Air Plan Approval; Minnesota and Michigan; Revision to 2013 Taconite Federal Implementation Plan Establishing BART for Taconite Plants, 21671-21697 [2016-07818]
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Part II
Environmental Protection Agency
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40 CFR Part 52
Air Plan Approval; Minnesota and Michigan; Revision to 2013 Taconite
Federal Implementation Plan Establishing BART for Taconite Plants; Final
Rule
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R05–OAR–2015–0196; FRL–9944–22–
Region 5]
Air Plan Approval; Minnesota and
Michigan; Revision to 2013 Taconite
Federal Implementation Plan
Establishing BART for Taconite Plants
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is finalizing a revision to
the Federal implementation plan (FIP)
addressing the requirement for best
available retrofit technology (BART) for
taconite plants in Minnesota and
Michigan. In response to petitions for
reconsideration, we are revising the
nitrogen oxides (NOX) limits for taconite
furnaces at facilities owned and
operated by Cliffs Natural Resources
(Cliffs) and ArcelorMittal USA LLC
(ArcelorMittal). Cliffs owns and
operates Tilden Mining and United
Taconite. Hibbing is owned by Cliffs,
ArcelorMittal and U.S. Steel and
operated by Cliffs. ArcelorMittal is
owner and operator of Minorca Mine.
We are also revising the sulfur dioxide
(SO2) requirements at two of Cliffs’
facilities. We are making these changes
because new information has come to
light that was not available when we
originally promulgated the FIP on
February 6, 2013.
DATES: This final rule is effective on
May 12, 2016.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–R05–OAR–2015–0196. 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. Publicly
available docket materials are available
either in www.regulations.gov or at the
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 5, Air and Radiation Division, 77
West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago,
Illinois 60604. This facility is open from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding Federal holidays. We
recommend that you telephone Steven
Rosenthal at (312) 886–6052 before
visiting the Region 5 office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven Rosenthal, Environmental
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SUMMARY:
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Engineer, Attainment Planning &
Maintenance Section, Air Programs
Branch (AR–18J), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
60604, (312) 886–6052,
rosenthal.steven@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document whenever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
EPA. This section is arranged as follows:
I. Definitions
II. Background Information
III. Comments and Responses
IV. Revision to Equation for Normally
Distributed but not Statistically
Independent Data
V. What action is EPA taking?
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Definitions
For the purpose of this document, we
are giving meaning to certain words or
initials as follows:
• The initials BACT mean or refer to
Best Available Control Technology.
• The initials BART mean or refer to
Best Available Retrofit Technology.
• The initials CAA mean or refer to
the Clean Air Act.
• The initials CBI mean or refer to
Confidential Business Information.
• The initials CEMS means or refers
to continuous emission monitoring
system.
• The initials CFD mean or refer to
computational fluid dynamic.
• The words EPA, we, us, or our
mean or refer to the United States
Environmental Protection Agency.
• The initials FIP mean or refer to
Federal Implementation Plan.
• The initials LNB mean or refer to
low-NOX burners.
• The initials MACT mean or refer to
Maximum Achievable Control
Technology.
• The initials MCEA means or refers
to the Minnesota Center for
Environmental Advocacy.
• The initials MMBtu mean or refer to
million British thermal units.
• The initials MW mean or refer to
megawatts.
• The initials NAAQS mean or refer
to National Ambient Air Quality
Standards.
• The initials NESHAP mean or refer
to National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants.
• The initials NSPS mean or refer to
Standards of Performance for New
Stationary Sources.
• The initials NOX mean or refer to
nitrogen oxides.
• The initials NPCA means or refers
to the National Parks Conservation
Association.
• The initials NTAA means or refers
to the National Tribal Air Association.
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• The initials PRB mean or refer to
the Powder River Basin.
• The initials RHR mean or refer to
the EPA’s Regional Haze Rule.
• The initials RMB mean or refer to
RMB Consulting and Research.
• The initials SCR mean or refer to
Selective Catalytic Reduction.
• The initials SIP mean or refer to
State Implementation Plan.
• The initials SO2 mean or refer to
sulfur dioxide.
• The initials UPL mean or refer to
Upper Prediction Limit.
II. Background Information
A. Requirements of the Clean Air Act
and EPA’s Regional Haze Rule
In section 169A of the 1977
Amendments to the CAA, 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 mandatory Class I
Federal areas 1 which impairment
results from manmade air pollution.’’
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 35714 (July 1, 1999), codified at
40 CFR part 51, subpart P (herein after
referred to as the ‘‘Regional Haze Rule’’).
The RHR revised the existing visibility
regulations to add 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.
B. Best Available Retrofit Technology
(BART)
Section 169A of the CAA directs
states, or EPA if developing a FIP, to
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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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 EPA to develop a FIP
that contains such measures as may be
necessary to make reasonable progress
toward the natural visibility goal,
including a requirement that certain
categories of existing major stationary
sources 2 built between 1962 and 1977
procure, install, and operate the BART
as determined by EPA. Under the RHR,
states (or in the case of a FIP, EPA) are
directed to conduct BART
determinations for such ‘‘BARTeligible’’ sources that may reasonably be
anticipated to cause or contribute to any
visibility impairment in a Class I area.
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 and EPA in
determining which sources should be
subject to the BART requirements and
in determining appropriate emission
limits for each applicable source. 70 FR
39104.
The process of establishing BART
emission limitations includes
identifying those sources that meet the
definition of ‘‘BART-eligible source’’ set
forth in 40 CFR 51.301,3 determining
which of these sources ‘‘emits any air
pollutant which may reasonably be
anticipated to cause or contribute to any
impairment of visibility in any such
area’’ (a source which fits this
description is ‘‘subject to BART’’), and,
for each source subject to BART,
identifying the best available type and
level of control for reducing emissions.
States, or EPA if developing a FIP,
must address all visibility-impairing
pollutants emitted by a source in the
BART determination process. The most
significant visibility impairing
pollutants are SO2, NOX, and particulate
matter.
A SIP or FIP addressing regional haze
must include source-specific BART
emission limits and compliance
schedules for each source subject to
BART. Once a state or EPA has made a
BART determination, the BART controls
must be installed and operated as
2 The set of ‘‘major stationary sources’’ potentially
subject to BART is listed in CAA section 169A(g)(7),
and includes ‘‘taconite ore processing facilities.’’
3 BART-eligible sources are those sources that
have the potential to emit 250 tons or more of a
visibility-impairing air pollutant, were not in
operation prior to August 7, 1962, but were in
existence on August 7, 1977, and whose operations
fall within one or more of 26 specifically listed
source categories. 40 CFR 51.301.
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expeditiously as practicable, but no later
than five years after the date of the final
SIP or FIP. See CAA section 169A(g)(4)
and 40 CFR 51.308(e)(1)(iv). In addition
to what is required by the RHR, general
SIP requirements mandate that the SIP
or FIP include all regulatory
requirements related to monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting for the
BART controls on the source. See CAA
section 110(a).
C. Regulatory and Legal History of the
2013 Taconite FIP
On February 6, 2013, EPA
promulgated a FIP (78 FR 8706) that
included BART limits for taconite
furnaces subject to BART in Minnesota
and Michigan. EPA took this action
because Minnesota and Michigan had
failed to meet a statutory deadline to
submit their Regional Haze SIPs and
subsequently failed to require BART at
the taconite facilities. Cliffs,
ArcelorMittal, and the State of Michigan
petitioned the Eighth Circuit Court of
Appeals for review of the FIP, and, on
May 17, 2013, Cliffs and ArcelorMittal
filed a joint motion for stay of the final
rule, which was granted by the Eighth
Circuit on June 14, 2013, and is still in
effect.
EPA received petitions for
reconsideration of the 2013 Taconite FIP
from the National Mining Association
on March 8, 2013, ArcelorMittal on
March 22, 2013, the State of Michigan
on April 1, 2013, Cliffs on April 3, 2013,
Congressman Richard M. Nolan on
April 8, 2013, the State of Minnesota on
April 8, 2013, and United States Steel
Corporation (U.S. Steel) on November
26, 2013.
In a related action, EPA published a
final partial disapproval of the Michigan
and Minnesota Regional Haze SIPs on
September 30, 2013 (78 FR 59825), for
failure to require BART for SO2 and
NOX emissions from taconite furnaces
subject to BART. By petitions dated
November 26, 2013, Cliffs and U.S. Steel
petitioned EPA pursuant to section
307(d)(7)(B) of the CAA for
reconsideration of EPA’s partial
disapproval of the Michigan and
Minnesota Regional Haze SIPs. Further,
Cliffs, ArcelorMittal, Michigan, and U.S.
Steel petitioned the Eight Circuit Court
of Appeals for review of the final rule
partially disapproving the Michigan and
Minnesota Regional Haze SIPs.
EPA subsequently reached a
settlement agreement with Cliffs,
ArcelorMittal, and Michigan regarding
issues raised by these parties in their
petitions for review and
reconsideration. Notice of the settlement
was published in the Federal Register
on January 30, 2015 (80 FR 5111), and
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the settlement agreement was fully
executed on April 9, 2015. Pursuant to
the settlement agreement, EPA granted
partial reconsideration of the 2013
Taconite FIP on July 2, 2015, based on
new information raised in Cliffs’,
ArcelorMittal’s, and Michigan’s
petitions for reconsideration. EPA did
not grant reconsideration of the 2013
SIP disapprovals because EPA continues
to believe that BART for taconite plants
involves significant reductions of NOX
and SO2 emissions that were not
required in the Michigan and Minnesota
SIPs.
III. Comments on Proposed Action and
Responses
On October 22, 2015, EPA published
a Federal Register action entitled ‘‘Air
Plan Approval; Minnesota and
Michigan; Revision to Taconite Federal
Implementation Plan; Proposed Rule’’
(80 FR 64160), which proposed to revise
the 2013 Taconite FIP with respect to
the BART emission limitations and
compliance schedules for the following
taconite plants: United Taconite,
Hibbing Taconite, Tilden Mining, and
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine. Cliffs is
the owner and operator of the United
Taconite and Tilden Mining facilities
and part owner and operator of Hibbing
Taconite. ArcelorMittal is the owner
and operator of the Minorca Mine
facility and a part owner of the Hibbing
Taconite facility.
EPA proposed to revise the NOX
limits and compliance schedules for all
four facilities and to revise the SO2
requirements for Tilden Mining and
United Taconite in response to new
information that became available after
the close of the public comment period
of the 2013 FIP. Specifically, Cliffs and
ArcelorMittal submitted information to
EPA that suggested high-stoichiometric
LNBs, which formed the basis of the
original NOX limits, posed serious
technical hurdles. Consequently, EPA
proposed to determine that BART for
taconite facilities was lowstoichiometric LNBs (for grate kilns) and
a combination of water and steam
injection and pre-combustion
technologies (for straight-grate kilns)
and proposed revised NOX limits based
upon these technologies. Cliffs also
submitted information showing that
United Taconite could not burn very
low-sulfur coal without challenges and
that Tilden intended to burn mixed lowsulfur fuels instead of 100% natural gas.
As a result, EPA proposed to revise the
SO2 limits for these facilities.
The public comment period on the
proposal ended on December 23, 2015.
EPA received comments from the
National Park Service of the United
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States Department of Interior, the
National Parks Conservation
Association (NPCA), the Minnesota
Center for Environmental Advocacy
(MCEA), United States Steel
Corporation, ArcelorMittal USA LLC,
the Forest Service of the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA),
Cliffs Natural Resources, and the Fond
du Lac Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa. The National Tribal Air
Association (NTAA) requested an
extension of the public comment period
of 120 days. A 30-day extension of the
public comment period was provided,
but NTAA did not subsequently submit
comments. EPA fully considered all of
the comments and responds to each
comment below. Based on our
consideration of the comments, we are
finalizing the NOX and SO2 emission
limits and compliance schedules as
proposed, with two minor exceptions
explained in Section V.
A. Comments by the Forest Service
Comment: The Forest Service
disagreed with EPA’s determination that
LNBs should be eliminated as a
potential BART option for straight-grate
kilns. The Forest Service stated that
LNBs are included in the permits for
straight-grate furnaces for Essar Steel
(Essar) in Minnesota and Magnetation in
Indiana, which (unlike Essar) has
commenced operation. The permit
limits for each of the two LNB-equipped
straight-grate kilns are 0.25 lbs NOX/
MMBTU, which is lower than the limits
proposed by EPA.
Response: EPA disagrees that the
situations at Essar and Magnetation
provide sufficient evidence that LNBs
would be technically feasible at the
Minorca Mine and Hibbing facilities.
Essar and Magnetation were subject to
the BACT requirement that applies to
new and modified sources.
Consequently, these facilities were able
to integrate LNBs into the design and
construction of their furnaces. In
contrast, the furnaces at Minorca Mine
and Hibbing were not designed to
accommodate LNBs. As discussed in the
proposal, EPA eliminated LNBs from
consideration due to the technical
challenges associated with a retrofit
application on the unique straight-grate
kilns at Minorca Mine and Hibbing. We
also note that the Essar straight-grate
furnace is still not operational, and
Magnetation is not an iron ore
processing facility and therefore is not
classified as a taconite facility as
defined by the taconite MACT (40 CFR
part 63 subpart RRRRR). While
Magnetation’s permit limit is 0.25 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, the results from an
August-September 2015 test indicate
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emissions ranging from 0.773 lbs NOX/
MMBTU to 1.304 lbs NOX/MMBTU at
that facility. Finally, we note that we are
finalizing an initial emission limit of 1.2
lbs NOX/MMBTU (subject to upward
revision only in unlikely scenarios) for
the Minorca Mine and Hibbing furnaces,
which is consistent with the limit in our
2013 FIP, but based on the installation
of different technologies.
Comment: The Forest Service stated
that EPA seems to assume that the only
way to meet the existing 0.6 percent
sulfur limit is to use western subbituminous coal, which will not work in
the furnace due to its lower heating
value. The Forest Service did a quick
search of U.S. coal data (US DOE, NETL,
Detailed Coal Specifications, Quality
Guidelines for Energy System Studies,
Final Report, DOE/NETL–401/012111,
January 2012, page 31) and could find
no eastern bituminous coal at 0.6
percent sulfur, but was able to find a
low-volatile, eastern bituminous coal
with very high heating value at 0.66
percent sulfur, which is far below the
new limit proposed by EPA for United
Taconite of 1.5 percent sulfur. The
Forest Service stated that if an
adjustment is warranted to the existing
limit, it should be based on low-sulfur
content eastern bituminous coal, such as
the one at 0.66 percent sulfur.
Response: EPA disagrees with this
comment. The primary SO2 emission
limit for BART at United Taconite is the
529 lbs SO2/hr aggregate limit on lines
1 and 2. This BART limit, which is
based upon the use of low-sulfur fuels
(a combination of natural gas and coal),
will result in 1900 tons per year of SO2
reductions. In contrast, the 1.5 percent
sulfur limit is an operational limit that
EPA imposed after Cliffs requested an
adjustment to its baseline emission rate
to be used in evaluating potential BART
controls. Under the BART guidelines,
the baseline emission rate ordinarily
should represent a realistic depiction of
anticipated annual emissions for the
source based upon actual emissions
from a baseline period. See 40 CFR part
51, appendix Y. However, when future
operating parameters, such as type of
fuel, will differ from past practice, and
if this projection has a deciding effect in
the BART determination, then the
operating parameter must be made into
an enforceable limitation. Id. EPA
imposed the original 0.60 percent sulfur
limit on the coal burned at United
Taconite to comply with this provision.
However, Cliffs indicated in its petition
for reconsideration that 0.60 percent
sulfur coal posed several issues for its
furnaces. As a result, the EPA proposed
to increase the operational limit to 1.5
percent sulfur, but this change will not
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have an effect on emissions at United
Taconite due to the 529 lbs SO2/hr limit.
In essence, United Taconite will now be
required to burn more natural gas and
less coal (or all gas) to meet its BART
limit than the facility would have under
a 0.60 percent sulfur limit.
Comment: The Forest Service asked
for an explanation as to why Minorca
Mine and Tilden have the longest
deadlines for compliance when they
each have only one furnace at their
facility.
Response: To establish an overall
compliance schedule that is as
expeditious as practicable, we grouped
the furnaces according to whether they
are straight-grate kilns or grate kilns, not
according to which facility they belong.
By grouping furnaces according to
design and function rather than facility,
Cliffs and ArcelorMittal will be able to
take advantage of the experience gained
from the first installation of NOX
reduction technologies at a straight-grate
kiln and grate kiln at the other furnaces.
For example, Tilden will be able to take
advantage of the experience of the
earlier installation of a lowstoichiometric LNB on a grate kiln at
United Taconite, while ArcelorMittal
will be able to take advantage of the
earlier installation of NOX reduction
technologies on a straight-grate kiln at
Hibbing. We believe that this staggered
schedule is necessary because, although
the selected NOX controls have been
subject to extensive engineering studies,
they have not been used on taconite
furnaces in the United States to date.
Such experience is necessary to ensure
proper operation of these furnaces.
Improper burner operation could
adversely affect heat distribution
throughout the furnace as well as pellet
quality.
Comment: The Forest Service stated
that it would like the opportunity to
review and comment on the final
emission limits.
Response: EPA has provided an
extremely detailed and objective stepby-step procedure that will be used for
determining the final emission limits.
The notice of proposed rulemaking
provided adequate information about
the basis and timing of the final limits
such that no further proposals will be
necessary. The equations and an explicit
explanation of how the final limits will
be established are contained in the
proposal, so the Forest Service could
have raised any concerns during the
public comment period. EPA is taking
this approach in order to expedite the
establishment of final enforceable limits
for these facilities within the context of
a process that provides reasonable time
to design and install emission controls,
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to obtain data needed for determining
control effectiveness, and to minimize
the time then needed to establish final
enforceable limits. EPA has carefully
considered the Forest Service’s
comments, but does not believe that a
second comment period is necessary.
Comment: The Forest Service
requested a description of how plant
shutdowns will be handled.
Response: EPA is unsure what the
commenter means by ‘‘plant
shutdowns,’’ but presumes that the
Forest Service may be concerned that
the emission limits could be relaxed
during a shutdown. No special
consideration has been given to plant
shutdowns in this respect. The NOX
limits are based on the production level
and the quantity of fuel burned.
Comment: The Forest Service asked
EPA to describe what will be done if
adequate data are not collected within
the timeframe envisioned in the
schedule to establish a final emission
limit.
Response: The eight-month testing
period, during which controls will be in
place and CEMS will be operational,
should provide ample time for
collecting data adequate to establish a
final limit.
Comment: The Forest Service asked
EPA to specify what design parameters
will be monitored for the different
control technologies.
Response: The design parameters will
be established in the engineering reports
that are required by the settlement
agreement and this action. We
anticipate that the percent
stoichiometric primary combustion air
and gas/coal ratio when co-firing will be
important variables.
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B. Comments by the National Park
Service
Comment: The National Park Service,
as well as NPCA and MCEA,
commented on the technical feasibility
of controlling NOX using SCR and
encouraged EPA to further evaluate
various configurations of SCR, including
tail-end SCR with gas stream reheat
(hereinafter referred to as ‘‘SCR with
reheat’’).
Response: There are several air
pollution control technology analyses
involving the potential use of SCR and
SCR with reheat on indurating furnace
hood exhaust. In these analyses
(Magnetation BACT, Essar BACT, and
Tilden BART), SCR with reheat was
rejected for not being cost-effective,
while upstream SCR was rejected as
technically infeasible due to the
likelihood that the exhaust stream
would foul the catalyst.
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In a study conducted by Hatch for
U.S. Steel, SCR with reheat was
considered as a potential control option,
but further discussion with potential
vendors resulted in the determination
that SCR with reheat is not a technically
feasible control option for taconite
indurating furnaces. One potential
vendor, Mitsubishi Power Systems,
cited temperature and layout as factors
rendering SCR with reheat less than
optimal for NOX control from U.S.
Steel’s Minntac taconite indurating
furnaces. LKAB, a taconite facility in
Sweden, has an SCR with reheat on its
KK4 taconite pelletizing line. Alstom,
the SCR vendor for LKAB, declined
twice to bid on an SCR with reheat at
Minntac, citing technical difficulties
with the SCR with reheat at LKAB.
These difficulties included operating
within the narrow temperature range
required by SCR with reheat. Further,
LKAB is looking into process
optimization and better burners to
reduce NOX as opposed to installing
another SCR with reheat in the future.
It is important to note that SCR with
reheat, even if it were technically
feasible, would result in additional
energy and environmental costs in the
form of increased usage of natural gas
and greenhouse gas emissions,
respectively. While increased energy
and environmental penalties are not
preclusive, they further weigh against
any additional analysis of SCR with
reheat as a viable option for indurating
furnaces at this time. We expect
Minnesota and Michigan to reevaluate
SCR with reheat as a potential option for
making reasonable progress in future
planning periods, but reject the
technology as BART for the Minnesota
and Michigan taconite facilities at this
time.
Comment: The National Park Service
concurred with the maximum 3.0 lbs
NOX/MMBTU limit when burning
natural gas only at grate kilns. However,
the National Park Service did not
believe that allowing NOX emissions to
increase by 87 percent above expected
levels when burning a gas/coal mix at
grate kilns is justified.
Response: Low-stoichiometric LNBs,
as designed by FCT Combustion (FCT),
are designed to reduce NOX while
maintaining pellet quality and
production and optimizing fuel
efficiency. As a result, this LNB was
selected to establish BART limits for
Cliffs’ grate-kiln furnaces. FCT’s
computational fluid dynamic (CFD)
modeling for co-firing at 30 percent gas
and 70 percent coal indicated a
reduction from a base case of 1.6–5.4 lbs
NOX/MMBTU with a typical baseline
value of 2.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU, to 2.04
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lbs NOX/MMBTU. Therefore, an
increase from 2.04 to 2.5 lbs NOX/
MMBTU is a 23 percent increase above
expected levels, which is more
meaningful than the 67 percent increase
(not 87 percent) above the low end of
the range of the final emission limits. It
should be noted that, in addition to the
uncertainty resulting from the lack of
experience in the use of lowstoichiometric LNBs, there is additional
uncertainty because the CFD modeling
was only performed for co-firing at 30
percent gas and 70 percent coal.
Furthermore, a rigorous demonstration
would have to be made that 1.5 lbs
NOX/MMBTU cannot be met before the
limit is adjusted and an alternative final
limit is set.
Comment: The National Park Service
was concerned that, although the
proposed FIP requires the NOX
reduction technologies for the straightgrate furnaces at Minorca Mine and
Hibbing be designed to meet a limit of
1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, EPA is proposing
to increase the final limit up to 1.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU if a rigorous
demonstration is made that the 1.2 lbs
NOX/MMBTU limit cannot be met. This
represents a 50 percent increase above
the expected emission rate and no
justification is provided for such a large
‘‘safety margin.’’
Response: As discussed in the
proposed rulemaking, EPA is confident
that Minorca Mine and Hibbing can
meet a limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU
based upon the engineering report
prepared for ArcelorMittal that assesses
the use of water and steam injection and
pre-combustion technologies. However,
because this suite of technologies has
not previously been used on straightgrate kilns, some uncertainty remains
regarding the potential effect on pellet
quality. As a result, EPA has provided
a procedure by which the final limits for
Minorca Mine and Hibbing could be
revised upwards to as much as 1.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU. It is important to note,
however, that EPA has included
rigorous requirements that must be met
before any relaxing of the initial 1.2 lbs
NOX/MMBTU limit would be allowed.
Comment: The National Park Service
stated that EPA has the authority to
limit the sulfur content of the fuels
already fired at United Taconite. The
National Park Service understood that
United Taconite has identified problems
with the characteristics of the 0.6
percent sulfur coal originally proposed
by EPA and the compatibility of that
coal with the United Taconite furnace.
The National Park Service cited EPA’s
statement that it ‘‘is also establishing a
limitation on the coal to be used by
requiring the coal have a sulfur content
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no greater than 1.5 percent sulfur by
weight based on a monthly block
average.’’ However, the National Park
Service stated that it is aware of eastern
bituminous coals that have much lower
sulfur contents and requested that EPA
evaluate the potential for combustion of
such coals at United Taconite.
Response: EPA disagrees with this
comment. The primary SO2 emission
limit for BART at United Taconite is the
529 lbs SO2/hr aggregate limit on lines
1 and 2. This BART limit, which is
based upon the use of low-sulfur fuels
(a combination of natural gas and coal),
will result in 1900 tons per year of SO2
reductions. In contrast, the 1.5 percent
sulfur limit is an operational limit that
EPA imposed after Cliffs requested an
adjustment to its baseline emission rate
to be used in evaluating potential BART
controls. Under the BART guidelines,
the baseline emission rate ordinarily
should represent a realistic depiction of
anticipated annual emissions for the
source based upon actual emissions
from a baseline period. See 40 CFR part
51, appendix Y. However, when future
operating parameters, such as type of
fuel, will differ from past practice, and
if this projection has a deciding effect in
the BART determination, then the
operating parameter must be made into
an enforceable limitation. Id. EPA
imposed the original 0.60 percent sulfur
limit on the coal burned at United
Taconite to comply with this provision.
However, Cliffs indicated in its petition
for reconsideration that 0.60 percent
sulfur coal posed several issues for its
furnaces. As a result, the EPA proposed
to increase the operational limit to 1.5
percent sulfur, but this change will not
have an effect on emissions at United
Taconite due to the 529 lbs SO2/hr limit.
In essence, United Taconite will now be
required to burn more natural gas and
less coal (or all gas) to meet its BART
limit than the facility would have under
a 0.60 percent sulfur limit.
Comment: The National Park Service
stated that EPA was apparently
proposing to use hourly emission rates
measured by a CEMS to derive the UPL.
The National Park Service questioned
the appropriateness of basing the UPL
on hourly values if EPA is setting a 30day (or 720-hour) rolling average limit.
The National Park Service was
concerned that the use of hourly values
would introduce excess variability into
the calculation and could lead to a
higher UPL.
Response: When the UPL equation for
normally distributed and statistically
independent data is used, the average ,
standard deviation (s), and number of
values (n) are based on the hourly data.
The term number of values used to
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calculate the test average) is based on
the compliance period, i.e., 720 for a
720-hour average and not 1. This results
in a lower and more stringent UPL than
if 1. However, when setting a 720-hour
average emission limit using the
nonparametric equation, the data set
used would be the 720-hour averages
rather than the raw hourly data.
C. Comments by the National Parks
Conservation Association (NPCA)
1. NPCA Incorporated the Comments
Submitted by the National Park Service
Comment: NPCA restated the National
Park Service comments as follows:
—SCR remains a feasible technical
option for limiting NOX from taconite
facilities. While two SCR vendors
declined to bid on the NOX reduction
testing at Minntac, this is an
insufficient basis to reject SCR across
the taconite industry. EPA should
revisit this decision and evaluate
various configurations of SCR that
would serve to further reduce NOX
emissions beyond the limits in the
proposed settlement.
—EPA’s proposed NOX limits for the
gas/coal scenario at United Taconite
and Tilden are improper because they
are up to 87 percent higher than the
limits in the 2013 FIP.
—EPA’s proposed NOX limits for
Hibbing and Minorca Mine are
improper because they are up to 50
percent higher than the limits in the
2013 FIP.
—EPA should require the use of an
alternative low-sulfur coal at United
Taconite.
Response: EPA has responded in
detail to these comments in responses to
the comments by the National Park
Service (see above).
Comment: NPCA stated that the
proposal specifies that increased limits
are permissible where the industry
makes a rigorous demonstration that
lower limits cannot be met. NPCA
requested that any such demonstration
be made available to the public for
review and comment.
Response: EPA has provided an
extremely detailed and objective stepby-step procedure for determining the
final emission limits. The notice of
proposed rulemaking provided adequate
information about the basis and timing
of the final limits such that no further
proposals will be necessary. EPA is
taking this approach in order to
expedite the establishment of final
enforceable limits for these facilities
within the context of a process that
provides reasonable time to design and
install emission controls, to obtain data
needed for determining control
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effectiveness, and to minimize the time
then needed to establish final
enforceable limits. The proposal
encouraged commenters to comment on
any issues that might be anticipated to
arise at any point in the process
described in the proposal, and NPCA
has not identified any such issues.
2. NPCA Incorporated Its March 2, 2015
Comments Regarding the Settlement
Agreement
Comment: NPCA stated that the
changes in emission limits between the
2013 FIP and the settlement agreement
appear to significantly weaken the terms
of the 2013 FIP because the emission
limits are far less stringent. Although
NPCA did not have the necessary level
of detailed information to perform a
precise comparison, NPCA’s rough
calculations indicated that the
limitations in attachment A of the
settlement agreement would allow for
pollution at or above the actual baseline
emissions from the taconite facilities,
that is, they represent no reduction (or
at a minimum, no significant reduction)
in pollution.
