Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Washington; Regional Haze State Implementation Plan; Federal Implementation Plan for Best Available Retrofit Technology for Alcoa Intalco Operations and Tesoro Refining and Marketing, 76173-76209 [2012-30090]
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Vol. 77
Wednesday,
No. 247
December 26, 2012
Part II
Environmental Protection Agency
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40 CFR Part 52
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Washington;
Regional Haze State Implementation Plan; Federal Implementation Plan for
Best Available Retrofit Technology for Alcoa Intalco Operations and Tesoro
Refining and Marketing; Proposed Rule
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 26, 2012 / Proposed Rules
40 CFR Part 52
January 10, 2013 and indicate the nature
of the issues you wish to provide oral
testimony during the hearing. Mr.
Body’s contact information is found in
[EPA–R10–OAR–2010–1071, FRL–9760–6]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; State of
Washington; Regional Haze State
Implementation Plan; Federal
Implementation Plan for Best Available
Retrofit Technology for Alcoa Intalco
Operations and Tesoro Refining and
Marketing
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA)
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to partially
approve and partially disapprove a
Washington Regional Haze
Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by
the State of Washington on December
22, 2010, that addresses regional haze
for the first implementation period. This
plan was submitted to meet the
requirements of Clean Air Act (CAA)
sections 169A and 169B that require
states to prevent any future and remedy
any existing man-made impairment of
visibility in mandatory Class I areas.
EPA is proposing to: (1) Approve
portions of this SIP submittal as meeting
most of the requirements of the regional
haze program, (2) propose a limited
approval and limited disapproval of the
SO2 Best Available Retrofit Technology
(BART) determination for Intalco
Aluminum Corp. (Intalco) potline
operation and propose a federal ‘‘Better
than BART’’ alternative, and (3) propose
to disapprove the NOx BART
determination for five BART emission
units at the Tesoro Refining and
Marketing refinery (Tesoro) and propose
a federal Better than BART alternative.
This combined rule package of proposed
SIP approved elements and proposed
federal elements will meet the
requirements of CAA sections 169A and
169B. On August 20, 2012, EPA
approved those provisions of the
Washington SIP addressing the BART
determination for TransAlta Centralia
Generation L.L.C. coal fired power plant
(TransAlta).
DATES: Comments: Written comments
must be received at the address below
on or before February 15, 2013.
Public Hearing: A public hearing is
offered to provide interested parties the
opportunity to present information and
opinions to EPA concerning our
proposal. Interested parties may also
submit written comments, as discussed
below. If you wish to request a hearing
and present testimony, you should
notify Mr. Steve Body on or before
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SUMMARY:
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below. At the hearing, the hearing
officer may limit oral testimony to 5
minutes per person. The hearing will be
limited to the subject matter of this
proposal, the scope of which is
discussed below. EPA will not respond
to comments during the public hearing.
When we publish our final action we
will provide a written response to all
written or oral comments received on
the proposal. EPA will not be providing
equipment for commenters to show
overhead slides or make computerized
slide presentations. A transcript of the
hearing and written statements will be
made available for copying during
normal working hours at the address
listed for inspection of documents, and
also included in the Docket. Any
member of the public may provide
written or oral comments and data
pertaining to our proposal at the
hearing. Note that any written
comments and supporting information
submitted during the comment period
will be considered with the same weight
as any oral comments presented at the
public hearing. If no requests for a
public hearing are received by close of
business on January 10, 2013, a hearing
will not be held; please contact Mr.
Body at (206) 553–0782 to find out if the
hearing will actually be held or if it will
be cancelled for lack of any request to
speak.
ADDRESSES: Public Hearing: A public
hearing, if requested, will be held
January 16, 2013, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
at the Washington Department of
Ecology Offices, Room #ROA–32, 300
Desmond Drive, Lacey, WA 98503.
Comments: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R10–
OAR–2010–1071 by one of the following
methods:
• www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• Email: R10Public_Comments@epa.gov.
• Mail: Steve Body, EPA Region 10,
Suite 900, Office of Air, Waste and
Toxics, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA
98101.
• Hand Delivery: EPA Region 10,
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle,
WA 98101. Attention: Steve Body,
Office of Air, Waste and Toxics, AWT–
107. Such deliveries are only accepted
during normal hours of operation, and
special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R10–OAR–2010–
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1071. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through www.regulations.gov
or email. The www.regulations.gov Web
site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system,
which means EPA will not know your
identity or contact information unless
you provide it in the body of your
comment. If you send an email
comment directly to EPA, without going
through www.regulations.gov, your
email address will be automatically
captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public
docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic
comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact
information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD–ROM
you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties
and cannot contact you for clarification,
EPA may not be able to consider your
comment. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form
of encryption, and be free of any defects
or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the www.regulations.gov
index. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available (e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by
statute). Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available either electronically at
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Office of Air, Waste and Toxics, EPA
Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle,
WA 98101. EPA requests that if at all
possible, you contact the individual
listed below to view a hard copy of the
docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Body at telephone number (206)
553–0782, body.steve@epa.gov, or the
above EPA, Region 10 address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document whenever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
the EPA. Information is organized as
follows:
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Table of Contents
I. Overview and Summary of EPA’s Proposed
Action
II. Background for EPA’s Proposed Action
A. Definition of Regional Haze
B. Regional Haze Rules and Regulations
C. Roles of Agencies in Addressing
Regional Haze
III. Requirements for the Regional Haze SIP
A. The CAA and the Regional Haze Rule
B. Determination of Baseline, Natural, and
Current Visibility Conditions
C. Consultation With States and Federal
Land Managers
D. Best Available Retrofit Technology
E. Determination of Reasonable Progress
Goals (RPGs)
F. Long Term Strategy (LTS)
G. Coordinating Regional Haze and
Reasonably Attributable Visibility
Impairment (RAVI)
H. Monitoring Strategy and Other
Implementation Requirements
IV. EPA’s Analysis of the Washington
Regional Haze SIP
A. Affected Class I Areas
B. Baseline and Natural Conditions and
Uniform Rate of Progress
C. Washington Emissions Inventories
D. Sources of Visibility Impairment in
Washington Class I Areas
E. Best Available Retrofit Technology
1. BART-Eligible Sources in Washington
2. Sources Subject to BART
3. Washington Source Specific BART
Analysis
a. British Petroleum, Cherry Point Refinery
b. Intalco Aluminum Corp.
c. Tesoro Refining and Marketing
d. Port Townsend Paper Company
e. Lafarge North America
f. TransAlta Centralia Generation, LLC
g. Weyerhaeuser Company-Longview
F. Determination of Reasonable Progress
Goals
G. Long Term Strategy
H. Monitoring Strategy and Other
Implementation Requirements
I. Consultation With States and Federal
Land Managers
J. Periodic SIP Revisions and 5-Year
Progress Reports
V. What action is EPA proposing?
VI. Washington Notice
VII. Scope of Action
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
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I. Overview and Summary of EPA’s
Proposed Action
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II. Background for EPA’s Proposed
Action
In the CAA Amendments of 1977,
Congress established a program to
protect and improve visibility in
national parks and wilderness areas. See
CAA section 169A. Congress amended
the visibility provisions in the CAA in
1990 to focus attention on the problem
of regional haze. See CAA section 169B.
EPA promulgated regulations in 1999 to
implement sections 169A and 169B of
the Act. These regulations require states
to develop and implement plans to
ensure reasonable progress toward
improving visibility in mandatory Class
I Federal areas 1 (Class I areas). 64 FR
1 Areas
In this action, EPA proposes to
approve the following provisions of
Washington’s Regional Haze SIP
submittal: Washington’s identification
of Class I areas and determination of
baseline conditions, natural conditions
and uniform rate of progress (URP) for
each of these Class I areas. We also
propose to approve Washington’s
emission inventories, sources of
visibility impairment in Washington
Class I areas, monitoring strategy,
consultation with other states and
Federal Land Managers (FLMs),
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reasonable progress goals (RPGs), and
long term strategy (LTS).
EPA previously approved
Washington’s BART determination for
the TransAlta power plant in Centralia,
Washington. In today’s action we are
proposing to approve BART
determinations for all other sources
subject to BART with the exception of
certain BART emission units at two
sources subject to BART. Specifically
EPA is proposing to approve the BART
determinations for the British Petroleum
(BP) Cherry Point Refinery, Port
Townsend Paper Company, LaFarge
North America, and Weyerhaeuser
Longview and portions of the BART
determinations for Intalco and Tesoro.
EPA is proposing a limited approval and
limited disapproval of Washington’s
SO2 BART determination for the
potlines at Intalco in Ferndale,
Washington. EPA proposes an
alternative ‘Better than BART’’ Federal
Implementation Plan (FIP) for SO2
BART for the potlines with an annual
limit on SO2 emissions of 80% of
baseyear emissions. EPA is proposing to
disapprove Washington’s NOX BART
determination for 5 BART units at the
Tesoro refinery in Anacortes,
Washington. EPA proposes a Better than
BART alternative FIP for these 5 BART
units.
designated as mandatory Class I Federal
areas consist of national parks exceeding 6000
acres, wilderness areas and national memorial parks
exceeding 5000 acres, and all international parks
that were in existence on August 7, 1977. 42 U.S.C.
7472(a). In accordance with section 169A of the
CAA, EPA, in consultation with the Department of
Interior, promulgated a list of 156 areas where
visibility is identified as an important value. 44 FR
69122 (November 30, 1979). The extent of a
mandatory Class I area includes subsequent changes
in boundaries, such as park expansions. 42 U.S.C.
7472(a). Although states and tribes may designate
as Class I additional areas which they consider to
have visibility as an important value, the
requirements of the visibility program set forth in
section 169A of the CAA apply only to ‘‘mandatory
Class I Federal areas.’’ Each mandatory Class I
Federal area is the responsibility of a ‘‘Federal Land
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35714 (July 1, 1999); see also 70 FR
39104 (July 6, 2005) and 71 FR 60612
(October 13, 2006).
A. Definition of Regional Haze
Regional haze is impairment of visual
range or colorization caused by
emission of air pollution produced by
numerous sources and activities, located
across a broad regional area. The
sources include but are not limited to,
major and minor stationary sources,
mobile sources, and area sources
including non-anthropogenic sources.
Visibility impairment is primarily
caused by fine particulate matter,
particles with an aerodynamic diameter
of less than 2.5 micrometers, (PM2.5) or
secondary aerosol formed in the
atmosphere from precursor gasses (e.g.,
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and in
some cases, ammonia and volatile
organic compounds). Atmospheric fine
particulate reduces clarity, color, and
visual range of visual scenes. Visibility
reducing fine particulate is primarily
composed of sulfate, nitrate, organic
carbon compounds, elemental carbon,
and soil dust, and impairs visibility by
scattering and absorbing light. Fine
particulate can also cause serious health
effects and mortality in humans, and
contributes to environmental effects
such as acid deposition and
eutrophication.2
Data from the existing visibility
monitoring network, the ‘‘Interagency
Monitoring of Protected Visual
Environments’’ (IMPROVE) monitoring
network, show that visibility
impairment caused by air pollution
occurs virtually all the time at most
national parks and wilderness areas.
Average visual range in many Class I
areas in the Western United States is
100–150 kilometers, or about one-half to
two-thirds the visual range that would
exist without anmade air pollution.3
Visibility impairment also varies day-today and by season depending on
variation in meteorology and emission
rates.
B. Regional Haze Rules and Regulations
In section 169A of the 1977 CAA
Amendments, Congress created a
program for protecting visibility in the
nation’s national parks and wilderness
areas. This section of the CAA
establishes as a national goal the
‘‘prevention of any future, and the
remedying of any existing, impairment
of visibility in Class I areas which
impairment results from manmade air
Manager.’’ 42 U.S.C. 7602(i). When we use the term
‘‘Class I area’’ in this action, we mean a ‘‘mandatory
Class I Federal area.’’
2 See 64 FR at 35715.
3 Id.
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pollution.’’ CAA section 169A(a)(1). On
December 2, 1980, EPA promulgated
regulations to address visibility
impairment in Class I areas that is
‘‘reasonably attributable’’ to a single
source or small group of sources, i.e.,
‘‘reasonably attributable visibility
impairment’’. 45 FR 80084. These
regulations represented the first phase
in addressing visibility impairment.
EPA deferred action on regional haze
that emanates from a variety of sources
until monitoring, modeling, and
scientific knowledge about the
relationships between pollutants and
visibility impairment were improved.
Congress added section 169B to the
CAA in 1990 to address regional haze
issues. EPA promulgated a rule to
address regional haze on July 1, 1999
(64 FR 35713) (the Regional Haze Rule
or RHR). The RHR revised the existing
visibility regulations to integrate into
the regulation, provisions addressing
regional haze impairment and
established a comprehensive visibility
protection program for Class I areas. The
requirements for regional haze, found at
40 CFR 51.308 and 51.309, are included
in EPA’s visibility protection
regulations at 40 CFR 51.300–309. Some
of the main elements of the regional
haze requirements are summarized in
section III of this notice. The
requirement to submit a regional haze
SIP applies to all 50 states, the District
of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.4 40
CFR 51.308(b) requires states to submit
the first implementation plan
addressing regional haze visibility
impairment no later than December 17,
2007.
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C. Roles of Agencies in Addressing
Regional Haze
Successful implementation of the
regional haze program will require longterm regional coordination among
states, tribal governments and various
federal agencies. As noted above,
pollution affecting the air quality in
Class I areas can be transported over
long distances, even hundreds of
kilometers. Therefore, to effectively
address the problem of visibility
impairment in Class I areas, states need
to develop strategies in coordination
with one another, taking into account
the effect of emissions from one
jurisdiction on the air quality in
another.
Because the pollutants that lead to
regional haze impairment can originate
4 Albuquerque/Bernalillo County in New Mexico
must also submit a regional haze SIP to completely
satisfy the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D) of
the CAA for the entire State of New Mexico under
the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act (section
74–2–4).
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from across state lines, even across
international boundaries, EPA has
encouraged the states and Tribes to
address visibility impairment from a
regional perspective. Five regional
planning organizations (RPOs) were
created nationally to address regional
haze and related issues. One of the main
objectives of the RPOs is to develop and
analyze data and conduct pollutant
transport modeling to assist the States or
Tribes in developing their regional haze
plans.
The Western Regional Air Partnership
(WRAP), one of the five RPOs
nationally, is a voluntary partnership of
state, Tribal, federal, and local air
agencies dealing with air quality in the
West. WRAP member states include:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado,
Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North
Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming. WRAP
Tribal members include Campo Band of
Kumeyaay Indians, Confederated Salish
and Kootenai Tribes, Cortina Indian
Rancheria, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Nation
of the Grand Canyon, Native Village of
Shungnak, Nez Perce Tribe, Northern
Cheyenne Tribe, Pueblo of Acoma,
Pueblo of San Felipe, and ShoshoneBannock Tribes of Fort Hall.
II. Requirements for the Regional Haze
SIPs
A. The CAA and the Regional Haze Rule
Regional haze SIPs must assure
reasonable progress towards the
national goal of achieving natural
visibility conditions in Class I areas.
Section 169A of the CAA and EPA’s
implementing regulations require states
to establish long-term strategies for
making reasonable progress toward
meeting this goal. Implementation plans
must also give specific attention to
certain stationary sources that were in
existence on August 7, 1977, but were
not in operation before August 7, 1962,
and require these sources, where
appropriate, to install BART controls for
the purpose of eliminating or reducing
visibility impairment. The specific
regional haze SIP requirements are
discussed in further detail below.
B. Determination of Baseline, Natural,
and Current Visibility Conditions
The RHR establishes the deciview
(dv) as the principal metric for
measuring visibility. This visibility
metric expresses uniform changes in
haziness in terms of common
increments across the entire range of
visibility conditions, from pristine to
extremely hazy conditions. Visibility is
determined by measuring the visual
range (or deciview), which is the
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greatest distance, in kilometers or miles,
at which a dark object can be viewed
against the sky. The deciview is a useful
measure for tracking progress in
improving visibility, because each
deciview change is an equal incremental
change in visibility perceived by the
human eye. Most people can detect a
change in visibility at one deciview.5
The deciview is used in expressing
reasonable progress goals (which are
interim visibility goals towards meeting
the national visibility goal), defining
baseline, current, and natural
conditions, and tracking changes in
visibility. The regional haze SIPs must
contain measures that ensure
‘‘reasonable progress’’ toward the
national goal of preventing and
remedying visibility impairment in
Class I areas caused by manmade air
pollution by reducing anthropogenic
emissions that cause regional haze. The
national goal is a return to natural
conditions, i.e., manmade sources of air
pollution would no longer impair
visibility in Class I areas.
To track changes in visibility over
time at each of the 156 Class I areas
covered by the visibility program (40
CFR 81.401–437), and as part of the
process for determining reasonable
progress, states must calculate the
degree of existing visibility impairment
at each Class I area at the time of each
regional haze SIP submittal and
periodically review progress every five
years midway through each 10-year
implementation period. To do this, the
RHR requires states to determine the
degree of impairment (in deciviews) for
the average of the 20% least impaired
(‘‘best’’) and 20% most impaired
(‘‘worst’’) visibility days over a specified
time period at each of their Class I areas.
In addition, states must also develop an
estimate of natural visibility conditions
for the purpose of comparing progress
toward the national goal. Natural
visibility is determined by estimating
the natural concentrations of pollutants
that cause visibility impairment and
then calculating total light extinction
based on those estimates. EPA has
provided guidance to states regarding
how to calculate baseline, natural and
current visibility conditions in
documents titled, EPA’s Guidance for
Estimating Natural Visibility Conditions
Under the Regional Haze Rule,
September 2003, (EPA–454/B–03–005
located at https://www.epa.gov/ttncaaa1/
t1/memoranda/rh_envcurhr_gd.pdf),
(hereinafter referred to as ‘‘EPA’s 2003
Natural Visibility Guidance’’), and
5 The preamble to the RHR provides additional
details about the deciview. 64 FR 35714, 35725
(July 1, 1999).
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Guidance for Tracking Progress Under
the Regional Haze Rule (EPA–454/B–
03–004 September 2003 located at
https://www.epa.gov/ttncaaa1/t1/
memoranda/rh_tpurhr_gd.pdf)),
(hereinafter referred to as ‘‘EPA’s 2003
Tracking Progress Guidance’’).
For the first regional haze SIPs that
were due by December 17, 2007,
‘‘baseline visibility conditions’’ were the
starting points for assessing ‘‘current’’
visibility impairment. Baseline visibility
conditions represent the degree of
visibility impairment for the 20% least
impaired days and 20% most impaired
days for each calendar year from 2000
to 2004. Using monitoring data for 2000
through 2004, states are required to
calculate the average degree of visibility
impairment for each Class I area, based
on the average of annual values over the
five-year period. The comparison of
initial baseline visibility conditions to
natural visibility conditions indicates
the amount of improvement necessary
to attain natural visibility, while the
future comparison of baseline
conditions to the then current
conditions will indicate the amount of
progress made. In general, the 2000–
2004 baseline time period is considered
the time from which improvement in
visibility is measured.
C. Consultation With States and Federal
Land Managers
The RHR requires that states consult
with Federal Land Managers (FLMs)
before adopting and submitting their
SIPs. 40 CFR 51.308(i). States must
provide FLMs an opportunity for
consultation, in person and at least 60
days prior to holding any public hearing
on the SIP. This consultation must
include the opportunity for the FLMs to
discuss their assessment of visibility
impairment in any Class I area and to
offer recommendations on the
development of the reasonable progress
goals and on the development and
implementation of strategies to address
visibility impairment. Further, a state
must include in its SIP a description of
how it addressed any comments
provided by the FLMs. Finally, a SIP
must provide procedures for continuing
consultation between the state and
FLMs regarding the state’s visibility
protection program, including
development and review of SIP
revisions, five-year progress reports, and
the implementation of other programs
having the potential to contribute to
impairment of visibility in Class I areas.
D. Best Available Retrofit Technology
Section 169A of the CAA directs
states to evaluate the use of retrofit
controls at certain larger, often
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uncontrolled, older stationary sources in
order to address visibility impacts from
these sources. Specifically, section
169A(b)(2)(A) of the CAA requires states
to revise their SIPs to contain such
measures as may be necessary to make
reasonable progress towards the natural
visibility goal, including a requirement
that certain categories of existing major
stationary sources 6 built between 1962
and 1977 procure, install, and operate
the ‘‘Best Available Retrofit
Technology’’ as determined by the state.
States are directed to conduct BART
determinations for such sources that
may be anticipated to cause or
contribute to any visibility impairment
in a Class I area. Rather than requiring
source-specific BART controls, states
also have the flexibility to adopt an
emissions trading program or other
alternative program as long as the
alternative provides greater reasonable
progress towards improving visibility
than BART.
On July 6, 2005, EPA published the
Guidelines for BART Determinations
Under the Regional Haze Rule at
appendix Y to 40 CFR part 51
(hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘BART
Guidelines’’) to assist states in
determining which of their sources
should be subject to the BART
requirements and in determining
appropriate emission limits for each
applicable source. In making a BART
applicability determination for a fossil
fuel-fired electric generating plant with
a total generating capacity in excess of
750 megawatts, a state must use the
approach set forth in the BART
Guidelines. A state is encouraged, but
not required, to follow the BART
Guidelines in making BART
determinations for other types of
sources.
States must address all visibilityimpairing pollutants emitted by a source
in the BART determination process. The
most significant visibility-impairing
pollutants are sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
oxides, and fine particulate matter. EPA
has indicated that states should use
their best judgment in determining
whether volatile organic compounds or
ammonia compounds impair visibility
in Class I areas.
Under the BART Guidelines, states
may select an exemption threshold
value to determine those BART eligible
sources not subject to BART. A BARTeligible source with an impact below the
threshold would not be expected to
cause or contribute to visibility
impairment in any Class I area. The
state must document this exemption
6 The set of ‘‘major stationary sources’’ potentially
subject to BART is listed in CAA section 169A(g)(7).
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threshold value in the SIP and must
state the basis for its selection of that
value. Any source with emissions that
model above the threshold value would
be subject to a BART determination
review. The BART Guidelines
acknowledge varying circumstances
affecting different Class I areas. States
should consider the number of emission
sources affecting the Class I areas at
issue and the magnitude of the
individual sources’ impacts. Generally,
an exemption threshold set by the state
should not be higher than 0.5 deciview.
In their SIPs, states must identify
BART sources, (BART-eligible sources),
as well as those BART eligible sources
that have a visibility impact in any Class
I area above the ‘‘BART subject’’
exemption threshold established by the
state and thus, subject to BART. States
must document their BART control
analysis and determination for all
sources subject to BART.
The term ‘‘BART-eligible source’’
used in the BART Guidelines means the
collection of individual emission units
at a facility that together comprises the
BART-eligible source. In making a
BART determination, section 169A(g)(2)
of the CAA requires that states consider
the following factors: (1) The costs of
compliance, (2) the energy and non-air
quality environmental impacts of
compliance, (3) any existing pollution
control technology in use at the source,
(4) the remaining useful life of the
source, and (5) the degree of
improvement in visibility which may
reasonably be anticipated to result from
the use of such technology. States are
free to determine the weight and
significance to be assigned to each
factor.
The regional haze SIP must include
source-specific BART emission limits
and compliance schedules for each
source subject to BART. Once a state has
made its BART determination, the
BART controls must be installed and in
operation as expeditiously as
practicable, but no later than 5 years
after the date EPA approves the regional
haze SIP. CAA section 169A(g)(4)). 40
CFR 51.308(e)(1)(iv). In addition to what
is required by the RHR, general SIP
requirements mandate that the SIP must
also include all regulatory requirements
related to monitoring, recordkeeping,
and reporting for the BART controls on
the source. States have the flexibility to
choose the type of control measures
they will use to meet the requirements
of BART.
E. Determination of Reasonable Progress
Goals (RPGs)
The vehicle for ensuring continuing
progress towards achieving the natural
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visibility goal is the submission of a
series of regional haze SIPs from the
states that establish two RPGs (i.e., two
distinct goals, one for the ‘‘best’’ and
one for the ‘‘worst’’ days) for every Class
I area for each (approximately) 10-year
implementation period. The RHR does
not mandate specific milestones or rates
of progress, but instead calls for states
to establish goals that provide for
‘‘reasonable progress’’ toward achieving
natural (i.e., ‘‘background’’) visibility
conditions. In setting RPGs, states must
provide for an improvement in visibility
for the most impaired days over the
(approximately) 10-year period of the
SIP, and ensure no degradation in
visibility for the least impaired days
over the same period.
States have significant discretion in
establishing RPGs, but are required to
consider the following factors
established in section 169A of the CAA
and in EPA’s RHR at 40 CFR
51.308(d)(1)(i)(A): (1) The costs of
compliance; (2) the time necessary for
compliance; (3) the energy and non-air
quality environmental impacts of
compliance; and (4) the remaining
useful life of any potentially affected
sources. States must demonstrate in
their SIPs how these factors are
considered when selecting the RPGs for
the best and worst days for each
applicable Class I area. States have
considerable flexibility in how they take
these factors into consideration, as
noted in EPA’s Guidance for Setting
Reasonable Progress Goals under the
Regional Haze Program, (‘‘EPA’s
Reasonable Progress Guidance’’), July 1,
2007, memorandum from William L.
Wehrum, Acting Assistant
Administrator for Air and Radiation, to
EPA Regional Administrators, EPA
Regions 1–10 (pp. 4–2, 5–1). In setting
the RPGs, states must also consider the
rate of progress needed to reach natural
visibility conditions by 2064 (referred to
as the ‘‘uniform rate of progress’’ or the
‘‘glidepath’’) and the emission reduction
measures needed to achieve that rate of
progress over the 10-year period of the
SIP. Uniform progress towards
achievement of natural conditions by
the year 2064 represents a rate of
progress which states are to use for
analytical comparison to the amount of
progress they expect to achieve. In
setting RPGs, each state with one or
more Class I areas (‘‘Class I state’’) must
also consult with potentially
‘‘contributing states,’’ i.e., other nearby
states with emission sources that may be
affecting visibility impairment at the
Class I state’s areas. 40 CFR
51.308(d)(1)(iv).
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F. Long Term Strategy (LTS)
Consistent with the requirement in
section 169A(b) of the CAA that states
include in their regional haze SIP a 10
to 15 year strategy for making
reasonable progress, section 51.308(d)(3)
of the RHR requires that states include
a LTS in their regional haze SIPs. The
LTS is the compilation of all control
measures a state will use during the
implementation period of the specific
SIP submittal to meet applicable RPGs.
The LTS must include ‘‘enforceable
emissions limitations, compliance
schedules, and other measures as
necessary to achieve the reasonable
progress goals’’ for all Class I areas
within, or affected by emissions from,
the state. 40 CFR 51.308(d)(3).
When a state’s emissions are
reasonably anticipated to cause or
contribute to visibility impairment in a
Class I area located in another state, the
RHR requires the impacted state to
coordinate with the contributing states
in order to develop coordinated
emissions management strategies. 40
CFR 51.308(d)(3)(i). In such cases, the
contributing state must demonstrate that
it has included, in its SIP, all measures
necessary to obtain its share of the
emissions reductions needed to meet
the RPGs for the Class I area. The RPOs
have provided forums for significant
interstate consultation, but additional
consultations between states may be
required to sufficiently address
interstate visibility issues. This is
especially true where two states belong
to different RPOs.
States should consider all types of
anthropogenic sources of visibility
impairment in developing their LTS,
including stationary, minor, mobile, and
area sources. At a minimum, states must
describe how each of the following
seven factors listed below are taken into
account in developing their LTS: (1)
Emissions reductions due to ongoing air
pollution control programs, including
measures to address RAVI; (2) measures
to mitigate the impacts of construction
activities; (3) emissions limitations and
schedules for compliance to achieve the
RPG; (4) source retirement and
replacement schedules; (5) smoke
management techniques for agricultural
and forestry management purposes
including plans as currently exist
within the state for these purposes; (6)
enforceability of emissions limitations
and control measures; and (7) the
anticipated net effect on visibility due to
projected changes in point, area, and
mobile source emissions over the period
addressed by the LTS. See 40 CFR
51.308(d)(3)(v).
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G. Coordinating Regional Haze and
Reasonably Attributable Visibility
Impairment (RAVI)
As part of the RHR, EPA revised 40
CFR 51.306(c) regarding the LTS for
RAVI to require that the RAVI plan must
provide for a periodic review and SIP
revision not less frequently than every
three years until the date of submission
of the state’s first plan addressing
regional haze visibility impairment,
which was due December 17, 2007, in
accordance with 40 CFR 51.308(b) and
(c). On or before this date, the state must
revise its plan to provide for review and
revision of a coordinated LTS for
addressing RAVI and regional haze, and
the state must submit the first such
coordinated LTS with its first regional
haze SIP. Future coordinated LTS’s, and
periodic progress reports evaluating
progress towards RPGs, must be
submitted consistent with the schedule
for SIP submission and periodic
progress reports set forth in 40 CFR
51.308(f) and 51.308(g), respectively.
The periodic review of a state’s LTS
must report on both regional haze and
RAVI impairment and must be
submitted to EPA as a SIP revision.
H. Monitoring Strategy and Other
Implementation Requirements
Section 51.308(d)(4) of the RHR
includes the requirement for a
monitoring strategy for measuring,
characterizing, and reporting of regional
haze visibility impairment that is
representative of all mandatory Class I
Federal areas within the state. The
strategy must be coordinated with the
monitoring strategy required in section
51.305 for RAVI. Compliance with this
requirement may be met through
‘‘participation’’ in the IMPROVE
network, i.e., review and use of
monitoring data from the network. The
monitoring strategy is due with the first
regional haze SIP, and it must be
reviewed every five years. The
monitoring strategy must also provide
for additional monitoring sites if the
IMPROVE network is not sufficient to
determine whether RPGs will be met.
The SIP must also provide for the
following:
• Procedures for using monitoring
data and other information in a state
with mandatory Class I areas to
determine the contribution of emissions
from within the state to regional haze
visibility impairment at Class I areas
both within and outside the state;
• Procedures for using monitoring
data and other information in a state
with no mandatory Class I areas to
determine the contribution of emissions
from within the state to regional haze
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visibility impairment at Class I areas in
other states;
• Reporting of all visibility
monitoring data to the Administrator at
least annually for each Class I area in
the state, and where possible, in
electronic format;
• Developing a statewide inventory of
emissions of pollutants that are
reasonably anticipated to cause or
contribute to visibility impairment in
any Class I area. The inventory must
include emissions for a baseline year,
emissions for the most recent year for
which data are available, and estimates
of future projected emissions. A state
must also make a commitment to update
the inventory periodically; and
• Other elements, including
reporting, recordkeeping, and other
measures necessary to assess and report
on visibility.
The RHR requires control strategies to
cover an initial implementation period
extending to the year 2018, with a
comprehensive reassessment and
revision of those strategies, as
appropriate, every 10 years thereafter.
Periodic SIP revisions must meet the
core requirements of section 51.308(d)
with the exception of BART. The
requirement to evaluate sources for
BART applies only to the first regional
haze SIP. Facilities subject to BART
must continue to comply with the BART
provisions of section 51.308(e), as noted
above. Periodic SIP revisions will assure
that the statutory requirement of
reasonable progress will continue to be
met.
III. EPA’s Analysis of the Washington
Regional Haze SIP
A. Affected Class I Areas
There are eight mandatory Class I
areas within Washington: Olympic
National Park, North Cascades National
Park, Glacier Peak Wilderness Area,
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Mt.
Rainier National Park, Goat Rocks
Wilderness Area, Mt. Adams Wilderness
Area, and Pasayten Wilderness Area.
See 40 CFR 81.434. The Washington SIP
submittal addresses all eight Class I
areas.
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B. Baseline and Natural Conditions and
Uniform Rate of Progress
Washington, using data from the
IMPROVE monitoring network,
identified baseline and natural visibility
conditions for all eight Class I areas in
Washington. Baseline visibility was
calculated from monitoring data
collected by IMPROVE monitors for the
20% most-impaired (20% worst) days
and the 20% least-impaired (20% best)
days. Washington used the WRAP
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derived natural visibility conditions. In
general, WRAP based their estimates on
EPA guidance, ‘‘Guidance for Estimating
Natural Visibility Conditions Under the
Regional Haze Program’’ (EPA–45/B–
03–0005 September 2003), (https://
www.epa.gov/ttn/caaa/t1/memoranda/
rh_envcurhr_gd.pdf), but incorporated
refinements which EPA believes
provides results more appropriate for
western states than the general EPA
default approach. See section 2.E of the
WRAP Technical Support Document
(WRAP TSD).
Olympic National Park: An IMPROVE
monitor is located northeast of the Park
boundary at the extreme northeast
corner of the Olympic Peninsula near
Sequim, Washington. Based on baseline
data from the years 2000 to 2004, the
average 20% worst days visibility is
16.7 dv and the average 20% best days
visibility is 6.0 dv. Natural visibility for
the average 20% worst days is 8.4 dv.
North Cascades National Park and
Glacier Peak Wilderness Areas: The
North Cascades National Park and
Glacier Peak Wilderness Area are both
represented by an IMPROVE monitor
located near Ross Lake on the Skagit
River just outside the eastern boundary
of the northern section of North
Cascades National Park. Based on
baseline data from the years 2000 to
2004, the average 20% worst days
visibility is 16.0 dv and the average 20%
best days visibility is 3.37 dv. Natural
visibility for the average 20% worst
days is 8.39 dv.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area: Alpine
Lakes Wilderness Area visibility is
represented by an IMPROVE monitor
located southwest of the wilderness area
at Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascade
Mountains. Based on baseline data from
the years 2000 to 2004, the average 20%
worst days visibility is 17.8 dv and the
average 20% best days visibility is 5.5
dv. Natural visibility for the Alpine
Lakes Wilderness Area average 20%
worst days is 8.4 dv.
Mt. Rainier National Park: Mt. Rainier
National Park visibility is represented
by an IMPROVE monitor located at Park
headquarters at Tahoma Woods. Based
on baseline data from the years 2000 to
2004, the average 20% worst days
visibility is 18.2 dv and the average 20%
best days visibility is 5.5 dv. Natural
visibility for the Mt. Rainier National
Park average 20% worst days is 8.5 dv.
Goat Rocks and Mt. Adams
Wilderness Areas: The Goat Rocks and
Mt. Adams Wilderness Area’s visibility
are both represented by an IMPROVE
monitor located at White Pass in the
Cascade Mountain Range. Based on
baseline data from the years 2000 to
2004, the average 20% worst days
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visibility is 12.7 dv and the average 20%
best days visibility is 1.7 dv for both
areas. Natural visibility for the Goat
Rocks and Mt. Adams Wilderness Areas
average 20% worst days is 8.35 dv.
Pasayten Wilderness Area: The
Pasayten Wilderness Area visibility is
represented by an IMPROVE monitor
located 50 km south and east of the
wilderness boundary. Based on baseline
data from the years 2000 to 2004, the
average 20% worst days visibility is
15.2 dv and the average 20% best days
visibility is 2.7 dv. Natural visibility for
the Pasayten Wilderness Area average
20% worst days is 8.3 dv.
Based on our evaluation of the
Washington’s baseline and natural
conditions analysis, EPA is proposing to
find that Washington has appropriately
determined the baseline visibility for
the average 20% worst and 20% best
days, and natural conditions for the
average 20% worst days in each Class I
area in Washington.
C. Washington Emissions Inventories
There are three main categories of air
pollution emission sources: Point
sources, area sources, and mobile
sources. Point sources are larger
stationary sources. Area sources are
large numbers of small sources that are
widely distributed across an area, such
as residential heating units, wildfire, reentrained dust from unpaved roads, or
windblown dust from agricultural
fields. Mobile sources are sources such
as motor vehicles, locomotives, and
aircraft.
The RHR requires a statewide
emission inventory of pollutants that are
reasonably anticipated to cause or
contribute to visibility impairment in
any mandatory Class I area. 40 CFR
51.308(d)(4)(v). The WRAP, with data
supplied by Washington, compiled
emission inventories for all major
source categories in Washington for the
2002 baseline year and estimated
emissions for 2018. Emission estimates
for 2018 were generated from
anticipated population growth, growth
in industrial activity, and emission
reductions from implementation of
expected control measures, e.g.,
implementation of BART limitations
and motor vehicle tailpipe emissions.
Chapter 6 of the SIP submittal discusses
how emission estimates were
determined and contains the emission
inventory. Detailed estimates of the
emissions, used in the modeling
conducted by the WRAP and
Washington, can be found at the WRAP
Web site: https://vista.cira.colostate.edu/
TSS/Results/Emissions.aspx.
There are a number of emission
inventory source categories identified in
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the Washington SIP submittal. The
source categories vary with type of
pollutant but include: Point, area, onroad mobile, off-road mobile,
anthropogenic fire (prescribed forest
fire, agricultural field burning, and
residential wood combustion), natural
fire, biogenic, road dust, fugitive dust
and windblown dust. The 2002 baseline
and 2018 projected emissions, as well as
the net changes of emissions between
these two years, are presented in Tables
6–1 through 6–8 of the SIP submittal for
sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen
(NOX), volatile organic carbon (VOC),
organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon
(EC), PM2.5, and ammonia. The methods
that WRAP used to develop these
emission inventories are described in
more detail in the WRAP TSD. As
explained in the WRAP TSD, emissions
were calculated using best available
data and approved EPA methods. See
WRAP TSD section 12.
Sulfur dioxide emissions in
Washington come mostly from one coal
fired power plant, oil refineries,
aluminum plants, pulp and paper mills,
and a cement plant. SO2 emission
estimates for point sources come either
from source test data (where available)
or calculations based on the quantity
and type of fuel burned. These
industrial point sources contribute 64%
of total statewide SO2 emissions. The
second largest source category
contributing to SO2 emissions in
Washington is off-road mobile sources
which contribute 17%. The remainder
of SO2 emissions is from a variety of
area sources including anthropogenic
and natural fire. See Table 6–1 of the
SIP submittal.
Washington projects a 29% statewide
reduction in point source S02 emissions
by 2018 due to implementation of BART
emission limitations and other
Washington State and federal emission
reduction actions. Washington projects
total 2018 statewide SO2 emissions to be
reduced by 40% below 2002 levels as a
result of BART and additional
reductions from mobile sources.
NOX emissions in Washington come
mostly from mobile sources, both onroad and off-road, which contribute
76% of total statewide NOX emissions.
The second largest source category of
NOX emissions is point source
emissions which accounts for 11% of
statewide NOX emissions. Area source
emissions account for less than 5% of
statewide NOX emissions.
Washington projects that 2018 total
statewide emissions of NOX will be 46%
lower than 2002 levels. Washington also
projects on-road and off-road mobile
source emissions to be reduced by 72%
and 45% respectively by 2018, due to
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new federal motor vehicle emission
standards and fleet turnover.
Washington projects area source NOX
emissions to increase by 29% due to
population growth. See Table 6–2 of the
SIP submittal.
Volatile organic compounds in
Washington come mostly from biogenic
emissions from forests, agriculture, and
urban vegetation. The second largest
source category in VOC emissions is onroad and off-road mobile sources.
Washington projects 2018 statewide
VOC emissions to increase by only 1%
over 2002 levels. This very minor
change is due to anticipated increases in
area and point source emissions that
would offset anticipated decreases in
mobile sources and anthropogenic fire.
See Table 6–3 of the SIP submittal.
Organic carbon in Washington comes
almost equally from wildfire at 35% and
other area sources at 33%.
Anthropogenic fire accounts for 20% of
statewide organic carbon emissions.
Washington projects 2018 statewide
organic carbon emissions to decrease
4% from 2002. Large reductions in
emissions from mobile sources and
anthropogenic fire are expected to be
offset by increases in emissions from
point and area sources due to
population growth. See Table 5–4 of the
SIP submittal.
The largest source categories of
elemental carbon are mobile sources,
natural fire and area sources.
Washington projects 2018 statewide
elemental carbon emissions to decrease
by 25% from 2002 emission levels.
These projected reductions are the
result of anticipated emission
reductions in on-road mobile and offroad mobile emissions of 76% and 60%
respectively. See Table 6–5 of the SIP
submittal.
Fine particulate is emitted from a
variety of area sources which account
for 95% of statewide fine particulate.
Fugitive dust, from agriculture, mining,
construction and roads, is the largest
source category contributing 31% of
total fine particulate. Anthropogenic
and natural fire only account for 12% of
the statewide fine particulate emissions.
Point sources account for only 5% of
statewide fine particulate. Washington
projects that 2018 fine particulate
emissions will increase by 20% over
2002 emission levels due to population
and industrial growth. Emissions
increases are projected from point, area,
and fugitive dust at 16%, 36%, and 34%
respectively. See Table 6–6 of the SIP
submittal.
Ammonia does not directly impair
visibility but can be a precursor to the
formation of particulate in the
atmosphere through chemical reaction
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with SO2 and NOX to form a ‘‘secondary
aerosol’’ of ammonium sulfate and
ammonium nitrate. Area sources are the
primary source category contributing to
ammonia emissions and account for
77% of total ammonia emissions.
Washington projects ammonia
emissions in 2018 to increase by 8%
over 2002 emission levels with
increasing emissions in all categories
except for anthropogenic fire which
Washington projects to decrease by
30%. See Table 6–8 of the SIP submittal.
EPA believes Washington’s inventory
of baseline emissions is accurate and
comprehensive as Washington used the
most current and appropriate methods
at the time it was developed. We note
that additional emission reductions may
occur between the baseline year and
2018 that are not accounted for in the
2018 inventory. For example, no
emission reductions from the new
regulations relating to the International
Maritime Organization Emission Control
Area (ECA) on the west coast of the
United States and Canada were taken
into account in the 2018 emission
estimates (ECA Amendments to
MARPOL Annex VI). These emissions
are outside the modeling domain but
may impact the visibility in the Class I
areas. Washington’s projected 2018
emissions inventory also did not
account for the now anticipated NOX
emission reductions from the TransAlta
NOX BART determination recently
approved into the SIP.
The federal Better than BART
determination proposed today for
Tesoro identifies SO2 emission
reductions of 1068 t/y that were not
included in the 2018 emission
inventory. Also, the proposed federal
Better than BART emission limits for
Alcoa’s Intalco operations, if finalized,
are expected to reduce SO2 emissions
from the baseline year emission
inventory by 1310 t/y. The sum total of
the expected NOX reductions from the
TransAlta BART determination and the
proposed FIP actions for Tesoro and
Intalco are: 3688 t/y NOX from
TransAlta and 2378 t/y SO2 Tesoro and
Intalco.
D. Sources of Visibility Impairment in
Washington Class I Areas
Each pollutant species has its own
visibility impairing property; 1 mg/m3 of
sulfate, for example, is more effective in
scattering light than 1 mg/m3 of organic
carbon and therefore impairs visibility
more than organic carbon. Following the
approach recommended by the WRAP
and as explained more fully below,
Washington used a two-step process to
identify the contribution of each source
or source category to existing visibility
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impairment. First, ambient pollutant
concentration by species (sulfate,
nitrate, organic carbon, fine particulate,
etc.) was determined from the IMPROVE
sampler in each Class I area. These
concentrations were then converted into
light extinction values to distribute
existing impairment among the
measured pollutant species. This
calculation used the ‘‘improved
IMPROVE equation’’ (See section 2.C of
the WRAP TSD) to calculate extinction
from each pollutant specie
concentration. Total extinction, in
inverse megameters, was then converted
to deciview using the equation defining
deciview.
After considering the available
models, the WRAP and western states
selected two source apportionment
analysis tools. The first source
apportionment tool was the
Comprehensive Air Quality Model with
Extensions (CAMX) in conjunction with
PM Source Apportionment Technology
(PSAT). This model uses emission
source characterization, meteorology
and atmospheric chemistry for aerosol
formation to predict pollutant
concentrations in the Class I area. The
predicted results are compared to
measured concentrations to assess
accuracy of model output. CAMX PSAT
modeling was used to determine source
contribution to ambient sulfate and
nitrate concentrations. Thus, the WRAP
used state-of-the-science source
apportionment tools within a widely
used photochemical model. EPA has
reviewed the PSAT analysis and
considers the modeling, methodology,
and analysis acceptable. See section 6.A
of the WRAP TSD.
The second tool was the Weighted
Emissions Potential (WEP) model, used
primarily as a screening tool to decide
which geographic source regions have
the potential to contribute to haze at
specific Class I areas. WEP does not
account for atmospheric chemistry
(secondary aerosol formation) or
removal processes, and thus is used for
estimating inert particulate
concentrations. The model uses back
trajectory wind flow calculations and
resident time of an air parcel over each
area source to determine source area
and source category and location for
ambient organic carbon, elemental
carbon, PM2.5, and coarse PM
concentrations. These modeling tools
were the state-of-the-science and EPA
has determined that these tools were
appropriately used by WRAP for
regional haze planning. Description of
these tools and our evaluation of them
are described in more detail in section
6 of the WRAP TSD.
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Chapter 8 of the Washington Regional
Haze SIP submittal presents the light
extinction for the base year at each Class
I area by visibility impairing pollutant
species for the average of the 20% worst
days and the 20% best days. The most
significant visibility impairing pollutant
species identified for all Class I areas
are: sulfate, nitrate, and organic carbon
mass. For the Pasayten Wilderness area
elemental carbon is also presented. See
chapter 8 of the SIP submittal.
Tables 8–1 and 8–2 of the SIP
submittal provides the percent
contribution of ‘‘in state’’ sources to
impairment in each Class I area on the
20% worst and best days for sulfate and
nitrate for both 2002 and 2018. In the
discussion below of each Class I area,
the source category with the greatest
impact will be identified.
Olympic National Park
Visibility at Olympic National Park is
represented by the OLYM1 IMPROVE
monitoring site. On the 20% most
impaired days at Olympic National
Park, sulfate accounts for 39%, nitrate
accounts for 19%, and organic carbon
accounts for 28% of impairment. On the
20% least impaired days, sulfate
accounted for 36%, nitrate accounted
for 17%, and organic carbon accounted
26% of impairment. See section 8.1 of
the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired
days at Olympic National Park: 37% is
from outside the modeling domain, 21%
originates from offshore Pacific offshore
sources, and 21% from Canadian
sources. Only 25% of the sulfate
originates from sources in Washington.
Washington point sources account for
15%, mobile sources 7%, and area
sources 3% of sulfate impairment on the
20% most impaired days. Sulfate on the
20% least impaired days at Olympic
National Park: 37% of the sulfate
originates from outside the modeling
domain, 34% from sources in
Washington, 21% from sources in
Canada, and 15% from Pacific offshore
sources. Washington point sources
account for 18% of the sulfate
impairment on the 20% least impaired
days.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired
days at Olympic National Park: 53% of
the nitrate originates from sources in
Washington, 21% originates in Canada,
and 15% from the Pacific offshore. See
Figure 8–5 of the SIP submittal. Of the
sources in Washington, 40% is
attributed to mobile sources, 9% to
point sources, and 3% to area sources.
Nitrate on the 20% least impaired days
at Olympic National Park: 45% of the
nitrate is from mobile sources, 8% from
point sources, and 4% from area sources
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in Washington. See Table 8–2 of the SIP
submittal.
Organic carbon is the second most
significant pollutant impairing visibility
in Olympic National Park. Most of the
organic carbon originates in the Puget
Sound area from area sources including
aerosol formation from volatile organic
compounds, natural and anthropogenic
fire, and mobile sources. See section
8.1.3 of the SIP submittal.
North Cascades National Park and
Glacier Peak Wilderness Area
These two Class I areas are
represented by one IMPROVE monitor
(NOCA1) located in the upper Skagit
Valley. On the 20% most impaired days,
sulfate accounts for 26%, nitrate
accounts for 5%, and organic carbon
accounts for 58% of impairment. On the
20% least impaired days, sulfate
accounted for 45%, nitrate accounted
for 14%, and organic carbon accounted
to 21% of impairment. See section 8.2
of the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired:
32% of the sulfate originates from
outside the modeling domain, 29%
originates from sources in Washington,
and 28% originates in Canada. See
Figure 8–12 of the SIP submittal. Point
sources in Washington contribute 20%,
mobile sources contribute 5%, and area
sources contribute 3% of the sulfate in
these two areas. See Table 8–1 of the SIP
submittal. Sulfate on the 20% least
impaired days: 40% of the sulfate
originates from outside the modeling
domain, and 39% originates from
sources in Washington. Of the sources
in Washington, 23% comes from point
sources, 10% from mobile sources, 5%
from area sources (excluding fire), and
2% from fire. See Table 8–1 and Figure
8–15 of the SIP submittal.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired
days: 46% of the nitrate originates from
sources in Washington, 27% from
Canada, 16% from outside the modeling
domain, and 7% from Pacific offshore
sources. Of the sources in Washington,
34% is from mobile sources, 6% from
point sources, 3% from fire, and 2%
from area sources. See Table 8–2 and
Figure 8–16 of the SIP submittal. Nitrate
on the 20% least impaired days: 63% of
the nitrate originates from sources in
Washington, 13% from sources in
Oregon and 10% originates from sources
outside the modeling domain. Of the
sources in Washington, 51% comes
from mobile sources, 6% from point
sources, 3% from area sources, and 2%
from fire. See Table 8–2 and Figure 8–
18 of the SIP submittal.
Organic carbon accounts for 56% of
the impairment on the 20% most
impaired days. Figure 8–21 shows that
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most organic carbon originates in
Washington with a smaller fraction
originating in Canada. Most of the
organic carbon originates in the Puget
Sound area from area sources including
aerosol formation from volatile organic
compounds, natural and anthropogenic
fire, and mobile sources.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area is
represented by the SNPA1 IMPROVE
monitoring site. On the 20% most
impaired days, sulfate accounts for
34%, nitrate accounts for 23% and
organic carbon accounts for 30% of
impairment. On the 20% least impaired
days, sulfate accounted for 40%, nitrate
accounted for 18% and organic carbon
accounted for 16% of impairment. See
section 8.3 of the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired
days: 38% of the sulfate originates from
outside the modeling domain, 32% from
sources in Washington, 17% from
Canada, and 8% from Pacific offshore.
