National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Area Source Standards for Plating and Polishing Operations, 37728-37749 [E8-14795]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 1, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 63
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2005–0084; FRL–8581–3]
RIN 2060–AM37
National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants: Area Source
Standards for Plating and Polishing
Operations
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are issuing national
emission standards for control of
hazardous air pollutants (HAP) for the
plating and polishing area source
category. This final rule establishes
emission standards in the form of
management practices for new and
existing tanks, thermal spraying
equipment, and mechanical polishing
equipment in certain plating and
polishing processes. These final
emission standards reflect EPA’s
determination regarding the generally
achievable control technology (GACT)
and/or management practices for the
area source category.
DATES: This final rule is effective on July
1, 2008.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2005–0084. All
documents in the docket are listed in
the https://www.regulations.gov index.
Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available,
e.g., confidential business information
or other information whose disclosure is
Industry * * * ....
332813
Manufacturing ....
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I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
B. Where can I get a copy of this
document?
C. Judicial Review
II. Background Information for Final Area
Source Standards
III. Summary of Final Rule and Changes
Since Proposal
A. Summary of Changes Since Proposal
B. Summary of Final Rule
IV. Exemption of Area Source Category From
Title V Permitting Requirements
V. Summary of Comments and Responses
NAICS code1
Category
32, 33
1 North
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
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 EPA Docket Center, Public Reading
Room, EPA West, Room 3334, 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
Docket is (202) 566–1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Donna Lee Jones, Sector Policies and
Programs Division, Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards (D243–02),
Environmental Protection Agency,
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
27711, telephone number: (919) 541–
5251; fax number: (919) 541–3207; email address: jones.donnalee@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Outline. The SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION in this preamble is
organized as follows:
A. Applicability
B. Affected Source
C. GACT
D. Equipment Standards
E. Management Practices
F. Compliance Demonstrations
G. Burden
H. Miscellaneous
I. Non-Significant Comments
VI. Impacts of Final Area Source Standards
A. What are the air impacts?
B. What are the cost impacts?
C. What are the economic impacts?
D. What are the non-air health,
environmental, and energy impacts?
VII. 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
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
I. National Technology Transfer
Advancement Act
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions
to Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
K. Congressional Review Act
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
The regulated category and entities
potentially affected by this final action
include:
Examples of regulated entities
Area source facilities engaged in any one or more types of nonchromium electroplating; electropolishing;
electroforming; electroless plating, including thermal metal spraying, chromate conversion coating, and
coloring; or mechanical polishing of metals and formed products for the trade. Regulated sources do not
include chromium electroplating and chromium anodizing sources, as those sources are subject to 40
CFR part 63, subpart N, ‘‘Chromium Emissions From Hard and Decorative Chromium Electroplating and
Chromium Anodizing Tanks.’’
Area source establishments engaged in one or more types of nonchromium electroplating; electropolishing;
electroforming; electroless plating, including thermal metal spraying, chromate conversion coating, and
coloring; or mechanical polishing of metals and formed products for the trade. Examples include: 33251,
Hardware Manufacturing; 323111, Commercial Gravure Printing; 332116, Metal Stamping; 332722, Bolt,
Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing; 332811, Metal Heat Treating; 332812, Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers; 332913, Plumbing Fixture
Fitting and Trim Manufacturing; Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing; 332999, All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing; 334412, Bare Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing;
336412, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing; and 339911, Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing.
American Industry Classification System.
This table is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action. To determine
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whether your facility will be regulated
by this action, you should examine the
applicability criteria in 40 CFR
63.11504, ‘‘Am I subject to this
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subpart?’’ of subpart WWWWWW
(National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP):
Area Source Standards for Plating and
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Polishing Operations). If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of
this action to a particular entity, consult
either the air permit authority for the
entity or your EPA regional
representative as listed in § 63.13 of the
General Provisions to part 63 (40 CFR
part 63, subpart A).
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B. Where can I get a copy of this
document?
In addition to being available in the
docket, an electronic copy of this final
action will also be available on the
Worldwide Web (WWW) through the
Technology Transfer Network (TTN).
Following signature, a copy of the final
action will be posted on the TTN’s
policy and guidance page for newly
proposed or promulgated rules at the
following address: https://www.epa.gov/
ttn/oarpg/. The TTN provides
information and technology exchange in
various areas of air pollution control.
C. Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean
Air Act (CAA), judicial review of these
final rules is available only by filing a
petition for review in the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit by September 2, 2008. Under
section 307(d)(7)(B) of the CAA, only an
objection to these final rules that was
raised with reasonable specificity
during the period for public comment
can be raised during judicial review.
This section also provides a mechanism
for us to convene a proceeding for
reconsideration, ‘‘[i]f 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 this rule.’’ Any person
seeking to make such a demonstration to
us should submit a Petition for
Reconsideration to the Office of the
Administrator, Environmental
Protection Agency, Room 3000, Ariel
Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC 20004, with a
copy to the person listed in the
preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section, and the Associate
General Counsel for the Air and
Radiation Law Office, Office of General
Counsel (Mail Code 2344A),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20004. Moreover, under section
307(d)(7)(B) of the CAA, only an
objection to these final rules that was
raised with reasonable specificity
during the period for public comment
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can be raised during judicial review.
Moreover, under section 307(b)(2) of the
CAA, the requirements established by
these final rules may not be challenged
separately in any civil or criminal
proceedings brought by EPA to enforce
these requirements.
II. Background Information for Final
Area Source Standards
Section 112(d) of the CAA requires us
to establish NESHAP for both major and
area sources of HAP that are listed for
regulation under CAA section 112(c). A
major source emits or has the potential
to emit 10 tons per year (tpy) or more
of any single HAP or 25 tpy or more of
any combination of HAP. An area
source is a stationary source that is not
a major source.
Section 112(k)(3)(B) of the CAA calls
for EPA to identify at least 30 HAP
which, as the result of emissions from
area sources, pose the greatest threat to
public health in the largest number of
urban areas. EPA implemented this
provision in 1999 in the Integrated
Urban Air Toxics Strategy, (64 FR
38715, July 19, 1999). Specifically, in
the Strategy, EPA identified 30 HAP that
pose the greatest potential health threat
in urban areas, and these HAP are
referred to as the ‘‘30 urban HAP.’’
Section 112(c)(3) requires EPA to list
sufficient categories or subcategories of
area sources to ensure that area sources
representing 90 percent of the emissions
of the 30 urban HAP are subject to
regulation. We implemented these
requirements through the Integrated
Urban Air Toxics Strategy (64 FR 38715,
July 19, 1999). A primary goal of the
Strategy is to achieve a 75 percent
reduction in cancer incidence
attributable to HAP emitted from
stationary sources.
Under CAA section 112(d)(5), we may
elect to promulgate standards or
requirements for area sources ‘‘which
provide for the use of generally
available control technologies or
management practices by such sources
to reduce emissions of hazardous air
pollutants.’’ Additional information on
GACT is found in the Senate report on
the legislation (Senate Report Number
101–228, December 20, 1989), which
describes GACT as:
* * * methods, practices and techniques
which are commercially available and
appropriate for application by the sources in
the category considering economic impacts
and the technical capabilities of the firms to
operate and maintain the emissions control
systems.
Consistent with the legislative history,
we can consider costs and economic
impacts in determining GACT, which is
particularly important when developing
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regulations for source categories that
have many small businesses.
Determining what constitutes GACT
involves considering the control
technologies and management practices
that are generally available to the area
sources in the source category. We also
consider the standards applicable to
major sources in the same industrial
sector to determine if the control
technologies and management practices
are transferable and generally available
to area sources. In appropriate
circumstances, we may also consider
technologies and practices at area and
major sources in similar categories to
determine whether such technologies
and practices could be considered
generally available for the area source
category at issue. Finally, as we have
already noted, in determining GACT for
a particular area source category, we
consider the costs and economic
impacts of available control
technologies and management practices
on that category.
We are establishing these national
emission standards in response to a
court-ordered deadline that requires
EPA to issue standards for 11 source
categories listed pursuant to section
112(c)(3) and (k) by June 15, 2008
(Sierra Club v. Johnson, no. 01–1537,
D.D.C., March 2006). We have already
issued regulations addressing one of the
11 source categories. See regulations for
Wood Preserving (72 FR 38864, July 16,
2007.) Other rulemakings will include
standards for the remaining source
categories that are due in June 2008.
III. Summary of Final Rule and
Changes Since Proposal
A. Summary of Changes Since Proposal
1. Applicability
In response to comments, we made
several changes to clarify the
applicability of this final rule.
Specifically, we have revised the
definition of plating and polishing metal
HAP to mean any compound of
cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese,
and nickel. We further clarified that the
term plating and polishing metal HAP
includes the elemental form of these
metals, with the exception of lead. We
also clarified throughout this final rule
that this final rule applies only to
sources that use the plating and
polishing metal HAP (i.e., tanks that
contain one or more of the metal HAP,
thermal spraying operations that apply
one or more of the metal HAP, and dry
mechanical polishing operations that
emit one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP).
We have revised § 63.11505, ‘‘What
parts of my plant does this subpart
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cover?’’, to clarify that this final rule
does not apply to any of the following
sources: Any source subject to 40 CFR
part 63, subpart N, National Emission
Standards for Chromium Emissions
from Hard and Decorative Chromium
Electroplating and Chromium
Anodizing Tanks (Chromium
Electroplating NESHAP); process units
used strictly for educational purposes;
thermal spraying conducted to repair
surfaces; polishing conducted to restore
the original finish to a surface; and any
plating and polishing processes that do
not use any materials that contain
cadmium, chromium, lead, or nickel in
amounts of at least 0.1 percent by
weight, and do not use any materials
that contain manganese in amounts of at
least 1.0 percent by weight, as reported
on the Material Safety Data Sheet for the
material. We do not believe that HAP
emissions from these activities were
part of the inventory that supported the
area source listing decision for this
category because the emissions from
these activities are very low.
We also corrected an error in
§ 63.11505, ‘‘What parts of my plant
does this subpart cover?’’, concerning
the definitions of new and existing
sources. In the final rule, an existing
source is a source for which
construction or reconstruction began on
or before March 14, 2008 (i.e., the
proposal date), and new source is
defined as a source for which
construction or reconstruction began
after March 14, 2008.
2. Standards and Compliance
Requirements
We have revised the compliance
options specified in § 63.11507, ‘‘What
are my standards and management
practices?’’, of the final rule. We have
clarified in § 63.11507(a) that if wetting
agent/fume suppressant (WAFS) is
included in the bath chemicals, and the
WAFS is added according to the
manufacturer’s instruction, plants are
not required to add more WAFS to the
tank. We also have added a third
compliance option for affected
electrolytic process tanks. In addition to
using WAFS or exhausting emissions to
a control device, the final rule allows
owners and operators of affected tanks
to comply by using tank covers. To meet
this option for batch process tanks, a
tank cover will have to be used during
at least 95 percent of the process
operating time. As mentioned above, for
continuous electrolytic process tanks,
covers must be used whenever the
process is operating. We also expanded
the definition of tank cover in
§ 63.11507 to clarify that, for continuous
process tanks, the tank surface area
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must be covered at least 75 percent. We
have clarified the requirements for tanks
that are used both for short-term or
‘‘flash’’ plating and for longer plating
operations that do not meet the
definition of short-term plating (i.e.,
‘‘long-term’’ plating). Section
63.11507(c), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices,’’ of the final
rule specifies that owners or operators
must comply with the requirements for
short-term plating whenever short-term
plating is performed in the tank and
must comply with the requirements for
long-term plating whenever long-term
plating is performed.
We have clarified the requirements for
cyanide electroplating tanks in
§ 63.11507(d) of the final rule, ‘‘What
are my standards and management
practices’’. In § 63.11507(f) of the final
rule, we have clarified the requirements
for thermal spraying operations. The
final rule distinguishes between
permanent and temporary thermal
spraying. The requirements for
permanent thermal spraying are the
same as in the proposed rule. However,
temporary thermal spraying operations
are required only to meet the applicable
management practices specified in the
final rule. We also have added a
definition for temporary thermal
spraying to § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’, of
the final rule to clarify whether a
thermal spraying operation is temporary
or permanent.
In § 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
of the final rule, we have expanded the
list of management practices. We also
have clarified that this final rule
requires facilities to implement only
those listed management practices that
are applicable and that the practices are
to be implemented as practicable. In
addition, we have revised some of the
specific practices that were listed in the
proposed rule, including the practices
for minimizing bath agitation,
maximizing drainage of bath liquid from
parts as they are removed from the tank,
using tank covers, and heating tank
baths.
We have made several changes to
§ 63.11508, ‘‘What are my compliance
requirements?’’, of the final rule to
clarify the requirements for initial and
continuous compliance. The changes
include adding the compliance
requirements for continuous electrolytic
process tanks and temporary thermal
spraying operations, and clarifying the
compliance requirements for cyanide
electroplating tanks.
We have also changed the process by
which facilities seek approval to use an
alternative equipment standard other
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than those specifically listed in this
final rule. In the proposal we indicated
that facilities that would like to use
equipment other than those listed must
seek approval to do so pursuant to the
procedures in § 63.6(g) of the General
Provisions to part 63. We did not
receive any comments on this part of the
proposal, nor did any commenters
identify any alternative equipment
standards that are equivalent to those
specified in this final rule. We believe
that facilities should be able to request
approval to use an alternative
equipment standard, and therefore, we
have identified two different options
available to facilities that would like to
use alternative equipment that achieves
at least equivalent HAP emission
reductions as the controls specified in
this final rule: (1) Facilities may petition
the Agency to amend this final rule
pursuant to section 553(e) of the
Administrative Procedure Act, or (2)
facilities may work with State
permitting authorities pursuant to EPA’s
regulations at 40 CFR Subpart E
(‘‘Approval of State Programs and
Delegation of Federal Authorities’’).
Subpart E implements section 112(l) of
the CAA which authorizes EPA to
approve alternative State/Local/Tribal
HAP standards or programs when such
requirements are demonstrated to be no
less stringent than EPA promulgated
standards. We believe that these options
are more appropriate mechanisms for
area sources subject to section 112(d)(5)
rules to obtain approval of alternative
equipment standards.
3. Reporting and Recordkeeping
Requirements
We have revised § 63.11509, ‘‘What
are my notification, reporting, and
recordkeeping requirements?’’, of the
final rule to eliminate the requirement
for submitting annual compliance
reports. The final rule still requires
owners or operators of affected sources
to prepare annual compliance
certifications and keep the certifications
on-site and available for review.
However, the certifications need only be
submitted if a deviation occurred during
the year, in which case the certification
and report of deviations must be
submitted to your state or local
permitting authority. The final rule also
specifies the deadline for preparing the
certifications as January 31 of the year
immediately following the reporting
period.
4. Definitions
We have made several changes to the
definitions in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’, of
the final rule and have added
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definitions for other terms used in the
final rule. We added definitions for
batch electrolytic process tank,
continuous electrolytic process tank,
tank cover for continuous process units,
and temporary thermal spraying. We
have revised the definitions of cyanide
plating, dry mechanical polishing, flash
electroplating, and plating and
polishing metal HAP.
weight, and do not contain manganese
in amounts of at least 1.0 percent by
weight, as reported on the Material
Safety Data Sheet for the material. As
stated above, we believe that HAP
emissions from these activities were not
part of the inventory that supported the
area source listing decision for this
category because the emissions from
these activities are small.
5. Other
2. Compliance Dates
All existing area source facilities with
operations subject to this final rule must
comply with the final rule requirements
for their existing operations no later
than 2 years after the date of publication
of the final rule in the Federal Register.
The owner or operator of a new area
source operation must comply with
these final rule requirements by the date
of publication of the final rule in the
Federal Register or upon startup,
whichever is later.
We also corrected some typographical
errors that appeared in various sections
of the proposed rule.
B. Summary of Final Rule
1. Applicability
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The final subpart WWWWWW
applies to new and existing area sources
of plating and polishing that use any of
the plating and polishing metal HAP
(cadmium, chromium,1 lead,
manganese, or nickel) in tanks or
thermal spraying processes; and dry
mechanical polishing operations used to
remove or polish products with these
metal HAP after plating. A new source
is any affected source where you
commenced construction or
reconstruction of the affected source
after March 14, 2008.
The final rule applies to the following
sources: Any tank that contains one or
more of the plating and polishing metal
HAP and is used for non-chromium
electroplating; electroforming;
electropolishing; electroless plating or
other non-electrolytic metal coating
operations, such as chromate conversion
coating, nickel acetate sealing, sodium
dichromate sealing, and manganese
phosphate coating; any thermal spraying
operation that applies one or more of
the plating and polishing metal HAP;
and any dry mechanical polishing
operation that emits one or more of the
plating and polishing metal HAP. This
final rule does not apply to the
following sources: Process units that are
subject to the Chromium Electroplating
NESHAP, research and development
process units, process units that are
used strictly for educational purposes;
thermal spraying conducted to repair
surfaces; dry mechanical polishing
conducted to restore the original finish
to a surface before plating; and any
plating or polishing process that only
uses materials that do not contain
cadmium, chromium, lead, or nickel in
amounts of at least 0.1 percent by
1 Regulated sources do not include chromium
electroplating and chromium anodizing sources, as
those sources are subject to 40 CFR part 63, subpart
N, ‘‘Chromium Emissions From Hard and
Decorative Chromium Electroplating and
Chromium Anodizing Tanks.’’
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3. Standards
The final rule requires owners or
operators of affected non-cyanide
plating and polishing tanks to meet one
of the following three compliance
options, which are described in further
detail below: Use WAFS in the tank,
capture and control emissions using an
emission control device, or use a tank
cover. To meet the requirement for
WAFS, the owner or operator must use
a bath chemistry that includes a WAFS
or must add WAFS separately to the
bath. In either case, the owner or
operator will be required to maintain
the level of WAFS in the tank according
to manufacturer’s specifications and
requirements. No additional WAFS
needs to be added beyond the
manufacturer’s specifications and
requirements.
To meet the control device option, the
owner or operator must install, operate,
and maintain a control system that
includes a capture device designed to
capture the plating and polishing metal
HAP emissions from the tank and to
transport the metal HAP emissions to a
composite mesh pad (CMP), packed bed
scrubber (PBS), or mesh pad mist
eliminator (MPME).
The tank cover option distinguishes
between batch process tanks and
continuous process tanks. For batch
process tanks, the cover must enclose
the entire surface area of the tank and
must be in place during at least 95
percent of the process operating time;
for continuous process tanks, the tank
surface area must be covered at least 75
percent during all periods of process
operation.
For short-term or flash plating tanks,
the final rule requires owners or
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operators to limit plating time to no
more than 1 cumulative hour per day or
3 cumulative minutes per hour of
plating time, or to use a tank cover
during at least 95 percent of the plating
time. For affected cyanide plating tanks,
owners or operators must perform and
record a one-time measurement of pH in
the tank bath. In addition to the above
requirements, owners or operators of all
affected plating and polishing tanks are
required to implement, as practicable,
the applicable management practices
listed in § 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
and certify that they have implemented
the management practices.
For any existing affected permanent
thermal spraying processes, the final
rule will require a control system that is
designed to provide capture of the
plating and polishing metal HAP
emissions from the thermal spraying
operation and transport the metal HAP
emissions to a water curtain, fabric
filter, or high efficiency particulate air
(HEPA) filter. For new permanent
thermal spraying operations, the final
rule requires owners or operators to
install a control system that is designed
to provide capture and control of the
metal HAP emissions from these sources
and that transports the emissions from
the affected source to a fabric filter, or
HEPA filter. For any temporary thermal
spraying operation, the final rule
requires owners or operators to
document the length of time and
location of the temporary thermal
spraying, and to meet applicable
management practices listed in
§ 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, such as,
but not limited to, vacuuming or
sweeping following the operation.
