed boilers
and boilers burning low sulfur coal. They also stated that industrial
boilers cannot routinely achieve high percent reductions of 95 percent
or more, as would be required to meet these standards, because of
variations in coal quality and operational variations due to
fluctuations in steam demand. Also, meeting 95 percent reduction would
not be feasible for existing units that are modified. Three of the
commenters recommended adopting the same SO2
[[Page 9873]]
standard as subpart Da, 40 CFR part 60 (90 percent reduction with a 70
percent reduction for units that demonstrate emissions below 0.20 lb/
MMBtu heat input). Two commenters recommended retaining the current 90
percent SO2 reduction requirement with an alternative
emission limit of 0.24 lb/MMBtu heat input. One commenter supported
EPA's decision that the current SO2 emission limits in
subparts Db and Dc of 40 CFR part 60 should not be amended because
option 1 and 2 would impose unacceptable compliance costs and are not
warranted. One commenter also opposed reducing the SO2 limit
for units with heat input capacities of 10-75 MMBtu/h.
Several commenters maintained that the changes to the
SO2 limit to remove the percent reduction requirement should
apply to existing units as well as new units. Excluding existing units
from the change would provide a disincentive to use low sulfur coal and
would not provide relief for existing compliance problems. Many
existing boilers were designed to achieve 90 percent reduction using
high sulfur coals. An existing unit that wanted to switch to low sulfur
coal would have difficulty in meeting a 90 percent requirement using
existing control equipment. Also, circulating fluidized bed (CFB)
boilers that use low sulfur coal have had difficulty in achieving a 90
percent reduction consistently. The technical impossibility of
measuring uncontrolled SO2 emissions at a CFB unit creates
an inherent difficulty in adjusting limestone injection rate to
accommodate short-term variations in coal sulfur content. One such unit
that burns low sulfur coal has been cited for short-term violations of
the NSPS even though average emissions were in the range of 0.13 lb/
MMBtu (0106).
Response: After considering all the comments and additional
information provided by commenters, we have decided to provide
industrial units the following options. Units presently subject to the
NSPS and modified units may reduce SO2 emissions by 90
percent or meet an SO2 emission limit of 0.20 lb/MMBtu heat
input. New and reconstructed units that become subject to the NSPS
after February 28, 2005, may reduce SO2 emissions by 92
percent or meet an SO2 emission limit of 0.20 lb/MMBtu heat
input. This approach will be more stringent than the existing subpart
Db, 40 CFR part 60, requirements, and at the same time allow units with
difficulty in achieving high levels of SO2 control to
overcome compliance demonstrations problems by burning low sulfur
fuels.
IV. Impacts of the Final Rule?
A. What are the impacts for electric utility steam generating units (40
CFR part 60, subpart Da)?
We estimate that 5 new electric utility steam generating units will
be installed in the United States over the next 5 years and affected by
the final rule. All of these units will need to install add-on controls
to meet the PM, SO2, and NOX limits required
under the final rule. However, these boilers will already be required
to install add-on PM, SO2, and NOX controls to
meet the reduction requirements of the existing NSPS. Compared to the
existing NSPS, the incremental PM, SO2, and NOX
reductions resulting from the final rule will be 530 tons of PM, 8,400
tons of SO2, and 1,400 tons of NOX. Using this
comparison, the annualized cost of the final utility amendments are
$4.4 million.
Using this comparison, we expect the final rule to result in an
increase in electrical supply generated by unaffected sources (e.g.,
existing electric utility steam generating units), we have concluded
that this will not result in higher NOX, SO2, and
PM emissions from these sources. Other emission control programs such
as the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), the Clean Air Mercury Rule
(CAMR), and PSD/NSR already promote or require emission controls that
would effectively prevent emissions from increasing. All the emissions
reductions estimates and assumptions have been documented in the docket
to the final rule.