Response: As discussed in the fivestep BART determinations in the
proposal, there are significant emission
reductions from the revised limits.
There will be an estimated total of 3,000
tons per year of NOX reductions from
Tilden and United Taconite, a total of
7,400 tons per year of NOX reductions
from Minorca Mine and Hibbing, 1,900
tons per year of SO2 reductions from
United Taconite, and 300 tons of SO2
reductions from Tilden. The only NOX
emission limits that are definitely less
stringent than those in the 2013 FIP are
the NOX emission limits for Tilden and
United Taconite when burning solely
natural gas. The final NOX emission
limits for Hibbing and Minorca Mine, as
well as Tilden and United Taconite
when co-firing coal and natural gas, are
expected to be the same as, or close to,
the 2013 FIP limits. There may also be
an increase in SO2 emissions from
Tilden, but this should be a fairly small
increase as Tilden will be solely burning
natural gas and very low (0.6 percent)
sulfur coal.
Comment: NPCA argued that the
timeframes for compliance are
significantly longer than in the 2013
FIP.
Response: The compliance schedule
is generally similar to the FIP except
that implementation has been delayed
because of the court-imposed stay. The
main differences between the two
schedules are that Tilden must install
controls within 50 months (compared
with 26 months in the 2013 FIP) and
Minorca Mine must install controls
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within 44 months (compared with 26
months in the 2013 FIP). The staggered
compliance schedule, which includes
additional time for Tilden and
ArcelorMittal, is necessary because the
NOX controls selected as BART have not
been used on taconite furnaces in the
United States. Such experience is
necessary to ensure proper operation of
these furnaces. The planned controls
could adversely affect heat distribution
throughout the furnace as well as pellet
quality.
Comment: NPCA stated that, in
proposing the settlement, EPA offered
no support to suggest why such a
significant weakening of much needed
and statutorily required limits was
appropriate. NPCA was thus at a loss to
comment on the rationale behind the
changes.
Response: As discussed in a prior
response, EPA does not agree that there
has been a significant weakening of the
requirements for taconite facilities.
EPA’s basis for all changes was
contained in the proposed FIP revision
and its associated docket.
Comment: NPCA stated that EPA
must provide documentation of the
reasons for the proposed changes in the
form of publicly available information.
EPA cannot rely strictly on confidential
information, which does not allow the
public to review and consider the
changes proposed.
Response: Publicly available
information in support of the FIP is
contained in the docket.
Comment: NPCA stated that the
settlement referenced ‘‘equitable
treatment of facilities not included in
this settlement.’’ This would appear to
refer to the taconite facilities covered by
the 2013 FIP but not included in the
settlement. To the extent that this
statement refers to the potential
weakening of limits imposed at other
facilities in the taconite FIP, the
increase in pollution that appears in the
settlement is all the more concerning.
Response: EPA has not proposed to
change the emission limits for other
facilities covered by the 2013 FIP at this
time.
Comment: NPCA stated that the
timeframe for compliance detailed in
the settlement agreement was
inappropriate. The CAA requires that
controls required under BART be
implemented within five years of the
final rule. In this case, the rule was
finalized in January 2013, so
compliance with emission limits must
be by January 2018.
Response: We disagree with this
comment. Section 169A(g)(4) of the
CAA requires compliance with BART
emission limits no later than five years
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after ‘‘the date of promulgation of a . . .
[FIP] revision.’’ In this final rule, we are
promulgating a revision to the 2013 FIP
that includes new BART determinations
based on new technologies. These BART
determinations fully supersede the
determinations that were made in the
2013 FIP. The taconite facilities must
comply with the new BART emission
limits in a staggered schedule that we
have determined is as expeditious as
practicable. Full compliance at all
facilities will be achieved no later than
five years from the date of the
promulgation of this FIP revision.
D. Comments by Cliffs Natural
Resources
Comment: Cliffs supported the
proposed FIP, including the initial
limits, the staggered compliance
schedule, and the formula for setting
final limits if the initial limits cannot be
achieved without adverse impacts on
pellet quality. However, Cliffs objected
to EPA’s statement in the proposed FIP
preamble that ‘‘there are no significant
costs or environmental impacts’’
associated with the selected BART
technologies. Cliffs will be required to
expend millions of dollars to design and
implement changes to its furnaces.
There are also costs associated with lost
production during downtime and
shakedown, as well as the potential for
additional fuel consumption when the
BART technologies are operational.
Response: EPA acknowledges that
there will be costs associated with the
BART control technologies employed by
Cliffs. EPA’s full statement in the
preamble was that ‘‘there are no
significant costs or environmental
impacts associated with this technology
that would necessitate its elimination
from consideration as BART.’’ EPA
continues to believe that the costs,
energy, and non-air quality impacts
associated with the selected BART
controls are reasonable.
Comment: Cliffs stated that EPA’s
proposal included a new requirement to
report CEMS and pellet quality data at
the end of a period that did not fall
within the preceding calendar quarter
within 7 days of the close of the period.
Reporting this information within 7
days is impracticable, as it does not
provide the facility sufficient time to
complete the appropriate laboratory
analysis and quality assurance expected
for the data. Cliffs acknowledged EPA’s
need to include a provision to address
the timely reporting of data, but
requested that the reporting obligation
be changed from 7 days to 30 days to
allow for quality assurance checks.
Response: Using United Taconite Line
2 as an example, the settlement
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agreement states that, 44 months from
the effective date of the rule, Cliffs must
provide results from pellet quality
analyses no later than 30 days from the
end of each calendar quarter until 52
months from the effective date of the
rule. No later than 55 months after the
effective date of the rule, EPA will take
final agency action by publishing the
NOX limits in the Federal Register.
Assuming that the effective date of the
rule is June 15, 2016, then 52 months
from the effective date is October 15,
2020, and 55 months is January 15,
2021. The end of the quarter would be
December 31, 2020, so under the
settlement language, the pellet quality
data from October 1 through October 15,
2020, would not be due until January
30, 2021, which is too late to be
considered in establishing the final
emission limit. According to the
language in the proposal, the pellet
quality analyses would need to be
submitted to EPA by October 22, 2020.
Accepting Cliffs’ suggested revision
from 7 to 30 days would require the
pellet quality analysis to be submitted to
EPA by November 14, 2020. EPA
accepts Cliffs’ basis for increasing the
reporting requirement from 7 to 30 days
and will make this revision in the final
FIP because it will not significantly
interfere with expeditiously setting the
final limits.
Comment: Cliffs stated that United
Taconite’s pellet quality reporting
obligations in the proposed FIP
mistakenly refer to ‘‘Tilden’s ISO 9001
quality management system’’ but should
refer to ‘‘United Taconite’s ISO 9001
quality management system.’’
Response: EPA acknowledges the
error and has made the correction in the
final FIP.
E. Comments by the Fond du Lac Band
of Lake Superior Chippewa
Comment: The Band urged a fair,
scientifically sound, and feasible
process for all stakeholders, including
affected and surrounding communities.
The taconite industry should not be
allowed to dictate its own compliance
schedule or prolong compliance with
Federal laws and regulations.
Response: EPA agrees with this
comment and has implemented a
process to establish final BART limits
based upon the most current, relevant,
and scientifically sound information
available. The taconite plant owners
were in a unique position to acquire and
provide the needed scientific
information and understandably had
motivation to do so. However, they are
not dictating their own compliance
schedule.
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Comment: The Band argued that the
emission limits in the 2013 FIP are more
reasonable in terms of protecting
visibility than the limits proposed in the
revised FIP.
Response: While we acknowledge that
a few of the emission limits in the 2013
FIP were more stringent than the limits
in our proposed FIP revision, and were
thus more protective of visibility, we
disagree that the original limits were
more reasonable. For the reasons
explained in our proposal, new
information provided by the taconite
companies shows that the technology on
which the 2013 FIP limits were based,
high-stoichiometric LNBs, would
adversely affect pellet quality. As a
result, we proposed new BART
determinations based on new
technologies. These technologies will
still result in significant emission
reductions, improving visibility in the
Class I areas in Minnesota and
Michigan.
Comment: The Band stated that the
compliance schedule in the 2013 FIP
was more reasonable from a health
protection standpoint. The Band stated
that it preferred the 2013 FIP schedule
over the longer compliance schedule in
the proposed FIP revision.
Alternatively, a compromise schedule
between the original schedule and the
proposed schedule would be acceptable.
Response: Please see our response to
a similar comment from NPCA.
Comment: The Band stated that
Eastern bituminous coals are available
that could meet both the requirements
for a low-sulfur coal (0.66%) and a very
high heating value (US DOE, NETL,
Detailed Coal Specifications, Quality
Guidelines for Energy System Studies,
Final Report, DOE/NETL–401/012111,
January 2012, page 31).
Response: Please see our response to
a similar comment from the Forest
Service.
Comment: The Band stated that SCR
is considered the best available retrofit
technology that has been used at other
coal facilities and could feasibly reduce
NOX emissions for taconite furnaces.
The Band agreed with the National Park
Service that the use of tail-end SCR with
steam reheat should be evaluated for
BART.
Response: Please see our response to
a similar comment from the National
Park Service.
Comment: The Band noted that EPA
proposed to set limits for United
Taconite and Tilden of 3.0 lbs NOX/
MMBTU when burning natural gas and
2.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU when burning a
gas/coal mix if the presumptive limits of
2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU and 1.5 lbs NOX/
MMBTU, respectively, cannot be met.
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The Band noted that a limit of 2.5 lbs
NOX/MMBTU (gas coal mix) is 67
percent higher than the predicted
emission rate of 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU.
The Band acknowledged that some
uncertainty is involved in developing
the use of a new control technology, but
argued that this range of emission limits
is too large.
Response: Please see our response to
a similar comment from the National
Park Service.
Comment: The Band stated that EPA
recently implemented a national policy
on Environmental Justice for Working
with Federally Recognized Tribes and
Indigenous Peoples. EPA must uphold
its duties to protect the interests of
tribes and their treaty rights and explain
how the proposed FIP complies with
EPA’s existing guidance and policies
with Federally Recognized Tribes and
Indigenous Peoples.
Response: The U.S. Constitution
defines treaties as part of the supreme
law of the land with the same legal force
as Federal statutes. Treaties are to be
interpreted in accordance with the
Federal Indian canons of construction, a
set of long-standing principles
developed by courts to guide the
interpretation of treaties between the
U.S. government and Indian tribes. As
the Supreme Court has explained,
treaties should be construed liberally in
favor of tribes, giving effect to the treaty
terms as tribes would have understood
them, with ambiguous provisions
interpreted for their benefit. Only
Congress may abrogate Indian treaty
rights, and courts will not find that
abrogation has occurred absent clear
evidence of congressional intent.
EPA has committed to consider all
relevant information obtained during
tribal consultation to help ensure that
EPA’s actions do not conflict with treaty
rights, to help ensure that EPA is fully
informed when it seeks to implement its
programs, and to further protect treaty
rights and resources when it has
discretion to do so. We have done so in
this action. EPA consulted and
coordinated with tribal officials and
provided information on both the 2012
FIP proposal and the current taconite
FIP proposal early in the process of
developing this regulation in order to
allow tribal governments to have
meaningful and timely input. EPA
provided information to tribes on the
rationale for proposing this regulation in
the absence of the states submitting
plans, the potential health and
environmental impacts associated with
these facilities, and the emissions
reductions to be gained from
implementing this regulation. EPA also
took into consideration the concerns
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and needs identified by tribal
governments during this process. These
consultation and education and
outreach efforts began in August 2012
and continue through the present
utilizing forums such as monthly tribeEPA conference calls, presentations
during annual meetings and
conferences, and one-to-one discussions
with EPA subject matter experts as
requested.
EPA’s revision of the FIP is expected
to have significant environmental
benefits relative to the SIPs submitted
by Michigan and Minnesota. On-and offreservation trust resources held by
Minnesota tribes (and other tribes), as
recognized in treaties and in Minnesota
v. Mille Lacs Band, 526 U.S. 172 (1999),
among other authorities, will be
protected to a greater extent by the
controls required in the amended FIP.
F. Comments by ArcelorMittal
Comment: ArcelorMittal cited to the
preamble to the proposed FIP revision,
which states that ‘‘there are no
significant costs or environmental
impacts’’ associated with the BART
determinations for Hibbing and
Minorca. However, in actuality, the
changes necessary to meet the proposed
emission limits will not be without
costs and environmental impacts.
ArcelorMittal will be required to expend
millions of dollars to design and
implement changes to its straight-grate
furnaces. It will also incur substantial
costs associated with lost production
during downtime and shakedown when
these technologies are installed. Once
operational, fuel penalties are expected
which will result in increased cost.
Response: EPA acknowledges that
there will be costs associated with the
BART control technologies employed by
ArcelorMittal. EPA’s full statement in
the preamble was that ‘‘there are no
significant costs or environmental
impacts associated with this technology
that would necessitate its elimination
from consideration as BART.’’ EPA
continues to believe that the costs,
energy, and non-air quality impacts
associated with the selected BART
controls are reasonable.
G. Comments by United States Steel
U.S. Steel submitted the following
comments to ensure that EPA’s
approach to amending the original FIP
is applied evenly and fairly and results
in a consistent approach to BART for
the taconite industry.
Comment: U.S. Steel agreed with
EPA’s decision to develop a case-bycase approach to BART for indurating
furnaces and the Agency’s proposed
approach to determining BART for each
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individual affected unit, based upon
that unit’s design and unit-specific
characteristics.
Response: EPA appreciates U.S.
Steel’s support.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that a
similar approach will be necessary for
U.S. Steel’s Minntac and Keetac
furnaces.
Response: This comment is outside
the scope of this rulemaking.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that EPA
should consider delaying finalization of
the proposed FIP revision until EPA is
prepared to promulgate similar
amendments for all furnaces in the
taconite industry.
Response: EPA is bound by a
settlement agreement to finalize the
proposed FIP revision by March 18,
2016. Furthermore, there have already
considerable delays in the
implementation of BART for taconite
indurating furnaces.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that if
EPA does not delay finalization of the
proposed FIP revision, EPA should
continue the stay of effective dates in
the original 2013 FIP pending
completion of a similar FIP amendment
for U.S. Steel’s Minntac and Keetac
facilities.
Response: This comment is outside
the scope of this rulemaking.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that EPA
should clarify that U.S. Steel is part
owner of Hibbing taconite.
Response: EPA acknowledges that
U.S. Steel is a part owner of the Hibbing
facility.
Comment: U.S. Steel identified four
points made by EPA with which U.S.
Steel disagrees and could not find
substantiating information in the
docket. These points are: (1) The smaller
preheat burners at Minntac achieve very
low NOX emissions rates (0.1–0.3 lbs
NOX/MMBTU) due to a more favorable
NOX reduction combustion environment
in the preheat zone as compared to the
firing end of the kiln; (2) ported kilns
significantly change the heat balance of
the furnace; (3) differences in the
magnetite content of the ore body used
by Minntac and United Taconite are
significant; and 4) high-stoichiometric
LNBs will require more fuel and result
in higher NOX emissions.
Response: The basis for the above
points questioned by U.S. Steel is
presented in the proposed FIP at 80 FR
64163, which is in turn based upon the
November 26, 2013 declaration by Eric
Wagner, the Manager of Process
Engineering for Metso Minerals Pyro
Division, a ‘‘global expert in the design
of iron ore pelletizing furnaces.’’ This
declaration is attached to Cliffs’
November 26, 2013 Petition for
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Administrative Reconsideration of the
Partial Disapproval of Air Quality
Implementation Plans for Regional Haze
for the States of Michigan and
Minnesota. Although a hard copy of this
document was included in EPA’s
Regional docket, and available for
inspection at EPA’s Region 5 office, EPA
mistakenly did not include this Petition
for Reconsideration in the electronic
docket for this rule until after the
comment period had closed. U.S. Steel’s
comment questions the basis for several
of Eric Wagner’s statements regarding
factors affecting indurating furnace
operation and NOX emissions. We do
not believe this omission was material,
however, because U.S. Steel is seeking
information, not challenging or
suggesting revisions to the proposal.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that EPA
should reconsider the partial
disapproval of Minnesota’s SIP.
Response: This comment is outside
the scope of this rulemaking.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that, for
each of the affected facilities, there is a
schedule prescribed for installation of
the technology and period to collect
data to confirm or adjust the limit based
upon the data. The period allows for
eight months of data collection. If an
affected facility elects to install the
technology earlier than prescribed by
rule, the facility should have the ability
to utilize a more robust data set greater
than the eight months specified. Due to
seasonal variations, a facility should
have the ability to use at a minimum 12
months of data if the installation of
technology occurs prior to the
compliance date.
Response: This notice is intended to
capture the details agreed upon by EPA,
Cliffs and ArcelorMittal in a settlement
agreement. This comment comes from a
commenter who was not party to the
settlement agreement. The detailed
compliance schedules contained in the
proposed FIP are based upon the
settlement terms agreed to by Cliffs and
ArcelorMittal, who operate all of the
taconite furnaces subject to this FIP. The
eight month testing period that was
originally proposed was considered by
them to be of sufficient duration to
evaluate the performance of their
control systems and their effect on
pellet quality. There is therefore no
benefit to extending the testing period
when such an extension is not
necessary. The requirements of BART,
and not the compliance schedule in this
rule, establish the most appropriate
compliance schedule to be followed by
any other taconite facility.
Comment: U.S. Steel supported the
provision allowing Tilden to exclude
emissions data during a natural gas
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curtailment that is beyond a facility’s
control. These events are typically
infrequent, unplanned, and may cause
the facility to operate in a manner that
is not typical.
Response: EPA appreciates U.S.
Steel’s support for the provision stating
that the SO2 limit for Tilden’s grate kiln
does not apply during a natural gas
curtailment.
IV. Revision to Equation for Normally
Distributed but Not Statistically
Independent Data
The proposal describes the process for
establishing final emission limits to
which the identified facilities shall
become subject. As discussed in the
proposal, the final limit must be based
on the 95 percent upper predictive limit
(UPL) using CEMS data compiled over
an eight-month testing period. The UPL
is a statistical technique that examines
an existing set of data points and
predicts the chances (i.e., the
probability) of future data points (in this
case, emission rates). In general terms,
the UPL is a value that is calculated
from a data set that identifies the
emission rate that a source is meeting
and would be expected to meet a
specified percent of the time that the
source is operating. In this case, the UPL
will be the emission rate that the
taconite facilities are predicted to be
below during 95 out of 100 720-hour
averaging periods. The UPL will be
based on data obtained during an eightmonth testing period during which
Cliffs and ArcelorMittal are primarily
focused on operating the controls in a
manner that does not adversely affect
pellet quality, with a wide variability in
emissions expected. The UPL must be
calculated using an equation based on
the average and variance of a data set,
the distribution of the data, the quantity
of data points, and the compliance
period (e.g., a 720-hour compliance
period).
The settlement agreement and
proposed FIP specified three equations
for determining the UPL depending
upon whether the data are normally
distributed and, if so, whether the data
are statistically independent or not
statistically independent. In the
proposal (the equation numbers have
been changed in the final), Equation 1
applied to normally distributed,
statistically independent data sets;
Equation 3 applied to normally
distributed, but not statistically
independent data sets; and Equation 4,
the non-parametric UPL equation,
applied to data sets that do not conform
to a specific distribution. EPA’s
statistical guidance for environmental
applications, the ProUCL User Guide,
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includes UPL equations for different
types of distributions, as well as a nonparametric equation for data sets that do
not conform to a specific distribution.
The guidance does not, however,
include an equation for normally
distributed, but not statistically
independent (that is, highly correlated)
data. Because Cliffs and ArcelorMittal
were concerned about this latter
category of data, we proposed what was
purported to be an appropriate equation
for normally distributed, but not
statistically independent data (Equation
3). We subsequently found that
Equation 3 is not valid for large data
sets, which is what will result from
eight months of hourly data. When we
applied Equation 3 to a large data set,
the resulting UPL was higher than the
highest 720-hour average, a nonsensical
and mathematically unreasonable result.
We are therefore eliminating Equation 3
from the final FIP. Instead, we are
requiring use of the fall back nonparametric equation (Equation 4) for
data that are normally distributed, but
not statistically independent.
We are finalizing the non-parametric
equation contained in the proposal with
a clarification regarding the appropriate
data set to be used. As stated above, the
UPL equations are used to determine
emission limits. To correctly calculate
the UPL using the non-parametric
equation, the data that is ranked from
smallest to highest must be in the same
form as the emission limit. The final
emission limits are expressed in terms
of 720-hour averages, so the ranked data
set used in the non-parametric equation
must be a set of 720-hour averages as
well. Using data sets based upon an
averaging time inconsistent with the
form of the emission limit would be an
improper use of the equation. For
instance, calculating the 95 percent nonparametric limit using a data set of
ranked one-hour values would establish
the emission rate (based upon a onehour average) that the source would be
predicted to be below during 95 out of
100 one-hour averaging periods, i.e., an
emission limit based on hourly
compliance. The resulting emission
limit would be improper if compliance
is to be based upon a 720-hour average.
Based upon our evaluation of existing
data sets, using the 95th percentile of
the one-hour values to establish a 720hour average emission limit would
result in a limit that is higher than the
highest 720-hour average in the data
sets, which is clearly inconsistent with
the purpose of a 95 percent UPL.
To reiterate, the purpose of a 95
percent UPL is to establish an emission
rate that a source is predicted to be
below during 95 out of 100 averaging
periods. Importantly, however, this does
not mean that the source would be
expected to exceed its emission limit
five percent of the time once the limit
is in place. During the eight-month
testing period, Cliffs and ArcelorMittal
will operate their furnaces and the new
control technologies in a manner that
will not interfere with pellet quality.
The furnace operators will be adjusting
numerous variables to optimize control
technology performance, which will
result in higher emissions at times.
These periods of higher emissions will
factor into the UPL calculation. Once
the eight-month testing period is over,
however, the operators will have gained
sufficient experience to run the furnaces
and control technologies with fewer
adjustments, meaning less emission
variations and lower emissions overall.
Using the 95 percent UPL ensures that
the final emission limits will be
consistent with the actual emission
reduction capabilities of the BART
controls, as required by 40 CFR 51.301,
which defines BART as ‘‘the degree of
reduction achievable.’’ We also note that
the 720-hour averaging period for the
final emission limits will provide
considerable flexibility for the sources.
The operators will be able to continually
review CEMS data on an hourly basis
and make any necessary adjustments
over the remaining 719 hours to ensure
compliance.
V. What action is EPA taking?
For the reasons stated in the proposed
FIP revision and the response to
comments, EPA is finalizing the new
BART emission limits and related
requirements for taconite furnaces as
proposed, with two exceptions. First,
EPA is revising the requirement to
report CEMS and pellet quality data at
the end of a period that did not fall
within the preceding calendar quarter
from within 7 days of the close of the
period to within 30 days of the close of
the period. This revision will allow the
facilities sufficient time to complete the
appropriate laboratory analyses and
quality assurance for the data and will
not significantly interfere with
expeditiously setting the final limits.
Second, EPA is replacing the incorrect
equation for normally distributed but
not statistically independent data with
the non-parametric UPL equation,
which is consistent with EPA guidance.
A summary of our final decision is
included in the table below.
SUMMARY OF FINAL EMISSION LIMITS AND COMPLIANCE SCHEDULES
Compliance
schedule
(months)
Source
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Tilden ..............................................................
Hibbing 1 .........................................................
Hibbing 2 .........................................................
Hibbing 3 .........................................................
UTAC 1 ...........................................................
UTAC 2 ...........................................................
Minorca Mine ..................................................
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Additional information about these
statutes and Executive Orders can be
found at https://www2.epa.gov/lawsregulations/laws-and-executive-orders.
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60
37
55
60
37
55
55
NOX limit for
gas/coal mix
(lbs/MMBtu)
1.5–2.5
........................
........................
........................
1.5–2.5
1.5–2.5
........................
NOX limit for
gas only
(lbs/MMBtu)
2.8–3.0
1.2–1.8
1.2–1.8
1.2–1.8
2.8–3.0
2.8–3.0
1.2–1.8
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
This action is exempt from review by
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) because it is a rule of particular
applicability and only affects four
facilities.
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SO2 limit
500 lbs/hr and 0.6%S.
529 lbs/hr (combined L1&2) and 1.5%S.
529 lbs/hr (combined L1&2) and 1.5%S.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
PRA. Because the FIP applies to just
four facilities, the Paperwork Reduction
Act does not apply. See 5 CFR 1320.3(c).
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C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
I certify that this action will not have
a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the RFA. In making this
determination, the impact of concern is
any significant adverse economic
impact on small entities. An agency may
certify that a rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities if
the rule relieves regulatory burden, has
no net burden or otherwise has a
positive economic effect on the small
entities subject to the rule. EPA’s rule
adds additional controls to certain
sources. The Regional Haze FIP
revisions that EPA is promulgating here
would impose Federal control
requirements to meet the BART
requirement for NOX and SO2 emissions
on specific units at three sources in
Minnesota and one in Michigan. The net
result of the FIP action is that EPA is
requiring emission controls on the
indurating furnaces at four taconite
furnaces and none of these sources are
owned by small entities, and therefore
are not small entities.
economically significant as defined in
Executive Order 12866, and because
EPA does not believe the environmental
health or safety risks addressed by this
action present a disproportionate risk to
children. However, to the extent this
rule will limit emissions of NOX and
SO2, the rule will have a beneficial
effect on children’s health by reducing
air pollution.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
This action does not contain any
unfunded mandate as described in
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does
not significantly or uniquely affect small
governments. The action imposes no
enforceable duty on any state, local or
tribal governments or the private sector.
EPA believes the human health or
environmental risk addressed by this
action will not have potential
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on minority, low-income or indigenous
populations. We have determined that
this rule will not have
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on minority or low-income populations
because it increases the level of
environmental protection for all affected
populations without having any
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on any population, including any
minority or low-income population.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action does not have federalism
implications. It will not have substantial
direct effects on the states, on the
relationship between the national
government and the states, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This action does not have tribal
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13175. It will not have substantial
direct effects on tribal governments.
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not
apply to this rule. However, EPA did
discuss this action on a number of
occasions, including a June 28, 2015,
conference call with the Michigan and
Minnesota tribes.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13045 because it is not
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H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution or Use
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13211, because it is not a
significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act (NTTAA)
This rulemaking does not involve
technical standards.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
This rule is exempt from the CRA
because it is a rule of particular
applicability.
L. Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
petitions for judicial review of this
action must be filed in the United States
Court of Appeals for the appropriate
circuit by June 13, 2016. Filing a
petition for reconsideration by the
Administrator of this final rule does not
affect the finality of this action for the
purposes of judicial review nor does it
extend the time within which a petition
for judicial review may be filed, and
shall not postpone the effectiveness of
such rule or action. This action may not
be challenged later in proceedings to
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21681
enforce its requirements. (See section
307(b)(2).)
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, Regional
haze, Volatile organic compounds.
Dated: March 18, 2016.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, 40 CFR chapter I is amended
as follows:
PART 52—APPROVAL AND
PROMULGATION OF
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
2. Section 52.1183 is amended by
revising paragraphs (k), (l), (m), and (n)
and adding paragraph (p) to read as
follows:
■
§ 52.1183
Visibility protection.
*
*
*
*
*
(k) Tilden Mining Company, or any
subsequent owner/operator of the
Tilden Mining Company facility in
Ishpeming, Michigan, shall meet the
following requirements:
(1) NOX Emission Limits. (i) An
emission limit of 2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU,
based on a 720-hour rolling average,
shall apply to Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1
when burning natural gas, and an
emission limit of 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU,
based on a 720-hour rolling average,
shall apply to Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1
when burning coal or a mixture of coal
and natural gas. These emission limits
will become enforceable 60 months after
May 12, 2016 and only after EPA’s
confirmation or modification of the
emission limit in accordance with the
procedures set forth in paragraphs
(k)(1)(ii) through (viii) of this section.
(ii) Compliance with these emission
limits shall be demonstrated with data
collected by a continuous emissions
monitoring system (CEMS) for NOX. The
owner or operator must start collecting
CEMS data for NOX upon May 12, 2016
and submit the data to EPA no later than
30 days from the end of each calendar
quarter. Any remaining data through the
end of the 57th month from May 12,
2016, that does not fall within a
calendar quarter, must be submitted to
EPA no later than 30 days from the end
of the 57th month. Although CEMS data
must continue to be collected, it does
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not need to be submitted to EPA starting
57 months after May 12, 2016.
(iii) No later than 48 months from
May 12, 2016, the owner or operator
must submit to EPA a report, including
any final report(s) completed by the
selected NOX reduction technology
supplier and furnace retrofit engineer,
containing a detailed engineering
analysis and modeling of the NOX
reduction control technology being
installed on Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1.