For any new and existing affected dry
mechanical polishing operation, the
final rule requires a control system that
is designed to capture the plating and
polishing metal HAP emissions from
dry mechanical polishing operations
and transport the metal HAP emissions
to a cartridge, fabric, or HEPA filter.
4. Compliance Requirements
To demonstrate compliance with the
final rule, owners or operators of
affected new or existing plating and
polishing tanks will have to implement
one or more of the equipment standards
specified in § 63.11507, ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
of the final rule and certify that they
have implemented the equipment
standard.
Owners or operators of affected new
or existing non-cyanide electrolytic
process tanks that comply with the
WAFS requirement must add WAFS to
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the tank and replenish the WAFS levels
in the tank, according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
operating instructions, and certify that
they have done so. Owners or operators
of affected new or existing non-cyanide
electrolytic process tanks that comply
with the control device option must
install, operate, and maintain a control
system that captures the metal HAP
emissions from plating tanks and
transports the emissions to CMP, PBS,
or MPME, and certify that they have
done so. Owners or operators of affected
new or existing non-cyanide electrolytic
process tanks that comply using the
tank cover option must certify that they
have installed the tank cover and are
operating the tank with the cover in
place, as required by the final rule.
Owners or operators of affected
cyanide plating tanks must perform a
one-time measurement of pH, record the
measurement, and certify that they have
done so. The owner or operator of a
facility that uses an affected flash
electroplating process that chooses to
comply by limiting the plating time
must demonstrate compliance by
operating the affected tank no more than
1 cumulative hour per day or 3
cumulative minutes per hour, and
documenting that they have done so.
Owners or operators of affected flash
electroplating tanks that choose to
comply by using a tank cover must
certify that they have installed the tank
cover and are operating the tank with
the cover in place for at least 95 percent
of the plating time. In addition to the
above requirements, owners or operators
of all affected plating and polishing
tanks must demonstrate compliance by
implementing the applicable
management and pollution prevention
practices specified in § 63.11507(g),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, of the final
rule, as practicable, maintaining the
appropriate records to document
compliance, and certifying that they
have implemented the management
practices.
The owners or operators of affected
new and existing dry mechanical
polishing processes must demonstrate
compliance by installing, operating, and
maintaining an emissions control
system according to the manufacturer’s
specifications and operating
instructions that is designed to provide
capture of the metal HAP emissions
from these sources and to transport
these emissions from the affected source
to a cartridge, fabric, or HEPA filter. In
any case, the owner or operator must
also certify that the control system has
been installed and is being operated and
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maintained according to manufacturer’s
specifications.
Owners or operators of affected
existing permanent thermal spraying
processes must demonstrate compliance
by installing, operating, and
maintaining an emissions control
system according to the manufacturer’s
specifications and operating
instructions. The control system must
be designed to provide capture of the
metal HAP emissions from these sources
and to transport the emissions from the
affected source to a water curtain, fabric
filter, or HEPA filter. The owner or
operator must also certify that the
control system has been installed and is
being operated and maintained
according to manufacturer’s
specifications.
Owners or operators of new
permanent thermal spraying processes
must demonstrate initial compliance by
installing, operating, and maintaining
an emissions control system according
to the manufacturer’s specifications and
operating instructions. The control
system must be designed to provide
capture of the metal HAP emissions
from these sources and transport the
emissions from the affected source to a
fabric or HEPA filter, device. The owner
or operator must also certify that the
control system has been installed and is
being operated and maintained
according to manufacturer’s
specifications.
Owners or operators of affected
existing temporary thermal spraying
processes must demonstrate compliance
by documenting that the thermal
spraying occurs for less than one hour
per day and is performed in situ; and by
implementing the applicable
management and pollution prevention
practices specified in § 63.11507(g),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, of the final
rule, as practicable, maintaining the
appropriate records to document
compliance, and certifying that they
have implemented the management
practices.
5. Notification, Recordkeeping, and
Reporting Requirements
The owner or operator of a new or
existing affected source is required to
comply with certain requirements of the
General Provisions to part 63, which are
identified in Table 1 of the final rule.
Each facility is required to submit an
Initial Notification and a Notification of
Compliance Status according to the
requirements in 40 CFR 63.9 of the
General Provisions to part 63. The
owner or operator of an affected source
is required to prepare and keep on-site
an annual compliance certification. If
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any deviations occurred during the
reporting year, the owner or operator
will be required to submit the
compliance certification along with a
report that describes the deviations and
the corrective action taken.
Owners and operators also are
required to maintain all records that
demonstrate initial and continuous
compliance with this final rule,
including records of all required
notifications and reports, with
supporting documentation; and records
showing compliance with the
management and pollution prevention
practices. Owners and operators must
maintain records of the following, if
applicable: For cyanide electroplating
tanks, the one-time pH measurement
value; for non-cyanide electroplating
tanks, the amount and frequency of
WAFS additions; for flash electroplating
tanks, the daily plating time; for
electroplating tanks using covers as a
control option, the time the tank is
operated with a cover in place; for
continuous electroplating tanks, the
amount of tank surface covered and the
time the tank is operated with a cover
in place; and maintenance of any
required control systems.
IV. Exemption of Area Source Category
From Title V Permitting Requirements
We did not receive any comments on
our proposal to exempt facilities in the
Plating and Polishing area source
category from title V permitting
requirements. Therefore, this final rule
does not require facilities in this source
category to obtain an operating permit
under 40 CFR part 70 or part 71,
provided they are not otherwise
required to obtain a permit under the
part 70 or part 71 regulations.
V. Summary of Comments and
Responses
The significant comments and
responses are summarized and
discussed below according to the
comment subject.
A. Applicability
1. Delisting
Comment: One commenter stated that
the Plating and Polishing source
category should be delisted. The
commenter explained that in the past,
when EPA has determined that a
NESHAP source category was no longer
a significant source of the targeted
HAPs, it was delisted. The commenter
noted that no additional emission
reductions are expected as a result of
this rule, which is only codifying the
voluntary efforts of industry, and that
small businesses, such as those affected
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by the proposed rule, should not be
burdened by a rule that provides no
environmental benefit.
Response: As noted in the preamble to
the proposed rule, Section 112(k)(3)(B)
of the CAA requires EPA to identify at
least 30 HAP which, as the result of
emissions from area sources, pose the
greatest threat to public health in urban
areas. Section 112(c)(3) requires EPA to
list sufficient categories or subcategories
of area sources to ensure that area
sources representing 90 percent of the
emissions of the 30 urban HAP are
subject to regulation. This provision
requires that we subject to regulation
area source categories representing 90
percent of the emissions of cadmium,
chromium, lead, manganese and nickel.
See section 112(c)(3). Since plating and
polishing is one of the area source
categories that we need to meet the
section 112(c)(3) requirement, we are
issuing regulations for this source
category.
The commenter is correct in stating
that no additional emissions reductions
are expected as a result of the final rule.
However, we disagree with the
commenter’s statement that this rule
will result in no environmental benefit.
This final rule will help to ensure that
future emissions will be limited to the
same levels currently achieved; if the
source category were to be delisted, as
suggested by the commenter, there
would be no such limit of future
emissions from existing and new plating
and polishing sources.
Comment: One commenter explained
that in situ thermal spraying is
sometimes performed in confined areas
in the interior of vessels. The
commenter explained that these jobs are
of short duration (approximately 1 hour)
and infrequent in nature (up to 5 times
per year). The commenter noted that
setting up a temporary emissions
capture system for this type of thermal
spray operation is impracticable and
economically infeasible because it
would take an estimated 32 hours to set
up and remove the temporary capture
system. As an alternative, the
commenter recommended allowing up
to 2 pounds per year of metal HAP
emissions from uncontrolled thermal
spraying if the operation is temporary
and capture and control is impractical.
Response: We recognize that
temporary in situ thermal spraying
operations should not be subject to the
same requirements as permanent
thermal spraying operations for the
reasons outlined by the commenter. To
address this type of operation, we have
included a definition of short-term
thermal spraying in, ‘‘What definitions
apply to this subpart?’’, of the final rule.
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We also have revised, ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
in the final rule to address thermal
spraying in the same manner as another
time-limited operation, flash plating,
that is subject only to management
practices. In addition, we have added
sweeping and/or vacuuming as a
management practice specifically with
short-term thermal spraying operations
in mind, but also as a possible
management practice for the other
plating and polishing operations, to be
done ‘‘as practicable.’’ Also, as
explained above, we believe that repair
and maintenance operations were not
part of the source category in the
inventory and, therefore, we are not
including requirements for these
practices in this final rule. Since some
of the thermal spraying repair and
maintenance operations may also be
performed in situ, the number of in-situ
thermal spraying operations at a facility
affected by this final rule may be
reduced.
2. Regulated Pollutant
Comment: One commenter
recommends that EPA clarify whether
elemental metals (other than lead) are
considered ‘‘Plating and Polishing metal
HAP’’. The commenter explained that in
thermal spraying, the metallic coating
applied is in the elemental form both
before and after application.
Response: We acknowledge that some
thermal spraying operations use one of
the plating and polishing metal HAP in
elemental form. The metal compounds
on the HAP list, except for lead, include
the elemental form, as per the footnote
in the CAA section 112(b)(1) that reads:
‘‘For all listings above which contain
the word ‘compounds’ and for glycol
ethers, the following applies: Unless
otherwise specified, these listings are
defined as including any unique
chemical substance that contains the
named chemical (i.e., antimony, arsenic,
etc.) as part of that chemical’s
infrastructure.’’ Moreover, publications
by the American Welding Society and
the California Air Resources Board state
that compounds of metal HAP may form
and be emitted from the thermal
spraying process even when the metal
used is in its elemental form.
Furthermore, elemental metals are
emitted from the process as particulate
matter (PM), and PM is a surrogate for
the metal HAP at issue here. For the
above reasons, we have revised the
definition of plating and polishing metal
HAP in, ‘‘What definitions apply to this
subpart?’’, of the final to indicate that,
with the exception of lead, this final
rule also applies to metals in their
elemental form.
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Comment: One commenter noted that
thermal spray operations are sometimes
conducted with non-HAP metals that
may contain small amounts of one or
more of the target HAP metals as
impurities. The commenter
recommended that EPA revise the
definition of Plating and Polishing metal
HAP to include those metal HAPs
present in quantities greater than 0.1
percent for carcinogens and greater than
1.0 percent for other metal HAP. They
also recommend revising the definition
of thermal spraying to include the
following language: ‘‘Only thermal
spray materials containing greater than
1 percent (0.1 percent for carcinogens)
of Plating and Polishing Metal HAP as
reported on a Material Safety Data Sheet
are subject to this rule.’’ Another
commenter requested that we clarify
that this rule does not apply to all
plating tanks with cyanide, but only
those that contain one or more of the
five metal plating HAP.
Response: It was not our intent for
this rule to apply to non-HAP materials
that contain trace levels of one or more
of the plating and polishing metal HAP
as impurities. Therefore, we have
revised the definition of plating and
polishing metal HAP in, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’, to
clarify that this final rule does not apply
to materials that contain any of the
metal HAP in concentrations less than
0.1 percent for carcinogens and less
than 1.0 percent for other metals, as
reported in the Material Safety Data
Sheet, since these emissions were not
part of the 1990 inventory used for the
area source category listing.
We also have clarified that this final
rule only applies to tanks, including
cyanide tanks, that contain or have the
potential to emit the five metal plating
HAP.
3. Thresholds and Exemptions
Comment: One commenter believes
EPA should establish a threshold to
exclude very small plating and
polishing area sources from the
applicability of the proposed rule. The
commenter noted that, for each of the
2,900 area sources, the number of
plating and polishing tanks ranged from
1 to 20 tanks, with an average of 10
tanks, and the number of polishing and
thermal spray lines ranged from 1 to 10
lines, with an average of 5 lines. The
commenter stated that a threshold for
the applicability of the proposed rule
would result in no net loss in reductions
of metal HAP emissions, would
significantly minimize the regulatory
burden on small plating and polishing
area sources, and would reduce the
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administrative burden on federal and
state regulatory agencies.
Response: We understand the
commenter’s concern regarding the
potential impact of this final rule on
small facilities. However, we cannot
establish an applicability threshold for
small plating facilities for the following
reasons. Plating and polishing is one of
the area source categories needed to
meet the section 112(c)(3) requirement
that we subject to regulation, area
source categories representing 90
percent of the emissions of cadmium,
chromium, lead, manganese and nickel.
See section 112(c)(3). We recognize that
the plating and polishing area source
category is comprised of a large number
of relatively small plating and polishing
facilities. Although area sources
individually may be considered lowemitting sources, collectively, they are
not. The commenter’s suggestion fails to
address the requirement of section
112(c)(3), and as discussed above, we
previously determined that we need the
plating and polishing area source
category to meet this requirement,
which provides that EPA regulate area
sources accounting for 90 percent of the
emissions of the 30 urban HAP.
However, in developing the proposed
rule, we attempted to minimize the
burden on small facilities while
ensuring that this final rule includes
sufficient requirements for ensuring
compliance. As discussed more fully
below, we have incorporated certain
changes in the final rule to further
reduce the burden to small facilities.
Finally, we are planning various
outreach activities specifically for this
industry to help affected facilities
comply with the final rule to further
reduce the overall burden.
Comment: One commenter requested
an exemption for maintenance activities
that require thermal spraying for repair
(e.g., that would take place on an oil rig
or platform) and maintenance activities
that might involve polishing a plated
surface to restore the original finish in
order to accomplish its intended task
(e.g., a sealing plate or hydraulic
cylinder). The commenter explained
that the low levels of emissions from
these operations justifies exempting
them from the proposed rule. Another
commenter remarked that EPA should
exempt small tanks that are used only
for educational purposes. The
commenter believes that such an
exemption would be consistent with the
exemption for research and
development process units specified in,
‘‘What parts of my plant does this
subpart cover?’’, of the proposed rule.
Response: The commenter has
misconstrued this rule’s treatment of
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research and development process units
specified in, ‘‘What parts of my plant
does this subpart cover?’’. Research and
development process units are not
subject to this rule because the source
category does not cover these activities.
Similarly, based on reasonable
assumptions about the practices
included in the 1990 112(k) urban HAP
inventory, we have concluded that the
processes that contributed to plating
and polishing metal HAP emissions
most likely did not include thermal
spraying operations used for repairing
surfaces, polishing operations used to
restore original finish, or tanks used
strictly for educational purposes. As a
result, we have revised, ‘‘What parts of
my plant does this subpart cover?’’, of
the final rule by adding a new paragraph
(g) to clarify the scope of the listed
source category addressed in this final
rule. The new paragraph provides that
the plating and polishing area source
category does not include thermal
spraying operations for repair, polishing
operations used to restore original
finish, or tanks used strictly for
educational purposes.
Comment: One commenter stated that
EPA should exempt chromate
conversion coating tanks from the
plating and polishing rule. The
commenter states that the chromium
conversion coating process does not
utilize an electrical current or apply
heat to the tank, so there is nothing to
drive emissions from the process. The
commenter also pointed out that
chromium conversion tanks were
exempted from the Chromium
Electroplating NESHAP; communication
in the docket from OSHA states that
employee exposures are very low; and
the proposal does not include any
emissions estimates for chromium
conversion coating.
Response: We disagree with the
commenter that chromium conversion
tanks should be exempt from this rule.
The commenter requests an exemption,
but fails to demonstrate that emissions
from such tanks were not included as
part of EPA’s inventory analysis when it
listed the area source category. As
explained above, we need to regulate
the plating and polishing area source
category in order to meet the section
112(c)(3) requirement that we subject to
regulation area source categories
representing 90 percent of the emissions
of cadmium, chromium, lead,
manganese and nickel.
Moreover, the proposed management
practices represent pollution prevention
activities for air emissions. Incidentally,
these practices also help to prevent
pollution associated with water
discharges and the chromate conversion
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process. It is our understanding that
these practices, when practicable, also
can result in cost savings for many
facilities, which thereby reduces the net
burden. The lack of emission data is not
in itself a reason to exempt sources
when other information indicates that
HAP emissions from those sources are
possible. Likewise, the lack of an
electrical current in chromium
conversion baths is not a reason to
exempt those processes since electroless
nickel plating baths also are operated
without electrical current applied to the
bath, yet the data show that there are
metal HAP emissions from electroless
nickel plating tanks.
Comment: One commenter stated that
EPA should exempt all continuous
plating operations from the proposed
rule. The commenter reasoned that
exemption of continuous plating from
this rule is appropriate based on the
insignificant number of continuous
plating operations and the miniscule
amount of potential HAP emissions
from the process. The commenter
explained that bubbling, which is the
primary emissions mechanism for batch
plating operations, does not occur in
continuous plating. In addition, the
commenter stated that the tanks are not
agitated and have little surface area
compared to the surface area of batch
plating tanks. The commenter further
stated that most of the surface area of
continuous plating operations is
covered.
Response: We disagree with the
commenter and are not providing the
exemption requested. We recognize that
the plating and polishing area source
category is comprised of a large number
of relatively small plating and polishing
facilities. Although area sources
individually may be considered lowemitting sources, collectively, they are
not. HAP emissions from the processes
identified by the commenter do occur,
and the commenter has not
demonstrated that emissions from such
processes were not included as part of
EPA’s inventory analysis when it listed
the area source category. As explained
above, we need to regulate the plating
and polishing area source category to
meet the 90 percent requirement in
section 112(c)(3) for emissions of
cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese
and nickel.
In developing this final rule, we have
attempted to minimize the burden on
the sources identified by the
commenter. At the time of proposal, we
had no information on the differences
between batch plating processes and
continuous plating processes. We
acknowledge that the continuous
electroplating processes differ
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significantly from batch plating
processes for the reasons identified by
this commenter; another commenter
also pointed out these differences. To
account for the differences between
continuous plating operations and batch
plating operations, we are including in
the final rule separate requirements for
continuous plating operations, which
should address the commenter’s
concerns. Under the final rule,
continuous plating operations will have
three options for complying with the
standard. Owners or operators of
affected continuous plating tanks can
comply by covering at least 75 percent
of the tank whenever the process is
operating. As discussed more fully
below in Section C, this option
represents GACT for continuous plating
tanks. Owners or operators can also
comply by using WAFS in the plating
bath or by using controls, either of
which is equivalent to GACT for
continuous plating tanks. We are also
revising the management practices in
the final rule by including practices
specifically used with continuous
plating operations.
B. Affected Source
Comment: One commenter stated that
the definition of dry mechanical
polishing in ‘‘What definitions apply to
this subpart?’’, is ambiguous and
inconsistent with the description of the
process in the preamble to the proposed
rule. The commenter suggested the
following alternative wording: ‘‘Dry
mechanical polishing means a process
used for removing defects from and
smoothing the surface of finished metals
and formed products after plating, using
hard-face abrasive wheels or belts and
where no liquids or fluids are used to
trap the removed metal particles.’’
Another commenter noted that the
proposed rule does not provide a
definition for the term ‘‘polishing.’’ The
commenter also remarked that the
proposed rule appears to apply only to
the polishing of metals or finished
products after they have been plated,
and not to polishing done before
plating, or to grinding and machine
operations.
Response: We agree with both
commenters that the definition of dry
mechanical polishing in the proposed
rule should be clarified. We are revising
the definition of dry mechanical
polishing in, ‘‘What definitions apply to
this subpart?’’, of the final rule, as
suggested by the commenters to help
clarify which types of operations are
subject to this final rule. In light of the
revised definition of dry mechanical
polishing in the final rule, we do not
believe it is necessary to separately
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define ‘‘polishing.’’ With respect to
grinding and machining operations,
emissions from these sources are
covered under 40 CFR part 63, subpart
XXXXXX—National Emission Standards
for Hazardous Air Pollutants Area
Source Standards for 9 Metal
Fabrication and Finishing Source
Categories, which we expect to finalize
by June 15, 2008.