Of the sources in Washington, 16% is
from point sources, 10% from mobile
sources, and 5% from area sources. See
Table 8–1 and Figure 8–23 of the SIP
submittal. Sulfate on the 20 least
impaired days: 42% of the sulfate
originates from sources in Washington,
38% from outside the modeling domain,
and 8% from Pacific offshore. Of the
sources in Washington, 26% is from
point sources, 11% from mobile
sources, and 5% from area sources. See
Table 8–1 and Figure 8–25 of the SIP
submittal.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired
days: 68% of the nitrate originates from
sources in Washington, 9% from outside
the modeling domain, and 5% from
Canada. Of the sources in Washington,
56% is from mobile sources, 5% from
point sources and 3% from area sources
and 3% from fire. See Table 8–2 and
Figure 8–27 of the SIP submittal. Nitrate
on the 20% least impaired days: 65% of
the nitrate originates from sources in
Washington, 15% from sources in
Oregon, 9% from outside the modeling
domain, and 7% from offshore Pacific
sources. Of the sources in Washington,
52% is from mobile sources, 7% from
point sources, 3% from area sources,
and 1% from fire. See Table 8–2 of the
SIP submittal.
Organic carbon on the 20% most
impaired days is dominated by area
sources in Washington. See Figure 8.2.3
and Table 8–3 of the SIP submittal.
Organic carbon on the 20% least
impaired days is dominated by area
sources in Washington. See Table 8–3 of
the SIP submittal.
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06:35 Dec 22, 2012
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Mount Rainier National Park
In Mount Rainier National Park, as
monitored at the MORA1 IMPROVE
monitoring site, sulfate is the largest
contributor to visibility impairment on
the most impaired days, as well as on
the least impaired days. On the 20%
most impaired days, sulfate accounts for
46%, nitrate accounts for 10%, and
organic carbon accounts for 29% of
impairment. On the 20% least impaired
days, sulfate accounted for 40%, nitrate
accounted for 10%, and organic carbon
accounted to 23% of impairment. See
section 8.4 of the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired
days: 42% originates from sources in
Washington, 31% originates from
outside the modeling domain, 12% from
Canada, and 12% from Pacific offshore.
See Figure 8–34 of the SIP submittal. Of
the sources in Washington, 25% is from
point sources, 11% from mobile
sources, and 6% from area sources. See
Table 8–1 of the SIP submittal. Sulfate
on the 20% least impaired days: 36% of
the sulfate originates from sources in
Washington, 38% from outside the
modeling domain, 16% from sources in
Oregon, and 8% from Pacific offshore.
Of the sources in Washington, 25% is
from point sources, 7% from mobile
sources, and 3% from area sources. See
Table 8–1 and Figure 8–36 of the SIP
submittal.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired
days: Washington sources account for
78% of nitrate impairment. Of the
Washington sources, 62% is from
mobile sources, 9% from point sources,
5% from area sources, and 1% from fire.
Nitrate on the 20% least impaired days:
Washington sources account for 42%
and sources in Oregon accounts for 35%
of nitrate impairment. Of the sources in
Washington, 32% is from mobile
sources, 7% from point sources, 2%
from area sources, and 1% from fire.
On the 20% most impaired days,
almost all the organic carbon originates
from sources located in Washington. See
Figure 8–43 of the SIP submittal. On the
20% least impaired days, almost all the
organic carbon originates from sources
in Washington with some contribution
from sources in Oregon. See Figure 8–
44 of the SIP submittal.
Goat Rocks and Mount Adams
Wilderness Areas
Both wilderness areas are represented
by one IMPROVE monitoring site
WHPA1. On the 20% most impaired
days at these areas, sulfate accounts for
37%, nitrate accounts for 13%, and
organic carbon accounts for 36% of
impairment. On the 20% least impaired
days, sulfate accounts for 49%, nitrate
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accounts for 13%, and organic carbon
accounts for 14% of impairment. See
section 8.5 of the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired
days: 39% originates from sources
outside the modeling domain, 29%
originates from sources in Washington,
and 18% from Canada. See Figure 8–45
of the SIP submittal. Of the sources in
Washington, 16% is from point sources,
8% from mobile sources, and 4% from
area sources. See Table 8–1 of the SIP
submittal. Sulfate on the 20 least
impaired days: 44% of the sulfate
originates from sources in Washington,
29% from outside the modeling domain,
16% from sources in Oregon, and 8%
from Pacific offshore. Of the sources in
Washington, 30% is from point sources,
9% from mobile and 4% from area
sources.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired
days: 64% originates from sources in
Washington and 13% from sources
outside the modeling domain. Of the
sources in Washington, 52% is from
mobile sources, 6% from point sources,
4% from area sources, and 2% from fire.
See Table 8–2 and Figure 8–49 of the
SIP submittal. Nitrate on the 20% least
impaired days: 49% originates from
sources in Washington, and 29% from
sources in Oregon. Of the sources in
Washington, 38% is from mobile
sources, 7% from point sources, 2%
from area sources, and 1% from fire. See
Table 8–2 and Figure 8–51 of the SIP
submittal.
On the 20% most impaired days,
organic carbon is the second largest
contributor to impairment in the Goat
Rocks and Mt. Adams Wilderness Areas.
Most of the OMC originates in
Washington, with Oregon sources
contributing minor amounts. See Figure
8–54 of the SIP submittal. On the 20%
least impaired days, organic carbon
sources in Washington, and Oregon
contribute almost equally. See Figure 8–
55 of the SIP submittal.
Pasayten Wilderness Area
The Pasayten Wilderness Area is
monitored by the PASA1 IMPROVE
monitor. On the 20% most impaired
days, 20% is due to sulfate, nitrate
accounts for 8%, and organic carbon
accounts for 56% of impairment. On the
20% least impaired days, sulfate
accounts for 49%, nitrate accounts for
17%, and organic carbon accounts for
17% of impairment. See section 8.6 of
the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired
days: 50% originates from outside the
modeling domain, 22% from Canada,
and 18% from Washington. Of the
Washington sources, 8% is from point
sources, 4% is from mobile sources, 4%
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from fire and 2% from area sources. See
section 8.6 and Table 8–1 of the SIP
submittal. Sulfate on the 20% least
impaired days: 40% originates from
outside the modeling domain, 36% from
Washington sources, and 10% from
Canadian sources. Of the sources in
Washington, 21% is from point sources,
10% from mobile sources, and 5% from
area sources.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired
days: 48% originates from sources in
Washington, 17% from outside the
modeling domain, and 13% from
Canadian sources. Of the sources in
Washington, mobile sources contribute
36%, natural fire and biogenic sources
8%, and 3% point sources. Nitrate on
the 20% least impaired days: 62%
originates from sources in Washington,
15% from Oregon, and 85 from outside
the modeling domain. Of the sources in
Washington, 49% is from mobile
sources, 6% from point sources, and 4%
from natural and biogenic sources.
On the 20% most and least impaired
days, organic carbon is responsible for
over half of the total impairment.
Natural fire in Washington is
responsible for almost all the organic
carbon and a small portion due to
Washington area sources. See Figure 8–
65 of the SIP submittal.
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EPA is proposing to find that
Washington, using the WRAP analysis,
appropriately identified the pollutant
species and source categories
contributing to impairment to the Class
I areas in Washington. See WRAP TSD.
E. Best Available Retrofit Technology
1. BART-Eligible Sources in Washington
The first phase of a BART evaluation
is to identify all the BART-eligible
sources within the Washington’s
boundaries. Table 11–1 in the SIP
submission presents the list of all
BART-eligible sources located in
Washington. These sources and their
source categories are:
Source
Category
Graymont Western US INC (Tacoma) .....................................................
TransAlta Centralia Generation, LLC .......................................................
Lime plants.
Fossil fuel-fired steam electric plants with a heat input greater than 250
MMBtu per hour.
Kraft Pulp Mills.
Kraft Pulp Mills.
Kraft Pulp Mills.
Primary Aluminum Ore Reduction Plants.
Kraft Pulp Mills.
Kraft Pulp Mills.
Portland Cement Plants.
Primary Aluminum Ore Reduction Plants.
Primary Aluminum Ore Reduction Plants.
Petroleum Refineries.
Petroleum Refineries.
Petroleum Refineries.
Petroleum Refineries.
Longview Fibre Co—Longview .................................................................
Weyerhaeuser Co—Longview ..................................................................
Fort James Camas LLC (now Georgia Pacific Corporation—Camas) ....
Goldendale Aluminum ..............................................................................
Port Townsend Paper Co .........................................................................
Simpson Tacoma Kraft .............................................................................
Lafarge North America (Seattle) ..............................................................
Intalco (Ferndale) .....................................................................................
Alcoa Wenatchee Works ..........................................................................
BP Cherry Point Refinery (Ferndale) .......................................................
Tesoro Refining and Marketing (Anacortes) ............................................
Puget Sound Refining Company ..............................................................
Conoco-Philips Company (Ferndale) .......................................................
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
2. Sources Subject to BART
The second phase of the BART
determination process is to identify
those BART-eligible sources that may
reasonably be anticipated to cause or
contribute to any impairment of
visibility at any Class I area and are,
therefore, subject to BART. As
explained above, EPA has issued
guidelines that provide states with
guidance for addressing the BART
requirements. 40 CFR part 51 appendix
Y; see also 70 FR 39104 (July 6, 2005).
The BART Guidelines describe how
states may consider exempting some
BART-eligible sources from further
BART review based on dispersion
modeling showing that the sources
contribute to visibility impairment
below a certain threshold. Washington
conducted dispersion modeling for all
the BART-eligible sources to determine
the visibility impacts on Class I areas.
The BART Guidelines advises states
to set a contribution threshold to assess
whether the impact of a single BARTeligible source is sufficient to cause or
contribute to visibility impairment at a
Class I area. Generally, states may not
establish a contribution threshold that
exceeds 0.5 dv impact. 70 FR 39161.
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06:35 Dec 22, 2012
Jkt 229001
Washington established a contribution
threshold of 0.5 dv. The 0.5 dv
threshold is consistent with the
threshold used by all other states in the
WRAP. Any BART-eligible source with
an impact of greater than 0.5 dv in any
mandatory Class I area, including Class
I areas in other states, would be subject
to a BART analysis and BART emission
limitations.
To determine those sources exceeding
this contribution threshold and thus
subject to BART, Washington used the
CALPUFF dispersion modeling. The
dispersion modeling was conducted in
accord with the ‘‘Washington, Oregon,
Idaho BART Modeling Protocol’’. This
Protocol was jointly developed by the
states of Idaho, Washington, Oregon and
EPA and has undergone public review.
The Protocol was used by all three states
in determining which BART-eligible
sources are subject to BART. See
appendix H of the SIP submittal for
details of the modeling protocol, its
application and results.
The SIP submittal contained no
rationale for adopting a 0.5 dv threshold
for determining whether a BARTeligible source may be reasonably
anticipated to cause or contribute to any
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Sfmt 4702
visibility impairment in a mandatory
Class I area. Although a number of
stakeholders may have agreed that a 0.5
dv threshold is appropriate, and other
states in the Region may have adopted
such a threshold, such agreement does
not provide sufficient basis for
concluding that such a threshold was
appropriate in the case of Washington.
Based on EPA’s review of the BARTeligible sources in Washington,
however, and for the reasons discussed
below, EPA is proposing to find that a
0.5 dv threshold is appropriate, given
the specific facts in Washington.
Relying on modeling that each source
conducted using the ‘‘Idaho-OregonWashington BART Modeling Protocol’’
that was reviewed by Washington, the
visibility impact of each source was
determined on all Class I areas within
300 km of all but one of the BARTeligible sources. See Table 11–3 of the
SIP submittal for those sources with less
than a 0.5 dv impact. The BART-eligible
sources are generally widely distributed
across the Washington. Given the
relatively limited impact on visibility
from these sources, Washington could
have reasonably concluded that a 0.5 dv
threshold was appropriate for capturing
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those BART-eligible sources with
significant impacts on visibility in Class
I areas. For these reasons, EPA is
proposing to approve the 0.5 dv
threshold adopted by Washington in its
Regional Haze SIP.
In the BART Guidelines, EPA
recommended that states ‘‘consider the
number of BART sources affecting the
Class I areas at issue and the magnitude
of the individual sources’ impacts. In
general, a larger number of BART
sources causing impacts in a Class I area
may warrant a lower contribution
threshold.’’ 70 FR 39104, 39161 (July 6,
2005). In developing its Regional Haze
SIP, Washington requested 14 of the 15
BART-eligible sources to model their
respective impact on the Class I areas
within a 300 km radius. For Goldendale
Aluminum, Washington relied on
modeling conducted by EPA, rather
BP Cherry Point Refinery, Blaine Wa ................................................................................................
Intalco Aluminum Corp. Ferndale ....................................................................................................
Tesoro Refining and Marketing Co ....................................................................................................
Port Townsend Paper Co ....................................................................................................................
Lafarge North America .......................................................................................................................
TransAlta Centralia Generation LLC .................................................................................................
Weyerhaeuser Longview ....................................................................................................................
3. Washington Source Specific BART
Analyses
A BART determination was
conducted for each of the sources
subject to BART. At Washington’s
request, each source conducted its own
BART analysis and prepared a report
which Ecology then reviewed and used
to make a case-by-case BART
determination. In conducting the BART
analysis, Washington considered all five
BART factors. Washington explained
that in order for it to select a specific
control technology as BART, it must be
technically feasible, cost effective,
provide a visibility benefit, and have
minimal potential for adverse non-air
quality impacts. Washington further
explained that normally visibility
improvement is only one of the factors
but if two available and technically
feasible controls are essentially
equivalent in cost effectiveness and
Facility
Compliance with NOX emission limits ......................................................
Weyerhaeuser Corp.
Compliance with emission limits for PM, NOX, and SO2 .........................
Below is a summary of Washington’s
BART analysis and determination for
each of the seven sources subject to
BART. Additional detail regarding the
analysis for each source, unit and
pollutant may be found in the
Washington Regional Haze SIP
submittal, appendix L.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
a. British Petroleum, Cherry Point
Refinery
The BP Cherry Point Refinery located
near Ferndale, Washington, is a BARTeligible source subject to BART. Its
maximum visibility impact of 0.9 dv is
at Olympic National Park. Impacts at all
06:35 Dec 22, 2012
Jkt 229001
0.9 dv at Olympic National Park
2.4 dv at Olympic National Park.
1.7 dv at Olympic National Park.
1.2 dv at Olympic National Park.
3.16 dv at Olympic National Park.
5.5 dv at Mt. Rainier National Park.
1.0 dv at Mt. Rainier National Park.
collateral impacts then visibility may
become the deciding factor. See e.g.
Washington Regional Haze SIP
submittal L–13. The BART
determination, including controls,
emission limits and compliance
deadlines are reflected in an enforceable
Order issued to each source. The BART
Orders are included in the SIP
submittal. Below is a table of
compliance dates for each BART Order.
Compliance date
BP Cherry Point Refinery: Compliance for all PM, NOX, and SO2 emission limits.
Intalco Aluminum Corp. Compliance with all PM, NOX, and SO2 emission limits.
Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company
Compliance for all PM and SO2 emission limits ......................................
Compliance with NOX emission limits (unit F–103) .................................
Port Townsend Paper Corp.
Compliance with emission limits for PM, NOX, and SO2 .........................
Lafarge North America, Inc.
Compliance with all PM emission limits ...................................................
Compliance with SO2 emission limits .......................................................
VerDate Mar<15>2010
than requesting the source to model its
impact because the facility has not
operated since 2001.
Below is the list of sources that
Washington determined were subject to
BART and the Class I area for which the
source has the greatest visibility impact
(average of the three annual 8th highest
daily value over 2003–2005 baseline):
July 7, 2010.
November 15, 2010.
July 7, 2010.
September 30, 2015.
October 20, 2010.
July 28, 2010.
No than April 30, 2011, or 90 days after the kiln is restarted if the kiln
is in temporary cessation on February 1, 2011.
No later than the date Lafarge completes optimization of the NOX control system per specified criteria.
July 7, 2010.
other Class I areas within 300 km are
less than 0.5 dv. See Table 11–4 of the
SIP submittal. As summarized below,
Washington and BP completed a BART
analysis for all BART-eligible units at
the refinery. Washington’s BART
determination, issued to BP as BART
Compliance Order No. 7836 (BP Cherry
Point BART Compliance Order), is
included in the Washington’s Regional
Haze SIP submission. See Washington
Regional Haze SIP submittal, page L–47.
Additionally, the operating permit No.
7836 included with the SIP submittal
contains emission control requirements
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for non-BART units beyond those
required for BART.
As a component of a national consent
decree between BP and the EPA,
(United States District Court for the
Northern District of Indiana, Hammond
Division; Civil No. 2:96CV 095RL) most
of the refinery’s heaters and boilers have
been evaluated for upgraded and retrofit
control technology. As required under
the consent decree, many heaters had
been retrofitted with low-NOX burners
(LNBs) or ultra-low-NOX burners
(ULNBs). Washington considered these
federally enforceable upgrades as
existing control in the BART analysis.
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One general consideration in
determining the cost effectiveness of all
potential BART control technologies for
BP is the ability to install the retrofit
technology during a regularly scheduled
turnaround or maintenance period at
the facility. Turnaround is the term used
to describe when the refinery is
shutdown periodically, on
approximately 5 year intervals, for
routine maintenance and process
equipment upgrades. A retrofit during a
routine turnaround would not incur the
extra costs associated with loss of
revenues during shutdown. Washington
determined the cost effectiveness values
of installing controls both during
routine turnaround and outside the
normal turnaround period.
Table 1–1 of the BP Cherry Point
BART determination of appendix L of
the SIP submittal identifies all emitting
units at the facility and indicates
whether the units are BART-eligible.
Twenty-one of the refinery’s emission
units were determined to be BARTeligible and subject to BART. These
units are as follows:
Heaters and Boilers: 7
• Crude Charge Heater
• South Vacuum Heater
• Naphtha Hydrodesulfuriztion
(HDS) Charge Heater
• Naphtha HDS Stripper Reboiler
• #1 Reformer Heaters
• Coker Charge Heater (#1 North)
• Coker Charge Heater (#2 South)
• 1st Stage Hydrocracker (HC)
Fractionator Reboiler
• 2nd Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler
• R–1 HC Reactor Heater
• R–4 HC Reactor Heater
• #1 Diesel HDS Charge Heater
• Diesel HDS Stabilizer Reboiler
• Steam Reforming Furnace #1
• Steam Reforming Furnace #2
Sulfur Recovery Systems
• Two Sulfur Recovery Units (SRUs)
and one of the associated Tail Gas Units
(TGU)
76185
Flares
• High Pressure Flare
• Low Pressure Flare
Material Handling
• Green Coke Load Out equipment
General Discussion of NOX Control
Technologies Considered for Heaters
and Boilers at BP
BP conducted a source category
evaluation of all available control
technologies for this source category to
eliminate those that are infeasible. All
available NOX control technologies
identified for further evaluation were
based on the EPA RACT/BACT/LAER
Clearinghouse (RBLC). See appendix L
of the SIP submittal at L–29. The table
below identifies those NOX control
technologies and indicates which were
determined to generally be technically
feasible:
Technology
Sources to which they would potentially be
applicable
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) .................
Low-NOX Burners (LNB) or Ultra Low NOX
Burners (ULNB).
Selective non-catalytic Reduction (SNCR) ........
All Heaters ........................................................
All Heaters ........................................................
Yes.
Yes.
All Heaters ........................................................
External Flue Gas Recirculation (FGR) .............
Low Excess Air
Operation—CO
Control
Steam Injection ..................................................
All Heaters and Boilers ....................................
All Units ............................................................
No. Exhaust gas temperatures vary too much
and temperatures not in range for SNCR
operation.
No—Potential safety Issues.
No—Potential safety issues and small operating range.
Units with air preheat .......................................
CETEK—Descale & Coat Tubes .......................
Units with externally scaled tubes ....................
Modify Existing Burners to Improve NOX emissions.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
Lower Combustion Air
Preheat ..............................................................
All ......................................................................
Not feasible except 1st Stage HC Fractionator
Reboiler.
No. cooler air is introduced into the heater as
combustion air, the heater has to utilize additional fuel to heat the air for the combustion process which ends up negating any
NOX reductions generated.
No. This technique is only applicable to units
where the heat transfer tubes are externally
scaled.
Yes.
Evaluation of Technically Feasible
NOX Controls for specific heaters and
boilers Crude Charge Heater (NOX): The
Crude Charge Heater currently uses
conventional burners. Washington
determined that a LNB is technically
infeasible for this specific emission unit
due to the high flame temperatures and
heat density needed for the process.
LNB would lower the flame temperature
below that needed for the process and
flame impingement from LNB would derate the heater and reduce throughput.
Washington determined that while SCR
is technically feasible for the Crude
Charge Heater, it is not cost effective at
$14,658/ton during scheduled
turnaround and $32,000/ton during
non-scheduled turnaround. Washington
determined BART for NOX for the Crude
Heater is existing conventional burners.
South Vacuum Heater (NOX): The
South Vacuum Heater currently has
ultra low-NOX burners. These burners
were installed in 2005 in accordance
with the national consent decree.
Washington determined that SCR is not
cost effective for the South Vacuum
Heater regardless of whether it was
installed during a scheduled turnaround
or not. Cost effectiveness during a
scheduled turnaround or outside
turnaround is $54,551/ton and $82,643/
ton respectively. Washington
determined BART for this unit is the
existing ULNB. The NOX emission limit
is 0.08 lb/MMBtu.
Naphtha HDS Charge Heater &
Naphtha HDS Stripper Reboiler (NOX):
Both of these boilers currently employ
conventional burners in relatively small
fire boxes. LNB is deemed infeasible on
7 Power Boiler #1 and Power Boiler #3 were
replaced in 2009 by Boilers #6 and #7. Boilers #6
and #7 were not considered in the BART
determination as they are not BART-eligible and
were permitted under PSD. The BART Order 7836
issued to BP July 7, 2010, Finding C and Condition
7 ‘‘Other Requirements’’ requires decommissioning
of Boilers #1 and #3 no later than March 27, 2010.
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All Units ............................................................
Is it technically Feasible?
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both of these units due to small size of
the heater and because, with LNBs,
flame impingement on the boiler tubes
would cause premature failure. SCR is
not cost effective at $46,667/ton during
turnaround and $31,467/ton during
non-turnaround. Washington
determined BART for NOX is the
existing conventional burners.
#1 Reformer Heater (NOX): The #1
Reformer Heater has a complex design
with four independent fire boxes and
two stacks. It is currently fitted with
conventional burners. LNB is infeasible
due to small size of firebox and because
the longer flame length of LNB would
cause flame impingement on the heater
tubes and lead to premature failure. SCR
is not cost effective at $15,253/ton
during turnaround and $17,299/ton
during non-turnaround. Washington
determined BART for NOX is the current
conventional burners.
Coker Charge Heater (#1 North) and
Coker Charge Heater (#2 South) (NOX):
The Coker Heaters are both currently
using early design (1999) LNB which
incorporate staged air combustion and
flue gas recirculation. LNB of a newer
design is not cost effective at $31,301/
ton for the #1 North Heater and $30,762/
ton for the #2 South Heater. SCR is not
cost effective at $35,202/ton for the #1
North Heater and $34,597/ton for the #2
South Heater. Washington found that
BART for NOX is the existing LNB with
staged air combustion and flue gas
recirculation. The NOX emission limit
for these units is 0.08 lb/MMBtu
#1 Diesel HDS Charge Heater and
Diesel HDS Stabilizer Reboiler (NOX):
The heater and reboiler are currently
fitted with ULNBs to comply with the
consent decree. SCR is not cost effective
at $192,585/ton for the #1 Diesel HDS
Charge Heater and $145,094/ton for the
Diesel HDS Stabilizer Reboiler.
Washington determined BART for NOX
for the Diesel HDS Charge Heater is the
existing ULNB with an emission limit of
0.040 lb/MMBtu.
Washington determined BART for
NOX for the Stabilizer Reboiler Heater is
existing ULNBs with an emission limit
of 26 ppmv (dry basis corrected to 7%
O2) based on a 24-hour rolling average.
If this concentration is exceeded, a
secondary limit to demonstrate
compliance is 2.2 lb/hour based on a 24hour rolling average.
Steam Reforming Furnace #1 (North
H2 Plant) and Steam Reforming Furnace
#2 (South H2 Plant) (NOX): These units
currently use conventional burners.
LNB is not cost effective for these two
furnaces at $21,234/ton for the North H2
Plant and $21,682/ton for the South H2
Plant. SCR is not cost effective at
$28,378/ton for the North Plant and
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$28,900/ton for the South Plant. LNB
with SCR is not cost effective at
$29,555/ton and $30,104/ton.
Washington determined that BART for
NOX for these units is the existing
conventional burners.
R–1 HC Reactor Heater (NOX): This
heater currently operates with ULNB in
accord with consent decree. In the
general evaluation of control
technologies for heaters and boilers BP
determined that the only feasible
technology with greater control
efficiency than ULNB is SCR. SCR is not
cost effective at $214,726/ton NOX
removed. Washington determined BART
is the existing ULNB with a NOX
emission limit of 26 ppm by volume dry
basis corrected to 7% O2 on a 24-hour
rolling average. Should the
concentration limit be exceeded, the
mass emission limit is 3.6 lb/hr on a 24hour rolling average.
R–4 HC Reactor Heater (NOX): The R–
4 HC Reactor Heater is currently
operating with conventional burners.
LNBs are not technically feasible due to
high heat density, flame impingement,
and flame shape that would exceed the
American Petroleum Institute (API)
guidelines for burner spacing. SCR is
not cost effective at $36,620/ton.
Washington determined that BART is
the current burners.
1st Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler
(NOX BART): The 1st stage HC
Fractionator Reboiler is currently
operating with conventional burners.
The BART cost effectiveness analysis to
install ULNBs is estimated by BP to be
$12,044/ton. Washington determined
this value to not be cost effective,
however BP volunteered to install
ULNB on this unit to achieve 0.05 lb
NOX/MMBtu. Washington did not
propose ULNB as BART, but rather said
in the BART analysis report the
emission reductions would be
considered in a future SIP submittal as
further reasonable progress. (appendix
L, at L–41) SCR is determined to be not
cost effective at $19,470/ton.
Washington determined BART to be the
current conventional burners. The
BART Order for BP, submitted with the
Plan, includes a NOX emission limit for
this emission unit of 0.07 lb/MMBtu
monthly average, or 56.2 tons per
calendar year.
2nd Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler:
This reboiler is currently fitted with
LNBs. Washington found that ULNB is
not cost effective at $36,395/ton and
SCR is not cost effective at $37,810/ton.
LNB with SCR is not cost effective at
$40,768/ton. Washington determined
BART to be the existing LNBs with an
emission limit for NOX of 0.07 lb/
MMBtu based on a 24-hour average not
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to exceed 56.2 t/y on a calendar year
rolling average.
General Discussion of SO2 Control
Technologies Considered and Those
Technically Feasible for Heaters and
Other Combustion Devices
Washington and BP identified four
add-on SO2 control technologies from
the RBLC as described below;
Emerachem EMX, Dry Scrubbing, Fuel
Gas Conditioning (sulfur content
reduction), and wet flue gas
desulfurization (wet-FGD). In addition,
the combination of fuel gas conditioning
and wet flue gas desulfurization (wetFGD) was considered. See SIP submittal,
appendix L at L–28.
Emerachem EMX (previously known
as SCONOX): This technology has not
been proven to run longer than one year
without major maintenance. It has only
been used on a small number of natural
gas combustion turbines for NOX
control, and to date has not been used
on oil refinery heaters to reduce SO2
emissions. BP requires the refinery
heaters to be able to operate five years
between turnarounds. This technology
is technically infeasible for use on the
refinery heaters. Therefore, Washington
agreed with BP that the technology is
considered technically infeasible at this
facility.
Dry Scrubbing: This technology
requires a maintenance turnaround
approximately every two years due to
equipment plugging and wear. This
level of needed maintenance is
inconsistent with the refinery’s
turnaround schedule of every 5 years.
Therefore, Washington agreed with BP
that the technology is considered
technically infeasible at this facility.
Fuel Gas Conditioning: This
technology would reduce the
concentration of sulfur in the refinery
fuel gas from the current NSPS Subpart
J limit of 162 ppmv hydrogen sulfide
(H2S) to 50 ppmv and this would reduce
the average sulfur concentration in the
fuel gas combusted by BART-eligible
units by 89%. Cost effectiveness to
upgrade the fuel gas treatment system to
meet a 50 ppmv concentration limit is
$22,282/ton when the costs are applied
only to the BART units. Because fuel gas
conditioning would be used for all the
combustion sources at the refinery (both
BART and non-BART), the technology
would also reduce emissions from the
non-BART units. When cost
effectiveness calculations are applied to
all emission units at the BP refinery the
cost effectiveness is $14,428/ton.
Washington determined this technology
to not be cost effective.
Wet FGD: The cost effectiveness of
wet flue gas desulfurization is
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calculated to be between $29,982/ton
and $102,068/ton because the fuel gas
already meets the existing fuel gas limit
of 162 ppmH2S. Washington has
determined this technology is not cost
effective.
Fuel Gas Conditioning and Wet FGD:
The cost effectiveness of combined fuel
gas conditioning and wet flue gas
desulfurization is $49,743/ton and
$179,151/ton. Washington has
determined this technology is not cost
effective.
Conclusions for SO2 BART:
Washington determined that the
existing fuel gas sulfur removal system
is BART for SO2 for the refinery heaters.
Particulate Matter Control
Technologies Considered for Heaters:
BP reviewed information in EPA’s RBLC
database and control technology
literature to find available technologies
to control particulate emissions from
refinery heaters. The most promising
and thus those considered for further
evaluation were fuel gas conditioning
and wet electrostatic precipitators
(WESP).
Fuel Gas conditioning: This control
technology is discussed above in the
BART determination for SO2 and was
determined to be not cost effective for
PM control at this facility.
WESP: Using this technology would
require a wet electrostatic precipitator
(WESP) to be added to each heater and
boiler. The cost effectiveness is
determined to be $24,280/ton and
determined to not be cost effective.
Since there are no technically or
economically feasible PM control
measures, Washington found that BART
for PM for the heaters is good operating
practices and the current refinery fuel
gas treatment system.
Control Technologies Considered for
NOX, SO2 and PM and Those
Technically Feasible for High and Low
Pressure Flares:
BP currently operates both a high
pressure and low pressure flare. After a
review of the RBLC, no add-on control
technologies were identified. Currently
both flares meet the applicable NSPS
requirements for flares which emit NOX,
SO2, and PM2.5 (40 CFR 60.18 General
control device and work practice
requirements). Both flares are of
smokeless design and steam assisted. A
flare gas recovery system was installed
in 1984 that significantly decreased the
total volume of gas routinely sent to the
flare. In addition, a coker blow down
vapor recovery system was installed in
2007 that further reduced both the
volume and sulfur content of the
routinely flared gas. According to BP’s
analysis, as relied on by Washington, no
add-on control technologies for flares
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were identified or known to be in
commercial use for additional control of
NOX, SO2, or PM.
Washington determined and required
by BART Order 7836, BART for NOX,
SO2, and PM control is the continued
operation and maintenance of the
existing high and low pressure flares,
including the continued use of the flare
gas recovery system, limiting pilot light
fuel to pipeline grade natural gas,
operating in accordance with 40 CFR
60.18, and conversion from steam
assisted to air assisted flares.
Additionally, sources using flares to
comply with Refinery MACT equipment
leak provisions shall monitor flares to
assure they are maintained and operated
properly to reduce the emissions of
organic HAPS from miscellaneous
process vents by 98% or to 20 ppmv.
Flares shall be operated at all times
when emissions may be vented to them.
SO2 emissions from the high and low
pressure flares shall not exceed 1000
ppm corrected to 7% O2 averaged over
a 60-minute period.
All Control Technologies Considered
and Those Technically Feasible for
Sulfur Recovery Systems
The sulfur recovery units (SRU)
convert hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to SO2
and elemental sulfur. BP operates two
SRUs in parallel with their exhaust gas
streams combined and distributed to
two tail gas units (TGU). One TGU
utilizes the Shell Claus Off-gas Treating
Process (SCOT) technology, a patented
technology, and the other utilizes the
CANSOLV (registered trademark of
Cansolv Technologies Inc.) technology
to assist in further collection of sulfur
compounds and reducing the quantity
of SO2 discharged via the ‘‘incinerator
stack.’’ The primary pollutant from the
sulfur recovery unit is SO2. The SRUs
are subject to the requirements of 40
CFR 63 Subpart UUU, which specifies
40 CFR 60, Subpart J compliance as a
control option. The SRUs are currently
controlled to this MACT standard.
BP and Washington’s analysis found
that the RBLC database and control
technology literature lists available
technologies to control NOX emissions
from the SRUs and the TGU. In the
RBLC, 24 entries were found regarding
NOX control for SRUs and TGUs at
refineries. Two categories of control
methods for NOX were listed:
• Good Operating Practices (e.g.,
‘‘proper equipment design and
operation, good combustion practices,
and use of gaseous fuels’’, ‘‘optimized
air-fuel ratio’’, and ‘‘good operating
practices’’)
• LNBs: LNBs can be installed either
within the SRU itself (usually only as
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part of the initial design) or in the TGU.
Replacing the existing burner in the
SRU with a LNB would increase the
flame length causing flame
impingement and possible damage to
the SRU. Because of the flame
impingement issues, a LNB within the
SRU is technically infeasible.
The original TGU at the refinery was
installed in 1977 and utilizes natural
draft burners which are not suitable for
the direct installation of a LNB. The
natural draft design would require
addition of fans to supply air to the
LNBs. The cost to install LNBs and
additional fans would not be cost
effective.
Washington determined that the
continued operation of the existing
SRUs and TGUs is BART for NOX, SO2
and PM10/PM2.5. The BART Order 7836
for BP, included in the SIP submittal,
requires that SO2 emitted from the SRU
not exceed 135 tons during each
consecutive 12-month rolling period.
Supplemental fuel gas combusted in the
No. 1 TGU is limited to a composition
of H2S <230 mg/dscm (0.10 gr/dscf)
which is equivalent to 162 ppmH2S, 3
hour rolling average. NOX emissions
from No. 2 TGU Stack are limited to 2.5
lbs/hr. SO2 emissions from No. 2 TGU
Stack are limited to 24.0 lbs/hr. In
accordance with NSPS Subpart J, SO2
emissions from the TGU stacks is
limited to 250 ppm dry basis corrected
to 0% O2 based on a 12-hour rolling
average or 1500 ppm dry basis corrected
to 0% O2 based on a 1-hour average.
Control Technologies Considered and
Those Technically Feasible for Green
Coke Load Out
The Green Coke Load Out system was
constructed as part of the original
refinery. The equipment was
functionally replaced in 1978 by
installation of the #1 & #2 calciners and
a new coke load out system. However,
the old equipment still physically exists
at the refinery as back up during an
emergency because there is no storage
capability at the facility. Washington
recognizes that continued ability to use
the Green Coke Load Out system in an
emergency is appropriate. Due to the
limited use of the Green Coke Load Out
system, the cost of any control would
result in a high cost effectiveness value
and limited visibility improvement.
Washington’s BART determination
allows its limited emergency usage.
Cooling Tower: Cooling towers
produce particulate from water droplet
drift away from the towers. Washington
evaluated droplet and particulate drift
from cooling towers in the past and
found that they produce relatively large
particulate that does not drift far from
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the tower. Washington has made a
qualitative review of BART for the
control of particulate from this cooling
tower and determined that the existing
drift controls satisfy BART for this unit.
Visibility Improvement Expected From
BART
BP modeled the visibility
improvement expected to result from
the implementation of BART
determinations for the #1 Diesel HDS
Charge Heater, HDS Stabilizer Reboiler,
R–1 HC Reactor Heater, and 1st Stage
HC Fractionator Reboiler. Visibility at
the most impacted Class I area, Olympic
National Park, using the metric of the 3year combined 98% value (22nd high),
improved from 0.84 dv to 0.79 dv, and
the 98% value (max annual 8th high)
improved from 0.9 dv to 0.83 dv. EPA
is proposing to approve the BART Order
with emission limitations on SO2, NOX,
and PM2.5 for the BART-eligible units at
BP as they are reasonable.
The Table summarizes the proposed
BART determination technology for
each BART emission unit:
Emission unit
Technology
Crude Charge Heater ...............................................................................
South Vacuum Heater ..............................................................................
Naphtha HDS Charge Heater ..................................................................
Naphtha HDS Stripper Reboiler ...............................................................
#1 Reformer Heaters ................................................................................
Coker Charge Heater (#1 North) ..............................................................
Coker Charge Heater (#2 South) .............................................................
#1 Diesel HDS Charge Heater .................................................................
Diesel HDS Stabilizer Reboiler ................................................................
Steam Reforming Furnace #1 (North H2 Plant) ......................................
Steam Reforming Furnace #2 (South H2 Plant) ......................................
R–1 HC Reactor Heater ...........................................................................
R–4 HC Reactor Heater ...........................................................................
1st Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler .........................................................
2nd Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler ........................................................
Refinery Fuel Gas (hydrogen sulfide) ......................................................
SRU & TGU (Sulfur Incinerator) ...............................................................
High and Low Pressure Flares .................................................................
Current burners and operations.
Existing ULNB.
Current burners and operations.
Current burners and operations.
Current burners and operations.
Current burners and operations.
Current burners and operations.
Existing ULNB and operations.
Existing ULNB and operations.
Current burners and operations.
Current burners and operations.
Existing ULNB and operations.
Current burners and operations.
Current burners and operations.
Existing ULNB and operations.
Currently installed fuel gas treatment system.
Current burners and operations.
NOX: Good operation and maintenance including use of the flare gas
recovery system and limiting pilot light fuel to pipeline grade natural
gas.
SO2: Good operating practices, use of natural gas for pilot.
PM.
Good operating practices, use of a steam-assisted smokeless flare design, use of flare gas recovery system.
Maintain as unused equipment for possible emergency use.
Replacement with new Power Boilers 6 and 7.
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Green Coke Load-out ...............................................................................
Power Boilers 1 and 3 ..............................................................................
b. Intalco Aluminum Corp.
The Alcoa, Intalco Works (Intalco) is
a primary aluminum smelter utilizing
the prebake process located at Cherry
Point near Ferndale, Washington. The
visibility impairing pollutants from the
facility are PM, NOX and SO2. The major
sources of these pollutants at the facility
are the potlines and to a lesser extent,
the anode bake furnace.
Base year SO2 emissions from the
potlines are 6550 t/y from sulfur in
anode coke that is consumed in the
smelting process. Particulate emissions
from the potlines and the anode bake
oven are well controlled. The primary
air pollution control system employed
by Intalco for control of potline
emissions consists of dry alumina
injection followed by fabric filtration
which effectively controls PM.
Emissions of NOX from the potlines are
insignificant because the potlines are
electrically heated (versus combustion
of fossil fuels) and none of the raw
materials contain significant quantities
of nitrogen.
Modeled visibility impacts of baseline
emissions were over 2.0 dv at Olympic
National Park. Impacts of greater than
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0.5 dv were shown for six other Class
I areas. The modeling also showed that
SO2 emissions from the exit of the
existing dry alumina baghouse potline
emission control system as being
responsible for 94% of the facility’s total
visibility impact and these emissions
are the focus of EPA’s evaluation of
Washington’s BART determination.
SO2 BART Determination for Potlines
Eight different SO2 add-on control
options, along with pollution
prevention, were identified in the SIP
submittal as potential control measures.
Six of the control options use wet
scrubbing and two use dry scrubbing
technology. Pollution prevention, by
limiting the sulfur content of the coke
used in the furnace anodes, along with
the amount of carbon consumed in the
process, was also evaluated.
Wet Scrubbing Technologies:
• Limestone slurry scrubbing with
forced oxidation (LSFO)
• Conventional lime wet scrubbing
• Seawater scrubbing
• Dual alkali sodium/lime scrubbing
(dilute mode)
• Conventional sodium scrubbing
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Dry Scrubbing Technologies:
• Dry sorbent injection
• Semi-dry scrubbing (spray dryer)
Limestone Slurry Forced Oxidation
(LSFO): Spray nozzles inject limestone
slurry droplets into the exhaust gas
stream from a spray tower. The
limestone reacts with SO2 to form
calcium sulfite. Liquor is collected at
the bottom of the tower and sparged
with air to oxidize the calcium sulfite to
calcium sulfate to enhance the settling
properties. Recirculation pumps
circulate the scrubbing liquor to the
spray nozzles. Sulfur dioxide removal
efficiencies of 90% or greater have been
achieved. The bleed containing calcium
sulfate is sent to a dewatering system to
remove excess moisture. For an
aluminum smelter, the process will
produce either solid gypsum waste or
commercial-grade gypsum suitable for
reuse as a cement additive. Only a very
small purge or blowdown stream is
required. A more detailed evaluation of
LSFO for the Intalco facility is discussed
below following the short evaluation of
other control technologies that were
rejected.
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Conventional Lime Wet Scrubbing:
Conventional lime wet scrubbing is
similar to LSFO except that the raw
material is hydrated lime or quick lime
that is either slaked on-site or purchased
in the slaked form. The system typically
uses forced oxidation, although natural
oxidation is possible. The process
produces either solid gypsum waste or
commercial-grade gypsum suitable for
possible reuse as a cement additive.
Seawater Scrubbing: Seawater
scrubbing is used in Europe for control
of SO2 emissions from primary
aluminum smelters similar to Intalco.
As with other wet scrubbing
technologies, an alkaline solution (in
this case seawater) is sprayed into the
exhaust gas stream within one or more
vertical towers and the seawater is used
to absorb the SO2 in the exhaust gases.
More specifically, by encouraging
contact between the SO2 containing gas
stream and the slightly alkaline
seawater, SO2 is removed from the gas
stream via absorption. The seawater is
then discharged as wastewater.
Dual Alkali/Lime Scrubbing: Dual
alkali sodium/lime scrubbing (dilute
mode) uses a caustic sodium solution in
the scrubber tower. A portion of the
scrubbing liquid is discharged to a
neutralization stage where lime slurry is
used to regenerate the caustic, which is
returned to the scrubber. The bleed from
the scrubber is sent to a dewatering
system to produce a gypsum byproduct.
The process will produce either solid
gypsum waste or commercial-grade
gypsum suitable for reuse as a cement
additive. Dual alkali sodium/lime
scrubbing (dilute mode) is not currently
marketed by major FGD vendors
because the system is too complicated
and expensive. Washington found that
due to lack of availability and
anticipated excessive cost, dual alkali
sodium/lime scrubbing is not
technically feasible.
Conventional Sodium Scrubbing:
Sodium scrubbing is another wet
scrubbing technology using scrubber
liquor containing a sodium reagent. The
infrastructure and associated capital
costs for a sodium scrubber would be
similar to that of LSFO, although
sodium-based reagents are generally
much more expensive than limestone or
lime. Based on these factors, and the
similarity to the equipment necessary
for LSFO, further evaluation of sodium
scrubbing is unnecessary.
Dry Sorbent Injection: In dry
injection, a reactive alkaline powder is
injected into a furnace, ductwork, or a
dry reactor. Typical removal efficiencies
with calcium adsorbents are 50 to 60%
and up to 80% with sodium base
adsorbents. However, as with wet
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scrubbing, disposal of waste using
sodium adsorbents must consider their
high solubility in water compared to
those from calcium adsorbents. The
temperature range over which scrubbing
has been used is 300 to 1,800 °F; the
minimum temperature is 300 to 350 °F.
Dry systems are rarely used and only
3% of FGD systems installed in the U.S.
are dry systems. The dry waste material
is removed using particulate control
devices such a fabric filter or an
electrostatic precipitator (ESP).
Analysis of the Available Control
Options
Seawater Scrubbing: As described by
Washington, although technically
feasible, seawater scrubbing was
eliminated from consideration as BART
due to water quality discharge concerns.
See SIP submittal pages L–81 to L–83.
Unlike aluminum plants in Europe,
wastewater discharge from primary
aluminum smelters in the United States
must comply with specific limits on
fluorides, among other pollutants (see
40 CFR 421, Subpart B). Washington
found that the necessary wastewater
treatment facilities would not be costeffective, and would produce a large
amount of wastewater treatment sludge.
Treatment of seawater would produce
significantly more sludge than
freshwater since precipitation of the
natural salts would be necessary in
order to remove target pollutants.
EPA conducted further analysis of
non-air related environmental impacts
of seawater scrubbing. The offshore
aquatic area immediately surrounding
the Intalco smelter has recently been
designated as an environmental aquatic
reserve for the protection of herring. The
Cherry Point Environmental Aquatic
Reserve Management Plan expressly
prohibits new saltwater intake
structures, which would be necessary
for seawater scrubbing. See Cherry Point
Environmental Aquatic Reserve
Management Plan p. 54. Thus, seawater
scrubbing is not a viable control option.
Dry Sorbent Injection: Intalco’s
potline exhaust gas stream, downstream
of the existing baghouses is low
temperature (less than 205 °F) with low
SO2 concentrations of less than 105
ppm. Washington’s analysis found that
dry sorbent scrubbing is not effective at
gas stream temperatures below 250 °F.
Thus, due to the low temperatures in
the Intalco potline exhaust gas stream,
Washington determined dry scrubbing
is not technically feasible.
EPA conducted a literature review
which generally supports this finding.
In addition, EPA contacted a vendor of
dry scrubbing technology who
confirmed the importance of exhaust gas
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76189
stream temperature, and stated that its
dry scrubbing technology could
successfully control SO2 emissions for
gas stream temperatures down to
approximately 250–260 °F.
Upstream of the existing baghouses,
the exhaust gas temperature would be in
the temperature range that is technically
feasible for DSI. However, injection of
the alkaline reagent may render the
baghouse catch unsuitable for recycling
to the potlines which is the current
practice for reclamation of the alumina
and control of fluorides.
Based on this research, we agree with
Washington’s determination that with a
flue gas temperature of ∼205 °F, dry
scrubbing is technically infeasible for
control of SO2.
We did not conduct further analyses
regarding Conventional Wet Lime
Scrubbing, and Dual Alkali Sodium/
Lime Scrubbing because we agree with
Washington’s determination that these
technologies either had no advantages
over LSFO, had clear disadvantages, or
were likely to be more costly when
compared with LSFO.
Low Sulfur Anode Coke: Washington
discussed the current levels of sulfur in
petroleum coke used by other aluminum
smelters to determine whether a
pollution prevention option using lower
sulfur content coke would be a feasible
BART option for Intalco. See
Washington SIP submittal appendix L at
L–68 to 69. This analysis indicated that
some smelters currently utilize coke
with sulfur contents as low as two 2%.
An analysis was also done by
Washington to determine whether coke
with sulfur levels below 3% can be
anticipated to be available into the
future. The primary conclusions from
Washington’s analysis indicate that
there will be a continuing increase in
the sulfur content of available anode
grade coke. The aluminum smelters that
currently have sulfur limits below 3%
are requesting the regulating agencies to
relax this limit due to lack of available
low sulfur coke.
Coke is a relatively small, low
revenue component of a refinery’s
product profile. It is a low value product
made from the thick, tar-like refinery
wastes left over after all of the more
valuable components have been
removed from the petroleum crude. The
aluminum industry has little influence
in controlling the quantity, quality, and
price of the coke produced by refineries.
Washington also found that low sulfur
crude oil supplies are becoming less
available and more expensive for
petroleum refineries. In the future,
refineries with coking capacity are
expected to minimize their raw material
costs by using more of the higher sulfur
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sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
crude oils and oil sands. Washington
further explained that as oil fields age,
the sulfur content of the crude oil is
known to increase and the crude oil in
the fields becomes more viscous and
harder to extract. This effect is expected
to increase the sulfur content of the
petroleum materials available to
produce anode grade coke.
Global primary aluminum production
is expected to grow, resulting in a
commensurate growth in demand for
anode grade coke. Growth in aluminum
production will continue to outpace the
growth in coke production. Coke
providers are blending imported, high
cost, lower sulfur coke with
domestically sourced coke in attempts
to meet the current specification
requirements for coke. Removal or
reduction of the sulfur content of the
coke once it has been received is not
feasible. It is the Washington’s and
EPA’s conclusion that coke with a sulfur
content of less than 3% is not a viable
option due to its limited availability.
LSFO: LSFO technology was selected
by Intalco and Washington as the best
option among the technically feasible
wet scrubbing technologies. EPA agrees
that LSFO is the best SO2 control
technology for this facility and with
Washington’s rationale for that
selection. LSFO is estimated to achieve
a 95% control for SO2 at Intalco.
Alcoa evaluated the estimated cost of
LSFO, based on quotes from two
separate vendors that were prepared for
Alcoa for their Tennessee facility that
were then scaled to the Intalco facility.8
Both preliminary designs were based on
a central scrubbing center as the lowest
cost approach, where exhaust from all
dry scrubbing systems would be ducted
to a centralized scrubbing system. Both
vendor quotes were based on systems
that would provide 100% availability of
emissions control on each day of the
year, given that potlines cannot be
easily shutdown and restarted for
control system maintenance outages. In
other words, the proposed designs
include two scrubber towers; one
primary tower which would operate
most of the time and a second tower
which could be used when the primary
tower needed repair or maintenance.
Washington’s cost effectiveness value
for the proposed two-absorption tower
design was $6,574/ton of SO2 removed.
The capital and total annual operating
costs were estimated to be $208.5
million and $40.9 million per year
8 These cost quotes have been reviewed and
analyzed by EPA but Alcoa has claimed the cost
quotes as confidential business information (CBI).
Given Alcoa’s claim of CBI, the actual quotes are
not included in the public portion of the docket for
this proposed action.
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Jkt 229001
respectively. Washington determined
the cost effectiveness for the two-tower
scrubber to be unreasonable.
Washington’s BART Determination
for Intalco Potlines: Washington
determined that BART for SO2 from the
potlines is the existing pollution
prevention measures, including the use
of less than 3% sulfur in the anode
coke.
EPA’s Determination of Cost
Effectiveness and Visibility Impacts
EPA independently estimated the cost
effectiveness of LSFO. A memorandum,
‘‘Intalco BART Technical Review
Memo,’’ November 16, 2012, describes
EPA’s BART evaluation and analysis,
and is included in the docket to this
action. EPA’s cost effectiveness
calculations are based on the lower of
two site-specific vendor quotes for the
primary aluminum smelter located in
Alcoa, Tennessee. The costs estimates
were scaled to reflect the differences
between the Alcoa Tennessee smelter
and the Alcoa Intalco operations,
including smelter size, economy of
scale, limestone consumption and
gypsum production (waste disposal).
EPA’s primary concern with
Washington’s cost estimates and the
changes EPA made to the Washington’s
analysis are: (1) Single tower design,
eliminating the cost of a backup tower;
(2) the lower of the two vendor quotes
is used rather than the average; (3) the
scrubber equipment life is assumed to
be 30 years rather than 15; and (4)
assumption that the gypsum by-product
is re-used rather than landfilled.