This report must include a list of all
variables that can reasonably be
expected to have an impact on NOX
emission control technology
performance, as well as a description of
how these variables can be adjusted to
reduce NOX emissions to meet the NOX
design emission limit. This NOX
reduction control technology must be
designed to meet emission limits of 2.8
lbs NOX/MMBTU when burning natural
gas and 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU when
burning coal or a mixture of coal and
natural gas.
(iv) The NOX reduction control
technology shall be installed on Tilden
Grate Kiln Line 1 furnace no later than
50 months from May 12, 2016.
(v) Commencing on the earlier of: Six
months from the installation of the NOX
reduction control technology or 50
months from May 12, 2016, the owner
or operator must provide to EPA the
results from pellet quality analyses. The
owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no
later than 30 days from the end of each
calendar quarter up until 57 months
after May 12, 2016. Any remaining
results through the end of the 57th
month that do not fall within a calendar
quarter must be submitted to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of the
57th month. The pellet quality analyses
shall include results for the following
factors: Compression, reducibility,
before tumble, after tumble, and low
temperature disintegration. For each of
the pellet quality analysis factors the
owner or operator must explain the
pellet quality analysis factor as well as
the defined acceptable range for each
factor using the applicable product
quality standards based upon
customers’ pellet specifications that are
contained in Tilden’s ISO 9001 quality
management system. The owner or
operator shall provide pellet quality
analysis testing results that state the
date and time of the analysis and, in
order to define the time period when
pellets were produced outside of the
defined acceptable range for the pellet
quality factors listed, provide copies of
the production logs that document the
starting and ending times for such
periods. The owner or operator shall
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provide an explanation of causes for
pellet samples that fail to meet the
acceptable range for any pellet quality
analysis factor. Pellet quality
information and data may be submitted
to EPA as Confidential Business
Information.
(vi) No later than 57 months after May
12, 2016, the owner or operator may
submit to EPA a report to either confirm
or modify the NOX limits for Tilden
Grate Kiln Line 1 within the upper and
lower bounds described below. EPA
will review the report and either
confirm or modify the NOX limits. If the
CEMS data collected during operating
periods between months 50 and 57 that
both meet pellet quality specifications
and proper furnace/burner operation is
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the appropriate (depending upon
whether data are statistically
independent or dependent) 95% upper
predictive limit (UPL) equations in
paragraph (p) of this section. If the
CEMS data collected during operating
periods between months 50 and 57 that
both meet pellet quality specifications
and proper furnace/burner operation are
not normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the non-parametric equation
provided in paragraph (p) of this
section. The data set for the
determination shall exclude periods
when pellet quality did not fall within
the defined acceptable ranges of the
pellet quality factors identified pursuant
to paragraph (k)(1)(v) of this section and
for any subsequent period when
production had been reduced in
response to pellet quality concerns
consistent with Tilden’s ISO 9001
operating standards. Any excluded
period will commence at the time
documented on the production log
demonstrating pellet quality did not fall
within the defined acceptable range and
shall end when pellet quality within the
defined acceptable range has been reestablished at planned production
levels, which will be presumed to be the
level that existed immediately prior to
the reduction in production due to
pellet quality concerns. EPA may also
exclude data where operations are
inconsistent with the reported design
parameters of the NOX reduction control
technology that were installed.
(vii) EPA will take final agency action
by publishing its final confirmation or
modification of the NOX limits in the
Federal Register no later than 60
months after May 12, 2016. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for
Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 when burning
only natural gas may be no lower than
2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-
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hour rolling average, and may not
exceed 3.0 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on
a 720-hour rolling average. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for
Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 when burning
coal or a mixture of coal and natural gas
may be no lower than 1.5 lbs NOX/
MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling
average, and may not exceed 2.5 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour
rolling average.
(viii) If the owner or operator submits
a report proposing a single NOX limit for
all fuels, EPA may approve the
proposed NOX limit for all fuels based
on a 30-day rolling average. The
confirmed or modified limit will be
established and enforceable within 60
months from May 12, 2016.
(2) SO2 Emission Limits. A fuel sulfur
content limit of no greater than 1.20
percent sulfur content by weight shall
apply to fuel combusted in Process
Boiler #1 (EUBOILER1) and Process
Boiler #2 (EUBOILER2) beginning three
months from March 8, 2013. A fuel
sulfur content limit of no greater than
1.50 percent sulfur content by weight
shall apply to fuel combusted in the
Line 1 Dryer (EUDRYER1) beginning 3
months from March 8, 2013. The
sampling and calculation methodology
for determining the sulfur content of
fuel must be described in the
monitoring plan required at paragraph
(n)(8)(x) of this section.
(3) The owner or operator of the
Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 furnace shall
meet an emission limit of 500 lbs SO2/
hr based on a 30-day rolling average
beginning six months after May 12,
2016. Compliance with these emission
limits shall be demonstrated with data
collected by a continuous emissions
monitoring system (CEMS) for SO2. The
owner or operator must start collecting
CEMS data for SO2 beginning six
months after May 12, 2016 and submit
the data to EPA no later than 30 days
from the end of each calendar quarter.
The Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 furnace
shall not be limited to natural gas fuel.
Beginning six months after May 12,
2016, any coal burned on Tilden Grate
Kiln Line 1 shall have no more than
0.60 percent sulfur by weight based on
a monthly block average. The sampling
and calculation methodology for
determining the sulfur content of coal
must be described in the monitoring
plan required for this furnace. The
owner or operator must calculate an SO2
limit based on 12 continuous months of
CEMS emissions data and submit such
limit, calculations, and CEMS data to
EPA no later than 36 months after May
12, 2016. If the submitted CEMS SO2
hourly data are normally distributed,
the SO2 lbs/hr emission rate shall be
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based on the appropriate (depending
upon whether data are statistically
independent or dependent) 99% upper
predictive limit (UPL) equation. If the
submitted CEMS SO2 hourly data are
not normally distributed, the SO2 lbs/hr
emission rate shall be based on the nonparametric equation provided in
paragraph (p) of this section.
Compliance with the SO2 lbs/hr
emission rate shall be determined on a
30-day rolling average basis. EPA will
take final agency action by publishing a
confirmation or modification of the SO2
limit in the Federal Register no later
than 39 months after May 12, 2016. EPA
may adjust the 500 lbs SO2/hr limit
downward to reflect the calculated SO2
emission rate; however, EPA will not
increase the SO2 limit above 500 lbs
SO2/hr.
(4) Starting 26 months from May 12,
2016, records shall be kept for any day
during which fuel oil is burned as fuel
(either alone or blended with other
fuels) in Grate Kiln Line 1. These
records must include, at a minimum,
the gallons of fuel oil burned per hour,
the sulfur content of the fuel oil, and the
SO2 emissions in pounds per hour.
(5) Starting 26 months from May 12,
2016, the SO2 limit for Grate Kiln Line
1 does not apply for any hour in which
it is documented that there is a natural
gas curtailment beyond Cliffs’ control
necessitating that the supply of natural
gas to Tilden’s Line 1 indurating furnace
is restricted or eliminated. Records must
be kept of the cause of the curtailment
and duration of such curtailment.
During such curtailment, the use of
backup coal is restricted to coal with no
greater than 0.60 percent sulfur by
weight.
(l) Testing and monitoring. (1) The
owner or operator shall install, certify,
calibrate, maintain, and operate a CEMS
for NOX on Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1.
Compliance with the emission limits for
NOX shall be determined using data
from the CEMS.
(2) The owner or operator shall
install, certify, calibrate, maintain, and
operate a CEMS for SO2 on Tilden Grate
Kiln Line 1. Compliance with the
emission standard selected for SO2 shall
be determined using data from the
CEMS.
(3) The owner or operator shall
install, certify, calibrate, maintain, and
operate one or more continuous diluent
monitor(s) (O2 or CO2) and continuous
flow rate monitor(s) on Tilden Grate
Kiln Line 1 to allow conversion of the
NOX and SO2 concentrations to units of
the standard (lbs/MMBTU and lbs/hr,
respectively) unless a demonstration is
made that a diluent monitor and
continuous flow rate monitor are not
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needed for the owner or operator to
demonstrate compliance with
applicable emission limits in units of
the standards.
(4) For purposes of this section, all
CEMS required by this section must
meet the requirements of paragraphs
(l)(4)(i) through (xiv) of this section.
(i) All CEMS must be installed,
certified, calibrated, maintained, and
operated in accordance with 40 CFR
part 60, appendix B, Performance
Specification 2 (PS–2) and appendix F,
Procedure 1.
(ii) All CEMS associated with
monitoring NOX (including the NOX
monitor and necessary diluent and flow
rate monitors) must be installed and
operational upon May 12, 2016. All
CEMS associated with monitoring SO2
must be installed and operational no
later than six months after May 12,
2016. Verification of the CEMS
operational status shall, as a minimum,
include completion of the
manufacturer’s written requirements or
recommendations for installation,
operation, and calibration of the
devices.
(iii) The owner or operator must
conduct a performance evaluation of
each CEMS in accordance with 40 CFR
part 60, appendix B, PS–2. The
performance evaluations must be
completed no later than 60 days after
the respective CEMS installation.
(iv) The owner or operator of each
CEMS must conduct periodic Quality
Assurance, Quality Control (QA/QC)
checks of each CEMS in accordance
with 40 CFR part 60, appendix F,
Procedure 1. The first CEMS accuracy
test will be a relative accuracy test audit
(RATA) and must be completed no later
than 60 days after the respective CEMS
installation.
(v) The owner or operator of each
CEMS must furnish the Regional
Administrator two, or upon request,
more copies of a written report of the
results of each performance evaluation
and QA/QC check within 60 days of
completion.
(vi) The owner or operator of each
CEMS must check, record, and quantify
the zero and span calibration drifts at
least once daily (every 24 hours) in
accordance with 40 CFR part 60,
appendix F, Procedure 1, Section 4.
(vii) Except for CEMS breakdowns,
repairs, calibration checks, and zero and
span adjustments, all CEMS required by
this section shall be in continuous
operation during all periods of process
operation of the indurating furnaces,
including periods of process unit
startup, shutdown, and malfunction.
(viii) All CEMS required by this
section must meet the minimum data
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requirements at paragraphs (l)(4)(viii)(A)
through (C) of this section.
(A) Complete a minimum of one cycle
of operation (sampling, analyzing, and
data recording) for each successive 15minute quadrant of an hour.
(B) Sample, analyze, and record
emissions data for all periods of process
operation except as described in
paragraph (l)(4)(viii)(C) of this section.
(C) When emission data from CEMS
are not available due to continuous
monitoring system breakdowns, repairs,
calibration checks, or zero and span
adjustments, emission data must be
obtained using other monitoring
systems or emission estimation methods
approved by the EPA. The other
monitoring systems or emission
estimation methods to be used must be
incorporated into the monitoring plan
required by this section and provide
information such that emissions data are
available for a minimum of 18 hours in
each 24-hour period and at least 22 out
of 30 successive unit operating days.
(ix) Owners or operators of each
CEMS required by this section must
reduce all data to 1-hour averages.
Hourly averages shall be computed
using all valid data obtained within the
hour but no less than one data point in
each 15-minute quadrant of an hour.
Notwithstanding this requirement, an
hourly average may be computed from
at least two data points separated by a
minimum of 15 minutes (where the unit
operates for more than one quadrant in
an hour) if data are unavailable as a
result of performance of calibration,
quality assurance, preventive
maintenance activities, or backups of
data from data acquisition and handling
systems and recertification events.
(x) The 30-day rolling average
emission rate determined from data
derived from the CEMS required by this
section (in lbs/MMBTU or lbs/hr
depending on the emission standard
selected) must be calculated in
accordance with paragraphs (l)(4)(x)(A)
through (F) of this section.
(A) Sum the total pounds of the
pollutant in question emitted from the
unit during an operating day and the
previous 29 operating days.
(B) Sum the total heat input to the
unit (in MMBTU) or the total actual
hours of operation (in hours) during an
operating day and the previous 29
operating days.
(C) Divide the total number of pounds
of the pollutant in question emitted
during the 30 operating days by the total
heat input (or actual hours of operation
depending on the emission limit
selected) during the 30 operating days.
(D) For purposes of this calculation,
an operating day is any day during
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which fuel is combusted in the BART
affected unit regardless of whether
pellets are produced. Actual hours of
operation are the total hours a unit is
firing fuel regardless of whether a
complete 24-hour operational cycle
occurs (i.e., if the furnace is firing fuel
for only five hours during a 24-hour
period, then the actual operating hours
for that day are five. Similarly, total
number of pounds of the pollutant in
question for that day is determined only
from the CEMS data for the five hours
during which fuel is combusted.)
(E) If the owner or operator of the
CEMS required by this section uses an
alternative method to determine 30-day
rolling averages, that method must be
described in detail in the monitoring
plan required by this section. The
alternative method will only be
applicable if the final monitoring plan
and the alternative method are approved
by EPA.
(F) A new 30-day rolling average
emission rate must be calculated for the
period ending each new operating day.
(xi) The 720-hour rolling average
emission rate determined from data
derived from the CEMS required by this
section (in lbs/MMBTU) must be
calculated in accordance with
paragraphs (l)(4)(xi)(A) through (C) of
this section.
(A) Sum the total pounds of NOX
emitted from the unit every hour and
the previous (not necessarily
consecutive) 719 hours for which that
type of fuel (either natural gas or mixed
coal and natural gas) was used.
(B) Sum the total heat input to the
unit (in MMBTU) every hour and the
previous (not necessarily consecutive)
719 hours for which that type of fuel
(either natural gas or mixed coal and
natural gas) was used.
(C) Divide the total number of pounds
of NOX emitted during the 720 hours, as
defined above, by the total heat input
during the same 720-hour period. This
calculation must be done separately for
each fuel type (either for natural gas or
mixed coal and natural gas).
(xii) Data substitution must not be
used for purposes of determining
compliance under this regulation.
(xiii) All CEMS data shall be reduced
and reported in units of the applicable
standard.
(xiv) A Quality Control Program must
be developed and implemented for all
CEMS required by this section in
accordance with 40 CFR part 60,
appendix F, Procedure 1, Section 3. The
program will include, at a minimum,
written procedures and operations for
calibration checks, calibration drift
adjustments, preventative maintenance,
data collection, recording and reporting,
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accuracy audits/procedures, periodic
performance evaluations, and a
corrective action program for
malfunctioning CEMS.
(m) Recordkeeping requirements.
(1)(i) Records required by this section
must be kept in a form suitable and
readily available for expeditious review.
(ii) Records required by this section
must be kept for a minimum of five
years following the date of creation.
(iii) Records must be kept on site for
at least two years following the date of
creation and may be kept offsite, but
readily accessible, for the remaining
three years.
(2) The owner or operator of the
BART affected unit must maintain the
records identified in paragraphs
(m)(2)(i) through (xi) of this section.
(i) A copy of each notification and
report developed for and submitted to
comply with this section including all
documentation supporting any initial
notification or notification of
compliance status submitted, according
to the requirements of this section.
(ii) Records of the occurrence and
duration of each startup, shutdown, and
malfunction of the BART affected unit,
air pollution control equipment, and
CEMS required by this section.
(iii) Records of activities taken during
each startup, shutdown, and
malfunction of the BART affected unit,
air pollution control equipment, and
CEMS required by this section.
(iv) Records of the occurrence and
duration of all major maintenance
conducted on the BART affected unit,
air pollution control equipment, and
CEMS required by this section.
(v) Records of each excess emission
report, including all documentation
supporting the reports, dates and times
when excess emissions occurred,
investigations into the causes of excess
emissions, actions taken to minimize or
eliminate the excess emissions, and
preventative measures to avoid the
cause of excess emissions from
occurring again.
(vi) Records of all CEMS data
including, as a minimum, the date,
location, and time of sampling or
measurement, parameters sampled or
measured, and results.
(vii) All records associated with
quality assurance and quality control
activities on each CEMS as well as other
records required by 40 CFR part 60,
appendix F, Procedure 1 including, but
not limited to, the quality control
program, audit results, and reports
submitted as required by this section.
(viii) Records of the NOX emissions
during all periods of BART affected unit
operation, including startup, shutdown,
and malfunction, in the units of the
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standard. The owner or operator shall
convert the monitored data into the
appropriate unit of the emission
limitation using appropriate conversion
factors and F-factors. F-factors used for
purposes of this section shall be
documented in the monitoring plan and
developed in accordance with 40 CFR
part 60, appendix A, Method 19. The
owner or operator may use an alternate
method to calculate the NOX emissions
upon written approval from EPA.
(ix) Records of the SO2 emissions or
records of the removal efficiency (based
on CEMS data), depending on the
emission standard selected, during all
periods of operation, including periods
of startup, shutdown, and malfunction,
in the units of the standard.
(x) Records associated with the CEMS
unit including type of CEMS, CEMS
model number, CEMS serial number,
and initial certification of each CEMS
conducted in accordance with 40 CFR
part 60, appendix B, Performance
Specification 2 must be kept for the life
of the CEMS unit.
(xi) Records of all periods of fuel oil
usage as required in paragraph (k)(4) of
this section.
(n) Reporting requirements. (1) All
requests, reports, submittals,
notifications, and other communications
to the Regional Administrator required
by this section shall be submitted,
unless instructed otherwise, to the Air
and Radiation Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 5 (A–18J) at 77 West Jackson
Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604.
References in this section to the
Regional Administrator shall mean the
EPA Regional Administrator for Region
5.
(2) The owner or operator of each
BART affected unit identified in this
section and CEMS required by this
section must provide to the Regional
Administrator the written notifications,
reports, and plans identified at
paragraphs (n)(2)(i) through (viii) of this
section. If acceptable to both the
Regional Administrator and the owner
or operator of each BART affected unit
identified in this section and CEMS
required by this section the owner or
operator may provide electronic
notifications, reports, and plans.
(i) A notification of the date
construction of control devices and
installation of burners required by this
section commences postmarked no later
than 30 days after the commencement
date.
(ii) A notification of the date the
installation of each CEMS required by
this section commences postmarked no
later than 30 days after the
commencement date.
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(iii) A notification of the date the
construction of control devices and
installation of burners required by this
section is complete postmarked no later
than 30 days after the completion date.
(iv) A notification of the date the
installation of each CEMS required by
this section is complete postmarked no
later than 30 days after the completion
date.
(v) A notification of the date control
devices and burners installed by this
section startup postmarked no later than
30 days after the startup date.
(vi) A notification of the date CEMS
required by this section postmarked no
later than 30 days after the startup date.
(vii) A notification of the date upon
which the initial CEMS performance
evaluations are planned. This
notification must be submitted at least
60 days before the performance
evaluation is scheduled to begin.
(viii) A notification of initial
compliance signed by the responsible
official, who shall certify its accuracy,
attesting to whether the source has
complied with the requirements of this
section, including, but not limited to,
applicable emission standards, control
device and burner installations, and
CEMS installation and certification.
This notification must be submitted
before the close of business on the 60th
calendar day following the completion
of the compliance demonstration and
must include, at a minimum, the
information in paragraphs (n)(2)(viii)(A)
through (F) of this section.
(A) The methods used to determine
compliance.
(B) The results of any CEMS
performance evaluations and other
monitoring procedures or methods that
were conducted.
(C) The methods that will be used for
determining continuing compliance,
including a description of monitoring
and reporting requirements and test
methods.
(D) The type and quantity of air
pollutants emitted by the source,
reported in units of the standard.
(E) A description of the air pollution
control equipment and burners installed
as required by this section for each
emission point.
(F) A statement by the owner or
operator as to whether the source has
complied with the relevant standards
and other requirements.
(3) The owner or operator must
develop and implement a written
startup, shutdown, and malfunction
plan for NOX and SO2. The plan must
include, at a minimum, procedures for
operating and maintaining the source
during periods of startup, shutdown,
and malfunction and a program of
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corrective action for a malfunctioning
process and air pollution control and
monitoring equipment used to comply
with the relevant standard. The plan
must ensure that, at all times, the owner
or operator operates and maintains each
affected source, including associated air
pollution control and monitoring
equipment, in a manner which satisfies
the general duty to minimize or
eliminate emissions using good air
pollution control practices. The plan
must ensure that owners or operators
are prepared to correct malfunctions as
soon as practicable after their
occurrence.
(4) The written reports of the results
of each performance evaluation and QA/
QC check in accordance with and as
required in paragraph (l)(4)(v) of this
section.
(5) Compliance reports. The owner or
operator of each BART affected unit
must submit semiannual compliance
reports. The semiannual compliance
reports must be submitted in accordance
with paragraphs (n)(5)(i) through (iv) of
this section, unless the Regional
Administrator has approved a different
schedule.
(i) The first compliance report must
cover the period beginning on the
compliance date that is specified for the
affected source through June 30 or
December 31, whichever date comes
first after the compliance date that is
specified for the affected source.
(ii) The first compliance report must
be postmarked no later than 30 calendar
days after the reporting period covered
by that report (July 30 or January 30),
whichever comes first.
(iii) Each subsequent compliance
report must cover the semiannual
reporting period from January 1 through
June 30 or the semiannual reporting
period from July 1 through December
31.
(iv) Each subsequent compliance
report must be postmarked no later than
30 calendar days after the reporting
period covered by that report (July 30 or
January 30).
(6) Compliance report contents. Each
compliance report must include the
information in paragraphs (n)(6)(i)
through (vi) of this section.
(i) Company name and address.
(ii) Statement by a responsible
official, with the official’s name, title,
and signature, certifying the truth,
accuracy, and completeness of the
content of the report.
(iii) Date of report and beginning and
ending dates of the reporting period.
(iv) Identification of the process unit,
control devices, and CEMS covered by
the compliance report.
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21685
(v) A record of each period of a
startup, shutdown, or malfunction
during the reporting period and a
description of the actions the owner or
operator took to minimize or eliminate
emissions arising as a result of the
startup, shutdown, or malfunction and
whether those actions were or were not
consistent with the source’s startup,
shutdown, and malfunction plan.
(vi) A statement identifying whether
there were or were not any deviations
from the requirements of this section
during the reporting period. If there
were deviations from the requirements
of this section during the reporting
period, then the compliance report must
describe in detail the deviations which
occurred, the causes of the deviations,
actions taken to address the deviations,
and procedures put in place to avoid
such deviations in the future. If there
were no deviations from the
requirements of this section during the
reporting period, then the compliance
report must include a statement that
there were no deviations. For purposes
of this section, deviations include, but
are not limited to, emissions in excess
of applicable emission standards
established by this section, failure to
continuously operate an air pollution
control device in accordance with
operating requirements designed to
assure compliance with emission
standards, failure to continuously
operate CEMS required by this section,
and failure to maintain records or
submit reports required by this section.
(7) Each owner or operator of a CEMS
required by this section must submit
quarterly excess emissions and
monitoring system performance reports
to the Regional Administrator for each
pollutant monitored for each BART
affected unit monitored. All reports
must be postmarked by the 30th day
following the end of each 3-month
period of a calendar year (January–
March, April–June, July–September,
October–December) and must include,
at a minimum, the requirements of
paragraphs (n)(7)(i) through (xv) of this
section.
(i) Company name and address.
(ii) Identification and description of
the process unit being monitored.
(iii) The dates covered by the
reporting period.
(iv) Total source operating hours for
the reporting period.
(v) Monitor manufacturer, monitor
model number, and monitor serial
number.
(vi) Pollutant monitored.
(vii) Emission limitation for the
monitored pollutant.
(viii) Date of latest CEMS certification
or audit.
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
(ix) A description of any changes in
continuous monitoring systems,
processes, or controls since the last
reporting period.
(x) A table summarizing the total
duration of excess emissions, as defined
in paragraphs (n)(7)(x)(A) through (B) of
this section, for the reporting period
broken down by the cause of those
excess emissions (startup/shutdown,
control equipment problems, process
problems, other known causes,
unknown causes), and the total percent
of excess emissions (for all causes) for
the reporting period calculated as
described in paragraph (n)(7)(x)(C) of
this section.
(A) For purposes of this section, an
excess emission is defined as any 30day or 720-hour rolling average period,
including periods of startup, shutdown,
and malfunction, during which the 30day or 720-hour (as appropriate) rolling
average emissions of either regulated
pollutant (SO2 and NOX), as measured
by a CEMS, exceeds the applicable
emission standards in this section.
(B)(1) For purposes of this section, if
a facility calculates a 30-day rolling
average emission rate in accordance
with this section which exceeds the
applicable emission standards of this
section, then it will be considered 30
days of excess emissions. If the
following 30-day rolling average
emission rate is calculated and found to
exceed the applicable emission
standards of this section as well, then it
will add one more day to the total days
of excess emissions (i.e. 31 days).
Similarly, if an excess emission is
calculated for a 30-day rolling average
period and no additional excess
emissions are calculated until 15 days
after the first, then that new excess
emission will add 15 days to the total
days of excess emissions (i.e. 30 + 15 =
45). For purposes of this section, if an
excess emission is calculated for any
period of time within a reporting period,
there will be no fewer than 30 days of
excess emissions but there should be no
more than 121 days of excess emissions
for a reporting period.
(2) For purposes of this section, if a
facility calculates a 720-hour rolling
average emission rate in accordance
with this section which exceeds the
applicable emission standards of this
section, then it will be considered 30
days of excess emissions. If the 24th
following 720-hour rolling average
emission rate is calculated and found to
exceed the applicable emission
standards of the rule as well, then it will
add one more day to the total days of
excess emissions (i.e. 31 days).
Similarly, if an excess emission is
calculated for a 720-hour rolling average
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period and no additional excess
emissions are calculated until 360 hours
after the first, then that new excess
emission will add 15 days to the total
days of excess emissions (i.e. 30+15 =
45). For purposes of this section, if an
excess emission is calculated for any
period of time with a reporting period,
there will be no fewer than 30 days of
excess emissions but there should be no
more than 121 days of excess emissions
for a reporting period.
(C) For purposes of this section, the
total percent of excess emissions will be
determined by summing all periods of
excess emissions (in days) for the
reporting period, dividing that number
by the total BART affected unit
operating days for the reporting period,
and then multiplying by 100 to get the
total percent of excess emissions for the
reporting period. An operating day, as
defined previously, is any day during
which fuel is fired in the BART affected
unit for any period of time. Because of
the possible overlap of 30-day rolling
average excess emissions across
quarters, there are some situations
where the total percent of excess
emissions could exceed 100 percent.
This extreme situation would only
result from serious excess emissions
problems where excess emissions occur
for nearly every day during a reporting
period.
(xi) A table summarizing the total
duration of monitor downtime, as
defined in paragraph (n)(7)(xi)(A) of this
section, for the reporting period broken
down by the cause of the monitor
downtime (monitor equipment
malfunctions, non-monitor equipment
malfunctions, quality assurance
calibration, other known causes,
unknown causes), and the total percent
of monitor downtime (for all causes) for
the reporting period calculated as
described in paragraph (n)(7)(xi)(B) of
this section.
(A) For purposes of this section,
monitor downtime is defined as any
period of time (in hours) during which
the required monitoring system was not
measuring emissions from the BART
affected unit. This includes any period
of CEMS QA/QC, daily zero and span
checks, and similar activities.
(B) For purposes of this section, the
total percent of monitor downtime will
be determined by summing all periods
of monitor downtime (in hours) for the
reporting period, dividing that number
by the total number of BART affected
unit operating hours for the reporting
period, and then multiplying by 100 to
get the total percent of excess emissions
for the reporting period.
(xii) A table which identifies each
period of excess emissions for the
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reporting period and includes, at a
minimum, the information in
paragraphs (n)(7)(xii)(A) through (F) of
this section.
(A) The date of each excess emission.
(B) The beginning and end time of
each excess emission.
(C) The pollutant for which an excess
emission occurred.
(D) The magnitude of the excess
emission.
(E) The cause of the excess emission.
(F) The corrective action taken or
preventative measures adopted to
minimize or eliminate the excess
emissions and prevent such excess
emission from occurring again.
(xiii) A table which identifies each
period of monitor downtime for the
reporting period and includes, at a
minimum, the information in
paragraphs (n)(7)(xiii)(A) through (D) of
this section.
(A) The date of each period of monitor
downtime.
(B) The beginning and end time of
each period of monitor downtime.
(C) The cause of the period of monitor
downtime.
(D) The corrective action taken or
preventative measures adopted for
system repairs or adjustments to
minimize or eliminate monitor
downtime and prevent such downtime
from occurring again.
(xiv) If there were no periods of
excess emissions during the reporting
period, then the excess emission report
must include a statement which says
there were no periods of excess
emissions during this reporting period.
(xv) If there were no periods of
monitor downtime, except for daily zero
and span checks, during the reporting
period, then the excess emission report
must include a statement which says
there were no periods of monitor
downtime during this reporting period
except for the daily zero and span
checks.
(8) The owner or operator of each
CEMS required by this section must
develop and submit for review and
approval by the Regional Administrator
a site specific monitoring plan. The
purpose of this monitoring plan is to
establish procedures and practices
which will be implemented by the
owner or operator in its effort to comply
with the monitoring, recordkeeping, and
reporting requirements of this section.