Comment: One commenter suggested
revising the definition of short-term or
‘‘flash’’ electroplating in, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’, to
reflect the full range of compliance
options. The commenter noted that
doing so would also be consistent with
the preamble to the proposed rule. The
commenter suggested revising the
definition as follows: Short-term or
‘‘flash’’ electroplating means an
electroplating process that is used no
more than 1 hour per day or 3 minutes
per hour in duration, or an
electroplating process that has a cover
in place 95 percent of the plating time.
Response: We agree with the
commenter’s suggestion that the
definition of short-term or ‘‘flash’’
electroplating in, ‘‘What definitions
apply to this subpart?’’, should be
revised to include the maximum
duration of 1 hour per day, and we have
revised the definition in the final rule
accordingly. We do not agree with the
commenter’s suggestion that flash
electroplating should be defined in
terms of tank cover usage since flash
electroplating is different from other
electroplating solely on the amount of
time is it performed, whereas using tank
covers are a control option. However, as
explained below, we have revised,
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, to add
paragraph (3), which provides the
option of using tank covers during at
least 95 percent of the process operating
time as a compliance option for longterm plating processes (i.e., for all
affected plating processes that are not
short-term or flash processes). With this
change, all batch electroplating
processes, both long-term and shortterm, will be allowed to use covers 95
percent of the process operating time to
comply with this final rule. We believe
this change addresses the commenter’s
concern.
Comment: One commenter suggested
that EPA clarify the requirements for
tanks that are used for both flash
electroplating and for other
electroplating processes that are longer
in duration. The commenter suggested
such tanks should have to comply by
meeting the requirements for the other
types of electroplating processes, as
specified in, ‘‘What are my standards
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and management practices?’’, of the
proposed rule.
Response: Our intent in, ‘‘What parts
of my plant does this subpart cover?’’,
of the proposed rule was to define
affected source in terms of the plating
and polishing process that is performed
in the tank and not to define affected
source as the physical tank structure.
Therefore, in the case of a tank that is
used for both flash plating and for any
of the other type of plating process that
would be subject to the requirements in,
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, the
requirements for flash plating
requirements would apply when the
tank is used for short-term plating, and
the requirements for the other affected
plating processes would apply when
those processes are being conducted in
the tank. We have revised the final rule
to clarify this requirement.
C. GACT
Comment: Two commenters
commented on how GACT was defined
for the proposed rule and the relevance
of that definition to continuous plating
tanks. The commenters explained that,
as proposed, owners or operators of
continuous plating operations would be
required to use either WAFS or a control
device to comply with this rule.
However, the commenters stated that
the facility they represent does not use
WAFS in their continuous nickel
electroplating tanks, and that WAFS
may not be feasible for the process. One
commenter pointed out that for WAFS
to be GACT for continuous plating
processes, the technology must be
commercially available and appropriate
considering the economic impacts and
technical capabilities. The commenters
stated that WAFS are not used in
continuous nickel electroplating tanks,
and it is unknown if WAFS is a feasible
control option for continuous nickel
plating tanks; to make this feasibility
determination would require lengthy
and expensive trials. The commenters
concluded that WAFS is not GACT for
continuous nickel electroplating tanks.
The commenters also stated that, as
proposed, facilities that cannot use
WAFS would have to install a control
device, thereby making control devices
GACT for such facilities even though
EPA states in the preamble to the
proposed rule that capture and control
technology is cost-prohibitive and
therefore not appropriate for GACT.
Both commenters stated that the
continuous plating tanks have relatively
small surface areas and that emissions
are negligible because there is no
bubbling in, or agitation of, plating
baths. One of the commenters stated
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that the commenter’s facility uses tank
covers on their continuous plating
tanks, but those covers cover about 80
percent of the surface area which does
not meet the definition of tank cover in
the proposed rule. The commenter
pointed out that covers that totally
enclose tanks are practical only for
batch operations, and the commenter
suggested revising the definition of tank
cover to allow for partial covers over
most of the open surface of the tank.
Both commenters stated that because of
the differences in the continuous plating
process, continuous plating should not
be required to use WAFS or control
devices, but should be allowed to
comply only with appropriate
management practices.
Response: As a result of these
comments, we now recognize that
continuous electroplating operations
differ significantly from batch
electroplating operations, that the use of
WAFS may not be appropriate for all
continuous electroplating operations,
and that control devices should not be
the only compliance option for this type
of process. By consultation with other
facilities that responded to our survey
that perform continuous electroplating,
we also now recognize that partial tank
covers are the generally available
technology for continuous electroplating
tanks, and that partially covering the
surface area of the tank is the most that
could be used considering the
equipment that is permanently
positioned within the continuous
plating tanks. Consequently, we have
revised this final rule to provide
separate requirements for continuous
electroplating operations. In the final
rule, continuous electroplating
operations will be able to comply using
tank covers that cover at least 75 percent
of the tank surface, or by using WAFS
or control devices as alternate
compliance options equivalent to
GACT. Although the commenter
identified tank covers that cover 80
percent of the surface area, we chose 75
percent as GACT based on consultation
with other facilities that perform
continuous electroplating. This value is
also a more practical percentage in
terms of an accurate estimation. Finally,
we have added the use of squeegee rolls
as a management practice for
continuous electroplating operations.
D. Equipment Standards
Comment: One commenter requested
that EPA clarify that when WAFS are
already included in the plating
chemicals, the requirement is simply to
identify the WAFS in the plating
solution and add the plating solution to
the tank. The commenter also requested
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that EPA clarify that when WAFS are
added separately plants can comply by
adding WAFS as recommended by the
manufacturer and recording the time
and amount of all additions of WAFS.
Another commenter requested that EPA
clarify the term or requirement for
WAFS so that facilities know that if a
WAFS is already in use, no additional
fume suppressants are necessary to meet
the standard. The commenter was
concerned that facilities might expand
the use of perfluorooctane sulfate
(PFOS), a pollutant of concern usually
used in chromium plating baths as a
fume suppressant.
Response: The commenter is correct
regarding the compliance requirements
for the use of WAFS in affected tanks.
As specified compliance is
demonstrated by adding and
maintaining the WAFS in the bath
according to manufacturer’s
specifications and instructions, and
documenting that the additions of
WAFS to the affected tank, regardless of
whether the WAFS is included in the
plating chemical solution or added
separately. In regard to the comment
with PFOS concerns, this final rule will
be clarified to state that if WAFS are
already in the bath ingredients, no
additional WAFS need to be added
unless specified by the manufacturer’s
instructions.
E. Management Practices
Comment: One commenter noted that
the proposed rule would require each
affected plant to meet all five of the
management practices listed in, ‘‘What
are my standards and management
practices?.’’ The commenter stated that
because of the variability inherent in
plating and polishing operations, it is
not reasonable or practical to implement
all five of the management practices
listed in the regulation, and that some
affected facilities may not be able to
implement any of them.
The commenter explained that, while
the management practices listed in the
proposed rule can be effective in
reducing HAP emissions, they are
unnecessarily limited in scope and do
not reflect the broad range of
management practices and pollution
prevention techniques that have been
implemented since 1990. The
commenter stated that there are several
other management practices and
pollution prevention activities that
would be appropriate and would
achieve the same objectives as those
listed in the proposed rule, and
provided lists of those practices. The
commenter believes that sources should
be allowed to demonstrate compliance
with the management practices
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requirement by identifying the
management practices that it has
implemented since 1990, is currently
implementing (and will continue to
implement), and any management
practices that it implements in the
future. Another commenter urged EPA
to not require affected facilities to meet
all five of the listed management
practices, some of which would not be
appropriate for the commenter’s facility.
Response: We have added a number
of pollution prevention management
practices that were provided to EPA by
the commenter. We believe that the
revised list of management practices
represents the most significant pollution
prevention management practices that
can be done to eliminate, reduce, or
minimize air pollution in the plating
and polishing processes regulated by
this final rule. We also have emphasized
in the revised rule that these pollution
prevention management practices need
to be done only ‘‘as practicable’’ to the
specific plating operation being
performed, as explained in this section
in response to other comments.
However, we are unable to provide the
additional flexibility suggested by the
commenter that sources be allowed to
demonstrate compliance with a sitespecific management plan that would
identify management practices. Under
the commenter’s approach, no one,
other than the source, would review the
site-specific plan. Such an approach
would constitute an improper
delegation of our rulemaking authority
under the Act. We therefore reject the
approach.
Comment: Several commenters stated
that one or more of the management
practices listed in, ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
of the proposed rule are not practical for
all affected tanks where the practices
would be required. The commenters
provided several examples in regard to
minimizing bath agitation when
removing any parts from the tank;
maximizing the dripping or draining of
bath solution back into the tank;
optimizing the design of barrels, racks,
and parts to minimize dragout of bath
solution; using tank covers; and
minimizing or reducing the heating of
process tanks. The comments on these
practices are discussed in more detail
below.
One commenter stated that the
required management practice of
maximizing drip time can present
problems for some plating operations.
The commenter noted that if a part is
allowed to drip too long, it can result in
a residue pattern that could negatively
impact quality. In addition, longer drip
times can lower production rates,
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having negative economic impacts. The
commenter noted that slow withdrawal
of the part from the plating bath can be
far more effective in reducing potential
metal HAP emissions, yet this is not
listed as a management practice in the
proposed rule.
The same commenter noted that the
management practice specified, ‘‘What
are my standards and management
practices?’’, is problematic. This
practice requires facilities to ‘‘optimize
the design of barrels, racks, and parts to
minimize dragout of bath solution, such
as by using slotted barrels and tilted
racks, or by designing parts with flowthrough holes to allow the tank solution
to drip back into the tank.’’ The
commenter stated that part design is
controlled by the customer, not the
plating facility; to the extent that plants
have already redesigned barrels, racks,
and parts, the metal HAP emissions
associated with that process have
already been reduced and will continue
to be reduced. The commenter also
stated that replacing barrels and racks
can be very expensive, and if required,
EPA would have to revise its economic
impact analysis for the proposed rule.
Two commenters expressed concern
about the management practice to
minimize bath agitation when removing
parts from the tank, as specified in,
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, of the
proposed rule. One commenter stated
that minimizing agitation as parts are
removed could adversely affect
compliance with the customer
specifications for the part that is being
plated. The commenter suggested
revising the language to the following:
‘‘Minimize bath agitation when
removing any parts processed in the
tank, except when necessary to meet
part quality requirements.’’ The other
commenter noted that replacing air
agitation with eductors to reduce
emissions can be very expensive if it
requires replacing or reconfiguring
tanks. The commenter also noted that
EPA needs to reword the phrase ‘‘when
removing tank parts’’ to ‘‘when
removing parts from the tank.’’ In
addition, the commenter pointed out
that air agitation is not only an issue
when parts are removed from the tank,
and cites this as another example of
how the management practices as
written are unduly limited and
restrictive.
Another commenter stated that the
requirement in, ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, to use
tank covers is ambiguous with respect to
when using covers is feasible and when
using covers is not feasible. The
commenter pointed out that, as
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specified in the proposed rule, this
requirement may drive using covers
when it is unwise to do so. The
commenter suggested either eliminating
this requirement for tank covers or
eliminating the phrase ‘‘(i.e., not during
lifting or lowering),’’ because that
implies there are no other times when
tank covers are impracticable.
Two commenters commented on the
management practice that addresses the
heating of affected tanks, specified in,
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, of the
proposed rule. One commenter
remarked that it may not be practical to
adjust tank temperature unless the tank
will be down for an extended period.
Doing so could adversely affect bath
stability, which can take a long time to
reach. The commenter suggested
revising this practice to specify that it is
required only when practical. The other
commenter explained that tanks must be
maintained at the proper temperature
due to the quality requirements for the
parts being plated. The commenter also
stated that changes in bath temperature
interrupt production, adversely affect
product quality, and can generate
additional waste. The commenter
recommended defining the term ‘‘not in
use’’ to mean when the shop is not
operating, and not when the shop is
operating, but tanks or process lines are
idled.
Another commenter requested that
EPA clarify the management practices
specified in the proposed rule as they
relate to continuous plating operations.
As an example, the commenter stated
that EPA should clarify if the
management practice related to dripping
and drainage in, ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
can be addressed by using squeegee
rolls in continuous plating.
Response: As discussed above, we
have expanded the list of potential
management practices to include
additional practices used in the industry
and also changed this final rule to
reaffirm that the listed management
practices are meant to be applied ‘‘as
practicable.’’ The expanded list of
management practices also includes
practices that are more appropriate for
continuous plating operations, such as
the use of squeegee rolls. In addition,
we have reworded specific management
practices for clarity, as suggested by the
commenters.
F. Compliance Demonstrations
Comment: One commenter requested
that EPA confirm that pH measurement
of cyanide baths is required only at
startup. The commenter noted that a
single pH measurement taken when the
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bath is initially made up makes sense
and is adequate because cyanide baths
are by nature self-regulating and can last
for years if properly maintained. The
initial pH measurement could then be
reported in the facility’s annual
compliance certification.
Response: To clarify that pH
measurements of affected tanks with
cyanide plating baths are required only
at startup, we have revised, ‘‘What are
my compliance requirements?’’, to state
that a pH measurement is required in
such tanks only at startup.
G. Burden
Comment: Several commenters
expressed concern about the burden that
the proposed rule would impose. One
commenter remarked that, in addition to
imposing an unnecessary burden on
industry, the proposed rule would
impose a significant burden on states to
provide even a minimal level of
assistance and outreach. The commenter
stated that, given the minimal level of
funding available for states to spread
across all the area source categories,
their efforts could be better spent on a
rule that would actually achieve some
additional emissions reductions. The
same commenter suggested replacing
the annual certification with
notification of change as per § 63.11176
(40 CFR part 63, subpart HHHHHH,
NESHAP for Paint Stripping and
Miscellaneous Coating Operations). The
commenter believes this may reduce the
burden on small facilities.
Another commenter stated that the
burden that would be imposed on the
industry justifies exempting small
facilities from this rule. Such an
exemption would also reduce the
administrative burden on regulatory
agencies.
Another commenter stated that the
proposed requirements are more
extensive than needed for such lowemitting facilities. The commenter
stated that the proposed notification,
reporting and recordkeeping
requirements would be extremely
burdensome for small businesses and
especially for small businesses not
previously subject to NESHAP. The
commenter urged EPA to minimize the
requirements for facilities that pose
minimum risk. The commenter also
urged EPA to provide adequate
compliance assistance and outreach.
The commenter requested that the
outreach be provided well in advance of
rule implementation to allow time for
training; otherwise, affected plants
could be vulnerable to enforcement
action. This same commenter stated that
EPA has underestimated burden that
would result from the proposed rule.
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The commenter stated that
understanding all of the proposed
requirements ‘‘could take a facility a
minimum of one week’s worth of work
* * *’’ The commenter stated that EPA
needs to recalculate the costs of this rule
to accurately reflect the burden for
notification, reporting, and
recordkeeping.
Response: As explained above, we
need to regulate the plating and
polishing area source category to meet
the 90 percent requirement in section
112(c)(3) for emissions of cadmium,
chromium, lead, manganese and nickel.
In developing the proposed rule, we
attempted to minimize the burden on
small facilities, while ensuring that this
final rule includes sufficient
requirements for ensuring compliance.
This final rule imposes no testing or
emission monitoring requirements. We
also have incorporated certain changes
in the final rule to further reduce the
burden to affected facilities by
eliminating the requirement for
submission of the annual compliance
certifications. With respect to
recordkeeping, our understanding is
that the required records are already
maintained at most facilities as part of
routine procedures. Therefore, the
recordkeeping requirements do not
represent any significant burden on
these facilities. Regarding the comment
about our estimates of the burden, we
based those estimates of the burden on
past experience with similar rules.
Finally, because we recognize that many
of the facilities that will be subject to
this final rule are likely to need
assistance in understanding what is
required to comply, we have already
chosen this source category for
implementation support. This support
will include a plain language summary
of this final rule and items such as
examples of the ‘‘Initial Notification’’
and ‘‘Notification of Compliance
Status.’’ As an example of this type of
compliance assistance, for the
Chromium Electroplating NESHAP, we
developed the publication, ‘‘A
Guidebook on How to Comply with the
Chromium Electroplating and
Chromium Anodizing National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants’’ (EPA–453/B–95–001)
following promulgation of that rule. The
Guidebook, which is available on our
Web site, at https://www.epa.gov/ttn/
atw/chrome/chromepg.html, provides
an overview of that rule, an explanation
of compliance dates and how to comply,
and other information to help affected
facilities understand what is required of
them.
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H. Miscellaneous
Comment: One commenter, who
represents a company that performs
continuous nickel plating, pointed out
that the company was not included in
the list of recipients for the Information
Collection Request (ICR) and was not
given the opportunity to provide input
in the rulemaking process. The
commenter explained that the
company’s plating process differs
significantly from batch plating
processes that appear to be the focus of
the proposed rule.
Response: When developing the list of
recipients for the ICR, we attempted to
identify all companies that potentially
would be affected by the plating and
polishing rule. We contacted trade
associations and accessed the available
information on company Web sites and
on-line databases. We also contacted
state and local permitting agencies for
information on facilities that might be
affected. We recognized that our facility
list did not account for all facilities in
operation. However, we believed that
the facilities identified through this
process would be representative of the
types of plating and polishing facilities
in operation. For those companies that
were not included in this information
gathering effort, the public comment
process offers the opportunity to let
their concerns be acknowledged and
addressed, and we appreciate the fact
that the commenter took advantage of
this process to submit these comments
on the proposed rule.
We acknowledge that the continuous
electroplating process differs from batch
plating processes for the reasons
identified by this commenter and
another commenter. To address this
issue, we are including in the final rule
separate requirements for continuous
plating operations that we believe
address the commenter’s concerns.
Comment: One commenter pointed
out typographical errors in
§§ 63.11500(c), ‘‘What are my
notification, reporting, and
recordkeeping requirements?’’, and
11512(c), ‘‘Who implements and
enforces this subpart?’’
Response: We appreciate the
commenter bringing the errors to our
attention. We have made these
corrections in the final rule.
Comment: One commenter agreed
with EPA’s proposed exemption of
affected facilities from Title V
requirements.
Response: We appreciate the
commenter’s support of our exemption
for affected facilities from title V
permitting requirements.
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I. Non-Significant Comments
A few comments addressed minor
clarifications to this rule or other issues
that we did not consider to be
significant. Those comments and the
responses to those comments are
summarized in a memorandum that is
included in the docket for this final
rulemaking (Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2005–0084).
VI. Impacts of the Final Area Source
Standards
A. What are the air impacts?
Since 1990, the plating and polishing
industry has reduced their air impacts
by voluntary controls that were likely
motivated by concerns for worker safety.
These controls have reduced
approximately 20 tons of the metal HAP
(cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese,
and nickel) attributed to this industry in
the 1990 urban HAP inventory.
Although there are no additional air
emission reductions as a result of this
rule, we believe that this rule will
assure that the emission reductions
made by the industry since 1990 will be
maintained.
Along with the HAP described above,
there is an undetermined amount of PM
that has been co-controlled in thermal
spraying and mechanical polishing
processes that contributed to criteria
pollutant emissions in 1990.
B. What are the cost impacts?
All facilities are expected to be
achieving the level of control required
by the final standard; therefore, no
additional air pollution control devices
or systems are required. Many of the
management and pollution prevention
practices are expected to provide a cost
savings for facilities, as reported by
facilities in the 2006 EPA survey.
Therefore, no capital costs are
associated with this rule. No operation
and maintenance costs are associated
with this rule because facilities are
already following the manufacturer’s
instructions for operation and
maintenance of pollution control
devices and systems.