Single Tower Design: As explained
above, Alcoa and Washington based the
cost effectiveness calculation for LSFO
on the assumption that two scrubber
towers would be required so that the
facility would have a back up scrubber
available for use whenever the primary
scrubber was off line for maintenance.
In EPA’s view the redundant, second
tower, is not necessary. Building one
scrubber tower would reduce the capital
and annual maintenance costs
associated with LSFO. The BART
emission limit could be written to
account for periods of time with higher
emissions such as during maintenance
of the scrubber tower.
Low Bid: Capital equipment quotes,
used by both Alcoa and Washington,
were obtained from two vendors of
LSFO systems for the Alcoa Tennessee
smelter and were provided to EPA. The
Alcoa and Washington analysis
averaged these two quotes in estimating
these capital costs for the Intalco
potlines. This approach is unacceptable
based on the EPA Air Pollution Control
Cost Manual and is not in accord with
standard contracting procedures. The
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Control Cost Manual clearly supports
the use of the low bid. Specifically, the
manual states that ‘‘[s]ignificant savings
can be had by soliciting multiple quotes
and discusses the ability to compare to
other bids.’’ See EPA Air Pollution
Control Cost Manual, Sixth Edition. Our
cost effectiveness analysis uses the
lower of the two capital equipment
quotes, scaled from the Tennessee
smelter to Intalco.
Equipment Life: The Alcoa and
Washington analysis used an expected
equipment lifetime of 15 years for the
LSFO system. Washington provided no
basis for using a 15 year lifetime. Based
on our review of available information,
30 years rather than 15, is an
appropriate equipment life. The
expected service life of wet flue gas
desulfurization (FGD) systems such as
LSFO is cited in the literature as 30
years. The actual life of wet FGD
scrubbers installed at coal fired power
plants has been demonstrated to be 30
years or more for many plants. Industry
reports establish scrubber longevity near
or exceeding 30 years. See Intalco BART
Technical Review Memo.
Gypsum Reuse: Alcoa and
Washington assumed the gypsum
produced as a by-product from LSFO
would be disposed of in a landfill at a
cost of about $4 million per year.
However, based on the information in
Alcoa’s contractor BART analysis report
and equipment vendor information, it
appears that the gypsum produced as a
by-product of LSFO would be suitable
for re-use. EPA conducted an internal
economic analysis to evaluate the
potential for beneficial reuse of the
gypsum by-product from LSFO 9. Our
analysis identified several applications
for so-called FGD gypsum in addition to
market factors which suggest the likely
presence of a market for the gypsum
produced by Intalco. Specifically, we
found that a significant price differential
exists between FGD gypsum and natural
(mined) gypsum favoring the former.
Based on the design specification
establishing that the gypsum by-product
would be suitable for commercial reuse,
the information suggests a likely market
for the gypsum. A considerable financial
incentive would exist for Intalco to sell,
or even give away the FGD gypsum,
rather than dispose of it in a landfill. We
do not agree that it is reasonable to
assume that Intalco will need to pay to
dispose of the gypsum from the LSFO
process in a landfill. Our cost
effectiveness analysis therefore
eliminates the gypsum disposal costs
9 Market Review for Intalco Produced FGD
Gypsum. Elliot Rosenberg, Senior Economist. EPA
Region 10. March 23, 2012.
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and assumes that Intalco gives the
gypsum away ‘‘Free on Board’’ 10 from
the facility in Ferndale. Any proceeds
from the sale of the gypsum would
further improve the LSFO scrubber cost
effectiveness.
Conclusion of Cost Effectiveness for
LSFO at the Intalco facility: EPA
estimates the cost effectiveness of an
LSFO system in the range of $3875/ton
to $4363/ton. See Intalco BART
Technical Review Memo.
Visibility Impacts
EPA considered the visibility impact
of the potline SO2 emissions and the
resulting improvement of visibility in
Class I areas surrounding Intalco
expected to result from installation and
operating LSFO. Two modeling efforts
were conducted by an Intalco
contractor; one analysis used 4
kilometer (km) grid cells and the other
used 1 km grid cells. The analysis using
4 km grid cells considered only the
baseline case. The analysis using 1 km
grid cells considered both the baseline
and the control case. The use of 1 km
grid cells for Intalco underestimates
visibility impacts compared to results
using 4 km grid cells. However,
modeling of visibility impacts after
installation of LSFO was only
Alpine Lakes ....................................................................................................................
Glacier Peak ....................................................................................................................
Mount Rainier ..................................................................................................................
North Cascades ...............................................................................................................
Olympic ............................................................................................................................
Impact with
LSFO (98th percentile dv, # of
days >0.5
dvdays)
0.742,
0.916,
0.660,
0.986,
1.527,
0.158,
0.190,
0.108,
0.212,
0.355,
18
24
11
35
41
cost of compliance was improperly
determined and proposes to disapprove
Current impact
their analysis. As discussed above, EPA
Class I area
calculated a different cost effectiveness
dv
# days >0.5 dv
value based on eliminating the cost of
a backup tower; using the lower of the
Alpine Lakes Wilderness .............
1.0
32 two vendor quotes rather than the
average; assuming the equipment life is
Goat
RocksWilderness
0.5
7 30 years rather than 15, and assuming
Glacier Peak Wilthe gypsum by-product is re-used rather
derness .............
1.0
33 than landfilled. EPA believes based on
Mount Adams Wila cost effectiveness value in the range of
derness .............
0.4
5
$3875/ton to $4363/ton and the facts
Mount Rainier NP
0.8
21
presented above and considering the
North Cascades
NP .....................
1.3
51 following factors that LSFO would be
Olympic NP ...........
2.1
52 BART:
Pasayten Wilder• While the cost effectiveness is
ness ...................
0.8
25 relatively high in the range of $3875 to
$4363/ton, it is in the range of other
EPA promulgated BART determinations.
EPA believes these are significant
e.g. Four Corners Power Plant (77 FR
impacts, not only based on the
51619),
maximum impact at Olympic National
Park, but also the number of days over
• A 95% reduction in SO2 emissions
0.5 dv at several Class I areas and the
will result in visibility improvement
number of Class I areas with impacts
over 1 deciview at Olympic National
greater than 0.5 dv. Installation and
Park and over 0.5 deciview at 5 other
operation of LSFO would significantly
Class I areas,
improve visibility in several Class I
• There is insignificant non-air
areas in Washington.
environmental and energy impacts,
• The source is anticipated to remain
EPA’s Conclusion Regarding
in operation for the foreseeable future,
Washington’s BART Determination for
assuming no requirement to install new
Intalco
controls,
EPA disagrees with Washington’s
• The current control for SO2 on the
BART analysis for Intalco because the
potlines are the pollution prevention
Modeling With 4 km grid cells:
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
conducted using 1 km grid cells. EPA
believes that the 1 km grid cell results
may provide informative insight into the
relative visibility improvements that
could be achieved by implementing
LSFO.
Both modeling results show
significant SO2 visibility impacts from
Intalco in several Class I areas, with the
greatest impact at Olympic National
Park. The tables below show these
impacts and the expected visibility
improvement of greater than 75% in all
Class I areas after implementation of
LSFO:
Modeling With 1 km grid cells:
Current impact
(98th percentile
dv, # of days
>0.5 dv)
Class I area
days
days
days
days
days
..
..
..
..
..
06:35 Dec 22, 2012
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0
0
0
0
2
days
days
days
days
days
....
...
...
...
...
Percent improvement in visibility
(%)
79
79
83
78
77
measures, including the 3% sulfur limit
for incoming coke.
However as discussed below, at the
request of Alcoa, EPA considered
whether Alcoa would be able to afford
LSFO and remain a viable entity.
Affordability: The BART Guidelines
provide that even if a control technology
is cost effective there may be some cases
where installing the controls would
affect the viability of continued plant
operations. Specifically, the rule
explains that there may be unusual
situations that justify taking into
consideration the condition of the plant
and the economic effects of requiring
the use of a given control technology.
The economic effects could include
effects on product prices, market share,
and profitability of the source. See 40
CFR 51 appendix Y, IV.D.4.k. Alcoa
indicated to EPA that it cannot afford
installation and operation of an LSFO
control system and requested that
affordability be considered. As
summarized below EPA conducted a
thorough ‘‘affordability assessment’’ of
Alcoa and the Intalco operations. Based
on that analysis, EPA proposes to
conclude that Alcoa cannot afford to
install LSFO at Intalco at this time. See
‘‘Intalco BART SO2 Affordability
Assessment’’ (Affordability Assessment)
in the docket for this action for
10 Free on Board, defined here where the buyer
pays for all loading, transportation, and unloading
costs.
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additional detail regarding EPA’s
affordability analysis.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
Summary of Affordability Analysis
In June 2012, Alcoa provided EPA an
analysis (claimed as Confidential
Business Information) of the financial
health of the Intalco Operations from
2008 through 2013. Their analysis
included financial information for both
Alcoa as a whole, and the Intalco
operations specifically, indicating that
Intalco has not been a profitable
operation in recent years and that the
projected profits for this year and next
are less than the annualized cost of
LSFO. Their analysis concluded that
during this time frame, there was
insufficient after tax income to afford
the annualized cost (capital and O&M)
for LSFO of $26 million.
EPA conducted an independent
analysis of the financial status of the
Alcoa Intalco operations, considering
the current and future trends in the cost
of raw materials, operating expenses
(labor and electricity), revenue income,
and increasing supply and anticipated
demand for aluminum in the future.
Intalco is currently operating at less
than full capacity and is operating only
two of its three potlines. Operating the
third potline is not economical given
existing market prices for aluminum
and electricity, limited availability of
reasonably priced power and potline
production costs. If Intalco were to
install the LFSO control technology, the
annual cost of installing and operating
the equipment would represent
approximately 8–10% of the facility’s
sales revenue over the 30 year lifetime
of the equipment at current utilization
at the facility. We recognize that the
cost/sales ratios may be higher or lower
depending on plant utilization and
future aluminum prices, but they are
substantial in even the most optimistic
cases.
Alcoa is unlikely to be able to pass
these costs along to consumers, as
shown by its historical inability to pass
through higher electricity prices, and is
also unlikely to operate its third potline
to increase production in the near
future. Additionally, as mentioned in
the Affordability Assessment, Alcoa’s
credit rating and low cash reserves may
limit its ability to obtain resources to
purchase pollution control equipment.
Finally, the installation and operating
cost of LSFO would represent a
significant initial and long-term
expenditure and a decision by Alcoa to
close the facility rather than incur the
pollution control equipment expense
could be consistent with the findings of
the independent affordability analysis.
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See Affordability Assessment for
additional detail.
Based on this analysis EPA concludes
that the Alcoa Intalco operations cannot
afford LSFO at the Intalco facility and
remain a viable operation.
Summary of Other, Less Costly Control
Options for Potlines
EPA also considered less costly
control of partial scrubbing of the
potline emissions. There are six
baghouses, each with multiple exhaust
stacks, controlling particulate from the
three potlines. EPA considered
controlling SO2 from two of the six, and
four of the six baghouses. Under this
scenario, the capital costs are reduced,
however the cost effectiveness values
would increase due to the economies of
scale. At the same time, visibility
improvement would decrease as overall
SO2 emission reduction decreases
proportionally. Thus, in light of the
increased cost effectiveness values and
decreased visibility improvement, we
determined partial scrubbing is not
reasonable.
EPA SO2 BART Determination for
Potlines
Based on all the considerations
summarized above, EPA believes that
while LSFO is cost effective and would
significantly improve visibility, it is not
affordable at this facility. Therefore,
EPA proposes to find that the pollution
prevention measure of limiting the
sulfur content of anodes to 3% is BART
for Intalco.
Regional Haze Rule Provision for
Alternative BART Programs
Pursuant to the RHR, a state may
choose to implement measures as an
alternative to BART so long as the
alternative measures can be
demonstrated to achieve greater
reasonable progress toward the national
visibility goal than would be achieved
through the installation and operation of
BART. See 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2). The
demonstration must include, among
other things, a requirement that all
necessary emission reductions take
place during the first long term strategy
period and a demonstration that the
emissions reductions resulting from the
alternative measures will be surplus to
those reductions resulting from
measures adopted to meet requirements
of the CAA as of the baseline date of the
SIP.
Better Than BART Proposal for the
Intalco Potlines
In the letter dated June 22, 2012, from
Alcoa to EPA, Alcoa proposed an
alternative that would be Better than
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BART. This alternative consists of
implementing pollution prevention
measures, primarily the requirement of
3% or less sulfur in the anode coke, and
limiting SO2 emissions from the
potlines to 80% of the base year
emissions of 6550 t/y. For the reasons
explained, EPA is proposing to accept
this Better than BART alternative and
proposes a 5240 t/y annual SO2
emission limit on the potlines.
Better Than BART Visibility Impact
Alcoa modeled the visibility
difference between base year SO2
emissions of 6550 t/y and a 20%
reduction in emissions to 5240 t/y from
the Intalco facility. The modeled results
are summarized below for Olympic
National Park. The deciview metric is
the 98th percentile value for the year.
BASE YEAR SO2
[6550 t/y]
Metric
98th Percentile.
Days above
0.5 dv.
Days above
1.0 dv.
2003
2004
2005
2.36 dv
1.86 dv
2.14 dv
59 ........
53 ........
42
29 ........
21 ........
24
20% REDUCTION OF SO2 EMISSIONS
[5240 t/y]
Metric
98th Percentile.
Days above
0.5 dv.
Days above
1.0 dv.
2003
2004
2005
1.20 dv
1.56 dv
1.82 dv
50 ........
48 ........
41
23 ........
19 ........
21
The 80% SO2 emissions cap, limiting
the SO2 emission to 5240 t/y, will
prevent visibility from degrading on the
worst days (represented by the 98th
percentile) and will also reduce the
number of days with impairment greater
than 0.5 dv and 1.0 dv.
Anode Bake Ovens
Intalco manufactures its own anodes
from an on-site facility using calcined
coke and pitch. Green anodes are baked
to remove volatile organic impurities
and hardened for use in the aluminum
potlines. During the baking process,
some of the sulfur in the coke is
released as sulfur dioxide and emitted
to the atmosphere. The Anode Bake
Ovens are fueled with natural gas and
emit visibility impairing pollutants of
particulate matter, SO2, and NOX.
Emissions are currently controlled with
an alumina scrubber to remove
hydrogen fluoride and volatile organics
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and then the outflow from the scrubber
is ducted to baghouses to remove
particulate. The baghouses provide 99%
control of particulate matter.
Washington evaluated SO2 scrubbers
for the anode bake oven exhaust using
information from its evaluation of
potline SO2 control. Costs determined
for LSFO for the potlines were scaled to
the lower gas flow rate of the bake oven.
A 95% control efficiency for SO2 was
assumed. The cost effectiveness of LSFO
scrubbing was estimated to be $36,400/
ton and the visibility improvement
would be 0.02 dv at Olympic National
Park. Washington determined, based on
the high cost and small visibility
improvement that the petroleum coke
sulfur limit of 3% is BART for anode
bake furnace SO2 emissions.
Washington also determined that the
existing level of particulate matter
control (based on baghouses on the
alumina dry scrubbers) is BART for
particulate emissions.
Washington rejected using an
advanced firing system for reduced
energy use as BART for NOX because
the technology would result in a
negligible emission reduction and
visibility improvement. Similarly,
Washington rejected LoTOxTM as BART
because the cost of the technology
would be excessive and it has not been
demonstrated in practice on aluminum
plant anode bake ovens.
Washington determined that BART
for anode bake furnace NOX emissions
is no controls. After review of available
control technologies, EPA agrees with
Washington’s BART determination for
this source and is proposing to approve
the BART determinations for the anode
bake ovens.
Aluminum Holding Furnaces
The aluminum holding furnaces are
fueled with natural gas and emit NOX.
The emissions from the furnaces are
small and result in negligible visibility
impairment in any Class I area.
Washington determined that BART for
the aluminum holding furnaces is no
controls. Washington rejected additional
controls as BART because any visibility
improvement would be negligible due to
the low level of emissions from the
natural gas-fired burners. EPA agrees
that no additional control of emissions
from the aluminum holding furnaces is
BART.
Material Handling and Transfer
Operations
The PM emissions from the BARTeligible material handling and transfer
operations are all controlled using fabric
filter technology, and these operations
are a negligible source of NOX and SO2
emissions. Additional control of these
pollutants would provide negligible
visibility improvement. Therefore,
Washington determined that the
existing level of emissions control,
fabric filters, is BART for these material
handling and transfer operations.
EPA agrees that fabric filter
(baghouse) is the appropriate control
technology and all emission units must
meet 40 CFR part 63, Subpart RRR, and
emissions of PM shall not exceed 0.01
grains per dscf.
Summary of Intalco BART
Determination and EPA’s Proposed
Action
EPA is proposing to approve
Washington’s BART determination for
Intalco with the exception of the SO2
BART determination for the Intalco
potlines. EPA is proposing a limited
disapproval of Washington’s BART
analysis for SO2 because, as explained
above, Washington did not properly
calculate the cost effectiveness value.
Washington determined a cost
effectiveness value of greater than
$6000/ton for LSFO and consequently
dismissed LSFO as BART. EPA is
proposing a Better than BART FIP for
control of SO2 emissions off the
potlines.
As described above, EPA revised
some of the cost inputs and assumptions
and calculated a cost effectiveness value
in the range of $3875/ton to $4363/ton
for LSFO. When considered in light of
the visibility improvement in Olympic
National Park and several other Class I
areas surrounding Intalco, LSFO likely
would be considered BART. However,
as also explained above, Alcoa claimed
76193
it cannot afford LSFO at Intalco and still
have it remain a viable entity. After
investigating the affordability claim,
including an analysis of Alcoa’s
financial status, market conditions, and
electricity availability, EPA agrees and
thus rejects LSFO as BART for this
facility.
Washington issued Intalco a BART
Order, (Order No. 7837, Revision 1) on
July 7, 2010, that establishes
Washington’s determined BART control
technology, pollution prevention
measures, emission limits, compliance
dates, monitoring, and recordkeeping
requirements. EPA is simultaneously
issuing a limited approval of
Washington’s SO2 BART Order for the
potlines, as a SIP strengthening
measure. Intalco can afford to continue
to implement of the pollution
prevention measures and limiting the
sulfur content of anodes in the furnace
to 3% as required under the
Washington’s BART Order. Intalco is
currently operating the potlines with
SO2 emissions below the proposed
Better than BART alternative. The Better
than BART alternative makes
Washington’s pollution prevention
requirements, including a 3% limit on
anode coke federally enforceable. The
proposed alternative imposes a 5240 t/
y annual SO2 emission limit, makes the
20% SO2 emission reduction from
baseline permanent and federally
enforceable, and prevents any future
visibility degradation should Intalco
decide to increase production in the
future. Compliance with the annual SO2
emission limit will be demonstrated
using the same information that Intalco
is required to collect under existing
Washington requirements. So while the
proposed alternative would impose
additional recordkeeping and reporting
obligations related to the annual cap, it
would not impose any additional
monitoring requirements.
The table below summarizes the
proposed BART determination and
Better than BART FIP for each BART
emission unit:
BART technology
Potlines .....................................................................................................
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
Emission unit
SO2: 80% emission cap from baseyear (5,240 tons for any calendar
year) and pollution prevention limit of 3% sulfur in the coke used to
manufacture anodes.
PM: Use of the current level of control, which is the use of baghouses
to control PM emissions from the alumina dry scrubbers, and wet
roof scrubbers to control secondary PM emissions from the potroom
roofs.
NOX: no control.
SO2: pollution prevention limit of 3% sulfur in the coke used to manufacture anodes.
PM: The current baghouse.
Anode Bake Furnace ................................................................................
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Emission unit
BART technology
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
Aluminum Holding Furnace ......................................................................
Material Handling and Transfer ................................................................
c. Tesoro Refining and Marketing
The Tesoro refinery (Tesoro) near
Anacortes, Washington, processes crude
oil into refined oil products, including
ultra low sulfur diesel oil, jet fuel, #6
fuel oil, and gasoline. Modeling of
visibility impairment was done
following the Oregon-Idaho-Washington
Region 10 BART modeling protocol.
Modeled visibility impacts of baseline
emissions show impacts on the 8th
highest day in any year (the 98th
percentile value) of greater than 0.5 dv
at five Class 1 areas. The highest impact
was 1.72 dv at Olympic National Park.
Ten process heaters, one flare, one
boiler, and two cooling towers at the
plant are BART-eligible. The primary
emission units of concern are the
process heaters, boiler, and flares which
have significant emissions of SO2 and
NOX. Direct PM emissions from the
BART-eligible units are low because
almost all burn either refinery fuel gas
or natural gas. Only one BART-eligible
unit subject to BART, the crude oil
distillation heater (unit F–103), is
currently permitted to burn fuel oil.
Tesoro reported 3 tons of PM2.5
emissions from this unit in 2009.
Eleven of the 74 storage tanks at
Tesoro emit VOCs and meet the 1962–
1977 timeframe for BART-eligibility.
Washington considers VOCs as visibility
impairing pollutants (see appendix L,
page 104 of the SIP submittal), but since
the CALPUFF model, which is used to
evaluate visibility impairment from
single sources, cannot effectively model
VOCs, Washington decided that VOC
emissions from BART-eligible storage
tanks and other units would not be
evaluated for BART. Note that the
facility’s reported total VOC emissions
in 2008 were 1,082 tons. The BART
determination for the Tesoro refinery
focuses only on SO2, NOX, and PM. EPA
agrees that it is not necessary to further
evaluate visibility impacts from VOCs
for this planning period since, in
addition to the modeling uncertainties,
the majority of VOC emissions already
have controls in place (for example to
meet the applicable NSPS, MACT, and
VOC fugitive emission control
regulations). In addition, not all of the
VOC emitted will convert to light
scattering particles, so visibility impact
due to VOC emissions is expected to be
minimal.
The following are units at Tesoro
subject to BART:
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No control.
PM Use of the current level of control, which is use of fabric filters.
F–103 Crude Oil Distillation
F–104 Gasoline Splitter/Reboiler
F–304 CO Boiler No. 2
F–654 Catalytic Feed Hydrotreater
F–6600 Naphtha Hydrotreater
F–6601 Naphtha Hydrotreater
F–6602 Naphtha Hydrotreater
F–6650/6651 Catalytic Reformer
F–6652/6653 Catalytic Reformer
F–6654 Catalytic Reformer
F–6655 Catalytic Reformer
X–819 Flare
CWT #2 Cooling Water Tower
CWT #2a Cooling Water Tower
NOX Controls Evaluated for All
Combustion Units
Tesoro evaluated available NOX
control technologies generally
applicable to combustion units. Unitspecific evaluations were completed
based on technologies found generally
feasible.
Flue Gas Recirculation: Flue gas
recirculation was determined to be
unacceptable due to safety factors.
Low NOX burners: LNB and ULNB
retrofits are commonly installed on
combustion units, often as a result of
BACT or LAER determinations and
could be feasible at Tesoro depending
on the specific unit application.
Emission limits from EPA’s RACT/
BACT/LAER Clearinghouse range from
0.08 to 0.1 lb/MMBtu (NOX) for LNBs
and ULNBs.
Staged Air Low NOX Burners: For this
burner design, retrofitting heaters with
less than three feet between the burner
and the opposite wall of the firebox may
not be practical due to potential flame
impingement on the firebox refractory
materials or heat transfer tubes.
Emission reductions achieved by stagedair LNBs range from 30 to 40 percent
below emissions from conventional
burners. Tesoro used a 40 percent NOX
reduction for its initial cost analysis
review.
Staged-fuel, low-NOX burners: Stagedfuel LNBs have several advantages over
staged-air LNBs. First, the improved
fuel/air mixing reduces the excess air
necessary to ensure complete
combustion. The lower excess air both
reduces NOX formation and improves
heater efficiency. Second, for a given
peak flame temperature, staged-fuel
LNBs have a more compact (shorter)
flame than staged-air LNBs. Up to 72
percent NOX emissions reductions for
staged-fuel LNBs have been reported
over conventional burners based on
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vendor test data. Tesoro used a 60
percent average NOX reduction for its
initial cost analysis review.
Ultra Low NOX Burners: Tesoro used
a 75% average NOX reduction for its
initial cost analysis based on EPA
methods. After receiving vendor
guaranteed average NOX emission
reductions ranging from 60 to 73.5
percent for specific units, Tesoro
developed a vendor cost factor analysis
for each unit based on the vendor
guarantee and the unit-specific emission
rate.
Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction
(SNCR): Vendor NOX reduction
guarantees ranged from 35 to 40% based
on Tesoro’s fuel gas compositions and
measured bridgewall temperatures.
EPA’s RACT/BACT/LAER
Clearinghouse lists an emission limit of
127 ppmdv NOX at seven percent
oxygen for a SNCR used to control
emissions from a Fluid Catalytic
Cracking Regenerator unit followed by a
CO Boiler.
NOX tempering (steam or water
injection): To date, NOX tempering has
only been used on large utility boilers
and was not considered for further
analysis.
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR):
Typical SCR NOX removal efficiencies
range from 70 to 90+ percent removal,
depending on the unit being controlled.
Tesoro used a 90 percent NOX removal
in its cost analyses.
SO2 Controls Evaluated for All
Combustion Units
Plant-Wide SO2 Control: Plant-wide
SO2 control is accomplished by
reducing the sulfur content of fuel
burned in various combustion units.
Requiring the use of ‘‘low sulfur fuel’’
is the most common SO2 control
technique applied to oil refinery process
units. ‘‘Low sulfur fuel’’ is usually
defined as refinery fuel gas meeting the
New Source Performance Standard
(NSPS) requirements of 40 CFR part 60,
Subpart J. This NSPS limits the H2S in
fuel gas to 0.1 gr/dscf.
Tesoro has already implemented
improvements at the facility to reduce
the H2S concentration in the flue gas;
any additional reduction in refinery fuel
gas sulfur content will require
construction of a new sulfur recovery
unit (SRU). Tesoro evaluated the
construction of a new 50 ton/day SRU
and refinery modifications to route
sulfur streams to the new unit. The
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capital cost is estimated to be $58
million to continuously treat all refinery
gas to the level of the NSPS standard
(162 ppm of H2S). Attributing all the
cost to the SO2 reductions to all
combustion units (not just the BART
eligible units) results in a plant wide
reduction from the 2003 to 2005 average
emissions of 395 tons of SO2 with a cost
effectiveness of $16,100/ton of SO2 (not
including O&M costs). Tesoro also
evaluated the cost effectiveness of
continuously meeting a limit of 50 ppm
of H2S (a plant wide annual decrease of
451 tons per year), with the use of a new
SRU. To meet a 50 ppm H2S
concentration would increase the cost
effectiveness value to $14,100/ton (also
not including O&M costs).
Washington determined that the
construction of a new SRU to meet
either 162 ppm H2S or 50 ppm H2S is
not cost effective and that SO2 BART for
combustion units burning refinery fuel
gas is the current H2S limit of 0.10
percent by volume (1000 ppm) . See
Washington’s BART Compliance Order
7838.
PM Controls Evaluated for All
Combustion Units
With the exception of emissions from
unit F–304 (which primarily burns
carbon monoxide from the fluid
catalytic cracking unit and emits
negligible amounts of PM), PM controls
applicable to the process heaters at this
facility are tied directly to the use of
combustion fuel. Using low sulfur
refinery fuel gas reduces potential
particulate emissions. The refinery gas
system includes process steps to remove
particulates and some heavier
hydrocarbons from the refinery gas prior
to being sent to the various fuel burning
units.
Washington determined PM BART is
the curtailment of fuel oil for
combustion with the substitution of
refinery fuel gas. The specific emission
limit for unit F–304 is 0.11 gr/dscf,
corrected to 7% O2. Particulate matter
BART for all other BART units is 0.05
gr/dscf, corrected to 7% O2.
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Unit Specific BART Determinations for
NOX
Unit F–103, Crude Oil Distillation
Heater: ULNB, SCR, SNCR, ULNB plus
SCR, and ULNB plus SNCR were
evaluated for cost effectiveness. Only
ULNB, with a control efficiency of 75%
had a reasonable cost effectiveness
value at $3398/ton, using EPA
calculation methods, and. All others
cost effectiveness values exceeded
$6374/ton. Washington determined
ULNB to be BART for Unit F–103.
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Unit F–104, Gasoline Splitter Reboiler:
This reboiler currently has ULNB
installed. The next more efficient
control technology would be the
addition of SCR with a cost
effectiveness of $100,000/ton. See Table
2.1 of appendix L, Tesoro BART
determination. Washington determined
this cost to be unreasonable.
Unit F–6650, Catalytic Reformer Feed
Heater; Unit F–6651, Catalytic Reformer
Inter-Reactor Heater; Unit F–6652,
Catalytic Reformer Inter-Reactor Heater;
Unit F–6653, Catalytic Reformer InterReactor Heater: These four heater units
are ducted into two common exhaust
stacks. However, the BART evaluations
regarding burner design (e.g. LNB vs
ULNB) and add on control (e.g. SCR)
were made separately for each unit by
the State, and are presented below.
Unit F–6650: The SIP submittal
analyzed LNB, ULNB, SCR, SCR with
LNB, and SCR with ULNB. ULNB is not
technically feasible since there is
insufficient space to install it. LNB is
estimated to achieve a 60% reduction in
NOX, is cost effective at $3349/ton if
installed during turnaround and over
$10,000/ton outside normal turnaround.
All of the SCR combinations are not cost
effective with costs exceeding $10,000/
ton during turnaround and even greater
during non-scheduled turnaround
refinery maintenance. Washington
determined BART for NOX emissions to
be existing control.
Unit F–6651: The SIP submittal
analyzes LNB, ULNB, SCR, SCR with
LNB and SCR with ULNB. There is
insufficient space to install ULNB thus
it is not technically feasible. The cost of
installing SCR on the common exhaust
duct in addition to LNB is not
reasonable with a cost effectiveness of
greater than $10,000/ton. LNB with 60%
control efficiency and a cost
effectiveness of $3349/ton within the
routine maintenance turnaround was
determined to be reasonable.
Washington found that the cost
effectiveness increases to over $10,000/
ton if the controls were required to be
installed during non-routine turnaround
and stated that the routine turnaround
will be outside the BART
implementation window requirement.
However, as explained below this is no
longer the case.
Washington determined BART for
NOX emissions to be existing control.
Unit F–6652: The SIP submittal
analyzes LNB, ULNB, SCR, SCR with
LNB and SCR with ULNB. Cost
effectiveness of SCR options exceed
$10,000/ton and thus these options are
not reasonable. LNB and ULNB are cost
effective and technically feasible. ULNB
with a control efficiency of 75% and
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76195
cost effectiveness of $3349/ton was
determined to be BART for NOX
emissions, if installed during routine
turnaround. Washington found that the
cost effectiveness values increase to
over $10,000/ton if installed outside
routine turnaround, and stated that the
routine turnaround will be outside the
BART implementation window
requirement. However, as explained
below this is no longer the case.
Washington determined BART for NOX
emissions to be existing control.
Unit F–304: The cost effectiveness of
LNB, SCR, SNCR, LNB plus SCR, and
LNB plus SNCR was evaluated. LNB
with SNCR, with a control efficiency of
39% and cost effectiveness of $4592/ton
when installed during turnaround was
determined to be reasonable
Washington calculated the cost
effectiveness to be over $10,000/ton if
the installation was conducted outside
of the regularly scheduled turnaround.
SNCR without LNB has a 35% control
efficiency at a cost of $4534/ton and was
not considered further as the control
efficiency is less than LNB with SNCR.
All other options are not cost effective.
See Table 2–3 of the Tesoro BART
Determination, appendix L of the SIP
submittal.
Washington’s NOX BART
determination for unit F–304 (CO Boiler
No. 2) indicated that an emission limit,
representative of the installation of LNB
plus SNCR, would be reasonable if the
controls could be installed during
routine maintenance ‘‘turnaround’’ at
Tesoro. Turnarounds are the only
occasion when process units are
intentionally taken out of operation, and
during a turnaround, major maintenance
occurs on all process units that are shut
down. During a routine turnaround,
low-NOX burners or other appropriate
controls could be installed and loss of
production would not be included in
the cost-effectiveness calculations.
However, for the analysis contained in
the SIP submittal, Washington assumed
that the date for EPA’s action to approve
or disapprove the SIP submittal, plus
the time allowed to comply with BART
(i.e., as expeditiously as practicable, but
no later than five years after SIP
approval), would occur prior to the next
scheduled turnaround. More
specifically, Tesoro informed
Washington that the next scheduled
turnaround would not occur until 2017,
which Washington had estimated would
be after the date the BART controls
would need to be installed.
Consequently, Washington estimated
costs for BART to include lost
production, since, in order to comply
within BART timeframe, the facility
would be required to install the controls
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well before the 2017 turnaround.
Including lost production into the costs,
results in most cases in a cost
effectiveness figure well in excess of
$10,000/ton and the controls are not
cost-effective. As a result, Washington
determined that no additional control
was required for BART for NOX for
boiler F–304.
However, as it turns out, the BART
compliance time frame (which is now
estimated to be no later than mid-2018)
is much later than Washington
originally estimated and now could
indeed accommodate the 2017
turnaround cycle. When calculating
cost-effectiveness without considering
lost production, Washington concluded
that controls for BART would in fact be
reasonable. For example, see appendix
L–3, Table 2–3, page L–125 of the SIP
submittal showing a vendor cost
estimate of $4,592/ton for installation of
LNB plus SNCR for the boiler F–304.
Therefore, Washington would have
concluded that, except for the costs
associated with taking units offline
outside of the turnaround cycle, BART
for NOX for unit F–304, would be an
emission limit associated with
installation of LNB plus SNCR. Yet,
because of the added costs estimated for
lost production, Washington proposed
no add on controls in the SIP submittal.
A similar circumstance applies to
heaters F–6650, F–6651, F–6652, and F–
6653. The SIP submission indicates that
LNB would be cost-effective for F–6650
and F–6651, while ultra-LNB would
otherwise be cost-effective for F–6652
and F–6653, except for the added costs
due to lost production. Again,
Washington determined BART was no
add-on controls on these units, due to
costs of lost production because of the
assumption that Tesoro would need to
take the units offline outside of the
normal turnaround schedule in order to
comply with BART. It is now evident
however, that the BART compliance
deadline could be structured to include
time for the scheduled turnaround.
Thus, Washington’s BART
determination of no controls for these
units is not appropriate since the
controls are cost effective if installation
is conducted during a scheduled
turnaround period.
In today’s action, we are proposing to
disapprove Washington’s BART
determinations for NOX for units F–304,
F–6650, F–6651, F–6652, and F–6653.
We are proposing to approve
Washington’s BART determinations for
SO2 and PM for all of Tesoro’s BART
subject units, and for NOX for units F–
103, F–104, F–654, F–6600, F–6601, F–
6602, F6654, and F–6655.
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Tesoro Request for Alternative BART
Program
As discussed above under the Intalco
BART section, a state may choose to
implement measures as an alternative to
BART, so long as the alternative
measures can be demonstrated to
achieve greater reasonable progress
toward the national visibility goal than
would be achieved through the
installation and operation of BART. See
40 CFR 51.308(e)(2).
In light of the currently expected date
estimated for EPA’s final action on the
SIP submittal, EPA does not consider
Washington’s BART determination for
NOX for several units at the facility to
be approveable. Tesoro submitted a
request to EPA on November 5, 2012, for
an alternative to BART for NOX for units
F–304, F–6650, F–6651, F–6652, and F–
6653. Based on the analysis described
below, EPA agrees that the alternative
proposed by Tesoro is Better than
BART, and because we are proposing to
disapprove Washington’s BART
determination for NOX for those units,
we are also proposing a FIP as an
alternative to BART, that results in
greater reasonable progress than BART
would for units, F–304, F–6650, F–6651,
F–6652, and F–6653. We believe that
the proposed Tesoro NOX BART
alternative meets the requirements for
an alternative measure.
Tesoro NOX BART Alternative
EPA is proposing a BART alternative
for the NOX emissions from the CO
boiler #2 (unit F–304) and the four
heaters, units F–6650, F–6651, F–6652,
and F–665. This BART alternative
achieves greater visibility progress than
BART would for those units. 40 CFR
51.308(e)(2) and 40 CFR 51.308(e)(3) of
the regional haze rule specify the
requirements that a state must meet to
show that an alternative measure or
alternative program achieves greater
reasonable progress than would be
achieved through the installation and
operation of BART. Pursuant to those
requirements, Tesoro has identified
seven non-BART units at the facility
that achieve substantially more SO2
emission reductions compared to their
baseline emissions than the NOX
emission reductions that would be
achieved from BART on the five BART
subject units compared to their baseline
emissions. The facility has requested
SO2 emission limitations on those nonBART units as an alternative to
emission limits for NOX on the BARTsubject units. EPA believes it is
appropriate to consider SO2 reductions
as a substitute for NOX reductions for
the alternative BART scenario since the
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SO2 reductions, which are more than
twice the NOX reductions, will likely
result in proportionately more sulfate
than nitrate removed from the
atmosphere. Accordingly, visibility
improvement would be greater under
the alternative than under BART. The
table below shows the seven non-BART
eligible units for which Tesoro is
requesting SO2 emission limits under
the proposed alternative.
SO2 UNITS REGULATED UNDER THE
PROPOSED BART ALTERNATIVE
Unit
Description
F–101 ......
F–102 ......
F–201 ......
Crude Heater, 120 MMBtu/hr.
Crude Heater, 120 MMBtu/hr.
Vacuum Flasher Heater, 96
MMBtu/hr.
Catalytic Cracker Feed Heater,
128 MMBtu/hr.
Heater, 67 MMBtu/hr.
Main Boiler, 268 MMBtu/hr.
Boiler, 268 MMBtu/hr.
F–301 ......
F–652 ......
F–751 ......
F–752 ......
In 2007, Tesoro made a major capital
investment to improve the sulfur
removal capability of the Anacortes
refinery fuel gas (RFG) system and
accepted a limit on H2S in the fuel gas
of 0.10 percent by volume, or 1,000
parts per million (ppm). This resulted in
a significant reduction in SO2 emissions
as the average H2S concentration of the
fuel gas in 2006 was 2,337 ppm. A
requirement to combust only pipeline
quality natural gas or RFG meeting the
1,000 ppm limit was established on a
number of units at the facility, including
eleven BART-subject units as part of
Washington’s BART determination for
those units. Tesoro requested that the
same requirement be extended to the
seven additional non-BART units
shown in the table above. In
Washington Class I areas, sulfates
contribute significantly more than
nitrates to visibility impairment (see SIP
Submittal chapter 5) and it is likely that
for the Class I areas impacted by
Tesoro’s SO2 and NOX emissions, more
SO2 converts to sulfate than NOX does
to nitrate. Limiting the SO2 emissions
from these seven units would thereby
result in greater reasonable progress
than would requiring BART for NOX on
the CO boiler #2 and four process
heaters.
In Washington Class I areas, sulfates
contribute significantly more than
nitrates to visibility impairment (see SIP
Submittal chapter 5) and it is likely that
more SO2 converts to sulfate than NOX
does to nitrate. Applying the SO2 limit
to these 7 units would result in greater
reasonable progress than would
requiring BART for NOX on the CO
boiler #2 and four process heaters.
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Pursuant to 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2)(i)(D),
a summary of the emission reductions
expected from the BART alternative
compared to emissions reductions that
would be achieved by the application of
Washington’s estimated limits for NOX
76197
for five BART-subject units is shown in
the tables below.
SO2 EMISSIONS UNDER THE BART ALTERNATIVE
2006* SO2
Baseline emissions (tpy),
pre-RFG as
reported by
Tesoro
BART alternative: 2007
post-RFG SO2
emissions as
reported by
Tesoro
Reduction in
SO2 emissions
(tpy)
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
193
178
232
58
77
291
326
42
48
51
11
25
54
56
151
130
181
47
52
237
270
Total ...............................................................................................................................
1,355
287
1,068
Unit
F–101
F–102
F–201
F–301
F–652
F–751
F–752
* The
baseline year of 2006 was used because it was the last year preceding installation of the RFG improvements and representative of operating conditions at the refinery at that time.
NOX EMISSIONS WITH WASHINGTON’S DETERMINATION OF BART
2006* NOX
Baseline emissions (tpy) as
reported by
Tesoro
Washington’s
estimated
emissions
based on
BART analysis
in SIP submittal (appendix L)
Projected reduction in NOX
emissions
from BART
controls (tpy)
F–304 ...........................................................................................................................................
F–6650 .........................................................................................................................................
F–6651 .........................................................................................................................................
F–6652 .........................................................................................................................................
F–6653 .........................................................................................................................................
717
151
114
24
12
437
60
46
6
3
280
91
68
18
9
Total ...............................................................................................................................
1,018
552
466
Unit
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* The
baseline year of 2006 for NOX corresponds with the year the emissions were estimated for SO2.
The projected NOX emissions are
based on Washington’s estimates of
appropriate control efficiencies applied
to the 2006 emission rates.
Washington’s estimates are: SNCR plus
LNB for F–304 with 39% reduction in
NOX; LNB for F–6650 and F–6651 with
60% reduction in NOX; ULNB for F–
6652 and F–6653 with 75% reduction in
NOX. EPA believes that for purposes of
estimating the NOX BART emission
benchmark for 2006, Washington’s
estimates are adequate.
As the tables show, the 1,068 tpy
reductions in SO2 from the seven nonBART units are greater than the 466 tpy
emissions reductions expected from
BART for NOX for the five BART-subject
units. The reductions are surplus
because they occurred during the first
planning period, after the 2002 SIP
baseline date and were not necessary to
meet any other CAA requirements. As a
final check, we note that SO2 emissions
from the seven units, if calculated
assuming that the plant is operating at
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full capacity, would be 10,147 tpy prior
to the refinery fuel gas improvements in
2007 and 1,127 tpy after applying the
1000 ppm H2S limit. The net SO2
emission reduction is estimated to be
9,020 tons, compared to 683 tons of
NOX reductions assuming BART level
controls for NOX were installed and the
plant were operating at full capacity.
For these reasons, EPA is proposing a
BART alternative FIP that achieves
greater reasonable progress than BART.
The proposed emission limit for the
seven units being considered for the
alternative to BART is the same limit as
the other 11 BART-subject units for
which we are proposing to approve.
Specifically, the refinery fuel gas may
not contain greater than 0.10 percent by
volume H2S on a 365-day rolling
average basis. Setting the limit based on
the concentration of H2S in the fuel is
consistent with the Standards of
Performance for Petroleum Refineries
(See 40 CFR part 60—Subpart J) and
51.308(e)(iii) for establishing BART.
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Since the proposed alternative would
utilize the same requirement for
monitoring refinery fuel gas combusted
in the non-BART units that Washington
has imposed for the BART-subject units,
the proposed alternative would not
impose any additional monitoring
requirements. It would impose
additional recordkeeping and reporting
requirements related to the fuel
combusted in the non-BART units.
Tesoro’s November 5, 2012, letter
actually included two options for a
Better than BART alternative. The other
option involved SO2 emission
reductions from another non-BART
unit, CO boiler #1 (Unit F–302).
However, we did not choose that option
for the proposed Better than BART FIP
because CO boiler #1 shares a common
exhaust stack with CO boiler #2 (Unit
F–304) which is a BART-eligible unit
and the Washington BART order
establishes an SO2 limit for the
combined emissions from both boilers.
Even though Washington has not relied
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However, EPA does want to point out
that, when approved, the BART order
will actually result in greater visibility
improvements than projected in the
regional haze reasonable progress
demonstration.
on the SO2 reductions since baseline
from CO boiler #1 in its regional haze
plan, EPA is obliged to approve that
limit as shown in the BART order and
cannot use those same reductions in a
Better than BART alternative FIP.
Summary of Tesoro BART
The Table below is a summary of the
proposed BART and Proposed Better
than BART Technology for Tesoro.
BART technology
F–103 ........................................................................................................
PM: End routine use of fuel oil. Use of refinery fuel gas or natural gas
as primary fuel.
SO2: End routine use of fuel oil. Use of refinery fuel gas or natural gas
as primary fuel.
NOX: Ultra-low-NOX burners.
F–304, F–6650, F–6651, F–6652, F6653 ................................................
SO2 & PM: End routine use of fuel oil. Use of refinery fuel gas or natural gas as primary fuel.
Proposed Better than BART Alternative Federal Implementation Plan:
SO2 limitations on units F–101, F–102, F–201, F–301, F–652, F–
751, F–752 fuel gas of 1000 ppmv H2S.
F–104, F–654, F–6600, F–6601, F–6602, F–6654, F–6655, Flare X–
819, Cooling Towers 2 and 2a.
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Emission unit
PM: End routine use of fuel oil. Use of refinery fuel gas or natural gas
as primary fuel.
SO2: End routine use of fuel oil. Use of refinery fuel gas or natural gas
as primary fuel.
d. Port Townsend Paper Company
Port Townsend Paper Company
(PTPC) operates a kraft pulp and paper
mill in Port Townsend, Washington that
manufactures kraft pulp, kraft papers,
and lightweight liner board. The four
BART eligible emission units at the
facility are: the recovery furnace, smelt
dissolving tank, No. 10 power boiler,
and lime kiln. PTPC visibility impacts
are greatest at Olympic National Park.
The 98th percentile impact during 2003
to 2005 at Olympic National Park is 1.9
dv. Impacts at all other Class I areas
within 300 km of PTPC were less than
0.5 dv.
An electrostatic precipitator (ESP)
currently controls PM from the recovery
furnace, a wet scrubber currently
controls PM and SO2 from the smelt
dissolving tank, a multiclone and wet
scrubber control PM emissions from the
No. 10 power boiler, and a wet venturi
scrubber controls PM and SO2 from the
lime kiln. On October 20, 2010,
Washington issued PTPC BART Order
7839 Revision 1 which establishes
emission limits for these existing
controls for the emission units subject to
BART.
Recovery Furnace: The recovery
furnace primarily burns black liquor
solids with some recycled fuel oil. It
emits SO2, NOX, and PM. The recovery
furnace is intended to recover sulfur for
use in the pulping process and the loss
of sulfur through emissions of SO2 is a
loss of process chemical and therefore is
undesirable for business reasons. The
recovery furnace operations are
optimized to minimize sulfur loss.
Particulate matter is currently
controlled with three dry electrostatic
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precipitators (ESPs). Current SO2 and
PM emissions are regulated by
NESHAPS Subpart MM, and a PSD
permit. NOX emissions from recovery
furnaces are generally low. Currently,
there is no emission limit for NOX.
NOX: The recovery furnace inherently
uses staged combustion to optimize
combustion of black liquor (mostly
lignins) to recover the sulfur. Also due
to the unique nature of the recovery
process, special safety precautions must
be considered as explosion can occur.
Washington and PTPC evaluated
alternative NOX control technologies
and found them technically infeasible.
See SIP submittal pages L–206 and L–
207. Washington determined that the
existing level of control provided by the
existing staged combustion system is
BART for NOX for the recovery furnace.
SO2: Washington and PTPC
considered the Wet FGD, Dry FGD and
low sulfur fuel as possible control
technologies for the recovery furnace
SO2 emissions. Wet FGD is considered
cost prohibitive by the National Council
for Air and Stream Improvement
(NCASI). See Information on Retrofit
Control Measures for Kraft Pulp Mill
Sources and Boilers for NOX, SO2, and
PM Emissions, June 4, 2006.
Additionally, due in part to the nature
of the SO2 emissions from a kraft
recovery furnace, and related technical
difficulties, this technology is
considered technically infeasible for
control of SO2 emissions at this facility.
Table 2–4, PTPC BART determination,
appendix L of the SIP submittal.
Dry FGD is also not technically
feasible as injection of a sorbent
material disrupts the chemical reactions
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in the furnace and the sulfur content of
the gas stream is too low for effective
control of SO2. The analysis also found
that low sulfur fuel is not an option as
the main fuel source is the black liquor
from which sulfur is recovered. In
essence, the recovery furnace is a
control device to recover sulfur from the
black liquor. Supplemental fuel oil is
currently limited to a maximum of
0.75% sulfur content. Switching to a
lower sulfur content fuel oil would cost
$15,702/ton of SO2 removed and is
deemed not cost effective. Washington
determined that the current level of
controls provided by the existing staged
combustion system and regulated by the
PSD permit is BART for SO2, with an
emission limit of 200 ppm at 8% O2.
PM: The PM emissions from the
recovery furnace are currently
controlled by an ESP. The existing ESP
at the furnaces reduces actual PM
emissions to an average of less than
50% of the MACT limit of 0.044 gr/dcsf,
at 8% O2. The BART Guidelines, section
IV, states that ‘‘Unless there are new
technologies subsequent to the MACT
Standards which would lead to cost
effective increases in the level of
control, [state agencies] may rely on
MACT standards for purposes of
BART.’’ No new control technologies
have been identified for recovery
furnaces, thus Washington determined
that the dry ESP meeting MACT limits
is BART. Thus, the BART limit is the
NESHAP Subpart MM limit of 0.044 gr/
dscf at 8% oxygen.
Smelt Dissolving Tank
NOX control: There are no NOX
emissions from the smelt dissolving
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tank thus a BART determination for
NOX is not necessary.
SO2 Control: Sulfur dioxide emissions
are currently controlled by a wet
scrubber. The only other available
control option is either semi-dry or dry
FGD. However, due to the very low
exhaust flow rate, semi-dry or dry FGD
with a dry ESP is technically infeasible.
Adding an alkaline solution to the
exhaust gas stream could provide
additional SO2 control. Washington’s
analysis found cost effectiveness of
adding the alkaline solution to both is
$16,247/ton and is not cost effective.
Washington found BART for SO2 is the
existing wet scrubber for PM control.
PM Control: PM emissions are
currently controlled by a dry ESP.
Washington evaluated the cost of
upgrading the current ESP to reduce
existing PM emission by 50%. The cost
effectiveness of this upgrade is $5,100/
ton with a visibility improvement of
0.07 dv. In light of the cost and minimal
visibility improvement, Washington
determined the upgrades are not
reasonable. The BART emission limit
for PM is the NESHAP Subpart MM
limit of 0.20 lb PM10 per ton black
liquor solids (BLS).
No. 10 Power Boiler: The No. 10
power boiler currently burns a variety of
fuels from wood waste to fuel oil and
uses overfire air to reduce NOX
emissions. A multiclone followed by a
wet scrubber reduces PM emissions.
NOX: The design of the No. 10 power
boiler which primarily burns wood
waste results in a low flame temperature
and minimal NOX formation. Appendix
C of the PTPC BART Determination
report (appendix L of the SIP submittal)
contains a lengthy discussion of why
alternative control technologies are not
technically feasible including; flue gas
recirculation, LNBs, fuel staging, SNCR,
and SCR. Washington determined that
the existing NOX emission limit of 0.80
lb/MMBtu (current NSPS Subpart D
limit) is BART for this unit.