The monitoring plan must include, at a
minimum, the information in
paragraphs (n)(8)(i) through (x) of this
section.
(i) Site specific information including
the company name, address, and contact
information.
(ii) The objectives of the monitoring
program implemented and information
E:\FR\FM\12APR2.SGM
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Assessment: Statistical Methods for
Practitioners EPA QA/G–9S.
(ii) Alternative to Rank von Neumann
test to determine if data are dependent,
data are dependent if t test value is
greater than t critical value, where:
r = correlation between data points
t critical = t[(n¥2),(0.95)] = t score, the twotailed t value of the Student’s t
distribution for a specific degree of
freedom (n¥2) and a confidence level
(0.95)
(iii) The Anderson-Darling normality
test is used to establish whether the data
are normally distributed. That is, a
distribution is considered to be
normally distributed when p > 0.05.
(2) Non-parametric equation for data
not normally distributed and normally
distributed but not statistically
independent.
m = (n + 1) * a
m = the rank of the ordered data point, when
data are sorted smallest to largest. The
data points are 720-hour averages for
establishing NOX limits.
n = number of data points (e.g., 5040 720hourly averages for eight months of valid
NOX lbs/MMBTU values)
a = 0.95, to reflect the 95th percentile
If m is a whole number, then the
limit, UPL, shall be computed as:
UPL = Xm
Where:
Xm = value of the mth data point in terms of
lbs SO2/hr or lbs NOX/MMBTU, when
the data are sorted smallest to largest.
If m is not a whole number, the limit
shall be computed by linear
interpolation according to the following
equation.
UPL = xm = xmi·md = xmi + 0.md
(xmi∂1¥xmi)
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Where:
mi = the integer portion of m, i.e., m
truncated at zero decimal places, and
md = the decimal portion of m
Where:
x = average or mean of hourly test run data;
t[(n¥1),(0.95)] = t score, the one-tailed t value of
the Student’s t distribution for a specific
degree of freedom (n¥1) and a
confidence level (0.95; 0.99 for Tilden
SO2)
s2 = variance of the hourly data set;
n = number of values (e.g. 5,760 if 8 months
of valid lbs NOX/MMBTU hourly values)
m = number of values used to calculate the
test average (m = 720 as per averaging
time)
(i) To determine if statistically
independent, use the Rank von
Neumann Test on p. 137 of data Quality
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3. Section 52.1235 is amended by
revising paragraphs (b)(1)(ii), (b)(1)(iv),
(b)(1)(v), (b)(2)(iv), (c), (d), and (e) and
by adding paragraph (f) to read as
follows:
■
§ 52.1235
*
Regional haze.
*
*
*
(b)
(1) * * *
(ii) Hibbing Taconite Company—(A)
Hibbing Line 1. (1) An emission limit of
1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day
rolling average, shall apply to Hibbing
Line 1 when burning natural gas. This
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emission limit will become enforceable
37 months after May 12, 2016 and only
after EPA’s confirmation or modification
of the emission limit in accordance with
the procedures set forth in paragraphs
(b)(1)(ii)(A)(2) through (7) of this
section.
(2) Compliance with this emission
limit will be demonstrated with data
collected by a continuous emissions
monitoring system (CEMS) for NOX. The
owner or operator of Hibbing Line 1
must install a CEMS for NOX and SO2
within six months from May 12, 2016.
The owner or operator must start
collecting CEMS data and submit the
data to EPA no later than 30 days from
the end of each calendar quarter after
that installation deadline. Any
remaining data through the end of the
34th month from May 12, 2016, that
does not fall within a calendar quarter,
must be submitted to EPA no later than
30 days from the end of the 34th month.
Although CEMS data must continue to
be collected, it does not need to be
submitted to EPA starting 34 months
after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 24 months after May
12, 2016 the owner or operator must
submit to EPA a report, including any
final report(s) completed by the selected
NOX reduction technology supplier and
furnace retrofit engineer, containing a
detailed engineering analysis and
modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on Hibbing
Line 1. The NOX reduction control
technology must be designed to meet an
emission limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU.
This report must include a list of all
process and control technology
variables that can reasonably be
expected to have an impact on NOX
emissions control technology
performance, as well as a description of
how these variables can be adjusted to
reduce NOX emissions to meet the NOX
design emission limit.
(4) The NOX reduction control
technology shall be installed on Hibbing
Line 1 furnace no later than 26 months
after May 12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six
months from the installation of the NOX
reduction control technology; or 26
months from May 12, 2016, the owner
or operator must provide to EPA the
results from pellet quality analyses. The
owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no
later than 30 days from the end of each
calendar quarter up until 34 months
after May 12, 2016. Any remaining
results through the end of the 34th
month from May 12, 2016, that do not
fall within a calendar quarter, must be
submitted to EPA no later than 30 days
from the end of the 34th month. The
E:\FR\FM\12APR2.SGM
12APR2
ER12AP16.001
describing how those objectives will be
met.
(iii) Information on any emission
factors used in conjunction with the
CEMS required by this section to
calculate emission rates and a
description of how those emission
factors were determined.
(iv) A description of methods to be
used to calculate emission rates when
CEMS data are not available due to
downtime associated with QA/QC
events.
(v) A description of the QA/QC
program to be implemented by the
owner or operator of CEMS required by
this section. This can be the QA/QC
program developed in accordance with
40 CFR part 60, appendix F, Procedure
1, Section 3.
(vi) A list of spare parts for CEMS
maintained on site for system
maintenance and repairs.
(vii) A description of the procedures
to be used to calculate 30-day rolling
averages and 720-hour rolling averages
and example calculations which show
the algorithms used by the CEMS to
calculate 30-day rolling averages and
720-hour rolling averages.
(viii) A sample of the document to be
used for the quarterly excess emission
reports required by this section.
(ix) A description of the procedures to
be implemented to investigate root
causes of excess emissions and monitor
downtime and the proposed corrective
actions to address potential root causes
of excess emissions and monitor
downtime.
(x) A description of the sampling and
calculation methodology for
determining the percent sulfur by
weight as a monthly block average for
coal used during that month.
(p) Equations for establishing the
upper predictive limit—(1) Equation for
normal distribution and statistically
independent data.
21687
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pellet quality analyses shall include
results for the following factors:
Compression, reducibility, before
tumble, after tumble, low temperature
disintegration, and swelling. For each of
the pellet quality analysis factors, the
owner or operator must explain the
pellet quality analysis factor, as well as
the defined acceptable range for each
factor using the applicable product
quality standards based upon
customers’ pellet specifications that are
contained in Hibbing’s ISO 9001 quality
management system. The owner or
operator shall provide pellet quality
analysis testing results that state the
date and time of the analysis and, in
order to define the time period when
pellets were produced outside of the
defined acceptable range for the pellet
quality factors listed, provide copies of
the production logs that document the
starting and ending times for such
periods. The owner or operator shall
provide an explanation of causes for
pellet samples that fail to meet the
acceptable range for any pellet quality
analysis factor. Pellet quality
information and data may be submitted
to EPA as Confidential Business
Information.
(6) No later than 34 months after May
12, 2016, the owner or operator may
submit to EPA a report to either confirm
or modify the NOX limits for Hibbing
Line 1 furnace within the upper and
lower bounds described below. EPA
will review the report and either
confirm or modify the NOX limits. If the
CEMS data collected during operating
periods between months 26 and 34 that
both meet pellet quality specifications
and proper furnace/burner operation is
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the appropriate (depending upon
whether data are statistically
independent or dependent) 95% upper
predictive limit (UPL) equations in
paragraph (f) of this section. If the CEMS
data collected during operating periods
between months 26 and 34 that both
meet pellet quality specifications and
proper furnace/burner operation are not
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the non-parametric equation
provided in paragraph (f) of this section.
The data set for the determination shall
exclude periods when pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable
ranges of the pellet quality factors
identified pursuant to paragraph
(b)(1)(ii)(E) of this section and for any
subsequent period when production has
been reduced in response to pellet
quality concerns consistent with
Hibbing’s ISO 9001 operating standards.
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17:44 Apr 11, 2016
Jkt 238001
Any excluded period will commence at
the time documented on the production
log demonstrating that pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable
range and shall end when pellet quality
within the defined acceptable range has
been re-established at planned
production levels, which will be
presumed to be the level that existed
immediately prior to the reduction in
production due to pellet quality
concerns. EPA may also exclude data
where operations are inconsistent with
the reported design parameters of the
NOX reduction control technology
installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action
by publishing its final confirmation or
modification of the NOX limit in the
Federal Register no later than 37
months after May 12, 2016. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for
Hibbing Line 1 when burning only
natural gas may be no lower than 1.2 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling
average, and may not exceed 1.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling
average.
(B) Hibbing Line 2. (1) An emission
limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on
a 30-day rolling average, shall apply to
Hibbing Line 2 when burning natural
gas. This emission limit will become
enforceable 55 months after May 12,
2016 and only after EPA’s confirmation
or modification of the emission limit in
accordance with the procedures set
forth in paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(B)(2)
through (7) of this section.
(2) Compliance with this emission
limit will be demonstrated with data
collected by a continuous emissions
monitoring system (CEMS) for NOX. The
owner or operator of Hibbing Line 2
must install a CEMS for NOX and SO2
within six months from May 12, 2016.
The owner or operator must start
collecting CEMS data and submit the
data to EPA no later than 30 days from
the end of each calendar quarter after
that installation deadline. Any
remaining data through the end of the
52nd month from May 12, 2016, that
does not fall within a calendar quarter,
must be submitted to EPA no later than
30 days from the end of the 52nd
month. Although CEMS data must
continue to be collected, it does not
need to be submitted to EPA starting 52
months after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 42 months after May
12, 2016 the owner or operator must
submit to EPA a report, including any
final report(s) completed by the selected
NOX reduction technology supplier and
furnace retrofit engineer, containing a
detailed engineering analysis and
modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on Hibbing
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
Line 2. The NOX reduction control
technology must be designed to meet an
emission limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU.
This report must include a list of all
process and control technology
variables that can reasonably be
expected to have an impact on NOX
emissions control technology
performance, as well as a description of
how these variables can be adjusted to
reduce NOX emissions to meet the NOX
design emission limit.
(4) The NOX reduction control
technology shall be installed on Hibbing
Line 2 furnace no later than 44 months
after May 12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six
months from the installation of the NOX
reduction control technology; or 44
months from May 12, 2016, the owner
or operator must provide to EPA the
results from pellet quality analyses. The
owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no
later than 30 days from the end of each
calendar quarter up until 52 months
after May 12, 2016. Any remaining
results through the end of the 52nd
month from May 12, 2016, that do not
fall within a calendar quarter, must be
submitted to EPA no later than 30 days
from the end of the 52nd month. The
pellet quality analyses shall include
results for the following factors:
Compression, reducibility, before
tumble, after tumble, low temperature
disintegration, and swelling. For each of
the pellet quality analysis factors, the
owner or operator must explain the
pellet quality analysis factor, as well as
the defined acceptable range for each
factor using the applicable product
quality standards based upon
customers’ pellet specifications that are
contained in Hibbing’s ISO 9001 quality
management system. The owner or
operator shall provide pellet quality
analysis testing results that state the
date and time of the analysis and, in
order to define the time period when
pellets were produced outside of the
defined acceptable range for the pellet
quality factors listed, provide copies of
the production logs that document the
starting and ending times for such
periods. The owner or operator shall
provide an explanation of causes for
pellet samples that fail to meet the
acceptable range for any pellet quality
analysis factor. Pellet quality
information and data may be submitted
to EPA as Confidential Business
Information.
(6) No later than 52 months after May
12, 2016, the owner or operator may
submit to EPA a report to either confirm
or modify the NOX limits for Hibbing
Line 2 furnace within the upper and
lower bounds described below. EPA
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will review the report and either
confirm or modify the NOX limits. If the
CEMS data collected during operating
periods between months 44 and 52 that
both meet pellet quality specifications
and proper furnace/burner operation is
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the appropriate (depending upon
whether data are statistically
independent or dependent) 95% upper
predictive limit (UPL) equations in
paragraph (f) of this section. If the CEMS
data collected during operating periods
between months 44 and 52 that both
meet pellet quality specifications and
proper furnace/burner operation are not
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the non-parametric equation
provided in paragraph (f) of this section.
The data set for the determination shall
exclude periods when pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable
ranges of the pellet quality factors
identified pursuant to paragraph
(b)(1)(ii)(E) of this section and for any
subsequent period when production has
been reduced in response to pellet
quality concerns consistent with
Hibbing’s ISO 9001 operating standards.
Any excluded period will commence at
the time documented on the production
log demonstrating that pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable
range and shall end when pellet quality
within the defined acceptable range has
been re-established at planned
production levels, which will be
presumed to be the level that existed
immediately prior to the reduction in
production due to pellet quality
concerns. EPA may also exclude data
where operations are inconsistent with
the reported design parameters of the
NOX reduction control technology
installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action
by publishing its final confirmation or
modification of the NOX limit in the
Federal Register no later than 55
months after May 12, 2016. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for
Hibbing Line 2 when burning only
natural gas may be no lower than 1.2 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling
average, and may not exceed 1.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling
average.
(C) Hibbing Line 3. (1) An emission
limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on
a 30-day rolling average, shall apply to
Hibbing Line 3 when burning natural
gas. This emission limit will become
enforceable 60 months after May 12,
2016 and only after EPA’s confirmation
or modification of the emission limit in
accordance with the procedures set
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:44 Apr 11, 2016
Jkt 238001
forth in paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(C)(2)
through (7) of this section.
(2) Compliance with this emission
limit will be demonstrated with data
collected by a continuous emissions
monitoring system (CEMS) for NOX. The
owner or operator of Hibbing Line 3
must install a CEMS for NOX and SO2
within six months from May 12, 2016.
The owner or operator must start
collecting CEMS data and submit the
data to EPA no later than 30 days from
the end of each calendar quarter after
that installation deadline. Any
remaining data through the end of the
57th month from May 12, 2016, that
does not fall within a calendar quarter,
must be submitted to EPA no later than
30 days from the end of the 57th month.
Although CEMS data must continue to
be collected, it does not need to be
submitted to EPA starting 57 months
after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 48 months after May
12, 2016 the owner or operator must
submit to EPA a report, including any
final report(s) completed by the selected
NOX reduction technology supplier and
furnace retrofit engineer, containing a
detailed engineering analysis and
modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on Hibbing
Line 3. The NOX reduction control
technology must be designed to meet an
emission limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU.
This report must include a list of all
process and control technology
variables that can reasonably be
expected to have an impact on NOX
emissions control technology
performance, as well as a description of
how these variables can be adjusted to
reduce NOX emissions to meet the NOX
design emission limit.
(4) The NOX reduction control
technology shall be installed on Hibbing
Line 3 furnace no later than 50 months
after May 12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six
months from the installation of the NOX
reduction control technology; or 50
months from May 12, 2016, the owner
or operator must provide to EPA the
results from pellet quality analyses. The
owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no
later than 30 days from the end of each
calendar quarter up until 57 months
after May 12, 2016. Any remaining
results through the end of the 57th
month from May 12, 2016, that do not
fall within a calendar quarter, must be
submitted to EPA no later than 30 days
from the end of the 57th month. The
pellet quality analyses shall include
results for the following factors:
Compression, reducibility, before
tumble, after tumble, low temperature
disintegration, and swelling. For each of
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
21689
the pellet quality analysis factors, the
owner or operator must explain the
pellet quality analysis factor, as well as
the defined acceptable range for each
factor using the applicable product
quality standards based upon
customers’ pellet specifications that are
contained in Hibbing’s ISO 9001 quality
management system. The owner or
operator shall provide pellet quality
analysis testing results that state the
date and time of the analysis and, in
order to define the time period when
pellets were produced outside of the
defined acceptable range for the pellet
quality factors listed, provide copies of
the production logs that document the
starting and ending times for such
periods. The owner or operator shall
provide an explanation of causes for
pellet samples that fail to meet the
acceptable range for any pellet quality
analysis factor. Pellet quality
information and data may be submitted
to EPA as Confidential Business
Information.
(6) No later than 57 months after May
12, 2016, the owner or operator may
submit to EPA a report to either confirm
or modify the NOX limits for Hibbing
Line 3 furnace within the upper and
lower bounds described below. EPA
will review the report and either
confirm or modify the NOX limits. If the
CEMS data collected during operating
periods between months 50 and 57 that
both meet pellet quality specifications
and proper furnace/burner operation is
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the appropriate (depending upon
whether data are statistically
independent or dependent) 95% upper
predictive limit (UPL) equations in
paragraph (f) of this section. If the CEMS
data collected during operating periods
between months 50 and 57 that both
meet pellet quality specifications and
proper furnace/burner operation are not
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the non-parametric equation
provided in paragraph (f) of this section.
The data set for the determination shall
exclude periods when pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable
ranges of the pellet quality factors
identified pursuant to paragraph
(b)(1)(ii)(E) of this section and for any
subsequent period when production has
been reduced in response to pellet
quality concerns consistent with
Hibbing’s ISO 9001 operating standards.
Any excluded period will commence at
the time documented on the production
log demonstrating that pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable
range and shall end when pellet quality
E:\FR\FM\12APR2.SGM
12APR2
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
within the defined acceptable range has
been re-established at planned
production levels, which will be
presumed to be the level that existed
immediately prior to the reduction in
production due to pellet quality
concerns. EPA may also exclude data
where operations are inconsistent with
the reported design parameters of the
NOX reduction control technology
installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action
by publishing its final confirmation or
modification of the NOX limit in the
Federal Register no later than 60
months after May 12, 2016. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for
Hibbing Line 3 when burning only
natural gas may be no lower than 1.2 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling
average, and may not exceed 1.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling
average.
*
*
*
*
*
(iv) United Taconite—(A) United
Taconite Line 1. (1) An emission limit
of 2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720hour rolling average, shall apply to
United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1 when
burning natural gas, and an emission
limit of 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on
a 720-hour rolling average, shall apply
to United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1
when burning coal or a mixture of coal
and natural gas. These emission limits
will become enforceable 37 months after
May 12, 2016 and only after EPA’s
confirmation or modification of the
emission limit in accordance with the
procedures set forth in paragraphs
(b)(1)(iv)(A)(2) through (8) of this
section.
(2) Compliance with these emission
limits shall be demonstrated with data
collected by a continuous emissions
monitoring system (CEMS) for NOX. The
owner or operator must start collecting
CEMS data for NOX on May 12, 2016
and submit the data to EPA no later than
30 days from the end of each calendar
quarter. Any remaining data through the
end of the 34th month from May 12,
2016, that does not fall within a
calendar quarter, must be submitted to
EPA no later than 30 days from the end
of the 34th month. Although CEMS data
must continue to be collected, it does
not need to be submitted to EPA starting
34 months after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 24 months from May
12, 2016, the owner or operator must
submit to EPA a report, including any
final report(s) completed by the selected
NOX reduction technology supplier and
furnace retrofit engineer, containing a
detailed engineering analysis and
modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on United
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:44 Apr 11, 2016
Jkt 238001
Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1. This report
must include a list of all variables that
can reasonably be expected to have an
impact on NOX emission control
technology performance, as well as a
description of how these variables can
be adjusted to reduce NOX emissions to
meet the NOX design emission limit.
This NOX reduction control technology
must be designed to meet emission
limits of 2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU when
burning natural gas and 1.5 lbs NOX/
MMBTU when burning coal or a
mixture of coal and natural gas.
(4) The NOX reduction control
technology shall be installed on United
Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1 furnace no
later than 26 months from May 12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six
months from the installation of the NOX
reduction control technology or 26
months from May 12, 2016, the owner
or operator must provide to EPA the
results from pellet quality analyses. The
owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no
later than 30 days from the end of each
calendar quarter up until 34 months
after May 12, 2016. Any remaining
results through the end of the 34th
month, that do not fall within a calendar
quarter, must be submitted to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of the
34th month. The pellet quality analyses
shall include results for the following
factors: Compression, reducibility,
before tumble, after tumble, and low
temperature disintegration. For each of
the pellet quality analysis factors, the
owner or operator must explain the
pellet quality analysis factor, as well as
the defined acceptable range for each
factor using the applicable product
quality standards based upon
customers’ pellet specifications that are
contained in United Taconite’s ISO
9001 quality management system. The
owner or operator shall provide pellet
quality analysis testing results that state
the date and time of the analysis and, in
order to define the time period when
pellets were produced outside of the
defined acceptable range for the pellet
quality factors listed, provide copies of
the production logs that document the
starting and ending times for such
periods. The owner or operator shall
provide an explanation of causes for
pellet samples that fail to meet the
acceptable range for any pellet quality
analysis factor. Pellet quality
information and data may be submitted
to EPA as Confidential Business
Information.
(6) No later than 34 months after May
12, 2016, the owner or operator may
submit to EPA a report to either confirm
or modify the NOX limits for United
Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1 within the
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
upper and lower bounds described
below. EPA will review the report and
either confirm or modify the NOX limits.
If the CEMS data collected during
operating periods between months 26
and 34 that both meet pellet quality
specifications and proper furnace/
burner operation is normally
distributed, the limit adjustment
determination shall be based on the
appropriate (depending upon whether
data are statistically independent or
dependent) 95% upper predictive limit
(UPL) equations in paragraph (f) of this
section. If the CEMS data collected
during operating periods between
months 26 and 34 that both meet pellet
quality specifications and proper
furnace/burner operation are not
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the non-parametric equation
provided in paragraph (f) of this section.
The data set for the determination shall
exclude periods when pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable
ranges of the pellet quality factors
identified pursuant to paragraph
(b)(1)(iv)(A)(5) of this section and for
any subsequent period when production
had been reduced in response to pellet
quality concerns consistent with United
Taconite’s ISO 9001 operating
standards. Any excluded period will
commence at the time documented on
the production log demonstrating pellet
quality did not fall within the defined
acceptable range, and shall end when
pellet quality within the defined
acceptable range has been re-established
at planned production levels, which
will be presumed to be the level that
existed immediately prior to the
reduction in production due to pellet
quality concerns. EPA may also exclude
data where operations are inconsistent
with the reported design parameters of
the NOX reduction control technology
that were installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action
by publishing its final confirmation or
modification of the NOX limits in the
Federal Register no later than 37
months after May 12, 2016. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for
United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1 when
burning only natural gas may be no
lower than 2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based
on a 720-hour rolling average, and may
not exceed 3.0 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based
on a 720-hour rolling average. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for
United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1 when
burning coal or a mixture of coal and
natural gas may be no lower than 1.5 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour
rolling average, and may not exceed 2.5
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour
rolling average.
(8) If the owner or operator submits a
report proposing a single NOX limit for
all fuels, EPA may approve the
proposed NOX limit for all fuels based
on a 30-day rolling average. The
confirmed or modified limit will be
established and enforceable within 37
months from May 12, 2016.
(B) United Taconite Line 2. (1) An
emission limit of 2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU,
based on a 720-hour rolling average,
shall apply to United Taconite Grate
Kiln Line 2 when burning natural gas,
and an emission limit of 1.5 lbs NOX/
MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling
average, shall apply to United Taconite
Grate Kiln Line 2 when burning coal or
a mixture of coal and natural gas. These
emission limits will become enforceable
55 months after May 12, 2016 and only
after EPA’s confirmation or modification
of the emission limit in accordance with
the procedures set forth in paragraphs
(b)(1)(iv)(B)(2) through (8) of this
section.
(2) Compliance with these emission
limits shall be demonstrated with data
collected by a continuous emissions
monitoring system (CEMS) for NOX. The
owner or operator must start collecting
CEMS data for NOX on May 12, 2016
and submit the data to EPA no later than
30 days from the end of each calendar
quarter. Any remaining data through the
end of the 52nd month from May 12,
2016, that does not fall within a
calendar quarter, must be submitted to
EPA no later than 30 days from the end
of the 52nd month. Although CEMS
data must continue to be collected, it
does not need to be submitted to EPA
starting 52 months after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 42 months from May
12, 2016, the owner or operator must
submit to EPA a report, including any
final report(s) completed by the selected
NOX reduction technology supplier and
furnace retrofit engineer, containing a
detailed engineering analysis and
modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on United
Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2. This report
must include a list of all variables that
can reasonably be expected to have an
impact on NOX emission control
technology performance, as well as a
description of how these variables can
be adjusted to reduce NOX emissions to
meet the NOX design emission limit.
This NOX reduction control technology
must be designed to meet emission
limits of 2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU when
burning natural gas and 1.5 lbs NOX/
MMBTU when burning coal or a
mixture of coal and natural gas.
(4) The NOX reduction control
technology shall be installed on United
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:44 Apr 11, 2016
Jkt 238001
Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2 furnace no
later than 44 months from May 12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six
months from the installation of the NOX
reduction control technology or 44
months from May 12, 2016, the owner
or operator must provide to EPA the
results from pellet quality analyses. The
owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no
later than 30 days from the end of each
calendar quarter up until 52 months
after May 12, 2016. Any remaining
results through the end of the 52nd
month, that do not fall within a calendar
quarter, must be submitted to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of the
52nd month. The pellet quality analyses
shall include results for the following
factors: Compression, reducibility,
before tumble, after tumble, and low
temperature disintegration. For each of
the pellet quality analysis factors, the
owner or operator must explain the
pellet quality analysis factor, as well as
the defined acceptable range for each
factor using the applicable product
quality standards based upon
customers’ pellet specifications that are
contained in United Taconite’s ISO
9001 quality management system. The
owner or operator shall provide pellet
quality analysis testing results that state
the date and time of the analysis and, in
order to define the time period when
pellets were produced outside of the
defined acceptable range for the pellet
quality factors listed, provide copies of
the production logs that document the
starting and ending times for such
periods. The owner or operator shall
provide an explanation of causes for
pellet samples that fail to meet the
acceptable range for any pellet quality
analysis factor. Pellet quality
information and data may be submitted
to EPA as Confidential Business
Information.
(6) No later than 52 months after May
12, 2016, the owner or operator may
submit to EPA a report to either confirm
or modify the NOX limits for United
Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2 within the
upper and lower bounds described
below. EPA will review the report and
either confirm or modify the NOX limits.
If the CEMS data collected during
operating periods between months 44
and 52 that both meet pellet quality
specifications and proper furnace/
burner operation is normally
distributed, the limit adjustment
determination shall be based on the
appropriate (depending upon whether
data are statistically independent or
dependent) 95% upper predictive limit
(UPL) equations in paragraph (f) of this
section. If the CEMS data collected
during operating periods between
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months 44 and 52 that both meet pellet
quality specifications and proper
furnace/burner operation are not
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the non-parametric equation
provided in paragraph (f) of this section.
The data set for the determination shall
exclude periods when pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable
ranges of the pellet quality factors
identified pursuant to paragraph
(b)(1)(iv)(B)(5) of this section and for
any subsequent period when production
had been reduced in response to pellet
quality concerns consistent with United
Taconite’s ISO 9001 operating
standards. Any excluded period will
commence at the time documented on
the production log demonstrating pellet
quality did not fall within the defined
acceptable range, and shall end when
pellet quality within the defined
acceptable range has been re-established
at planned production levels, which
will be presumed to be the level that
existed immediately prior to the
reduction in production due to pellet
quality concerns. EPA may also exclude
data where operations are inconsistent
with the reported design parameters of
the NOX reduction control technology
that were installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action
by publishing its final confirmation or
modification of the NOX limits in the
Federal Register no later than 55
months after May 12, 2016. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for
United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2 when
burning only natural gas may be no
lower than 2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based
on a 720-hour rolling average, and may
not exceed 3.0 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based
on a 720-hour rolling average. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for
United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2 when
burning coal or a mixture of coal and
natural gas may be no lower than 1.5 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour
rolling average, and may not exceed 2.5
lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour
rolling average.
(8) If the owner or operator submits a
report proposing a single NOX limit for
all fuels, EPA may approve the
proposed NOX limit for all fuels based
on a 30-day rolling average. The
confirmed or modified limit will be
established and enforceable within 55
months from May 12, 2016.
(v) ArcelorMittal USA—(A)
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine. (1) An
emission limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU,
based on a 30-day rolling average, shall
apply to the ArcelorMittal Minorca
Mine indurating furnace when burning
natural gas. This emission limit will
become enforceable 55 months after
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May 12, 2016 and only after EPA’s
confirmation or modification of the
emission limit in accordance with the
procedures set forth in paragraphs
(b)(1)(v)(A)(2) through (7) of this
section.