We estimate the only impact to
affected sources is the labor burden
associated with the reporting and
recordkeeping requirements. We
estimated that the cost associated with
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for the final rule are $713
per facility starting in the third year, or
less than 0.04 percent of revenues. Costs
for initial notifications in the first year
are estimated at $380 per facility, for a
total of $1,094 per facility over the first
3 years for all costs. In the final rule, we
also eliminated the submission of the
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annual compliance reports unless
deviations of the standards occurred
during the year. Although not included
in the above estimates, the effect of this
change can only reduce these costs
further, albeit a small amount. Detailed
information on our impact estimates for
the affected sources is available in the
docket. (See Docket Number EPA–HQ–
OAR–2005–0084.)
C. What are the economic impacts?
This final standard is estimated to
impact a total of 2,900 area source
facilities. We estimate that more than
2,600 of these facilities are small
entities. Our analysis indicates that this
rule will not impose a significant
adverse impact on any facilities, large or
small. The economic impacts are
estimated to be less than 0.04 percent of
revenues.
D. What are the non-air health,
environmental, and energy impacts?
No detrimental secondary impacts are
expected to occur because all facilities
are currently achieving the GACT level
of control. Therefore, no facilities are
required to install and operate new or
additional control devices or systems. In
addition, no facilities are required to
install and operate monitoring devices
or systems. Therefore, no additional
solid waste will be generated as a result
of the PM and metal HAP emissions
collected. There also are no additional
energy impacts associated with
operation of control devices or
monitoring systems.
Because some of the management
practices we have required in this rule
also have the potential co-benefit of
reducing water pollution, there will be
a beneficial effect of the final rule to
reduce water pollution. However,
today’s final regulatory changes will
not: (1) Increase the amount of
discharged wastewater pollutants at the
industry or facility levels; or (2)
interfere with the ability of facilities in
the plating and polishing area source
category to comply with the Clean
Water Act requirements (e.g., Metal
Finishing Effluent Guidelines, 40 CFR
Part 433).
VII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
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A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
This action is not a ‘‘significant
regulatory action’’ under the terms of
Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993) and is therefore not
subject to review under the EO.
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B. Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection
requirements in this final rule will be
submitted for approval to OMB under
the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq. The information collection
requirements are not enforceable until
OMB approves them.
The recordkeeping and reporting
requirements in this final rule are based
on the requirements in EPA’s NESHAP
General Provisions to part 63. This final
NESHAP requires plating and polishing
area sources to submit an Initial
Notification and a Notification of
Compliance Status according to the
requirements in 40 CFR 63.9 of the
General Provisions to part 63.
Records will be required to
demonstrate compliance with good
operation and maintenance of capture
systems and control devices, use of
wetting agents and fume suppressants,
plating time, use of tank covers, and
other management practices. The owner
or operator of a plating and polishing
facility also is subject to notification and
recordkeeping requirements in 40 CFR
63.9 and 63.10 of the General Provisions
to part 63. Annual compliance reports
are required to be prepared instead of
the semiannual excess emissions reports
required by the General Provisions to
part 63; these reports are only required
to be submitted if any violations of the
standard occurred during the year.
The average annual burden for this
information collection, averaged over
the first 3 years of this ICR, is estimated
to total 33,290 labor hours per year at
a cost of $1,048,976, which is less than
0.02 percent of revenues. The average
annual reporting burden is 6.9 hours per
response, with less than one average
response per facility for the 2,900
facilities. The only costs attributable to
the final standards are associated with
the monitoring, recordkeeping, and
reporting requirements. There are no
capital, operating, maintenance, or
purchase of services costs expected as a
result of this final rule. Burden is
defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
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 part 63 are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
When this ICR is approved by OMB, the
Agency will publish a technical
amendment to 40 CFR part 9 in the
Federal Register to display the OMB
control number for the approved
information collection requirements
contained in this final rule.
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C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act
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 this final rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
Small entities include small businesses,
small not-for-profit enterprises, and
small governmental jurisdictions.
For the purposes of assessing the
impacts of this final rule on small
entities, small entity is defined as: (1) A
small business that meets the Small
Business Administration size standards
for small businesses found at 13 CFR
121.201 (less than 500 employees for
NAICS codes 332813); (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; and (3)
a small organization that is any not-forprofit enterprise which is independently
owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field.
After considering the economic
impacts of this final rule on small
entities, I certify that this action will not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
This final rule is estimated to impact a
total of 2,900 area source plating and
polishing facilities; more than 2,600 of
these facilities are estimated to be small
entities. We have determined that small
entity compliance costs, as assessed by
the facilities’ cost-to-sales ratio, are
expected to be approximately 0.14
percent. The analysis also shows that of
the more than 2,600 small entities, no
small entities will incur economic
impacts exceeding three percent of its
revenue. Although this final rule
contains requirements for new area
sources, we are not aware of any new
area sources being constructed now or
planned in the next three years, and
consequently, we did not estimate any
impacts for new sources. Although this
final rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities, EPA
nonetheless has tried to reduce the
impact of this final rule on small
entities. The standards represent
practices and controls that are common
throughout the sources engaged in
plating and polishing. The standards
also require minimal amount of
recordkeeping and reporting needed to
demonstrate and verify compliance.
These standards were developed in
consultation with small business
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representatives on the state and national
level and the trade associations that
represent small businesses.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), 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 one year. Before
promulgating an EPA rule for 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 costeffective, or least burdensome
alternative that achieves the objectives
of this final 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 the
Administrator 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, it must have developed
under section 203 of the UMRA a small
government agency plan. 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 regulatory
proposals with significant Federal
intergovernmental mandates, and
informing, educating, and advising
small governments on compliance with
the regulatory requirements.
This final rule contains no Federal
mandates (under the regulatory
provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for
State, local, or tribal governments or the
private sector. This final rule is not
expected to impact State, local, or tribal
governments. Thus, this final rule is not
subject to the requirements of sections
202 and 205 of the UMRA. EPA has
determined that this final rule contains
no regulatory requirements that might
significantly or uniquely affect small
governments. This final rule contains no
requirements that apply to such
governments, and impose no obligations
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upon them. Therefore, this final rule is
not subject to 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
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.’’
This final rule does not have
federalism implications. It 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. This final rule
does not impose any requirements on
State and local governments. Thus,
Executive Order 13132 does not apply
to this final rule.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
Executive Order 13175 entitled
‘‘Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
67249, November 6, 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.’’ This final rule does not
have tribal implications, as specified in
Executive Order 13175. This final rule
imposes no requirements on tribal
governments. Thus, Executive Order
13175 does not apply to this final rule.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
EPA interprets EO 13045 (62 F.R.
19885, April 23, 1997) as applying to
those regulatory actions that concern
health or safety risks, such that the
analysis required under section 5–501 of
the Order has the potential to influence
the regulation. This action is not subject
to EO 13045 because it is based solely
on technology performance.
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H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This rule is not subject to Executive
Order 13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning
Regulations That Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66
FR 28355, May 22, 2001) because it is
not a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer
Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (‘‘NTTAA’’), Public Law
104–113 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs
EPA to use voluntary consensus
standards in its regulatory 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, and business
practices) that are developed or adopted
by voluntary consensus standards
bodies. NTTAA directs EPA to provide
Congress, through OMB, explanations
when the Agency decides not to use
available and applicable voluntary
consensus standards.
This action does not involve technical
standards. Therefore, EPA did not
consider the use of any voluntary
consensus standards.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994) establishes Federal
executive policy on environmental
justice. Its main provision directs
Federal agencies, to the greatest extent
practicable and permitted by law, to
make environmental justice part of their
mission by identifying and addressing,
as appropriate, disproportionately high
and adverse human health or
environmental effects of their programs,
policies, and activities on minority
populations and low-income
populations in the United States.
EPA has determined that this final
rule will not have disproportionately
high and adverse human health or
environmental effects on minority or
low-income populations because it
increases the level of environmental
protection for all affected populations
without having any disproportionately
high and adverse human health or
environmental effects on any
population, including any minority or
low-income population. The nationwide
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63.11509 What are my notification,
reporting, and recordkeeping
requirements?
standards will reduce HAP emissions
and thus decrease the amount of
emissions to which all affected
populations are exposed.
K. 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
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. The EPA will
submit a report containing these final
rules 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 rules in the
Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is
published in the Federal Register. This
action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined
by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This final rule will
be effective on July 1, 2008.
List of Subjects for 40 CFR Part 63
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedures,
Air pollution control, Hazardous
substances, Intergovernmental relations,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: June 12, 2008.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the preamble,
title 40, chapter I, part 63 of the Code
of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
I
PART 63—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 63
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
2. Part 63 is amended by adding
subpart WWWWWW to read as follows:
I
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Subpart WWWWWW—National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants:
Area Source Standards for Plating and
Polishing Operations
Applicability and Compliance Dates
Sec.
63.11504 Am I subject to this subpart?
63.11505 What parts of my plant does this
subpart cover?
63.11506 What are my compliance dates?
Standards and Compliance Requirements
63.11507 What are my standards and
management practices?
63.11508 What are my compliance
requirements?
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Other Requirements and Information
63.11510 What General Provisions apply to
this subpart?
63.11511 What definitions apply to this
subpart?
63.11512 Who implements and enforces
this subpart?
63.11513 [Reserved]
Tables to Subpart WWWWWW of Part 63
Table 1 to Subpart WWWWWW of Part 63—
Applicability of General Provisions to
Plating and Polishing Area Sources
Subpart WWWWWW—National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants: Area Source Standards for
Plating and Polishing Operations
Applicability and Compliance Dates
§ 63.11504
Am I subject to this subpart?
(a) You are subject to this subpart if
you own or operate a plating and
polishing facility that is an area source
of hazardous air pollutant (HAP)
emissions and meets the criteria
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through
(3) of this section.
(1) A plating and polishing facility is
a plant site that is engaged in one or
more of the processes listed in
paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (vi) of this
section.
(i) Electroplating other than
chromium electroplating (i.e., nonchromium electroplating).
(ii) Electroless or non-eletrolytic
plating.
(iii) Other non-electrolytic metal
coating processes, such as chromate
conversion coating, nickel acetate
sealing, sodium dichromate sealing, and
manganese phosphate coating; and
thermal spraying.
(iv) Dry mechanical polishing of
finished metals and formed products
after plating.
(v) Electroforming.
(vi) Electropolishing.
(2) An area source of HAP emissions
is any stationary source or group of
stationary sources within a contiguous
area under common control that does
not have the potential to emit any single
HAP at a rate of 9.07 megagrams per
year (Mg/yr) (10 tons per year (tpy)) or
more and any combination of HAP at a
rate of 22.68 Mg/yr (25 tpy) or more.
(3) Your plating and polishing facility
uses or has emissions of compounds of
one or more plating and polishing metal
HAP, which means any compound of
any of the following metals: cadmium,
chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel,
as defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’ With
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the exception of lead, plating and
polishing metal HAP also include any of
these metals in the elemental form.
(b) [Reserved]
§ 63.11505 What parts of my plant does
this subpart cover?
(a) This subpart applies to each new
or existing affected source, as specified
in paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this
section, at all times. A new source is
defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’
(1) Each tank that contains one or
more of the plating and polishing metal
HAP, as defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’, and
is used for non-chromium
electroplating; electroforming;
electropolishing; electroless plating or
other non-electrolytic metal coating
operations, such as chromate conversion
coating, nickel acetate sealing, sodium
dichromate sealing, and manganese
phosphate coating.
(2) Each thermal spraying operation
that applies one or more of the plating
and polishing metal HAP, as defined in
§ 63.11511, ‘‘What definitions apply to
this subpart?’’
(3) Each dry mechanical polishing
operation that emits one or more of the
plating and polishing metal HAP, as
defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’
(b) An affected source is existing if
you commenced construction or
reconstruction of the affected source on
or before March 14, 2008.
(c) An affected source is new if you
commenced construction or
reconstruction of the affected source
after March 14, 2008.
(d) This subpart does not apply to any
of the process units or operations
described in paragraphs (d)(1) through
(6) of this section.
(1) Process units that are subject to the
requirements of 40 CFR part 63, subpart
N (National Emission Standards for
Chromium Emissions from Hard and
Decorative Chromium Electroplating
and Chromium Anodizing Tanks).
(2) Research and development process
units, as defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’
(3) Process units that are used strictly
for educational purposes.
(4) Thermal spraying conducted to
repair surfaces.
(5) Dry mechanical polishing
conducted to restore the original finish
to a surface to apply to restoring the
original finish.
(6) Any plating or polishing process
that does not use any material that
contains cadmium, chromium, lead, or
nickel in amounts of 0.1 percent or more
by weight, or that contains manganese
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in amounts of 1.0 percent or more by
weight, as reported on the Material
Safety Data Sheet for the material.
(e) You are exempt from the
obligation to obtain a permit under 40
CFR part 70 or 40 CFR part 71, ‘‘Title
V,’’ provided you are not otherwise
required to obtain a permit under 40
CFR 70.3(a) or 40 CFR 71.3(a) for a
reason other than your status as an area
source under this subpart.
Notwithstanding the previous sentence,
you must continue to comply with the
provisions of this subpart applicable to
area sources.
§ 63.11506
dates?
What are my compliance
(a) If you own or operate an existing
affected source, you must achieve
compliance with the applicable
provisions of this subpart no later than
July 1, 2010.
(b) If you own or operate a new
affected source for which the initial
startup date is on or before July 1, 2008,
you must achieve compliance with the
provisions of this subpart no later than
July 1, 2008.
(c) If you own or operate a new
affected source for which the initial
startup date is after July 1, 2008, you
must achieve compliance with the
provisions of this subpart upon initial
startup of your affected source.
Standards and Compliance
Requirements
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§ 63.11507 What are my standards and
management practices?
(a) If you own or operate an affected
new or existing non-cyanide
electroplating, electroforming, or
electropolishing tank (hereafter referred
to as an ‘‘electrolytic’’ process tank, as
defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’) that
contains one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP and operates at a
pH of less than 12, you must comply
with the requirements in paragraph
(a)(1), (2), or (3) of this section, and
implement the applicable management
practices in paragraph (g) of this section,
as practicable.
(1) You must use a wetting agent/
fume suppressant, as defined in
§ 63.11511, ‘‘What definitions apply to
this subpart?’’, in the bath of the
affected tank according to paragraphs
(a)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section.
(i) You must initially add the wetting
agent/fume suppressant in the amounts
recommended by the manufacturer for
the specific type of electrolytic process.
(ii) You must add wetting agent/fume
suppressant in proportion to the other
bath chemistry ingredients that are
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added to replenish the tank bath, as in
the original make-up of the tank.
(iii) If a wetting agent/fume
suppressant is included in the
electrolytic process bath chemicals used
in the affected tank according to the
manufacturer’s instructions, it is not
necessary to add additional wetting
agent/fume suppressants to the tank to
comply with this rule.
(2) You must capture and exhaust
emissions from the affected tank to any
one of the following emission control
devices: composite mesh pad, packed
bed scrubber, or mesh pad mist
eliminator, according to paragraphs
(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section.
(i) You must operate all capture and
control devices according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
operating instructions.
(ii) You must keep the manufacturer’s
specifications and operating
instructions at the facility at all times in
a location where they can be easily
accessed by the operators.
(3) You must cover the tank surface
according to paragraph (a)(3)(i) or (ii) of
this section.
(i) For batch electrolytic process
tanks, as defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’, you
must use a tank cover, as defined in
§ 63.11511, over all of the effective
surface area of the tank for at least 95
percent of the electrolytic process
operating time.
(ii) For continuous electrolytic
process tanks, as defined in § 63.11511,
‘‘What definitions apply to this
subpart?’’, you must cover at least 75
percent of the surface of the tank, as
defined in § 63.11511, whenever the
electrolytic process tank is in operation.
(b) If you own or operate an affected
new or existing ‘‘flash’’ or short-term
electroplating tank, as defined in
§ 63.11511, ‘‘What definitions apply to
this subpart?’’, that uses or emits one or
more of the plating and polishing metal
HAP, you must comply with the
requirements specified in paragraph
(b)(1) or (b)(2), and implement the
applicable management practices in
paragraph (g) of this section, as
practicable.
(1) You must limit short-term or
‘‘flash’’ electroplating to no more than 1
cumulative hour per day or 3
cumulative minutes per hour of plating
time.
(2) You must use a tank cover, as
defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’, for
at least 95 percent of the plating time.
(c) If you own or operate an affected
new or existing process tank that is used
both for short-term electroplating and
for electrolytic processing of longer
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duration (i.e., processing that does not
meet the definition of short-term or
flash electroplating) and contains one or
more of the plating and polishing metal
HAP, you must meet the requirements
specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this
section, whichever apply to the process
operation, and implement the
applicable management practices in
paragraph (g) of this section, as
practicable.
(d) If you own or operate an affected
new or existing electroplating tank that
uses cyanide in the plating bath,
operates at pH greater than or equal to
12, and contains one or more of the
plating and polishing metal HAP, you
must comply with the requirements in
paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section:
(1) You must measure and record the
pH of the tank upon start-up. No
additional pH measurements are
required.
(2) You must implement the
applicable management practices in
paragraph (g) of this section, as
practicable.
(e) If you own or operate an affected
new or existing dry mechanical
polishing equipment that emits one or
more of the plating and polishing metal
HAP, you must operate a capture system
that captures particulate matter (PM)
emissions from the dry mechanical
polishing process and transports the
emissions to a cartridge, fabric, or high
efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter,
according to paragraphs (e)(1) and (2) of
this section.
(1) You must operate all capture and
control devices according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
operating instructions.
(2) You must keep the manufacturer’s
specifications and operating
instructions at the facility at all times in
a location where they can be easily
accessed by the operators.
(f) If you own or operate an affected
thermal spraying operation that applies
one or more of the plating and polishing
metal HAP, you must meet the
applicable requirements specified in
paragraphs (f)(1) through (3) of this
section, and the applicable management
practices in paragraph (g) of this section.
(1) For existing permanent thermal
spraying operations, you must operate a
capture system that collects PM
emissions from the thermal spraying
process and transports the emissions to
a water curtain, fabric filter, or HEPA
filter, according to paragraphs (f)(1)(i)
and (ii) of this section.
(i) You must operate all capture and
control devices according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
instructions.
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(ii) You must keep the manufacturer’s
operating instructions at the facility at
all times in a location where they can
be easily accessed by the operators.
(2) For new permanent thermal
spraying operations, you must operate a
capture system that collects PM
emissions from the thermal spraying
process and transports the emissions to
a fabric or HEPA filter, according to
paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and (ii) of this
section.
(i) You must operate all capture and
control devices according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
instructions.
(ii) You must keep the manufacturer’s
operating instructions at the facility at
all times in a location where they can
be easily accessed by the operators.
(3) For temporary thermal spraying
operations, as defined in § 63.11511
‘‘What definitions apply to this
subpart?’’, you must meet the applicable
requirements specified in paragraphs
(f)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section.
(i) You must document the amount of
time the thermal spraying occurs each
day, and where it is conducted.
(ii) You must implement the
applicable management practices
specified in paragraph (g) of this
section, as practicable.
(g) If you own or operate an affected
new or existing plating and polishing
process unit that contains, applies, or
emits one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP, you must
implement the applicable management
practices in paragraphs (g)(1) through
(12) of this section, as practicable.
(1) Minimize bath agitation when
removing any parts processed in the
tank, as practicable except when
necessary to meet part quality
requirements.
(2) Maximize the draining of bath
solution back into the tank, as
practicable, by extending drip time
when removing parts from the tank;
using drain boards (also known as drip
shields); or withdrawing parts slowly
from the tank, as practicable.