PM control: PM emissions from the
No. 10 power boiler are currently
controlled with a multiclone followed
by a wet scrubber. The BART analysis
evaluated fabric filters and the
substitution of a wet ESP for the wet
scrubber. The evaluation found that
installation of a baghouse is technically
infeasible for wood fired boilers due to
the potential fire hazard. The addition
of a wet ESP is technically feasible for
this facility but is not cost effective at
$11,249/ton of PM10 removed. The
substitution of a wet ESP was also
evaluated and it was found that due to
the low emission rate and the small
potential visibility improvement from
upgrading to a wet ESP did not justify
further study. Washington determined
BART is the existing level of control as
provided by the wet scrubber with a PM
emission limit of 0.10 lb/MMBtu (the
current NSPS Subpart D limit).
SO2 Control: PTPC analysis found that
FGD technology with wet injection
using a wet scrubber would reduce SO2
emissions but would also require the
addition of alkaline chemicals which
would change the chemical
characteristics of the effluent and render
it classified under Washington as
‘Dangerous Waste’ and as a hazardous
waste under the federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, thus
raising the cost and complexity of
disposal. Fly ash from the boiler already
aids in scrubbing SO2 and adding an
alkaline solution would only provide a
small increment of control, but with
increased problems with sludge
disposal. The analysis concluded that
implementation of wet FGD on the No.
10 power boiler is considered
technically infeasible. Lowering the
sulfur content of the fuel oil burned to
0.5%, while technically feasible, would
cost $15,702/ton of SO2 reduced. This
was determined to not be cost effective.
Washington determined that BART for
SO2 control on the No. 10 power boiler
is the continued operation of the
existing wet scrubber, continued use of
the current low sulfur fuel and
implementing good combustion
practices aimed at minimizing recycled
fuel oil firing as BART. The existing SO2
emission limit is 0.30 lb/MMBtu.
Lime Kiln
PM: Currently the lime kiln uses wet
venturi scrubber to capture PM
emissions to meet the PM emission
limits as specified in 40 CFR 63,
Subpart MM. No new control
technologies have been developed since
the rule was promulgated therefore as
explained above, Washington
determined that wet venturi scrubber is
BART. BART for PM is the same as 40
CFR 63, Subpart MM, with an emission
limit of 0.064 gr/dscf at 10% O2.
NOX: The lime kiln is operated using
a minimum of excess air. Washington’s
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review determined that no add-on
control technology was indicated for
lime kilns in the EPA RBLC which lists
‘‘good combustion’’ and ‘‘proper kiln
design’’ as BACT for lime kilns.
However, as described in the SIP
submittal, PTPC investigated ten other
possible control options. Each of these
control options were determined to be
infeasible. See Washington Regional
Haze SIP submittal L–190. Therefore
Washington determined that BART for
NOX for the lime kiln is proper kiln
design and good operating practices.
SO2: The existing wet venturi
scrubber captures lime dust and thereby
also reduces SO2 emissions. Washington
and PTPC considered several additional
SO2 control technologies including
increasing the alkalinity. See SIP
submittal Table 2–3. However, the
visibility improvement from increasing
the alkalinity of the wet scrubber was
estimated to be only 0.004 dv and did
not warrant further consideration. As for
other units in the facility, lower sulfur
fuel oil was determined to not be cost
effective due to the increased fuel cost
and resulting cost effectiveness value of
$15,702/ton. As documented in the SIP
submittal each of the other technologies
considered was rejected due to technical
difficulties. See Washington Regional
Haze SIP submittal L–213. Washington
determined that BART for SO2 for the
lime kiln is the current level of control
provided by the wet venturi scrubber.
The SO2 emission limit is continued use
of the existing wet scrubber with
inherently alkaline scrubber solution
and 500 ppm at 10% O2 (current
Washington limit).
For of the reasons summarized above,
Washington determined that the
existing controls, techniques and
emission limits constitute BART for
NOX, SO2, and PM at the facility. The
SIP submittal includes BART
Compliance Order No. 7839, Revision 1,
issued to Port Townsend Paper
Corporation on October 20, 2010.
EPA finds after review of the SIP
submittal that the BART determination
and BART compliance order for PTPC is
reasonable and proposes to approve it.
Summary of Port Townsend Paper
Company BART
The table below summarizes the
proposed BART technology for PTPC:
BART Technology
Recovery Furnace ....................................................................................
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PM: Existing ESP.
NOX: Existing staged combustion system.
SO2: Good Operating Practices and limit of 200 ppm at 8% O2.
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Emission Unit
BART Technology
Smelt Dissolving Tank ..............................................................................
PM: Existing wet scrubber NESHAP Subpart MM limit of 0.20 lb PM10
per ton BLS.
SO2: Existing wet scrubber.
PM10: Existing multiclone and wet scrubber NSPS Subpart D limit of
0.10 lb/MMBtu.
NOX: Existing staged combustion system NSPS Subpart D limit of 0.30
lb/MMBtu.
SO2 Good Operating Practices NSPS Subpart D limit of 0.80 lb/
MMBtu.
PM10: Existing venturi wet scrubber NESHAP Subpart MM limit of
0.064 gr/dscf at 10% O2.
NOX: Good Operating Practices.
SO2: Existing wet scrubber 500 ppm at 10% O2.
No. 10 Power Boiler .................................................................................
Lime Kiln ...................................................................................................
e. Lafarge North America
Lafarge North America is located in
Seattle, Washington and produces
Portland cement by the wet kiln
process. The facility consists of 18
emission units of which 16, in
combination, meet the requirements as
eligible for BART. Dispersion modeling
of these16 emission units show
emissions from these units exceed the
visibility threshold of 0.5 dv for being
subject to BART and thus are subject to
BART. The largest sources of concern
that are subject to BART are the rotary
kiln and the clinker cooler. The other
BART units include raw material
handling, finished product storage bins,
finish mill conveying system, bagging
system, and bulk loading/unloading
system baghouses, with a total of just
480 t/y emissions of PM.
Lafarge North America is subject to
the terms and conditions specified in a
consent decree resolving alleged Clean
Air Act violations. United States v.
LaFarge North American Inc, Civ. 3:10–
cv–00044–JPG–CJP (S.D. Ill.). This
consent decree established emission
limitations and compliance dates for a
number of cement plants owned and
operated by Lafarge North America,
including the Seattle plant.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
Rotary Wet Process Kiln
SO2: There is currently no control for
SO2 from the kiln at the Lafarge facility.
The alkaline nature of the clinker
formed in the kiln reduces SO2
emissions to some extent. Additional
control options evaluated were: dry
sorbent injection (lime or sodium),
semi-dry FGD, wet limestone forced
oxidation, wet lime, ammonia forced
oxidation, and alternative fuels and raw
materials. See SIP Submittal appendix
L, L–231,Table 2–2, Lafarge BART
determination. The analysis found that
dry sorbent injection (DSI) is technically
feasible with a 25% removal efficiency
for SO2 at an estimated the cost
effectiveness of $4034/ton. See Table 2–
3 of appendix L, Lafarge BART
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determination. Washington determined
that while the cost effectiveness value
for DSI at this facility is relatively high
compared to other cost effectiveness
values that are considered BART, the
visibility improvement at Olympic
National Park is significant (0.8 dv) and
warrants this control as BART.
Washington determined dry sorbent
injection with emission limit of not to
exceed 8620 lb/day as BART.
Limestone slurry forced oxidation
(LSFO) is a technically feasible control
option with a control efficiency of 95%
for SO2. Cost effectiveness is $32,920/
ton and is considered not reasonable for
this facility. Lafarge considered, but
rejected, wet lime scrubbing, which is
similar to LSFO, but uses lime instead
of limestone. The resulting waste
product cannot be recycled into the
process and would incur the additional
cost to landfill. Also the cost of lime is
considerably more than limestone. Both
these factors would increase the cost
effectiveness values even higher than
LSFO.
NOX: Currently NOX emissions from
the kiln are controlled by combustion
control. As explained in greater detail in
the Washington Regional Haze
Submittal appendix L, Washington
evaluated additional control options. In
summary its analysis found that LNB
with indirect firing is a technically
feasible control option with a 15%
control efficiency and cost effectiveness
of $19,246/ton of NOX reduced. The
analysis determined that SCR has not
proven effective in other wet process
kiln cement plants that have used SCR.
Thus SCR is not considered an available
technology for this unit.
Washington found that SNCR is
technically feasible at the facility with
a 40% control efficiency and cost
effectiveness value of $1409/ton.
Washington has determined SNCR to be
one option available to comply with
BART at this facility. As part of their
BART analysis, Washington also
considered mid-kiln firing with whole
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used tires. Mid-kiln firing changes the
combustion characteristics and provides
a 40% control of NOX. As Lafarge has
already installed, but currently does not
use the equipment for mid-kiln firing
with whole tires, the cost effectiveness
is low. Washington has determined that
mid-kiln firing with whole tires is an
available option to comply with BART.
Finally, low NOX burners with indirect
firing and SNCR were evaluated. LNB
with SNCR is technically feasible with
a control efficiency of 55%. Cost
effectiveness is determined by
Washington to be $6247/ton. The
incremental cost of adding LNB to
SNCR is $14,900/ton. Washington
determined that the incremental cost of
adding LNB to SNCR is not cost
effective. Thus, Washington determined
that BART for NOX to be either SNCR
or mid-kiln firing of whole tires with an
emission limit of 22,960 lb/day.
PM: The initial design of the Lafarge
facility was for two kilns, but only one
was built. Two ESPs were constructed,
assuming a second kiln would be built.
Currently, the exhaust gasses are ducted
to both ESPs which decreases the flow
rate by half and increases the control
efficiency to 99.95%. This control
efficiency is equal to that of a baghouse.
Washington determined the existing
ESPs are BART for PM with an emission
limit of 0.05 g/dscf.
Clinker Cooler: There are no SO2 or
NOX emissions from the Clinker Cooler
and a BART determination for these
pollutants was not conducted. Currently
PM emissions from the clinker cooler
are controlled by baghouses. The
current baghouses control 99.8% of PM
emissions, which is equal to an ESP.
While other controls such as wet
scrubbers or wet venture scrubbers are
available, the analysis completed by
Lafarge found that these other
technologies did not control PM
emissions as well as the baghouses
currently in use at the facility.
Therefore, Washington determined the
existing primary and backup baghouses
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and the emissions limitations for these
units contained in Regulation 1, section
9.09 (as in effect on June 30, 2008) and
Order of Approval No. 5627 as BART.
All other sources: Existing baghouses
were determined to be BART for PM
with an emission limit of 0.005 g/dscf.
Washington on July 28, 2010 issued
Lafarge a revised BART Order No. 7841
requiring compliance with BART,
including monitoring, recordkeeping
and reporting requirements. See
appendix L of the SIP submittal, Lafarge
BART determination. Washington’s
BART determination and required
controls for Lafarge is expected to result
in approximately 1.1 dv visibility
76201
improvement in Olympic National Park
and 0.2 to 0.8 dv improvement at the
other affected Class I areas.
Summary of Proposed Lafarge BART
Technology
The table below summarizes the
proposed BART technology for Lafarge.
Emission unit
BART technology
Clinker Cooler .....................................................
PM/PM10/PM2.5: Existing baghouses 0.025 g/dscf for the primary baghouse 0.005 g/dscf for
backup baghouse.
PM/PM10/PM2.5: Existing electrostatic precipitators 0.05 g/dscf.
NOX: SNCR or Mid-kiln firing of whole tires not to exceed 22960 lb/day.
SO2: Dry sorbent injection with lime plus currently permitted fuels and the cement kiln process
not to exceed 8620 lb/day.
PM10: Existing baghouses 0.005 g/dscf.
Rotary Kiln ..........................................................
All Other PM10 Sources at Plant ........................
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f. TransAlta Centralia Generation, LLC
g. Weyerhaeuser Company-Longview
Recovery Furnace BART Options
TransAlta Centralia Generation LLC,
located in Centralia, Washington
operates a two unit coal-fired power
plant rated at 702.5 megawatt each,
when burning coal from the Centralia
coalfield as originally designed. These
units are BART eligible and subject to
BART as described in the SIP submittal,
Supplement to appendix L. The units
now burn Powder River Basin coal and
are each rated at 670 MW. On June 11,
2003, EPA approved a revision to the
Washington Visibility SIP which
included controls for NOX, SO2, and
PM. In the action approving these
provisions of the Visibility SIP, EPA
determined the controls to be BART for
SO2 and PM but not for NOX. The NOX
controls included in the November 1999
Visibility SIP revision, which EPA
approved into the SIP, were Alstrom
concentric low NOX burners with
overfire air. TransAlta continues to be a
BART eligible source for NOX.
Washington’s December 22, 2010
Regional Haze SIP submittal included a
BART determination for TransAlta
which was updated on December 29,
2011. EPA approved the updated
TransAlta NOX BART determination on
August 20, 2012. The SIP approved
BART determination imposes a NOX
emission limitation of 0.21 lb/MMBtu
for each unit based on the installation
of SNCR on both coal-fired units plus
Flex Fuel. It also requires a one year
performance optimization study and
lowering the emission limits based on
the study results. Additionally, the
BART determination requires one unit
to cease burning coal by December 31,
2020 and the second unit by December
31, 2025 unless Washington determines
that state or federal law requires SCR to
be installed on either unit.
Weyerhaeuser operates a Kraft pulp
and paper mill in Longview,
Washington. The facility has three
emission units subject to BART: the No.
10 recovery furnace, No. 10 smelt
dissolver tank and No. 11 power boiler.
The recovery furnace currently controls
PM emissions with an ESP. It also
employs tertiary over fire air to control
combustion and maximize chemical
recovery. The recovery furnace
currently is regulated by a PSD permit
requiring BACT and 40 CFR part 63
Subpart MM. The smelt dissolver tank
emits PM controlled with a high
efficiency wet scrubber which was
permitted as BACT in 1993 and is
subject to 40 CFR part 63 Subpart MM.
The No. 11 power boiler provides
steam for electricity generation and
plant operations. It burns a combination
of wood waste, dewatered waste water
treatment sludge, and supplemental low
sulfur coal (<2% sulfur by weight).
Emissions from the No.11 power boiler
are subject to BACT in the facility’s New
Source Review (NSR) permit and 40
CFR part 60 Subpart D NSPS and are
controlled by: 1) a multiclone to remove
large particulate, 2) dry trona injection
to remove SO2, and 3) a dry ESP for
additional particulate control. NOX
emissions are controlled with good
combustion practices.
PM: Washington evaluated two
technically feasible control options for
increased PM control: wet ESP and
venturi scrubber. A wet ESP would not
provide any additional reduction in PM
over the current dry ESP. A venturi
scrubber added after the dry ESP would
cost $28,000/ton of PM removed and is
not cost effective. Additionally this cost
effectiveness calculation did not include
impacts of increased waste water to the
treatment system which if included
would only increase the cost. Adding an
additional field to the existing dry ESP
is not cost effective at $122,000/ton.
Washington determined that PM BART
is the existing BACT dry ESP with an
emission limit of 0.027 gr/dscf at 8% O2,
and 0.020 gr/dscf at 8% O2 annual
average.
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NOX: The analysis of NOX controls for
this unit found that SCR and SNCR do
not appear to be technically feasible due
to the nature and purpose of the
recovery boiler. As particulate matter
captured from the exhaust gas stream is
used in creating green liquor, the
addition of ammonia upsets the delicate
chemical make-up of the recovered
salts. The catalyst used in SCR would be
‘‘poisoned’’ by the alkaline salts in the
exhaust gas stream. Washington
determined that NOX BART for this
furnace is the current staged combustion
system with an emission limit of 140
ppm at 8% O2.
SO2: Wet and dry sorbent injection
systems were considered as control
options for SO2. However, since the
recovery furnace is intended to recover
sodium and sulfur for reuse in the
pulping process, the recovery furnace is
designed to capture these chemical
compounds and thus emits little SO2
emissions. Weyerhaeuser and
Washington’s analysis found that
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neither a wet lime scrubber, a limestone
scrubber nor semi-dry or dry sorbent
injection system are likely to reduce
much SO2 from this unit. Washington
determined that BART is the current
operation of the furnace using a tertiary
air system, use of good operating
practices and meeting the emission
limitation in PSD permit 92–03
Amendment 4, of 75 ppm at 8% O2.
No. 10 Smelt Dissolver Tank
The smelt tank only emits PM and is
currently regulated by the most
stringent BACT emission limit in the
EPA RBLC, which is more stringent than
the MACT standard. Because this unit is
not a source of NOX emission and only
a negligible source of SO2 emissions no
additional controls are necessary for
these pollutants. Washington
determined that PM BART for this unit
is current level of control provided by
the existing wet scrubber and an
emission limit of 0.12 lb/ton black
liquor.
No. 11 Power Boiler
This power boiler currently uses
overfire air to provide efficient
combustion, a multiclone followed by
an ESP for control of PM, and trona
injection after the multiclone and before
the ESP to control SO2.
PM: Alternative control options were
considered for PM control on the power
boiler. Fabric filters are not feasible due
to the fire hazard from burning wood
chips. Wet ESPs are no more efficient
than the existing dry ESP. Washington
also found that space constraints on the
No. 11 power boiler would prevent or
require expensive infrastructure
modifications to provide the space
necessary for modifications to either the
PM or SO2 controls currently in place.
Washington determined that BART for
PM at the No. 11 power boiler is the
existing multiclone followed by dry ESP
with an emission limit of 0.10 lb/
MMBtu.
NOX: SCR and SNCR were evaluated
for NOX control. SCR with a control
efficiency of 75% is not cost effective at
$13,000/ton. SNCR with a control
efficiency of 25% is not cost effective at
$6686/ton. As described in the SIP
submittal, Washington agreed with
Weyerhaeuser’s analysis finding that
there is no other NOX reduction
technology that is technically and
economically feasible for this unit.
Washington determined that BART is
the existing combustion system with an
emission limit of (0.30x + 0.70y)/(x + y)
lb per MMBtu (derived from solid fossil
fuel, liquid fossil fuel and wood
residue) where 40 CFR 60.44(b) defines
the variables.
SO2: The current dry sorbent (trona)
injection system has a control efficiency
of 25%. Additional control options
including low sulfur fuel oil or coal and
wet calcium scrubbing were evaluated.
Due to the limited use of either oil or
coal, emission reductions from changing
to low sulfur coal would provide
negligible SO2 reductions and limited
improvement in visibility. Hydrated
lime injection is technically infeasible
due to lime build-up on the ID fan
blades causing potential fan failure and
unsafe explosion conditions. LSFO and
lime spray dryer control technologies
are not cost effective at over $17,000/
ton. Washington determined SO2 BART
for the No. 11 power boiler is the
continued use of low sulfur fuels and
dry trona sorbent injection with an
emission limit of 1000 ppm at 7% O2,
1-hour average, (0.8y +1.2z)/(y +z) lb per
MMBtu. (derived from burning a
mixture of liquid and solid fossil fuel)
where 40 CFR 60.43(b) defines the
variables).
Summary and Conclusion for
Weyerhaeuser BART:
In conclusion for the Weyerhaeuser
Company, Longview, for all of the
reasons summarized above, Washington
determined that the existing controls,
techniques and emission limits
constitute BART for NOX, SO2, and PM
at the facility. On July 7, 2010,
Washington issued Weyerhaeuser
Company Order No. 7840 containing the
BART requirements. After review of the
SIP submittal, EPA proposes to find that
the BART determination and BART
compliance order for Weyerhaeuser is
reasonable and proposes to approve it.
Summary of Weyerhaeuser Proposed
BART Technology
The table below summarizes the
proposed BART technology for
Weyerhaeuser.
Emission unit
BART technology
No. 11 Power Boiler ...........................................
PM: Existing ESP 0.050 grain/dscf at 7% O2 (current limit).
NOX: Existing Combustion System (0.30x + 0.70y)/(x + y) lb per MMBtu (derived from solid
fossil fuel, liquid fossil fuel and wood residue) (40 CFR 60.44(b) which also defines the variables)
SO2: Fuel mix and trona injection system 1000 ppm at 7% O2, 1-hour average, (0.8y + 1.2z)/(y
+ z) lb per MMBtu (derived from burning a mixture of liquid and solid fossil fuel) (40 CFR
60.43(b) which also defines the variables).
PM: Existing ESP 0.027 gr/dscf, per test, and 0.020 grain/dscf, annual average (current BACT
limits in PSD 92–03, Amendment 4).
NOX: Existing Staged Combustion System 140 ppm at 8% O2 (current BACT limit in PSD 92–
03, Amendment 4).
SO2: Good Operating Practices 75 PPM at 8% O2 (current BACT limit in PSD 92–03, Amendment 4).
PM: Existing High Efficiency Wet Scrubber 0.120 lb/BLS (current BACT limit in PSD 92–03,
Amendment 4).
NOX: No limit required.
SO2: No limit required.
No. 10 Recovery Furnace ..................................
Smelt Dissolver Tank ..........................................
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F. Determination of Reasonable Progress
Goals
The RHR requires states to show
‘‘reasonable progress’’ toward natural
visibility conditions over the time
period of the SIP, with 2018 as the first
milestone year. The RHR also requires
that the state establish an RPG,
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expressed in deciviews (dv), for each
Class I area within the state that
provides for reasonable progress
towards achieving natural visibility
conditions by 2064. As such, the state
must establish a Reasonable Progress
Goals (RPGs) for each Class I area that
provides for visibility improvement for
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the most-impaired (20% worst) days
and ensures no degradation in visibility
for the least-impaired (20% best) days in
2018.
RPGs are estimates of the progress to
be achieved by 2018 through
implementation of the LTS which
includes anticipated emission
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reductions from all state and federal
regulatory requirements implemented
between the baseline and 2018,
including but not limited to BART and
any additional controls for non-BART
sources or emission activities including
any federal requirements that reduce
visibility impairing pollutants. As
explained above, the rate needed to
achieve natural conditions by 2064 is
referred to as the uniform rate of
progress or URP.
If the state establishes a reasonable
progress goal that provides for a slower
rate of improvement than the rate that
would be needed to attain natural
conditions by 2064, the state must
demonstrate, based on the factors in 40
CFR 51.308(d)(l)(i)(A), that the rate of
progress for the implementation plan to
attain natural conditions by 2064 is not
reasonable; and the progress goal
adopted by the state is reasonable. The
state must provide to the public for
review as part of its implementation
plan an assessment of the number of
years it would take to attain natural
conditions if visibility continues at the
rate of progress selected by the state. 40
CFR 51.308(d)(B)(ii).
Washington identified the visibility
improvement by 2018 in each of the
mandatory Class I areas as a result of
implementation of the SIP submittal
BART emission limits, using the results
of the Community Multi-Scale Air
Quality (CMAQ) modeling conducted by
WRAP. CMAQ modeling identified the
extent of visibility improvement for
each Class I area by pollutant specie.
The WRAP CMAQ modeling predicted
visibility impairment by Class I area
based on 2018 projected source
emission inventories, which included
federal and state regulations already in
place (‘‘on the books’’) and BART
limitations. A more detailed description
of the CMAQ modeling performed by
the WRAP can be found in the WRAP
TSD. The modeling projected that
statewide emissions of SO2 will decline
by almost 40% between the baseline
period and 2018 attributable to a 29%
reduction in point source emissions and
a 95% reduction in on and off-road
mobile sources. See e.g. SIP submittal at
9–3. Additionally, the WRAP’s
Particulate Matter Source
Apportionment Technology (PSAT)
analysis for 2018 indicates that sources
beyond the control of the state that are
outside the modeling domain, Canada or
Pacific offshore that will contribute
about two-thirds or more of the sulfate
concentrations in many of the Class I
areas. The modeling projected that
nitrate concentrations will decrease by
46% between the baseline and 2018
primarily due to reductions in NOX
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emissions from on-road and off-road
mobile sources. Again, the PSAT
analysis indicates the majority of the
remaining nitrate in 2018 will come
from sources in Canada, Pacific offshore
or outside the modeling domain. See
e.g. SIP submittal 9–4.
Chapter 9 of the SIP submittal
discusses the establishment of the RPGs
for 2018 for each Class I area in
Washington. Table 9–4 of the SIP
submittal presents the RPG’s for each
Class I area in Washington. These goals
provide for modest improvement in
visibility on the 20% most impaired
days, but not to the level of 2018 URP
in any of the Class I areas. The goals also
provide for no degradation on the 20%
least impaired days.
Washington relied on the regional
modeling conducted by the WRAP in
establishing the RPGs. The WRAP ran
several emission scenarios representing
base case and 2018 emissions.
Washington elected to use the model
run with emissions in the ‘‘Preliminary
Reasonable Progress’’ emission
estimates for 2018 (PRP18a). The WRAP
modeling for the 2018 RPGs does not
account for a number of changes in
projected emissions that occurred
subsequent to completion of the model
runs including reductions that are
expected to occur as a result of the
proposed FIP. These include:
• Emission reductions resulting from
final SIP and FIP BART determinations
• Emission reductions from
International Maritime Organization
Emission Control Area for the west coast
of the U.S. and Canada
• Reductions in SO2 emissions from
SO2 control measures on three oil
refineries: TSEORO, Shell (Puget Sound
Refining) and Conoco-Phillips
• Proposed Better than BART
alternative federal emission limitations
on Intalco
• Proposed Better than BART
alternative federal program for Tesoro
• Additional NOX emission
reductions of 8022 t/y from the
TransAlta BART determination
Therefore, the RPGs established by
Washington are conservative and do not
account for the above additional
emission reductions that have already
been, or are expected to be achieved by
2018.
As part of its reasonable progress
analysis, Washington conducted a
generalized four-factor analysis on those
source categories that have the greatest
visibility impact and determined that it
should focus on the SO2 and NOX
emissions and the source categories that
emit more than 1000 t/y. Specific
analysis was completed on the
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following three source categories: (1)
Industrial processes, (2) external
combustion boilers, and (3) stationary
internal combustion engines.
Industrial processes account for
22,112 t/y of SO2 emissions, primarily
from aluminum smelting, petroleum
processing (process heaters, catalytic
cracking units, and flares), sulfate
(Kraft) pulping, and wet process cement
manufacturing. Of these industrial
processes, external combustion boilers
account for 13,783 t/y of SO2 emissions
primarily from burning process gas,
wood waste, residual oil, and
bituminous and sub-bituminous coal for
electricity generation. Stationary
internal combustion engines fueled by
natural gas account for 911 t/y of SO2
emissions.
Other industrial processes account for
19,070 t/y NOX emissions primarily
from wet and dry process cement
manufacturing, glass manufacturing,
sulfate (Kraft) pulping, sulfite pulping,
and petroleum process heaters. External
combustion boilers account for 26,895
t/y NOX emissions primarily from
burning bituminous and sub-bituminous
coal for electricity generation, wood
waste, process gas, and natural gas.
Internal combustion engines account for
2,544 t/y NOX emissions fueled by
natural gas.
There are five crude oil refineries
located in Washington. Process heaters
are fueled with waste refinery gas, using
natural gas as back-up. Two of the five
refineries are subject to BART (BP
Cherry Point and Tesoro) and BART
determinations were made for them. See
the previous BART discussion. The
three other meet the NSPS limit for
sulfur in refinery fuel gas.
Washington also considered the
significant visibility impact caused by
natural fire in three of the Class I Areas:
North Cascades National Park, Glacier
Peak Wilderness Area, and Pasayten
Wilderness Area. The WRAP’s analysis
found that emissions attributable to
natural fire are not expected to
significantly change between the
baseline and 2018. Washington found
that if these projections are correct, the
impact of natural fire is so great in these
three areas that they will not be able to
achieve the estimated natural
conditions.
Washington’s reasonable progress
analysis found that emissions,
particularly SO2 and NOX, from Canada
result in significant impact on visibility
in the Class I areas. Additionally, Pacific
offshore emissions are significant in all
areas except the Pasayten Wilderness
Area. Of the sulfate impairment in
Olympic National Park on the most
impaired days, 73% originates from a
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combination of sources located outside
the modeling domain, Canada, and
Pacific offshore. Of the nitrate
impairment in Olympic National Park
on the most impaired days, 43%
originates from sources in these areas.
Similar impairment profiles exist in the
other Class I areas in Washington. In
Washington’s view, Washington’s
mandatory Class I areas will not be able
to attain natural conditions without
further controls on Canadian and Pacific
offshore emissions and the lack of
controls inhibits these Class I areas’
ability to achieve the URP and lengthens
the time it will take to achieve natural
conditions.
In establishing the 2018 RPGs,
Washington did not account (or take
credit) for almost 10,000 tons of SO2
reductions that occurred in the 2003 to
2005 timeframe from implementation of
various control technologies from the
Tesoro, ConocoPhillips, and Shell
refineries. Tesoro installed wet FGD on
the CO Boiler (Fluidized Catalyst
Cracker) in 2005 for a reduction of 4740
t/y SO2 and is considered BART in
Washington’s BART determination.
Conoco-Phillips installed wet-FGD on
its CO boiler for a reduction of 2041
t/y SO2 which was not included in the
WRAP modeling for RPGs. Shell Puget
Sound Refining installed wet-FGD on
their CO boiler for a reduction of 3045
t/y SO2 which was not included in the
WRAP modeling. Washington relied on
the WRAP modeling in establishing the
RPG’s, thus the goals of the SIP
submittal underestimate actual
improvement that is anticipated.
EPA proposes to find that the
Washington Regional Haze SIP
submittal meets the requirements of 40
CFR 51.308(d)(1). As discussed above,
the RPGs established by Washington are
conservative and do not account for a
significant amount of additional
emission reductions that have already
been, or are anticipated to be achieved
by 2018. These include the emission
reductions expected from the BART
determinations and Better than BART
determinations proposed today and the
almost 10,000 t/y SO2 emission
reductions from three refineries in
northwest Washington.
As explained in EPA’s RPG Guidance,
the 2018 URP estimate is not a
presumptive target and the
Washington’s RPGs may be lesser,
greater or equivalent to the glide path.
The glide path to 2064 represents a
linear rate of progress to be used for
analytical comparison to the amount of
progress expected to be achieved. EPA
believes that the RPGs established by
Washington for the Class I areas in
Washington, although not achieving the
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URP, are reasonable when considering
the additional emission reductions
expected to result from the BART
controls, additional reductions on
refineries not included in the reasonable
progress demonstration and the
significant contributions to visibility
impairment from natural fire and from
sources beyond Washington’s regulatory
jurisdiction. Additional controls on
point sources or other source categories
at this time is not likely to result in
substantial visibility improvement in
the first planning period due to the
significant contribution from emissions
from natural fire, the Pacific offshore,
Canada, and outside the modeling
domain.
EPA believes that actual visibility
improvement in all Class I areas by 2018
will be significantly better than the
RPGs established in the SIP submittal
would suggest. The RPG’s established in
the SIP for the Class I areas in
Washington meet the federal
requirements by showing visibility
improvement on the 20% worst days
and no degradation on the 20% best
days. EPA is proposing to find that
Washington has demonstrated that its
2018 RPGs are reasonable for the first
planning period and meet the
requirements of 40 CFR 51.308(d)(1).
G. Long Term Strategy
The Long Term Strategy required by
40 CFR 51.308(d)(3) is a compilation of
all existing and anticipated new air
pollution control measures (both those
identified in this SIP submittal as well
as measures resulting from other air
pollution requirements.) The LTS must
include ‘‘enforceable emission
limitations, compliance schedules, and
other measures as necessary to achieve
the reasonable progress goals’’ for all
Class I areas within or affected by
emissions from the state. 40 CFR
51.308(d)(3). In developing a LTS,
Washington identified existing
programs and rules, and additional new
controls that may be needed for other
CAA requirements.
The Regional Haze Rule requires that
states consider seven topics: (1) Ongoing
air pollution control programs including
measures to address RAVI, (2) measures
to mitigate impacts of construction
activities, (3) emission limitations and
schedules for compliance, (4) source
retirement and replacement schedules,
(5) smoke management techniques for
agricultural and forestry burning, (6)
enforceability of emission limitations
and control measures, and (7) the
anticipated net effects on visibility due
to projected changes in point, area and
mobile source emissions over the first
planning period which ends in 2018. 40
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CFR 50.308(d)(3). In their reasonable
progress analysis, Washington
addressed each of these topics and
added two additional factors;
commercial marine shipping and
residential wood combustion.
1. Emission reductions due to ongoing
air pollution control programs.
Washington discussed a number of
current federal, state, and local permit
programs and regulations that limit
visibility impairing emissions from
point, area, on-road and non-road
mobile sources. The programs and
requirements include for example the
New Source Review and Washington’s
Reasonable Available Control
technology (RACT) permitting
requirements, the BART requirements
and Washington’s Smoke Management
Plan.
2. Measures to mitigate impacts of
construction activities. Washington
explained that due to the location of the
Class I areas relative to the urban areas
in Washington, construction activities
have not been identified as contributing
to visibility impairment in the Class I
areas. Washington also explained
however, that construction activities are
regulated under Washington or under
local air quality authority rules and
policies governing mitigation of air
pollution from construction activities.
3. Emission limitations and schedules
for compliance. The submission states
that in addition to current state and
federal rules, the BART requirements
are important to achieving the estimated
emission reductions necessary to meet
the 2018 RPG. To this end, Washington
issued enforceable BART Orders
containing compliance schedules to
each source subject to BART. The BART
Orders are included as part of the SIP
submittal.
4. Source retirement and replacement
schedules. Washington is not aware of
any scheduled and documented
retirement or replacement of point
sources emitting visibility impairing
pollutants so source retirement and
replacement schedules are not included
as part of Washington’s long term
strategy. However, if Washington
receives notice of source retirement or
replacement in the future it commits to
including the emission reductions into
the long term strategy in its periodic
updates.
5. Smoke management techniques for
agricultural and forestry burning. In
Washington agricultural burning is
regulated by Washington and local
agencies which establish controls for
agricultural burning to minimize
adverse health effects and
environmental effects, including
visibility. Washington’s silvicultural
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Smoke Management Plan was
incorporated into the Washington RAVI
SIP on June 11, 2003. See 68 FR 3482.
6. Enforceability of emission
limitations and control measures.
Emission limits on stationary sources
are enforceable as a matter of state law
under chapter 173–400 Washington
Administrative Code, General
Regulations for Air pollution Sources.
Additionally, as mentioned above,
Washington issued enforceable BART
Orders to each BART source which will
later be incorporated into the source’s
Title 5 permit.
7. Anticipated net effects on visibility
due to projected changes in point, area
and mobile source emissions over the
first planning period. Washington relied
on modeling results from the WRAP
projecting the anticipated visibility
improvement in 2018 for the LTS. See
SIP submittal, Table 10–3. As explained
above, in the discussion regarding the
reasonable progress demonstration, due
to the fact that the WRAP modeling was
conducted prior to many emission
reduction activities that have, or will
occur, the projections in Table 10–3 of
the SIP submittal are conservative.
Thus, the actual visibility improvement
is likely to be better than projected.
In addition to the seven factors
discussed above, Washington also
included two additional elements in
their long term strategy; residential
wood combustion program and
woodstove change-outs and controls on
emissions from commercial marine
shipping. EPA acknowledges these
additional measures, but it is not
necessary to take these specific
activities into account at this time in
evaluating whether the enforceable
measures contained in Washington’s
LTS satisfy the RHR requirements.
Washington consulted with
surrounding states through participation
in the WRAP to ensure that Washington
would achieve its fair share of
reductions so that Class I areas in other
states can meet their RPGs. No state
specifically requested Washington for
emission reductions beyond those
assumed by the WRAP when it
completed its modeling of 2018
visibility conditions. Additionally,
Washington commits to updating its
comprehensive LTS on the schedule set
by the RHR for the Regional Haze SIP
updates.
EPA is proposing to find that
Washington adequately addressed the
RHR requirements in developing its LTS
because it includes all the control
measures that were anticipated at the
time of the SIP development. The SIP
submittal contains sufficient
documentation to ensure that
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Washington’s LTS will enable it to
achieve the RPGs established for the
mandatory Class I areas in Washington
as well as the RPGs established by other
states for the Class I areas where
Washington sources are reasonably
anticipated to contribute to visibility
impairment.
Washington’s analysis included
consideration of all anthropogenic
sources of visibility impairment
including major and minor stationary
sources, mobile sources and area
sources. The anticipated net effect on
visibility over the first planning period
due to changes in point, area and mobile
source emissions is an improvement in
visibility in all Class I areas in
Washington on the worst 20% days and
no degradation of visibility on the 20%
best days. EPA proposes to approve the
Long Term Strategy (LTS) contained in
the SIP submittal because it includes all
the control measures that were
anticipated at the time of the SIP
development and the LTS as a whole
provides sufficient measures to ensure
that Washington will meet its emission
reduction obligations.
H. Monitoring Strategy and Other
Implementation Requirements
The primary monitoring network for
regional haze in Washington is the
IMPROVE network. As discussed
previously, there are currently
IMPROVE sites that represent
conditions for all mandatory Class I
areas in Washington.
IMPROVE monitoring data from
2000–2004 serves as the baseline for the
regional haze program, and is relied
upon in the Washington SIP submittal.
In the SIP submittal, Washington
commits to rely on the IMPROVE
network for complying with the regional
haze monitoring requirement in EPA’s
RHR for the current and future regional
haze implementation periods. See
chapter 12 of the SIP submittal.
Washington will also rely on the
continued existence of the WRAP and
on the WRAP’s work to provide
adequate technical support to meet its
commitment to conduct the analyses
required under the 40 CFR 51.308(d)(4)
and will collaborate with the WRAP
members to ensure the continued
operation of the technical support tools.
Data produced by the IMPROVE
monitoring network will be used for
preparing the 5-year progress reports
and the 10-year SIP revisions, each of
which relies on analysis of the
preceding 5 years of data. Washington
also commits to updating its statewide
emissions inventory periodically.
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I. Consultation With States and Federal
Land Managers
Through the WRAP, member states
and Tribes worked extensively with the
FLMs from the U.S. Departments of the
Interior and Agriculture to develop
technical analyses that support the
regional haze SIPs for the WRAP states.
Washington provided the proposed
Regional Haze plan for Washington to
the FLMs for comment in March 2010.
See appendix B of the SIP submittal.
Washington also consulted with the
states of Idaho and Oregon, and all
WRAP member states and Tribes.
J. Periodic SIP Revisions and 5-Year
Progress Reports
Section 51.308(f) of the RHR requires
that the regional haze plans be revised
and submitted to EPA by July 31, 2018
and every 10 years thereafter. 40 CFR
51.308(g) requires the state to submit a
progress report to EPA every 5 years
evaluating the progress made towards
the reasonable progress goals for each
Class I area in the state and each Class
I area located outside the state which
may be affected by emissions from
within the state. Washington commits to
evaluate and assess each of the elements
required under 40 CFR 51.308(f) and to
submit a comprehensive Regional Haze
SIP revision to EPA by July 31, 2018,
and every 10 years thereafter.
Washington also commits to submitting
a report on its reasonable progress to
EPA every 5 years to evaluate the
progress made towards the RPGs and to
address each of the elements specified
in 40 CFR 51.308(g). See chapter 12 of
the SIP submission.
V. What action is EPA proposing?
EPA is proposing a partial approval
for most elements of the Washington
Regional Haze SIP submittal. EPA is
proposing a limited approval and
limited disapproval of the State’s SO2
BART determinations for the Intalco
potlines, and proposes a Better than
BART alternative. The limited approval
of the State’s BART Order for Intalco is
strengthening the SIP and the Better
than BART FIP limiting annual SO2
emissions to 5240 t/y is a BART
alternative. This Better than BART
alternative, as offered by Alcoa, will
incur no cost to Alcoa as it currently
operates within this emission limit. EPA
is also proposing to disapprove the
Tesoro NOX BART determinations for
emission units F–304, F–6650, F–6651,
F–6652, and F–6653 and proposes a FIP
for an alternative Better than BART.
This Better than BART alternative, as
offered by Tesoro, will incur no cost to
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Tesoro as they currently operate within
these emission limits.
VI. Washington Notice
Washington’s Regulatory Reform Act
of 1995, codified at chapter 43.05
Revised Code of Washington (RCW),
precludes ’’regulatory agencies’’, as
defined in RCW 43.05.010, from
assessing civil penalties under certain
circumstances. EPA has determined that
chapter 43.05 of the RCW, often referred
to as ‘‘House Bill 1010,’’ conflicts with
the requirements of CAA section
110(a)(2)(A) and (C) and 40 CFR
51.230(b) and (e). Based on this
determination, Ecology has determined
that chapter 43.05 RCW does not apply
to the requirements of chapter 173–422
WAC. See 66 FR 35115, 35120 (July 3,
2001). The restriction on the issuance of
civil penalties in chapter 43.05 RCW
does not apply to local air pollution
control authorities in Washington
because local air pollution control
authorities are not ‘‘regulatory agencies’’
within the meaning of that statute. See
66 FR 35115, 35120 (July 3, 2001).
In addition, EPA is relying on the
State’s interpretation of another
technical assistance law, RCW
43.21A.085 and .087, to conclude that
the law does not impinge on the State’s
authority to administer Federal Clean
Air Act programs. The Washington
Attorney Generals’ Office has concluded
that RCW 43.21A.085 and .087 do not
conflict with Federal authorization
requirements because these provisions
implement a discretionary program.
EPA understands from the State’s
interpretation that technical assistance
visits conducted by the State will not be
conducted under the authority of RCW
43.21A.085 and .087. See 66 FR 16, 20
(January 2, 2001); 59 FR 42552, 42555
(August 18, 1994).
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VII. Scope of Action
This proposed SIP approval does not
extend to sources or activities located in
’’Indian Country’’ as defined in 18
U.S.C. 1151.11 Consistent with previous
Federal program approvals or
delegations, EPA will continue to
11 ’’Indian country’’ is defined under 18 U.S.C.
1151 as: (1) All land within the limits of any Indian
reservation under the jurisdiction of the United
States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of
any patent, and including rights-of-way running
through the reservation, (2) all dependent Indian
communities within the borders of the United
States, whether within the original or subsequently
acquired territory thereof, and whether within or
without the limits of a State, and (3) all Indian
allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been
extinguished, including rights-of-way running
through the same. Under this definition, EPA treats
as reservations trust lands validly set aside for the
use of a Tribe even if the trust lands have not been
formally designated as a reservation.
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implement the Act in Indian Country
because Washington did not adequately
demonstrate authority over sources and
activities located within the exterior
boundaries of Indian reservations and
other areas of Indian Country. The one
exception is within the exterior
boundaries of the Puyallup Indian
Reservation, also known as the 1873
Survey Area. Under the Puyallup Tribe
of Indians Settlement Act of 1989, 25
U.S.C. 1773, Congress explicitly
provided state and local agencies in
Washington authority over activities on
non-trust lands within the 1873 Survey
Area.
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory 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 Executive
Orders 12866 and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
January 21, 2011). The proposed FIP
applies to only two facilities and is not
a rule of general applicability.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed action does not impose
an information collection burden under
the provisions of the Paperwork
Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, a
‘‘collection of information’’ is defined as
a requirement for ‘‘answers to * * *
identical reporting or recordkeeping
requirements imposed on ten or more
persons * * *.’’ 44 U.S.C. 3502(3)(A).
Because the proposed FIP applies to just
two facilities, the Paperwork Reduction
Act does not apply. See 5 CFR 1320(c).
Burden means the total time, effort, or
financial resources expended by persons
to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose
or provide information to or for a
Federal agency. This includes the time
needed to review instructions; develop,
acquire, install, and utilize technology
and systems for the purposes of
collecting, validating, and verifying
information, processing and
maintaining information, and disclosing
and providing information; adjust the
existing ways to comply with any
previously applicable instructions and
requirements; train personnel to be able
to respond to a collection of
information; search data sources;
complete and review the collection of
information; and transmit or otherwise
disclose the information. An agency
may not conduct or sponsor, and a
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person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) control
number. The OMB control numbers for
our regulations in 40 CFR are listed in
40 CFR part 9.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
generally requires an agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis of any
rule subject to notice and comment
rulemaking requirements under the
Administrative Procedure Act or any
other statute unless the agency certifies
that the rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Small entities
include small businesses, small
organizations, and small governmental
jurisdictions. For purposes of assessing
the impacts of today’s proposed rule on
small entities, small entity is defined as:
(1) A small business as defined by the
Small Business Administration’s (SBA)
regulations at 13 CFR 121.201; (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-for
profit enterprise which is independently
owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field. After considering
the economic impacts of this proposed
action on small entities, I certify that
this proposed action will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The FIP for the two Washington
facilities being proposed today does not
impose any new requirements on small
entities. The proposed partial approval
of the SIP, if finalized, merely approves
state law as meeting Federal
requirements and imposes no additional
requirements beyond those imposed by
state law. See Mid-Tex Electric
Cooperative, Inc. v. FERC, 773 F.2d 327
(DC Cir. 1985).
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
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 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 to state, local,
and Tribal governments, in the
aggregate, or to the private sector, of
$100 million or more (adjusted for
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inflation) in any 1 year. Before
promulgating an EPA rule for which a
written statement is needed, section 205
of 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 the rule. The provisions of section
205 of UMRA do not apply when they
are inconsistent with applicable law.
Moreover, section 205 of UMRA 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 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.
Under Title II of UMRA, EPA has
determined that this proposed rule does
not contain a Federal mandate that may
result in expenditures that exceed the
inflation-adjusted UMRA threshold of
$100 million by state, local, or Tribal
governments or the private sector in any
1 year. In addition, this proposed rule
does not contain a significant Federal
intergovernmental mandate as described
by section 203 of UMRA nor does it
contain any regulatory requirements
that might significantly or uniquely
affect small governments.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999) revokes and replaces Executive
Orders 12612 (Federalism) and 12875
(Enhancing the Intergovernmental
Partnership). Executive Order 13132
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
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responsibilities among the various
levels of government.’’ Under Executive
Order 13132, EPA may not issue a
regulation that has federalism
implications, that imposes substantial
direct compliance costs, and that is not
required by statute, unless the Federal
government provides the funds
necessary to pay the direct compliance
costs incurred by state and local
governments, or EPA consults with state
and local officials early in the process
of developing the proposed regulation.
EPA also may not issue a regulation that
has federalism implications and that
preempts state law unless the Agency
consults with state and local officials
early in the process of developing the
proposed regulation. This rule 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, because it
merely addresses the state not fully
meeting its regional haze SIP obligations
established in the CAA. Thus, Executive
Order 13132 does not apply to this
action. In the spirit of Executive Order
13132, and consistent with EPA policy
to promote communications between
EPA and State and local governments,
EPA specifically solicits comment on
this proposed rule from State and local
officials.
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 9, 2000), requires EPA
to develop an accountable process to
ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input by
tribal officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have tribal
implications.’’ This proposed rule does
not have tribal implications, as specified
in Executive Order 13175 because the
SIP and FIP do not have substantial
direct effects on tribal governments.
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not
apply to this rule. EPA specifically
solicits additional comment on this
proposed rule from tribal officials.
Consistent with EPA policy, EPA
nonetheless provided a consultation
opportunity to Tribes in Idaho, Oregon
and Washington in letters dated January
14, 2011. EPA received one request for
consultation, and we have followed-up
with that Tribe. On September 20, 2012,
EPA provided an additional
consultation opportunity to 7 Tribes in
Washington specific to the Washington
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76207
regional haze plan. We received no
requests for consultation.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997), applies to any rule that:
(1) Is determined to be economically
significant as defined under Executive
Order 12866; and (2) concerns an
environmental health or safety risk that
we have reason to believe may have a
disproportionate effect on children. EPA
interprets EO 13045 as applying only to
those regulatory actions that concern
health or safety risks, such that the
analysis required under section 5–501 of
the EO has the potential to influence the
regulation. This action is not subject to
EO 13045 because it implements
specific standards established by
Congress in statutes. However, to the
extent this proposed rule will limit
emissions of NOX, SO2, and PM10 the
rule will have a beneficial effect on
children’s health by reducing air
pollution.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13211 (66 FR 28355 (May 22,
2001)), because it is not a significant
regulatory action under Executive Order
12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (‘‘NTTAA’’), Public Law
104–113, 12(d) (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.
The EPA believes that VCS are
inapplicable to the proposed partial
approval of the SIP that if finalized,
merely approves state law as meeting
Federal requirements and imposes no
additional requirements beyond those
imposed by state law. The FIP portion
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of this proposed rulemaking involves
technical standards. EPA proposes to
use American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) Methods and
generally accepted test methods
previously promulgated by EPA.
Because all of these methods are
generally accepted and are widely used
by State and local agencies for
determining compliance with similar
rules, EPA believes it would be
impracticable and potentially confusing
to put in place methods that vary from
what is already accepted. As a result,
EPA believes it is unnecessary and
inappropriate to consider alternative
technical standards. EPA welcomes
comments on this aspect of the
proposed rulemaking and, specifically,
invites the public to identify
potentially-applicable voluntary
consensus standards and to explain why
such standards should be used in this
regulation.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
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. We
have determined that this proposed
rule, if finalized, 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 populations.
This proposed FIP limits emissions of
SO2 from two facilities in Washington.
The partial approval of the SIP, if
finalized, merely approves state law as
meeting Federal requirements and
imposes no additional requirements
beyond those imposed by state law.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Nitrogen dioxide, Particulate matter,
Reporting and recordkeeping
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requirements, Sulfur oxides, Visibility,
and Volatile organic compounds.
Dated: November 30, 2012.
Dennis J. McLerran,
Regional Administrator, Region 10.
40 CFR part 52 is proposed to be
amended as follows:
PART 52—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart WW—Washington
2. Section 52.2498 is amended by
adding paragraph (c) to read as follows:
§ 52.2498
Visibility protection.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) The requirements of sections 169A
and 169B of the Clean Air Act are not
met because the plan does not include
approvable provisions for protection of
visibility in mandatory Class I Federal
areas, specifically the Best Available
Retrofit Technology (BART)
requirement for regional haze visibility
impairment (§ 51.308(e)). The EPA
BART regulations are found in
§§ 52.2500 and 52.2501.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Add §§ 52.2500 and 52.2501 to read
as follows:
§ 52.2500 Best available retrofit
technology requirements for the Intalco
Aluminum Corporation (Intalco Works)
primary aluminum plant—Better than BART
Alternative.
(a) Applicability. This section applies
to the Intalco Aluminum Corporation
(Intalco Works) primary aluminum
plant located in Ferndale, Washington
and to its successors and/or assignees.