(2) Compliance with this emission
limit will be demonstrated with data
collected by a continuous emissions
monitoring system (CEMS) for NOX. The
owner or operator of the ArcelorMittal
Minorca Mine indurating furnace must
install a CEMS for NOX and SO2 within
six months from May 12, 2016. The
owner or operator must start collecting
CEMS data and submit the data to EPA
no later than 30 days from the end of
each calendar quarter after that
installation deadline. Any remaining
data through the end of the 52nd month
from May 12, 2016, that does not fall
within a calendar quarter, must be
submitted to EPA no later than 30 days
from the end of the 52nd month.
Although CEMS data must continue to
be collected, it does not need to be
submitted to EPA starting 52 months
after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 42 months after May
12, 2016 the owner or operator must
submit to EPA a report, including any
final report(s) completed by the selected
NOX reduction technology supplier and
furnace retrofit engineer, containing a
detailed engineering analysis and
modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on the
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine indurating
furnace. The NOX reduction control
technology must be designed to meet an
emission limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU.
This report must include a list of all
process and control technology
variables that can reasonably be
expected to have an impact on NOX
emissions control technology
performance, as well as a description of
how these variables can be adjusted to
reduce NOX emissions to meet the NOX
design emission limit.
(4) The NOX reduction control
technology shall be installed on the
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine indurating
furnace no later than 44 months after
May 12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six
months from the installation of the NOX
reduction control technology; or 44
months from May 12, 2016, the owner
or operator must provide to EPA the
results from pellet quality analyses. The
owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no
later than 30 days from the end of each
calendar quarter up until 52 months
after May 12, 2016. Any remaining
results through the end of the 52nd
month from May 12, 2016, that do not
fall within a calendar quarter, must be
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submitted to EPA no later than 30 days
from the end of the 52nd month. The
pellet quality analyses shall include
results for the following factors:
Compression, reducibility, before
tumble, after tumble, low temperature
disintegration, and contraction. For each
of the pellet quality analysis factors, the
owner or operator must explain the
pellet quality analysis factor, as well as
the defined acceptable range for each
factor using the applicable product
quality standards based upon
customers’ pellet specifications that are
contained in the ArcelorMittal Minorca
Mine’s Standard Product Parameters.
The owner or operator shall provide
pellet quality analysis testing results
that state the date and time of the
analysis and, in order to define the time
period when pellets were produced
outside of the defined acceptable range
for the pellet quality factors listed,
provide copies of production or scale
data that document the starting and
ending times for such periods. The
owner or operator shall provide an
explanation of causes for pellet samples
that fail to meet the acceptable range for
any pellet quality analysis factor. Pellet
quality information and data may be
submitted to EPA as Confidential
Business Information.
(6) No later than 52 months after May
12, 2016, the owner or operator may
submit to EPA a report to either confirm
or modify the NOX limits for the
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine indurating
furnace within the upper and lower
bounds described below. EPA will
review the report and either confirm or
modify the NOX limits. If the CEMS data
collected during operating periods
between months 44 and 52 that both
meet pellet quality specifications and
proper furnace/burner operation is
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the appropriate (depending upon
whether data are statistically
independent or dependent) 95% upper
predictive limit (UPL) equations in
paragraph (f) of this section. If the CEMS
data collected during operating periods
between months 44 and 52 that both
meet pellet quality specifications and
proper furnace/burner operation are not
normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based
on the non-parametric equation
provided in paragraph (f) of this section.
The data set for the determination shall
exclude periods when pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable
ranges of the pellet quality factors
identified pursuant to paragraph
(b)(1)(v)(A)(5) of this section and for any
subsequent period when production has
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been reduced in response to pellet
quality concerns consistent with the
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine’s Standard
Product Parameters. Any excluded
period will commence at the time
documented in related quality reports
demonstrating that pellet quality did not
fall within the defined acceptable range
and shall end when pellet quality
within the defined acceptable range has
been re-established at planned
production levels, which will be
presumed to be the level that existed
immediately prior to the reduction in
production due to pellet quality
concerns. EPA may also exclude data
where operations are inconsistent with
the reported design parameters of the
NOX reduction control technology
installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action
by publishing its final confirmation or
modification of the NOX limit in the
Federal Register no later than 55
months after May 12, 2016. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for the
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine indurating
furnace when burning only natural gas
may be no lower than 1.2 lbs NOX/
MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling
average, and may not exceed 1.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling
average.
(B) [Reserved]
*
*
*
*
*
(2) * * *
(iv) United Taconite: An aggregate
emission limit of 529.0 lbs SO2/hr,
based on a 30-day rolling average, shall
apply to the Line 1 pellet furnace
(EU040) and Line 2 pellet furnace
(EU042) beginning six months after May
12, 2016. Compliance with this
aggregate emission limit shall be
demonstrated with data collected by a
continuous emissions monitoring
system (CEMS) for SO2. The owner or
operator must start collecting CEMS
data for SO2 beginning six months after
May 12, 2016 and submit the data to
EPA no later than 30 days from the end
of each calendar quarter. Beginning six
months after May 12, 2016, any coal
burned on UTAC Grate Kiln Line 1 or
Line 2 shall have no more than 1.5
percent sulfur by weight based on a
monthly block average. The sampling
and calculation methodology for
determining the sulfur content of coal
must be described in the monitoring
plan required for this furnace.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Testing and monitoring. (1) The
owner or operator of the respective
facility shall install, certify, calibrate,
maintain and operate continuous
emissions monitoring systems (CEMS)
for NOX on United States Steel
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Corporation, Keetac unit EU030;
Hibbing Taconite Company units
EU020, EU021, and EU022; United
States Steel Corporation, Minntac units
EU225, EU261, EU282, EU315, and
EU334; United Taconite units EU040
and EU042; ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine
unit EU026; and Northshore Mining
Company-Silver Bay units Furnace 11
(EU100/EU104) and Furnace 12 (EU110/
EU114). Compliance with the emission
limits for NOX shall be determined
using data from the CEMS.
(2) The owner or operator shall
install, certify, calibrate, maintain, and
operate CEMS for SO2 on United States
Steel Corporation, Keetac unit EU030;
Hibbing Taconite Company units
EU020, EU021, and EU022; United
States Steel Corporation, Minntac units
EU225, EU261, EU282, EU315, and
EU334; United Taconite units EU040
and EU042; ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine
unit EU026; and Northshore Mining
Company-Silver Bay units Furnace 11
(EU100/EU104) and Furnace 12 (EU110/
EU114).
(3) The owner or operator shall
install, certify, calibrate, maintain, and
operate one or more continuous diluent
monitor(s) (O2 or CO2) and continuous
flow rate monitor(s) on the BART
affected units to allow conversion of the
NOX and SO2 concentrations to units of
the standard (lbs/MMBTU and lbs/hr,
respectively) unless a demonstration is
made that a diluent monitor and
continuous flow rate monitor are not
needed for the owner or operator to
demonstrate compliance with
applicable emission limits in units of
the standards.
(4) For purposes of this section, all
CEMS required by this section must
meet the requirements of paragraphs
(c)(4)(i) through (xiv) of this section.
(i) All CEMS must be installed,
certified, calibrated, maintained, and
operated in accordance with 40 CFR
part 60, appendix B, Performance
Specification 2 (PS–2) and appendix F,
Procedure 1.
(ii) CEMS must be installed and
operational as follows:
(A) All CEMS associated with
monitoring NOX (including the NOX
monitor and necessary diluent and flow
rate monitors) at the following facilities:
U.S. Steel Keetac, U.S. Steel Minntac,
and Northshore Mining Company-Silver
Bay, must be installed and operational
no later than the unit specific
compliance dates for the emission limits
identified at paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (iii)
and (vi) of this section, respectively.
(B) All CEMS associated with
monitoring NOX (including the NOX
monitor and necessary diluent and flow
rate monitors) at the following facilities:
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Hibbing Taconite Company, United
Taconite, and ArcelorMittal Minorca
Mine, must be installed and operational
no later than the unit specific
installation dates for the installation and
operation of CEMS identified at
paragraphs (b)(1)(ii), (iv) and (v) of this
section, respectively.
(C) All CEMS associated with
monitoring SO2 at the following
facilities: U.S. Steel Keetac, U.S. Steel
Minntac, and Northshore Mining
Company-Silver Bay, must be installed
and operational no later than six months
after May 12, 2016.
(D) All CEMS associated with
monitoring SO2 at the following
facilities: Hibbing Taconite Company,
United Taconite, and ArcelorMittal
Minorca Mine, must be installed and
operational no later than six months
after May 12, 2016.
(E) The operational status of the
CEMS identified in paragraphs (c)(1)
and (2) of this section shall be verified
by, as a minimum, completion of the
manufacturer’s written requirements or
recommendations for installation,
operation, and calibration of the
devices.
(iii) The owner or operator must
conduct a performance evaluation of
each CEMS in accordance with 40 CFR
part 60, appendix B, PS–2. The
performance evaluations must be
completed no later than 60 days after
the respective CEMS installation.
(iv) The owner or operator of each
CEMS must conduct periodic Quality
Assurance, Quality Control (QA/QC)
checks of each CEMS in accordance
with 40 CFR part 60, appendix F,
Procedure 1. The first CEMS accuracy
test will be a relative accuracy test audit
(RATA) and must be completed no later
than 60 days after the respective CEMS
installation.
(v) The owner or operator of each
CEMS must furnish the Regional
Administrator two, or upon request,
more copies of a written report of the
results of each performance evaluation
and QA/QC check within 60 days of
completion.
(vi) The owner or operator of each
CEMS must check, record, and quantify
the zero and span calibration drifts at
least once daily (every 24 hours) in
accordance with 40 CFR part 60,
appendix F, Procedure 1, Section 4.
(vii) Except for CEMS breakdowns,
repairs, calibration checks, and zero and
span adjustments, all CEMS required by
this section shall be in continuous
operation during all periods of BART
affected process unit operation,
including periods of process unit
startup, shutdown, and malfunction.
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(viii) All CEMS required by this
section must meet the minimum data
requirements at paragraphs
(c)(4)(viii)(A) through (C) of this section.
(A) Complete a minimum of one cycle
of operation (sampling, analyzing, and
data recording) for each successive 15minute quadrant of an hour.
(B) Sample, analyze, and record
emissions data for all periods of process
operation except as described in
paragraph (c)(4)(viii)(C) of this section.
(C) When emission data from CEMS
are not available due to continuous
monitoring system breakdowns, repairs,
calibration checks, or zero and span
adjustments, emission data must be
obtained using other monitoring
systems or emission estimation methods
approved by the EPA. The other
monitoring systems or emission
estimation methods to be used must be
incorporated into the monitoring plan
required by this section and provide
information such that emissions data are
available for a minimum of 18 hours in
each 24-hour period and at least 22 out
of 30 successive unit operating days.
(ix) Owners or operators of each
CEMS required by this section must
reduce all data to 1-hour averages.
Hourly averages shall be computed
using all valid data obtained within the
hour but no less than one data point in
each 15-minute quadrant of an hour.
Notwithstanding this requirement, an
hourly average may be computed from
at least two data points separated by a
minimum of 15 minutes (where the unit
operates for more than one quadrant in
an hour) if data are unavailable as a
result of performance of calibration,
quality assurance, preventive
maintenance activities, or backups of
data from data acquisition and handling
systems and recertification events.
(x) The 30-day rolling average
emission rate determined from data
derived from the CEMS required by this
section (in lbs/MMBTU or lbs/hr
depending on the emission standard
selected) must be calculated in
accordance with paragraphs (c)(4)(x)(A)
through (F) of this section.
(A) Sum the total pounds of the
pollutant in question emitted from the
unit during an operating day and the
previous 29 operating days.
(B) Sum the total heat input to the
unit (in MMBTU) or the total actual
hours of operation (in hours) during an
operating day and the previous 29
operating days.
(C) Divide the total number of pounds
of the pollutant in question emitted
during the 30 operating days by the total
heat input (or actual hours of operation
depending on the emission limit
selected) during the 30 operating days.
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(D) For purposes of this calculation,
an operating day is any day during
which fuel is combusted in the BART
affected unit regardless of whether
pellets are produced. Actual hours of
operation are the total hours a unit is
firing fuel regardless of whether a
complete 24-hour operational cycle
occurs (i.e. if the furnace is firing fuel
for only five hours during a 24-hour
period, then the actual operating hours
for that day are five. Similarly, total
number of pounds of the pollutant in
question for that day is determined only
from the CEMS data for the five hours
during which fuel is combusted.)
(E) If the owner or operator of the
CEMS required by this section uses an
alternative method to determine 30-day
rolling averages, that method must be
described in detail in the monitoring
plan required by this section. The
alternative method will only be
applicable if the final monitoring plan
and the alternative method are approved
by EPA.
(F) A new 30-day rolling average
emission rate must be calculated for
each new operating day.
(xi) The 720-hour rolling average
emission rate determined from data
derived from the CEMS required by this
section (in lbs/MMBTU) must be
calculated in accordance with
(c)(4)(xi)(A) through (C).
(A) Sum the total pounds of NOX
emitted from the unit every hour and
the previous (not necessarily
consecutive) 719 hours for which that
type of fuel (either natural gas or mixed
coal and natural gas) was used.
(B) Sum the total heat input to the
unit (in MMBTU) every hour and the
previous (not necessarily consecutive)
719 hours for which that type of fuel
(either natural gas or mixed coal and
natural gas) was used.
(C) Divide the total number of pounds
of NOX emitted during the 720 hours, as
defined above, by the total heat input
during the same 720 hour period. This
calculation must be done separately for
each fuel type (either for natural gas or
mixed coal and natural gas).
(xii) Data substitution must not be
used for purposes of determining
compliance under this section.
(xiii) All CEMS data shall be reduced
and reported in units of the applicable
standard.
(xiv) A Quality Control Program must
be developed and implemented for all
CEMS required by this section in
accordance with 40 CFR part 60,
appendix F, Procedure 1, Section 3. The
program will include, at a minimum,
written procedures and operations for
calibration checks, calibration drift
adjustments, preventative maintenance,
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data collection, recording and reporting,
accuracy audits/procedures, periodic
performance evaluations, and a
corrective action program for
malfunctioning CEMS.
(d) Recordkeeping requirements. (1)(i)
Records required by this section must be
kept in a form suitable and readily
available for expeditious review.
(ii) Records required by this section
must be kept for a minimum of five
years following the date of creation.
(iii) Records must be kept on site for
at least two years following the date of
creation and may be kept offsite, but
readily accessible, for the remaining
three years.
(2) The owner or operator of the
BART affected units must maintain the
records at paragraphs (d)(2)(i) through
(xi) of this section.
(i) A copy of each notification and
report developed for and submitted to
comply with this section including all
documentation supporting any initial
notification or notification of
compliance status submitted according
to the requirements of this section.
(ii) Records of the occurrence and
duration of startup, shutdown, and
malfunction of the BART affected units,
air pollution control equipment, and
CEMS required by this section.
(iii) Records of activities taken during
each startup, shutdown, and
malfunction of the BART affected unit,
air pollution control equipment, and
CEMS required by this section.
(iv) Records of the occurrence and
duration of all major maintenance
conducted on the BART affected units,
air pollution control equipment, and
CEMS required by this section.
(v) Records of each excess emission
report, including all documentation
supporting the reports, dates and times
when excess emissions occurred,
investigations into the causes of excess
emissions, actions taken to minimize or
eliminate the excess emissions, and
preventative measures to avoid the
cause of excess emissions from
occurring again.
(vi) Records of all CEMS data
including, as a minimum, the date,
location, and time of sampling or
measurement, parameters sampled or
measured, and results.
(vii) All records associated with
quality assurance and quality control
activities on each CEMS as well as other
records required by 40 CFR part 60,
appendix F, Procedure 1 including, but
not limited to, the quality control
program, audit results, and reports
submitted as required by this section.
(viii) Records of the NOX emissions
during all periods of BART affected unit
operation, including startup, shutdown,
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and malfunction in the units of the
standard. The owner or operator shall
convert the monitored data into the
appropriate unit of the emission
limitation using appropriate conversion
factors and F-factors. F-factors used for
purposes of this section shall be
documented in the monitoring plan and
developed in accordance with 40 CFR
part 60, appendix A, Method 19. The
owner or operator may use an alternate
method to calculate the NOX emissions
upon written approval from EPA.
(ix) Records of the SO2 emissions in
lbs/MMBTUs or lbs/hr(based on CEMS
data), depending on the emission
standard selected, during all periods of
operation, including periods of startup,
shutdown, and malfunction, in the units
of the standard.
(x) Records associated with the CEMS
unit including type of CEMS, CEMS
model number, CEMS serial number,
and initial certification of each CEMS
conducted in accordance with 40 CFR
part 60, appendix B, Performance
Specification 2 must be kept for the life
of the CEMS unit.
(xi) Records of all periods of fuel oil
usage as required at paragraph (b)(2)(vii)
of this section.
(e) Reporting requirements. (1) All
requests, reports, submittals,
notifications, and other communications
to the Regional Administrator required
by this section shall be submitted,
unless instructed otherwise, to the Air
and Radiation Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 5 (A–18J), at 77 West Jackson
Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604.
(2) The owner or operator of each
BART affected unit identified in this
section and CEMS required by this
section must provide to the Regional
Administrator the written notifications,
reports and plans identified at
paragraphs (e)(2)(i) through (viii) of this
section. If acceptable to both the
Regional Administrator and the owner
or operator of each BART affected unit
identified in this section and CEMS
required by this section the owner or
operator may provide electronic
notifications, reports, and plans.
(i) A notification of the date
construction of control devices and
installation of burners required by this
section commences postmarked no later
than 30 days after the commencement
date.
(ii) A notification of the date the
installation of each CEMS required by
this section commences postmarked no
later than 30 days after the
commencement date.
(iii) A notification of the date the
construction of control devices and
installation of burners required by this
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section is complete postmarked no later
than 30 days after the completion date.
(iv) A notification of the date the
installation of each CEMS required by
this section is complete postmarked no
later than 30 days after the completion
date.
(v) A notification of the date control
devices and burners installed by this
section startup postmarked no later than
30 days after the startup date.
(vi) A notification of the date CEMS
required by this section startup
postmarked no later than 30 days after
the startup date.
(vii) A notification of the date upon
which the initial CEMS performance
evaluations are planned. This
notification must be submitted at least
60 days before the performance
evaluation is scheduled to begin.
(viii) A notification of initial
compliance, signed by the responsible
official who shall certify its accuracy,
attesting to whether the source has
complied with the requirements of this
section, including, but not limited to,
applicable emission standards, control
device and burner installations, CEMS
installation and certification. This
notification must be submitted before
the close of business on the 60th
calendar day following the completion
of the compliance demonstration and
must include, at a minimum, the
information at paragraphs (e)(2)(viii)(A)
through (F) of this section.
(A) The methods used to determine
compliance.
(B) The results of any CEMS
performance evaluations, and other
monitoring procedures or methods that
were conducted.
(C) The methods that will be used for
determining continuing compliance,
including a description of monitoring
and reporting requirements and test
methods.
(D) The type and quantity of air
pollutants emitted by the source,
reported in units of the standard.
(E) A description of the air pollution
control equipment and burners installed
as required by this section, for each
emission point.
(F) A statement by the owner or
operator as to whether the source has
complied with the relevant standards
and other requirements.
(3) The owner or operator must
develop and implement a written
startup, shutdown, and malfunction
plan for NOX and SO2. The plan must
include, at a minimum, procedures for
operating and maintaining the source
during periods of startup, shutdown,
and malfunction; and a program of
corrective action for a malfunctioning
process and air pollution control and
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monitoring equipment used to comply
with the relevant standard. The plan
must ensure that, at all times, the owner
or operator operates and maintains each
affected source, including associated air
pollution control and monitoring
equipment, in a manner which satisfies
the general duty to minimize or
eliminate emissions using good air
pollution control practices. The plan
must ensure that owners or operators
are prepared to correct malfunctions as
soon as practicable after their
occurrence.
(4) The written reports of the results
of each performance evaluation and QA/
QC check in accordance with and as
required by paragraph (c)(4)(v) of this
section.
(5) Compliance reports. The owner or
operator of each BART affected unit
must submit semiannual compliance
reports. The semiannual compliance
reports must be submitted in accordance
with paragraphs (e)(5)(i) through (iv) of
this section, unless the Administrator
has approved a different schedule.
(i) The first compliance report must
cover the period beginning on the
compliance date that is specified for the
affected source through June 30 or
December 31, whichever date comes
first after the compliance date that is
specified for the affected source.
(ii) The first compliance report must
be postmarked no later than 30 calendar
days after the reporting period covered
by that report (July 30 or January 30),
whichever comes first.
(iii) Each subsequent compliance
report must cover the semiannual
reporting period from January 1 through
June 30 or the semiannual reporting
period from July 1 through December
31.
(iv) Each subsequent compliance
report must be postmarked no later than
30 calendar days after the reporting
period covered by that report (July 30 or
January 30).
(6) Compliance report contents. Each
compliance report must include the
information in paragraphs (e)(6)(i)
through (vi) of this section.
(i) Company name and address.
(ii) Statement by a responsible
official, with the official’s name, title,
and signature, certifying the truth,
accuracy, and completeness of the
content of the report.
(iii) Date of report and beginning and
ending dates of the reporting period.
(iv) Identification of the process unit,
control devices, and CEMS covered by
the compliance report.
(v) A record of each period of startup,
shutdown, or malfunction during the
reporting period and a description of the
actions the owner or operator took to
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21695
minimize or eliminate emissions arising
as a result of the startup, shutdown or
malfunction and whether those actions
were or were not consistent with the
source’s startup, shutdown, and
malfunction plan.
(vi) A statement identifying whether
there were or were not any deviations
from the requirements of this section
during the reporting period. If there
were deviations from the requirements
of this section during the reporting
period, then the compliance report must
describe in detail the deviations which
occurred, the causes of the deviations,
actions taken to address the deviations,
and procedures put in place to avoid
such deviations in the future. If there
were no deviations from the
requirements of this section during the
reporting period, then the compliance
report must include a statement that
there were no deviations. For purposes
of this section, deviations include, but
are not limited to, emissions in excess
of applicable emission standards
established by this section, failure to
continuously operate an air pollution
control device in accordance with
operating requirements designed to
assure compliance with emission
standards, failure to continuously
operate CEMS required by this section,
and failure to maintain records or
submit reports required by this section.
(7) Each owner or operator of a CEMS
required by this section must submit
quarterly excess emissions and
monitoring system performance reports
for each pollutant monitored for each
BART affected unit monitored. All
reports must be postmarked by the 30th
day following the end of each threemonth period of a calendar year
(January-March, April-June, JulySeptember, October-December) and
must include, at a minimum, the
requirements at paragraphs (e)(7)(i)
through (xv) of this section.
(i) Company name and address.
(ii) Identification and description of
the process unit being monitored.
(iii) The dates covered by the
reporting period.
(iv) Total source operating hours for
the reporting period.
(v) Monitor manufacturer, monitor
model number, and monitor serial
number.
(vi) Pollutant monitored.
(vii) Emission limitation for the
monitored pollutant.
(viii) Date of latest CEMS certification
or audit.
(ix) A description of any changes in
continuous monitoring systems,
processes, or controls since the last
reporting period.
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(x) A table summarizing the total
duration of excess emissions, as defined
at paragraphs (e)(7)(x)(A) through (B) of
this section, for the reporting period
broken down by the cause of those
excess emissions (startup/shutdown,
control equipment problems, process
problems, other known causes,
unknown causes), and the total percent
of excess emissions (for all causes) for
the reporting period calculated as
described at paragraph (e)(7)(x)(C) of
this section.
(A) For purposes of this section, an
excess emission is defined as any 30day or 720-hour rolling average period,
including periods of startup, shutdown,
and malfunction, during which the 30day or 720-hour (as appropriate) rolling
average emissions of either regulated
pollutant (SO2 and NOX), as measured
by a CEMS, exceeds the applicable
emission standards in this section.
(B)(1) For purposes of this rule, if a
facility calculates a 30-day rolling
average emission rate in accordance
with this rule which exceeds the
applicable emission standards of this
rule, then it will be considered 30 days
of excess emissions. If the following 30day rolling average emission rate is
calculated and found to exceed the
applicable emission standards of this
rule as well, then it will add one more
day to the total days of excess emissions
(i.e. 31 days). Similarly, if an excess
emission is calculated for a 30-day
rolling average period and no additional
excess emissions are calculated until 15
days after the first, then that new excess
emission will add 15 days to the total
days of excess emissions (i.e. 30 + 15 =
45). For purposes of this section, if an
excess emission is calculated for any
period of time within a reporting period,
there will be no fewer than 30 days of
excess emissions but there should be no
more than 121 days of excess emissions
for a reporting period.
(2) For purposes of this section, if a
facility calculates a 720-hour rolling
average emission rate in accordance
with this rule which exceeds the
applicable emission standards of this
section, then it will be considered 30
days of excess emissions. If the 24th
following 720-hour rolling average
emission rate is calculated and found to
exceed the applicable emission
standards of the rule as well, then it will
add one more day to the total days of
excess emissions (i.e. 31 days).
Similarly, if an excess emission is
calculated for a 720-hour rolling average
period and no additional excess
emissions are calculated until 360 hours
after the first, then that new excess
emission will add 15 days to the total
days of excess emissions (i.e. 30+15 =
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45). For purposes of this section, if an
excess emission is calculated for any
period of time with a reporting period,
there will be no fewer than 30 days of
excess emissions but there should be no
more than 121 days of excess emissions
for a reporting period.
(C) For purposes of this section, the
total percent of excess emissions will be
determined by summing all periods of
excess emissions (in days) for the
reporting period, dividing that number
by the total BART affected unit
operating days for the reporting period,
and then multiplying by 100 to get the
total percent of excess emissions for the
reporting period. An operating day, as
defined previously, is any day during
which fuel is fired in the BART affected
unit for any period of time. Because of
the possible overlap of 30-day rolling
average excess emissions across
quarters, there are some situations
where the total percent of excess
emissions could exceed 100 percent.
This extreme situation would only
result from serious excess emissions
problems where excess emissions occur
for nearly every day during a reporting
period.
(xi) A table summarizing the total
duration of monitor downtime, as
defined at paragraph (e)(7)(xi)(A) of this
section, for the reporting period broken
down by the cause of the monitor
downtime (monitor equipment
malfunctions, non-monitor equipment
malfunctions, quality assurance
calibration, other known causes,
unknown causes), and the total percent
of monitor downtime (for all causes) for
the reporting period calculated as
described at paragraph (e)(7)(xi)(B) of
this section.
(A) For purposes of this section,
monitor downtime is defined as any
period of time (in hours) during which
the required monitoring system was not
measuring emissions from the BART
affected unit. This includes any period
of CEMS QA/QC, daily zero and span
checks, and similar activities.
(B) For purposes of this section, the
total percent of monitor downtime will
be determined by summing all periods
of monitor downtime (in hours) for the
reporting period, dividing that number
by the total number of BART affected
unit operating hours for the reporting
period, and then multiplying by 100 to
get the total percent of excess emissions
for the reporting period.
(xii) A table which identifies each
period of excess emissions for the
reporting period and includes, at a
minimum, the information in
paragraphs (e)(7)(xii)(A) through (F) of
this section.
(A) The date of each excess emission.
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(B) The beginning and end time of
each excess emission.
(C) The pollutant for which an excess
emission occurred.
(D) The magnitude of the excess
emission.
(E) The cause of the excess emission.
(F) The corrective action taken or
preventative measures adopted to
minimize or eliminate the excess
emissions and prevent such excess
emission from occurring again.
(xiii) A table which identifies each
period of monitor downtime for the
reporting period and includes, at a
minimum, the information in
paragraphs (e)(7)(xiii)(A) through (D) of
this section.
(A) The date of each period of monitor
downtime.
(B) The beginning and end time of
each period of monitor downtime.
(C) The cause of the period of monitor
downtime.
(D) The corrective action taken or
preventative measures adopted for
system repairs or adjustments to
minimize or eliminate monitor
downtime and prevent such downtime
from occurring again.
(xiv) If there were no periods of
excess emissions during the reporting
period, then the excess emission report
must include a statement which says
there were no periods of excess
emissions during this reporting period.
(xv) If there were no periods of
monitor downtime, except for daily zero
and span checks, during the reporting
period, then the excess emission report
must include a statement which says
there were no periods of monitor
downtime during this reporting period
except for the daily zero and span
checks.
(8) The owner or operator of each
CEMS required by this section must
develop and submit for review and
approval by the Regional Administrator
a site specific monitoring plan. The
purpose of this monitoring plan is to
establish procedures and practices
which will be implemented by the
owner or operator in its effort to comply
with the monitoring, recordkeeping, and
reporting requirements of this section.
The monitoring plan must include, at a
minimum, the information at
paragraphs (e)(8)(i) through (x) of this
section.
(i) Site specific information including
the company name, address, and contact
information.
(ii) The objectives of the monitoring
program implemented and information
describing how those objectives will be
met.