(3) Optimize the design of barrels,
racks, and parts to minimize dragout of
bath solution (such as by using slotted
barrels and tilted racks, or by designing
parts with flow-through holes to allow
the tank solution to drip back into the
tank), as practicable.
(4) Use tank covers, if already owned
and available at the facility, whenever
practicable.
(5) Minimize or reduce heating of
process tanks, as practicable (e.g., when
doing so would not interrupt production
or adversely affect part quality).
(6) Perform regular repair,
maintenance, and preventive
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maintenance of racks, barrels, and other
equipment associated with affected
sources, as practicable.
(7) Minimize bath contamination,
such as through the prevention or quick
recovery of dropped parts, use of
distilled/de-ionized water, water
filtration, pre-cleaning of parts to be
plated, and thorough rinsing of pretreated parts to be plated, as practicable.
(8) Maintain quality control of
chemicals, and chemical and other bath
ingredient concentrations in the tanks,
as practicable.
(9) Perform general good
housekeeping, such as regular sweeping
or vacuuming, if needed, and periodic
washdowns, as practicable.
(10) Minimize spills and overflow of
tanks, as practicable.
(11) Use squeegee rolls in continuous
or reel-to-reel plating tanks, as
practicable.
(12) Perform regular inspections to
identify leaks and other opportunities
for pollution prevention.
§ 63.11508 What are my compliance
requirements?
(a) If you own or operate an affected
source, you must submit a Notification
of Compliance Status in accordance
with § 63.11509(b) of ‘‘What are my
notification, reporting, and
recordkeeping requirements?’’
(b) You must be in compliance with
the applicable management practices
and equipment standards in this subpart
at all times.
(c) To demonstrate initial compliance,
you must satisfy the requirements
specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through
(11) of this section.
(1) If you own or operate an affected
electroplating, electroforming, or
electropolishing tank that contains one
or more of the plating and polishing
metal HAP and is subject to the
requirements in § 63.11507(a), ‘‘What
are my standards and management
practices?’’, and you use a wetting
agent/fume suppressant to comply with
this subpart, you must demonstrate
initial compliance according to
paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iv) of this
section.
(i) You must add wetting agent/fume
suppressant to the bath of each affected
tank according to manufacturer’s
specifications and instructions.
(ii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you add wetting agent/fume suppressant
to the bath according to manufacturer’s
specifications and instructions.
(iii) You must implement the
applicable management practices
specified in § 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
as practicable.
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(iv) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have implemented the applicable
management practices specified in
§ 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, as
practicable.
(2) If you own or operate an affected
electroplating, electroforming, or
electropolishing tank that contains one
or more of the plating and polishing
metal HAP and is subject to the
requirements in § 63.11507(a), ‘‘What
are my standards and management
practices?’’, and you use a control
system, as defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’, to
comply with this subpart, you must
demonstrate initial compliance
according to paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through
(v) of this section.
(i) You must install a control system
designed to capture emissions from the
affected tank and exhaust them to a
composite mesh pad, packed bed
scrubber, or mesh pad mist eliminator.
(ii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have installed the control system
according to the manufacturer’s
specifications and instructions.
(iii) You must implement the
applicable management practices
specified in § 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
as practicable.
(iv) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have implemented the applicable
management practices specified in
§ 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, as
practicable.
(v) You must follow the
manufacturer’s specifications and
operating instructions for the control
systems at all times.
(3) If you own or operate an affected
batch electrolytic process tank, as
defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’, that
contains one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP and which is
subject to the requirements in
§ 63.11507(a), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, and you
use a tank cover, as defined in
§ 63.11511, to comply with this subpart,
you must demonstrate initial
compliance according to paragraphs
(c)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section.
(i) You must install a tank cover on
the affected tank.
(ii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you operate the tank with the cover in
place at least 95 percent of the
electrolytic process operating time.
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(iii) You must implement the
applicable management practices
specified in § 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
as practicable.
(iv) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have implemented the applicable
management practices specified in
§ 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, as
practicable.
(4) If you own or operate an affected
continuous electrolytic process tank, as
defined in § 63.11511, ‘‘What
definitions apply to this subpart?’’, that
contains one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP and is subject to
the requirements in § 63.11507(a),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, and you cover
the tank surface to comply with this
subpart, you must demonstrate initial
compliance according to paragraphs
(c)(4)(i) through (iv) of this section.
(i) You must cover at least 75 percent
of the surface area of the affected tank.
(ii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you operate the tank with the surface
cover in place whenever the continuous
electrolytic process is in operation.
(iii) You must implement the
applicable management practices
specified in § 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
as practicable.
(iv) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have implemented the applicable
management practices specified in
§ 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, as
practicable.
(5) If you own or operate an affected
flash or short-term electroplating tank
that contains one or more of the plating
and polishing metal HAP and is subject
to the requirements in § 63.11507(b),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, and you
comply with this subpart by limiting the
plating time of the affected tank, you
must demonstrate initial compliance
according to paragraphs (c)(5)(i) through
(iii) of this section.
(i) You must state in your Notification
of Compliance Status that you limit
short-term or flash electroplating to no
more than 1 cumulative hour per day,
or 3 cumulative minutes per hour of
plating time.
(ii) You must implement the
applicable management practices
specified in § 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
as practicable.
(iii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
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you have implemented the applicable
management practices specified in
§ 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, as
practicable.
(6) If you own or operate an affected
flash or short-term electroplating tank
that contains one or more of the plating
and polishing metal HAP and is subject
to the requirements in § 63.11507(b),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, and you
comply by operating the affected tank
with a cover, you must demonstrate
initial compliance according to
paragraphs (c)(6)(i) through (iv) of this
section.
(i) You must install a tank cover on
the affected tank.
(ii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you operate the tank with the cover in
place at least 95 percent of the plating
time.
(iii) You must implement the
applicable management practices
specified in § 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
as practicable.
(iv) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have implemented the applicable
management practices specified in
§ 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, as
practicable.
(7) If you own or operate an affected
tank that contains one or more of the
plating and polishing metal HAP, uses
cyanide in the bath, and is subject to the
management practices specified in
§ 63.11507(d), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, you must
demonstrate initial compliance
according to paragraphs (c)(7)(i) through
(iii) of this section.
(i) You must report in your
Notification of Compliance Status the
pH of the bath solution that was
measured at start-up, according to the
requirements of § 63.11507(d)(1).
(ii) You must implement the
applicable management practices
specified in § 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
as practicable.
(iii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have implemented the applicable
management practices specified in
§ 63.11490(g), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, as
practicable.
(8) If you own or operate an affected
dry mechanical polishing operation that
emits one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP and is subject to
the requirements in § 63.11507(e),
‘‘What are my standards and
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management practices?’’, you must
demonstrate initial compliance
according to paragraphs (c)(8)(i) through
(iii) of this section.
(i) You must install a control system
that is designed to capture PM
emissions from the polishing operation
and exhaust them to a cartridge, fabric,
or HEPA filter.
(ii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have installed the control system
according to the manufacturer’s
specifications and instructions.
(iii) You must keep the
manufacturer’s operating instructions at
the facility at all times in a location
where they can be easily accessed by the
operators.
(9) If you own or operate an existing
affected permanent thermal spraying
operation that applies one or more of
the plating and polishing metal HAP
and is subject to the requirements in
§ 63.11507(f)(1), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
you must demonstrate initial
compliance according to paragraphs
(c)(9)(i) through (iii) of this section.
(i) You must install a control system
that is designed to capture PM
emissions from the thermal spraying
operation and exhaust them to a water
curtain, fabric filter, or HEPA filter.
(ii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have installed and are operating the
control system according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
instructions.
(iii) You must keep the
manufacturer’s operating instructions at
the facility at all times in a location
where they can be easily accessed by the
operators.
(10) If you own or operate a new
affected permanent thermal spraying
operation that applies one or more of
the plating and polishing metal HAP
and is subject to the requirements in
§ 63.11507(f)(2), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
you must demonstrate initial
compliance according to paragraphs
(c)(10)(i) through (iii) of this section.
(i) You must install and operate a
control system that is designed to
capture PM emissions from the thermal
spraying operation and exhaust them to
a fabric or HEPA filter.
(ii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have installed and operate the
control system according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
instructions.
(iii) You must keep the
manufacturer’s operating instructions at
the facility at all times in a location
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where they can be easily accessed by the
operators.
(11) If you own or operate an affected
temporary thermal spraying operation
that applies one or more of the plating
and polishing metal HAP and is subject
to the requirements in § 63.11507(f)(3),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, you must
demonstrate initial compliance
according to paragraphs (c)(11)(i) and
(ii) of this section.
(i) You must implement the
applicable management practices
specified in § 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my
standards and management practices?’’,
as practicable.
(ii) You must state in your
Notification of Compliance Status that
you have implemented the applicable
management practices specified in
§ 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, as
practicable.
(d) To demonstrate continuous
compliance with the applicable
management practices and equipment
standards specified in this subpart, you
must satisfy the requirements specified
in paragraphs (d)(1) through (8) of this
section.
(1) You must always operate and
maintain your affected source, including
air pollution control equipment.
(2) You must prepare an annual
compliance certification according to
the requirements specified in
§ 63.11509(c), ‘‘Notification, Reporting,
and Recordkeeping,’’ and keep it in a
readily-accessible location for inspector
review.
(3) If you own or operate an affected
electroplating, electroforming, or
electropolishing tank that contains one
or more of the plating and polishing
metal HAP and is subject to the
requirements in § 63.11507(a), ‘‘What
are my standards and management
practices?’’, and you use a wetting
agent/fume suppressant to comply with
this subpart, you must demonstrate
continuous compliance according to
paragraphs (d)(3)(i) through (iii) of this
section.
(i) You must record that you have
added the wetting agent/fume
suppressant to the tank bath in the
original make-up of the tank.
(ii) For tanks where the wetting agent/
fume suppressant is a separate
purchased ingredient from the other
tank additives, you must demonstrate
continuous compliance according to
paragraphs (d)(3)(ii) (A) and (B) this
section.
(A) You must add wetting agent/fume
suppressant in proportion to the other
bath chemistry ingredients that are
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added to replenish the tank bath, as in
the original make-up of the tank.
(B) You must record each addition of
wetting agent/fume suppressant to the
tank bath.
(iii) You must state in your annual
compliance certification that you have
added wetting agent/fume suppressant
to the bath according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
instructions.
(4) If you own or operate an affected
electroplating, electroforming, or
electropolishing tank that contains one
or more of the plating and polishing
metal HAP and is subject to the
requirements in § 63.11507(a), ‘‘What
are my standards and management
practices?’’, and you use a control
system to comply with this subpart; an
affected dry mechanical polishing
operation that is subject to
§ 63.11507(e); or an affected thermal
spraying operation that is subject to
§ 63.11507(f)(1) or (2), you must
demonstrate continuous compliance
according to paragraphs (d)(4)(i) through
(v) of this section.
(i) You must operate and maintain the
control system according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
instructions.
(ii) Following any malfunction or
failure of the capture or control devices
to operate properly, you must take
immediate corrective action to return
the equipment to normal operation
according to the manufacturer’s
specifications and operating
instructions.
(iii) You must state in your annual
certification that you have operated and
maintained the control system
according to the manufacturer’s
specifications and instructions.
(iv) You must record the results of all
control system inspections, deviations
from proper operation, and any
corrective action taken.
(v) You must keep the manufacturer’s
operating instructions at the facility at
all times in a location where they can
be easily accessed by the operators.
(5) If you own or operate an affected
flash or short-term electroplating tank
that contains one or more of the plating
and polishing metal HAP and is subject
to the requirements in § 63.11507(b),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, and you
comply with this subpart by limiting the
plating time for the affected tank, you
must demonstrate continuous
compliance according to paragraphs
(d)(5)(i) through (iii) of this section.
(i) You must limit short-term or flash
electroplating to no more than 1
cumulative hour per day or 3
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cumulative minutes per hour of plating
time.
(ii) You must record the times that the
affected tank is operated each day.
(iii) You must state in your annual
compliance certification that you have
limited short-term or flash
electroplating to no more than 1
cumulative hour per day or 3
cumulative minutes per hour of plating
time.
(6) If you own or operate an affected
batch electrolytic process tank that
contains one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP and is subject to
the requirements of § 63.11507(a),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, or a flash or
short-term electroplating tank that
contains one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP and is subject to
the requirements in § 63.11507(b), and
you comply by operating the affected
tank with a cover, you must
demonstrate continuous compliance
according to paragraphs (d)(6)(i) through
(iii) of this section.
(i) You must operate the tank with the
cover in place at least 95 percent of the
electrolytic process operating time.
(ii) You must record the times that the
tank is operated and the times that the
tank is covered on a daily basis.
(iii) You must state in your annual
certification that you have operated the
tank with the cover in place at least 95
percent of the electrolytic process time.
(7) If you own or operate an affected
continuous electrolytic process tank that
contains one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP and is subject to
the requirements in § 63.11507(a),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, and you cover
your tanks to comply with this subpart,
you must demonstrate continuous
compliance according to paragraphs
(d)(7)(i) and (ii) of this section.
(i) You must operate the tank with at
least 75 percent of the surface covered
during all periods of electrolytic process
operation.
(ii) You must state in your annual
certification that you have operated the
tank with 75 percent of the surface
covered during all periods of
electrolytic process operation.
(8) If you own or operate an affected
tank or other operation that is subject to
the management practices specified in
§ 63.11507(g), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, you must
demonstrate continuous compliance
according to paragraphs (d)(8)(i) and (ii)
of this section.
(i) You must implement the
applicable management practices during
all times that the affected tank or
process is in operation.
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(ii) You must state in your annual
compliance certification that you have
implemented the applicable
management practices, as practicable.
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§ 63.11509 What are my notification,
reporting, and recordkeeping
requirements?
(a) If you own or operate an affected
source, as defined in § 63.11505(a),
‘‘What parts of my plant does this
subpart cover?’’, you must submit an
Initial Notification in accordance with
paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this
section by the dates specified.
(1) The Initial Notification must
include the information specified in
§ 63.9(b)(2)(i) through (iv) of the General
Provisions of this part.
(2) The Initial Notification must
include a description of the compliance
method (e.g., use of wetting agent/fume
suppressant) for each affected source.
(3) If you start up your affected source
on or before July 1, 2008, you must
submit an Initial Notification not later
than 120 calendar days after July 1,
2008.
(4) If you start up your new affected
source after July 1, 2008, you must
submit an Initial Notification not later
than 120 calendar days after you
become subject to this subpart.
(b) If you own or operate an affected
source, you must submit a Notification
of Compliance Status in accordance
with paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this
section.
(1) The Notification of Compliance
Status must be submitted before the
close of business on the compliance
date specified in § 63.11506, ‘‘What are
my compliance dates?’’
(2) The Notification of Compliance
Status must include the items specified
in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (iv) of
this section.
(i) List of affected sources and the
plating and polishing metal HAP used
in, or emitted by, those sources.
(ii) Methods used to comply with the
applicable management practices and
equipment standards.
(iii) Description of the capture and
emission control systems used to
comply with the applicable equipment
standards.
(iv) Statement by the owner or
operator of the affected source as to
whether the source is in compliance
with the applicable standards or other
requirements.
(c) If you own or operate an affected
source, you must prepare an annual
certification of compliance report
according to paragraphs (c)(1) through
(7) of this section. These reports do not
need to be submitted unless a deviation
from the requirements of this subpart
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has occurred during the reporting year,
in which case, the annual compliance
report must be submitted along with the
deviation report.
(1) If you own or operate an affected
electroplating, electroforming, or
electropolishing tank that is subject to
the requirements in § 63.11507(a)(1),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, you must state
in your annual compliance certification
that you have added wetting agent/fume
suppressant to the bath according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
instructions.
(2) If you own or operate any one of
the affected sources listed in paragraphs
(c)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section, you
must state in your annual certification
that you have operated and maintained
the control system according to the
manufacturer’s specifications and
instructions.
(i) Electroplating, electroforming, or
electropolishing tank that is subject to
the requirements in § 63.11507(a),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, and you use a
control system to comply with this
subpart;
(ii) Dry mechanical polishing
operation that is subject to
§ 63.11507(e); or
(iii) Permanent thermal spraying
operation that is subject to
§ 63.11507(f)(1) or (2).
(3) If you own or operate an affected
flash or short-term electroplating tank
that is subject to the requirements in
§ 63.11507(b), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, and you
comply with this subpart by limiting the
plating time of the affected tank, you
must state in your annual compliance
certification that you have limited shortterm or flash electroplating to no more
than 1 cumulative hour per day or 3
cumulative minutes per hour of plating
time.
(4) If you own or operate an affected
batch electrolytic process tank that is
subject to the requirements of
§ 63.11507(a) or a flash or short-term
electroplating tank that is subject to the
requirements in § 63.11507(b), ‘‘What
are my standards and management
practices?’’, and you comply by
operating the affected tank with a cover,
you must state in your annual
certification that you have operated the
tank with the cover in place at least 95
percent of the electrolytic process time.
(5) If you own or operate an affected
continuous electrolytic process tank that
is subject to the requirements of
§ 63.11507(a), ‘‘What are my standards
and management practices?’’, and you
comply by operating the affected tank
with a cover, you must state in your
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annual certification that you have
covered at least 75 percent of the surface
area of the tank during all periods of
electrolytic process operation.
(6) If you own or operate an affected
tank that is subject to the management
practices specified in § 63.11507(g),
‘‘What are my standards and
management practices?’’, you must state
in your annual compliance certification
that you have implemented the
applicable management practices, as
practicable.
(7) Each annual compliance report
must be prepared no later than January
31 of the year immediately following the
reporting period and kept in a readilyaccessible location for inspector review.
If a deviation has occurred during the
year, each annual compliance report
must be submitted along with the
deviation report, and postmarked or
delivered no later than January 31 of the
year immediately following the
reporting period.
(d) If you own or operate an affected
source, and any deviations from the
compliance requirements specified in
this subpart occurred during the year,
you must report the deviations, along
with the corrective action taken, and
submit this report to the delegated
authority.
(e) You must keep the records
specified in paragraphs (e)(1) through
(3) of this section.
(1) A copy of any Initial Notification
and Notification of Compliance Status
that you submitted and all
documentation supporting those
notifications.
(2) The records specified in
§ 63.10(b)(2)(i) through (iii) and (xiv) of
the General Provisions of this part.
(3) The records required to show
continuous compliance with each
management practice and equipment
standard that applies to you, as
specified in § 63.11508(d), ‘‘What are
my compliance requirements?’’
(f) You must keep each record for a
minimum of 5 years following the date
of each occurrence, measurement,
maintenance, corrective action, report,
or record. You must keep each record
onsite for at least 2 years after the date
of each occurrence, measurement,
maintenance, corrective action, report,
or record, according to § 63.10(b)(1) of
the General Provisions to part 63. You
may keep the records offsite for the
remaining 3 years.
Other Requirements and Information
§ 63.11510 What General Provisions apply
to this subpart?
If you own or operate a new or
existing affected source, you must
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comply with the requirements of the
General Provisions (40 CFR part 63,
subpart A) according to Table 1 of this
subpart.
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§ 63.11511
subpart?
What definitions apply to this
Terms used in this subpart are
defined in this section.
Batch electrolytic process tank means
a tank used for an electrolytic process in
which a part or group of parts, typically
mounted on racks or placed in barrels,
is placed in the tank and immersed in
an electrolytic process solution as a
single unit (i.e., as a batch) for a
predetermined period of time, during
which none of the parts are removed
from the tank and no other parts are
added to the tank, and after which the
part or parts are removed from the tank
as a unit.
Bath means the liquid contents of a
tank that is used for electroplating,
electroforming, electropolishing, or
other metal coating processes at a
plating and polishing facility.