(b) Better than BART Alternative—
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission limit for
potlines. Starting January 1, 2014, SO2
emissions from all pot lines in aggregate
must not exceed a total of 5,240 tons for
any calendar year.
(c) Compliance demonstration. (1)
Intalco shall determine on a calendar
month basis, SO2 emissions using the
following formula:
SO2 emissions in tons per calendar
month = (carbon consumption ratio)
× (% sulfur in baked anodes/100) ×
(% sulfur converted to SO2/100) ×
(2 pounds of SO2 per pound of
sulfur) × (tons of aluminum
production per calendar month).
(i) Carbon consumption ratio is the
calendar month average of tons of baked
anodes consumed per ton of aluminum
produced as determined using the baked
anode consumption and production
records required in paragraph (e)(2) of
this section.
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(ii) % sulfur in baked anodes is the
calendar month average sulfur content
as determined in paragraph (d) of this
section.
(iii) % sulfur converted to SO2 is
95%.
(2) Calendar year SO2 emissions shall
be calculated by summing the 12
calendar month SO2 emissions for the
calendar year.
(d) Emission monitoring. (1) The %
sulfur of baked anodes shall be
determined using ASTM Method D6376
or an alternative method approved by
EPA Region 10.
(2) Intalco shall collect at least four
anode core samples during each
calendar week.
(3) Calendar month average sulfur
content shall be determined by
averaging the sulfur content of all
samples collected during the calendar
month.
(e) Recordkeeping. (1) Intalco shall
record the calendar month SO2
emissions and the calendar year SO2
emissions determined in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section.
(2) Intalco shall maintain records of
the baked anode consumption and
aluminum production data used to
develop the carbon consumption ratio
used in paragraph (c)(i) of this section.
(3) Intalco shall retain a copy of all
calendar month carbon consumption
ratio and potline SO2 emission
calculations.
(4) Intalco shall record the calendar
month net production of aluminum and
tons of aluminum produced each
calendar month. Net production of
aluminum is the total mass of molten
metal produced from tapping all pots in
all of the potlines that operated at any
time in the calendar month, measured at
the casthouse scales and the rod shop
scales.
(5) Intalco shall record the calendar
month average sulfur content of the
baked anodes.
(6) Records are to be retained at the
facility for at least five years and be
made available to EPA Region 10 upon
request.
(f) Reporting. (1) Intalco shall report
the calendar month SO2 emissions and
the calendar year SO2 emissions to EPA
Region 10 at the same time as the
annual compliance certification
required by the Part 70 operating permit
for the Intalco Works is submitted to the
Title V permitting authority.
(2) All documents and reports shall be
sent to EPA Region 10 electronically, in
a format approved by the EPA Region
10, to the following email address: R10AirPermitReports@epa.gov.
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§ 52.2501 Best available retrofit
technology (BART) requirement for the
Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company oil
refinery—Better than BART Alternative.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with
(a) Applicability. This section applies
to the Tesoro Refining and Marketing
Company oil refinery located in
Anacortes, Washington and to its
successors and/or assignees.
(b) Better than BART alternative. The
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission limitation
for non-BART eligible process heaters
and boilers (Units F–101, F–102, F–201,
F–301, F–652, F–751, and F–752)
follows.
(1) Compliance date. Starting no later
than [60 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION
OF THE FINAL RULE], Units F–101, F–
102, F–201, F–301, F–652, F–751, and
F–752 shall only fire refinery gas
meeting the criteria in paragraph (b)(2)
of this section or pipeline quality
natural gas.
(2) Refinery fuel gas requirements. In
order to limit SO2 emissions, refinery
fuel gas used in the units from blend
drum V–213 shall not contain greater
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than 0.10 percent by volume hydrogen
sulfide (H2S), 365-day rolling average,
measured according to paragraph (d) of
this section.
(c) Compliance demonstration.
Compliance with the H2S emission
limitation shall be demonstrated using a
continuous emissions monitoring
system as required in paragraph (d) of
this section.
(d) Emission monitoring. (1) A
continuous emissions monitoring
system (CEMS) for H2S concentration
shall be installed, calibrated,
maintained and operated measuring the
outlet stream of the fuel gas blend drum
subsequent to all unmonitored incoming
sources of sulfur compounds to the
system and prior to any fuel gas
combustion device. The monitor shall
be certified in accordance with 40 CFR
part 60 appendix B and operated in
accordance with 40 CFR part 60
appendix F.
(2) Record the calendar day average
H2S concentration of the refinery fuel
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76209
gas as measured by the CEMS required
in paragraph (d)(1) of this section. The
daily averages shall be used to calculate
the 365-day rolling average.
(e) Recordkeeping. Records of the
daily average H2S concentration and
365-day rolling averages are to be
retained at the facility for at least five
years and be made available to EPA
Region 10 upon request.
(f) Reporting. (1) Calendar day and
365-day rolling average refinery fuel gas
H2S concentrations shall be reported to
EPA Region 10 at the same time that the
semi-annual monitoring reports
required by the Part 70 operating permit
for the Tesoro oil refinery are submitted
to the Title V permitting authority.
(2) All documents and reports shall be
sent to EPA Region 10 electronically, in
a format approved by the EPA Region
10, to the following email address: R10AirPermitReports@epa.gov.
[FR Doc. 2012–30090 Filed 12–21–12; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 26, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76173-76209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30090]
[[Page 76173]]
Vol. 77
Wednesday,
No. 247
December 26, 2012
Part II
Environmental Protection Agency
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40 CFR Part 52
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Washington;
Regional Haze State Implementation Plan; Federal Implementation Plan
for Best Available Retrofit Technology for Alcoa Intalco Operations and
Tesoro Refining and Marketing; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 77 , No. 247 / Wednesday, December 26, 2012 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 76174]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R10-OAR-2010-1071, FRL-9760-6]
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of
Washington; Regional Haze State Implementation Plan; Federal
Implementation Plan for Best Available Retrofit Technology for Alcoa
Intalco Operations and Tesoro Refining and Marketing
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to partially approve and partially disapprove
a Washington Regional Haze Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the
State of Washington on December 22, 2010, that addresses regional haze
for the first implementation period. This plan was submitted to meet
the requirements of Clean Air Act (CAA) sections 169A and 169B that
require states to prevent any future and remedy any existing man-made
impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas. EPA is proposing
to: (1) Approve portions of this SIP submittal as meeting most of the
requirements of the regional haze program, (2) propose a limited
approval and limited disapproval of the SO2 Best Available
Retrofit Technology (BART) determination for Intalco Aluminum Corp.
(Intalco) potline operation and propose a federal ``Better than BART''
alternative, and (3) propose to disapprove the NOx BART determination
for five BART emission units at the Tesoro Refining and Marketing
refinery (Tesoro) and propose a federal Better than BART alternative.
This combined rule package of proposed SIP approved elements and
proposed federal elements will meet the requirements of CAA sections
169A and 169B. On August 20, 2012, EPA approved those provisions of the
Washington SIP addressing the BART determination for TransAlta
Centralia Generation L.L.C. coal fired power plant (TransAlta).
DATES: Comments: Written comments must be received at the address below
on or before February 15, 2013.
Public Hearing: A public hearing is offered to provide interested
parties the opportunity to present information and opinions to EPA
concerning our proposal. Interested parties may also submit written
comments, as discussed below. If you wish to request a hearing and
present testimony, you should notify Mr. Steve Body on or before
January 10, 2013 and indicate the nature of the issues you wish to
provide oral testimony during the hearing. Mr. Body's contact
information is found in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below. At the
hearing, the hearing officer may limit oral testimony to 5 minutes per
person. The hearing will be limited to the subject matter of this
proposal, the scope of which is discussed below. EPA will not respond
to comments during the public hearing. When we publish our final action
we will provide a written response to all written or oral comments
received on the proposal. EPA will not be providing equipment for
commenters to show overhead slides or make computerized slide
presentations. A transcript of the hearing and written statements will
be made available for copying during normal working hours at the
address listed for inspection of documents, and also included in the
Docket. Any member of the public may provide written or oral comments
and data pertaining to our proposal at the hearing. Note that any
written comments and supporting information submitted during the
comment period will be considered with the same weight as any oral
comments presented at the public hearing. If no requests for a public
hearing are received by close of business on January 10, 2013, a
hearing will not be held; please contact Mr. Body at (206) 553-0782 to
find out if the hearing will actually be held or if it will be
cancelled for lack of any request to speak.
ADDRESSES: Public Hearing: A public hearing, if requested, will be held
January 16, 2013, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Washington Department
of Ecology Offices, Room ROA-32, 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey, WA
98503.
Comments: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-
R10-OAR-2010-1071 by one of the following methods:
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
Email: R10-Public_Comments@epa.gov.
Mail: Steve Body, EPA Region 10, Suite 900, Office of Air,
Waste and Toxics, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.
Hand Delivery: EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite
900, Seattle, WA 98101. Attention: Steve Body, Office of Air, Waste and
Toxics, AWT-107. Such deliveries are only accepted during normal hours
of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of
boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R10-OAR-
2010-1071. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided,
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to
be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The
www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment
directly to EPA, without going through www.regulations.gov, your email
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available (e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute). Certain other material,
such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard
copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either
electronically at www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Office of
Air, Waste and Toxics, EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA
98101. EPA requests that if at all possible, you contact the individual
listed below to view a hard copy of the docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Body at telephone number (206)
553-0782, body.steve@epa.gov, or the above EPA, Region 10 address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA. Information is organized
as follows:
[[Page 76175]]
Table of Contents
I. Overview and Summary of EPA's Proposed Action
II. Background for EPA's Proposed Action
A. Definition of Regional Haze
B. Regional Haze Rules and Regulations
C. Roles of Agencies in Addressing Regional Haze
III. Requirements for the Regional Haze SIP
A. The CAA and the Regional Haze Rule
B. Determination of Baseline, Natural, and Current Visibility
Conditions
C. Consultation With States and Federal Land Managers
D. Best Available Retrofit Technology
E. Determination of Reasonable Progress Goals (RPGs)
F. Long Term Strategy (LTS)
G. Coordinating Regional Haze and Reasonably Attributable
Visibility Impairment (RAVI)
H. Monitoring Strategy and Other Implementation Requirements
IV. EPA's Analysis of the Washington Regional Haze SIP
A. Affected Class I Areas
B. Baseline and Natural Conditions and Uniform Rate of Progress
C. Washington Emissions Inventories
D. Sources of Visibility Impairment in Washington Class I Areas
E. Best Available Retrofit Technology
1. BART-Eligible Sources in Washington
2. Sources Subject to BART
3. Washington Source Specific BART Analysis
a. British Petroleum, Cherry Point Refinery
b. Intalco Aluminum Corp.
c. Tesoro Refining and Marketing
d. Port Townsend Paper Company
e. Lafarge North America
f. TransAlta Centralia Generation, LLC
g. Weyerhaeuser Company-Longview
F. Determination of Reasonable Progress Goals
G. Long Term Strategy
H. Monitoring Strategy and Other Implementation Requirements
I. Consultation With States and Federal Land Managers
J. Periodic SIP Revisions and 5-Year Progress Reports
V. What action is EPA proposing?
VI. Washington Notice
VII. Scope of Action
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Overview and Summary of EPA's Proposed Action
In this action, EPA proposes to approve the following provisions of
Washington's Regional Haze SIP submittal: Washington's identification
of Class I areas and determination of baseline conditions, natural
conditions and uniform rate of progress (URP) for each of these Class I
areas. We also propose to approve Washington's emission inventories,
sources of visibility impairment in Washington Class I areas,
monitoring strategy, consultation with other states and Federal Land
Managers (FLMs), reasonable progress goals (RPGs), and long term
strategy (LTS).
EPA previously approved Washington's BART determination for the
TransAlta power plant in Centralia, Washington. In today's action we
are proposing to approve BART determinations for all other sources
subject to BART with the exception of certain BART emission units at
two sources subject to BART. Specifically EPA is proposing to approve
the BART determinations for the British Petroleum (BP) Cherry Point
Refinery, Port Townsend Paper Company, LaFarge North America, and
Weyerhaeuser Longview and portions of the BART determinations for
Intalco and Tesoro. EPA is proposing a limited approval and limited
disapproval of Washington's SO2 BART determination for the
potlines at Intalco in Ferndale, Washington. EPA proposes an
alternative `Better than BART'' Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for
SO2 BART for the potlines with an annual limit on
SO2 emissions of 80% of baseyear emissions. EPA is proposing
to disapprove Washington's NOX BART determination for 5 BART
units at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington. EPA proposes a
Better than BART alternative FIP for these 5 BART units.
II. Background for EPA's Proposed Action
In the CAA Amendments of 1977, Congress established a program to
protect and improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas.
See CAA section 169A. Congress amended the visibility provisions in the
CAA in 1990 to focus attention on the problem of regional haze. See CAA
section 169B. EPA promulgated regulations in 1999 to implement sections
169A and 169B of the Act. These regulations require states to develop
and implement plans to ensure reasonable progress toward improving
visibility in mandatory Class I Federal areas \1\ (Class I areas). 64
FR 35714 (July 1, 1999); see also 70 FR 39104 (July 6, 2005) and 71 FR
60612 (October 13, 2006).
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\1\ Areas designated as mandatory Class I Federal areas consist
of national parks exceeding 6000 acres, wilderness areas and
national memorial parks exceeding 5000 acres, and all international
parks that were in existence on August 7, 1977. 42 U.S.C. 7472(a).
In accordance with section 169A of the CAA, EPA, in consultation
with the Department of Interior, promulgated a list of 156 areas
where visibility is identified as an important value. 44 FR 69122
(November 30, 1979). The extent of a mandatory Class I area includes
subsequent changes in boundaries, such as park expansions. 42 U.S.C.
7472(a). Although states and tribes may designate as Class I
additional areas which they consider to have visibility as an
important value, the requirements of the visibility program set
forth in section 169A of the CAA apply only to ``mandatory Class I
Federal areas.'' Each mandatory Class I Federal area is the
responsibility of a ``Federal Land Manager.'' 42 U.S.C. 7602(i).
When we use the term ``Class I area'' in this action, we mean a
``mandatory Class I Federal area.''
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A. Definition of Regional Haze
Regional haze is impairment of visual range or colorization caused
by emission of air pollution produced by numerous sources and
activities, located across a broad regional area. The sources include
but are not limited to, major and minor stationary sources, mobile
sources, and area sources including non-anthropogenic sources.
Visibility impairment is primarily caused by fine particulate matter,
particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers,
(PM2.5) or secondary aerosol formed in the atmosphere from
precursor gasses (e.g., sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and in some
cases, ammonia and volatile organic compounds). Atmospheric fine
particulate reduces clarity, color, and visual range of visual scenes.
Visibility reducing fine particulate is primarily composed of sulfate,
nitrate, organic carbon compounds, elemental carbon, and soil dust, and
impairs visibility by scattering and absorbing light. Fine particulate
can also cause serious health effects and mortality in humans, and
contributes to environmental effects such as acid deposition and
eutrophication.\2\
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\2\ See 64 FR at 35715.
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Data from the existing visibility monitoring network, the
``Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments'' (IMPROVE)
monitoring network, show that visibility impairment caused by air
pollution occurs virtually all the time at most national parks and
wilderness areas. Average visual range in many Class I areas in the
Western United States is 100-150 kilometers, or about one-half to two-
thirds the visual range that would exist without anmade air
pollution.\3\ Visibility impairment also varies day-to-day and by
season depending on variation in meteorology and emission rates.
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\3\ Id.
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B. Regional Haze Rules and Regulations
In section 169A of the 1977 CAA Amendments, Congress created a
program for protecting visibility in the nation's national parks and
wilderness areas. This section of the CAA establishes as a national
goal the ``prevention of any future, and the remedying of any existing,
impairment of visibility in Class I areas which impairment results from
manmade air
[[Page 76176]]
pollution.'' CAA section 169A(a)(1). On December 2, 1980, EPA
promulgated regulations to address visibility impairment in Class I
areas that is ``reasonably attributable'' to a single source or small
group of sources, i.e., ``reasonably attributable visibility
impairment''. 45 FR 80084. These regulations represented the first
phase in addressing visibility impairment. EPA deferred action on
regional haze that emanates from a variety of sources until monitoring,
modeling, and scientific knowledge about the relationships between
pollutants and visibility impairment were improved.
Congress added section 169B to the CAA in 1990 to address regional
haze issues. EPA promulgated a rule to address regional haze on July 1,
1999 (64 FR 35713) (the Regional Haze Rule or RHR). The RHR revised the
existing visibility regulations to integrate into the regulation,
provisions addressing regional haze impairment and established a
comprehensive visibility protection program for Class I areas. The
requirements for regional haze, found at 40 CFR 51.308 and 51.309, are
included in EPA's visibility protection regulations at 40 CFR 51.300-
309. Some of the main elements of the regional haze requirements are
summarized in section III of this notice. The requirement to submit a
regional haze SIP applies to all 50 states, the District of Columbia
and the Virgin Islands.\4\ 40 CFR 51.308(b) requires states to submit
the first implementation plan addressing regional haze visibility
impairment no later than December 17, 2007.
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\4\ Albuquerque/Bernalillo County in New Mexico must also submit
a regional haze SIP to completely satisfy the requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(D) of the CAA for the entire State of New Mexico
under the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act (section 74-2-4).
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C. Roles of Agencies in Addressing Regional Haze
Successful implementation of the regional haze program will require
long-term regional coordination among states, tribal governments and
various federal agencies. As noted above, pollution affecting the air
quality in Class I areas can be transported over long distances, even
hundreds of kilometers. Therefore, to effectively address the problem
of visibility impairment in Class I areas, states need to develop
strategies in coordination with one another, taking into account the
effect of emissions from one jurisdiction on the air quality in
another.
Because the pollutants that lead to regional haze impairment can
originate from across state lines, even across international
boundaries, EPA has encouraged the states and Tribes to address
visibility impairment from a regional perspective. Five regional
planning organizations (RPOs) were created nationally to address
regional haze and related issues. One of the main objectives of the
RPOs is to develop and analyze data and conduct pollutant transport
modeling to assist the States or Tribes in developing their regional
haze plans.
The Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP), one of the five RPOs
nationally, is a voluntary partnership of state, Tribal, federal, and
local air agencies dealing with air quality in the West. WRAP member
states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana,
New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and
Wyoming. WRAP Tribal members include Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians,
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Cortina Indian Rancheria, Hopi
Tribe, Hualapai Nation of the Grand Canyon, Native Village of Shungnak,
Nez Perce Tribe, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of
San Felipe, and Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall.
II. Requirements for the Regional Haze SIPs
A. The CAA and the Regional Haze Rule
Regional haze SIPs must assure reasonable progress towards the
national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I
areas. Section 169A of the CAA and EPA's implementing regulations
require states to establish long-term strategies for making reasonable
progress toward meeting this goal. Implementation plans must also give
specific attention to certain stationary sources that were in existence
on August 7, 1977, but were not in operation before August 7, 1962, and
require these sources, where appropriate, to install BART controls for
the purpose of eliminating or reducing visibility impairment. The
specific regional haze SIP requirements are discussed in further detail
below.
B. Determination of Baseline, Natural, and Current Visibility
Conditions
The RHR establishes the deciview (dv) as the principal metric for
measuring visibility. This visibility metric expresses uniform changes
in haziness in terms of common increments across the entire range of
visibility conditions, from pristine to extremely hazy conditions.
Visibility is determined by measuring the visual range (or deciview),
which is the greatest distance, in kilometers or miles, at which a dark
object can be viewed against the sky. The deciview is a useful measure
for tracking progress in improving visibility, because each deciview
change is an equal incremental change in visibility perceived by the
human eye. Most people can detect a change in visibility at one
deciview.\5\
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\5\ The preamble to the RHR provides additional details about
the deciview. 64 FR 35714, 35725 (July 1, 1999).
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The deciview is used in expressing reasonable progress goals (which
are interim visibility goals towards meeting the national visibility
goal), defining baseline, current, and natural conditions, and tracking
changes in visibility. The regional haze SIPs must contain measures
that ensure ``reasonable progress'' toward the national goal of
preventing and remedying visibility impairment in Class I areas caused
by manmade air pollution by reducing anthropogenic emissions that cause
regional haze. The national goal is a return to natural conditions,
i.e., manmade sources of air pollution would no longer impair
visibility in Class I areas.
To track changes in visibility over time at each of the 156 Class I
areas covered by the visibility program (40 CFR 81.401-437), and as
part of the process for determining reasonable progress, states must
calculate the degree of existing visibility impairment at each Class I
area at the time of each regional haze SIP submittal and periodically
review progress every five years midway through each 10-year
implementation period. To do this, the RHR requires states to determine
the degree of impairment (in deciviews) for the average of the 20%
least impaired (``best'') and 20% most impaired (``worst'') visibility
days over a specified time period at each of their Class I areas. In
addition, states must also develop an estimate of natural visibility
conditions for the purpose of comparing progress toward the national
goal. Natural visibility is determined by estimating the natural
concentrations of pollutants that cause visibility impairment and then
calculating total light extinction based on those estimates. EPA has
provided guidance to states regarding how to calculate baseline,
natural and current visibility conditions in documents titled, EPA's
Guidance for Estimating Natural Visibility Conditions Under the
Regional Haze Rule, September 2003, (EPA-454/B-03-005 located at https://www.epa.gov/ttncaaa1/t1/memoranda/rh_envcurhr_gd.pdf), (hereinafter
referred to as ``EPA's 2003 Natural Visibility Guidance''), and
[[Page 76177]]
Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule (EPA-454/B-
03-004 September 2003 located at https://www.epa.gov/ttncaaa1/t1/memoranda/rh_tpurhr_gd.pdf)), (hereinafter referred to as ``EPA's
2003 Tracking Progress Guidance'').
For the first regional haze SIPs that were due by December 17,
2007, ``baseline visibility conditions'' were the starting points for
assessing ``current'' visibility impairment. Baseline visibility
conditions represent the degree of visibility impairment for the 20%
least impaired days and 20% most impaired days for each calendar year
from 2000 to 2004. Using monitoring data for 2000 through 2004, states
are required to calculate the average degree of visibility impairment
for each Class I area, based on the average of annual values over the
five-year period. The comparison of initial baseline visibility
conditions to natural visibility conditions indicates the amount of
improvement necessary to attain natural visibility, while the future
comparison of baseline conditions to the then current conditions will
indicate the amount of progress made. In general, the 2000-2004
baseline time period is considered the time from which improvement in
visibility is measured.
C. Consultation With States and Federal Land Managers
The RHR requires that states consult with Federal Land Managers
(FLMs) before adopting and submitting their SIPs. 40 CFR 51.308(i).
States must provide FLMs an opportunity for consultation, in person and
at least 60 days prior to holding any public hearing on the SIP. This
consultation must include the opportunity for the FLMs to discuss their
assessment of visibility impairment in any Class I area and to offer
recommendations on the development of the reasonable progress goals and
on the development and implementation of strategies to address
visibility impairment. Further, a state must include in its SIP a
description of how it addressed any comments provided by the FLMs.
Finally, a SIP must provide procedures for continuing consultation
between the state and FLMs regarding the state's visibility protection
program, including development and review of SIP revisions, five-year
progress reports, and the implementation of other programs having the
potential to contribute to impairment of visibility in Class I areas.
D. Best Available Retrofit Technology
Section 169A of the CAA directs states to evaluate the use of
retrofit controls at certain larger, often uncontrolled, older
stationary sources in order to address visibility impacts from these
sources. Specifically, section 169A(b)(2)(A) of the CAA requires states
to revise their SIPs to contain such measures as may be necessary to
make reasonable progress towards the natural visibility goal, including
a requirement that certain categories of existing major stationary
sources \6\ built between 1962 and 1977 procure, install, and operate
the ``Best Available Retrofit Technology'' as determined by the state.
States are directed to conduct BART determinations for such sources
that may be anticipated to cause or contribute to any visibility
impairment in a Class I area. Rather than requiring source-specific
BART controls, states also have the flexibility to adopt an emissions
trading program or other alternative program as long as the alternative
provides greater reasonable progress towards improving visibility than
BART.
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\6\ The set of ``major stationary sources'' potentially subject
to BART is listed in CAA section 169A(g)(7).
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On July 6, 2005, EPA published the Guidelines for BART
Determinations Under the Regional Haze Rule at appendix Y to 40 CFR
part 51 (hereinafter referred to as the ``BART Guidelines'') to assist
states in determining which of their sources should be subject to the
BART requirements and in determining appropriate emission limits for
each applicable source. In making a BART applicability determination
for a fossil fuel-fired electric generating plant with a total
generating capacity in excess of 750 megawatts, a state must use the
approach set forth in the BART Guidelines. A state is encouraged, but
not required, to follow the BART Guidelines in making BART
determinations for other types of sources.
States must address all visibility-impairing pollutants emitted by
a source in the BART determination process. The most significant
visibility-impairing pollutants are sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides,
and fine particulate matter. EPA has indicated that states should use
their best judgment in determining whether volatile organic compounds
or ammonia compounds impair visibility in Class I areas.
Under the BART Guidelines, states may select an exemption threshold
value to determine those BART eligible sources not subject to BART. A
BART-eligible source with an impact below the threshold would not be
expected to cause or contribute to visibility impairment in any Class I
area. The state must document this exemption threshold value in the SIP
and must state the basis for its selection of that value. Any source
with emissions that model above the threshold value would be subject to
a BART determination review. The BART Guidelines acknowledge varying
circumstances affecting different Class I areas. States should consider
the number of emission sources affecting the Class I areas at issue and
the magnitude of the individual sources' impacts. Generally, an
exemption threshold set by the state should not be higher than 0.5
deciview.
In their SIPs, states must identify BART sources, (BART-eligible
sources), as well as those BART eligible sources that have a visibility
impact in any Class I area above the ``BART subject'' exemption
threshold established by the state and thus, subject to BART. States
must document their BART control analysis and determination for all
sources subject to BART.
The term ``BART-eligible source'' used in the BART Guidelines means
the collection of individual emission units at a facility that together
comprises the BART-eligible source. In making a BART determination,
section 169A(g)(2) of the CAA requires that states consider the
following factors: (1) The costs of compliance, (2) the energy and non-
air quality environmental impacts of compliance, (3) any existing
pollution control technology in use at the source, (4) the remaining
useful life of the source, and (5) the degree of improvement in
visibility which may reasonably be anticipated to result from the use
of such technology. States are free to determine the weight and
significance to be assigned to each factor.
The regional haze SIP must include source-specific BART emission
limits and compliance schedules for each source subject to BART. Once a
state has made its BART determination, the BART controls must be
installed and in operation as expeditiously as practicable, but no
later than 5 years after the date EPA approves the regional haze SIP.
CAA section 169A(g)(4)). 40 CFR 51.308(e)(1)(iv). In addition to what
is required by the RHR, general SIP requirements mandate that the SIP
must also include all regulatory requirements related to monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting for the BART controls on the source.
States have the flexibility to choose the type of control measures they
will use to meet the requirements of BART.
E. Determination of Reasonable Progress Goals (RPGs)
The vehicle for ensuring continuing progress towards achieving the
natural
[[Page 76178]]
visibility goal is the submission of a series of regional haze SIPs
from the states that establish two RPGs (i.e., two distinct goals, one
for the ``best'' and one for the ``worst'' days) for every Class I area
for each (approximately) 10-year implementation period. The RHR does
not mandate specific milestones or rates of progress, but instead calls
for states to establish goals that provide for ``reasonable progress''
toward achieving natural (i.e., ``background'') visibility conditions.
In setting RPGs, states must provide for an improvement in visibility
for the most impaired days over the (approximately) 10-year period of
the SIP, and ensure no degradation in visibility for the least impaired
days over the same period.
States have significant discretion in establishing RPGs, but are
required to consider the following factors established in section 169A
of the CAA and in EPA's RHR at 40 CFR 51.308(d)(1)(i)(A): (1) The costs
of compliance; (2) the time necessary for compliance; (3) the energy
and non-air quality environmental impacts of compliance; and (4) the
remaining useful life of any potentially affected sources. States must
demonstrate in their SIPs how these factors are considered when
selecting the RPGs for the best and worst days for each applicable
Class I area. States have considerable flexibility in how they take
these factors into consideration, as noted in EPA's Guidance for
Setting Reasonable Progress Goals under the Regional Haze Program,
(``EPA's Reasonable Progress Guidance''), July 1, 2007, memorandum from
William L. Wehrum, Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and
Radiation, to EPA Regional Administrators, EPA Regions 1-10 (pp. 4-2,
5-1). In setting the RPGs, states must also consider the rate of
progress needed to reach natural visibility conditions by 2064
(referred to as the ``uniform rate of progress'' or the ``glidepath'')
and the emission reduction measures needed to achieve that rate of
progress over the 10-year period of the SIP. Uniform progress towards
achievement of natural conditions by the year 2064 represents a rate of
progress which states are to use for analytical comparison to the
amount of progress they expect to achieve. In setting RPGs, each state
with one or more Class I areas (``Class I state'') must also consult
with potentially ``contributing states,'' i.e., other nearby states
with emission sources that may be affecting visibility impairment at
the Class I state's areas. 40 CFR 51.308(d)(1)(iv).
F. Long Term Strategy (LTS)
Consistent with the requirement in section 169A(b) of the CAA that
states include in their regional haze SIP a 10 to 15 year strategy for
making reasonable progress, section 51.308(d)(3) of the RHR requires
that states include a LTS in their regional haze SIPs. The LTS is the
compilation of all control measures a state will use during the
implementation period of the specific SIP submittal to meet applicable
RPGs. The LTS must include ``enforceable emissions limitations,
compliance schedules, and other measures as necessary to achieve the
reasonable progress goals'' for all Class I areas within, or affected
by emissions from, the state. 40 CFR 51.308(d)(3).
When a state's emissions are reasonably anticipated to cause or
contribute to visibility impairment in a Class I area located in
another state, the RHR requires the impacted state to coordinate with
the contributing states in order to develop coordinated emissions
management strategies. 40 CFR 51.308(d)(3)(i). In such cases, the
contributing state must demonstrate that it has included, in its SIP,
all measures necessary to obtain its share of the emissions reductions
needed to meet the RPGs for the Class I area. The RPOs have provided
forums for significant interstate consultation, but additional
consultations between states may be required to sufficiently address
interstate visibility issues. This is especially true where two states
belong to different RPOs.
States should consider all types of anthropogenic sources of
visibility impairment in developing their LTS, including stationary,
minor, mobile, and area sources. At a minimum, states must describe how
each of the following seven factors listed below are taken into account
in developing their LTS: (1) Emissions reductions due to ongoing air
pollution control programs, including measures to address RAVI; (2)
measures to mitigate the impacts of construction activities; (3)
emissions limitations and schedules for compliance to achieve the RPG;
(4) source retirement and replacement schedules; (5) smoke management
techniques for agricultural and forestry management purposes including
plans as currently exist within the state for these purposes; (6)
enforceability of emissions limitations and control measures; and (7)
the anticipated net effect on visibility due to projected changes in
point, area, and mobile source emissions over the period addressed by
the LTS. See 40 CFR 51.308(d)(3)(v).
G. Coordinating Regional Haze and Reasonably Attributable Visibility
Impairment (RAVI)
As part of the RHR, EPA revised 40 CFR 51.306(c) regarding the LTS
for RAVI to require that the RAVI plan must provide for a periodic
review and SIP revision not less frequently than every three years
until the date of submission of the state's first plan addressing
regional haze visibility impairment, which was due December 17, 2007,
in accordance with 40 CFR 51.308(b) and (c). On or before this date,
the state must revise its plan to provide for review and revision of a
coordinated LTS for addressing RAVI and regional haze, and the state
must submit the first such coordinated LTS with its first regional haze
SIP. Future coordinated LTS's, and periodic progress reports evaluating
progress towards RPGs, must be submitted consistent with the schedule
for SIP submission and periodic progress reports set forth in 40 CFR
51.308(f) and 51.308(g), respectively. The periodic review of a state's
LTS must report on both regional haze and RAVI impairment and must be
submitted to EPA as a SIP revision.
H. Monitoring Strategy and Other Implementation Requirements
Section 51.308(d)(4) of the RHR includes the requirement for a
monitoring strategy for measuring, characterizing, and reporting of
regional haze visibility impairment that is representative of all
mandatory Class I Federal areas within the state. The strategy must be
coordinated with the monitoring strategy required in section 51.305 for
RAVI. Compliance with this requirement may be met through
``participation'' in the IMPROVE network, i.e., review and use of
monitoring data from the network. The monitoring strategy is due with
the first regional haze SIP, and it must be reviewed every five years.
The monitoring strategy must also provide for additional monitoring
sites if the IMPROVE network is not sufficient to determine whether
RPGs will be met.
The SIP must also provide for the following:
Procedures for using monitoring data and other information
in a state with mandatory Class I areas to determine the contribution
of emissions from within the state to regional haze visibility
impairment at Class I areas both within and outside the state;
Procedures for using monitoring data and other information
in a state with no mandatory Class I areas to determine the
contribution of emissions from within the state to regional haze
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visibility impairment at Class I areas in other states;
Reporting of all visibility monitoring data to the
Administrator at least annually for each Class I area in the state, and
where possible, in electronic format;
Developing a statewide inventory of emissions of
pollutants that are reasonably anticipated to cause or contribute to
visibility impairment in any Class I area. The inventory must include
emissions for a baseline year, emissions for the most recent year for
which data are available, and estimates of future projected emissions.
A state must also make a commitment to update the inventory
periodically; and
Other elements, including reporting, recordkeeping, and
other measures necessary to assess and report on visibility.
The RHR requires control strategies to cover an initial
implementation period extending to the year 2018, with a comprehensive
reassessment and revision of those strategies, as appropriate, every 10
years thereafter. Periodic SIP revisions must meet the core
requirements of section 51.308(d) with the exception of BART. The
requirement to evaluate sources for BART applies only to the first
regional haze SIP. Facilities subject to BART must continue to comply
with the BART provisions of section 51.308(e), as noted above. Periodic
SIP revisions will assure that the statutory requirement of reasonable
progress will continue to be met.
III. EPA's Analysis of the Washington Regional Haze SIP
A. Affected Class I Areas
There are eight mandatory Class I areas within Washington: Olympic
National Park, North Cascades National Park, Glacier Peak Wilderness
Area, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Mt. Rainier National Park, Goat
Rocks Wilderness Area, Mt. Adams Wilderness Area, and Pasayten
Wilderness Area. See 40 CFR 81.434. The Washington SIP submittal
addresses all eight Class I areas.
B. Baseline and Natural Conditions and Uniform Rate of Progress
Washington, using data from the IMPROVE monitoring network,
identified baseline and natural visibility conditions for all eight
Class I areas in Washington. Baseline visibility was calculated from
monitoring data collected by IMPROVE monitors for the 20% most-impaired
(20% worst) days and the 20% least-impaired (20% best) days. Washington
used the WRAP derived natural visibility conditions. In general, WRAP
based their estimates on EPA guidance, ``Guidance for Estimating
Natural Visibility Conditions Under the Regional Haze Program'' (EPA-
45/B-03-0005 September 2003), (https://www.epa.gov/ttn/caaa/t1/memoranda/rh_envcurhr_gd.pdf), but incorporated refinements which EPA
believes provides results more appropriate for western states than the
general EPA default approach. See section 2.E of the WRAP Technical
Support Document (WRAP TSD).
Olympic National Park: An IMPROVE monitor is located northeast of
the Park boundary at the extreme northeast corner of the Olympic
Peninsula near Sequim, Washington. Based on baseline data from the
years 2000 to 2004, the average 20% worst days visibility is 16.7 dv
and the average 20% best days visibility is 6.0 dv. Natural visibility
for the average 20% worst days is 8.4 dv.
North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness Areas: The
North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness Area are both
represented by an IMPROVE monitor located near Ross Lake on the Skagit
River just outside the eastern boundary of the northern section of
North Cascades National Park. Based on baseline data from the years
2000 to 2004, the average 20% worst days visibility is 16.0 dv and the
average 20% best days visibility is 3.37 dv. Natural visibility for the
average 20% worst days is 8.39 dv.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area: Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area
visibility is represented by an IMPROVE monitor located southwest of
the wilderness area at Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascade Mountains. Based
on baseline data from the years 2000 to 2004, the average 20% worst
days visibility is 17.8 dv and the average 20% best days visibility is
5.5 dv. Natural visibility for the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area average
20% worst days is 8.4 dv.
Mt. Rainier National Park: Mt. Rainier National Park visibility is
represented by an IMPROVE monitor located at Park headquarters at
Tahoma Woods. Based on baseline data from the years 2000 to 2004, the
average 20% worst days visibility is 18.2 dv and the average 20% best
days visibility is 5.5 dv. Natural visibility for the Mt. Rainier
National Park average 20% worst days is 8.5 dv.
Goat Rocks and Mt. Adams Wilderness Areas: The Goat Rocks and Mt.
Adams Wilderness Area's visibility are both represented by an IMPROVE
monitor located at White Pass in the Cascade Mountain Range. Based on
baseline data from the years 2000 to 2004, the average 20% worst days
visibility is 12.7 dv and the average 20% best days visibility is 1.7
dv for both areas. Natural visibility for the Goat Rocks and Mt. Adams
Wilderness Areas average 20% worst days is 8.35 dv.
Pasayten Wilderness Area: The Pasayten Wilderness Area visibility
is represented by an IMPROVE monitor located 50 km south and east of
the wilderness boundary. Based on baseline data from the years 2000 to
2004, the average 20% worst days visibility is 15.2 dv and the average
20% best days visibility is 2.7 dv. Natural visibility for the Pasayten
Wilderness Area average 20% worst days is 8.3 dv.
Based on our evaluation of the Washington's baseline and natural
conditions analysis, EPA is proposing to find that Washington has
appropriately determined the baseline visibility for the average 20%
worst and 20% best days, and natural conditions for the average 20%
worst days in each Class I area in Washington.
C. Washington Emissions Inventories
There are three main categories of air pollution emission sources:
Point sources, area sources, and mobile sources. Point sources are
larger stationary sources. Area sources are large numbers of small
sources that are widely distributed across an area, such as residential
heating units, wildfire, re-entrained dust from unpaved roads, or
windblown dust from agricultural fields. Mobile sources are sources
such as motor vehicles, locomotives, and aircraft.
The RHR requires a statewide emission inventory of pollutants that
are reasonably anticipated to cause or contribute to visibility
impairment in any mandatory Class I area. 40 CFR 51.308(d)(4)(v). The
WRAP, with data supplied by Washington, compiled emission inventories
for all major source categories in Washington for the 2002 baseline
year and estimated emissions for 2018. Emission estimates for 2018 were
generated from anticipated population growth, growth in industrial
activity, and emission reductions from implementation of expected
control measures, e.g., implementation of BART limitations and motor
vehicle tailpipe emissions. Chapter 6 of the SIP submittal discusses
how emission estimates were determined and contains the emission
inventory. Detailed estimates of the emissions, used in the modeling
conducted by the WRAP and Washington, can be found at the WRAP Web
site: https://vista.cira.colostate.edu/TSS/Results/Emissions.aspx.
There are a number of emission inventory source categories
identified in
[[Page 76180]]
the Washington SIP submittal. The source categories vary with type of
pollutant but include: Point, area, on-road mobile, off-road mobile,
anthropogenic fire (prescribed forest fire, agricultural field burning,
and residential wood combustion), natural fire, biogenic, road dust,
fugitive dust and windblown dust. The 2002 baseline and 2018 projected
emissions, as well as the net changes of emissions between these two
years, are presented in Tables 6-1 through 6-8 of the SIP submittal for
sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOX),
volatile organic carbon (VOC), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon
(EC), PM2.5, and ammonia. The methods that WRAP used to
develop these emission inventories are described in more detail in the
WRAP TSD. As explained in the WRAP TSD, emissions were calculated using
best available data and approved EPA methods. See WRAP TSD section 12.
Sulfur dioxide emissions in Washington come mostly from one coal
fired power plant, oil refineries, aluminum plants, pulp and paper
mills, and a cement plant. SO2 emission estimates for point
sources come either from source test data (where available) or
calculations based on the quantity and type of fuel burned. These
industrial point sources contribute 64% of total statewide
SO2 emissions. The second largest source category
contributing to SO2 emissions in Washington is off-road
mobile sources which contribute 17%. The remainder of SO2
emissions is from a variety of area sources including anthropogenic and
natural fire. See Table 6-1 of the SIP submittal.
Washington projects a 29% statewide reduction in point source
S02 emissions by 2018 due to implementation of BART emission
limitations and other Washington State and federal emission reduction
actions. Washington projects total 2018 statewide SO2
emissions to be reduced by 40% below 2002 levels as a result of BART
and additional reductions from mobile sources.
NOX emissions in Washington come mostly from mobile
sources, both on-road and off-road, which contribute 76% of total
statewide NOX emissions. The second largest source category
of NOX emissions is point source emissions which accounts
for 11% of statewide NOX emissions. Area source emissions
account for less than 5% of statewide NOX emissions.
Washington projects that 2018 total statewide emissions of
NOX will be 46% lower than 2002 levels. Washington also
projects on-road and off-road mobile source emissions to be reduced by
72% and 45% respectively by 2018, due to new federal motor vehicle
emission standards and fleet turnover. Washington projects area source
NOX emissions to increase by 29% due to population growth.
See Table 6-2 of the SIP submittal.
Volatile organic compounds in Washington come mostly from biogenic
emissions from forests, agriculture, and urban vegetation. The second
largest source category in VOC emissions is on-road and off-road mobile
sources. Washington projects 2018 statewide VOC emissions to increase
by only 1% over 2002 levels. This very minor change is due to
anticipated increases in area and point source emissions that would
offset anticipated decreases in mobile sources and anthropogenic fire.
See Table 6-3 of the SIP submittal.
Organic carbon in Washington comes almost equally from wildfire at
35% and other area sources at 33%. Anthropogenic fire accounts for 20%
of statewide organic carbon emissions. Washington projects 2018
statewide organic carbon emissions to decrease 4% from 2002. Large
reductions in emissions from mobile sources and anthropogenic fire are
expected to be offset by increases in emissions from point and area
sources due to population growth. See Table 5-4 of the SIP submittal.
The largest source categories of elemental carbon are mobile
sources, natural fire and area sources. Washington projects 2018
statewide elemental carbon emissions to decrease by 25% from 2002
emission levels. These projected reductions are the result of
anticipated emission reductions in on-road mobile and off-road mobile
emissions of 76% and 60% respectively. See Table 6-5 of the SIP
submittal.
Fine particulate is emitted from a variety of area sources which
account for 95% of statewide fine particulate. Fugitive dust, from
agriculture, mining, construction and roads, is the largest source
category contributing 31% of total fine particulate. Anthropogenic and
natural fire only account for 12% of the statewide fine particulate
emissions. Point sources account for only 5% of statewide fine
particulate. Washington projects that 2018 fine particulate emissions
will increase by 20% over 2002 emission levels due to population and
industrial growth. Emissions increases are projected from point, area,
and fugitive dust at 16%, 36%, and 34% respectively. See Table 6-6 of
the SIP submittal.
Ammonia does not directly impair visibility but can be a precursor
to the formation of particulate in the atmosphere through chemical
reaction with SO2 and NOX to form a ``secondary
aerosol'' of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate. Area sources are
the primary source category contributing to ammonia emissions and
account for 77% of total ammonia emissions. Washington projects ammonia
emissions in 2018 to increase by 8% over 2002 emission levels with
increasing emissions in all categories except for anthropogenic fire
which Washington projects to decrease by 30%. See Table 6-8 of the SIP
submittal.
EPA believes Washington's inventory of baseline emissions is
accurate and comprehensive as Washington used the most current and
appropriate methods at the time it was developed. We note that
additional emission reductions may occur between the baseline year and
2018 that are not accounted for in the 2018 inventory. For example, no
emission reductions from the new regulations relating to the
International Maritime Organization Emission Control Area (ECA) on the
west coast of the United States and Canada were taken into account in
the 2018 emission estimates (ECA Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI). These
emissions are outside the modeling domain but may impact the visibility
in the Class I areas. Washington's projected 2018 emissions inventory
also did not account for the now anticipated NOX emission
reductions from the TransAlta NOX BART determination
recently approved into the SIP.
The federal Better than BART determination proposed today for
Tesoro identifies SO2 emission reductions of 1068 t/y that
were not included in the 2018 emission inventory. Also, the proposed
federal Better than BART emission limits for Alcoa's Intalco
operations, if finalized, are expected to reduce SO2
emissions from the baseline year emission inventory by 1310 t/y. The
sum total of the expected NOX reductions from the TransAlta
BART determination and the proposed FIP actions for Tesoro and Intalco
are: 3688 t/y NOX from TransAlta and 2378 t/y SO2
Tesoro and Intalco.
D. Sources of Visibility Impairment in Washington Class I Areas
Each pollutant species has its own visibility impairing property; 1
[mu]g/m\3\ of sulfate, for example, is more effective in scattering
light than 1 [mu]g/m\3\ of organic carbon and therefore impairs
visibility more than organic carbon. Following the approach recommended
by the WRAP and as explained more fully below, Washington used a two-
step process to identify the contribution of each source or source
category to existing visibility
[[Page 76181]]
impairment. First, ambient pollutant concentration by species (sulfate,
nitrate, organic carbon, fine particulate, etc.) was determined from
the IMPROVE sampler in each Class I area. These concentrations were
then converted into light extinction values to distribute existing
impairment among the measured pollutant species. This calculation used
the ``improved IMPROVE equation'' (See section 2.C of the WRAP TSD) to
calculate extinction from each pollutant specie concentration. Total
extinction, in inverse megameters, was then converted to deciview using
the equation defining deciview.
After considering the available models, the WRAP and western states
selected two source apportionment analysis tools. The first source
apportionment tool was the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with
Extensions (CAMX) in conjunction with PM Source
Apportionment Technology (PSAT). This model uses emission source
characterization, meteorology and atmospheric chemistry for aerosol
formation to predict pollutant concentrations in the Class I area. The
predicted results are compared to measured concentrations to assess
accuracy of model output. CAMX PSAT modeling was used to
determine source contribution to ambient sulfate and nitrate
concentrations. Thus, the WRAP used state-of-the-science source
apportionment tools within a widely used photochemical model. EPA has
reviewed the PSAT analysis and considers the modeling, methodology, and
analysis acceptable. See section 6.A of the WRAP TSD.
The second tool was the Weighted Emissions Potential (WEP) model,
used primarily as a screening tool to decide which geographic source
regions have the potential to contribute to haze at specific Class I
areas. WEP does not account for atmospheric chemistry (secondary
aerosol formation) or removal processes, and thus is used for
estimating inert particulate concentrations. The model uses back
trajectory wind flow calculations and resident time of an air parcel
over each area source to determine source area and source category and
location for ambient organic carbon, elemental carbon,
PM2.5, and coarse PM concentrations. These modeling tools
were the state-of-the-science and EPA has determined that these tools
were appropriately used by WRAP for regional haze planning. Description
of these tools and our evaluation of them are described in more detail
in section 6 of the WRAP TSD.
Chapter 8 of the Washington Regional Haze SIP submittal presents
the light extinction for the base year at each Class I area by
visibility impairing pollutant species for the average of the 20% worst
days and the 20% best days. The most significant visibility impairing
pollutant species identified for all Class I areas are: sulfate,
nitrate, and organic carbon mass. For the Pasayten Wilderness area
elemental carbon is also presented. See chapter 8 of the SIP submittal.
Tables 8-1 and 8-2 of the SIP submittal provides the percent
contribution of ``in state'' sources to impairment in each Class I area
on the 20% worst and best days for sulfate and nitrate for both 2002
and 2018. In the discussion below of each Class I area, the source
category with the greatest impact will be identified.
Olympic National Park
Visibility at Olympic National Park is represented by the OLYM1
IMPROVE monitoring site. On the 20% most impaired days at Olympic
National Park, sulfate accounts for 39%, nitrate accounts for 19%, and
organic carbon accounts for 28% of impairment. On the 20% least
impaired days, sulfate accounted for 36%, nitrate accounted for 17%,
and organic carbon accounted 26% of impairment. See section 8.1 of the
SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired days at Olympic National Park: 37%
is from outside the modeling domain, 21% originates from offshore
Pacific offshore sources, and 21% from Canadian sources. Only 25% of
the sulfate originates from sources in Washington. Washington point
sources account for 15%, mobile sources 7%, and area sources 3% of
sulfate impairment on the 20% most impaired days. Sulfate on the 20%
least impaired days at Olympic National Park: 37% of the sulfate
originates from outside the modeling domain, 34% from sources in
Washington, 21% from sources in Canada, and 15% from Pacific offshore
sources. Washington point sources account for 18% of the sulfate
impairment on the 20% least impaired days.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired days at Olympic National Park: 53%
of the nitrate originates from sources in Washington, 21% originates in
Canada, and 15% from the Pacific offshore. See Figure 8-5 of the SIP
submittal. Of the sources in Washington, 40% is attributed to mobile
sources, 9% to point sources, and 3% to area sources. Nitrate on the
20% least impaired days at Olympic National Park: 45% of the nitrate is
from mobile sources, 8% from point sources, and 4% from area sources in
Washington. See Table 8-2 of the SIP submittal.
Organic carbon is the second most significant pollutant impairing
visibility in Olympic National Park. Most of the organic carbon
originates in the Puget Sound area from area sources including aerosol
formation from volatile organic compounds, natural and anthropogenic
fire, and mobile sources. See section 8.1.3 of the SIP submittal.
North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness Area
These two Class I areas are represented by one IMPROVE monitor
(NOCA1) located in the upper Skagit Valley. On the 20% most impaired
days, sulfate accounts for 26%, nitrate accounts for 5%, and organic
carbon accounts for 58% of impairment. On the 20% least impaired days,
sulfate accounted for 45%, nitrate accounted for 14%, and organic
carbon accounted to 21% of impairment. See section 8.2 of the SIP
submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired: 32% of the sulfate originates
from outside the modeling domain, 29% originates from sources in
Washington, and 28% originates in Canada. See Figure 8-12 of the SIP
submittal. Point sources in Washington contribute 20%, mobile sources
contribute 5%, and area sources contribute 3% of the sulfate in these
two areas. See Table 8-1 of the SIP submittal. Sulfate on the 20% least
impaired days: 40% of the sulfate originates from outside the modeling
domain, and 39% originates from sources in Washington. Of the sources
in Washington, 23% comes from point sources, 10% from mobile sources,
5% from area sources (excluding fire), and 2% from fire. See Table 8-1
and Figure 8-15 of the SIP submittal.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired days: 46% of the nitrate
originates from sources in Washington, 27% from Canada, 16% from
outside the modeling domain, and 7% from Pacific offshore sources. Of
the sources in Washington, 34% is from mobile sources, 6% from point
sources, 3% from fire, and 2% from area sources. See Table 8-2 and
Figure 8-16 of the SIP submittal. Nitrate on the 20% least impaired
days: 63% of the nitrate originates from sources in Washington, 13%
from sources in Oregon and 10% originates from sources outside the
modeling domain. Of the sources in Washington, 51% comes from mobile
sources, 6% from point sources, 3% from area sources, and 2% from fire.