A more accurate assessment of the emissions reductions and
annualized costs of the final utility amendments include other
regulatory programs that are presently requiring controls beyond what
is required by the existing NSPS. The BACT permitting process requires
new sources to install controls at or beyond what the final NSPS
amendments require. In addition, the recently finalized CAIR and CAMR
rules, along with the proposed revisions to ambient particulate matter
standards, will push permits even lower. The amended NSPS reflect the
levels of control presently being required by these other programs.
Therefore, the actual environmental benefits and cost impacts of the
final rule are essentially zero. A more detailed discussion of the cost
and emissions impacts of the amended NSPS is available in the docket.
B. What are the impacts for industrial-commercial-institutional boilers
(40 CFR part 60, subparts Db and Dc)?
We estimate that approximately 186 new industrial-commercial-
institutional boilers will be installed in the United States over the
next 5 years and affected by the final rule. All of these units will
need to install add-on controls to meet the PM and SO2
limits required under the final rule. However, these new boilers will
already be required to install add-on PM and SO2 controls to
meet the existing NSPS. The new source requirements under the maximum
achievable control technology (MACT) program and PSD/NSR require new
units presently to install controls beyond what is required by the
existing NSPS.
Wood-fired boilers are the only industrial sources that could
potentially use the alternative compliance limit in the boiler MACT and
would not be required to meet the new source MACT limit. We estimate
that 17 new wood-fired boilers will be installed in the United States
over the next 5 years and affected by the final rule. Using the
existing NSPS as a baseline, the additional annualized costs are $2.2
million, and the PM emissions reductions are 930 tons. EPA has
concluded that new wood-fired units will not use the compliance
alternatives available in the boiler MACT and that they will comply
with the new source PM limit of 0.025 lb/MMBtu. Due to PSD/NSR and the
limited applicability of the alternate compliance limit to new units,
it will primarily only be used by existing wood-fired boilers. Thus, we
concluded that the PM and SO2 reductions and costs resulting
from the final rule will essentially be zero.
C. What are the economic impacts?
Even though actual costs and benefits are essentially zero, EPA
prepared an economic impact analysis comparing the existing NSPS with
the amended NSPS to evaluate the impacts the final rule will have on
electric utilities and consumers of goods and services produced by
electric utilities. The analysis showed minimal changes in prices and
output for products made by the industries affected by the final rule.
The price increase for affected output is less than 0.003 percent, and
the reduction in output is less than 0.003 percent for each affected
industry. Estimates of impacts on fuel markets show price increases of
less than 0.01 percent for petroleum products and natural gas, and
price increases of 0.04 and 0.06 percent for base-load and peak-load
electricity, respectively. The price
[[Page 9874]]
of coal is expected to decline by about 0.002 percent, and that is due
to a small reduction in demand for this fuel type. Reductions in output
are expected to be less than 0.02 percent for each energy type,
including base-load and peak-load electricity.
D. What are the social costs and benefits?
The social costs of the final rule are estimated at $0.4 million
(2002 dollars). Social costs include the compliance costs, but also
include those costs that reflect changes in the national economy due to
changes in consumer and producer behavior in response to the compliance
costs associated with a regulation. For the final rule, changes in
energy use among both consumers and producers to reduce the impact of
the regulatory requirements of the rule lead to the estimated social
costs being less than the total annualized compliance cost estimate of
$6.5 million. The primary reason for the lower social cost estimate is
the increase in electricity supply generated by unaffected sources
(e.g., existing electric utility steam generating units), which offsets
mostly the impact of increased electricity prices to consumers. The
social cost estimates discussed above do not account for any benefits
from emission reductions associated with the final rule.
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), EPA
must determine whether the regulatory action is ``significant'' and,
therefore, subject to review by OMB and the requirements of the
Executive Order. The Executive Order defines ``significant regulatory
action'' as one that is likely to result in a rule that may:
(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public
health or safety, or State, local, or Tribal governments or
communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an
action taken or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants,
user fees, or loan programs, or the rights and oblig