Capture system means the collection
of components used to capture gases
and fumes released from one or more
emissions points and then convey the
captured gas stream to a control device,
as part of a complete control system. A
capture system may include, but is not
limited to, the following components as
applicable to a given capture system
design: duct intake devices, hoods,
enclosures, ductwork, dampers,
manifolds, plenums, and fans.
Cartridge filter means a type of
control device that uses perforated
metal cartridges containing a pleated
paper or non-woven fibrous filter media
to remove PM from a gas stream by
sieving and other mechanisms.
Cartridge filters can be designed with
single use cartridges, which are
removed and disposed after reaching
capacity, or continuous use cartridges,
which typically are cleaned by means of
a pulse-jet mechanism.
Composite mesh pad means a type of
control device similar to a mesh pad
mist eliminator except that the device is
designed with multiple pads in series
that are woven with layers of material
with varying fiber diameters, which
produce a coalescing effect on the
droplets or PM that impinge upon the
pads.
Continuous electrolytic process tank
means a tank that uses an electrolytic
process and in which a continuous
metal strip or other type of continuous
substrate is fed into and removed from
the tank continuously. This process is
also called reel-to-reel electrolytic
plating.
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Control device means equipment that
is part of a control system that collects
and/or reduces the quantity of a
pollutant that is emitted to the air. The
control device receives emissions that
are transported from the process by the
capture system.
Control system means the
combination of a capture system and a
control device. The capture system is
designed to collect and transport air
emissions from the affected source to
the control device. The overall control
efficiency of any control system is a
combination of the ability of the system
to capture the air emissions (i.e., the
capture efficiency) and the control
device efficiency. Consequently, it is
important to achieve good capture to
ensure good overall control efficiency.
Capture devices that are known to
provide high capture efficiencies
include hoods, enclosures, or any other
duct intake devices with ductwork,
dampers, manifolds, plenums, or fans.
Cyanide plating means plating
processes performed in tanks that use
cyanide as a major bath ingredient and
that operate at pH of 12 or more, and
use or emit any of the plating and
polishing metal HAP, as defined in this
section. Electroplating and
electroforming are performed with or
without cyanide. The cyanide in the
bath works to dissolve the HAP metal
added as a cyanide compound (e.g.,
cadmium cyanide) and creates free
cyanide in solution, which helps to
corrode the anode. These tanks are selfregulating to a pH of 12 due to the
caustic nature of the cyanide bath
chemistry. The cyanide in the bath is a
major bath constituent and not an
additive; however, the self-regulating
chemistry of the bath causes the bath to
act as if wetting agents/fume
suppressants are being used and to
ensure an optimum plating process. All
cyanide plating baths at pH greater than
or equal to 12 have cyanide-metal
complexes in solution. The metal HAP
to be plated is not emitted because it is
either bound in the metal-cyanide
complex or reduced at the cathode to
elemental metal, and plated onto the
immersed parts. Cyanide baths are not
intentionally operated at pH less 12
since unfavorable plating conditions
would occur in the tank, among other
negative effects.
Deviation means any instance in
which an affected source or an owner or
operator of such an affected source:
(1) Fails to meet any requirement or
obligation established by this rule
including, but not limited to, any
equipment standard (including
emissions and operating limits),
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management practice, or operation and
maintenance requirement;
(2) Fails to meet any term or condition
that is adopted to implement an
applicable requirement in this rule and
that is included in the operating permit
for any affected facility required to
obtain such a permit; or
(3) Fails to meet any equipment
standard (including emission and
operating limits), management standard,
or operation and maintenance
requirement in this rule during startup,
shutdown, or malfunction.
Dry mechanical polishing means a
process used for removing defects from
and smoothing the surface of finished
metals and formed products after
plating with any of the plating and
polishing metal HAP, as defined in this
section, using hard-faced abrasive
wheels or belts and where no liquids or
fluids are used to trap the removed
metal particles.
Electroforming means an electrolytic
process using or emitting any of the
plating and polishing metal HAP, as
defined in this section, that is used for
fabricating metal parts. This process is
essentially the same as electroplating
except that the plated substrate
(mandrel) is removed, leaving only the
metal plate. In electroforming, the metal
plate is self-supporting and generally
thicker than in electroplating.
Electroless plating means a nonelectrolytic process that uses or emits
any of the plating and polishing metal
HAP, as defined in this section, in
which metallic ions in a plating bath or
solution are reduced to form a metal
coating at the surface of a catalytic
substrate without the use of external
electrical energy. Electroless plating is
also called non-electrolytic plating.
Examples include, but are not limited
to, chromate conversion coating, nickel
acetate sealing, sodium dichromate
sealing, and manganese phosphate
coating.
Electrolytic plating processes means
electroplating and electroforming that
use or emit any of the plating and
polishing metal HAP, as defined in this
section, where metallic ions in a plating
bath or solution are reduced to form a
metal coating on the surface of parts and
products using electrical energy.
Electroplating means an electrolytic
process that uses or emits any of the
plating and polishing metal HAP, as
defined in this section, in which metal
ions in solution are reduced onto the
surface of the work piece (the cathode)
via an electrical current. The metal ions
in the solution are usually replenished
by the dissolution of metal from solid
metal anodes fabricated of the same
metal being plated, or by direct
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replenishment of the solution with
metal salts or oxides; electroplating is
also called electrolytic plating.
Electropolishing means an electrolytic
process that uses or emits any of the
plating and polishing metal HAP, as
defined in this section, in which a work
piece is attached to an anode immersed
in a bath, and the metal substrate is
dissolved electrolytically, thereby
removing the surface contaminant;
electropolishing is also called
electrolytic polishing.
Fabric filter means a type of control
device used for collecting PM by
filtering a process exhaust stream
through a filter or filter media. A fabric
filter is also known as a baghouse.
Flash electroplating means an
electrolytic process that uses or emits
any of the plating and polishing metal
HAP, as defined in this section, and that
is used no more than 3 cumulative
minutes per hour or no more than 1
cumulative hour per day.
General Provisions of this part (40
CFR part 63, subpart A) means the
section of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) that addresses air
pollution rules that apply to all HAP
sources addressed in part 63, which
includes the National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAP).
HAP means hazardous air pollutant as
defined from the list of 188 chemicals
and compounds specified in the CAA
Amendments of 1990; HAP are also
called ‘‘air toxics.’’ The five plating and
polishing metal HAP, as defined in this
section, are on this list of 188 chemicals.
High efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
filter means a type of control device that
uses a filter composed of a mat of
randomly arranged fibers and is
designed to remove at least 99.97
percent of airborne particles that are 0.3
micrometers or larger in diameter.
Mesh pad mist eliminator means a
type of control device, consisting of
layers of interlocked filaments densely
packed between two supporting grids
that remove liquid droplets and PM
from the gas stream through inertial
impaction and direct interception.
Metal coating operation means any
process performed either in a tank that
contains liquids or as part of a spraying
operation that applies one or more
plating and polishing metal HAP, as
defined in this section, to parts and
products used in manufacturing. These
processes include but are not limited to:
Non-chromium electroplating;
electroforming; electropolishing; other
non-electrolytic metal coating processes,
such as chromate conversion coating,
nickel acetate sealing, sodium
dichromate sealing, and manganese
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phosphate coating; and thermal
spraying.
New source means any affected source
for which you commenced construction
or reconstruction after March 14, 2008.
Non-cyanide electrolytic plating and
electropolishing processes means
electroplating, electroforming, and
electropolishing that uses or emits any
of the plating and polishing metal HAP,
as defined in this section, performed
without cyanide in the tank. These
processes do not use cyanide in the tank
and operate at pH values less than 12.
These processes use electricity and add
or remove metals such as metal HAP
from parts and products used in
manufacturing. Both electroplating and
electroforming can be performed with
cyanide as well.
Non-electrolytic plating means a
process that uses or emits any of the
plating and polishing metal HAP, as
defined in this section, in which
metallic ions in a plating bath or
solution are reduced to form a metal
coating at the surface of a catalytic
substrate without the use of external
electrical energy. Non-electrolytic
plating is also called electroless plating.
Examples include chromate conversion
coating, nickel acetate sealing, sodium
dichromate sealing, and manganese
phosphate coating.
Packed-bed scrubber means a type of
control device that includes a single or
double packed bed that contains
packing media on which PM and
droplets impinge and are removed from
the gas stream. The packed-bed section
of the scrubber is followed by a mist
eliminator to remove any water
entrained from the packed-bed section.
Plating and polishing facility means a
facility engaged in one or more of the
following processes that uses or emits
any of the plating and polishing metal
HAP, as defined in this section:
Electroplating processes other than
chromium electroplating (i.e., nonchromium electroplating); electroless
plating; other non-electrolytic metal
coating processes, such as chromate
conversion coating, nickel acetate
sealing, sodium dichromate sealing, and
manganese phosphate coating; thermal
spraying; and the dry mechanical
polishing of finished metals and formed
products after plating.
Plating and polishing metal HAP
means any compound of any of the
following metals: cadmium, chromium,
lead, manganese, and nickel, or any of
these metals in the elemental form, with
the exception of lead. Any material that
does not contain cadmium, chromium,
lead, or nickel in amounts greater than
or equal to 0.1 percent by weight, and
does not contain manganese in amounts
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greater than or equal to 1.0 percent by
weight, as reported on the Material
Safety Data Sheet for the material, is not
considered to be a plating and polishing
metal HAP.
Plating and polishing process tanks
means any tank in which a process is
performed at an affected plating and
polishing facility that uses or has the
potential to emit any of the plating and
polishing metal HAP, as defined in this
section. The processes performed in
plating and polishing tanks include the
following: Electroplating processes
other than chromium electroplating (i.e.,
non-chromium electroplating)
performed in a tank; electroless plating;
and non-electrolytic metal coating
processes, such as chromate conversion
coating, nickel acetate sealing, sodium
dichromate sealing, and manganese
phosphate coating; and electropolishing.
This term does not include tanks
containing solutions that are used to
rinse or wash parts prior to placing the
parts in a plating and polishing process
tank, or subsequent to removing the
parts from a plating and polishing
process tank. This term also does not
include thermal spraying or dry
polishing with machines.
PM means solid or particulate matter
that is emitted into the air.
Research and development process
unit means any process unit that is used
for conducting research and
development for new processes and
products and is not used to manufacture
products for commercial sale, except in
a de minimis manner.
Short-term plating means an
electroplating process that uses or emits
any of the plating and polishing metal
HAP, as defined in this section, and that
is used no more than 3 cumulative
minutes per hour or 1 hour cumulative
per day.
Tank cover for batch process units
means a solid structure made of an
impervious material that is designed to
cover the entire open surface of a tank
or process unit that is used for plating
or other metal coating processes.
Tank cover for continuous process
units, means a solid structure or
combination of structures, made of an
impervious material that is designed to
cover at least 75 percent of the open
surface of the tank or process unit that
is used for continuous plating or other
continuous metal coating processes.
Temporary thermal spraying means a
thermal spraying operation that uses or
emits any of the plating and polishing
metal HAP, as defined in this section,
and that lasts no more than 1 hour in
duration during any one day and is
conducted in situ. Thermal spraying
that is conducted in a dedicated thermal
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01JYR3
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 1, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
spray booth or structure is not
considered to be temporary thermal
spraying.
Thermal spraying (also referred to as
metal spraying or flame spraying) is a
process that uses or emits any of the
plating and polishing metal HAP, as
defined in this section, in which a
metallic coating is applied by projecting
molten or semi-molten metal particles
onto a substrate. Commonly-used
thermal spraying methods include high
velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spraying,
flame spraying, electric arc spraying,
plasma arc spraying, and detonation gun
spraying.
Water curtain means a type of control
device that draws the exhaust stream
through a continuous curtain of moving
water to scrub out suspended PM.
Wetting agent/fume suppressant
means any chemical agent that reduces
or suppresses fumes or mists from a
plating and polishing tank by reducing
the surface tension of the tank bath.
§ 63.11512 Who implements and enforces
this subpart?
(a) This subpart can be implemented
and enforced by EPA or a delegated
authority such as your State, local, or
tribal agency. If the EPA Administrator
has delegated authority to your State,
local, or tribal agency, then that agency,
in addition to EPA, has the authority to
implement and enforce this subpart.
You should contact your EPA Regional
Office to find out if implementation and
enforcement of this subpart is delegated
to your State, local, or tribal agency.
(b) In delegating implementation and
enforcement authority of this subpart to
a State, local, or tribal agency under 40
CFR part 63, subpart E, the authorities
contained in paragraph (c) of this
section are retained by the EPA
Administrator and are not transferred to
the State, local, or tribal agency.
(c) The authorities that cannot be
delegated to State, local, or tribal
agencies are specified in paragraphs
(c)(1) through (5) of this section.
(1) Approval of an alternative nonopacity emissions standard under 40
CFR 63.6(g), of the General Provisions of
this part.
(2) Approval of an alternative opacity
emissions standard under § 63.6(h)(9),
of the General Provisions of this part.
37749
(3) Approval of a major change to test
methods under § 63.7(e)(2)(ii) and (f), of
the General Provisions of this part. A
‘‘major change to test method’’ is
defined in § 63.90.
(4) Approval of a major change to
monitoring under § 63.8(f), of the
General Provisions of this part. A
‘‘major change to monitoring’’ is defined
in § 63.90.
(5) Approval of a major change to
recordkeeping and reporting under
§ 63.10(f), of the General Provisions of
this part. A ‘‘major change to
recordkeeping/reporting’’ is defined in
§ 63.90.
§ 63.11513
[Reserved]
Tables to Subpart WWWWWW of Part
63
As required in § 63.11510, ‘‘What
General Provisions apply to this
subpart?’’, you must meet each
requirement in the following table that
applies to you.
TABLE 1 TO SUBPART WWWWWW OF PART 63. APPLICABILITY OF GENERAL PROVISIONS TO PLATING AND POLISHING
AREA SOURCES
Citation
Subject
63.1 ...........................................................................................................
63.2 ...........................................................................................................
63.3 ...........................................................................................................
63.4 ...........................................................................................................
63.6(a), (b)(1)–(b)(5), (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(5), (j) ...........................................
63.10(a), (b)(1), (b)(2)(i)–(iii),(xiv), (b)(3), (d)(1), (f) .................................
63.12 .........................................................................................................
63.13 .........................................................................................................
Applicability.
Definitions.
Units and abbreviations.
Prohibited activities.
Compliance with standards and maintenance requirements.
Recordkeeping and reporting.
State authority and delegations.
Addresses of State air pollution control agencies and EPA regional offices.
Incorporation by reference.
Availability of information and confidentiality.
63.14 .........................................................................................................
63.15 .........................................................................................................
1 Section 63.11505(e), ‘‘What parts of my plant does this subpart cover?’’, exempts affected sources from the obligation to obtain title V operating permits.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 1, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37728-37749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14795]
[[Page 37727]]
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Part V
Environmental Protection Agency
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40 CFR Part 63
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Area Source
Standards for Plating and Polishing Operations; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 1, 2008 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 37728]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 63
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0084; FRL-8581-3]
RIN 2060-AM37
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Area
Source Standards for Plating and Polishing Operations
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are issuing national emission standards for control of
hazardous air pollutants (HAP) for the plating and polishing area
source category. This final rule establishes emission standards in the
form of management practices for new and existing tanks, thermal
spraying equipment, and mechanical polishing equipment in certain
plating and polishing processes. These final emission standards reflect
EPA's determination regarding the generally achievable control
technology (GACT) and/or management practices for the area source
category.
DATES: This final rule is effective on July 1, 2008.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0084. All documents in the docket are listed in the
https://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., confidential business
information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by
statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, 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 EPA Docket Center, Public
Reading Room, EPA West, Room 3334, 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 Docket is (202) 566-1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Donna Lee Jones, Sector Policies
and Programs Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
(D243-02), Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina 27711, telephone number: (919) 541-5251; fax number:
(919) 541-3207; e-mail address: jones.donnalee@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Outline. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION in this preamble is
organized as follows:
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
B. Where can I get a copy of this document?
C. Judicial Review
II. Background Information for Final Area Source Standards
III. Summary of Final Rule and Changes Since Proposal
A. Summary of Changes Since Proposal
B. Summary of Final Rule
IV. Exemption of Area Source Category From Title V Permitting
Requirements
V. Summary of Comments and Responses
A. Applicability
B. Affected Source
C. GACT
D. Equipment Standards
E. Management Practices
F. Compliance Demonstrations
G. Burden
H. Miscellaneous
I. Non-Significant Comments
VI. Impacts of Final Area Source Standards
A. What are the air impacts?
B. What are the cost impacts?
C. What are the economic impacts?
D. What are the non-air health, environmental, and energy
impacts?
VII. 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 Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
I. National Technology Transfer Advancement Act
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
K. Congressional Review Act
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
The regulated category and entities potentially affected by this
final action include:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category NAICS code\1\ Examples of regulated entities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry * * *....................... 332813 Area source facilities engaged in any one or more types
of nonchromium electroplating; electropolishing;
electroforming; electroless plating, including thermal
metal spraying, chromate conversion coating, and
coloring; or mechanical polishing of metals and formed
products for the trade. Regulated sources do not include
chromium electroplating and chromium anodizing sources,
as those sources are subject to 40 CFR part 63, subpart
N, ``Chromium Emissions From Hard and Decorative
Chromium Electroplating and Chromium Anodizing Tanks.''
Manufacturing........................ 32, 33 Area source establishments engaged in one or more types
of nonchromium electroplating; electropolishing;
electroforming; electroless plating, including thermal
metal spraying, chromate conversion coating, and
coloring; or mechanical polishing of metals and formed
products for the trade. Examples include: 33251,
Hardware Manufacturing; 323111, Commercial Gravure
Printing; 332116, Metal Stamping; 332722, Bolt, Nut,
Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing; 332811, Metal
Heat Treating; 332812, Metal Coating, Engraving (except
Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to
Manufacturers; 332913, Plumbing Fixture Fitting and Trim
Manufacturing; Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting
Manufacturing; 332999, All Other Miscellaneous
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing; 334412, Bare
Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing; 336412, Aircraft
Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing; and 339911,
Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ North American Industry Classification System.
This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this
action. To determine whether your facility will be regulated by this
action, you should examine the applicability criteria in 40 CFR
63.11504, ``Am I subject to this subpart?'' of subpart WWWWWW (National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): Area Source
Standards for Plating and
[[Page 37729]]
Polishing Operations). If you have any questions regarding the
applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult either the
air permit authority for the entity or your EPA regional representative
as listed in Sec. 63.13 of the General Provisions to part 63 (40 CFR
part 63, subpart A).
B. Where can I get a copy of this document?
In addition to being available in the docket, an electronic copy of
this final action will also be available on the Worldwide Web (WWW)
through the Technology Transfer Network (TTN). Following signature, a
copy of the final action will be posted on the TTN's policy and
guidance page for newly proposed or promulgated rules at the following
address: https://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/. The TTN provides information
and technology exchange in various areas of air pollution control.
C. Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), judicial review
of these final rules is available only by filing a petition for review
in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by
September 2, 2008. Under section 307(d)(7)(B) of the CAA, only an
objection to these final rules that was raised with reasonable
specificity during the period for public comment can be raised during
judicial review. This section also provides a mechanism for us to
convene a proceeding for reconsideration, ``[i]f 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 this rule.'' Any person seeking
to make such a demonstration to us should submit a Petition for
Reconsideration to the Office of the Administrator, Environmental
Protection Agency, Room 3000, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20004, with a copy to the person listed in
the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, and the
Associate General Counsel for the Air and Radiation Law Office, Office
of General Counsel (Mail Code 2344A), Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20004. Moreover, under
section 307(d)(7)(B) of the CAA, only an objection to these final rules
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 these
final rules may not be challenged separately in any civil or criminal
proceedings brought by EPA to enforce these requirements.