(iii) Information on any emission
factors used in conjunction with the
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(f) Equations for establishing the
upper predictive limit—(1) Equation for
normal distribution and statistically
independent data.
Where:
x = average or mean of hourly test run data;
t[(n¥1),(0.95)] = t score, the one-tailed t value of
the Student’s t distribution for a specific
degree of freedom (n¥1) and a
confidence level (0.95; 0.99 for Tilden
SO2)
s2 = variance of the hourly data set;
n = number of values (e.g. 5,760 if 8 months
of valid lbs NOX/MMBTU hourly values)
m = number of values used to calculate the
test average (m = 720 as per averaging
time)
(i) To determine if statistically
independent, use the Rank von
Neumann Test on p. 137 of data Quality
Assessment: Statistical Methods for
Practitioners EPA QA/G–9S.
(ii) Alternative to Rank von Neumann
test to determine if data are dependent,
data are dependent if t test value is
greater than t critical value, where:
(iii) The Anderson-Darling normality
test is used to establish whether the data
are normally distributed. That is, a
distribution is considered to be
normally distributed when p > 0.05.
(2) Non-parametric equation for data
not normally distributed and normally
distributed but not statistically
independent.
m = (n + 1) * a
m = the rank of the ordered data point, when
data are sorted smallest to largest. The
data points are 720-hour averages for
establishing NOX limits.
n = number of data points (e.g., 5040 720hourly averages for eight months of valid
NOX lbs/MMBTU values)
a = 0.95, to reflect the 95th percentile
If m is a whole number, then the
limit, UPL, shall be computed as:
UPL = Xm
Where:
Xm = value of the mth data point in terms of
lbs SO2/hr or lbs NOX/MMBTU, when
the data are sorted smallest to largest.
If m is not a whole number, the limit
shall be computed by linear
interpolation according to the following
equation.
UPL = xm = xmi·md = xmi + 0.md (xmi∂1 ¥
xmi)
Where:
mi = the integer portion of m, i.e., m
truncated at zero decimal places, and
md = the decimal portion of m
[FR Doc. 2016–07818 Filed 4–11–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ER12AP16.003
r = correlation between data points
t critical = t[(n¥2),(0.95)] = t score, the twotailed t value of the Student’s t
distribution for a specific degree of
freedom (n¥2) and a confidence level
(0.95)
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CEMS required by this section to
calculate emission rates and a
description of how those emission
factors were determined.
(iv) A description of methods to be
used to calculate emission rates when
CEMS data are not available due to
downtime associated with QA/QC
events.
(v) A description of the QA/QC
program to be implemented by the
owner or operator of CEMS required by
this section. This can be the QA/QC
program developed in accordance with
40 CFR part 60, appendix F, Procedure
1, Section 3.
(vi) A list of spare parts for CEMS
maintained on site for system
maintenance and repairs.
(vii) A description of the procedures
to be used to calculate 30-day rolling
averages and 720-hour rolling averages
and example calculations which show
the algorithms used by the CEMS to
calculate 30-day rolling averages and
720-hour rolling averages.
(viii) A sample of the document to be
used for the quarterly excess emission
reports required by this section.
(ix) A description of the procedures to
be implemented to investigate root
causes of excess emissions and monitor
downtime and the proposed corrective
actions to address potential root causes
of excess emissions and monitor
downtime.
(x) A description of the sampling and
calculation methodology for
determining the percent sulfur by
weight as a monthly block average for
coal used during that month.
21697
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21671-21697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07818]
[[Page 21671]]
Vol. 81
Tuesday,
No. 70
April 12, 2016
Part II
Environmental Protection Agency
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40 CFR Part 52
Air Plan Approval; Minnesota and Michigan; Revision to 2013 Taconite
Federal Implementation Plan Establishing BART for Taconite Plants;
Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 21672]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R05-OAR-2015-0196; FRL-9944-22-Region 5]
Air Plan Approval; Minnesota and Michigan; Revision to 2013
Taconite Federal Implementation Plan Establishing BART for Taconite
Plants
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a
revision to the Federal implementation plan (FIP) addressing the
requirement for best available retrofit technology (BART) for taconite
plants in Minnesota and Michigan. In response to petitions for
reconsideration, we are revising the nitrogen oxides (NOX)
limits for taconite furnaces at facilities owned and operated by Cliffs
Natural Resources (Cliffs) and ArcelorMittal USA LLC (ArcelorMittal).
Cliffs owns and operates Tilden Mining and United Taconite. Hibbing is
owned by Cliffs, ArcelorMittal and U.S. Steel and operated by Cliffs.
ArcelorMittal is owner and operator of Minorca Mine. We are also
revising the sulfur dioxide (SO2) requirements at two of
Cliffs' facilities. We are making these changes because new information
has come to light that was not available when we originally promulgated
the FIP on February 6, 2013.
DATES: This final rule is effective on May 12, 2016.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA-R05-OAR-2015-0196. 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.
Publicly available docket materials are available either in
www.regulations.gov or at the Environmental Protection Agency, Region
5, Air and Radiation Division, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago,
Illinois 60604. This facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. We recommend that
you telephone Steven Rosenthal at (312) 886-6052 before visiting the
Region 5 office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Rosenthal, Environmental
Engineer, Attainment Planning & Maintenance Section, Air Programs
Branch (AR-18J), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77
West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604, (312) 886-6052,
rosenthal.steven@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA. This section is arranged as
follows:
I. Definitions
II. Background Information
III. Comments and Responses
IV. Revision to Equation for Normally Distributed but not
Statistically Independent Data
V. What action is EPA taking?
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Definitions
For the purpose of this document, we are giving meaning to certain
words or initials as follows:
The initials BACT mean or refer to Best Available Control
Technology.
The initials BART mean or refer to Best Available Retrofit
Technology.
The initials CAA mean or refer to the Clean Air Act.
The initials CBI mean or refer to Confidential Business
Information.
The initials CEMS means or refers to continuous emission
monitoring system.
The initials CFD mean or refer to computational fluid
dynamic.
The words EPA, we, us, or our mean or refer to the United
States Environmental Protection Agency.
The initials FIP mean or refer to Federal Implementation
Plan.
The initials LNB mean or refer to low-NOX
burners.
The initials MACT mean or refer to Maximum Achievable
Control Technology.
The initials MCEA means or refers to the Minnesota Center
for Environmental Advocacy.
The initials MMBtu mean or refer to million British
thermal units.
The initials MW mean or refer to megawatts.
The initials NAAQS mean or refer to National Ambient Air
Quality Standards.
The initials NESHAP mean or refer to National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
The initials NSPS mean or refer to Standards of
Performance for New Stationary Sources.
The initials NOX mean or refer to nitrogen
oxides.
The initials NPCA means or refers to the National Parks
Conservation Association.
The initials NTAA means or refers to the National Tribal
Air Association.
The initials PRB mean or refer to the Powder River Basin.
The initials RHR mean or refer to the EPA's Regional Haze
Rule.
The initials RMB mean or refer to RMB Consulting and
Research.
The initials SCR mean or refer to Selective Catalytic
Reduction.
The initials SIP mean or refer to State Implementation
Plan.
The initials SO2 mean or refer to sulfur
dioxide.
The initials UPL mean or refer to Upper Prediction Limit.
II. Background Information
A. Requirements of the Clean Air Act and EPA's Regional Haze Rule
In section 169A of the 1977 Amendments to the CAA, 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 mandatory Class I Federal areas \1\ which
impairment results from manmade air pollution.'' 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
35714 (July 1, 1999), codified at 40 CFR part 51, subpart P (herein
after referred to as the ``Regional Haze Rule''). The RHR revised the
existing visibility regulations to add 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART)
Section 169A of the CAA directs states, or EPA if developing a FIP,
to
[[Page 21673]]
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 EPA to develop a FIP that contains such measures as may be
necessary to make reasonable progress toward the natural visibility
goal, including a requirement that certain categories of existing major
stationary sources \2\ built between 1962 and 1977 procure, install,
and operate the BART as determined by EPA. Under the RHR, states (or in
the case of a FIP, EPA) are directed to conduct BART determinations for
such ``BART-eligible'' sources that may reasonably be anticipated to
cause or contribute to any visibility impairment in a Class I area.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The set of ``major stationary sources'' potentially subject
to BART is listed in CAA section 169A(g)(7), and includes ``taconite
ore processing facilities.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 and EPA in determining which sources should be subject to the
BART requirements and in determining appropriate emission limits for
each applicable source. 70 FR 39104.
The process of establishing BART emission limitations includes
identifying those sources that meet the definition of ``BART-eligible
source'' set forth in 40 CFR 51.301,\3\ determining which of these
sources ``emits any air pollutant which may reasonably be anticipated
to cause or contribute to any impairment of visibility in any such
area'' (a source which fits this description is ``subject to BART''),
and, for each source subject to BART, identifying the best available
type and level of control for reducing emissions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ BART-eligible sources are those sources that have the
potential to emit 250 tons or more of a visibility-impairing air
pollutant, were not in operation prior to August 7, 1962, but were
in existence on August 7, 1977, and whose operations fall within one
or more of 26 specifically listed source categories. 40 CFR 51.301.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
States, or EPA if developing a FIP, must address all visibility-
impairing pollutants emitted by a source in the BART determination
process. The most significant visibility impairing pollutants are
SO2, NOX, and particulate matter.
A SIP or FIP addressing regional haze must include source-specific
BART emission limits and compliance schedules for each source subject
to BART. Once a state or EPA has made a BART determination, the BART
controls must be installed and operated as expeditiously as
practicable, but no later than five years after the date of the final
SIP or FIP. See CAA section 169A(g)(4) and 40 CFR 51.308(e)(1)(iv). In
addition to what is required by the RHR, general SIP requirements
mandate that the SIP or FIP include all regulatory requirements related
to monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting for the BART controls on
the source. See CAA section 110(a).
C. Regulatory and Legal History of the 2013 Taconite FIP
On February 6, 2013, EPA promulgated a FIP (78 FR 8706) that
included BART limits for taconite furnaces subject to BART in Minnesota
and Michigan. EPA took this action because Minnesota and Michigan had
failed to meet a statutory deadline to submit their Regional Haze SIPs
and subsequently failed to require BART at the taconite facilities.
Cliffs, ArcelorMittal, and the State of Michigan petitioned the Eighth
Circuit Court of Appeals for review of the FIP, and, on May 17, 2013,
Cliffs and ArcelorMittal filed a joint motion for stay of the final
rule, which was granted by the Eighth Circuit on June 14, 2013, and is
still in effect.
EPA received petitions for reconsideration of the 2013 Taconite FIP
from the National Mining Association on March 8, 2013, ArcelorMittal on
March 22, 2013, the State of Michigan on April 1, 2013, Cliffs on April
3, 2013, Congressman Richard M. Nolan on April 8, 2013, the State of
Minnesota on April 8, 2013, and United States Steel Corporation (U.S.
Steel) on November 26, 2013.
In a related action, EPA published a final partial disapproval of
the Michigan and Minnesota Regional Haze SIPs on September 30, 2013 (78
FR 59825), for failure to require BART for SO2 and
NOX emissions from taconite furnaces subject to BART. By
petitions dated November 26, 2013, Cliffs and U.S. Steel petitioned EPA
pursuant to section 307(d)(7)(B) of the CAA for reconsideration of
EPA's partial disapproval of the Michigan and Minnesota Regional Haze
SIPs. Further, Cliffs, ArcelorMittal, Michigan, and U.S. Steel
petitioned the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals for review of the final
rule partially disapproving the Michigan and Minnesota Regional Haze
SIPs.
EPA subsequently reached a settlement agreement with Cliffs,
ArcelorMittal, and Michigan regarding issues raised by these parties in
their petitions for review and reconsideration. Notice of the
settlement was published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2015
(80 FR 5111), and the settlement agreement was fully executed on April
9, 2015. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, EPA granted partial
reconsideration of the 2013 Taconite FIP on July 2, 2015, based on new
information raised in Cliffs', ArcelorMittal's, and Michigan's
petitions for reconsideration. EPA did not grant reconsideration of the
2013 SIP disapprovals because EPA continues to believe that BART for
taconite plants involves significant reductions of NOX and
SO2 emissions that were not required in the Michigan and
Minnesota SIPs.
III. Comments on Proposed Action and Responses
On October 22, 2015, EPA published a Federal Register action
entitled ``Air Plan Approval; Minnesota and Michigan; Revision to
Taconite Federal Implementation Plan; Proposed Rule'' (80 FR 64160),
which proposed to revise the 2013 Taconite FIP with respect to the BART
emission limitations and compliance schedules for the following
taconite plants: United Taconite, Hibbing Taconite, Tilden Mining, and
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine. Cliffs is the owner and operator of the
United Taconite and Tilden Mining facilities and part owner and
operator of Hibbing Taconite. ArcelorMittal is the owner and operator
of the Minorca Mine facility and a part owner of the Hibbing Taconite
facility.
EPA proposed to revise the NOX limits and compliance
schedules for all four facilities and to revise the SO2
requirements for Tilden Mining and United Taconite in response to new
information that became available after the close of the public comment
period of the 2013 FIP. Specifically, Cliffs and ArcelorMittal
submitted information to EPA that suggested high-stoichiometric LNBs,
which formed the basis of the original NOX limits, posed
serious technical hurdles. Consequently, EPA proposed to determine that
BART for taconite facilities was low-stoichiometric LNBs (for grate
kilns) and a combination of water and steam injection and pre-
combustion technologies (for straight-grate kilns) and proposed revised
NOX limits based upon these technologies. Cliffs also
submitted information showing that United Taconite could not burn very
low-sulfur coal without challenges and that Tilden intended to burn
mixed low-sulfur fuels instead of 100% natural gas. As a result, EPA
proposed to revise the SO2 limits for these facilities.
The public comment period on the proposal ended on December 23,
2015. EPA received comments from the National Park Service of the
United
[[Page 21674]]
States Department of Interior, the National Parks Conservation
Association (NPCA), the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
(MCEA), United States Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal USA LLC, the
Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),
Cliffs Natural Resources, and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa. The National Tribal Air Association (NTAA) requested an
extension of the public comment period of 120 days. A 30-day extension
of the public comment period was provided, but NTAA did not
subsequently submit comments. EPA fully considered all of the comments
and responds to each comment below. Based on our consideration of the
comments, we are finalizing the NOX and SO2
emission limits and compliance schedules as proposed, with two minor
exceptions explained in Section V.
A. Comments by the Forest Service
Comment: The Forest Service disagreed with EPA's determination that
LNBs should be eliminated as a potential BART option for straight-grate
kilns. The Forest Service stated that LNBs are included in the permits
for straight-grate furnaces for Essar Steel (Essar) in Minnesota and
Magnetation in Indiana, which (unlike Essar) has commenced operation.
The permit limits for each of the two LNB-equipped straight-grate kilns
are 0.25 lbs NOX/MMBTU, which is lower than the limits
proposed by EPA.
Response: EPA disagrees that the situations at Essar and
Magnetation provide sufficient evidence that LNBs would be technically
feasible at the Minorca Mine and Hibbing facilities. Essar and
Magnetation were subject to the BACT requirement that applies to new
and modified sources. Consequently, these facilities were able to
integrate LNBs into the design and construction of their furnaces. In
contrast, the furnaces at Minorca Mine and Hibbing were not designed to
accommodate LNBs. As discussed in the proposal, EPA eliminated LNBs
from consideration due to the technical challenges associated with a
retrofit application on the unique straight-grate kilns at Minorca Mine
and Hibbing. We also note that the Essar straight-grate furnace is
still not operational, and Magnetation is not an iron ore processing
facility and therefore is not classified as a taconite facility as
defined by the taconite MACT (40 CFR part 63 subpart RRRRR). While
Magnetation's permit limit is 0.25 lbs NOX/MMBTU, the
results from an August-September 2015 test indicate emissions ranging
from 0.773 lbs NOX/MMBTU to 1.304 lbs NOX/MMBTU
at that facility. Finally, we note that we are finalizing an initial
emission limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU (subject to upward
revision only in unlikely scenarios) for the Minorca Mine and Hibbing
furnaces, which is consistent with the limit in our 2013 FIP, but based
on the installation of different technologies.
Comment: The Forest Service stated that EPA seems to assume that
the only way to meet the existing 0.6 percent sulfur limit is to use
western sub-bituminous coal, which will not work in the furnace due to
its lower heating value. The Forest Service did a quick search of U.S.
coal data (US DOE, NETL, Detailed Coal Specifications, Quality
Guidelines for Energy System Studies, Final Report, DOE/NETL-401/
012111, January 2012, page 31) and could find no eastern bituminous
coal at 0.6 percent sulfur, but was able to find a low-volatile,
eastern bituminous coal with very high heating value at 0.66 percent
sulfur, which is far below the new limit proposed by EPA for United
Taconite of 1.5 percent sulfur. The Forest Service stated that if an
adjustment is warranted to the existing limit, it should be based on
low-sulfur content eastern bituminous coal, such as the one at 0.66
percent sulfur.
Response: EPA disagrees with this comment. The primary
SO2 emission limit for BART at United Taconite is the 529
lbs SO2/hr aggregate limit on lines 1 and 2. This BART
limit, which is based upon the use of low-sulfur fuels (a combination
of natural gas and coal), will result in 1900 tons per year of
SO2 reductions. In contrast, the 1.5 percent sulfur limit is
an operational limit that EPA imposed after Cliffs requested an
adjustment to its baseline emission rate to be used in evaluating
potential BART controls. Under the BART guidelines, the baseline
emission rate ordinarily should represent a realistic depiction of
anticipated annual emissions for the source based upon actual emissions
from a baseline period. See 40 CFR part 51, appendix Y. However, when
future operating parameters, such as type of fuel, will differ from
past practice, and if this projection has a deciding effect in the BART
determination, then the operating parameter must be made into an
enforceable limitation. Id. EPA imposed the original 0.60 percent
sulfur limit on the coal burned at United Taconite to comply with this
provision. However, Cliffs indicated in its petition for
reconsideration that 0.60 percent sulfur coal posed several issues for
its furnaces. As a result, the EPA proposed to increase the operational
limit to 1.5 percent sulfur, but this change will not have an effect on
emissions at United Taconite due to the 529 lbs SO2/hr
limit. In essence, United Taconite will now be required to burn more
natural gas and less coal (or all gas) to meet its BART limit than the
facility would have under a 0.60 percent sulfur limit.
Comment: The Forest Service asked for an explanation as to why
Minorca Mine and Tilden have the longest deadlines for compliance when
they each have only one furnace at their facility.
Response: To establish an overall compliance schedule that is as
expeditious as practicable, we grouped the furnaces according to
whether they are straight-grate kilns or grate kilns, not according to
which facility they belong. By grouping furnaces according to design
and function rather than facility, Cliffs and ArcelorMittal will be
able to take advantage of the experience gained from the first
installation of NOX reduction technologies at a straight-
grate kiln and grate kiln at the other furnaces. For example, Tilden
will be able to take advantage of the experience of the earlier
installation of a low-stoichiometric LNB on a grate kiln at United
Taconite, while ArcelorMittal will be able to take advantage of the
earlier installation of NOX reduction technologies on a
straight-grate kiln at Hibbing. We believe that this staggered schedule
is necessary because, although the selected NOX controls
have been subject to extensive engineering studies, they have not been
used on taconite furnaces in the United States to date. Such experience
is necessary to ensure proper operation of these furnaces. Improper
burner operation could adversely affect heat distribution throughout
the furnace as well as pellet quality.
Comment: The Forest Service stated that it would like the
opportunity to review and comment on the final emission limits.
Response: EPA has provided an extremely detailed and objective
step-by-step procedure that will be used for determining the final
emission limits. The notice of proposed rulemaking provided adequate
information about the basis and timing of the final limits such that no
further proposals will be necessary. The equations and an explicit
explanation of how the final limits will be established are contained
in the proposal, so the Forest Service could have raised any concerns
during the public comment period. EPA is taking this approach in order
to expedite the establishment of final enforceable limits for these
facilities within the context of a process that provides reasonable
time to design and install emission controls,
[[Page 21675]]
to obtain data needed for determining control effectiveness, and to
minimize the time then needed to establish final enforceable limits.
EPA has carefully considered the Forest Service's comments, but does
not believe that a second comment period is necessary.
Comment: The Forest Service requested a description of how plant
shutdowns will be handled.
Response: EPA is unsure what the commenter means by ``plant
shutdowns,'' but presumes that the Forest Service may be concerned that
the emission limits could be relaxed during a shutdown. No special
consideration has been given to plant shutdowns in this respect. The
NOX limits are based on the production level and the
quantity of fuel burned.
Comment: The Forest Service asked EPA to describe what will be done
if adequate data are not collected within the timeframe envisioned in
the schedule to establish a final emission limit.
Response: The eight-month testing period, during which controls
will be in place and CEMS will be operational, should provide ample
time for collecting data adequate to establish a final limit.
Comment: The Forest Service asked EPA to specify what design
parameters will be monitored for the different control technologies.
Response: The design parameters will be established in the
engineering reports that are required by the settlement agreement and
this action. We anticipate that the percent stoichiometric primary
combustion air and gas/coal ratio when co-firing will be important
variables.
B. Comments by the National Park Service
Comment: The National Park Service, as well as NPCA and MCEA,
commented on the technical feasibility of controlling NOX
using SCR and encouraged EPA to further evaluate various configurations
of SCR, including tail-end SCR with gas stream reheat (hereinafter
referred to as ``SCR with reheat'').
Response: There are several air pollution control technology
analyses involving the potential use of SCR and SCR with reheat on
indurating furnace hood exhaust. In these analyses (Magnetation BACT,
Essar BACT, and Tilden BART), SCR with reheat was rejected for not
being cost-effective, while upstream SCR was rejected as technically
infeasible due to the likelihood that the exhaust stream would foul the
catalyst.
In a study conducted by Hatch for U.S. Steel, SCR with reheat was
considered as a potential control option, but further discussion with
potential vendors resulted in the determination that SCR with reheat is
not a technically feasible control option for taconite indurating
furnaces. One potential vendor, Mitsubishi Power Systems, cited
temperature and layout as factors rendering SCR with reheat less than
optimal for NOX control from U.S. Steel's Minntac taconite
indurating furnaces. LKAB, a taconite facility in Sweden, has an SCR
with reheat on its KK4 taconite pelletizing line. Alstom, the SCR
vendor for LKAB, declined twice to bid on an SCR with reheat at
Minntac, citing technical difficulties with the SCR with reheat at
LKAB. These difficulties included operating within the narrow
temperature range required by SCR with reheat. Further, LKAB is looking
into process optimization and better burners to reduce NOX
as opposed to installing another SCR with reheat in the future. It is
important to note that SCR with reheat, even if it were technically
feasible, would result in additional energy and environmental costs in
the form of increased usage of natural gas and greenhouse gas
emissions, respectively. While increased energy and environmental
penalties are not preclusive, they further weigh against any additional
analysis of SCR with reheat as a viable option for indurating furnaces
at this time. We expect Minnesota and Michigan to reevaluate SCR with
reheat as a potential option for making reasonable progress in future
planning periods, but reject the technology as BART for the Minnesota
and Michigan taconite facilities at this time.
Comment: The National Park Service concurred with the maximum 3.0
lbs NOX/MMBTU limit when burning natural gas only at grate
kilns. However, the National Park Service did not believe that allowing
NOX emissions to increase by 87 percent above expected
levels when burning a gas/coal mix at grate kilns is justified.
Response: Low-stoichiometric LNBs, as designed by FCT Combustion
(FCT), are designed to reduce NOX while maintaining pellet
quality and production and optimizing fuel efficiency. As a result,
this LNB was selected to establish BART limits for Cliffs' grate-kiln
furnaces. FCT's computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling for co-
firing at 30 percent gas and 70 percent coal indicated a reduction from
a base case of 1.6-5.4 lbs NOX/MMBTU with a typical baseline
value of 2.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU, to 2.04 lbs NOX/
MMBTU. Therefore, an increase from 2.04 to 2.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU
is a 23 percent increase above expected levels, which is more
meaningful than the 67 percent increase (not 87 percent) above the low
end of the range of the final emission limits. It should be noted that,
in addition to the uncertainty resulting from the lack of experience in
the use of low-stoichiometric LNBs, there is additional uncertainty
because the CFD modeling was only performed for co-firing at 30 percent
gas and 70 percent coal. Furthermore, a rigorous demonstration would
have to be made that 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU cannot be met before
the limit is adjusted and an alternative final limit is set.
Comment: The National Park Service was concerned that, although the
proposed FIP requires the NOX reduction technologies for the
straight-grate furnaces at Minorca Mine and Hibbing be designed to meet
a limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, EPA is proposing to increase
the final limit up to 1.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU if a rigorous
demonstration is made that the 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU limit
cannot be met. This represents a 50 percent increase above the expected
emission rate and no justification is provided for such a large
``safety margin.''
Response: As discussed in the proposed rulemaking, EPA is confident
that Minorca Mine and Hibbing can meet a limit of 1.2 lbs
NOX/MMBTU based upon the engineering report prepared for
ArcelorMittal that assesses the use of water and steam injection and
pre-combustion technologies. However, because this suite of
technologies has not previously been used on straight-grate kilns, some
uncertainty remains regarding the potential effect on pellet quality.
As a result, EPA has provided a procedure by which the final limits for
Minorca Mine and Hibbing could be revised upwards to as much as 1.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU. It is important to note, however, that EPA has
included rigorous requirements that must be met before any relaxing of
the initial 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU limit would be allowed.
Comment: The National Park Service stated that EPA has the
authority to limit the sulfur content of the fuels already fired at
United Taconite. The National Park Service understood that United
Taconite has identified problems with the characteristics of the 0.6
percent sulfur coal originally proposed by EPA and the compatibility of
that coal with the United Taconite furnace. The National Park Service
cited EPA's statement that it ``is also establishing a limitation on
the coal to be used by requiring the coal have a sulfur content
[[Page 21676]]
no greater than 1.5 percent sulfur by weight based on a monthly block
average.'' However, the National Park Service stated that it is aware
of eastern bituminous coals that have much lower sulfur contents and
requested that EPA evaluate the potential for combustion of such coals
at United Taconite.
Response: EPA disagrees with this comment. The primary
SO2 emission limit for BART at United Taconite is the 529
lbs SO2/hr aggregate limit on lines 1 and 2. This BART
limit, which is based upon the use of low-sulfur fuels (a combination
of natural gas and coal), will result in 1900 tons per year of
SO2 reductions. In contrast, the 1.5 percent sulfur limit is
an operational limit that EPA imposed after Cliffs requested an
adjustment to its baseline emission rate to be used in evaluating
potential BART controls. Under the BART guidelines, the baseline
emission rate ordinarily should represent a realistic depiction of
anticipated annual emissions for the source based upon actual emissions
from a baseline period. See 40 CFR part 51, appendix Y. However, when
future operating parameters, such as type of fuel, will differ from
past practice, and if this projection has a deciding effect in the BART
determination, then the operating parameter must be made into an
enforceable limitation. Id. EPA imposed the original 0.60 percent
sulfur limit on the coal burned at United Taconite to comply with this
provision. However, Cliffs indicated in its petition for
reconsideration that 0.60 percent sulfur coal posed several issues for
its furnaces. As a result, the EPA proposed to increase the operational
limit to 1.5 percent sulfur, but this change will not have an effect on
emissions at United Taconite due to the 529 lbs SO2/hr
limit. In essence, United Taconite will now be required to burn more
natural gas and less coal (or all gas) to meet its BART limit than the
facility would have under a 0.60 percent sulfur limit.
Comment: The National Park Service stated that EPA was apparently
proposing to use hourly emission rates measured by a CEMS to derive the
UPL. The National Park Service questioned the appropriateness of basing
the UPL on hourly values if EPA is setting a 30-day (or 720-hour)
rolling average limit. The National Park Service was concerned that the
use of hourly values would introduce excess variability into the
calculation and could lead to a higher UPL.
Response: When the UPL equation for normally distributed and
statistically independent data is used, the average , standard
deviation (s), and number of values (n) are based on the hourly data.
The term number of values used to calculate the test average) is based
on the compliance period, i.e., 720 for a 720-hour average and not 1.
This results in a lower and more stringent UPL than if 1. However, when
setting a 720-hour average emission limit using the nonparametric
equation, the data set used would be the 720-hour averages rather than
the raw hourly data.
C. Comments by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)
1. NPCA Incorporated the Comments Submitted by the National Park
Service
Comment: NPCA restated the National Park Service comments as
follows:
--SCR remains a feasible technical option for limiting NOX
from taconite facilities. While two SCR vendors declined to bid on the
NOX reduction testing at Minntac, this is an insufficient
basis to reject SCR across the taconite industry. EPA should revisit
this decision and evaluate various configurations of SCR that would
serve to further reduce NOX emissions beyond the limits in
the proposed settlement.