See Table 8-2 and Figure 8-18 of the SIP submittal.
Organic carbon accounts for 56% of the impairment on the 20% most
impaired days. Figure 8-21 shows that
[[Page 76182]]
most organic carbon originates in Washington with a smaller fraction
originating in Canada. Most of the organic carbon originates in the
Puget Sound area from area sources including aerosol formation from
volatile organic compounds, natural and anthropogenic fire, and mobile
sources.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area is represented by the SNPA1 IMPROVE
monitoring site. On the 20% most impaired days, sulfate accounts for
34%, nitrate accounts for 23% and organic carbon accounts for 30% of
impairment. On the 20% least impaired days, sulfate accounted for 40%,
nitrate accounted for 18% and organic carbon accounted for 16% of
impairment. See section 8.3 of the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired days: 38% of the sulfate
originates from outside the modeling domain, 32% from sources in
Washington, 17% from Canada, and 8% from Pacific offshore. Of the
sources in Washington, 16% is from point sources, 10% from mobile
sources, and 5% from area sources. See Table 8-1 and Figure 8-23 of the
SIP submittal. Sulfate on the 20 least impaired days: 42% of the
sulfate originates from sources in Washington, 38% from outside the
modeling domain, and 8% from Pacific offshore. Of the sources in
Washington, 26% is from point sources, 11% from mobile sources, and 5%
from area sources. See Table 8-1 and Figure 8-25 of the SIP submittal.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired days: 68% of the nitrate
originates from sources in Washington, 9% from outside the modeling
domain, and 5% from Canada. Of the sources in Washington, 56% is from
mobile sources, 5% from point sources and 3% from area sources and 3%
from fire. See Table 8-2 and Figure 8-27 of the SIP submittal. Nitrate
on the 20% least impaired days: 65% of the nitrate originates from
sources in Washington, 15% from sources in Oregon, 9% from outside the
modeling domain, and 7% from offshore Pacific sources. Of the sources
in Washington, 52% is from mobile sources, 7% from point sources, 3%
from area sources, and 1% from fire. See Table 8-2 of the SIP
submittal.
Organic carbon on the 20% most impaired days is dominated by area
sources in Washington. See Figure 8.2.3 and Table 8-3 of the SIP
submittal. Organic carbon on the 20% least impaired days is dominated
by area sources in Washington. See Table 8-3 of the SIP submittal.
Mount Rainier National Park
In Mount Rainier National Park, as monitored at the MORA1 IMPROVE
monitoring site, sulfate is the largest contributor to visibility
impairment on the most impaired days, as well as on the least impaired
days. On the 20% most impaired days, sulfate accounts for 46%, nitrate
accounts for 10%, and organic carbon accounts for 29% of impairment. On
the 20% least impaired days, sulfate accounted for 40%, nitrate
accounted for 10%, and organic carbon accounted to 23% of impairment.
See section 8.4 of the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired days: 42% originates from sources
in Washington, 31% originates from outside the modeling domain, 12%
from Canada, and 12% from Pacific offshore. See Figure 8-34 of the SIP
submittal. Of the sources in Washington, 25% is from point sources, 11%
from mobile sources, and 6% from area sources. See Table 8-1 of the SIP
submittal. Sulfate on the 20% least impaired days: 36% of the sulfate
originates from sources in Washington, 38% from outside the modeling
domain, 16% from sources in Oregon, and 8% from Pacific offshore. Of
the sources in Washington, 25% is from point sources, 7% from mobile
sources, and 3% from area sources. See Table 8-1 and Figure 8-36 of the
SIP submittal.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired days: Washington sources account
for 78% of nitrate impairment. Of the Washington sources, 62% is from
mobile sources, 9% from point sources, 5% from area sources, and 1%
from fire. Nitrate on the 20% least impaired days: Washington sources
account for 42% and sources in Oregon accounts for 35% of nitrate
impairment. Of the sources in Washington, 32% is from mobile sources,
7% from point sources, 2% from area sources, and 1% from fire.
On the 20% most impaired days, almost all the organic carbon
originates from sources located in Washington. See Figure 8-43 of the
SIP submittal. On the 20% least impaired days, almost all the organic
carbon originates from sources in Washington with some contribution
from sources in Oregon. See Figure 8-44 of the SIP submittal.
Goat Rocks and Mount Adams Wilderness Areas
Both wilderness areas are represented by one IMPROVE monitoring
site WHPA1. On the 20% most impaired days at these areas, sulfate
accounts for 37%, nitrate accounts for 13%, and organic carbon accounts
for 36% of impairment. On the 20% least impaired days, sulfate accounts
for 49%, nitrate accounts for 13%, and organic carbon accounts for 14%
of impairment. See section 8.5 of the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired days: 39% originates from sources
outside the modeling domain, 29% originates from sources in Washington,
and 18% from Canada. See Figure 8-45 of the SIP submittal. Of the
sources in Washington, 16% is from point sources, 8% from mobile
sources, and 4% from area sources. See Table 8-1 of the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20 least impaired days: 44% of the sulfate originates
from sources in Washington, 29% from outside the modeling domain, 16%
from sources in Oregon, and 8% from Pacific offshore. Of the sources in
Washington, 30% is from point sources, 9% from mobile and 4% from area
sources.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired days: 64% originates from sources
in Washington and 13% from sources outside the modeling domain. Of the
sources in Washington, 52% is from mobile sources, 6% from point
sources, 4% from area sources, and 2% from fire. See Table 8-2 and
Figure 8-49 of the SIP submittal. Nitrate on the 20% least impaired
days: 49% originates from sources in Washington, and 29% from sources
in Oregon. Of the sources in Washington, 38% is from mobile sources, 7%
from point sources, 2% from area sources, and 1% from fire. See Table
8-2 and Figure 8-51 of the SIP submittal.
On the 20% most impaired days, organic carbon is the second largest
contributor to impairment in the Goat Rocks and Mt. Adams Wilderness
Areas. Most of the OMC originates in Washington, with Oregon sources
contributing minor amounts. See Figure 8-54 of the SIP submittal. On
the 20% least impaired days, organic carbon sources in Washington, and
Oregon contribute almost equally. See Figure 8-55 of the SIP submittal.
Pasayten Wilderness Area
The Pasayten Wilderness Area is monitored by the PASA1 IMPROVE
monitor. On the 20% most impaired days, 20% is due to sulfate, nitrate
accounts for 8%, and organic carbon accounts for 56% of impairment. On
the 20% least impaired days, sulfate accounts for 49%, nitrate accounts
for 17%, and organic carbon accounts for 17% of impairment. See section
8.6 of the SIP submittal.
Sulfate on the 20% most impaired days: 50% originates from outside
the modeling domain, 22% from Canada, and 18% from Washington. Of the
Washington sources, 8% is from point sources, 4% is from mobile
sources, 4%
[[Page 76183]]
from fire and 2% from area sources. See section 8.6 and Table 8-1 of
the SIP submittal. Sulfate on the 20% least impaired days: 40%
originates from outside the modeling domain, 36% from Washington
sources, and 10% from Canadian sources. Of the sources in Washington,
21% is from point sources, 10% from mobile sources, and 5% from area
sources.
Nitrate on the 20% most impaired days: 48% originates from sources
in Washington, 17% from outside the modeling domain, and 13% from
Canadian sources. Of the sources in Washington, mobile sources
contribute 36%, natural fire and biogenic sources 8%, and 3% point
sources. Nitrate on the 20% least impaired days: 62% originates from
sources in Washington, 15% from Oregon, and 85 from outside the
modeling domain. Of the sources in Washington, 49% is from mobile
sources, 6% from point sources, and 4% from natural and biogenic
sources.
On the 20% most and least impaired days, organic carbon is
responsible for over half of the total impairment. Natural fire in
Washington is responsible for almost all the organic carbon and a small
portion due to Washington area sources. See Figure 8-65 of the SIP
submittal.
EPA is proposing to find that Washington, using the WRAP analysis,
appropriately identified the pollutant species and source categories
contributing to impairment to the Class I areas in Washington. See WRAP
TSD.
E. Best Available Retrofit Technology
1. BART-Eligible Sources in Washington
The first phase of a BART evaluation is to identify all the BART-
eligible sources within the Washington's boundaries. Table 11-1 in the
SIP submission presents the list of all BART-eligible sources located
in Washington. These sources and their source categories are:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Category
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Graymont Western US INC (Tacoma)....... Lime plants.
TransAlta Centralia Generation, LLC.... Fossil fuel-fired steam
electric plants with a heat
input greater than 250 MMBtu
per hour.
Longview Fibre Co--Longview............ Kraft Pulp Mills.
Weyerhaeuser Co--Longview.............. Kraft Pulp Mills.
Fort James Camas LLC (now Georgia Kraft Pulp Mills.
Pacific Corporation--Camas).
Goldendale Aluminum.................... Primary Aluminum Ore Reduction
Plants.
Port Townsend Paper Co................. Kraft Pulp Mills.
Simpson Tacoma Kraft................... Kraft Pulp Mills.
Lafarge North America (Seattle)........ Portland Cement Plants.
Intalco (Ferndale)..................... Primary Aluminum Ore Reduction
Plants.
Alcoa Wenatchee Works.................. Primary Aluminum Ore Reduction
Plants.
BP Cherry Point Refinery (Ferndale).... Petroleum Refineries.
Tesoro Refining and Marketing Petroleum Refineries.
(Anacortes).
Puget Sound Refining Company........... Petroleum Refineries.
Conoco-Philips Company (Ferndale)...... Petroleum Refineries.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Sources Subject to BART
The second phase of the BART determination process is to identify
those BART-eligible sources that may reasonably be anticipated to cause
or contribute to any impairment of visibility at any Class I area and
are, therefore, subject to BART. As explained above, EPA has issued
guidelines that provide states with guidance for addressing the BART
requirements. 40 CFR part 51 appendix Y; see also 70 FR 39104 (July 6,
2005). The BART Guidelines describe how states may consider exempting
some BART-eligible sources from further BART review based on dispersion
modeling showing that the sources contribute to visibility impairment
below a certain threshold. Washington conducted dispersion modeling for
all the BART-eligible sources to determine the visibility impacts on
Class I areas.
The BART Guidelines advises states to set a contribution threshold
to assess whether the impact of a single BART-eligible source is
sufficient to cause or contribute to visibility impairment at a Class I
area. Generally, states may not establish a contribution threshold that
exceeds 0.5 dv impact. 70 FR 39161. Washington established a
contribution threshold of 0.5 dv. The 0.5 dv threshold is consistent
with the threshold used by all other states in the WRAP. Any BART-
eligible source with an impact of greater than 0.5 dv in any mandatory
Class I area, including Class I areas in other states, would be subject
to a BART analysis and BART emission limitations.
To determine those sources exceeding this contribution threshold
and thus subject to BART, Washington used the CALPUFF dispersion
modeling. The dispersion modeling was conducted in accord with the
``Washington, Oregon, Idaho BART Modeling Protocol''. This Protocol was
jointly developed by the states of Idaho, Washington, Oregon and EPA
and has undergone public review. The Protocol was used by all three
states in determining which BART-eligible sources are subject to BART.
See appendix H of the SIP submittal for details of the modeling
protocol, its application and results.
The SIP submittal contained no rationale for adopting a 0.5 dv
threshold for determining whether a BART-eligible source may be
reasonably anticipated to cause or contribute to any visibility
impairment in a mandatory Class I area. Although a number of
stakeholders may have agreed that a 0.5 dv threshold is appropriate,
and other states in the Region may have adopted such a threshold, such
agreement does not provide sufficient basis for concluding that such a
threshold was appropriate in the case of Washington. Based on EPA's
review of the BART-eligible sources in Washington, however, and for the
reasons discussed below, EPA is proposing to find that a 0.5 dv
threshold is appropriate, given the specific facts in Washington.
Relying on modeling that each source conducted using the ``Idaho-
Oregon-Washington BART Modeling Protocol'' that was reviewed by
Washington, the visibility impact of each source was determined on all
Class I areas within 300 km of all but one of the BART-eligible
sources. See Table 11-3 of the SIP submittal for those sources with
less than a 0.5 dv impact. The BART-eligible sources are generally
widely distributed across the Washington. Given the relatively limited
impact on visibility from these sources, Washington could have
reasonably concluded that a 0.5 dv threshold was appropriate for
capturing
[[Page 76184]]
those BART-eligible sources with significant impacts on visibility in
Class I areas. For these reasons, EPA is proposing to approve the 0.5
dv threshold adopted by Washington in its Regional Haze SIP.
In the BART Guidelines, EPA recommended that states ``consider the
number of BART sources affecting the Class I areas at issue and the
magnitude of the individual sources' impacts. In general, a larger
number of BART sources causing impacts in a Class I area may warrant a
lower contribution threshold.'' 70 FR 39104, 39161 (July 6, 2005). In
developing its Regional Haze SIP, Washington requested 14 of the 15
BART-eligible sources to model their respective impact on the Class I
areas within a 300 km radius. For Goldendale Aluminum, Washington
relied on modeling conducted by EPA, rather than requesting the source
to model its impact because the facility has not operated since 2001.
Below is the list of sources that Washington determined were
subject to BART and the Class I area for which the source has the
greatest visibility impact (average of the three annual 8th highest
daily value over 2003-2005 baseline):
BP Cherry Point Refinery, Blaine Wa........ 0.9 dv at Olympic National Park
Intalco Aluminum Corp. Ferndale............ 2.4 dv at Olympic National Park.
Tesoro Refining and Marketing Co........... 1.7 dv at Olympic National Park.
Port Townsend Paper Co..................... 1.2 dv at Olympic National Park.
Lafarge North America...................... 3.16 dv at Olympic National Park.
TransAlta Centralia Generation LLC......... 5.5 dv at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Weyerhaeuser Longview...................... 1.0 dv at Mt. Rainier National Park.
3. Washington Source Specific BART Analyses
A BART determination was conducted for each of the sources subject
to BART. At Washington's request, each source conducted its own BART
analysis and prepared a report which Ecology then reviewed and used to
make a case-by-case BART determination. In conducting the BART
analysis, Washington considered all five BART factors. Washington
explained that in order for it to select a specific control technology
as BART, it must be technically feasible, cost effective, provide a
visibility benefit, and have minimal potential for adverse non-air
quality impacts. Washington further explained that normally visibility
improvement is only one of the factors but if two available and
technically feasible controls are essentially equivalent in cost
effectiveness and collateral impacts then visibility may become the
deciding factor. See e.g. Washington Regional Haze SIP submittal L-13.
The BART determination, including controls, emission limits and
compliance deadlines are reflected in an enforceable Order issued to
each source. The BART Orders are included in the SIP submittal. Below
is a table of compliance dates for each BART Order.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facility Compliance date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BP Cherry Point Refinery: Compliance July 7, 2010.
for all PM, NOX, and SO2 emission
limits.
Intalco Aluminum Corp. Compliance with November 15, 2010.
all PM, NOX, and SO2 emission limits.
Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company
Compliance for all PM and SO2 emission July 7, 2010.
limits.
Compliance with NOX emission limits September 30, 2015.
(unit F-103).
Port Townsend Paper Corp.
Compliance with emission limits for PM, October 20, 2010.
NOX, and SO2.
Lafarge North America, Inc.
Compliance with all PM emission limits. July 28, 2010.
Compliance with SO2 emission limits.... No than April 30, 2011, or 90
days after the kiln is
restarted if the kiln is in
temporary cessation on
February 1, 2011.
Compliance with NOX emission limits.... No later than the date Lafarge
completes optimization of the
NOX control system per
specified criteria.
Weyerhaeuser Corp.
Compliance with emission limits for PM, July 7, 2010.
NOX, and SO2.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is a summary of Washington's BART analysis and determination
for each of the seven sources subject to BART. Additional detail
regarding the analysis for each source, unit and pollutant may be found
in the Washington Regional Haze SIP submittal, appendix L.
a. British Petroleum, Cherry Point Refinery
The BP Cherry Point Refinery located near Ferndale, Washington, is
a BART-eligible source subject to BART. Its maximum visibility impact
of 0.9 dv is at Olympic National Park. Impacts at all other Class I
areas within 300 km are less than 0.5 dv. See Table 11-4 of the SIP
submittal. As summarized below, Washington and BP completed a BART
analysis for all BART-eligible units at the refinery. Washington's BART
determination, issued to BP as BART Compliance Order No. 7836 (BP
Cherry Point BART Compliance Order), is included in the Washington's
Regional Haze SIP submission. See Washington Regional Haze SIP
submittal, page L-47. Additionally, the operating permit No. 7836
included with the SIP submittal contains emission control requirements
for non-BART units beyond those required for BART.
As a component of a national consent decree between BP and the EPA,
(United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana,
Hammond Division; Civil No. 2:96CV 095RL) most of the refinery's
heaters and boilers have been evaluated for upgraded and retrofit
control technology. As required under the consent decree, many heaters
had been retrofitted with low-NOX burners (LNBs) or ultra-
low-NOX burners (ULNBs). Washington considered these
federally enforceable upgrades as existing control in the BART
analysis.
[[Page 76185]]
One general consideration in determining the cost effectiveness of
all potential BART control technologies for BP is the ability to
install the retrofit technology during a regularly scheduled turnaround
or maintenance period at the facility. Turnaround is the term used to
describe when the refinery is shutdown periodically, on approximately 5
year intervals, for routine maintenance and process equipment upgrades.
A retrofit during a routine turnaround would not incur the extra costs
associated with loss of revenues during shutdown. Washington determined
the cost effectiveness values of installing controls both during
routine turnaround and outside the normal turnaround period.
Table 1-1 of the BP Cherry Point BART determination of appendix L
of the SIP submittal identifies all emitting units at the facility and
indicates whether the units are BART-eligible. Twenty-one of the
refinery's emission units were determined to be BART-eligible and
subject to BART. These units are as follows:
Heaters and Boilers: \7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ Power Boiler 1 and Power Boiler 3 were
replaced in 2009 by Boilers 6 and 7. Boilers
6 and 7 were not considered in the BART
determination as they are not BART-eligible and were permitted under
PSD. The BART Order 7836 issued to BP July 7, 2010, Finding C and
Condition 7 ``Other Requirements'' requires decommissioning of
Boilers 1 and 3 no later than March 27, 2010.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude Charge Heater
South Vacuum Heater
Naphtha Hydrodesulfuriztion (HDS) Charge Heater
Naphtha HDS Stripper Reboiler
1 Reformer Heaters
Coker Charge Heater (1 North)
Coker Charge Heater (2 South)
1st Stage Hydrocracker (HC) Fractionator Reboiler
2nd Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler
R-1 HC Reactor Heater
R-4 HC Reactor Heater
1 Diesel HDS Charge Heater
Diesel HDS Stabilizer Reboiler
Steam Reforming Furnace 1
Steam Reforming Furnace 2
Sulfur Recovery Systems
Two Sulfur Recovery Units (SRUs) and one of the associated
Tail Gas Units (TGU)
Flares
High Pressure Flare
Low Pressure Flare
Material Handling
Green Coke Load Out equipment
General Discussion of NOX Control Technologies Considered
for Heaters and Boilers at BP
BP conducted a source category evaluation of all available control
technologies for this source category to eliminate those that are
infeasible. All available NOX control technologies
identified for further evaluation were based on the EPA RACT/BACT/LAER
Clearinghouse (RBLC). See appendix L of the SIP submittal at L-29. The
table below identifies those NOX control technologies and
indicates which were determined to generally be technically feasible:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources to which
they would Is it technically
Technology potentially be Feasible?
applicable
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selective Catalytic Reduction All Heaters....... Yes.
(SCR).
Low-NOX Burners (LNB) or Ultra All Heaters....... Yes.
Low NOX Burners (ULNB).
Selective non-catalytic All Heaters....... No. Exhaust gas
Reduction (SNCR). temperatures vary
too much and
temperatures not
in range for SNCR
operation.
External Flue Gas Recirculation All Heaters and No--Potential
(FGR). Boilers. safety Issues.
Low Excess Air All Units......... No--Potential
Operation--CO................... safety issues and
Control......................... small operating
range.
Steam Injection................. All Units......... Not feasible
except 1st Stage
HC Fractionator
Reboiler.
Lower Combustion Air Units with air No. cooler air is
Preheat......................... preheat. introduced into
the heater as
combustion air,
the heater has to
utilize
additional fuel
to heat the air
for the
combustion
process which
ends up negating
any NOX
reductions
generated.
CETEK--Descale & Coat Tubes..... Units with No. This technique
externally scaled is only
tubes. applicable to
units where the
heat transfer
tubes are
externally
scaled.
Modify Existing Burners to All............... Yes.
Improve NOX emissions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evaluation of Technically Feasible NOX Controls for specific
heaters and boilers Crude Charge Heater (NOX): The Crude Charge Heater
currently uses conventional burners. Washington determined that a LNB
is technically infeasible for this specific emission unit due to the
high flame temperatures and heat density needed for the process. LNB
would lower the flame temperature below that needed for the process and
flame impingement from LNB would de-rate the heater and reduce
throughput. Washington determined that while SCR is technically
feasible for the Crude Charge Heater, it is not cost effective at
$14,658/ton during scheduled turnaround and $32,000/ton during non-
scheduled turnaround. Washington determined BART for NOX for
the Crude Heater is existing conventional burners.
South Vacuum Heater (NOX): The South Vacuum Heater currently has
ultra low-NOX burners. These burners were installed in 2005
in accordance with the national consent decree. Washington determined
that SCR is not cost effective for the South Vacuum Heater regardless
of whether it was installed during a scheduled turnaround or not. Cost
effectiveness during a scheduled turnaround or outside turnaround is
$54,551/ton and $82,643/ton respectively. Washington determined BART
for this unit is the existing ULNB. The NOX emission limit
is 0.08 lb/MMBtu.
Naphtha HDS Charge Heater & Naphtha HDS Stripper Reboiler (NOX):
Both of these boilers currently employ conventional burners in
relatively small fire boxes. LNB is deemed infeasible on
[[Page 76186]]
both of these units due to small size of the heater and because, with
LNBs, flame impingement on the boiler tubes would cause premature
failure. SCR is not cost effective at $46,667/ton during turnaround and
$31,467/ton during non-turnaround. Washington determined BART for
NOX is the existing conventional burners.
#1 Reformer Heater (NOX): The 1 Reformer Heater has a
complex design with four independent fire boxes and two stacks. It is
currently fitted with conventional burners. LNB is infeasible due to
small size of firebox and because the longer flame length of LNB would
cause flame impingement on the heater tubes and lead to premature
failure. SCR is not cost effective at $15,253/ton during turnaround and
$17,299/ton during non-turnaround. Washington determined BART for
NOX is the current conventional burners.
Coker Charge Heater (#1 North) and Coker Charge Heater (#2 South)
(NOX): The Coker Heaters are both currently using early design (1999)
LNB which incorporate staged air combustion and flue gas recirculation.
LNB of a newer design is not cost effective at $31,301/ton for the
1 North Heater and $30,762/ton for the 2 South
Heater. SCR is not cost effective at $35,202/ton for the 1
North Heater and $34,597/ton for the 2 South Heater.
Washington found that BART for NOX is the existing LNB with
staged air combustion and flue gas recirculation. The NOX
emission limit for these units is 0.08 lb/MMBtu
#1 Diesel HDS Charge Heater and Diesel HDS Stabilizer Reboiler
(NOX): The heater and reboiler are currently fitted with ULNBs to
comply with the consent decree. SCR is not cost effective at $192,585/
ton for the 1 Diesel HDS Charge Heater and $145,094/ton for
the Diesel HDS Stabilizer Reboiler. Washington determined BART for
NOX for the Diesel HDS Charge Heater is the existing ULNB
with an emission limit of 0.040 lb/MMBtu.
Washington determined BART for NOX for the Stabilizer
Reboiler Heater is existing ULNBs with an emission limit of 26 ppmv
(dry basis corrected to 7% O2) based on a 24-hour rolling
average. If this concentration is exceeded, a secondary limit to
demonstrate compliance is 2.2 lb/hour based on a 24-hour rolling
average.
Steam Reforming Furnace #1 (North H2 Plant) and Steam Reforming
Furnace #2 (South H2 Plant) (NOX): These units currently use
conventional burners. LNB is not cost effective for these two furnaces
at $21,234/ton for the North H2 Plant and $21,682/ton for the South H2
Plant. SCR is not cost effective at $28,378/ton for the North Plant and
$28,900/ton for the South Plant. LNB with SCR is not cost effective at
$29,555/ton and $30,104/ton. Washington determined that BART for
NOX for these units is the existing conventional burners.
R-1 HC Reactor Heater (NOX): This heater currently operates with
ULNB in accord with consent decree. In the general evaluation of
control technologies for heaters and boilers BP determined that the
only feasible technology with greater control efficiency than ULNB is
SCR. SCR is not cost effective at $214,726/ton NOX removed.
Washington determined BART is the existing ULNB with a NOX
emission limit of 26 ppm by volume dry basis corrected to 7%
O2 on a 24-hour rolling average. Should the concentration
limit be exceeded, the mass emission limit is 3.6 lb/hr on a 24-hour
rolling average.
R-4 HC Reactor Heater (NOX): The R-4 HC Reactor Heater is currently
operating with conventional burners. LNBs are not technically feasible
due to high heat density, flame impingement, and flame shape that would
exceed the American Petroleum Institute (API) guidelines for burner
spacing. SCR is not cost effective at $36,620/ton. Washington
determined that BART is the current burners.
1st Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler (NOX BART): The 1st stage HC
Fractionator Reboiler is currently operating with conventional burners.
The BART cost effectiveness analysis to install ULNBs is estimated by
BP to be $12,044/ton. Washington determined this value to not be cost
effective, however BP volunteered to install ULNB on this unit to
achieve 0.05 lb NOX/MMBtu. Washington did not propose ULNB
as BART, but rather said in the BART analysis report the emission
reductions would be considered in a future SIP submittal as further
reasonable progress. (appendix L, at L-41) SCR is determined to be not
cost effective at $19,470/ton. Washington determined BART to be the
current conventional burners. The BART Order for BP, submitted with the
Plan, includes a NOX emission limit for this emission unit
of 0.07 lb/MMBtu monthly average, or 56.2 tons per calendar year.
2nd Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler: This reboiler is currently
fitted with LNBs. Washington found that ULNB is not cost effective at
$36,395/ton and SCR is not cost effective at $37,810/ton. LNB with SCR
is not cost effective at $40,768/ton. Washington determined BART to be
the existing LNBs with an emission limit for NOX of 0.07 lb/
MMBtu based on a 24-hour average not to exceed 56.2 t/y on a calendar
year rolling average.
General Discussion of SO2 Control Technologies Considered
and Those Technically Feasible for Heaters and Other Combustion Devices
Washington and BP identified four add-on SO2 control
technologies from the RBLC as described below; Emerachem EMX, Dry
Scrubbing, Fuel Gas Conditioning (sulfur content reduction), and wet
flue gas desulfurization (wet-FGD). In addition, the combination of
fuel gas conditioning and wet flue gas desulfurization (wet-FGD) was
considered. See SIP submittal, appendix L at L-28.
Emerachem EMX (previously known as SCONOX): This technology has not
been proven to run longer than one year without major maintenance. It
has only been used on a small number of natural gas combustion turbines
for NOX control, and to date has not been used on oil
refinery heaters to reduce SO2 emissions. BP requires the
refinery heaters to be able to operate five years between turnarounds.
This technology is technically infeasible for use on the refinery
heaters. Therefore, Washington agreed with BP that the technology is
considered technically infeasible at this facility.
Dry Scrubbing: This technology requires a maintenance turnaround
approximately every two years due to equipment plugging and wear. This
level of needed maintenance is inconsistent with the refinery's
turnaround schedule of every 5 years. Therefore, Washington agreed with
BP that the technology is considered technically infeasible at this
facility.
Fuel Gas Conditioning: This technology would reduce the
concentration of sulfur in the refinery fuel gas from the current NSPS
Subpart J limit of 162 ppmv hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to 50
ppmv and this would reduce the average sulfur concentration in the fuel
gas combusted by BART-eligible units by 89%. Cost effectiveness to
upgrade the fuel gas treatment system to meet a 50 ppmv concentration
limit is $22,282/ton when the costs are applied only to the BART units.
Because fuel gas conditioning would be used for all the combustion
sources at the refinery (both BART and non-BART), the technology would
also reduce emissions from the non-BART units. When cost effectiveness
calculations are applied to all emission units at the BP refinery the
cost effectiveness is $14,428/ton. Washington determined this
technology to not be cost effective.
Wet FGD: The cost effectiveness of wet flue gas desulfurization is
[[Page 76187]]
calculated to be between $29,982/ton and $102,068/ton because the fuel
gas already meets the existing fuel gas limit of 162 ppmH2S.
Washington has determined this technology is not cost effective.
Fuel Gas Conditioning and Wet FGD: The cost effectiveness of
combined fuel gas conditioning and wet flue gas desulfurization is
$49,743/ton and $179,151/ton. Washington has determined this technology
is not cost effective.
Conclusions for SO2 BART: Washington determined that the existing
fuel gas sulfur removal system is BART for SO2 for the
refinery heaters.
Particulate Matter Control Technologies Considered for Heaters:
BP reviewed information in EPA's RBLC database and control technology
literature to find available technologies to control particulate
emissions from refinery heaters. The most promising and thus those
considered for further evaluation were fuel gas conditioning and wet
electrostatic precipitators (WESP).
Fuel Gas conditioning: This control technology is discussed above
in the BART determination for SO2 and was determined to be
not cost effective for PM control at this facility.
WESP: Using this technology would require a wet electrostatic
precipitator (WESP) to be added to each heater and boiler. The cost
effectiveness is determined to be $24,280/ton and determined to not be
cost effective.
Since there are no technically or economically feasible PM control
measures, Washington found that BART for PM for the heaters is good
operating practices and the current refinery fuel gas treatment system.
Control Technologies Considered for NOX, SO2 and PM and Those
Technically Feasible for High and Low Pressure Flares:
BP currently operates both a high pressure and low pressure flare.
After a review of the RBLC, no add-on control technologies were
identified. Currently both flares meet the applicable NSPS requirements
for flares which emit NOX, SO2, and
PM2.5 (40 CFR 60.18 General control device and work practice
requirements). Both flares are of smokeless design and steam assisted.
A flare gas recovery system was installed in 1984 that significantly
decreased the total volume of gas routinely sent to the flare. In
addition, a coker blow down vapor recovery system was installed in 2007
that further reduced both the volume and sulfur content of the
routinely flared gas. According to BP's analysis, as relied on by
Washington, no add-on control technologies for flares were identified
or known to be in commercial use for additional control of
NOX, SO2, or PM.
Washington determined and required by BART Order 7836, BART for
NOX, SO2, and PM control is the continued
operation and maintenance of the existing high and low pressure flares,
including the continued use of the flare gas recovery system, limiting
pilot light fuel to pipeline grade natural gas, operating in accordance
with 40 CFR 60.18, and conversion from steam assisted to air assisted
flares. Additionally, sources using flares to comply with Refinery MACT
equipment leak provisions shall monitor flares to assure they are
maintained and operated properly to reduce the emissions of organic
HAPS from miscellaneous process vents by 98% or to 20 ppmv. Flares
shall be operated at all times when emissions may be vented to them.
SO2 emissions from the high and low pressure flares
shall not exceed 1000 ppm corrected to 7% O2 averaged over a
60-minute period.
All Control Technologies Considered and Those Technically Feasible for
Sulfur Recovery Systems
The sulfur recovery units (SRU) convert hydrogen sulfide
(H2S) to SO2 and elemental sulfur. BP operates
two SRUs in parallel with their exhaust gas streams combined and
distributed to two tail gas units (TGU). One TGU utilizes the Shell
Claus Off-gas Treating Process (SCOT) technology, a patented
technology, and the other utilizes the CANSOLV (registered trademark of
Cansolv Technologies Inc.) technology to assist in further collection
of sulfur compounds and reducing the quantity of SO2
discharged via the ``incinerator stack.'' The primary pollutant from
the sulfur recovery unit is SO2. The SRUs are subject to the
requirements of 40 CFR 63 Subpart UUU, which specifies 40 CFR 60,
Subpart J compliance as a control option. The SRUs are currently
controlled to this MACT standard.
BP and Washington's analysis found that the RBLC database and
control technology literature lists available technologies to control
NOX emissions from the SRUs and the TGU. In the RBLC, 24
entries were found regarding NOX control for SRUs and TGUs
at refineries. Two categories of control methods for NOX
were listed:
Good Operating Practices (e.g., ``proper equipment design
and operation, good combustion practices, and use of gaseous fuels'',
``optimized air-fuel ratio'', and ``good operating practices'')
LNBs: LNBs can be installed either within the SRU itself
(usually only as part of the initial design) or in the TGU. Replacing
the existing burner in the SRU with a LNB would increase the flame
length causing flame impingement and possible damage to the SRU.
Because of the flame impingement issues, a LNB within the SRU is
technically infeasible.
The original TGU at the refinery was installed in 1977 and utilizes
natural draft burners which are not suitable for the direct
installation of a LNB. The natural draft design would require addition
of fans to supply air to the LNBs. The cost to install LNBs and
additional fans would not be cost effective.
Washington determined that the continued operation of the existing
SRUs and TGUs is BART for NOX, SO2 and
PM10/PM2.5. The BART Order 7836 for BP, included
in the SIP submittal, requires that SO2 emitted from the SRU
not exceed 135 tons during each consecutive 12-month rolling period.
Supplemental fuel gas combusted in the No. 1 TGU is limited to a
composition of H2S <230 mg/dscm (0.10 gr/dscf) which is
equivalent to 162 ppmH2S, 3 hour rolling average.
NOX emissions from No. 2 TGU Stack are limited to 2.5 lbs/
hr. SO2 emissions from No. 2 TGU Stack are limited to 24.0
lbs/hr. In accordance with NSPS Subpart J, SO2 emissions
from the TGU stacks is limited to 250 ppm dry basis corrected to 0%
O2 based on a 12-hour rolling average or 1500 ppm dry basis
corrected to 0% O2 based on a 1-hour average.
Control Technologies Considered and Those Technically Feasible for
Green Coke Load Out
The Green Coke Load Out system was constructed as part of the
original refinery. The equipment was functionally replaced in 1978 by
installation of the 1 & 2 calciners and a new coke
load out system. However, the old equipment still physically exists at
the refinery as back up during an emergency because there is no storage
capability at the facility. Washington recognizes that continued
ability to use the Green Coke Load Out system in an emergency is
appropriate. Due to the limited use of the Green Coke Load Out system,
the cost of any control would result in a high cost effectiveness value
and limited visibility improvement. Washington's BART determination
allows its limited emergency usage.
Cooling Tower: Cooling towers produce particulate from water
droplet drift away from the towers. Washington evaluated droplet and
particulate drift from cooling towers in the past and found that they
produce relatively large particulate that does not drift far from
[[Page 76188]]
the tower. Washington has made a qualitative review of BART for the
control of particulate from this cooling tower and determined that the
existing drift controls satisfy BART for this unit.
Visibility Improvement Expected From BART
BP modeled the visibility improvement expected to result from the
implementation of BART determinations for the 1 Diesel HDS
Charge Heater, HDS Stabilizer Reboiler, R-1 HC Reactor Heater, and 1st
Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler. Visibility at the most impacted Class I
area, Olympic National Park, using the metric of the 3-year combined
98% value (22nd high), improved from 0.84 dv to 0.79 dv, and the 98%
value (max annual 8th high) improved from 0.9 dv to 0.83 dv. EPA is
proposing to approve the BART Order with emission limitations on
SO2, NOX, and PM2.5 for the BART-
eligible units at BP as they are reasonable.
The Table summarizes the proposed BART determination technology for
each BART emission unit:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emission unit Technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude Charge Heater.................... Current burners and operations.
South Vacuum Heater.................... Existing ULNB.
Naphtha HDS Charge Heater.............. Current burners and operations.
Naphtha HDS Stripper Reboiler.......... Current burners and operations.
1 Reformer Heaters............ Current burners and operations.
Coker Charge Heater (1 North). Current burners and operations.
Coker Charge Heater (2 South). Current burners and operations.
1 Diesel HDS Charge Heater.... Existing ULNB and operations.
Diesel HDS Stabilizer Reboiler......... Existing ULNB and operations.
Steam Reforming Furnace 1 Current burners and operations.
(North H2 Plant).
Steam Reforming Furnace 2 Current burners and operations.
(South H2 Plant).
R-1 HC Reactor Heater.................. Existing ULNB and operations.
R-4 HC Reactor Heater.................. Current burners and operations.
1st Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler..... Current burners and operations.
2nd Stage HC Fractionator Reboiler..... Existing ULNB and operations.
Refinery Fuel Gas (hydrogen sulfide)... Currently installed fuel gas
treatment system.
SRU & TGU (Sulfur Incinerator)......... Current burners and operations.
High and Low Pressure Flares........... NOX: Good operation and
maintenance including use of
the flare gas recovery system
and limiting pilot light fuel
to pipeline grade natural gas.
SO2: Good operating practices,
use of natural gas for pilot.
PM.
Good operating practices, use
of a steam-assisted smokeless
flare design, use of flare gas
recovery system.
Green Coke Load-out.................... Maintain as unused equipment
for possible emergency use.
Power Boilers 1 and 3.................. Replacement with new Power
Boilers 6 and 7.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
b. Intalco Aluminum Corp.
The Alcoa, Intalco Works (Intalco) is a primary aluminum smelter
utilizing the prebake process located at Cherry Point near Ferndale,
Washington. The visibility impairing pollutants from the facility are
PM, NOX and SO2. The major sources of these
pollutants at the facility are the potlines and to a lesser extent, the
anode bake furnace.
Base year SO2 emissions from the potlines are 6550 t/y
from sulfur in anode coke that is consumed in the smelting process.
Particulate emissions from the potlines and the anode bake oven are
well controlled. The primary air pollution control system employed by
Intalco for control of potline emissions consists of dry alumina
injection followed by fabric filtration which effectively controls PM.
Emissions of NOX from the potlines are insignificant because
the potlines are electrically heated (versus combustion of fossil
fuels) and none of the raw materials contain significant quantities of
nitrogen.
Modeled visibility impacts of baseline emissions were over 2.0 dv
at Olympic National Park. Impacts of greater than 0.5 dv were shown for
six other Class I areas. The modeling also showed that SO2
emissions from the exit of the existing dry alumina baghouse potline
emission control system as being responsible for 94% of the facility's
total visibility impact and these emissions are the focus of EPA's
evaluation of Washington's BART determination.
SO2 BART Determination for Potlines
Eight different SO2 add-on control options, along with
pollution prevention, were identified in the SIP submittal as potential
control measures. Six of the control options use wet scrubbing and two
use dry scrubbing technology. Pollution prevention, by limiting the
sulfur content of the coke used in the furnace anodes, along with the
amount of carbon consumed in the process, was also evaluated.
Wet Scrubbing Technologies:
Limestone slurry scrubbing with forced oxidation (LSFO)
Conventional lime wet scrubbing
Seawater scrubbing
Dual alkali sodium/lime scrubbing (dilute mode)
Conventional sodium scrubbing
Dry Scrubbing Technologies:
Dry sorbent injection
Semi-dry scrubbing (spray dryer)
Limestone Slurry Forced Oxidation (LSFO): Spray nozzles inject
limestone slurry droplets into the exhaust gas stream from a spray
tower. The limestone reacts with SO2 to form calcium
sulfite. Liquor is collected at the bottom of the tower and sparged
with air to oxidize the calcium sulfite to calcium sulfate to enhance
the settling properties. Recirculation pumps circulate the scrubbing
liquor to the spray nozzles. Sulfur dioxide removal efficiencies of 90%
or greater have been achieved. The bleed containing calcium sulfate is
sent to a dewatering system to remove excess moisture. For an aluminum
smelter, the process will produce either solid gypsum waste or
commercial-grade gypsum suitable for reuse as a cement additive. Only a
very small purge or blowdown stream is required. A more detailed
evaluation of LSFO for the Intalco facility is discussed below
following the short evaluation of other control technologies that were
rejected.
[[Page 76189]]
Conventional Lime Wet Scrubbing: Conventional lime wet scrubbing is
similar to LSFO except that the raw material is hydrated lime or quick
lime that is either slaked on-site or purchased in the slaked form. The
system typically uses forced oxidation, although natural oxidation is
possible. The process produces either solid gypsum waste or commercial-
grade gypsum suitable for possible reuse as a cement additive.
Seawater Scrubbing: Seawater scrubbing is used in Europe for
control of SO2 emissions from primary aluminum smelters
similar to Intalco. As with other wet scrubbing technologies, an
alkaline solution (in this case seawater) is sprayed into the exhaust
gas stream within one or more vertical towers and the seawater is used
to absorb the SO2 in the exhaust gases. More specifically,
by encouraging contact between the SO2 containing gas stream
and the slightly alkaline seawater, SO2 is removed from the
gas stream via absorption. The seawater is then discharged as
wastewater.
Dual Alkali/Lime Scrubbing: Dual alkali sodium/lime scrubbing
(dilute mode) uses a caustic sodium solution in the scrubber tower. A
portion of the scrubbing liquid is discharged to a neutralization stage
where lime slurry is used to regenerate the caustic, which is returned
to the scrubber. The bleed from the scrubber is sent to a dewatering
system to produce a gypsum byproduct. The process will produce either
solid gypsum waste or commercial-grade gypsum suitable for reuse as a
cement additive. Dual alkali sodium/lime scrubbing (dilute mode) is not
currently marketed by major FGD vendors because the system is too
complicated and expensive. Washington found that due to lack of
availability and anticipated excessive cost, dual alkali sodium/lime
scrubbing is not technically feasible.
Conventional Sodium Scrubbing: Sodium scrubbing is another wet
scrubbing technology using scrubber liquor containing a sodium reagent.
The infrastructure and associated capital costs for a sodium scrubber
would be similar to that of LSFO, although sodium-based reagents are
generally much more expensive than limestone or lime. Based on these
factors, and the similarity to the equipment necessary for LSFO,
further evaluation of sodium scrubbing is unnecessary.
Dry Sorbent Injection: In dry injection, a reactive alkaline powder
is injected into a furnace, ductwork, or a dry reactor. Typical removal
efficiencies with calcium adsorbents are 50 to 60% and up to 80% with
sodium base adsorbents. However, as with wet scrubbing, disposal of
waste using sodium adsorbents must consider their high solubility in
water compared to those from calcium adsorbents. The temperature range
over which scrubbing has been used is 300 to 1,800 [deg]F; the minimum
temperature is 300 to 350 [deg]F. Dry systems are rarely used and only
3% of FGD systems installed in the U.S. are dry systems. The dry waste
material is removed using particulate control devices such a fabric
filter or an electrostatic precipitator (ESP).
Analysis of the Available Control Options
Seawater Scrubbing: As described by Washington, although
technically feasible, seawater scrubbing was eliminated from
consideration as BART due to water quality discharge concerns. See SIP
submittal pages L-81 to L-83. Unlike aluminum plants in Europe,
wastewater discharge from primary aluminum smelters in the United
States must comply with specific limits on fluorides, among other
pollutants (see 40 CFR 421, Subpart B). Washington found that the
necessary wastewater treatment facilities would not be cost-effective,
and would produce a large amount of wastewater treatment sludge.
Treatment of seawater would produce significantly more sludge than
freshwater since precipitation of the natural salts would be necessary
in order to remove target pollutants.
EPA conducted further analysis of non-air related environmental
impacts of seawater scrubbing. The offshore aquatic area immediately
surrounding the Intalco smelter has recently been designated as an
environmental aquatic reserve for the protection of herring. The Cherry
Point Environmental Aquatic Reserve Management Plan expressly prohibits
new saltwater intake structures, which would be necessary for seawater
scrubbing. See Cherry Point Environmental Aquatic Reserve Management
Plan p. 54. Thus, seawater scrubbing is not a viable control option.
Dry Sorbent Injection: Intalco's potline exhaust gas stream,
downstream of the existing baghouses is low temperature (less than 205
[deg]F) with low SO2 concentrations of less than 105 ppm.
Washington's analysis found that dry sorbent scrubbing is not effective
at gas stream temperatures below 250 [deg]F. Thus, due to the low
temperatures in the Intalco potline exhaust gas stream, Washington
determined dry scrubbing is not technically feasible.
EPA conducted a literature review which generally supports this
finding. In addition, EPA contacted a vendor of dry scrubbing
technology who confirmed the importance of exhaust gas stream
temperature, and stated that its dry scrubbing technology could
successfully control SO2 emissions for gas stream
temperatures down to approximately 250-260 [deg]F.
Upstream of the existing baghouses, the exhaust gas temperature
would be in the temperature range that is technically feasible for DSI.
However, injection of the alkaline reagent may render the baghouse
catch unsuitable for recycling to the potlines which is the current
practice for reclamation of the alumina and control of fluorides.
Based on this research, we agree with Washington's determination
that with a flue gas temperature of ~205 [deg]F, dry scrubbing is
technically infeasible for control of SO2.
We did not conduct further analyses regarding Conventional Wet Lime
Scrubbing, and Dual Alkali Sodium/Lime Scrubbing because we agree with
Washington's determination that these technologies either had no
advantages over LSFO, had clear disadvantages, or were likely to be
more costly when compared with LSFO.
Low Sulfur Anode Coke: Washington discussed the current levels of
sulfur in petroleum coke used by other aluminum smelters to determine
whether a pollution prevention option using lower sulfur content coke
would be a feasible BART option for Intalco. See Washington SIP
submittal appendix L at L-68 to 69. This analysis indicated that some
smelters currently utilize coke with sulfur contents as low as two 2%.
An analysis was also done by Washington to determine whether coke with
sulfur levels below 3% can be anticipated to be available into the
future. The primary conclusions from Washington's analysis indicate
that there will be a continuing increase in the sulfur content of
available anode grade coke. The aluminum smelters that currently have
sulfur limits below 3% are requesting the regulating agencies to relax
this limit due to lack of available low sulfur coke.
Coke is a relatively small, low revenue component of a refinery's
product profile. It is a low value product made from the thick, tar-
like refinery wastes left over after all of the more valuable
components have been removed from the petroleum crude. The aluminum
industry has little influence in controlling the quantity, quality, and
price of the coke produced by refineries.
Washington also found that low sulfur crude oil supplies are
becoming less available and more expensive for petroleum refineries. In
the future, refineries with coking capacity are expected to minimize
their raw material costs by using more of the higher sulfur
[[Page 76190]]
crude oils and oil sands. Washington further explained that as oil
fields age, the sulfur content of the crude oil is known to increase
and the crude oil in the fields becomes more viscous and harder to
extract. This effect is expected to increase the sulfur content of the
petroleum materials available to produce anode grade coke.
Global primary aluminum production is expected to grow, resulting
in a commensurate growth in demand for anode grade coke. Growth in
aluminum production will continue to outpace the growth in coke
production. Coke providers are blending imported, high cost, lower
sulfur coke with domestically sourced coke in attempts to meet the
current specification requirements for coke. Removal or reduction of
the sulfur content of the coke once it has been received is not
feasible. It is the Washington's and EPA's conclusion that coke with a
sulfur content of less than 3% is not a viable option due to its
limited availability.
LSFO: LSFO technology was selected by Intalco and Washington as the
best option among the technically feasible wet scrubbing technologies.
EPA agrees that LSFO is the best SO2 control technology for
this facility and with Washington's rationale for that selection. LSFO
is estimated to achieve a 95% control for SO2 at Intalco.
Alcoa evaluated the estimated cost of LSFO, based on quotes from
two separate vendors that were prepared for Alcoa for their Tennessee
facility that were then scaled to the Intalco facility.\8\ Both
preliminary designs were based on a central scrubbing center as the
lowest cost approach, where exhaust from all dry scrubbing systems
would be ducted to a centralized scrubbing system. Both vendor quotes
were based on systems that would provide 100% availability of emissions
control on each day of the year, given that potlines cannot be easily
shutdown and restarted for control system maintenance outages. In other
words, the proposed designs include two scrubber towers; one primary
tower which would operate most of the time and a second tower which
could be used when the primary tower needed repair or maintenance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ These cost quotes have been reviewed and analyzed by EPA but
Alcoa has claimed the cost quotes as confidential business
information (CBI). Given Alcoa's claim of CBI, the actual quotes are
not included in the public portion of the docket for this proposed
action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington's cost effectiveness value for the proposed two-
absorption tower design was $6,574/ton of SO2 removed. The
capital and total annual operating costs were estimated to be $208.5
million and $40.9 million per year respectively. Washington determined
the cost effectiveness for the two-tower scrubber to be unreasonable.
Washington's BART Determination for Intalco Potlines: Washington
determined that BART for SO2 from the potlines is the
existing pollution prevention measures, including the use of less than
3% sulfur in the anode coke.
EPA's Determination of Cost Effectiveness and Visibility Impacts
EPA independently estimated the cost effectiveness of LSFO. A
memorandum, ``Intalco BART Technical Review Memo,'' November 16, 2012,
describes EPA's BART evaluation and analysis, and is included in the
docket to this action. EPA's cost effectiveness calculations are based
on the lower of two site-specific vendor quotes for the primary
aluminum smelter located in Alcoa, Tennessee. The costs estimates were
scaled to reflect the differences between the Alcoa Tennessee smelter
and the Alcoa Intalco operations, including smelter size, economy of
scale, limestone consumption and gypsum production (waste disposal).
EPA's primary concern with Washington's cost estimates and the
changes EPA made to the Washington's analysis are: (1) Single tower
design, eliminating the cost of a backup tower; (2) the lower of the
two vendor quotes is used rather than the average; (3) the scrubber
equipment life is assumed to be 30 years rather than 15; and (4)
assumption that the gypsum by-product is re-used rather than
landfilled.
Single Tower Design: As explained above, Alcoa and Washington based
the cost effectiveness calculation for LSFO on the assumption that two
scrubber towers would be required so that the facility would have a
back up scrubber available for use whenever the primary scrubber was
off line for maintenance. In EPA's view the redundant, second tower, is
not necessary. Building one scrubber tower would reduce the capital and
annual maintenance costs associated with LSFO. The BART emission limit
could be written to account for periods of time with higher emissions
such as during maintenance of the scrubber tower.