II. Background Information for Final Area Source Standards
Section 112(d) of the CAA requires us to establish NESHAP for both
major and area sources of HAP that are listed for regulation under CAA
section 112(c). A major source emits or has the potential to emit 10
tons per year (tpy) or more of any single HAP or 25 tpy or more of any
combination of HAP. An area source is a stationary source that is not a
major source.
Section 112(k)(3)(B) of the CAA calls for EPA to identify at least
30 HAP which, as the result of emissions from area sources, pose the
greatest threat to public health in the largest number of urban areas.
EPA implemented this provision in 1999 in the Integrated Urban Air
Toxics Strategy, (64 FR 38715, July 19, 1999). Specifically, in the
Strategy, EPA identified 30 HAP that pose the greatest potential health
threat in urban areas, and these HAP are referred to as the ``30 urban
HAP.'' Section 112(c)(3) requires EPA to list sufficient categories or
subcategories of area sources to ensure that area sources representing
90 percent of the emissions of the 30 urban HAP are subject to
regulation. We implemented these requirements through the Integrated
Urban Air Toxics Strategy (64 FR 38715, July 19, 1999). A primary goal
of the Strategy is to achieve a 75 percent reduction in cancer
incidence attributable to HAP emitted from stationary sources.
Under CAA section 112(d)(5), we may elect to promulgate standards
or requirements for area sources ``which provide for the use of
generally available control technologies or management practices by
such sources to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants.''
Additional information on GACT is found in the Senate report on the
legislation (Senate Report Number 101-228, December 20, 1989), which
describes GACT as:
* * * methods, practices and techniques which are commercially
available and appropriate for application by the sources in the
category considering economic impacts and the technical capabilities
of the firms to operate and maintain the emissions control systems.
Consistent with the legislative history, we can consider costs and
economic impacts in determining GACT, which is particularly important
when developing regulations for source categories that have many small
businesses.
Determining what constitutes GACT involves considering the control
technologies and management practices that are generally available to
the area sources in the source category. We also consider the standards
applicable to major sources in the same industrial sector to determine
if the control technologies and management practices are transferable
and generally available to area sources. In appropriate circumstances,
we may also consider technologies and practices at area and major
sources in similar categories to determine whether such technologies
and practices could be considered generally available for the area
source category at issue. Finally, as we have already noted, in
determining GACT for a particular area source category, we consider the
costs and economic impacts of available control technologies and
management practices on that category.
We are establishing these national emission standards in response
to a court-ordered deadline that requires EPA to issue standards for 11
source categories listed pursuant to section 112(c)(3) and (k) by June
15, 2008 (Sierra Club v. Johnson, no. 01-1537, D.D.C., March 2006). We
have already issued regulations addressing one of the 11 source
categories. See regulations for Wood Preserving (72 FR 38864, July 16,
2007.) Other rulemakings will include standards for the remaining
source categories that are due in June 2008.
III. Summary of Final Rule and Changes Since Proposal
A. Summary of Changes Since Proposal
1. Applicability
In response to comments, we made several changes to clarify the
applicability of this final rule. Specifically, we have revised the
definition of plating and polishing metal HAP to mean any compound of
cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel. We further clarified
that the term plating and polishing metal HAP includes the elemental
form of these metals, with the exception of lead. We also clarified
throughout this final rule that this final rule applies only to sources
that use the plating and polishing metal HAP (i.e., tanks that contain
one or more of the metal HAP, thermal spraying operations that apply
one or more of the metal HAP, and dry mechanical polishing operations
that emit one or more of the plating and polishing metal HAP).
We have revised Sec. 63.11505, ``What parts of my plant does this
subpart
[[Page 37730]]
cover?'', to clarify that this final rule does not apply to any of the
following sources: Any source subject to 40 CFR part 63, subpart N,
National Emission Standards for Chromium Emissions from Hard and
Decorative Chromium Electroplating and Chromium Anodizing Tanks
(Chromium Electroplating NESHAP); process units used strictly for
educational purposes; thermal spraying conducted to repair surfaces;
polishing conducted to restore the original finish to a surface; and
any plating and polishing processes that do not use any materials that
contain cadmium, chromium, lead, or nickel in amounts of at least 0.1
percent by weight, and do not use any materials that contain manganese
in amounts of at least 1.0 percent by weight, as reported on the
Material Safety Data Sheet for the material. We do not believe that HAP
emissions from these activities were part of the inventory that
supported the area source listing decision for this category because
the emissions from these activities are very low.
We also corrected an error in Sec. 63.11505, ``What parts of my
plant does this subpart cover?'', concerning the definitions of new and
existing sources. In the final rule, an existing source is a source for
which construction or reconstruction began on or before March 14, 2008
(i.e., the proposal date), and new source is defined as a source for
which construction or reconstruction began after March 14, 2008.
2. Standards and Compliance Requirements
We have revised the compliance options specified in Sec. 63.11507,
``What are my standards and management practices?'', of the final rule.
We have clarified in Sec. 63.11507(a) that if wetting agent/fume
suppressant (WAFS) is included in the bath chemicals, and the WAFS is
added according to the manufacturer's instruction, plants are not
required to add more WAFS to the tank. We also have added a third
compliance option for affected electrolytic process tanks. In addition
to using WAFS or exhausting emissions to a control device, the final
rule allows owners and operators of affected tanks to comply by using
tank covers. To meet this option for batch process tanks, a tank cover
will have to be used during at least 95 percent of the process
operating time. As mentioned above, for continuous electrolytic process
tanks, covers must be used whenever the process is operating. We also
expanded the definition of tank cover in Sec. 63.11507 to clarify
that, for continuous process tanks, the tank surface area must be
covered at least 75 percent. We have clarified the requirements for
tanks that are used both for short-term or ``flash'' plating and for
longer plating operations that do not meet the definition of short-term
plating (i.e., ``long-term'' plating). Section 63.11507(c), ``What are
my standards and management practices,'' of the final rule specifies
that owners or operators must comply with the requirements for short-
term plating whenever short-term plating is performed in the tank and
must comply with the requirements for long-term plating whenever long-
term plating is performed.
We have clarified the requirements for cyanide electroplating tanks
in Sec. 63.11507(d) of the final rule, ``What are my standards and
management practices''. In Sec. 63.11507(f) of the final rule, we have
clarified the requirements for thermal spraying operations. The final
rule distinguishes between permanent and temporary thermal spraying.
The requirements for permanent thermal spraying are the same as in the
proposed rule. However, temporary thermal spraying operations are
required only to meet the applicable management practices specified in
the final rule. We also have added a definition for temporary thermal
spraying to Sec. 63.11511, ``What definitions apply to this
subpart?'', of the final rule to clarify whether a thermal spraying
operation is temporary or permanent.
In Sec. 63.11507(g), ``What are my standards and management
practices?'', of the final rule, we have expanded the list of
management practices. We also have clarified that this final rule
requires facilities to implement only those listed management practices
that are applicable and that the practices are to be implemented as
practicable. In addition, we have revised some of the specific
practices that were listed in the proposed rule, including the
practices for minimizing bath agitation, maximizing drainage of bath
liquid from parts as they are removed from the tank, using tank covers,
and heating tank baths.
We have made several changes to Sec. 63.11508, ``What are my
compliance requirements?'', of the final rule to clarify the
requirements for initial and continuous compliance. The changes include
adding the compliance requirements for continuous electrolytic process
tanks and temporary thermal spraying operations, and clarifying the
compliance requirements for cyanide electroplating tanks.
We have also changed the process by which facilities seek approval
to use an alternative equipment standard other than those specifically
listed in this final rule. In the proposal we indicated that facilities
that would like to use equipment other than those listed must seek
approval to do so pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 63.6(g) of the
General Provisions to part 63. We did not receive any comments on this
part of the proposal, nor did any commenters identify any alternative
equipment standards that are equivalent to those specified in this
final rule. We believe that facilities should be able to request
approval to use an alternative equipment standard, and therefore, we
have identified two different options available to facilities that
would like to use alternative equipment that achieves at least
equivalent HAP emission reductions as the controls specified in this
final rule: (1) Facilities may petition the Agency to amend this final
rule pursuant to section 553(e) of the Administrative Procedure Act, or
(2) facilities may work with State permitting authorities pursuant to
EPA's regulations at 40 CFR Subpart E (``Approval of State Programs and
Delegation of Federal Authorities''). Subpart E implements section
112(l) of the CAA which authorizes EPA to approve alternative State/
Local/Tribal HAP standards or programs when such requirements are
demonstrated to be no less stringent than EPA promulgated standards. We
believe that these options are more appropriate mechanisms for area
sources subject to section 112(d)(5) rules to obtain approval of
alternative equipment standards.
3. Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
We have revised Sec. 63.11509, ``What are my notification,
reporting, and recordkeeping requirements?'', of the final rule to
eliminate the requirement for submitting annual compliance reports. The
final rule still requires owners or operators of affected sources to
prepare annual compliance certifications and keep the certifications
on-site and available for review. However, the certifications need only
be submitted if a deviation occurred during the year, in which case the
certification and report of deviations must be submitted to your state
or local permitting authority. The final rule also specifies the
deadline for preparing the certifications as January 31 of the year
immediately following the reporting period.
4. Definitions
We have made several changes to the definitions in Sec. 63.11511,
``What definitions apply to this subpart?'', of the final rule and have
added
[[Page 37731]]
definitions for other terms used in the final rule. We added
definitions for batch electrolytic process tank, continuous
electrolytic process tank, tank cover for continuous process units, and
temporary thermal spraying. We have revised the definitions of cyanide
plating, dry mechanical polishing, flash electroplating, and plating
and polishing metal HAP.
5. Other
We also corrected some typographical errors that appeared in
various sections of the proposed rule.
B. Summary of Final Rule
1. Applicability
The final subpart WWWWWW applies to new and existing area sources
of plating and polishing that use any of the plating and polishing
metal HAP (cadmium, chromium,\1\ lead, manganese, or nickel) in tanks
or thermal spraying processes; and dry mechanical polishing operations
used to remove or polish products with these metal HAP after plating. A
new source is any affected source where you commenced construction or
reconstruction of the affected source after March 14, 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulated sources do not include chromium electroplating and
chromium anodizing sources, as those sources are subject to 40 CFR
part 63, subpart N, ``Chromium Emissions From Hard and Decorative
Chromium Electroplating and Chromium Anodizing Tanks.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The final rule applies to the following sources: Any tank that
contains one or more of the plating and polishing metal HAP and is used
for non-chromium electroplating; electroforming; electropolishing;
electroless plating or other non-electrolytic metal coating operations,
such as chromate conversion coating, nickel acetate sealing, sodium
dichromate sealing, and manganese phosphate coating; any thermal
spraying operation that applies one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP; and any dry mechanical polishing operation that
emits one or more of the plating and polishing metal HAP. This final
rule does not apply to the following sources: Process units that are
subject to the Chromium Electroplating NESHAP, research and development
process units, process units that are used strictly for educational
purposes; thermal spraying conducted to repair surfaces; dry mechanical
polishing conducted to restore the original finish to a surface before
plating; and any plating or polishing process that only uses materials
that do not contain cadmium, chromium, lead, or nickel in amounts of at
least 0.1 percent by weight, and do not contain manganese in amounts of
at least 1.0 percent by weight, as reported on the Material Safety Data
Sheet for the material. As stated above, we believe that HAP emissions
from these activities were not part of the inventory that supported the
area source listing decision for this category because the emissions
from these activities are small.
2. Compliance Dates
All existing area source facilities with operations subject to this
final rule must comply with the final rule requirements for their
existing operations no later than 2 years after the date of publication
of the final rule in the Federal Register. The owner or operator of a
new area source operation must comply with these final rule
requirements by the date of publication of the final rule in the
Federal Register or upon startup, whichever is later.
3. Standards
The final rule requires owners or operators of affected non-cyanide
plating and polishing tanks to meet one of the following three
compliance options, which are described in further detail below: Use
WAFS in the tank, capture and control emissions using an emission
control device, or use a tank cover. To meet the requirement for WAFS,
the owner or operator must use a bath chemistry that includes a WAFS or
must add WAFS separately to the bath. In either case, the owner or
operator will be required to maintain the level of WAFS in the tank
according to manufacturer's specifications and requirements. No
additional WAFS needs to be added beyond the manufacturer's
specifications and requirements.
To meet the control device option, the owner or operator must
install, operate, and maintain a control system that includes a capture
device designed to capture the plating and polishing metal HAP
emissions from the tank and to transport the metal HAP emissions to a
composite mesh pad (CMP), packed bed scrubber (PBS), or mesh pad mist
eliminator (MPME).
The tank cover option distinguishes between batch process tanks and
continuous process tanks. For batch process tanks, the cover must
enclose the entire surface area of the tank and must be in place during
at least 95 percent of the process operating time; for continuous
process tanks, the tank surface area must be covered at least 75
percent during all periods of process operation.
For short-term or flash plating tanks, the final rule requires
owners or operators to limit plating time to no more than 1 cumulative
hour per day or 3 cumulative minutes per hour of plating time, or to
use a tank cover during at least 95 percent of the plating time. For
affected cyanide plating tanks, owners or operators must perform and
record a one-time measurement of pH in the tank bath. In addition to
the above requirements, owners or operators of all affected plating and
polishing tanks are required to implement, as practicable, the
applicable management practices listed in Sec. 63.11507(g), ``What are
my standards and management practices?'', and certify that they have
implemented the management practices.
For any existing affected permanent thermal spraying processes, the
final rule will require a control system that is designed to provide
capture of the plating and polishing metal HAP emissions from the
thermal spraying operation and transport the metal HAP emissions to a
water curtain, fabric filter, or high efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
filter. For new permanent thermal spraying operations, the final rule
requires owners or operators to install a control system that is
designed to provide capture and control of the metal HAP emissions from
these sources and that transports the emissions from the affected
source to a fabric filter, or HEPA filter. For any temporary thermal
spraying operation, the final rule requires owners or operators to
document the length of time and location of the temporary thermal
spraying, and to meet applicable management practices listed in Sec.
63.11507(g), ``What are my standards and management practices?'', such
as, but not limited to, vacuuming or sweeping following the operation.
For any new and existing affected dry mechanical polishing
operation, the final rule requires a control system that is designed to
capture the plating and polishing metal HAP emissions from dry
mechanical polishing operations and transport the metal HAP emissions
to a cartridge, fabric, or HEPA filter.
4. Compliance Requirements
To demonstrate compliance with the final rule, owners or operators
of affected new or existing plating and polishing tanks will have to
implement one or more of the equipment standards specified in Sec.
63.11507, ``What are my standards and management practices?'', of the
final rule and certify that they have implemented the equipment
standard.
Owners or operators of affected new or existing non-cyanide
electrolytic process tanks that comply with the WAFS requirement must
add WAFS to
[[Page 37732]]
the tank and replenish the WAFS levels in the tank, according to the
manufacturer's specifications and operating instructions, and certify
that they have done so. Owners or operators of affected new or existing
non-cyanide electrolytic process tanks that comply with the control
device option must install, operate, and maintain a control system that
captures the metal HAP emissions from plating tanks and transports the
emissions to CMP, PBS, or MPME, and certify that they have done so.
Owners or operators of affected new or existing non-cyanide
electrolytic process tanks that comply using the tank cover option must
certify that they have installed the tank cover and are operating the
tank with the cover in place, as required by the final rule.
Owners or operators of affected cyanide plating tanks must perform
a one-time measurement of pH, record the measurement, and certify that
they have done so. The owner or operator of a facility that uses an
affected flash electroplating process that chooses to comply by
limiting the plating time must demonstrate compliance by operating the
affected tank no more than 1 cumulative hour per day or 3 cumulative
minutes per hour, and documenting that they have done so.
Owners or operators of affected flash electroplating tanks that
choose to comply by using a tank cover must certify that they have
installed the tank cover and are operating the tank with the cover in
place for at least 95 percent of the plating time. In addition to the
above requirements, owners or operators of all affected plating and
polishing tanks must demonstrate compliance by implementing the
applicable management and pollution prevention practices specified in
Sec. 63.11507(g), ``What are my standards and management practices?'',
of the final rule, as practicable, maintaining the appropriate records
to document compliance, and certifying that they have implemented the
management practices.
The owners or operators of affected new and existing dry mechanical
polishing processes must demonstrate compliance by installing,
operating, and maintaining an emissions control system according to the
manufacturer's specifications and operating instructions that is
designed to provide capture of the metal HAP emissions from these
sources and to transport these emissions from the affected source to a
cartridge, fabric, or HEPA filter. In any case, the owner or operator
must also certify that the control system has been installed and is
being operated and maintained according to manufacturer's
specifications.
Owners or operators of affected existing permanent thermal spraying
processes must demonstrate compliance by installing, operating, and
maintaining an emissions control system according to the manufacturer's
specifications and operating instructions. The control system must be
designed to provide capture of the metal HAP emissions from these
sources and to transport the emissions from the affected source to a
water curtain, fabric filter, or HEPA filter. The owner or operator
must also certify that the control system has been installed and is
being operated and maintained according to manufacturer's
specifications.
Owners or operators of new permanent thermal spraying processes
must demonstrate initial compliance by installing, operating, and
maintaining an emissions control system according to the manufacturer's
specifications and operating instructions. The control system must be
designed to provide capture of the metal HAP emissions from these
sources and transport the emissions from the affected source to a
fabric or HEPA filter, device. The owner or operator must also certify
that the control system has been installed and is being operated and
maintained according to manufacturer's specifications.
Owners or operators of affected existing temporary thermal spraying
processes must demonstrate compliance by documenting that the thermal
spraying occurs for less than one hour per day and is performed in
situ; and by implementing the applicable management and pollution
prevention practices specified in Sec. 63.11507(g), ``What are my
standards and management practices?'', of the final rule, as
practicable, maintaining the appropriate records to document
compliance, and certifying that they have implemented the management
practices.
5. Notification, Recordkeeping, and Reporting Requirements
The owner or operator of a new or existing affected source is
required to comply with certain requirements of the General Provisions
to part 63, which are identified in Table 1 of the final rule. Each
facility is required to submit an Initial Notification and a
Notification of Compliance Status according to the requirements in 40
CFR 63.9 of the General Provisions to part 63. The owner or operator of
an affected source is required to prepare and keep on-site an annual
compliance certification. If any deviations occurred during the
reporting year, the owner or operator will be required to submit the
compliance certification along with a report that describes the
deviations and the corrective action taken.
Owners and operators also are required to maintain all records that
demonstrate initial and continuous compliance with this final rule,
including records of all required notifications and reports, with
supporting documentation; and records showing compliance with the
management and pollution prevention practices. Owners and operators
must maintain records of the following, if applicable: For cyanide
electroplating tanks, the one-time pH measurement value; for non-
cyanide electroplating tanks, the amount and frequency of WAFS
additions; for flash electroplating tanks, the daily plating time; for
electroplating tanks using covers as a control option, the time the
tank is operated with a cover in place; for continuous electroplating
tanks, the amount of tank surface covered and the time the tank is
operated with a cover in place; and maintenance of any required control
systems.
IV. Exemption of Area Source Category From Title V Permitting
Requirements
We did not receive any comments on our proposal to exempt
facilities in the Plating and Polishing area source category from title
V permitting requirements. Therefore, this final rule does not require
facilities in this source category to obtain an operating permit under
40 CFR part 70 or part 71, provided they are not otherwise required to
obtain a permit under the part 70 or part 71 regulations.
V. Summary of Comments and Responses
The significant comments and responses are summarized and discussed
below according to the comment subject.