--EPA's proposed NOX limits for the gas/coal scenario at
United Taconite and Tilden are improper because they are up to 87
percent higher than the limits in the 2013 FIP.
--EPA's proposed NOX limits for Hibbing and Minorca Mine are
improper because they are up to 50 percent higher than the limits in
the 2013 FIP.
--EPA should require the use of an alternative low-sulfur coal at
United Taconite.
Response: EPA has responded in detail to these comments in
responses to the comments by the National Park Service (see above).
Comment: NPCA stated that the proposal specifies that increased
limits are permissible where the industry makes a rigorous
demonstration that lower limits cannot be met. NPCA requested that any
such demonstration be made available to the public for review and
comment.
Response: EPA has provided an extremely detailed and objective
step-by-step procedure for determining the final emission limits. The
notice of proposed rulemaking provided adequate information about the
basis and timing of the final limits such that no further proposals
will be necessary. EPA is taking this approach in order to expedite the
establishment of final enforceable limits for these facilities within
the context of a process that provides reasonable time to design and
install emission controls, to obtain data needed for determining
control effectiveness, and to minimize the time then needed to
establish final enforceable limits. The proposal encouraged commenters
to comment on any issues that might be anticipated to arise at any
point in the process described in the proposal, and NPCA has not
identified any such issues.
2. NPCA Incorporated Its March 2, 2015 Comments Regarding the
Settlement Agreement
Comment: NPCA stated that the changes in emission limits between
the 2013 FIP and the settlement agreement appear to significantly
weaken the terms of the 2013 FIP because the emission limits are far
less stringent. Although NPCA did not have the necessary level of
detailed information to perform a precise comparison, NPCA's rough
calculations indicated that the limitations in attachment A of the
settlement agreement would allow for pollution at or above the actual
baseline emissions from the taconite facilities, that is, they
represent no reduction (or at a minimum, no significant reduction) in
pollution.
Response: As discussed in the five-step BART determinations in the
proposal, there are significant emission reductions from the revised
limits. There will be an estimated total of 3,000 tons per year of
NOX reductions from Tilden and United Taconite, a total of
7,400 tons per year of NOX reductions from Minorca Mine and
Hibbing, 1,900 tons per year of SO2 reductions from United
Taconite, and 300 tons of SO2 reductions from Tilden. The
only NOX emission limits that are definitely less stringent
than those in the 2013 FIP are the NOX emission limits for
Tilden and United Taconite when burning solely natural gas. The final
NOX emission limits for Hibbing and Minorca Mine, as well as
Tilden and United Taconite when co-firing coal and natural gas, are
expected to be the same as, or close to, the 2013 FIP limits. There may
also be an increase in SO2 emissions from Tilden, but this
should be a fairly small increase as Tilden will be solely burning
natural gas and very low (0.6 percent) sulfur coal.
Comment: NPCA argued that the timeframes for compliance are
significantly longer than in the 2013 FIP.
Response: The compliance schedule is generally similar to the FIP
except that implementation has been delayed because of the court-
imposed stay. The main differences between the two schedules are that
Tilden must install controls within 50 months (compared with 26 months
in the 2013 FIP) and Minorca Mine must install controls
[[Page 21677]]
within 44 months (compared with 26 months in the 2013 FIP). The
staggered compliance schedule, which includes additional time for
Tilden and ArcelorMittal, is necessary because the NOX
controls selected as BART have not been used on taconite furnaces in
the United States. Such experience is necessary to ensure proper
operation of these furnaces. The planned controls could adversely
affect heat distribution throughout the furnace as well as pellet
quality.
Comment: NPCA stated that, in proposing the settlement, EPA offered
no support to suggest why such a significant weakening of much needed
and statutorily required limits was appropriate. NPCA was thus at a
loss to comment on the rationale behind the changes.
Response: As discussed in a prior response, EPA does not agree that
there has been a significant weakening of the requirements for taconite
facilities. EPA's basis for all changes was contained in the proposed
FIP revision and its associated docket.
Comment: NPCA stated that EPA must provide documentation of the
reasons for the proposed changes in the form of publicly available
information. EPA cannot rely strictly on confidential information,
which does not allow the public to review and consider the changes
proposed.
Response: Publicly available information in support of the FIP is
contained in the docket.
Comment: NPCA stated that the settlement referenced ``equitable
treatment of facilities not included in this settlement.'' This would
appear to refer to the taconite facilities covered by the 2013 FIP but
not included in the settlement. To the extent that this statement
refers to the potential weakening of limits imposed at other facilities
in the taconite FIP, the increase in pollution that appears in the
settlement is all the more concerning.
Response: EPA has not proposed to change the emission limits for
other facilities covered by the 2013 FIP at this time.
Comment: NPCA stated that the timeframe for compliance detailed in
the settlement agreement was inappropriate. The CAA requires that
controls required under BART be implemented within five years of the
final rule. In this case, the rule was finalized in January 2013, so
compliance with emission limits must be by January 2018.
Response: We disagree with this comment. Section 169A(g)(4) of the
CAA requires compliance with BART emission limits no later than five
years after ``the date of promulgation of a . . . [FIP] revision.'' In
this final rule, we are promulgating a revision to the 2013 FIP that
includes new BART determinations based on new technologies. These BART
determinations fully supersede the determinations that were made in the
2013 FIP. The taconite facilities must comply with the new BART
emission limits in a staggered schedule that we have determined is as
expeditious as practicable. Full compliance at all facilities will be
achieved no later than five years from the date of the promulgation of
this FIP revision.
D. Comments by Cliffs Natural Resources
Comment: Cliffs supported the proposed FIP, including the initial
limits, the staggered compliance schedule, and the formula for setting
final limits if the initial limits cannot be achieved without adverse
impacts on pellet quality. However, Cliffs objected to EPA's statement
in the proposed FIP preamble that ``there are no significant costs or
environmental impacts'' associated with the selected BART technologies.
Cliffs will be required to expend millions of dollars to design and
implement changes to its furnaces. There are also costs associated with
lost production during downtime and shakedown, as well as the potential
for additional fuel consumption when the BART technologies are
operational.
Response: EPA acknowledges that there will be costs associated with
the BART control technologies employed by Cliffs. EPA's full statement
in the preamble was that ``there are no significant costs or
environmental impacts associated with this technology that would
necessitate its elimination from consideration as BART.'' EPA continues
to believe that the costs, energy, and non-air quality impacts
associated with the selected BART controls are reasonable.
Comment: Cliffs stated that EPA's proposal included a new
requirement to report CEMS and pellet quality data at the end of a
period that did not fall within the preceding calendar quarter within 7
days of the close of the period. Reporting this information within 7
days is impracticable, as it does not provide the facility sufficient
time to complete the appropriate laboratory analysis and quality
assurance expected for the data. Cliffs acknowledged EPA's need to
include a provision to address the timely reporting of data, but
requested that the reporting obligation be changed from 7 days to 30
days to allow for quality assurance checks.
Response: Using United Taconite Line 2 as an example, the
settlement agreement states that, 44 months from the effective date of
the rule, Cliffs must provide results from pellet quality analyses no
later than 30 days from the end of each calendar quarter until 52
months from the effective date of the rule. No later than 55 months
after the effective date of the rule, EPA will take final agency action
by publishing the NOX limits in the Federal Register.
Assuming that the effective date of the rule is June 15, 2016, then 52
months from the effective date is October 15, 2020, and 55 months is
January 15, 2021. The end of the quarter would be December 31, 2020, so
under the settlement language, the pellet quality data from October 1
through October 15, 2020, would not be due until January 30, 2021,
which is too late to be considered in establishing the final emission
limit. According to the language in the proposal, the pellet quality
analyses would need to be submitted to EPA by October 22, 2020.
Accepting Cliffs' suggested revision from 7 to 30 days would require
the pellet quality analysis to be submitted to EPA by November 14,
2020. EPA accepts Cliffs' basis for increasing the reporting
requirement from 7 to 30 days and will make this revision in the final
FIP because it will not significantly interfere with expeditiously
setting the final limits.
Comment: Cliffs stated that United Taconite's pellet quality
reporting obligations in the proposed FIP mistakenly refer to
``Tilden's ISO 9001 quality management system'' but should refer to
``United Taconite's ISO 9001 quality management system.''
Response: EPA acknowledges the error and has made the correction in
the final FIP.
E. Comments by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Comment: The Band urged a fair, scientifically sound, and feasible
process for all stakeholders, including affected and surrounding
communities. The taconite industry should not be allowed to dictate its
own compliance schedule or prolong compliance with Federal laws and
regulations.
Response: EPA agrees with this comment and has implemented a
process to establish final BART limits based upon the most current,
relevant, and scientifically sound information available. The taconite
plant owners were in a unique position to acquire and provide the
needed scientific information and understandably had motivation to do
so. However, they are not dictating their own compliance schedule.
[[Page 21678]]
Comment: The Band argued that the emission limits in the 2013 FIP
are more reasonable in terms of protecting visibility than the limits
proposed in the revised FIP.
Response: While we acknowledge that a few of the emission limits in
the 2013 FIP were more stringent than the limits in our proposed FIP
revision, and were thus more protective of visibility, we disagree that
the original limits were more reasonable. For the reasons explained in
our proposal, new information provided by the taconite companies shows
that the technology on which the 2013 FIP limits were based, high-
stoichiometric LNBs, would adversely affect pellet quality. As a
result, we proposed new BART determinations based on new technologies.
These technologies will still result in significant emission
reductions, improving visibility in the Class I areas in Minnesota and
Michigan.
Comment: The Band stated that the compliance schedule in the 2013
FIP was more reasonable from a health protection standpoint. The Band
stated that it preferred the 2013 FIP schedule over the longer
compliance schedule in the proposed FIP revision. Alternatively, a
compromise schedule between the original schedule and the proposed
schedule would be acceptable.
Response: Please see our response to a similar comment from NPCA.
Comment: The Band stated that Eastern bituminous coals are
available that could meet both the requirements for a low-sulfur coal
(0.66%) and a very high heating value (US DOE, NETL, Detailed Coal
Specifications, Quality Guidelines for Energy System Studies, Final
Report, DOE/NETL-401/012111, January 2012, page 31).
Response: Please see our response to a similar comment from the
Forest Service.
Comment: The Band stated that SCR is considered the best available
retrofit technology that has been used at other coal facilities and
could feasibly reduce NOX emissions for taconite furnaces.
The Band agreed with the National Park Service that the use of tail-end
SCR with steam reheat should be evaluated for BART.
Response: Please see our response to a similar comment from the
National Park Service.
Comment: The Band noted that EPA proposed to set limits for United
Taconite and Tilden of 3.0 lbs NOX/MMBTU when burning
natural gas and 2.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU when burning a gas/coal
mix if the presumptive limits of 2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU and 1.5
lbs NOX/MMBTU, respectively, cannot be met. The Band noted
that a limit of 2.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU (gas coal mix) is 67
percent higher than the predicted emission rate of 1.5 lbs
NOX/MMBTU. The Band acknowledged that some uncertainty is
involved in developing the use of a new control technology, but argued
that this range of emission limits is too large.
Response: Please see our response to a similar comment from the
National Park Service.
Comment: The Band stated that EPA recently implemented a national
policy on Environmental Justice for Working with Federally Recognized
Tribes and Indigenous Peoples. EPA must uphold its duties to protect
the interests of tribes and their treaty rights and explain how the
proposed FIP complies with EPA's existing guidance and policies with
Federally Recognized Tribes and Indigenous Peoples.
Response: The U.S. Constitution defines treaties as part of the
supreme law of the land with the same legal force as Federal statutes.
Treaties are to be interpreted in accordance with the Federal Indian
canons of construction, a set of long-standing principles developed by
courts to guide the interpretation of treaties between the U.S.
government and Indian tribes. As the Supreme Court has explained,
treaties should be construed liberally in favor of tribes, giving
effect to the treaty terms as tribes would have understood them, with
ambiguous provisions interpreted for their benefit. Only Congress may
abrogate Indian treaty rights, and courts will not find that abrogation
has occurred absent clear evidence of congressional intent.
EPA has committed to consider all relevant information obtained
during tribal consultation to help ensure that EPA's actions do not
conflict with treaty rights, to help ensure that EPA is fully informed
when it seeks to implement its programs, and to further protect treaty
rights and resources when it has discretion to do so. We have done so
in this action. EPA consulted and coordinated with tribal officials and
provided information on both the 2012 FIP proposal and the current
taconite FIP proposal early in the process of developing this
regulation in order to allow tribal governments to have meaningful and
timely input. EPA provided information to tribes on the rationale for
proposing this regulation in the absence of the states submitting
plans, the potential health and environmental impacts associated with
these facilities, and the emissions reductions to be gained from
implementing this regulation. EPA also took into consideration the
concerns and needs identified by tribal governments during this
process. These consultation and education and outreach efforts began in
August 2012 and continue through the present utilizing forums such as
monthly tribe-EPA conference calls, presentations during annual
meetings and conferences, and one-to-one discussions with EPA subject
matter experts as requested.
EPA's revision of the FIP is expected to have significant
environmental benefits relative to the SIPs submitted by Michigan and
Minnesota. On-and off-reservation trust resources held by Minnesota
tribes (and other tribes), as recognized in treaties and in Minnesota
v. Mille Lacs Band, 526 U.S. 172 (1999), among other authorities, will
be protected to a greater extent by the controls required in the
amended FIP.
F. Comments by ArcelorMittal
Comment: ArcelorMittal cited to the preamble to the proposed FIP
revision, which states that ``there are no significant costs or
environmental impacts'' associated with the BART determinations for
Hibbing and Minorca. However, in actuality, the changes necessary to
meet the proposed emission limits will not be without costs and
environmental impacts. ArcelorMittal will be required to expend
millions of dollars to design and implement changes to its straight-
grate furnaces. It will also incur substantial costs associated with
lost production during downtime and shakedown when these technologies
are installed. Once operational, fuel penalties are expected which will
result in increased cost.
Response: EPA acknowledges that there will be costs associated with
the BART control technologies employed by ArcelorMittal. EPA's full
statement in the preamble was that ``there are no significant costs or
environmental impacts associated with this technology that would
necessitate its elimination from consideration as BART.'' EPA continues
to believe that the costs, energy, and non-air quality impacts
associated with the selected BART controls are reasonable.
G. Comments by United States Steel
U.S. Steel submitted the following comments to ensure that EPA's
approach to amending the original FIP is applied evenly and fairly and
results in a consistent approach to BART for the taconite industry.
Comment: U.S. Steel agreed with EPA's decision to develop a case-
by-case approach to BART for indurating furnaces and the Agency's
proposed approach to determining BART for each
[[Page 21679]]
individual affected unit, based upon that unit's design and unit-
specific characteristics.
Response: EPA appreciates U.S. Steel's support.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that a similar approach will be
necessary for U.S. Steel's Minntac and Keetac furnaces.
Response: This comment is outside the scope of this rulemaking.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that EPA should consider delaying
finalization of the proposed FIP revision until EPA is prepared to
promulgate similar amendments for all furnaces in the taconite
industry.
Response: EPA is bound by a settlement agreement to finalize the
proposed FIP revision by March 18, 2016. Furthermore, there have
already considerable delays in the implementation of BART for taconite
indurating furnaces.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that if EPA does not delay finalization
of the proposed FIP revision, EPA should continue the stay of effective
dates in the original 2013 FIP pending completion of a similar FIP
amendment for U.S. Steel's Minntac and Keetac facilities.
Response: This comment is outside the scope of this rulemaking.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that EPA should clarify that U.S. Steel
is part owner of Hibbing taconite.
Response: EPA acknowledges that U.S. Steel is a part owner of the
Hibbing facility.
Comment: U.S. Steel identified four points made by EPA with which
U.S. Steel disagrees and could not find substantiating information in
the docket. These points are: (1) The smaller preheat burners at
Minntac achieve very low NOX emissions rates (0.1-0.3 lbs
NOX/MMBTU) due to a more favorable NOX reduction
combustion environment in the preheat zone as compared to the firing
end of the kiln; (2) ported kilns significantly change the heat balance
of the furnace; (3) differences in the magnetite content of the ore
body used by Minntac and United Taconite are significant; and 4) high-
stoichiometric LNBs will require more fuel and result in higher
NOX emissions.
Response: The basis for the above points questioned by U.S. Steel
is presented in the proposed FIP at 80 FR 64163, which is in turn based
upon the November 26, 2013 declaration by Eric Wagner, the Manager of
Process Engineering for Metso Minerals Pyro Division, a ``global expert
in the design of iron ore pelletizing furnaces.'' This declaration is
attached to Cliffs' November 26, 2013 Petition for Administrative
Reconsideration of the Partial Disapproval of Air Quality
Implementation Plans for Regional Haze for the States of Michigan and
Minnesota. Although a hard copy of this document was included in EPA's
Regional docket, and available for inspection at EPA's Region 5 office,
EPA mistakenly did not include this Petition for Reconsideration in the
electronic docket for this rule until after the comment period had
closed. U.S. Steel's comment questions the basis for several of Eric
Wagner's statements regarding factors affecting indurating furnace
operation and NOX emissions. We do not believe this omission
was material, however, because U.S. Steel is seeking information, not
challenging or suggesting revisions to the proposal.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that EPA should reconsider the partial
disapproval of Minnesota's SIP.
Response: This comment is outside the scope of this rulemaking.
Comment: U.S. Steel stated that, for each of the affected
facilities, there is a schedule prescribed for installation of the
technology and period to collect data to confirm or adjust the limit
based upon the data. The period allows for eight months of data
collection. If an affected facility elects to install the technology
earlier than prescribed by rule, the facility should have the ability
to utilize a more robust data set greater than the eight months
specified. Due to seasonal variations, a facility should have the
ability to use at a minimum 12 months of data if the installation of
technology occurs prior to the compliance date.
Response: This notice is intended to capture the details agreed
upon by EPA, Cliffs and ArcelorMittal in a settlement agreement. This
comment comes from a commenter who was not party to the settlement
agreement. The detailed compliance schedules contained in the proposed
FIP are based upon the settlement terms agreed to by Cliffs and
ArcelorMittal, who operate all of the taconite furnaces subject to this
FIP. The eight month testing period that was originally proposed was
considered by them to be of sufficient duration to evaluate the
performance of their control systems and their effect on pellet
quality. There is therefore no benefit to extending the testing period
when such an extension is not necessary. The requirements of BART, and
not the compliance schedule in this rule, establish the most
appropriate compliance schedule to be followed by any other taconite
facility.
Comment: U.S. Steel supported the provision allowing Tilden to
exclude emissions data during a natural gas curtailment that is beyond
a facility's control. These events are typically infrequent, unplanned,
and may cause the facility to operate in a manner that is not typical.
Response: EPA appreciates U.S. Steel's support for the provision
stating that the SO2 limit for Tilden's grate kiln does not
apply during a natural gas curtailment.
IV. Revision to Equation for Normally Distributed but Not Statistically
Independent Data
The proposal describes the process for establishing final emission
limits to which the identified facilities shall become subject. As
discussed in the proposal, the final limit must be based on the 95
percent upper predictive limit (UPL) using CEMS data compiled over an
eight-month testing period. The UPL is a statistical technique that
examines an existing set of data points and predicts the chances (i.e.,
the probability) of future data points (in this case, emission rates).
In general terms, the UPL is a value that is calculated from a data set
that identifies the emission rate that a source is meeting and would be
expected to meet a specified percent of the time that the source is
operating. In this case, the UPL will be the emission rate that the
taconite facilities are predicted to be below during 95 out of 100 720-
hour averaging periods. The UPL will be based on data obtained during
an eight-month testing period during which Cliffs and ArcelorMittal are
primarily focused on operating the controls in a manner that does not
adversely affect pellet quality, with a wide variability in emissions
expected. The UPL must be calculated using an equation based on the
average and variance of a data set, the distribution of the data, the
quantity of data points, and the compliance period (e.g., a 720-hour
compliance period).
The settlement agreement and proposed FIP specified three equations
for determining the UPL depending upon whether the data are normally
distributed and, if so, whether the data are statistically independent
or not statistically independent. In the proposal (the equation numbers
have been changed in the final), Equation 1 applied to normally
distributed, statistically independent data sets; Equation 3 applied to
normally distributed, but not statistically independent data sets; and
Equation 4, the non-parametric UPL equation, applied to data sets that
do not conform to a specific distribution. EPA's statistical guidance
for environmental applications, the ProUCL User Guide,
[[Page 21680]]
includes UPL equations for different types of distributions, as well as
a non-parametric equation for data sets that do not conform to a
specific distribution. The guidance does not, however, include an
equation for normally distributed, but not statistically independent
(that is, highly correlated) data. Because Cliffs and ArcelorMittal
were concerned about this latter category of data, we proposed what was
purported to be an appropriate equation for normally distributed, but
not statistically independent data (Equation 3). We subsequently found
that Equation 3 is not valid for large data sets, which is what will
result from eight months of hourly data. When we applied Equation 3 to
a large data set, the resulting UPL was higher than the highest 720-
hour average, a nonsensical and mathematically unreasonable result. We
are therefore eliminating Equation 3 from the final FIP. Instead, we
are requiring use of the fall back non-parametric equation (Equation 4)
for data that are normally distributed, but not statistically
independent.
We are finalizing the non-parametric equation contained in the
proposal with a clarification regarding the appropriate data set to be
used. As stated above, the UPL equations are used to determine emission
limits. To correctly calculate the UPL using the non-parametric
equation, the data that is ranked from smallest to highest must be in
the same form as the emission limit. The final emission limits are
expressed in terms of 720-hour averages, so the ranked data set used in
the non-parametric equation must be a set of 720-hour averages as well.
Using data sets based upon an averaging time inconsistent with the form
of the emission limit would be an improper use of the equation. For
instance, calculating the 95 percent non-parametric limit using a data
set of ranked one-hour values would establish the emission rate (based
upon a one-hour average) that the source would be predicted to be below
during 95 out of 100 one-hour averaging periods, i.e., an emission
limit based on hourly compliance. The resulting emission limit would be
improper if compliance is to be based upon a 720-hour average. Based
upon our evaluation of existing data sets, using the 95th percentile of
the one-hour values to establish a 720-hour average emission limit
would result in a limit that is higher than the highest 720-hour
average in the data sets, which is clearly inconsistent with the
purpose of a 95 percent UPL.
To reiterate, the purpose of a 95 percent UPL is to establish an
emission rate that a source is predicted to be below during 95 out of
100 averaging periods. Importantly, however, this does not mean that
the source would be expected to exceed its emission limit five percent
of the time once the limit is in place. During the eight-month testing
period, Cliffs and ArcelorMittal will operate their furnaces and the
new control technologies in a manner that will not interfere with
pellet quality. The furnace operators will be adjusting numerous
variables to optimize control technology performance, which will result
in higher emissions at times. These periods of higher emissions will
factor into the UPL calculation. Once the eight-month testing period is
over, however, the operators will have gained sufficient experience to
run the furnaces and control technologies with fewer adjustments,
meaning less emission variations and lower emissions overall. Using the
95 percent UPL ensures that the final emission limits will be
consistent with the actual emission reduction capabilities of the BART
controls, as required by 40 CFR 51.301, which defines BART as ``the
degree of reduction achievable.'' We also note that the 720-hour
averaging period for the final emission limits will provide
considerable flexibility for the sources. The operators will be able to
continually review CEMS data on an hourly basis and make any necessary
adjustments over the remaining 719 hours to ensure compliance.
V. What action is EPA taking?
For the reasons stated in the proposed FIP revision and the
response to comments, EPA is finalizing the new BART emission limits
and related requirements for taconite furnaces as proposed, with two
exceptions. First, EPA is revising the requirement to report CEMS and
pellet quality data at the end of a period that did not fall within the
preceding calendar quarter from within 7 days of the close of the
period to within 30 days of the close of the period. This revision will
allow the facilities sufficient time to complete the appropriate
laboratory analyses and quality assurance for the data and will not
significantly interfere with expeditiously setting the final limits.
Second, EPA is replacing the incorrect equation for normally
distributed but not statistically independent data with the non-
parametric UPL equation, which is consistent with EPA guidance. A
summary of our final decision is included in the table below.
Summary of Final Emission Limits and Compliance Schedules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compliance NOX limit for NOX limit for
Source schedule gas/coal mix gas only (lbs/ SO[ihel2] limit
(months) (lbs/MMBtu) MMBtu)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilden................................ 60 1.5-2.5 2.8-3.0 500 lbs/hr and 0.6%S.
Hibbing 1............................. 37 .............. 1.2-1.8 ........................
Hibbing 2............................. 55 .............. 1.2-1.8 ........................
Hibbing 3............................. 60 .............. 1.2-1.8 ........................
UTAC 1................................ 37 1.5-2.5 2.8-3.0 529 lbs/hr (combined
L1&2) and 1.5%S.
UTAC 2................................ 55 1.5-2.5 2.8-3.0 529 lbs/hr (combined
L1&2) and 1.5%S.
Minorca Mine.......................... 55 .............. 1.2-1.8 ........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders
can be found at https://www2.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
This action is exempt from review by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) because it is a rule of particular applicability and only
affects four facilities.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an information collection burden under
the PRA. Because the FIP applies to just four facilities, the Paperwork
Reduction Act does not apply. See 5 CFR 1320.3(c).
[[Page 21681]]
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
I certify that this action will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. In
making this determination, the impact of concern is any significant
adverse economic impact on small entities. An agency may certify that a
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities if the rule relieves regulatory burden, has no
net burden or otherwise has a positive economic effect on the small
entities subject to the rule. EPA's rule adds additional controls to
certain sources. The Regional Haze FIP revisions that EPA is
promulgating here would impose Federal control requirements to meet the
BART requirement for NOX and SO2 emissions on
specific units at three sources in Minnesota and one in Michigan. The
net result of the FIP action is that EPA is requiring emission controls
on the indurating furnaces at four taconite furnaces and none of these
sources are owned by small entities, and therefore are not small
entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect
small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state,
local or tribal governments or the private sector.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
This action does not have tribal implications as specified in
Executive Order 13175. It will not have substantial direct effects on
tribal governments. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this
rule. However, EPA did discuss this action on a number of occasions,
including a June 28, 2015, conference call with the Michigan and
Minnesota tribes.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is
not economically significant as defined in Executive Order 12866, and
because EPA does not believe the environmental health or safety risks
addressed by this action present a disproportionate risk to children.
However, to the extent this rule will limit emissions of NOX
and SO2, 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, because it is
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)
This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
EPA believes the human health or environmental risk addressed by
this action will not have potential disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects on minority, low-income or
indigenous populations. We have determined that this rule will not have
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority or low-income populations because it increases the
level of environmental protection for all affected populations without
having any disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects on any population, including any minority or low-
income population.
K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
This rule is exempt from the CRA because it is a rule of particular
applicability.
L. Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for
the appropriate circuit by June 13, 2016. Filing a petition for
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or
action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)
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,
Regional haze, Volatile organic compounds.
Dated: March 18, 2016.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, 40 CFR chapter I is amended
as follows:
PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
0
2. Section 52.1183 is amended by revising paragraphs (k), (l), (m), and
(n) and adding paragraph (p) to read as follows:
Sec. 52.1183 Visibility protection.
* * * * *
(k) Tilden Mining Company, or any subsequent owner/operator of the
Tilden Mining Company facility in Ishpeming, Michigan, shall meet the
following requirements:
(1) NOX Emission Limits. (i) An emission limit of 2.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling average, shall apply
to Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 when burning natural gas, and an emission
limit of 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling
average, shall apply to Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 when burning coal or a
mixture of coal and natural gas. These emission limits will become
enforceable 60 months after May 12, 2016 and only after EPA's
confirmation or modification of the emission limit in accordance with
the procedures set forth in paragraphs (k)(1)(ii) through (viii) of
this section.
(ii) Compliance with these emission limits shall be demonstrated
with data collected by a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS)
for NOX. The owner or operator must start collecting CEMS
data for NOX upon May 12, 2016 and submit the data to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of each calendar quarter. Any remaining
data through the end of the 57th month from May 12, 2016, that does not
fall within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no later than
30 days from the end of the 57th month. Although CEMS data must
continue to be collected, it does
[[Page 21682]]
not need to be submitted to EPA starting 57 months after May 12, 2016.
(iii) No later than 48 months from May 12, 2016, the owner or
operator must submit to EPA a report, including any final report(s)
completed by the selected NOX reduction technology supplier
and furnace retrofit engineer, containing a detailed engineering
analysis and modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1. This report
must include a list of all variables that can reasonably be expected to
have an impact on NOX emission control technology
performance, as well as a description of how these variables can be
adjusted to reduce NOX emissions to meet the NOX
design emission limit. This NOX reduction control technology
must be designed to meet emission limits of 2.8 lbs NOX/
MMBTU when burning natural gas and 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU when
burning coal or a mixture of coal and natural gas.
(iv) The NOX reduction control technology shall be
installed on Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 furnace no later than 50 months
from May 12, 2016.