Low Bid: Capital equipment quotes, used by both Alcoa and
Washington, were obtained from two vendors of LSFO systems for the
Alcoa Tennessee smelter and were provided to EPA. The Alcoa and
Washington analysis averaged these two quotes in estimating these
capital costs for the Intalco potlines. This approach is unacceptable
based on the EPA Air Pollution Control Cost Manual and is not in accord
with standard contracting procedures. The Control Cost Manual clearly
supports the use of the low bid. Specifically, the manual states that
``[s]ignificant savings can be had by soliciting multiple quotes and
discusses the ability to compare to other bids.'' See EPA Air Pollution
Control Cost Manual, Sixth Edition. Our cost effectiveness analysis
uses the lower of the two capital equipment quotes, scaled from the
Tennessee smelter to Intalco.
Equipment Life: The Alcoa and Washington analysis used an expected
equipment lifetime of 15 years for the LSFO system. Washington provided
no basis for using a 15 year lifetime. Based on our review of available
information, 30 years rather than 15, is an appropriate equipment life.
The expected service life of wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems
such as LSFO is cited in the literature as 30 years. The actual life of
wet FGD scrubbers installed at coal fired power plants has been
demonstrated to be 30 years or more for many plants. Industry reports
establish scrubber longevity near or exceeding 30 years. See Intalco
BART Technical Review Memo.
Gypsum Reuse: Alcoa and Washington assumed the gypsum produced as a
by-product from LSFO would be disposed of in a landfill at a cost of
about $4 million per year. However, based on the information in Alcoa's
contractor BART analysis report and equipment vendor information, it
appears that the gypsum produced as a by-product of LSFO would be
suitable for re-use. EPA conducted an internal economic analysis to
evaluate the potential for beneficial reuse of the gypsum by-product
from LSFO \9\. Our analysis identified several applications for so-
called FGD gypsum in addition to market factors which suggest the
likely presence of a market for the gypsum produced by Intalco.
Specifically, we found that a significant price differential exists
between FGD gypsum and natural (mined) gypsum favoring the former.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ Market Review for Intalco Produced FGD Gypsum. Elliot
Rosenberg, Senior Economist. EPA Region 10. March 23, 2012.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on the design specification establishing that the gypsum by-
product would be suitable for commercial reuse, the information
suggests a likely market for the gypsum. A considerable financial
incentive would exist for Intalco to sell, or even give away the FGD
gypsum, rather than dispose of it in a landfill. We do not agree that
it is reasonable to assume that Intalco will need to pay to dispose of
the gypsum from the LSFO process in a landfill. Our cost effectiveness
analysis therefore eliminates the gypsum disposal costs
[[Page 76191]]
and assumes that Intalco gives the gypsum away ``Free on Board'' \10\
from the facility in Ferndale. Any proceeds from the sale of the gypsum
would further improve the LSFO scrubber cost effectiveness.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ Free on Board, defined here where the buyer pays for all
loading, transportation, and unloading costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion of Cost Effectiveness for LSFO at the Intalco facility:
EPA estimates the cost effectiveness of an LSFO system in the range of
$3875/ton to $4363/ton. See Intalco BART Technical Review Memo.
Visibility Impacts
EPA considered the visibility impact of the potline SO2
emissions and the resulting improvement of visibility in Class I areas
surrounding Intalco expected to result from installation and operating
LSFO. Two modeling efforts were conducted by an Intalco contractor; one
analysis used 4 kilometer (km) grid cells and the other used 1 km grid
cells. The analysis using 4 km grid cells considered only the baseline
case. The analysis using 1 km grid cells considered both the baseline
and the control case. The use of 1 km grid cells for Intalco
underestimates visibility impacts compared to results using 4 km grid
cells. However, modeling of visibility impacts after installation of
LSFO was only conducted using 1 km grid cells. EPA believes that the 1
km grid cell results may provide informative insight into the relative
visibility improvements that could be achieved by implementing LSFO.
Both modeling results show significant SO2 visibility
impacts from Intalco in several Class I areas, with the greatest impact
at Olympic National Park. The tables below show these impacts and the
expected visibility improvement of greater than 75% in all Class I
areas after implementation of LSFO:
Modeling With 1 km grid cells:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current impact (98th Impact with LSFO (98th Percent
Class I area percentile dv, of percentile dv, of improvement in
days >0.5 dv) days >0.5 dvdays) visibility (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alpine Lakes....................... 0.742, 18 days............. 0.158, 0 days.............. 79
Glacier Peak....................... 0.916, 24 days............. 0.190, 0 days.............. 79
Mount Rainier...................... 0.660, 11 days............. 0.108, 0 days.............. 83
North Cascades..................... 0.986, 35 days............. 0.212, 0 days.............. 78
Olympic............................ 1.527, 41 days............. 0.355, 2 days.............. 77
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modeling With 4 km grid cells:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current impact
------------------------
Class I area days
dv >0.5 dv
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alpine Lakes Wilderness........................ 1.0 32
Goat RocksWilderness........................... 0.5 7
Glacier Peak Wilderness........................ 1.0 33
Mount Adams Wilderness......................... 0.4 5
Mount Rainier NP............................... 0.8 21
North Cascades NP.............................. 1.3 51
Olympic NP..................................... 2.1 52
Pasayten Wilderness............................ 0.8 25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPA believes these are significant impacts, not only based on the
maximum impact at Olympic National Park, but also the number of days
over 0.5 dv at several Class I areas and the number of Class I areas
with impacts greater than 0.5 dv. Installation and operation of LSFO
would significantly improve visibility in several Class I areas in
Washington.
EPA's Conclusion Regarding Washington's BART Determination for Intalco
EPA disagrees with Washington's BART analysis for Intalco because
the cost of compliance was improperly determined and proposes to
disapprove their analysis. As discussed above, EPA calculated a
different cost effectiveness value based on eliminating the cost of a
backup tower; using the lower of the two vendor quotes rather than the
average; assuming the equipment life is 30 years rather than 15, and
assuming the gypsum by-product is re-used rather than landfilled. EPA
believes based on a cost effectiveness value in the range of $3875/ton
to $4363/ton and the facts presented above and considering the
following factors that LSFO would be BART:
While the cost effectiveness is relatively high in the
range of $3875 to $4363/ton, it is in the range of other EPA
promulgated BART determinations. e.g. Four Corners Power Plant (77 FR
51619),
A 95% reduction in SO2 emissions will result in
visibility improvement over 1 deciview at Olympic National Park and
over 0.5 deciview at 5 other Class I areas,
There is insignificant non-air environmental and energy
impacts,
The source is anticipated to remain in operation for the
foreseeable future, assuming no requirement to install new controls,
The current control for SO2 on the potlines are
the pollution prevention measures, including the 3% sulfur limit for
incoming coke.
However as discussed below, at the request of Alcoa, EPA considered
whether Alcoa would be able to afford LSFO and remain a viable entity.
Affordability: The BART Guidelines provide that even if a control
technology is cost effective there may be some cases where installing
the controls would affect the viability of continued plant operations.
Specifically, the rule explains that there may be unusual situations
that justify taking into consideration the condition of the plant and
the economic effects of requiring the use of a given control
technology. The economic effects could include effects on product
prices, market share, and profitability of the source. See 40 CFR 51
appendix Y, IV.D.4.k. Alcoa indicated to EPA that it cannot afford
installation and operation of an LSFO control system and requested that
affordability be considered. As summarized below EPA conducted a
thorough ``affordability assessment'' of Alcoa and the Intalco
operations. Based on that analysis, EPA proposes to conclude that Alcoa
cannot afford to install LSFO at Intalco at this time. See ``Intalco
BART SO2 Affordability Assessment'' (Affordability
Assessment) in the docket for this action for
[[Page 76192]]
additional detail regarding EPA's affordability analysis.
Summary of Affordability Analysis
In June 2012, Alcoa provided EPA an analysis (claimed as
Confidential Business Information) of the financial health of the
Intalco Operations from 2008 through 2013. Their analysis included
financial information for both Alcoa as a whole, and the Intalco
operations specifically, indicating that Intalco has not been a
profitable operation in recent years and that the projected profits for
this year and next are less than the annualized cost of LSFO. Their
analysis concluded that during this time frame, there was insufficient
after tax income to afford the annualized cost (capital and O&M) for
LSFO of $26 million.
EPA conducted an independent analysis of the financial status of
the Alcoa Intalco operations, considering the current and future trends
in the cost of raw materials, operating expenses (labor and
electricity), revenue income, and increasing supply and anticipated
demand for aluminum in the future. Intalco is currently operating at
less than full capacity and is operating only two of its three
potlines. Operating the third potline is not economical given existing
market prices for aluminum and electricity, limited availability of
reasonably priced power and potline production costs. If Intalco were
to install the LFSO control technology, the annual cost of installing
and operating the equipment would represent approximately 8-10% of the
facility's sales revenue over the 30 year lifetime of the equipment at
current utilization at the facility. We recognize that the cost/sales
ratios may be higher or lower depending on plant utilization and future
aluminum prices, but they are substantial in even the most optimistic
cases.
Alcoa is unlikely to be able to pass these costs along to
consumers, as shown by its historical inability to pass through higher
electricity prices, and is also unlikely to operate its third potline
to increase production in the near future. Additionally, as mentioned
in the Affordability Assessment, Alcoa's credit rating and low cash
reserves may limit its ability to obtain resources to purchase
pollution control equipment. Finally, the installation and operating
cost of LSFO would represent a significant initial and long-term
expenditure and a decision by Alcoa to close the facility rather than
incur the pollution control equipment expense could be consistent with
the findings of the independent affordability analysis. See
Affordability Assessment for additional detail.
Based on this analysis EPA concludes that the Alcoa Intalco
operations cannot afford LSFO at the Intalco facility and remain a
viable operation.
Summary of Other, Less Costly Control Options for Potlines
EPA also considered less costly control of partial scrubbing of the
potline emissions. There are six baghouses, each with multiple exhaust
stacks, controlling particulate from the three potlines. EPA considered
controlling SO2 from two of the six, and four of the six
baghouses. Under this scenario, the capital costs are reduced, however
the cost effectiveness values would increase due to the economies of
scale. At the same time, visibility improvement would decrease as
overall SO2 emission reduction decreases proportionally.
Thus, in light of the increased cost effectiveness values and decreased
visibility improvement, we determined partial scrubbing is not
reasonable.
EPA SO2 BART Determination for Potlines
Based on all the considerations summarized above, EPA believes that
while LSFO is cost effective and would significantly improve
visibility, it is not affordable at this facility. Therefore, EPA
proposes to find that the pollution prevention measure of limiting the
sulfur content of anodes to 3% is BART for Intalco.
Regional Haze Rule Provision for Alternative BART Programs
Pursuant to the RHR, a state may choose to implement measures as an
alternative to BART so long as the alternative measures can be
demonstrated to achieve greater reasonable progress toward the national
visibility goal than would be achieved through the installation and
operation of BART. See 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2). The demonstration must
include, among other things, a requirement that all necessary emission
reductions take place during the first long term strategy period and a
demonstration that the emissions reductions resulting from the
alternative measures will be surplus to those reductions resulting from
measures adopted to meet requirements of the CAA as of the baseline
date of the SIP.
Better Than BART Proposal for the Intalco Potlines
In the letter dated June 22, 2012, from Alcoa to EPA, Alcoa
proposed an alternative that would be Better than BART. This
alternative consists of implementing pollution prevention measures,
primarily the requirement of 3% or less sulfur in the anode coke, and
limiting SO2 emissions from the potlines to 80% of the base
year emissions of 6550 t/y. For the reasons explained, EPA is proposing
to accept this Better than BART alternative and proposes a 5240 t/y
annual SO2 emission limit on the potlines.
Better Than BART Visibility Impact
Alcoa modeled the visibility difference between base year
SO2 emissions of 6550 t/y and a 20% reduction in emissions
to 5240 t/y from the Intalco facility. The modeled results are
summarized below for Olympic National Park. The deciview metric is the
98th percentile value for the year.
Base Year SO2
[6550 t/y]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric 2003 2004 2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
98th Percentile...................... 2.36 dv................ 1.86 dv................ 2.14 dv
Days above 0.5 dv.................... 59..................... 53..................... 42
Days above 1.0 dv.................... 29..................... 21..................... 24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% Reduction of SO2 Emissions
[5240 t/y]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric 2003 2004 2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
98th Percentile...................... 1.20 dv................ 1.56 dv................ 1.82 dv
Days above 0.5 dv.................... 50..................... 48..................... 41
Days above 1.0 dv.................... 23..................... 19..................... 21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 80% SO2 emissions cap, limiting the SO2
emission to 5240 t/y, will prevent visibility from degrading on the
worst days (represented by the 98th percentile) and will also reduce
the number of days with impairment greater than 0.5 dv and 1.0 dv.
Anode Bake Ovens
Intalco manufactures its own anodes from an on-site facility using
calcined coke and pitch. Green anodes are baked to remove volatile
organic impurities and hardened for use in the aluminum potlines.
During the baking process, some of the sulfur in the coke is released
as sulfur dioxide and emitted to the atmosphere. The Anode Bake Ovens
are fueled with natural gas and emit visibility impairing pollutants of
particulate matter, SO2, and NOX. Emissions are
currently controlled with an alumina scrubber to remove hydrogen
fluoride and volatile organics
[[Page 76193]]
and then the outflow from the scrubber is ducted to baghouses to remove
particulate. The baghouses provide 99% control of particulate matter.
Washington evaluated SO2 scrubbers for the anode bake
oven exhaust using information from its evaluation of potline
SO2 control. Costs determined for LSFO for the potlines were
scaled to the lower gas flow rate of the bake oven. A 95% control
efficiency for SO2 was assumed. The cost effectiveness of
LSFO scrubbing was estimated to be $36,400/ton and the visibility
improvement would be 0.02 dv at Olympic National Park. Washington
determined, based on the high cost and small visibility improvement
that the petroleum coke sulfur limit of 3% is BART for anode bake
furnace SO2 emissions.
Washington also determined that the existing level of particulate
matter control (based on baghouses on the alumina dry scrubbers) is
BART for particulate emissions.
Washington rejected using an advanced firing system for reduced
energy use as BART for NOX because the technology would
result in a negligible emission reduction and visibility improvement.
Similarly, Washington rejected LoTOx\TM\ as BART because the cost of
the technology would be excessive and it has not been demonstrated in
practice on aluminum plant anode bake ovens.
Washington determined that BART for anode bake furnace
NOX emissions is no controls. After review of available
control technologies, EPA agrees with Washington's BART determination
for this source and is proposing to approve the BART determinations for
the anode bake ovens.
Aluminum Holding Furnaces
The aluminum holding furnaces are fueled with natural gas and emit
NOX. The emissions from the furnaces are small and result in
negligible visibility impairment in any Class I area. Washington
determined that BART for the aluminum holding furnaces is no controls.
Washington rejected additional controls as BART because any visibility
improvement would be negligible due to the low level of emissions from
the natural gas-fired burners. EPA agrees that no additional control of
emissions from the aluminum holding furnaces is BART.
Material Handling and Transfer Operations
The PM emissions from the BART-eligible material handling and
transfer operations are all controlled using fabric filter technology,
and these operations are a negligible source of NOX and
SO2 emissions. Additional control of these pollutants would
provide negligible visibility improvement. Therefore, Washington
determined that the existing level of emissions control, fabric
filters, is BART for these material handling and transfer operations.
EPA agrees that fabric filter (baghouse) is the appropriate control
technology and all emission units must meet 40 CFR part 63, Subpart
RRR, and emissions of PM shall not exceed 0.01 grains per dscf.
Summary of Intalco BART Determination and EPA's Proposed Action
EPA is proposing to approve Washington's BART determination for
Intalco with the exception of the SO2 BART determination for
the Intalco potlines. EPA is proposing a limited disapproval of
Washington's BART analysis for SO2 because, as explained
above, Washington did not properly calculate the cost effectiveness
value. Washington determined a cost effectiveness value of greater than
$6000/ton for LSFO and consequently dismissed LSFO as BART. EPA is
proposing a Better than BART FIP for control of SO2
emissions off the potlines.
As described above, EPA revised some of the cost inputs and
assumptions and calculated a cost effectiveness value in the range of
$3875/ton to $4363/ton for LSFO. When considered in light of the
visibility improvement in Olympic National Park and several other Class
I areas surrounding Intalco, LSFO likely would be considered BART.
However, as also explained above, Alcoa claimed it cannot afford LSFO
at Intalco and still have it remain a viable entity. After
investigating the affordability claim, including an analysis of Alcoa's
financial status, market conditions, and electricity availability, EPA
agrees and thus rejects LSFO as BART for this facility.
Washington issued Intalco a BART Order, (Order No. 7837, Revision
1) on July 7, 2010, that establishes Washington's determined BART
control technology, pollution prevention measures, emission limits,
compliance dates, monitoring, and recordkeeping requirements. EPA is
simultaneously issuing a limited approval of Washington's
SO2 BART Order for the potlines, as a SIP strengthening
measure. Intalco can afford to continue to implement of the pollution
prevention measures and limiting the sulfur content of anodes in the
furnace to 3% as required under the Washington's BART Order. Intalco is
currently operating the potlines with SO2 emissions below
the proposed Better than BART alternative. The Better than BART
alternative makes Washington's pollution prevention requirements,
including a 3% limit on anode coke federally enforceable. The proposed
alternative imposes a 5240 t/y annual SO2 emission limit,
makes the 20% SO2 emission reduction from baseline permanent
and federally enforceable, and prevents any future visibility
degradation should Intalco decide to increase production in the future.
Compliance with the annual SO2 emission limit will be
demonstrated using the same information that Intalco is required to
collect under existing Washington requirements. So while the proposed
alternative would impose additional recordkeeping and reporting
obligations related to the annual cap, it would not impose any
additional monitoring requirements.
The table below summarizes the proposed BART determination and
Better than BART FIP for each BART emission unit:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emission unit BART technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potlines............................... SO2: 80% emission cap from
baseyear (5,240 tons for any
calendar year) and pollution
prevention limit of 3% sulfur
in the coke used to
manufacture anodes.
PM: Use of the current level of
control, which is the use of
baghouses to control PM
emissions from the alumina dry
scrubbers, and wet roof
scrubbers to control secondary
PM emissions from the potroom
roofs.
NOX: no control.
Anode Bake Furnace..................... SO2: pollution prevention limit
of 3% sulfur in the coke used
to manufacture anodes.
PM: The current baghouse.
[[Page 76194]]
Aluminum Holding Furnace............... No control.
Material Handling and Transfer......... PM Use of the current level of
control, which is use of
fabric filters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
c. Tesoro Refining and Marketing
The Tesoro refinery (Tesoro) near Anacortes, Washington, processes
crude oil into refined oil products, including ultra low sulfur diesel
oil, jet fuel, 6 fuel oil, and gasoline. Modeling of
visibility impairment was done following the Oregon-Idaho-Washington
Region 10 BART modeling protocol. Modeled visibility impacts of
baseline emissions show impacts on the 8th highest day in any year (the
98th percentile value) of greater than 0.5 dv at five Class 1 areas.
The highest impact was 1.72 dv at Olympic National Park.
Ten process heaters, one flare, one boiler, and two cooling towers
at the plant are BART-eligible. The primary emission units of concern
are the process heaters, boiler, and flares which have significant
emissions of SO2 and NOX. Direct PM emissions
from the BART-eligible units are low because almost all burn either
refinery fuel gas or natural gas. Only one BART-eligible unit subject
to BART, the crude oil distillation heater (unit F-103), is currently
permitted to burn fuel oil. Tesoro reported 3 tons of PM2.5
emissions from this unit in 2009.
Eleven of the 74 storage tanks at Tesoro emit VOCs and meet the
1962-1977 timeframe for BART-eligibility. Washington considers VOCs as
visibility impairing pollutants (see appendix L, page 104 of the SIP
submittal), but since the CALPUFF model, which is used to evaluate
visibility impairment from single sources, cannot effectively model
VOCs, Washington decided that VOC emissions from BART-eligible storage
tanks and other units would not be evaluated for BART. Note that the
facility's reported total VOC emissions in 2008 were 1,082 tons. The
BART determination for the Tesoro refinery focuses only on
SO2, NOX, and PM. EPA agrees that it is not
necessary to further evaluate visibility impacts from VOCs for this
planning period since, in addition to the modeling uncertainties, the
majority of VOC emissions already have controls in place (for example
to meet the applicable NSPS, MACT, and VOC fugitive emission control
regulations). In addition, not all of the VOC emitted will convert to
light scattering particles, so visibility impact due to VOC emissions
is expected to be minimal.
The following are units at Tesoro subject to BART:
F-103 Crude Oil Distillation
F-104 Gasoline Splitter/Reboiler
F-304 CO Boiler No. 2
F-654 Catalytic Feed Hydrotreater
F-6600 Naphtha Hydrotreater
F-6601 Naphtha Hydrotreater
F-6602 Naphtha Hydrotreater
F-6650/6651 Catalytic Reformer
F-6652/6653 Catalytic Reformer
F-6654 Catalytic Reformer
F-6655 Catalytic Reformer
X-819 Flare
CWT 2 Cooling Water Tower
CWT 2a Cooling Water Tower
NOX Controls Evaluated for All Combustion Units
Tesoro evaluated available NOX control technologies
generally applicable to combustion units. Unit-specific evaluations
were completed based on technologies found generally feasible.
Flue Gas Recirculation: Flue gas recirculation was determined to be
unacceptable due to safety factors.
Low NOX burners: LNB and ULNB retrofits are commonly installed on
combustion units, often as a result of BACT or LAER determinations and
could be feasible at Tesoro depending on the specific unit application.
Emission limits from EPA's RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse range from 0.08
to 0.1 lb/MMBtu (NOX) for LNBs and ULNBs.
Staged Air Low NOX Burners: For this burner design, retrofitting
heaters with less than three feet between the burner and the opposite
wall of the firebox may not be practical due to potential flame
impingement on the firebox refractory materials or heat transfer tubes.
Emission reductions achieved by staged-air LNBs range from 30 to 40
percent below emissions from conventional burners. Tesoro used a 40
percent NOX reduction for its initial cost analysis review.
Staged-fuel, low-NOX burners: Staged-fuel LNBs have several
advantages over staged-air LNBs. First, the improved fuel/air mixing
reduces the excess air necessary to ensure complete combustion. The
lower excess air both reduces NOX formation and improves
heater efficiency. Second, for a given peak flame temperature, staged-
fuel LNBs have a more compact (shorter) flame than staged-air LNBs. Up
to 72 percent NOX emissions reductions for staged-fuel LNBs
have been reported over conventional burners based on vendor test data.
Tesoro used a 60 percent average NOX reduction for its
initial cost analysis review.
Ultra Low NOX Burners: Tesoro used a 75% average NOX
reduction for its initial cost analysis based on EPA methods. After
receiving vendor guaranteed average NOX emission reductions
ranging from 60 to 73.5 percent for specific units, Tesoro developed a
vendor cost factor analysis for each unit based on the vendor guarantee
and the unit-specific emission rate.
Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR): Vendor NOX
reduction guarantees ranged from 35 to 40% based on Tesoro's fuel gas
compositions and measured bridgewall temperatures. EPA's RACT/BACT/LAER
Clearinghouse lists an emission limit of 127 ppmdv NOX at
seven percent oxygen for a SNCR used to control emissions from a Fluid
Catalytic Cracking Regenerator unit followed by a CO Boiler.
NOX tempering (steam or water injection): To date, NOX
tempering has only been used on large utility boilers and was not
considered for further analysis.
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR): Typical SCR NOX
removal efficiencies range from 70 to 90+ percent removal, depending on
the unit being controlled. Tesoro used a 90 percent NOX
removal in its cost analyses.
SO2 Controls Evaluated for All Combustion Units
Plant-Wide SO2 Control: Plant-wide SO2 control is
accomplished by reducing the sulfur content of fuel burned in various
combustion units. Requiring the use of ``low sulfur fuel'' is the most
common SO2 control technique applied to oil refinery process
units. ``Low sulfur fuel'' is usually defined as refinery fuel gas
meeting the New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) requirements of 40
CFR part 60, Subpart J. This NSPS limits the H2S in fuel gas
to 0.1 gr/dscf.
Tesoro has already implemented improvements at the facility to
reduce the H2S concentration in the flue gas; any additional
reduction in refinery fuel gas sulfur content will require construction
of a new sulfur recovery unit (SRU). Tesoro evaluated the construction
of a new 50 ton/day SRU and refinery modifications to route sulfur
streams to the new unit. The
[[Page 76195]]
capital cost is estimated to be $58 million to continuously treat all
refinery gas to the level of the NSPS standard (162 ppm of
H2S). Attributing all the cost to the SO2
reductions to all combustion units (not just the BART eligible units)
results in a plant wide reduction from the 2003 to 2005 average
emissions of 395 tons of SO2 with a cost effectiveness of
$16,100/ton of SO2 (not including O&M costs). Tesoro also
evaluated the cost effectiveness of continuously meeting a limit of 50
ppm of H2S (a plant wide annual decrease of 451 tons per
year), with the use of a new SRU. To meet a 50 ppm H2S
concentration would increase the cost effectiveness value to $14,100/
ton (also not including O&M costs).
Washington determined that the construction of a new SRU to meet
either 162 ppm H2S or 50 ppm H2S is not cost
effective and that SO2 BART for combustion units burning
refinery fuel gas is the current H2S limit of 0.10 percent
by volume (1000 ppm) . See Washington's BART Compliance Order 7838.
PM Controls Evaluated for All Combustion Units
With the exception of emissions from unit F-304 (which primarily
burns carbon monoxide from the fluid catalytic cracking unit and emits
negligible amounts of PM), PM controls applicable to the process
heaters at this facility are tied directly to the use of combustion
fuel. Using low sulfur refinery fuel gas reduces potential particulate
emissions. The refinery gas system includes process steps to remove
particulates and some heavier hydrocarbons from the refinery gas prior
to being sent to the various fuel burning units.
Washington determined PM BART is the curtailment of fuel oil for
combustion with the substitution of refinery fuel gas. The specific
emission limit for unit F-304 is 0.11 gr/dscf, corrected to 7%
O2. Particulate matter BART for all other BART units is 0.05
gr/dscf, corrected to 7% O2.
Unit Specific BART Determinations for NOX
Unit F-103, Crude Oil Distillation Heater: ULNB, SCR, SNCR, ULNB
plus SCR, and ULNB plus SNCR were evaluated for cost effectiveness.
Only ULNB, with a control efficiency of 75% had a reasonable cost
effectiveness value at $3398/ton, using EPA calculation methods, and.
All others cost effectiveness values exceeded $6374/ton. Washington
determined ULNB to be BART for Unit F-103.
Unit F-104, Gasoline Splitter Reboiler: This reboiler currently has
ULNB installed. The next more efficient control technology would be the
addition of SCR with a cost effectiveness of $100,000/ton. See Table
2.1 of appendix L, Tesoro BART determination. Washington determined
this cost to be unreasonable.
Unit F-6650, Catalytic Reformer Feed Heater; Unit F-6651, Catalytic
Reformer Inter-Reactor Heater; Unit F-6652, Catalytic Reformer Inter-
Reactor Heater; Unit F-6653, Catalytic Reformer Inter-Reactor Heater:
These four heater units are ducted into two common exhaust stacks.
However, the BART evaluations regarding burner design (e.g. LNB vs
ULNB) and add on control (e.g. SCR) were made separately for each unit
by the State, and are presented below.
Unit F-6650: The SIP submittal analyzed LNB, ULNB, SCR, SCR with
LNB, and SCR with ULNB. ULNB is not technically feasible since there is
insufficient space to install it. LNB is estimated to achieve a 60%
reduction in NOX, is cost effective at $3349/ton if
installed during turnaround and over $10,000/ton outside normal
turnaround. All of the SCR combinations are not cost effective with
costs exceeding $10,000/ton during turnaround and even greater during
non-scheduled turnaround refinery maintenance. Washington determined
BART for NOX emissions to be existing control.
Unit F-6651: The SIP submittal analyzes LNB, ULNB, SCR, SCR with
LNB and SCR with ULNB. There is insufficient space to install ULNB thus
it is not technically feasible. The cost of installing SCR on the
common exhaust duct in addition to LNB is not reasonable with a cost
effectiveness of greater than $10,000/ton. LNB with 60% control
efficiency and a cost effectiveness of $3349/ton within the routine
maintenance turnaround was determined to be reasonable. Washington
found that the cost effectiveness increases to over $10,000/ton if the
controls were required to be installed during non-routine turnaround
and stated that the routine turnaround will be outside the BART
implementation window requirement. However, as explained below this is
no longer the case.
Washington determined BART for NOX emissions to be
existing control.
Unit F-6652: The SIP submittal analyzes LNB, ULNB, SCR, SCR with
LNB and SCR with ULNB. Cost effectiveness of SCR options exceed
$10,000/ton and thus these options are not reasonable. LNB and ULNB are
cost effective and technically feasible. ULNB with a control efficiency
of 75% and cost effectiveness of $3349/ton was determined to be BART
for NOX emissions, if installed during routine turnaround.
Washington found that the cost effectiveness values increase to over
$10,000/ton if installed outside routine turnaround, and stated that
the routine turnaround will be outside the BART implementation window
requirement. However, as explained below this is no longer the case.
Washington determined BART for NOX emissions to be existing
control.
Unit F-304: The cost effectiveness of LNB, SCR, SNCR, LNB plus SCR,
and LNB plus SNCR was evaluated. LNB with SNCR, with a control
efficiency of 39% and cost effectiveness of $4592/ton when installed
during turnaround was determined to be reasonable Washington calculated
the cost effectiveness to be over $10,000/ton if the installation was
conducted outside of the regularly scheduled turnaround. SNCR without
LNB has a 35% control efficiency at a cost of $4534/ton and was not
considered further as the control efficiency is less than LNB with
SNCR. All other options are not cost effective. See Table 2-3 of the
Tesoro BART Determination, appendix L of the SIP submittal.
Washington's NOX BART determination for unit F-304 (CO
Boiler No. 2) indicated that an emission limit, representative of the
installation of LNB plus SNCR, would be reasonable if the controls
could be installed during routine maintenance ``turnaround'' at Tesoro.
Turnarounds are the only occasion when process units are intentionally
taken out of operation, and during a turnaround, major maintenance
occurs on all process units that are shut down. During a routine
turnaround, low-NOX burners or other appropriate controls
could be installed and loss of production would not be included in the
cost-effectiveness calculations. However, for the analysis contained in
the SIP submittal, Washington assumed that the date for EPA's action to
approve or disapprove the SIP submittal, plus the time allowed to
comply with BART (i.e., as expeditiously as practicable, but no later
than five years after SIP approval), would occur prior to the next
scheduled turnaround. More specifically, Tesoro informed Washington
that the next scheduled turnaround would not occur until 2017, which
Washington had estimated would be after the date the BART controls
would need to be installed. Consequently, Washington estimated costs
for BART to include lost production, since, in order to comply within
BART timeframe, the facility would be required to install the controls
[[Page 76196]]
well before the 2017 turnaround. Including lost production into the
costs, results in most cases in a cost effectiveness figure well in
excess of $10,000/ton and the controls are not cost-effective. As a
result, Washington determined that no additional control was required
for BART for NOX for boiler F-304.
However, as it turns out, the BART compliance time frame (which is
now estimated to be no later than mid-2018) is much later than
Washington originally estimated and now could indeed accommodate the
2017 turnaround cycle. When calculating cost-effectiveness without
considering lost production, Washington concluded that controls for
BART would in fact be reasonable. For example, see appendix L-3, Table
2-3, page L-125 of the SIP submittal showing a vendor cost estimate of
$4,592/ton for installation of LNB plus SNCR for the boiler F-304.
Therefore, Washington would have concluded that, except for the costs
associated with taking units offline outside of the turnaround cycle,
BART for NOX for unit F-304, would be an emission limit
associated with installation of LNB plus SNCR. Yet, because of the
added costs estimated for lost production, Washington proposed no add
on controls in the SIP submittal.
A similar circumstance applies to heaters F-6650, F-6651, F-6652,
and F-6653. The SIP submission indicates that LNB would be cost-
effective for F-6650 and F-6651, while ultra-LNB would otherwise be
cost-effective for F-6652 and F-6653, except for the added costs due to
lost production. Again, Washington determined BART was no add-on
controls on these units, due to costs of lost production because of the
assumption that Tesoro would need to take the units offline outside of
the normal turnaround schedule in order to comply with BART. It is now
evident however, that the BART compliance deadline could be structured
to include time for the scheduled turnaround. Thus, Washington's BART
determination of no controls for these units is not appropriate since
the controls are cost effective if installation is conducted during a
scheduled turnaround period.
In today's action, we are proposing to disapprove Washington's BART
determinations for NOX for units F-304, F-6650, F-6651, F-
6652, and F-6653. We are proposing to approve Washington's BART
determinations for SO2 and PM for all of Tesoro's BART
subject units, and for NOX for units F-103, F-104, F-654, F-
6600, F-6601, F-6602, F6654, and F-6655.
Tesoro Request for Alternative BART Program
As discussed above under the Intalco BART section, a state may
choose to implement measures as an alternative to BART, so long as the
alternative measures can be demonstrated to achieve greater reasonable
progress toward the national visibility goal than would be achieved
through the installation and operation of BART. See 40 CFR
51.308(e)(2).
In light of the currently expected date estimated for EPA's final
action on the SIP submittal, EPA does not consider Washington's BART
determination for NOX for several units at the facility to
be approveable. Tesoro submitted a request to EPA on November 5, 2012,
for an alternative to BART for NOX for units F-304, F-6650,
F-6651, F-6652, and F-6653. Based on the analysis described below, EPA
agrees that the alternative proposed by Tesoro is Better than BART, and
because we are proposing to disapprove Washington's BART determination
for NOX for those units, we are also proposing a FIP as an
alternative to BART, that results in greater reasonable progress than
BART would for units, F-304, F-6650, F-6651, F-6652, and F-6653. We
believe that the proposed Tesoro NOX BART alternative meets
the requirements for an alternative measure.
Tesoro NOX BART Alternative
EPA is proposing a BART alternative for the NOX
emissions from the CO boiler 2 (unit F-304) and the four
heaters, units F-6650, F-6651, F-6652, and F-665. This BART alternative
achieves greater visibility progress than BART would for those units.
40 CFR 51.308(e)(2) and 40 CFR 51.308(e)(3) of the regional haze rule
specify the requirements that a state must meet to show that an
alternative measure or alternative program achieves greater reasonable
progress than would be achieved through the installation and operation
of BART. Pursuant to those requirements, Tesoro has identified seven
non-BART units at the facility that achieve substantially more
SO2 emission reductions compared to their baseline emissions
than the NOX emission reductions that would be achieved from
BART on the five BART subject units compared to their baseline
emissions. The facility has requested SO2 emission
limitations on those non-BART units as an alternative to emission
limits for NOX on the BART-subject units. EPA believes it is
appropriate to consider SO2 reductions as a substitute for
NOX reductions for the alternative BART scenario since the
SO2 reductions, which are more than twice the NOX
reductions, will likely result in proportionately more sulfate than
nitrate removed from the atmosphere. Accordingly, visibility
improvement would be greater under the alternative than under BART. The
table below shows the seven non-BART eligible units for which Tesoro is
requesting SO2 emission limits under the proposed
alternative.
SO2 Units Regulated Under the Proposed BART Alternative
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-101.................................. Crude Heater, 120 MMBtu/hr.
F-102.................................. Crude Heater, 120 MMBtu/hr.
F-201.................................. Vacuum Flasher Heater, 96 MMBtu/
hr.
F-301.................................. Catalytic Cracker Feed Heater,
128 MMBtu/hr.
F-652.................................. Heater, 67 MMBtu/hr.
F-751.................................. Main Boiler, 268 MMBtu/hr.
F-752.................................. Boiler, 268 MMBtu/hr.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 2007, Tesoro made a major capital investment to improve the
sulfur removal capability of the Anacortes refinery fuel gas (RFG)
system and accepted a limit on H2S in the fuel gas of 0.10
percent by volume, or 1,000 parts per million (ppm). This resulted in a
significant reduction in SO2 emissions as the average
H2S concentration of the fuel gas in 2006 was 2,337 ppm. A
requirement to combust only pipeline quality natural gas or RFG meeting
the 1,000 ppm limit was established on a number of units at the
facility, including eleven BART-subject units as part of Washington's
BART determination for those units. Tesoro requested that the same
requirement be extended to the seven additional non-BART units shown in
the table above. In Washington Class I areas, sulfates contribute
significantly more than nitrates to visibility impairment (see SIP
Submittal chapter 5) and it is likely that for the Class I areas
impacted by Tesoro's SO2 and NOX emissions, more
SO2 converts to sulfate than NOX does to nitrate.
Limiting the SO2 emissions from these seven units would
thereby result in greater reasonable progress than would requiring BART
for NOX on the CO boiler 2 and four process
heaters.
In Washington Class I areas, sulfates contribute significantly more
than nitrates to visibility impairment (see SIP Submittal chapter 5)
and it is likely that more SO2 converts to sulfate than
NOX does to nitrate. Applying the SO2 limit to
these 7 units would result in greater reasonable progress than would
requiring BART for NOX on the CO boiler 2 and four
process heaters.
[[Page 76197]]
Pursuant to 40 CFR 51.308(e)(2)(i)(D), a summary of the emission
reductions expected from the BART alternative compared to emissions
reductions that would be achieved by the application of Washington's
estimated limits for NOX for five BART-subject units is
shown in the tables below.
SO2 Emissions Under the BART Alternative
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006\*\ SO2 BART
Baseline alternative:
emissions 2007 post-RFG Reduction in
Unit (tpy), pre-RFG SO2 emissions SO2 emissions
as reported by as reported by (tpy)
Tesoro Tesoro
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-101........................................................... 193 42 151
F-102........................................................... 178 48 130
F-201........................................................... 232 51 181
F-301........................................................... 58 11 47
F-652........................................................... 77 25 52
F-751........................................................... 291 54 237
F-752........................................................... 326 56 270
-----------------------------------------------
Total................................................... 1,355 287 1,068
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\*\ The baseline year of 2006 was used because it was the last year preceding installation of the RFG
improvements and representative of operating conditions at the refinery at that time.
NOX Emissions With Washington's Determination of BART
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington's
2006\*\ NOX estimated Projected
Baseline emissions reduction in
Unit emissions based on BART NOX emissions
(tpy) as analysis in from BART
reported by SIP submittal controls (tpy)
Tesoro (appendix L)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-304........................................................... 717 437 280
F-6650.......................................................... 151 60 91
F-6651.......................................................... 114 46 68
F-6652.......................................................... 24 6 18
F-6653.......................................................... 12 3 9
-----------------------------------------------
Total................................................... 1,018 552 466
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\*\ The baseline year of 2006 for NOX corresponds with the year the emissions were estimated for SO2.
The projected NOX emissions are based on Washington's
estimates of appropriate control efficiencies applied to the 2006
emission rates. Washington's estimates are: SNCR plus LNB for F-304
with 39% reduction in NOX; LNB for F-6650 and F-6651 with
60% reduction in NOX; ULNB for F-6652 and F-6653 with 75%
reduction in NOX. EPA believes that for purposes of
estimating the NOX BART emission benchmark for 2006,
Washington's estimates are adequate.
As the tables show, the 1,068 tpy reductions in SO2 from
the seven non-BART units are greater than the 466 tpy emissions
reductions expected from BART for NOX for the five BART-
subject units. The reductions are surplus because they occurred during
the first planning period, after the 2002 SIP baseline date and were
not necessary to meet any other CAA requirements. As a final check, we
note that SO2 emissions from the seven units, if calculated
assuming that the plant is operating at full capacity, would be 10,147
tpy prior to the refinery fuel gas improvements in 2007 and 1,127 tpy
after applying the 1000 ppm H2S limit. The net
SO2 emission reduction is estimated to be 9,020 tons,
compared to 683 tons of NOX reductions assuming BART level
controls for NOX were installed and the plant were operating
at full capacity. For these reasons, EPA is proposing a BART
alternative FIP that achieves greater reasonable progress than BART.
The proposed emission limit for the seven units being considered
for the alternative to BART is the same limit as the other 11 BART-
subject units for which we are proposing to approve. Specifically, the
refinery fuel gas may not contain greater than 0.10 percent by volume
H2S on a 365-day rolling average basis. Setting the limit
based on the concentration of H2S in the fuel is consistent
with the Standards of Performance for Petroleum Refineries (See 40 CFR
part 60--Subpart J) and 51.308(e)(iii) for establishing BART. Since the
proposed alternative would utilize the same requirement for monitoring
refinery fuel gas combusted in the non-BART units that Washington has
imposed for the BART-subject units, the proposed alternative would not
impose any additional monitoring requirements. It would impose
additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements related to the fuel
combusted in the non-BART units.
Tesoro's November 5, 2012, letter actually included two options for
a Better than BART alternative. The other option involved
SO2 emission reductions from another non-BART unit, CO
boiler 1 (Unit F-302). However, we did not choose that option
for the proposed Better than BART FIP because CO boiler 1
shares a common exhaust stack with CO boiler 2 (Unit F-304)
which is a BART-eligible unit and the Washington BART order establishes
an SO2 limit for the combined emissions from both boilers.
Even though Washington has not relied
[[Page 76198]]
on the SO2 reductions since baseline from CO boiler
1 in its regional haze plan, EPA is obliged to approve that
limit as shown in the BART order and cannot use those same reductions
in a Better than BART alternative FIP. However, EPA does want to point
out that, when approved, the BART order will actually result in greater
visibility improvements than projected in the regional haze reasonable
progress demonstration.
Summary of Tesoro BART
The Table below is a summary of the proposed BART and Proposed
Better than BART Technology for Tesoro.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emission unit BART technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-103.................................. PM: End routine use of fuel
oil. Use of refinery fuel gas
or natural gas as primary
fuel.
SO2: End routine use of fuel
oil. Use of refinery fuel gas
or natural gas as primary
fuel.
NOX: Ultra-low-NOX burners.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-304, F-6650, F-6651, F-6652, F6653... SO2 & PM: End routine use of
fuel oil. Use of refinery fuel
gas or natural gas as primary
fuel.
Proposed Better than BART
Alternative Federal
Implementation Plan: SO2
limitations on units F-101, F-
102, F-201, F-301, F-652, F-
751, F-752 fuel gas of 1000
ppmv H2S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-104, F-654, F-6600, F-6601, F-6602, F- PM: End routine use of fuel
6654, F-6655, Flare X-819, Cooling oil. Use of refinery fuel gas
Towers 2 and 2a. or natural gas as primary
fuel.
SO2: End routine use of fuel
oil. Use of refinery fuel gas
or natural gas as primary
fuel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
d. Port Townsend Paper Company
Port Townsend Paper Company (PTPC) operates a kraft pulp and paper
mill in Port Townsend, Washington that manufactures kraft pulp, kraft
papers, and lightweight liner board. The four BART eligible emission
units at the facility are: the recovery furnace, smelt dissolving tank,
No. 10 power boiler, and lime kiln. PTPC visibility impacts are
greatest at Olympic National Park. The 98th percentile impact during
2003 to 2005 at Olympic National Park is 1.9 dv. Impacts at all other
Class I areas within 300 km of PTPC were less than 0.5 dv.
An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) currently controls PM from the
recovery furnace, a wet scrubber currently controls PM and
SO2 from the smelt dissolving tank, a multiclone and wet
scrubber control PM emissions from the No. 10 power boiler, and a wet
venturi scrubber controls PM and SO2 from the lime kiln. On
October 20, 2010, Washington issued PTPC BART Order 7839 Revision 1
which establishes emission limits for these existing controls for the
emission units subject to BART.
Recovery Furnace: The recovery furnace primarily burns black liquor
solids with some recycled fuel oil. It emits SO2,
NOX, and PM. The recovery furnace is intended to recover
sulfur for use in the pulping process and the loss of sulfur through
emissions of SO2 is a loss of process chemical and therefore
is undesirable for business reasons. The recovery furnace operations
are optimized to minimize sulfur loss. Particulate matter is currently
controlled with three dry electrostatic precipitators (ESPs). Current
SO2 and PM emissions are regulated by NESHAPS Subpart MM,
and a PSD permit. NOX emissions from recovery furnaces are
generally low. Currently, there is no emission limit for
NOX.
NOX: The recovery furnace inherently uses staged combustion to
optimize combustion of black liquor (mostly lignins) to recover the
sulfur. Also due to the unique nature of the recovery process, special
safety precautions must be considered as explosion can occur.
Washington and PTPC evaluated alternative NOX control
technologies and found them technically infeasible. See SIP submittal
pages L-206 and L-207. Washington determined that the existing level of
control provided by the existing staged combustion system is BART for
NOX for the recovery furnace.
SO2: Washington and PTPC considered the Wet FGD, Dry FGD and low
sulfur fuel as possible control technologies for the recovery furnace
SO2 emissions. Wet FGD is considered cost prohibitive by the
National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI). See
Information on Retrofit Control Measures for Kraft Pulp Mill Sources
and Boilers for NOX, SO2, and PM Emissions, June
4, 2006. Additionally, due in part to the nature of the SO2
emissions from a kraft recovery furnace, and related technical
difficulties, this technology is considered technically infeasible for
control of SO2 emissions at this facility. Table 2-4, PTPC
BART determination, appendix L of the SIP submittal.
Dry FGD is also not technically feasible as injection of a sorbent
material disrupts the chemical reactions in the furnace and the sulfur
content of the gas stream is too low for effective control of
SO2. The analysis also found that low sulfur fuel is not an
option as the main fuel source is the black liquor from which sulfur is
recovered. In essence, the recovery furnace is a control device to
recover sulfur from the black liquor. Supplemental fuel oil is
currently limited to a maximum of 0.75% sulfur content. Switching to a
lower sulfur content fuel oil would cost $15,702/ton of SO2
removed and is deemed not cost effective. Washington determined that
the current level of controls provided by the existing staged
combustion system and regulated by the PSD permit is BART for
SO2, with an emission limit of 200 ppm at 8% O2.
PM: The PM emissions from the recovery furnace are currently
controlled by an ESP. The existing ESP at the furnaces reduces actual
PM emissions to an average of less than 50% of the MACT limit of 0.044
gr/dcsf, at 8% O2. The BART Guidelines, section IV, states
that ``Unless there are new technologies subsequent to the MACT
Standards which would lead to cost effective increases in the level of
control, [state agencies] may rely on MACT standards for purposes of
BART.'' No new control technologies have been identified for recovery
furnaces, thus Washington determined that the dry ESP meeting MACT
limits is BART. Thus, the BART limit is the NESHAP Subpart MM limit of
0.044 gr/dscf at 8% oxygen.
Smelt Dissolving Tank
NOX control: There are no NOX emissions from the smelt
dissolving
[[Page 76199]]
tank thus a BART determination for NOX is not necessary.
SO2 Control: Sulfur dioxide emissions are currently controlled by a
wet scrubber. The only other available control option is either semi-
dry or dry FGD. However, due to the very low exhaust flow rate, semi-
dry or dry FGD with a dry ESP is technically infeasible. Adding an
alkaline solution to the exhaust gas stream could provide additional
SO2 control. Washington's analysis found cost effectiveness
of adding the alkaline solution to both is $16,247/ton and is not cost
effective. Washington found BART for SO2 is the existing wet
scrubber for PM control.
PM Control: PM emissions are currently controlled by a dry ESP.
Washington evaluated the cost of upgrading the current ESP to reduce
existing PM emission by 50%. The cost effectiveness of this upgrade is
$5,100/ton with a visibility improvement of 0.07 dv. In light of the
cost and minimal visibility improvement, Washington determined the
upgrades are not reasonable. The BART emission limit for PM is the
NESHAP Subpart MM limit of 0.20 lb PM10 per ton black liquor
solids (BLS).
No. 10 Power Boiler: The No. 10 power boiler currently burns a
variety of fuels from wood waste to fuel oil and uses overfire air to
reduce NOX emissions. A multiclone followed by a wet
scrubber reduces PM emissions.
NOX: The design of the No. 10 power boiler which primarily burns
wood waste results in a low flame temperature and minimal
NOX formation. Appendix C of the PTPC BART Determination
report (appendix L of the SIP submittal) contains a lengthy discussion
of why alternative control technologies are not technically feasible
including; flue gas recirculation, LNBs, fuel staging, SNCR, and SCR.
Washington determined that the existing NOX emission limit
of 0.80 lb/MMBtu (current NSPS Subpart D limit) is BART for this unit.
PM control: PM emissions from the No. 10 power boiler are currently
controlled with a multiclone followed by a wet scrubber. The BART
analysis evaluated fabric filters and the substitution of a wet ESP for
the wet scrubber. The evaluation found that installation of a baghouse
is technically infeasible for wood fired boilers due to the potential
fire hazard. The addition of a wet ESP is technically feasible for this
facility but is not cost effective at $11,249/ton of PM10
removed. The substitution of a wet ESP was also evaluated and it was
found that due to the low emission rate and the small potential
visibility improvement from upgrading to a wet ESP did not justify
further study. Washington determined BART is the existing level of
control as provided by the wet scrubber with a PM emission limit of
0.10 lb/MMBtu (the current NSPS Subpart D limit).
SO2 Control: PTPC analysis found that FGD technology with wet
injection using a wet scrubber would reduce SO2 emissions
but would also require the addition of alkaline chemicals which would
change the chemical characteristics of the effluent and render it
classified under Washington as `Dangerous Waste' and as a hazardous
waste under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, thus
raising the cost and complexity of disposal. Fly ash from the boiler
already aids in scrubbing SO2 and adding an alkaline
solution would only provide a small increment of control, but with
increased problems with sludge disposal. The analysis concluded that
implementation of wet FGD on the No. 10 power boiler is considered
technically infeasible. Lowering the sulfur content of the fuel oil
burned to 0.5%, while technically feasible, would cost $15,702/ton of
SO2 reduced. This was determined to not be cost effective.
Washington determined that BART for SO2 control on the No.
10 power boiler is the continued operation of the existing wet
scrubber, continued use of the current low sulfur fuel and implementing
good combustion practices aimed at minimizing recycled fuel oil firing
as BART. The existing SO2 emission limit is 0.30 lb/MMBtu.
Lime Kiln
PM: Currently the lime kiln uses wet venturi scrubber to capture PM
emissions to meet the PM emission limits as specified in 40 CFR 63,
Subpart MM. No new control technologies have been developed since the
rule was promulgated therefore as explained above, Washington
determined that wet venturi scrubber is BART. BART for PM is the same
as 40 CFR 63, Subpart MM, with an emission limit of 0.064 gr/dscf at
10% O2.