A. Applicability
1. Delisting
Comment: One commenter stated that the Plating and Polishing source
category should be delisted. The commenter explained that in the past,
when EPA has determined that a NESHAP source category was no longer a
significant source of the targeted HAPs, it was delisted. The commenter
noted that no additional emission reductions are expected as a result
of this rule, which is only codifying the voluntary efforts of
industry, and that small businesses, such as those affected
[[Page 37733]]
by the proposed rule, should not be burdened by a rule that provides no
environmental benefit.
Response: As noted in the preamble to the proposed rule, Section
112(k)(3)(B) of the CAA requires EPA to identify at least 30 HAP which,
as the result of emissions from area sources, pose the greatest threat
to public health in urban areas. Section 112(c)(3) requires EPA to list
sufficient categories or subcategories of area sources to ensure that
area sources representing 90 percent of the emissions of the 30 urban
HAP are subject to regulation. This provision requires that we subject
to regulation area source categories representing 90 percent of the
emissions of cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel. See section
112(c)(3). Since plating and polishing is one of the area source
categories that we need to meet the section 112(c)(3) requirement, we
are issuing regulations for this source category.
The commenter is correct in stating that no additional emissions
reductions are expected as a result of the final rule. However, we
disagree with the commenter's statement that this rule will result in
no environmental benefit. This final rule will help to ensure that
future emissions will be limited to the same levels currently achieved;
if the source category were to be delisted, as suggested by the
commenter, there would be no such limit of future emissions from
existing and new plating and polishing sources.
Comment: One commenter explained that in situ thermal spraying is
sometimes performed in confined areas in the interior of vessels. The
commenter explained that these jobs are of short duration
(approximately 1 hour) and infrequent in nature (up to 5 times per
year). The commenter noted that setting up a temporary emissions
capture system for this type of thermal spray operation is
impracticable and economically infeasible because it would take an
estimated 32 hours to set up and remove the temporary capture system.
As an alternative, the commenter recommended allowing up to 2 pounds
per year of metal HAP emissions from uncontrolled thermal spraying if
the operation is temporary and capture and control is impractical.
Response: We recognize that temporary in situ thermal spraying
operations should not be subject to the same requirements as permanent
thermal spraying operations for the reasons outlined by the commenter.
To address this type of operation, we have included a definition of
short-term thermal spraying in, ``What definitions apply to this
subpart?'', of the final rule. We also have revised, ``What are my
standards and management practices?'', in the final rule to address
thermal spraying in the same manner as another time-limited operation,
flash plating, that is subject only to management practices. In
addition, we have added sweeping and/or vacuuming as a management
practice specifically with short-term thermal spraying operations in
mind, but also as a possible management practice for the other plating
and polishing operations, to be done ``as practicable.'' Also, as
explained above, we believe that repair and maintenance operations were
not part of the source category in the inventory and, therefore, we are
not including requirements for these practices in this final rule.
Since some of the thermal spraying repair and maintenance operations
may also be performed in situ, the number of in-situ thermal spraying
operations at a facility affected by this final rule may be reduced.
2. Regulated Pollutant
Comment: One commenter recommends that EPA clarify whether
elemental metals (other than lead) are considered ``Plating and
Polishing metal HAP''. The commenter explained that in thermal
spraying, the metallic coating applied is in the elemental form both
before and after application.
Response: We acknowledge that some thermal spraying operations use
one of the plating and polishing metal HAP in elemental form. The metal
compounds on the HAP list, except for lead, include the elemental form,
as per the footnote in the CAA section 112(b)(1) that reads: ``For all
listings above which contain the word `compounds' and for glycol
ethers, the following applies: Unless otherwise specified, these
listings are defined as including any unique chemical substance that
contains the named chemical (i.e., antimony, arsenic, etc.) as part of
that chemical's infrastructure.'' Moreover, publications by the
American Welding Society and the California Air Resources Board state
that compounds of metal HAP may form and be emitted from the thermal
spraying process even when the metal used is in its elemental form.
Furthermore, elemental metals are emitted from the process as
particulate matter (PM), and PM is a surrogate for the metal HAP at
issue here. For the above reasons, we have revised the definition of
plating and polishing metal HAP in, ``What definitions apply to this
subpart?'', of the final to indicate that, with the exception of lead,
this final rule also applies to metals in their elemental form.
Comment: One commenter noted that thermal spray operations are
sometimes conducted with non-HAP metals that may contain small amounts
of one or more of the target HAP metals as impurities. The commenter
recommended that EPA revise the definition of Plating and Polishing
metal HAP to include those metal HAPs present in quantities greater
than 0.1 percent for carcinogens and greater than 1.0 percent for other
metal HAP. They also recommend revising the definition of thermal
spraying to include the following language: ``Only thermal spray
materials containing greater than 1 percent (0.1 percent for
carcinogens) of Plating and Polishing Metal HAP as reported on a
Material Safety Data Sheet are subject to this rule.'' Another
commenter requested that we clarify that this rule does not apply to
all plating tanks with cyanide, but only those that contain one or more
of the five metal plating HAP.
Response: It was not our intent for this rule to apply to non-HAP
materials that contain trace levels of one or more of the plating and
polishing metal HAP as impurities. Therefore, we have revised the
definition of plating and polishing metal HAP in, ``What definitions
apply to this subpart?'', to clarify that this final rule does not
apply to materials that contain any of the metal HAP in concentrations
less than 0.1 percent for carcinogens and less than 1.0 percent for
other metals, as reported in the Material Safety Data Sheet, since
these emissions were not part of the 1990 inventory used for the area
source category listing.
We also have clarified that this final rule only applies to tanks,
including cyanide tanks, that contain or have the potential to emit the
five metal plating HAP.
3. Thresholds and Exemptions
Comment: One commenter believes EPA should establish a threshold to
exclude very small plating and polishing area sources from the
applicability of the proposed rule. The commenter noted that, for each
of the 2,900 area sources, the number of plating and polishing tanks
ranged from 1 to 20 tanks, with an average of 10 tanks, and the number
of polishing and thermal spray lines ranged from 1 to 10 lines, with an
average of 5 lines. The commenter stated that a threshold for the
applicability of the proposed rule would result in no net loss in
reductions of metal HAP emissions, would significantly minimize the
regulatory burden on small plating and polishing area sources, and
would reduce the
[[Page 37734]]
administrative burden on federal and state regulatory agencies.
Response: We understand the commenter's concern regarding the
potential impact of this final rule on small facilities. However, we
cannot establish an applicability threshold for small plating
facilities for the following reasons. Plating and polishing is one of
the area source categories needed to meet the section 112(c)(3)
requirement that we subject to regulation, area source categories
representing 90 percent of the emissions of cadmium, chromium, lead,
manganese and nickel. See section 112(c)(3). We recognize that the
plating and polishing area source category is comprised of a large
number of relatively small plating and polishing facilities. Although
area sources individually may be considered low-emitting sources,
collectively, they are not. The commenter's suggestion fails to address
the requirement of section 112(c)(3), and as discussed above, we
previously determined that we need the plating and polishing area
source category to meet this requirement, which provides that EPA
regulate area sources accounting for 90 percent of the emissions of the
30 urban HAP. However, in developing the proposed rule, we attempted to
minimize the burden on small facilities while ensuring that this final
rule includes sufficient requirements for ensuring compliance. As
discussed more fully below, we have incorporated certain changes in the
final rule to further reduce the burden to small facilities. Finally,
we are planning various outreach activities specifically for this
industry to help affected facilities comply with the final rule to
further reduce the overall burden.
Comment: One commenter requested an exemption for maintenance
activities that require thermal spraying for repair (e.g., that would
take place on an oil rig or platform) and maintenance activities that
might involve polishing a plated surface to restore the original finish
in order to accomplish its intended task (e.g., a sealing plate or
hydraulic cylinder). The commenter explained that the low levels of
emissions from these operations justifies exempting them from the
proposed rule. Another commenter remarked that EPA should exempt small
tanks that are used only for educational purposes. The commenter
believes that such an exemption would be consistent with the exemption
for research and development process units specified in, ``What parts
of my plant does this subpart cover?'', of the proposed rule.
Response: The commenter has misconstrued this rule's treatment of
research and development process units specified in, ``What parts of my
plant does this subpart cover?''. Research and development process
units are not subject to this rule because the source category does not
cover these activities. Similarly, based on reasonable assumptions
about the practices included in the 1990 112(k) urban HAP inventory, we
have concluded that the processes that contributed to plating and
polishing metal HAP emissions most likely did not include thermal
spraying operations used for repairing surfaces, polishing operations
used to restore original finish, or tanks used strictly for educational
purposes. As a result, we have revised, ``What parts of my plant does
this subpart cover?'', of the final rule by adding a new paragraph (g)
to clarify the scope of the listed source category addressed in this
final rule. The new paragraph provides that the plating and polishing
area source category does not include thermal spraying operations for
repair, polishing operations used to restore original finish, or tanks
used strictly for educational purposes.
Comment: One commenter stated that EPA should exempt chromate
conversion coating tanks from the plating and polishing rule. The
commenter states that the chromium conversion coating process does not
utilize an electrical current or apply heat to the tank, so there is
nothing to drive emissions from the process. The commenter also pointed
out that chromium conversion tanks were exempted from the Chromium
Electroplating NESHAP; communication in the docket from OSHA states
that employee exposures are very low; and the proposal does not include
any emissions estimates for chromium conversion coating.
Response: We disagree with the commenter that chromium conversion
tanks should be exempt from this rule. The commenter requests an
exemption, but fails to demonstrate that emissions from such tanks were
not included as part of EPA's inventory analysis when it listed the
area source category. As explained above, we need to regulate the
plating and polishing area source category in order to meet the section
112(c)(3) requirement that we subject to regulation area source
categories representing 90 percent of the emissions of cadmium,
chromium, lead, manganese and nickel.
Moreover, the proposed management practices represent pollution
prevention activities for air emissions. Incidentally, these practices
also help to prevent pollution associated with water discharges and the
chromate conversion process. It is our understanding that these
practices, when practicable, also can result in cost savings for many
facilities, which thereby reduces the net burden. The lack of emission
data is not in itself a reason to exempt sources when other information
indicates that HAP emissions from those sources are possible. Likewise,
the lack of an electrical current in chromium conversion baths is not a
reason to exempt those processes since electroless nickel plating baths
also are operated without electrical current applied to the bath, yet
the data show that there are metal HAP emissions from electroless
nickel plating tanks.
Comment: One commenter stated that EPA should exempt all continuous
plating operations from the proposed rule. The commenter reasoned that
exemption of continuous plating from this rule is appropriate based on
the insignificant number of continuous plating operations and the
miniscule amount of potential HAP emissions from the process. The
commenter explained that bubbling, which is the primary emissions
mechanism for batch plating operations, does not occur in continuous
plating. In addition, the commenter stated that the tanks are not
agitated and have little surface area compared to the surface area of
batch plating tanks. The commenter further stated that most of the
surface area of continuous plating operations is covered.
Response: We disagree with the commenter and are not providing the
exemption requested. We recognize that the plating and polishing area
source category is comprised of a large number of relatively small
plating and polishing facilities. Although area sources individually
may be considered low-emitting sources, collectively, they are not. HAP
emissions from the processes identified by the commenter do occur, and
the commenter has not demonstrated that emissions from such processes
were not included as part of EPA's inventory analysis when it listed
the area source category. As explained above, we need to regulate the
plating and polishing area source category to meet the 90 percent
requirement in section 112(c)(3) for emissions of cadmium, chromium,
lead, manganese and nickel.
In developing this final rule, we have attempted to minimize the
burden on the sources identified by the commenter. At the time of
proposal, we had no information on the differences between batch
plating processes and continuous plating processes. We acknowledge that
the continuous electroplating processes differ
[[Page 37735]]
significantly from batch plating processes for the reasons identified
by this commenter; another commenter also pointed out these
differences. To account for the differences between continuous plating
operations and batch plating operations, we are including in the final
rule separate requirements for continuous plating operations, which
should address the commenter's concerns. Under the final rule,
continuous plating operations will have three options for complying
with the standard. Owners or operators of affected continuous plating
tanks can comply by covering at least 75 percent of the tank whenever
the process is operating. As discussed more fully below in Section C,
this option represents GACT for continuous plating tanks. Owners or
operators can also comply by using WAFS in the plating bath or by using
controls, either of which is equivalent to GACT for continuous plating
tanks. We are also revising the management practices in the final rule
by including practices specifically used with continuous plating
operations.
B. Affected Source
Comment: One commenter stated that the definition of dry mechanical
polishing in ``What definitions apply to this subpart?'', is ambiguous
and inconsistent with the description of the process in the preamble to
the proposed rule. The commenter suggested the following alternative
wording: ``Dry mechanical polishing means a process used for removing
defects from and smoothing the surface of finished metals and formed
products after plating, using hard-face abrasive wheels or belts and
where no liquids or fluids are used to trap the removed metal
particles.''
Another commenter noted that the proposed rule does not provide a
definition for the term ``polishing.'' The commenter also remarked that
the proposed rule appears to apply only to the polishing of metals or
finished products after they have been plated, and not to polishing
done before plating, or to grinding and machine operations.
Response: We agree with both commenters that the definition of dry
mechanical polishing in the proposed rule should be clarified. We are
revising the definition of dry mechanical polishing in, ``What
definitions apply to this subpart?'', of the final rule, as suggested
by the commenters to help clarify which types of operations are subject
to this final rule. In light of the revised definition of dry
mechanical polishing in the final rule, we do not believe it is
necessary to separately define ``polishing.'' With respect to grinding
and machining operations, emissions from these sources are covered
under 40 CFR part 63, subpart XXXXXX--National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants Area Source Standards for 9 Metal Fabrication
and Finishing Source Categories, which we expect to finalize by June
15, 2008.
Comment: One commenter suggested revising the definition of short-
term or ``flash'' electroplating in, ``What definitions apply to this
subpart?'', to reflect the full range of compliance options. The
commenter noted that doing so would also be consistent with the
preamble to the proposed rule. The commenter suggested revising the
definition as follows: Short-term or ``flash'' electroplating means an
electroplating process that is used no more than 1 hour per day or 3
minutes per hour in duration, or an electroplating process that has a
cover in place 95 percent of the plating time.
Response: We agree with the commenter's suggestion that the
definition of short-term or ``flash'' electroplating in, ``What
definitions apply to this subpart?'', should be revised to include the
maximum duration of 1 hour per day, and we have revised the definition
in the final rule accordingly. We do not agree with the commenter's
suggestion that flash electroplating should be defined in terms of tank
cover usage since flash electroplating is different from other
electroplating solely on the amount of time is it performed, whereas
using tank covers are a control option. However, as explained below, we
have revised, ``What are my standards and management practices?'', to
add paragraph (3), which provides the option of using tank covers
during at least 95 percent of the process operating time as a
compliance option for long-term plating processes (i.e., for all
affected plating processes that are not short-term or flash processes).
With this change, all batch electroplating processes, both long-term
and short-term, will be allowed to use covers 95 percent of the process
operating time to comply with this final rule. We believe this change
addresses the commenter's concern.
Comment: One commenter suggested that EPA clarify the requirements
for tanks that are used for both flash electroplating and for other
electroplating processes that are longer in duration. The commenter
suggested such tanks should have to comply by meeting the requirements
for the other types of electroplating processes, as specified in,
``What are my standards and management practices?'', of the proposed
rule.
Response: Our intent in, ``What parts of my plant does this subpart
cover?'', of the proposed rule was to define affected source in terms
of the plating and polishing process that is performed in the tank and
not to define affected source as the physical tank structure.
Therefore, in the case of a tank that is used for both flash plating
and for any of the other type of plating process that would be subject
to the requirements in, ``What are my standards and management
practices?'', the requirements for flash plating requirements would
apply when the tank is used for short-term plating, and the
requirements for the other affected plating processes would apply when
those processes are being conducted in the tank. We have revised the
final rule to clarify this requirement.
C. GACT
Comment: Two commenters commented on how GACT was defined for the
proposed rule and the relevance of that definition to continuous
plating tanks. The commenters explained that, as proposed, owners or
operators of continuous plating operations would be required to use
either WAFS or a control device to comply with this rule. However, the
commenters stated that the facility they represent does not use WAFS in
their continuous nickel electroplating tanks, and that WAFS may not be
feasible for the process. One commenter pointed out that for WAFS to be
GACT for continuous plating processes, the technology must be
commercially available and appropriate considering the economic impacts
and technical capabilities. The commenters stated that WAFS are not
used in continuous nickel electroplating tanks, and it is unknown if
WAFS is a feasible control option for continuous nickel plating tanks;
to make this feasibility determination would require lengthy and
expensive trials. The commenters concluded that WAFS is not GACT for
continuous nickel electroplating tanks.
The commenters also stated that, as proposed, facilities that
cannot use WAFS would have to install a control device, thereby making
control devices GACT for such facilities even though EPA states in the
preamble to the proposed rule that capture and control technology is
cost-prohibitive and therefore not appropriate for GACT.
Both commenters stated that the continuous plating tanks have
relatively small surface areas and that emissions are negligible
because there is no bubbling in, or agitation of, plating baths. One of
the commenters stated
[[Page 37736]]
that the commenter's facility uses tank covers on their continuous
plating tanks, but those covers cover about 80 percent of the surface
area which does not meet the definition of tank cover in the proposed
rule. The commenter pointed out that covers that totally enclose tanks
are practical only for batch operations, and the commenter suggested
revising the definition of tank cover to allow for partial covers over
most of the open surface of the tank. Both commenters stated that
because of the differences in the continuous plating process,
continuous plating should not be required to use WAFS or control
devices, but should be allowed to comply only with appropriate
management practices.
Response: As a result of these comments, we now recognize that
continuous electroplating operations differ significantly from batch
electroplating operations, that the use of WAFS may not be appropriate
for all continuous electroplating operations, and that control devices
should not be the only compliance option for this type of process. By
consultation with other facilities that responded to our survey that
perform continuous electroplating, we also now recognize that partial
tank covers are the generally available technology for continuous
electroplating tanks, and that partially covering the surface area of
the tank is the most that could be used considering the equipment that
is permanently positioned within the continuous plating tanks.
Consequently, we have revised this final rule to provide separate
requirements for continuous electroplating operations. In the final
rule, continuous electroplating operations will be able to comply using
tank covers that cover at least 75 percent of the tank surface, or by
using WAFS or control devices as alternate compliance options
equivalent to GACT. Although the commenter identified tank covers that
cover 80 percent of the surface area, we chose 75 percent as GACT based
on consultation with other facilities that perform continuous
electroplating. This value is also a more practical percentage in terms
of an accurate estimation. Finally, we have added the use of squeegee
rolls as a management practice for continuous electroplating
operations.
D. Equipment Standards
Comment: One commenter requested that EPA clarify that when WAFS
are already included in the plating chemicals, the requirement is
simply to identify the WAFS in the plating solution and add the plating
solution to the tank. The commenter also requested that EPA clarify
that when WAFS are added separately plants can comply by adding WAFS as
recommended by the manufacturer and recording the time and amount of
all additions of WAFS. Another commenter requested that EPA clarify the
term or requirement for WAFS so that facilities know that if a WAFS is
already in use, no additional fume suppressants are necessary to meet
the standard. The commenter was concerned that facilities might expand
the use of perfluorooctane sulfate (PFOS), a pollutant of concern
usually used in chromium plating baths as a fume suppressant.
Response: The commenter is correct regarding the compliance
requirements for the use of WAFS in affected tanks. As specified
compliance is demonstrated by adding and maintaining the WAFS in the
bath according to manufacturer's specifications and instructions, and
documenting that the additions of WAFS to the affected tank, regardless
of whether the WAFS is included in the plating chemical solution or
added separately. In regard to the comment with PFOS concerns, this
final rule will be clarified to state that if WAFS are already in the
bath ingredients, no additional WAFS n