NOX: The lime kiln is operated using a minimum of excess air.
Washington's review determined that no add-on control technology was
indicated for lime kilns in the EPA RBLC which lists ``good
combustion'' and ``proper kiln design'' as BACT for lime kilns.
However, as described in the SIP submittal, PTPC investigated ten other
possible control options. Each of these control options were determined
to be infeasible. See Washington Regional Haze SIP submittal L-190.
Therefore Washington determined that BART for NOX for the
lime kiln is proper kiln design and good operating practices.
SO2: The existing wet venturi scrubber captures lime dust and
thereby also reduces SO2 emissions. Washington and PTPC
considered several additional SO2 control technologies
including increasing the alkalinity. See SIP submittal Table 2-3.
However, the visibility improvement from increasing the alkalinity of
the wet scrubber was estimated to be only 0.004 dv and did not warrant
further consideration. As for other units in the facility, lower sulfur
fuel oil was determined to not be cost effective due to the increased
fuel cost and resulting cost effectiveness value of $15,702/ton. As
documented in the SIP submittal each of the other technologies
considered was rejected due to technical difficulties. See Washington
Regional Haze SIP submittal L-213. Washington determined that BART for
SO2 for the lime kiln is the current level of control
provided by the wet venturi scrubber. The SO2 emission limit
is continued use of the existing wet scrubber with inherently alkaline
scrubber solution and 500 ppm at 10% O2 (current Washington
limit).
For of the reasons summarized above, Washington determined that the
existing controls, techniques and emission limits constitute BART for
NOX, SO2, and PM at the facility. The SIP
submittal includes BART Compliance Order No. 7839, Revision 1, issued
to Port Townsend Paper Corporation on October 20, 2010.
EPA finds after review of the SIP submittal that the BART
determination and BART compliance order for PTPC is reasonable and
proposes to approve it.
Summary of Port Townsend Paper Company BART
The table below summarizes the proposed BART technology for PTPC:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emission Unit BART Technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recovery Furnace....................... PM: Existing ESP.
NOX: Existing staged combustion
system.
SO2: Good Operating Practices
and limit of 200 ppm at 8% O2.
[[Page 76200]]
Smelt Dissolving Tank.................. PM: Existing wet scrubber
NESHAP Subpart MM limit of
0.20 lb PM10 per ton BLS.
SO2: Existing wet scrubber.
No. 10 Power Boiler.................... PM10: Existing multiclone and
wet scrubber NSPS Subpart D
limit of 0.10 lb/MMBtu.
NOX: Existing staged combustion
system NSPS Subpart D limit of
0.30 lb/MMBtu.
SO2 Good Operating Practices
NSPS Subpart D limit of 0.80
lb/MMBtu.
Lime Kiln.............................. PM10: Existing venturi wet
scrubber NESHAP Subpart MM
limit of 0.064 gr/dscf at 10%
O2.
NOX: Good Operating Practices.
SO2: Existing wet scrubber 500
ppm at 10% O2.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
e. Lafarge North America
Lafarge North America is located in Seattle, Washington and
produces Portland cement by the wet kiln process. The facility consists
of 18 emission units of which 16, in combination, meet the requirements
as eligible for BART. Dispersion modeling of these16 emission units
show emissions from these units exceed the visibility threshold of 0.5
dv for being subject to BART and thus are subject to BART. The largest
sources of concern that are subject to BART are the rotary kiln and the
clinker cooler. The other BART units include raw material handling,
finished product storage bins, finish mill conveying system, bagging
system, and bulk loading/unloading system baghouses, with a total of
just 480 t/y emissions of PM.
Lafarge North America is subject to the terms and conditions
specified in a consent decree resolving alleged Clean Air Act
violations. United States v. LaFarge North American Inc, Civ. 3:10-cv-
00044-JPG-CJP (S.D. Ill.). This consent decree established emission
limitations and compliance dates for a number of cement plants owned
and operated by Lafarge North America, including the Seattle plant.
Rotary Wet Process Kiln
SO2: There is currently no control for SO2 from the kiln
at the Lafarge facility. The alkaline nature of the clinker formed in
the kiln reduces SO2 emissions to some extent. Additional
control options evaluated were: dry sorbent injection (lime or sodium),
semi-dry FGD, wet limestone forced oxidation, wet lime, ammonia forced
oxidation, and alternative fuels and raw materials. See SIP Submittal
appendix L, L-231,Table 2-2, Lafarge BART determination. The analysis
found that dry sorbent injection (DSI) is technically feasible with a
25% removal efficiency for SO2 at an estimated the cost
effectiveness of $4034/ton. See Table 2-3 of appendix L, Lafarge BART
determination. Washington determined that while the cost effectiveness
value for DSI at this facility is relatively high compared to other
cost effectiveness values that are considered BART, the visibility
improvement at Olympic National Park is significant (0.8 dv) and
warrants this control as BART. Washington determined dry sorbent
injection with emission limit of not to exceed 8620 lb/day as BART.
Limestone slurry forced oxidation (LSFO) is a technically feasible
control option with a control efficiency of 95% for SO2.
Cost effectiveness is $32,920/ton and is considered not reasonable for
this facility. Lafarge considered, but rejected, wet lime scrubbing,
which is similar to LSFO, but uses lime instead of limestone. The
resulting waste product cannot be recycled into the process and would
incur the additional cost to landfill. Also the cost of lime is
considerably more than limestone. Both these factors would increase the
cost effectiveness values even higher than LSFO.
NOX: Currently NOX emissions from the kiln are
controlled by combustion control. As explained in greater detail in the
Washington Regional Haze Submittal appendix L, Washington evaluated
additional control options. In summary its analysis found that LNB with
indirect firing is a technically feasible control option with a 15%
control efficiency and cost effectiveness of $19,246/ton of
NOX reduced. The analysis determined that SCR has not proven
effective in other wet process kiln cement plants that have used SCR.
Thus SCR is not considered an available technology for this unit.
Washington found that SNCR is technically feasible at the facility
with a 40% control efficiency and cost effectiveness value of $1409/
ton. Washington has determined SNCR to be one option available to
comply with BART at this facility. As part of their BART analysis,
Washington also considered mid-kiln firing with whole used tires. Mid-
kiln firing changes the combustion characteristics and provides a 40%
control of NOX. As Lafarge has already installed, but
currently does not use the equipment for mid-kiln firing with whole
tires, the cost effectiveness is low. Washington has determined that
mid-kiln firing with whole tires is an available option to comply with
BART. Finally, low NOX burners with indirect firing and SNCR
were evaluated. LNB with SNCR is technically feasible with a control
efficiency of 55%. Cost effectiveness is determined by Washington to be
$6247/ton. The incremental cost of adding LNB to SNCR is $14,900/ton.
Washington determined that the incremental cost of adding LNB to SNCR
is not cost effective. Thus, Washington determined that BART for
NOX to be either SNCR or mid-kiln firing of whole tires with
an emission limit of 22,960 lb/day.
PM: The initial design of the Lafarge facility was for two kilns,
but only one was built. Two ESPs were constructed, assuming a second
kiln would be built. Currently, the exhaust gasses are ducted to both
ESPs which decreases the flow rate by half and increases the control
efficiency to 99.95%. This control efficiency is equal to that of a
baghouse. Washington determined the existing ESPs are BART for PM with
an emission limit of 0.05 g/dscf.
Clinker Cooler: There are no SO2 or NOX
emissions from the Clinker Cooler and a BART determination for these
pollutants was not conducted. Currently PM emissions from the clinker
cooler are controlled by baghouses. The current baghouses control 99.8%
of PM emissions, which is equal to an ESP. While other controls such as
wet scrubbers or wet venture scrubbers are available, the analysis
completed by Lafarge found that these other technologies did not
control PM emissions as well as the baghouses currently in use at the
facility. Therefore, Washington determined the existing primary and
backup baghouses
[[Page 76201]]
and the emissions limitations for these units contained in Regulation
1, section 9.09 (as in effect on June 30, 2008) and Order of Approval
No. 5627 as BART.
All other sources: Existing baghouses were determined to be BART
for PM with an emission limit of 0.005 g/dscf. Washington on July 28,
2010 issued Lafarge a revised BART Order No. 7841 requiring compliance
with BART, including monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting
requirements. See appendix L of the SIP submittal, Lafarge BART
determination. Washington's BART determination and required controls
for Lafarge is expected to result in approximately 1.1 dv visibility
improvement in Olympic National Park and 0.2 to 0.8 dv improvement at
the other affected Class I areas.
Summary of Proposed Lafarge BART Technology
The table below summarizes the proposed BART technology for
Lafarge.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emission unit BART technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clinker Cooler............... PM/PM10/PM2.5: Existing baghouses 0.025 g/
dscf for the primary baghouse 0.005 g/
dscf for backup baghouse.
Rotary Kiln.................. PM/PM10/PM2.5: Existing electrostatic
precipitators 0.05 g/dscf.
NOX: SNCR or Mid-kiln firing of whole
tires not to exceed 22960 lb/day.
SO2: Dry sorbent injection with lime plus
currently permitted fuels and the cement
kiln process not to exceed 8620 lb/day.
All Other PM10 Sources at PM10: Existing baghouses 0.005 g/dscf.
Plant.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
f. TransAlta Centralia Generation, LLC
TransAlta Centralia Generation LLC, located in Centralia,
Washington operates a two unit coal-fired power plant rated at 702.5
megawatt each, when burning coal from the Centralia coalfield as
originally designed. These units are BART eligible and subject to BART
as described in the SIP submittal, Supplement to appendix L. The units
now burn Powder River Basin coal and are each rated at 670 MW. On June
11, 2003, EPA approved a revision to the Washington Visibility SIP
which included controls for NOX, SO2, and PM. In
the action approving these provisions of the Visibility SIP, EPA
determined the controls to be BART for SO2 and PM but not
for NOX. The NOX controls included in the
November 1999 Visibility SIP revision, which EPA approved into the SIP,
were Alstrom concentric low NOX burners with overfire air.
TransAlta continues to be a BART eligible source for NOX.
Washington's December 22, 2010 Regional Haze SIP submittal included
a BART determination for TransAlta which was updated on December 29,
2011. EPA approved the updated TransAlta NOX BART
determination on August 20, 2012. The SIP approved BART determination
imposes a NOX emission limitation of 0.21 lb/MMBtu for each
unit based on the installation of SNCR on both coal-fired units plus
Flex Fuel. It also requires a one year performance optimization study
and lowering the emission limits based on the study results.
Additionally, the BART determination requires one unit to cease burning
coal by December 31, 2020 and the second unit by December 31, 2025
unless Washington determines that state or federal law requires SCR to
be installed on either unit.
g. Weyerhaeuser Company-Longview
Weyerhaeuser operates a Kraft pulp and paper mill in Longview,
Washington. The facility has three emission units subject to BART: the
No. 10 recovery furnace, No. 10 smelt dissolver tank and No. 11 power
boiler. The recovery furnace currently controls PM emissions with an
ESP. It also employs tertiary over fire air to control combustion and
maximize chemical recovery. The recovery furnace currently is regulated
by a PSD permit requiring BACT and 40 CFR part 63 Subpart MM. The smelt
dissolver tank emits PM controlled with a high efficiency wet scrubber
which was permitted as BACT in 1993 and is subject to 40 CFR part 63
Subpart MM.
The No. 11 power boiler provides steam for electricity generation
and plant operations. It burns a combination of wood waste, dewatered
waste water treatment sludge, and supplemental low sulfur coal (<2%
sulfur by weight). Emissions from the No.11 power boiler are subject to
BACT in the facility's New Source Review (NSR) permit and 40 CFR part
60 Subpart D NSPS and are controlled by: 1) a multiclone to remove
large particulate, 2) dry trona injection to remove SO2, and
3) a dry ESP for additional particulate control. NOX
emissions are controlled with good combustion practices.
Recovery Furnace BART Options
PM: Washington evaluated two technically feasible control options for
increased PM control: wet ESP and venturi scrubber. A wet ESP would not
provide any additional reduction in PM over the current dry ESP. A
venturi scrubber added after the dry ESP would cost $28,000/ton of PM
removed and is not cost effective. Additionally this cost effectiveness
calculation did not include impacts of increased waste water to the
treatment system which if included would only increase the cost. Adding
an additional field to the existing dry ESP is not cost effective at
$122,000/ton. Washington determined that PM BART is the existing BACT
dry ESP with an emission limit of 0.027 gr/dscf at 8% O2,
and 0.020 gr/dscf at 8% O2 annual average.
NOX: The analysis of NOX controls for this unit found
that SCR and SNCR do not appear to be technically feasible due to the
nature and purpose of the recovery boiler. As particulate matter
captured from the exhaust gas stream is used in creating green liquor,
the addition of ammonia upsets the delicate chemical make-up of the
recovered salts. The catalyst used in SCR would be ``poisoned'' by the
alkaline salts in the exhaust gas stream. Washington determined that
NOX BART for this furnace is the current staged combustion
system with an emission limit of 140 ppm at 8% O2.
SO2: Wet and dry sorbent injection systems were considered as
control options for SO2. However, since the recovery furnace
is intended to recover sodium and sulfur for reuse in the pulping
process, the recovery furnace is designed to capture these chemical
compounds and thus emits little SO2 emissions. Weyerhaeuser
and Washington's analysis found that
[[Page 76202]]
neither a wet lime scrubber, a limestone scrubber nor semi-dry or dry
sorbent injection system are likely to reduce much SO2 from
this unit. Washington determined that BART is the current operation of
the furnace using a tertiary air system, use of good operating
practices and meeting the emission limitation in PSD permit 92-03
Amendment 4, of 75 ppm at 8% O2.
No. 10 Smelt Dissolver Tank
The smelt tank only emits PM and is currently regulated by the most
stringent BACT emission limit in the EPA RBLC, which is more stringent
than the MACT standard. Because this unit is not a source of
NOX emission and only a negligible source of SO2
emissions no additional controls are necessary for these pollutants.
Washington determined that PM BART for this unit is current level of
control provided by the existing wet scrubber and an emission limit of
0.12 lb/ton black liquor.
No. 11 Power Boiler
This power boiler currently uses overfire air to provide efficient
combustion, a multiclone followed by an ESP for control of PM, and
trona injection after the multiclone and before the ESP to control
SO2.
PM: Alternative control options were considered for PM control on
the power boiler. Fabric filters are not feasible due to the fire
hazard from burning wood chips. Wet ESPs are no more efficient than the
existing dry ESP. Washington also found that space constraints on the
No. 11 power boiler would prevent or require expensive infrastructure
modifications to provide the space necessary for modifications to
either the PM or SO2 controls currently in place. Washington
determined that BART for PM at the No. 11 power boiler is the existing
multiclone followed by dry ESP with an emission limit of 0.10 lb/MMBtu.
NOX: SCR and SNCR were evaluated for NOX control. SCR
with a control efficiency of 75% is not cost effective at $13,000/ton.
SNCR with a control efficiency of 25% is not cost effective at $6686/
ton. As described in the SIP submittal, Washington agreed with
Weyerhaeuser's analysis finding that there is no other NOX
reduction technology that is technically and economically feasible for
this unit. Washington determined that BART is the existing combustion
system with an emission limit of (0.30x + 0.70y)/(x + y) lb per MMBtu
(derived from solid fossil fuel, liquid fossil fuel and wood residue)
where 40 CFR 60.44(b) defines the variables.
SO2: The current dry sorbent (trona) injection system has a control
efficiency of 25%. Additional control options including low sulfur fuel
oil or coal and wet calcium scrubbing were evaluated. Due to the
limited use of either oil or coal, emission reductions from changing to
low sulfur coal would provide negligible SO2 reductions and
limited improvement in visibility. Hydrated lime injection is
technically infeasible due to lime build-up on the ID fan blades
causing potential fan failure and unsafe explosion conditions. LSFO and
lime spray dryer control technologies are not cost effective at over
$17,000/ton. Washington determined SO2 BART for the No. 11
power boiler is the continued use of low sulfur fuels and dry trona
sorbent injection with an emission limit of 1000 ppm at 7%
O2, 1-hour average, (0.8y +1.2z)/(y +z) lb per MMBtu.
(derived from burning a mixture of liquid and solid fossil fuel) where
40 CFR 60.43(b) defines the variables).
Summary and Conclusion for Weyerhaeuser BART:
In conclusion for the Weyerhaeuser Company, Longview, for all of
the reasons summarized above, Washington determined that the existing
controls, techniques and emission limits constitute BART for
NOX, SO2, and PM at the facility. On July 7,
2010, Washington issued Weyerhaeuser Company Order No. 7840 containing
the BART requirements. After review of the SIP submittal, EPA proposes
to find that the BART determination and BART compliance order for
Weyerhaeuser is reasonable and proposes to approve it.
Summary of Weyerhaeuser Proposed BART Technology
The table below summarizes the proposed BART technology for
Weyerhaeuser.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emission unit BART technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. 11 Power Boiler.......... PM: Existing ESP 0.050 grain/dscf at 7%
O2 (current limit).
NOX: Existing Combustion System (0.30x +
0.70y)/(x + y) lb per MMBtu (derived
from solid fossil fuel, liquid fossil
fuel and wood residue) (40 CFR 60.44(b)
which also defines the variables)
SO2: Fuel mix and trona injection system
1000 ppm at 7% O2, 1-hour average, (0.8y
+ 1.2z)/(y + z) lb per MMBtu (derived
from burning a mixture of liquid and
solid fossil fuel) (40 CFR 60.43(b)
which also defines the variables).
No. 10 Recovery Furnace...... PM: Existing ESP 0.027 gr/dscf, per test,
and 0.020 grain/dscf, annual average
(current BACT limits in PSD 92-03,
Amendment 4).
NOX: Existing Staged Combustion System
140 ppm at 8% O2 (current BACT limit in
PSD 92-03, Amendment 4).
SO2: Good Operating Practices 75 PPM at
8% O2 (current BACT limit in PSD 92-03,
Amendment 4).
Smelt Dissolver Tank......... PM: Existing High Efficiency Wet Scrubber
0.120 lb/BLS (current BACT limit in PSD
92-03, Amendment 4).
NOX: No limit required.
SO2: No limit required.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F. Determination of Reasonable Progress Goals
The RHR requires states to show ``reasonable progress'' toward
natural visibility conditions over the time period of the SIP, with
2018 as the first milestone year. The RHR also requires that the state
establish an RPG, expressed in deciviews (dv), for each Class I area
within the state that provides for reasonable progress towards
achieving natural visibility conditions by 2064. As such, the state
must establish a Reasonable Progress Goals (RPGs) for each Class I area
that provides for visibility improvement for the most-impaired (20%
worst) days and ensures no degradation in visibility for the least-
impaired (20% best) days in 2018.
RPGs are estimates of the progress to be achieved by 2018 through
implementation of the LTS which includes anticipated emission
[[Page 76203]]
reductions from all state and federal regulatory requirements
implemented between the baseline and 2018, including but not limited to
BART and any additional controls for non-BART sources or emission
activities including any federal requirements that reduce visibility
impairing pollutants. As explained above, the rate needed to achieve
natural conditions by 2064 is referred to as the uniform rate of
progress or URP.
If the state establishes a reasonable progress goal that provides
for a slower rate of improvement than the rate that would be needed to
attain natural conditions by 2064, the state must demonstrate, based on
the factors in 40 CFR 51.308(d)(l)(i)(A), that the rate of progress for
the implementation plan to attain natural conditions by 2064 is not
reasonable; and the progress goal adopted by the state is reasonable.
The state must provide to the public for review as part of its
implementation plan an assessment of the number of years it would take
to attain natural conditions if visibility continues at the rate of
progress selected by the state. 40 CFR 51.308(d)(B)(ii).
Washington identified the visibility improvement by 2018 in each of
the mandatory Class I areas as a result of implementation of the SIP
submittal BART emission limits, using the results of the Community
Multi-Scale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling conducted by WRAP. CMAQ
modeling identified the extent of visibility improvement for each Class
I area by pollutant specie. The WRAP CMAQ modeling predicted visibility
impairment by Class I area based on 2018 projected source emission
inventories, which included federal and state regulations already in
place (``on the books'') and BART limitations. A more detailed
description of the CMAQ modeling performed by the WRAP can be found in
the WRAP TSD. The modeling projected that statewide emissions of
SO2 will decline by almost 40% between the baseline period
and 2018 attributable to a 29% reduction in point source emissions and
a 95% reduction in on and off-road mobile sources. See e.g. SIP
submittal at 9-3. Additionally, the WRAP's Particulate Matter Source
Apportionment Technology (PSAT) analysis for 2018 indicates that
sources beyond the control of the state that are outside the modeling
domain, Canada or Pacific offshore that will contribute about two-
thirds or more of the sulfate concentrations in many of the Class I
areas. The modeling projected that nitrate concentrations will decrease
by 46% between the baseline and 2018 primarily due to reductions in
NOX emissions from on-road and off-road mobile sources.
Again, the PSAT analysis indicates the majority of the remaining
nitrate in 2018 will come from sources in Canada, Pacific offshore or
outside the modeling domain. See e.g. SIP submittal 9-4.
Chapter 9 of the SIP submittal discusses the establishment of the
RPGs for 2018 for each Class I area in Washington. Table 9-4 of the SIP
submittal presents the RPG's for each Class I area in Washington. These
goals provide for modest improvement in visibility on the 20% most
impaired days, but not to the level of 2018 URP in any of the Class I
areas. The goals also provide for no degradation on the 20% least
impaired days.
Washington relied on the regional modeling conducted by the WRAP in
establishing the RPGs. The WRAP ran several emission scenarios
representing base case and 2018 emissions. Washington elected to use
the model run with emissions in the ``Preliminary Reasonable Progress''
emission estimates for 2018 (PRP18a). The WRAP modeling for the 2018
RPGs does not account for a number of changes in projected emissions
that occurred subsequent to completion of the model runs including
reductions that are expected to occur as a result of the proposed FIP.
These include:
Emission reductions resulting from final SIP and FIP BART
determinations
Emission reductions from International Maritime
Organization Emission Control Area for the west coast of the U.S. and
Canada
Reductions in SO2 emissions from SO2
control measures on three oil refineries: TSEORO, Shell (Puget Sound
Refining) and Conoco-Phillips
Proposed Better than BART alternative federal emission
limitations on Intalco
Proposed Better than BART alternative federal program for
Tesoro
Additional NOX emission reductions of 8022 t/y
from the TransAlta BART determination
Therefore, the RPGs established by Washington are conservative and do
not account for the above additional emission reductions that have
already been, or are expected to be achieved by 2018.
As part of its reasonable progress analysis, Washington conducted a
generalized four-factor analysis on those source categories that have
the greatest visibility impact and determined that it should focus on
the SO2 and NOX emissions and the source
categories that emit more than 1000 t/y. Specific analysis was
completed on the following three source categories: (1) Industrial
processes, (2) external combustion boilers, and (3) stationary internal
combustion engines.
Industrial processes account for 22,112 t/y of SO2
emissions, primarily from aluminum smelting, petroleum processing
(process heaters, catalytic cracking units, and flares), sulfate
(Kraft) pulping, and wet process cement manufacturing. Of these
industrial processes, external combustion boilers account for 13,783 t/
y of SO2 emissions primarily from burning process gas, wood
waste, residual oil, and bituminous and sub-bituminous coal for
electricity generation. Stationary internal combustion engines fueled
by natural gas account for 911 t/y of SO2 emissions.
Other industrial processes account for 19,070 t/y NOX
emissions primarily from wet and dry process cement manufacturing,
glass manufacturing, sulfate (Kraft) pulping, sulfite pulping, and
petroleum process heaters. External combustion boilers account for
26,895 t/y NOX emissions primarily from burning bituminous
and sub-bituminous coal for electricity generation, wood waste, process
gas, and natural gas. Internal combustion engines account for 2,544 t/y
NOX emissions fueled by natural gas.
There are five crude oil refineries located in Washington. Process
heaters are fueled with waste refinery gas, using natural gas as back-
up. Two of the five refineries are subject to BART (BP Cherry Point and
Tesoro) and BART determinations were made for them. See the previous
BART discussion. The three other meet the NSPS limit for sulfur in
refinery fuel gas.
Washington also considered the significant visibility impact caused
by natural fire in three of the Class I Areas: North Cascades National
Park, Glacier Peak Wilderness Area, and Pasayten Wilderness Area. The
WRAP's analysis found that emissions attributable to natural fire are
not expected to significantly change between the baseline and 2018.
Washington found that if these projections are correct, the impact of
natural fire is so great in these three areas that they will not be
able to achieve the estimated natural conditions.
Washington's reasonable progress analysis found that emissions,
particularly SO2 and NOX, from Canada result in
significant impact on visibility in the Class I areas. Additionally,
Pacific offshore emissions are significant in all areas except the
Pasayten Wilderness Area. Of the sulfate impairment in Olympic National
Park on the most impaired days, 73% originates from a
[[Page 76204]]
combination of sources located outside the modeling domain, Canada, and
Pacific offshore. Of the nitrate impairment in Olympic National Park on
the most impaired days, 43% originates from sources in these areas.
Similar impairment profiles exist in the other Class I areas in
Washington. In Washington's view, Washington's mandatory Class I areas
will not be able to attain natural conditions without further controls
on Canadian and Pacific offshore emissions and the lack of controls
inhibits these Class I areas' ability to achieve the URP and lengthens
the time it will take to achieve natural conditions.
In establishing the 2018 RPGs, Washington did not account (or take
credit) for almost 10,000 tons of SO2 reductions that
occurred in the 2003 to 2005 timeframe from implementation of various
control technologies from the Tesoro, ConocoPhillips, and Shell
refineries. Tesoro installed wet FGD on the CO Boiler (Fluidized
Catalyst Cracker) in 2005 for a reduction of 4740 t/y SO2
and is considered BART in Washington's BART determination. Conoco-
Phillips installed wet-FGD on its CO boiler for a reduction of 2041 t/y
SO2 which was not included in the WRAP modeling for RPGs.
Shell Puget Sound Refining installed wet-FGD on their CO boiler for a
reduction of 3045 t/y SO2 which was not included in the WRAP
modeling. Washington relied on the WRAP modeling in establishing the
RPG's, thus the goals of the SIP submittal underestimate actual
improvement that is anticipated.
EPA proposes to find that the Washington Regional Haze SIP
submittal meets the requirements of 40 CFR 51.308(d)(1). As discussed
above, the RPGs established by Washington are conservative and do not
account for a significant amount of additional emission reductions that
have already been, or are anticipated to be achieved by 2018. These
include the emission reductions expected from the BART determinations
and Better than BART determinations proposed today and the almost
10,000 t/y SO2 emission reductions from three refineries in
northwest Washington.
As explained in EPA's RPG Guidance, the 2018 URP estimate is not a
presumptive target and the Washington's RPGs may be lesser, greater or
equivalent to the glide path. The glide path to 2064 represents a
linear rate of progress to be used for analytical comparison to the
amount of progress expected to be achieved. EPA believes that the RPGs
established by Washington for the Class I areas in Washington, although
not achieving the URP, are reasonable when considering the additional
emission reductions expected to result from the BART controls,
additional reductions on refineries not included in the reasonable
progress demonstration and the significant contributions to visibility
impairment from natural fire and from sources beyond Washington's
regulatory jurisdiction. Additional controls on point sources or other
source categories at this time is not likely to result in substantial
visibility improvement in the first planning period due to the
significant contribution from emissions from natural fire, the Pacific
offshore, Canada, and outside the modeling domain.
EPA believes that actual visibility improvement in all Class I
areas by 2018 will be significantly better than the RPGs established in
the SIP submittal would suggest. The RPG's established in the SIP for
the Class I areas in Washington meet the federal requirements by
showing visibility improvement on the 20% worst days and no degradation
on the 20% best days. EPA is proposing to find that Washington has
demonstrated that its 2018 RPGs are reasonable for the first planning
period and meet the requirements of 40 CFR 51.308(d)(1).
G. Long Term Strategy
The Long Term Strategy required by 40 CFR 51.308(d)(3) is a
compilation of all existing and anticipated new air pollution control
measures (both those identified in this SIP submittal as well as
measures resulting from other air pollution requirements.) The LTS must
include ``enforceable emission limitations, compliance schedules, and
other measures as necessary to achieve the reasonable progress goals''
for all Class I areas within or affected by emissions from the state.
40 CFR 51.308(d)(3). In developing a LTS, Washington identified
existing programs and rules, and additional new controls that may be
needed for other CAA requirements.
The Regional Haze Rule requires that states consider seven topics:
(1) Ongoing air pollution control programs including measures to
address RAVI, (2) measures to mitigate impacts of construction
activities, (3) emission limitations and schedules for compliance, (4)
source retirement and replacement schedules, (5) smoke management
techniques for agricultural and forestry burning, (6) enforceability of
emission limitations and control measures, and (7) the anticipated net
effects on visibility due to projected changes in point, area and
mobile source emissions over the first planning period which ends in
2018. 40 CFR 50.308(d)(3). In their reasonable progress analysis,
Washington addressed each of these topics and added two additional
factors; commercial marine shipping and residential wood combustion.
1. Emission reductions due to ongoing air pollution control
programs. Washington discussed a number of current federal, state, and
local permit programs and regulations that limit visibility impairing
emissions from point, area, on-road and non-road mobile sources. The
programs and requirements include for example the New Source Review and
Washington's Reasonable Available Control technology (RACT) permitting
requirements, the BART requirements and Washington's Smoke Management
Plan.
2. Measures to mitigate impacts of construction activities.
Washington explained that due to the location of the Class I areas
relative to the urban areas in Washington, construction activities have
not been identified as contributing to visibility impairment in the
Class I areas. Washington also explained however, that construction
activities are regulated under Washington or under local air quality
authority rules and policies governing mitigation of air pollution from
construction activities.
3. Emission limitations and schedules for compliance. The
submission states that in addition to current state and federal rules,
the BART requirements are important to achieving the estimated emission
reductions necessary to meet the 2018 RPG. To this end, Washington
issued enforceable BART Orders containing compliance schedules to each
source subject to BART. The BART Orders are included as part of the SIP
submittal.
4. Source retirement and replacement schedules. Washington is not
aware of any scheduled and documented retirement or replacement of
point sources emitting visibility impairing pollutants so source
retirement and replacement schedules are not included as part of
Washington's long term strategy. However, if Washington receives notice
of source retirement or replacement in the future it commits to
including the emission reductions into the long term strategy in its
periodic updates.
5. Smoke management techniques for agricultural and forestry
burning. In Washington agricultural burning is regulated by Washington
and local agencies which establish controls for agricultural burning to
minimize adverse health effects and environmental effects, including
visibility. Washington's silvicultural
[[Page 76205]]
Smoke Management Plan was incorporated into the Washington RAVI SIP on
June 11, 2003. See 68 FR 3482.
6. Enforceability of emission limitations and control measures.
Emission limits on stationary sources are enforceable as a matter of
state law under chapter 173-400 Washington Administrative Code, General
Regulations for Air pollution Sources. Additionally, as mentioned
above, Washington issued enforceable BART Orders to each BART source
which will later be incorporated into the source's Title 5 permit.
7. Anticipated net effects on visibility due to projected changes
in point, area and mobile source emissions over the first planning
period. Washington relied on modeling results from the WRAP projecting
the anticipated visibility improvement in 2018 for the LTS. See SIP
submittal, Table 10-3. As explained above, in the discussion regarding
the reasonable progress demonstration, due to the fact that the WRAP
modeling was conducted prior to many emission reduction activities that
have, or will occur, the projections in Table 10-3 of the SIP submittal
are conservative. Thus, the actual visibility improvement is likely to
be better than projected.
In addition to the seven factors discussed above, Washington also
included two additional elements in their long term strategy;
residential wood combustion program and woodstove change-outs and
controls on emissions from commercial marine shipping. EPA acknowledges
these additional measures, but it is not necessary to take these
specific activities into account at this time in evaluating whether the
enforceable measures contained in Washington's LTS satisfy the RHR
requirements.
Washington consulted with surrounding states through participation
in the WRAP to ensure that Washington would achieve its fair share of
reductions so that Class I areas in other states can meet their RPGs.
No state specifically requested Washington for emission reductions
beyond those assumed by the WRAP when it completed its modeling of 2018
visibility conditions. Additionally, Washington commits to updating its
comprehensive LTS on the schedule set by the RHR for the Regional Haze
SIP updates.
EPA is proposing to find that Washington adequately addressed the
RHR requirements in developing its LTS because it includes all the
control measures that were anticipated at the time of the SIP
development. The SIP submittal contains sufficient documentation to
ensure that Washington's LTS will enable it to achieve the RPGs
established for the mandatory Class I areas in Washington as well as
the RPGs established by other states for the Class I areas where
Washington sources are reasonably anticipated to contribute to
visibility impairment.
Washington's analysis included consideration of all anthropogenic
sources of visibility impairment including major and minor stationary
sources, mobile sources and area sources. The anticipated net effect on
visibility over the first planning period due to changes in point, area
and mobile source emissions is an improvement in visibility in all
Class I areas in Washington on the worst 20% days and no degradation of
visibility on the 20% best days. EPA proposes to approve the Long Term
Strategy (LTS) contained in the SIP submittal because it includes all
the control measures that were anticipated at the time of the SIP
development and the LTS as a whole provides sufficient measures to
ensure that Washington will meet its emission reduction obligations.
H. Monitoring Strategy and Other Implementation Requirements
The primary monitoring network for regional haze in Washington is
the IMPROVE network. As discussed previously, there are currently
IMPROVE sites that represent conditions for all mandatory Class I areas
in Washington.
IMPROVE monitoring data from 2000-2004 serves as the baseline for
the regional haze program, and is relied upon in the Washington SIP
submittal. In the SIP submittal, Washington commits to rely on the
IMPROVE network for complying with the regional haze monitoring
requirement in EPA's RHR for the current and future regional haze
implementation periods. See chapter 12 of the SIP submittal. Washington
will also rely on the continued existence of the WRAP and on the WRAP's
work to provide adequate technical support to meet its commitment to
conduct the analyses required under the 40 CFR 51.308(d)(4) and will
collaborate with the WRAP members to ensure the continued operation of
the technical support tools. Data produced by the IMPROVE monitoring
network will be used for preparing the 5-year progress reports and the
10-year SIP revisions, each of which relies on analysis of the
preceding 5 years of data. Washington also commits to updating its
statewide emissions inventory periodically.
I. Consultation With States and Federal Land Managers
Through the WRAP, member states and Tribes worked extensively with
the FLMs from the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to
develop technical analyses that support the regional haze SIPs for the
WRAP states. Washington provided the proposed Regional Haze plan for
Washington to the FLMs for comment in March 2010. See appendix B of the
SIP submittal. Washington also consulted with the states of Idaho and
Oregon, and all WRAP member states and Tribes.
J. Periodic SIP Revisions and 5-Year Progress Reports
Section 51.308(f) of the RHR requires that the regional haze plans
be revised and submitted to EPA by July 31, 2018 and every 10 years
thereafter. 40 CFR 51.308(g) requires the state to submit a progress
report to EPA every 5 years evaluating the progress made towards the
reasonable progress goals for each Class I area in the state and each
Class I area located outside the state which may be affected by
emissions from within the state. Washington commits to evaluate and
assess each of the elements required under 40 CFR 51.308(f) and to
submit a comprehensive Regional Haze SIP revision to EPA by July 31,
2018, and every 10 years thereafter. Washington also commits to
submitting a report on its reasonable progress to EPA every 5 years to
evaluate the progress made towards the RPGs and to address each of the
elements specified in 40 CFR 51.308(g). See chapter 12 of the SIP
submission.
V. What action is EPA proposing?
EPA is proposing a partial approval for most elements of the
Washington Regional Haze SIP submittal. EPA is proposing a limited
approval and limited disapproval of the State's SO2 BART
determinations for the Intalco potlines, and proposes a Better than
BART alternative. The limited approval of the State's BART Order for
Intalco is strengthening the SIP and the Better than BART FIP limiting
annual SO2 emissions to 5240 t/y is a BART alternative. This
Better than BART alternative, as offered by Alcoa, will incur no cost
to Alcoa as it currently operates within this emission limit. EPA is
also proposing to disapprove the Tesoro NOX BART
determinations for emission units F-304, F-6650, F-6651, F-6652, and F-
6653 and proposes a FIP for an alternative Better than BART. This
Better than BART alternative, as offered by Tesoro, will incur no cost
to
[[Page 76206]]
Tesoro as they currently operate within these emission limits.
VI. Washington Notice
Washington's Regulatory Reform Act of 1995, codified at chapter
43.05 Revised Code of Washington (RCW), precludes ''regulatory
agencies'', as defined in RCW 43.05.010, from assessing civil penalties
under certain circumstances. EPA has determined that chapter 43.05 of
the RCW, often referred to as ``House Bill 1010,'' conflicts with the
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(A) and (C) and 40 CFR 51.230(b)
and (e). Based on this determination, Ecology has determined that
chapter 43.05 RCW does not apply to the requirements of chapter 173-422
WAC. See 66 FR 35115, 35120 (July 3, 2001). The restriction on the
issuance of civil penalties in chapter 43.05 RCW does not apply to
local air pollution control authorities in Washington because local air
pollution control authorities are not ``regulatory agencies'' within
the meaning of that statute. See 66 FR 35115, 35120 (July 3, 2001).
In addition, EPA is relying on the State's interpretation of
another technical assistance law, RCW 43.21A.085 and .087, to conclude
that the law does not impinge on the State's authority to administer
Federal Clean Air Act programs. The Washington Attorney Generals'
Office has concluded that RCW 43.21A.085 and .087 do not conflict with
Federal authorization requirements because these provisions implement a
discretionary program. EPA understands from the State's interpretation
that technical assistance visits conducted by the State will not be
conducted under the authority of RCW 43.21A.085 and .087. See 66 FR 16,
20 (January 2, 2001); 59 FR 42552, 42555 (August 18, 1994).
VII. Scope of Action
This proposed SIP approval does not extend to sources or activities
located in ''Indian Country'' as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151.\11\
Consistent with previous Federal program approvals or delegations, EPA
will continue to implement the Act in Indian Country because Washington
did not adequately demonstrate authority over sources and activities
located within the exterior boundaries of Indian reservations and other
areas of Indian Country. The one exception is within the exterior
boundaries of the Puyallup Indian Reservation, also known as the 1873
Survey Area. Under the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Settlement Act of
1989, 25 U.S.C. 1773, Congress explicitly provided state and local
agencies in Washington authority over activities on non-trust lands
within the 1873 Survey Area.
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\11\ ''Indian country'' is defined under 18 U.S.C. 1151 as: (1)
All land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the
jurisdiction of the United States Government, notwithstanding the
issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running through
the reservation, (2) all dependent Indian communities within the
borders of the United States, whether within the original or
subsequently acquired territory thereof, and whether within or
without the limits of a State, and (3) all Indian allotments, the
Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights-
of-way running through the same. Under this definition, EPA treats
as reservations trust lands validly set aside for the use of a Tribe
even if the trust lands have not been formally designated as a
reservation.
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VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory 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 Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
(76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011). The proposed FIP applies to only two
facilities and is not a rule of general applicability.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed action does not impose an information collection
burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, a ``collection of
information'' is defined as a requirement for ``answers to * * *
identical reporting or recordkeeping requirements imposed on ten or
more persons * * *.'' 44 U.S.C. 3502(3)(A). Because the proposed FIP
applies to just two facilities, the Paperwork Reduction Act does not
apply. See 5 CFR 1320(c). Burden means the total time, effort, or
financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain,
or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This
includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire,
install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of
collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information;
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable
instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to
a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review
the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the
information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
The OMB control numbers for our regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40
CFR part 9.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency
to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to
notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative
Procedure Act or any other statute unless the agency certifies that the
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses,
small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions. For purposes
of assessing the impacts of today's proposed rule on small entities,
small entity is defined as: (1) A small business as defined by the
Small Business Administration's (SBA) regulations at 13 CFR 121.201;
(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-for
profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field. After considering the economic impacts of this
proposed action on small entities, I certify that this proposed action
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities. The FIP for the two Washington facilities being
proposed today does not impose any new requirements on small entities.
The proposed partial approval of the SIP, if finalized, merely approves
state law as meeting Federal requirements and imposes no additional
requirements beyond those imposed by state law. See Mid-Tex Electric
Cooperative, Inc. v. FERC, 773 F.2d 327 (DC Cir. 1985).
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
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 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 to state, local, and Tribal governments, in
the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more
(adjusted for
[[Page 76207]]
inflation) in any 1 year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for which a
written statement is needed, section 205 of UMRA generally requires EPA
to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives
and adopt the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome
alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of
section 205 of UMRA do not apply when they are inconsistent with
applicable law. Moreover, section 205 of UMRA 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 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.
Under Title II of UMRA, EPA has determined that this proposed rule
does not contain a Federal mandate that may result in expenditures that
exceed the inflation-adjusted UMRA threshold of $100 million by state,
local, or Tribal governments or the private sector in any 1 year. In
addition, this proposed rule does not contain a significant Federal
intergovernmental mandate as described by section 203 of UMRA nor does
it contain any regulatory requirements that might significantly or
uniquely affect small governments.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999) revokes and replaces
Executive Orders 12612 (Federalism) and 12875 (Enhancing the
Intergovernmental Partnership). Executive Order 13132 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.'' Under Executive Order 13132, EPA may not issue a
regulation that has federalism implications, that imposes substantial
direct compliance costs, and that is not required by statute, unless
the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct
compliance costs incurred by state and local governments, or EPA
consults with state and local officials early in the process of
developing the proposed regulation. EPA also may not issue a regulation
that has federalism implications and that preempts state law unless the
Agency consults with state and local officials early in the process of
developing the proposed regulation. This rule 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, because it merely addresses the state not
fully meeting its regional haze SIP obligations established in the CAA.
Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this action. In the
spirit of Executive Order 13132, and consistent with EPA policy to
promote communications between EPA and State and local governments, EPA
specifically solicits comment on this proposed rule from State and
local officials.
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 9, 2000), requires EPA
to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely
input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies
that have tribal implications.'' This proposed rule does not have
tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175 because the
SIP and FIP do not have substantial direct effects on tribal
governments. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.
EPA specifically solicits additional comment on this proposed rule from
tribal officials. Consistent with EPA policy, EPA nonetheless provided
a consultation opportunity to Tribes in Idaho, Oregon and Washington in
letters dated January 14, 2011. EPA received one request for
consultation, and we have followed-up with that Tribe. On September 20,
2012, EPA provided an additional consultation opportunity to 7 Tribes
in Washington specific to the Washington regional haze plan. We
received no requests for consultation.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks
Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), applies to
any rule that: (1) Is determined to be economically significant as
defined under Executive Order 12866; and (2) concerns an environmental
health or safety risk that we have reason to believe may have a
disproportionate effect on children. EPA interprets EO 13045 as
applying only to those regulatory actions that concern health or safety
risks, such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of the EO
has the potential to influence the regulation. This action is not
subject to EO 13045 because it implements specific standards
established by Congress in statutes. However, to the extent this
proposed rule will limit emissions of NOX, SO2,
and PM10 the rule will have a beneficial effect on
children's health by reducing air pollution.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355
(May 22, 2001)), because it is not a significant regulatory action
under Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (``NTTAA''), Public Law 104-113, 12(d) (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.
The EPA believes that VCS are inapplicable to the proposed partial
approval of the SIP that if finalized, merely approves state law as
meeting Federal requirements and imposes no additional requirements
beyond those imposed by state law. The FIP portion
[[Page 76208]]
of this proposed rulemaking involves technical standards. EPA proposes
to use American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Methods and
generally accepted test methods previously promulgated by EPA. Because
all of these methods are generally accepted and are widely used by
State and local agencies for determining compliance with similar rules,
EPA believes it would be impracticable and potentially confusing to put
in place methods that vary from what is already accepted. As a result,
EPA believes it is unnecessary and inappropriate to consider
alternative technical standards. EPA welcomes comments on this aspect
of the proposed rulemaking and, specifically, invites the public to
identify potentially-applicable voluntary consensus standards and to
explain why such standards should be used in this regulation.
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. We have determined that this proposed
rule, if finalized, 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 populations. This proposed FIP
limits emissions of SO2 from two facilities in Washington.
The partial approval of the SIP, if finalized, merely approves state
law as meeting Federal requirements and imposes no additional
requirements beyond those imposed by state law.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides,
Visibility, and Volatile organic compounds.
Dated: November 30, 2012.
Dennis J. McLerran,
Regional Administrator, Region 10.
40 CFR part 52 is proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 52--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart WW--Washington
2. Section 52.2498 is amended by adding paragraph (c) to read as
follows:
Sec. 52.2498 Visibility protection.
* * * * *
(c) The requirements of sections 169A and 169B of the Clean Air Act
are not met because the plan does not include approvable provisions for
protection of visibility in mandatory Class I Federal areas,
specifically the Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) requirement
for regional haze visibility impairment (Sec. 51.308(e)). The EPA BART
regulations are found in Sec. Sec. 52.2500 and 52.2501.
* * * * *
3. Add Sec. Sec. 52.2500 and 52.2501 to read as follows:
Sec. 52.2500 Best available retrofit technology requirements for the
Intalco Aluminum Corporation (Intalco Works) primary aluminum plant--
Better than BART Alternative.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to the Intalco Aluminum
Corporation (Intalco Works) primary aluminum plant located in Ferndale,
Washington and to its successors and/or assignees.
(b) Better than BART Alternative--Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission
limit for potlines. Starting January 1, 2014, SO2 emissions
from all pot lines in aggregate must not exceed a total of 5,240 tons
for any calendar year.
(c) Compliance demonstration. (1) Intalco shall determine on a
calendar month basis, SO2 emissions using the following
formula:
SO2 emissions in tons per calendar month = (carbon
consumption ratio) x (% sulfur in baked anodes/100) x (% sulfur
converted to SO2/100) x (2 pounds of SO2 per
pound of sulfur) x (tons of aluminum production per calendar month).
(i) Carbon consumption ratio is the calendar month average of tons
of baked anodes consumed per ton of aluminum produced as determined
using the baked anode consumption and production records required in
paragraph (e)(2) of this section.
(ii) % sulfur in baked anodes is the calendar month average sulfur
content as determined in paragraph (d) of this section.
(iii) % sulfur converted to SO2 is 95%.
(2) Calendar year SO2 emissions shall be calculated by
summing the 12 calendar month SO2 emissions for the calendar
year.
(d) Emission monitoring. (1) The % sulfur of baked anodes shall be
determined using ASTM Method D6376 or an alternative method approved by
EPA Region 10.
(2) Intalco shall collect at least four anode core samples during
each calendar week.
(3) Calendar month average sulfur content shall be determined by
averaging the sulfur content of all samples collected during the
calendar month.
(e) Recordkeeping. (1) Intalco shall record the calendar month
SO2 emissions and the calendar year SO2 emissions
determined in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section.
(2) Intalco shall maintain records of the baked anode consumption
and aluminum production data used to develop the carbon consumption
ratio used in paragraph (c)(i) of this section.
(3) Intalco shall retain a copy of all calendar month carbon
consumption ratio and potline SO2 emission calculations.
(4) Intalco shall record the calendar month net production of
aluminum and tons of aluminum produced each calendar month. Net
production of aluminum is the total mass of molten metal produced from
tapping all pots in all of the potlines that operated at any time in
the calendar month, measured at the casthouse scales and the rod shop
scales.
(5) Intalco shall record the calendar month average sulfur content
of the baked anodes.
(6) Records are to be retained at the facility for at least five
years and be made available to EPA Region 10 upon request.
(f) Reporting. (1) Intalco shall report the calendar month
SO2 emissions and the calendar year SO2 emissions
to EPA Region 10 at the same time as the annual compliance
certification required by the Part 70 operating permit for the Intalco
Works is submitted to the Title V permitting authority.
(2) All documents and reports shall be sent to EPA Region 10
electronically, in a format approved by the EPA Region 10, to the
following email address: R10-AirPermitReports@epa.gov.
[[Page 76209]]
Sec. 52.2501 Best available retrofit technology (BART) requirement
for the Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company oil refinery--Better than
BART Alternative.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to the Tesoro Refining and
Marketing Company oil refinery located in Anacortes, Washington and to
its successors and/or assignees.
(b) Better than BART alternative. The Sulfur dioxide
(SO2) emission limitation for non-BART eligible process
heaters and boilers (Units F-101, F-102, F-201, F-301, F-652, F-751,
and F-752) follows.
(1) Compliance date. Starting no later than [60 DAYS AFTER
PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE], Units F-101, F-102, F-201, F-301, F-
652, F-751, and F-752 shall only fire refinery gas meeting the criteria
in paragraph (b)(2) of this section or pipeline quality natural gas.
(2) Refinery fuel gas requirements. In order to limit
SO2 emissions, refinery fuel gas used in the units from
blend drum V-213 shall not contain greater than 0.10 percent by volume
hydrogen sulfide (H2S), 365-day rolling average, measured
according to paragraph (d) of this section.
(c) Compliance demonstration. Compliance with the H2S
emission limitation shall be demonstrated using a continuous emissions
monitoring system as required in paragraph (d) of this section.
(d) Emission monitoring. (1) A continuous emissions monitoring
system (CEMS) for H2S concentration shall be installed,
calibrated, maintained and operated measuring the outlet stream of the
fuel gas blend drum subsequent to all unmonitored incoming sources of
sulfur compounds to the system and prior to any fuel gas combustion
device. The monitor shall be certified in accordance with 40 CFR part
60 appendix B and operated in accordance with 40 CFR part 60 appendix
F.
(2) Record the calendar day average H2S concentration of
the refinery fuel gas as measured by the CEMS required in paragraph
(d)(1) of this section. The daily averages shall be used to calculate
the 365-day rolling average.
(e) Recordkeeping. Records of the daily average H2S
concentration and 365-day rolling averages are to be retained at the
facility for at least five years and be made available to EPA Region 10
upon request.
(f) Reporting. (1) Calendar day and 365-day rolling average
refinery fuel gas H2S concentrations shall be reported to
EPA Region 10 at the same time that the semi-annual monitoring reports
required by the Part 70 operating permit for the Tesoro oil refinery
are submitted to the Title V permitting authority.
(2) All documents and reports shall be sent to EPA Region 10
electronically, in a format approved by the EPA Region 10, to the
following email address: R10-AirPermitReports@epa.gov.
[FR Doc. 2012-30090 Filed 12-21-12; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P