(v) Commencing on the earlier of: Six months from the installation
of the NOX reduction control technology or 50 months from
May 12, 2016, the owner or operator must provide to EPA the results
from pellet quality analyses. The owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no later than 30 days from the end
of each calendar quarter up until 57 months after May 12, 2016. Any
remaining results through the end of the 57th month that do not fall
within a calendar quarter must be submitted to EPA no later than 30
days from the end of the 57th month. The pellet quality analyses shall
include results for the following factors: Compression, reducibility,
before tumble, after tumble, and low temperature disintegration. For
each of the pellet quality analysis factors the owner or operator must
explain the pellet quality analysis factor as well as the defined
acceptable range for each factor using the applicable product quality
standards based upon customers' pellet specifications that are
contained in Tilden's ISO 9001 quality management system. The owner or
operator shall provide pellet quality analysis testing results that
state the date and time of the analysis and, in order to define the
time period when pellets were produced outside of the defined
acceptable range for the pellet quality factors listed, provide copies
of the production logs that document the starting and ending times for
such periods. The owner or operator shall provide an explanation of
causes for pellet samples that fail to meet the acceptable range for
any pellet quality analysis factor. Pellet quality information and data
may be submitted to EPA as Confidential Business Information.
(vi) No later than 57 months after May 12, 2016, the owner or
operator may submit to EPA a report to either confirm or modify the
NOX limits for Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 within the upper and
lower bounds described below. EPA will review the report and either
confirm or modify the NOX limits. If the CEMS data collected
during operating periods between months 50 and 57 that both meet pellet
quality specifications and proper furnace/burner operation is normally
distributed, the limit adjustment determination shall be based on the
appropriate (depending upon whether data are statistically independent
or dependent) 95% upper predictive limit (UPL) equations in paragraph
(p) of this section. If the CEMS data collected during operating
periods between months 50 and 57 that both meet pellet quality
specifications and proper furnace/burner operation are not normally
distributed, the limit adjustment determination shall be based on the
non-parametric equation provided in paragraph (p) of this section. The
data set for the determination shall exclude periods when pellet
quality did not fall within the defined acceptable ranges of the pellet
quality factors identified pursuant to paragraph (k)(1)(v) of this
section and for any subsequent period when production had been reduced
in response to pellet quality concerns consistent with Tilden's ISO
9001 operating standards. Any excluded period will commence at the time
documented on the production log demonstrating pellet quality did not
fall within the defined acceptable range and shall end when pellet
quality within the defined acceptable range has been re-established at
planned production levels, which will be presumed to be the level that
existed immediately prior to the reduction in production due to pellet
quality concerns. EPA may also exclude data where operations are
inconsistent with the reported design parameters of the NOX
reduction control technology that were installed.
(vii) EPA will take final agency action by publishing its final
confirmation or modification of the NOX limits in the
Federal Register no later than 60 months after May 12, 2016. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1
when burning only natural gas may be no lower than 2.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling average, and may not
exceed 3.0 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling
average. The confirmed or modified NOX limit for Tilden
Grate Kiln Line 1 when burning coal or a mixture of coal and natural
gas may be no lower than 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-
hour rolling average, and may not exceed 2.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU,
based on a 720-hour rolling average.
(viii) If the owner or operator submits a report proposing a single
NOX limit for all fuels, EPA may approve the proposed
NOX limit for all fuels based on a 30-day rolling average.
The confirmed or modified limit will be established and enforceable
within 60 months from May 12, 2016.
(2) SO2 Emission Limits. A fuel sulfur content limit of no greater
than 1.20 percent sulfur content by weight shall apply to fuel
combusted in Process Boiler #1 (EUBOILER1) and Process Boiler #2
(EUBOILER2) beginning three months from March 8, 2013. A fuel sulfur
content limit of no greater than 1.50 percent sulfur content by weight
shall apply to fuel combusted in the Line 1 Dryer (EUDRYER1) beginning
3 months from March 8, 2013. The sampling and calculation methodology
for determining the sulfur content of fuel must be described in the
monitoring plan required at paragraph (n)(8)(x) of this section.
(3) The owner or operator of the Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 furnace
shall meet an emission limit of 500 lbs SO2/hr based on a
30-day rolling average beginning six months after May 12, 2016.
Compliance with these emission limits shall be demonstrated with data
collected by a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) for
SO2. The owner or operator must start collecting CEMS data
for SO2 beginning six months after May 12, 2016 and submit
the data to EPA no later than 30 days from the end of each calendar
quarter. The Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 furnace shall not be limited to
natural gas fuel. Beginning six months after May 12, 2016, any coal
burned on Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 shall have no more than 0.60 percent
sulfur by weight based on a monthly block average. The sampling and
calculation methodology for determining the sulfur content of coal must
be described in the monitoring plan required for this furnace. The
owner or operator must calculate an SO2 limit based on 12
continuous months of CEMS emissions data and submit such limit,
calculations, and CEMS data to EPA no later than 36 months after May
12, 2016. If the submitted CEMS SO2 hourly data are normally
distributed, the SO2 lbs/hr emission rate shall be
[[Page 21683]]
based on the appropriate (depending upon whether data are statistically
independent or dependent) 99% upper predictive limit (UPL) equation. If
the submitted CEMS SO2 hourly data are not normally
distributed, the SO2 lbs/hr emission rate shall be based on
the non-parametric equation provided in paragraph (p) of this section.
Compliance with the SO2 lbs/hr emission rate shall be
determined on a 30-day rolling average basis. EPA will take final
agency action by publishing a confirmation or modification of the
SO2 limit in the Federal Register no later than 39 months
after May 12, 2016. EPA may adjust the 500 lbs SO2/hr limit
downward to reflect the calculated SO2 emission rate;
however, EPA will not increase the SO2 limit above 500 lbs
SO2/hr.
(4) Starting 26 months from May 12, 2016, records shall be kept for
any day during which fuel oil is burned as fuel (either alone or
blended with other fuels) in Grate Kiln Line 1. These records must
include, at a minimum, the gallons of fuel oil burned per hour, the
sulfur content of the fuel oil, and the SO2 emissions in
pounds per hour.
(5) Starting 26 months from May 12, 2016, the SO2 limit
for Grate Kiln Line 1 does not apply for any hour in which it is
documented that there is a natural gas curtailment beyond Cliffs'
control necessitating that the supply of natural gas to Tilden's Line 1
indurating furnace is restricted or eliminated. Records must be kept of
the cause of the curtailment and duration of such curtailment. During
such curtailment, the use of backup coal is restricted to coal with no
greater than 0.60 percent sulfur by weight.
(l) Testing and monitoring. (1) The owner or operator shall
install, certify, calibrate, maintain, and operate a CEMS for
NOX on Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1. Compliance with the
emission limits for NOX shall be determined using data from
the CEMS.
(2) The owner or operator shall install, certify, calibrate,
maintain, and operate a CEMS for SO2 on Tilden Grate Kiln
Line 1. Compliance with the emission standard selected for
SO2 shall be determined using data from the CEMS.
(3) The owner or operator shall install, certify, calibrate,
maintain, and operate one or more continuous diluent monitor(s)
(O2 or CO2) and continuous flow rate monitor(s)
on Tilden Grate Kiln Line 1 to allow conversion of the NOX
and SO2 concentrations to units of the standard (lbs/MMBTU
and lbs/hr, respectively) unless a demonstration is made that a diluent
monitor and continuous flow rate monitor are not needed for the owner
or operator to demonstrate compliance with applicable emission limits
in units of the standards.
(4) For purposes of this section, all CEMS required by this section
must meet the requirements of paragraphs (l)(4)(i) through (xiv) of
this section.
(i) All CEMS must be installed, certified, calibrated, maintained,
and operated in accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix B, Performance
Specification 2 (PS-2) and appendix F, Procedure 1.
(ii) All CEMS associated with monitoring NOX (including
the NOX monitor and necessary diluent and flow rate
monitors) must be installed and operational upon May 12, 2016. All CEMS
associated with monitoring SO2 must be installed and
operational no later than six months after May 12, 2016. Verification
of the CEMS operational status shall, as a minimum, include completion
of the manufacturer's written requirements or recommendations for
installation, operation, and calibration of the devices.
(iii) The owner or operator must conduct a performance evaluation
of each CEMS in accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix B, PS-2. The
performance evaluations must be completed no later than 60 days after
the respective CEMS installation.
(iv) The owner or operator of each CEMS must conduct periodic
Quality Assurance, Quality Control (QA/QC) checks of each CEMS in
accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix F, Procedure 1. The first CEMS
accuracy test will be a relative accuracy test audit (RATA) and must be
completed no later than 60 days after the respective CEMS installation.
(v) The owner or operator of each CEMS must furnish the Regional
Administrator two, or upon request, more copies of a written report of
the results of each performance evaluation and QA/QC check within 60
days of completion.
(vi) The owner or operator of each CEMS must check, record, and
quantify the zero and span calibration drifts at least once daily
(every 24 hours) in accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix F,
Procedure 1, Section 4.
(vii) Except for CEMS breakdowns, repairs, calibration checks, and
zero and span adjustments, all CEMS required by this section shall be
in continuous operation during all periods of process operation of the
indurating furnaces, including periods of process unit startup,
shutdown, and malfunction.
(viii) All CEMS required by this section must meet the minimum data
requirements at paragraphs (l)(4)(viii)(A) through (C) of this section.
(A) Complete a minimum of one cycle of operation (sampling,
analyzing, and data recording) for each successive 15-minute quadrant
of an hour.
(B) Sample, analyze, and record emissions data for all periods of
process operation except as described in paragraph (l)(4)(viii)(C) of
this section.
(C) When emission data from CEMS are not available due to
continuous monitoring system breakdowns, repairs, calibration checks,
or zero and span adjustments, emission data must be obtained using
other monitoring systems or emission estimation methods approved by the
EPA. The other monitoring systems or emission estimation methods to be
used must be incorporated into the monitoring plan required by this
section and provide information such that emissions data are available
for a minimum of 18 hours in each 24-hour period and at least 22 out of
30 successive unit operating days.
(ix) Owners or operators of each CEMS required by this section must
reduce all data to 1-hour averages. Hourly averages shall be computed
using all valid data obtained within the hour but no less than one data
point in each 15-minute quadrant of an hour. Notwithstanding this
requirement, an hourly average may be computed from at least two data
points separated by a minimum of 15 minutes (where the unit operates
for more than one quadrant in an hour) if data are unavailable as a
result of performance of calibration, quality assurance, preventive
maintenance activities, or backups of data from data acquisition and
handling systems and recertification events.
(x) The 30-day rolling average emission rate determined from data
derived from the CEMS required by this section (in lbs/MMBTU or lbs/hr
depending on the emission standard selected) must be calculated in
accordance with paragraphs (l)(4)(x)(A) through (F) of this section.
(A) Sum the total pounds of the pollutant in question emitted from
the unit during an operating day and the previous 29 operating days.
(B) Sum the total heat input to the unit (in MMBTU) or the total
actual hours of operation (in hours) during an operating day and the
previous 29 operating days.
(C) Divide the total number of pounds of the pollutant in question
emitted during the 30 operating days by the total heat input (or actual
hours of operation depending on the emission limit selected) during the
30 operating days.
(D) For purposes of this calculation, an operating day is any day
during
[[Page 21684]]
which fuel is combusted in the BART affected unit regardless of whether
pellets are produced. Actual hours of operation are the total hours a
unit is firing fuel regardless of whether a complete 24-hour
operational cycle occurs (i.e., if the furnace is firing fuel for only
five hours during a 24-hour period, then the actual operating hours for
that day are five. Similarly, total number of pounds of the pollutant
in question for that day is determined only from the CEMS data for the
five hours during which fuel is combusted.)
(E) If the owner or operator of the CEMS required by this section
uses an alternative method to determine 30-day rolling averages, that
method must be described in detail in the monitoring plan required by
this section. The alternative method will only be applicable if the
final monitoring plan and the alternative method are approved by EPA.
(F) A new 30-day rolling average emission rate must be calculated
for the period ending each new operating day.
(xi) The 720-hour rolling average emission rate determined from
data derived from the CEMS required by this section (in lbs/MMBTU) must
be calculated in accordance with paragraphs (l)(4)(xi)(A) through (C)
of this section.
(A) Sum the total pounds of NOX emitted from the unit
every hour and the previous (not necessarily consecutive) 719 hours for
which that type of fuel (either natural gas or mixed coal and natural
gas) was used.
(B) Sum the total heat input to the unit (in MMBTU) every hour and
the previous (not necessarily consecutive) 719 hours for which that
type of fuel (either natural gas or mixed coal and natural gas) was
used.
(C) Divide the total number of pounds of NOX emitted
during the 720 hours, as defined above, by the total heat input during
the same 720-hour period. This calculation must be done separately for
each fuel type (either for natural gas or mixed coal and natural gas).
(xii) Data substitution must not be used for purposes of
determining compliance under this regulation.
(xiii) All CEMS data shall be reduced and reported in units of the
applicable standard.
(xiv) A Quality Control Program must be developed and implemented
for all CEMS required by this section in accordance with 40 CFR part
60, appendix F, Procedure 1, Section 3. The program will include, at a
minimum, written procedures and operations for calibration checks,
calibration drift adjustments, preventative maintenance, data
collection, recording and reporting, accuracy audits/procedures,
periodic performance evaluations, and a corrective action program for
malfunctioning CEMS.
(m) Recordkeeping requirements. (1)(i) Records required by this
section must be kept in a form suitable and readily available for
expeditious review.
(ii) Records required by this section must be kept for a minimum of
five years following the date of creation.
(iii) Records must be kept on site for at least two years following
the date of creation and may be kept offsite, but readily accessible,
for the remaining three years.
(2) The owner or operator of the BART affected unit must maintain
the records identified in paragraphs (m)(2)(i) through (xi) of this
section.
(i) A copy of each notification and report developed for and
submitted to comply with this section including all documentation
supporting any initial notification or notification of compliance
status submitted, according to the requirements of this section.
(ii) Records of the occurrence and duration of each startup,
shutdown, and malfunction of the BART affected unit, air pollution
control equipment, and CEMS required by this section.
(iii) Records of activities taken during each startup, shutdown,
and malfunction of the BART affected unit, air pollution control
equipment, and CEMS required by this section.
(iv) Records of the occurrence and duration of all major
maintenance conducted on the BART affected unit, air pollution control
equipment, and CEMS required by this section.
(v) Records of each excess emission report, including all
documentation supporting the reports, dates and times when excess
emissions occurred, investigations into the causes of excess emissions,
actions taken to minimize or eliminate the excess emissions, and
preventative measures to avoid the cause of excess emissions from
occurring again.
(vi) Records of all CEMS data including, as a minimum, the date,
location, and time of sampling or measurement, parameters sampled or
measured, and results.
(vii) All records associated with quality assurance and quality
control activities on each CEMS as well as other records required by 40
CFR part 60, appendix F, Procedure 1 including, but not limited to, the
quality control program, audit results, and reports submitted as
required by this section.
(viii) Records of the NOX emissions during all periods
of BART affected unit operation, including startup, shutdown, and
malfunction, in the units of the standard. The owner or operator shall
convert the monitored data into the appropriate unit of the emission
limitation using appropriate conversion factors and F-factors. F-
factors used for purposes of this section shall be documented in the
monitoring plan and developed in accordance with 40 CFR part 60,
appendix A, Method 19. The owner or operator may use an alternate
method to calculate the NOX emissions upon written approval
from EPA.
(ix) Records of the SO2 emissions or records of the
removal efficiency (based on CEMS data), depending on the emission
standard selected, during all periods of operation, including periods
of startup, shutdown, and malfunction, in the units of the standard.
(x) Records associated with the CEMS unit including type of CEMS,
CEMS model number, CEMS serial number, and initial certification of
each CEMS conducted in accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix B,
Performance Specification 2 must be kept for the life of the CEMS unit.
(xi) Records of all periods of fuel oil usage as required in
paragraph (k)(4) of this section.
(n) Reporting requirements. (1) All requests, reports, submittals,
notifications, and other communications to the Regional Administrator
required by this section shall be submitted, unless instructed
otherwise, to the Air and Radiation Division, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 5 (A-18J) at 77 West Jackson Boulevard,
Chicago, Illinois 60604. References in this section to the Regional
Administrator shall mean the EPA Regional Administrator for Region 5.
(2) The owner or operator of each BART affected unit identified in
this section and CEMS required by this section must provide to the
Regional Administrator the written notifications, reports, and plans
identified at paragraphs (n)(2)(i) through (viii) of this section. If
acceptable to both the Regional Administrator and the owner or operator
of each BART affected unit identified in this section and CEMS required
by this section the owner or operator may provide electronic
notifications, reports, and plans.
(i) A notification of the date construction of control devices and
installation of burners required by this section commences postmarked
no later than 30 days after the commencement date.
(ii) A notification of the date the installation of each CEMS
required by this section commences postmarked no later than 30 days
after the commencement date.
[[Page 21685]]
(iii) A notification of the date the construction of control
devices and installation of burners required by this section is
complete postmarked no later than 30 days after the completion date.
(iv) A notification of the date the installation of each CEMS
required by this section is complete postmarked no later than 30 days
after the completion date.
(v) A notification of the date control devices and burners
installed by this section startup postmarked no later than 30 days
after the startup date.
(vi) A notification of the date CEMS required by this section
postmarked no later than 30 days after the startup date.
(vii) A notification of the date upon which the initial CEMS
performance evaluations are planned. This notification must be
submitted at least 60 days before the performance evaluation is
scheduled to begin.
(viii) A notification of initial compliance signed by the
responsible official, who shall certify its accuracy, attesting to
whether the source has complied with the requirements of this section,
including, but not limited to, applicable emission standards, control
device and burner installations, and CEMS installation and
certification. This notification must be submitted before the close of
business on the 60th calendar day following the completion of the
compliance demonstration and must include, at a minimum, the
information in paragraphs (n)(2)(viii)(A) through (F) of this section.
(A) The methods used to determine compliance.
(B) The results of any CEMS performance evaluations and other
monitoring procedures or methods that were conducted.
(C) The methods that will be used for determining continuing
compliance, including a description of monitoring and reporting
requirements and test methods.
(D) The type and quantity of air pollutants emitted by the source,
reported in units of the standard.
(E) A description of the air pollution control equipment and
burners installed as required by this section for each emission point.
(F) A statement by the owner or operator as to whether the source
has complied with the relevant standards and other requirements.
(3) The owner or operator must develop and implement a written
startup, shutdown, and malfunction plan for NOX and
SO2. The plan must include, at a minimum, procedures for
operating and maintaining the source during periods of startup,
shutdown, and malfunction and a program of corrective action for a
malfunctioning process and air pollution control and monitoring
equipment used to comply with the relevant standard. The plan must
ensure that, at all times, the owner or operator operates and maintains
each affected source, including associated air pollution control and
monitoring equipment, in a manner which satisfies the general duty to
minimize or eliminate emissions using good air pollution control
practices. The plan must ensure that owners or operators are prepared
to correct malfunctions as soon as practicable after their occurrence.
(4) The written reports of the results of each performance
evaluation and QA/QC check in accordance with and as required in
paragraph (l)(4)(v) of this section.
(5) Compliance reports. The owner or operator of each BART affected
unit must submit semiannual compliance reports. The semiannual
compliance reports must be submitted in accordance with paragraphs
(n)(5)(i) through (iv) of this section, unless the Regional
Administrator has approved a different schedule.
(i) The first compliance report must cover the period beginning on
the compliance date that is specified for the affected source through
June 30 or December 31, whichever date comes first after the compliance
date that is specified for the affected source.
(ii) The first compliance report must be postmarked no later than
30 calendar days after the reporting period covered by that report
(July 30 or January 30), whichever comes first.
(iii) Each subsequent compliance report must cover the semiannual
reporting period from January 1 through June 30 or the semiannual
reporting period from July 1 through December 31.
(iv) Each subsequent compliance report must be postmarked no later
than 30 calendar days after the reporting period covered by that report
(July 30 or January 30).
(6) Compliance report contents. Each compliance report must include
the information in paragraphs (n)(6)(i) through (vi) of this section.
(i) Company name and address.
(ii) Statement by a responsible official, with the official's name,
title, and signature, certifying the truth, accuracy, and completeness
of the content of the report.
(iii) Date of report and beginning and ending dates of the
reporting period.
(iv) Identification of the process unit, control devices, and CEMS
covered by the compliance report.
(v) A record of each period of a startup, shutdown, or malfunction
during the reporting period and a description of the actions the owner
or operator took to minimize or eliminate emissions arising as a result
of the startup, shutdown, or malfunction and whether those actions were
or were not consistent with the source's startup, shutdown, and
malfunction plan.
(vi) A statement identifying whether there were or were not any
deviations from the requirements of this section during the reporting
period. If there were deviations from the requirements of this section
during the reporting period, then the compliance report must describe
in detail the deviations which occurred, the causes of the deviations,
actions taken to address the deviations, and procedures put in place to
avoid such deviations in the future. If there were no deviations from
the requirements of this section during the reporting period, then the
compliance report must include a statement that there were no
deviations. For purposes of this section, deviations include, but are
not limited to, emissions in excess of applicable emission standards
established by this section, failure to continuously operate an air
pollution control device in accordance with operating requirements
designed to assure compliance with emission standards, failure to
continuously operate CEMS required by this section, and failure to
maintain records or submit reports required by this section.
(7) Each owner or operator of a CEMS required by this section must
submit quarterly excess emissions and monitoring system performance
reports to the Regional Administrator for each pollutant monitored for
each BART affected unit monitored. All reports must be postmarked by
the 30th day following the end of each 3-month period of a calendar
year (January-March, April-June, July-September, October-December) and
must include, at a minimum, the requirements of paragraphs (n)(7)(i)
through (xv) of this section.
(i) Company name and address.
(ii) Identification and description of the process unit being
monitored.
(iii) The dates covered by the reporting period.
(iv) Total source operating hours for the reporting period.
(v) Monitor manufacturer, monitor model number, and monitor serial
number.
(vi) Pollutant monitored.
(vii) Emission limitation for the monitored pollutant.
(viii) Date of latest CEMS certification or audit.
[[Page 21686]]
(ix) A description of any changes in continuous monitoring systems,
processes, or controls since the last reporting period.
(x) A table summarizing the total duration of excess emissions, as
defined in paragraphs (n)(7)(x)(A) through (B) of this section, for the
reporting period broken down by the cause of those excess emissions
(startup/shutdown, control equipment problems, process problems, other
known causes, unknown causes), and the total percent of excess
emissions (for all causes) for the reporting period calculated as
described in paragraph (n)(7)(x)(C) of this section.
(A) For purposes of this section, an excess emission is defined as
any 30-day or 720-hour rolling average period, including periods of
startup, shutdown, and malfunction, during which the 30-day or 720-hour
(as appropriate) rolling average emissions of either regulated
pollutant (SO2 and NOX), as measured by a CEMS,
exceeds the applicable emission standards in this section.
(B)(1) For purposes of this section, if a facility calculates a 30-
day rolling average emission rate in accordance with this section which
exceeds the applicable emission standards of this section, then it will
be considered 30 days of excess emissions. If the following 30-day
rolling average emission rate is calculated and found to exceed the
applicable emission standards of this section as well, then it will add
one more day to the total days of excess emissions (i.e. 31 days).
Similarly, if an excess emission is calculated for a 30-day rolling
average period and no additional excess emissions are calculated until
15 days after the first, then that new excess emission will add 15 days
to the total days of excess emissions (i.e. 30 + 15 = 45). For purposes
of this section, if an excess emission is calculated for any period of
time within a reporting period, there will be no fewer than 30 days of
excess emissions but there should be no more than 121 days of excess
emissions for a reporting period.
(2) For purposes of this section, if a facility calculates a 720-
hour rolling average emission rate in accordance with this section
which exceeds the applicable emission standards of this section, then
it will be considered 30 days of excess emissions. If the 24th
following 720-hour rolling average emission rate is calculated and
found to exceed the applicable emission standards of the rule as well,
then it will add one more day to the total days of excess emissions
(i.e. 31 days). Similarly, if an excess emission is calculated for a
720-hour rolling average period and no additional excess emissions are
calculated until 360 hours after the first, then that new excess
emission will add 15 days to the total days of excess emissions (i.e.
30+15 = 45). For purposes of this section, if an excess emission is
calculated for any period of time with a reporting period, there will
be no fewer than 30 days of excess emissions but there should be no
more than 121 days of excess emissions for a reporting period.
(C) For purposes of this section, the total percent of excess
emissions will be determined by summing all periods of excess emissions
(in days) for the reporting period, dividing that number by the total
BART affected unit operating days for the reporting period, and then
multiplying by 100 to get the total percent of excess emissions for the
reporting period. An operating day, as defined previously, is any day
during which fuel is fired in the BART affected unit for any period of
time. Because of the possible overlap of 30-day rolling average excess
emissions across quarters, there are some situations where the total
percent of excess emissions could exceed 100 percent. This extreme
situation would only result from serious excess emissions problems
where excess emissions occur for nearly every day during a reporting
period.
(xi) A table summarizing the total duration of monitor downtime, as
defined in paragraph (n)(7)(xi)(A) of this section, for the reporting
period broken down by the cause of the monitor downtime (monitor
equipment malfunctions, non-monitor equipment malfunctions, quality
assurance calibration, other known causes, unknown causes), and the
total percent of monitor downtime (for all causes) for the reporting
period calculated as described in paragraph (n)(7)(xi)(B) of this
section.
(A) For purposes of this section, monitor downtime is defined as
any period of time (in hours) during which the required monitoring
system was not measuring emissions from the BART affected unit. This
includes any period of CEMS QA/QC, daily zero and span checks, and
similar activities.
(B) For purposes of this section, the total percent of monitor
downtime will be determined by summing all periods of monitor downtime
(in hours) for the reporting period, dividing that number by the total
number of BART affected unit operating hours for the reporting period,
and then multiplying by 100 to get the total percent of excess
emissions for the reporting period.
(xii) A table which identifies each period of excess emissions for
the reporting period and includes, at a minimum, the information in
paragraphs (n)(7)(xii)(A) through (F) of this section.
(A) The date of each excess emission.
(B) The beginning and end time of each excess emission.
(C) The pollutant for which an excess emission occurred.
(D) The magnitude of the excess emission.
(E) The cause of the excess emission.
(F) The corrective action taken or preventative measures adopted to
minimize or eliminate the excess emissions and prevent such excess
emission from occurring again.
(xiii) A table which identifies each period of monitor downtime for
the reporting period and includes, at a minimum, the information in
paragraphs (n)(7)(xiii)(A) through (D) of this section.
(A) The date of each period of monitor downtime.
(B) The beginning and end time of each period of monitor downtime.
(C) The cause of the period of monitor downtime.
(D) The corrective action taken or preventative measures adopted
for system repairs or adjustments to minimize or eliminate monitor
downtime and prevent such downtime from occurring again.
(xiv) If there were no periods of excess emissions during the
reporting period, then the excess emission report must include a
statement which says there were no periods of excess emissions during
this reporting period.
(xv) If there were no periods of monitor downtime, except for daily
zero and span checks, during the reporting period, then the excess
emission report must include a statement which says there were no
periods of monitor downtime during this reporting period except for the
daily zero and span checks.
(8) The owner or operator of each CEMS required by this section
must develop and submit for review and approval by the Regional
Administrator a site specific monitoring plan. The purpose of this
monitoring plan is to establish procedures and practices which will be
implemented by the owner or operator in its effort to comply with the
monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements of this section.
The monitoring plan must include, at a minimum, the information in
paragraphs (n)(8)(i) through (x) of this section.
(i) Site specific information including the company name, address,
and contact information.
(ii) The objectives of the monitoring program implemented and
information
[[Page 21687]]
describing how those objectives will be met.
(iii) Information on any emission factors used in conjunction with
the CEMS required by this section to calculate emission rates and a
description of how those emission factors were determined.
(iv) A description of methods to be used to calculate emission
rates when CEMS data are not available due to downtime associated with
QA/QC events.
(v) A description of the QA/QC program to be implemented by the
owner or operator of CEMS required by this section. This can be the QA/
QC program developed in accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix F,
Procedure 1, Section 3.
(vi) A list of spare parts for CEMS maintained on site for system
maintenance and repairs.
(vii) A description of the procedures to be used to calculate 30-
day rolling averages and 720-hour rolling averages and example
calculations which show the algorithms used by the CEMS to calculate
30-day rolling averages and 720-hour rolling averages.
(viii) A sample of the document to be used for the quarterly excess
emission reports required by this section.
(ix) A description of the procedures to be implemented to
investigate root causes of excess emissions and monitor downtime and
the proposed corrective actions to address potential root causes of
excess emissions and monitor downtime.
(x) A description of the sampling and calculation methodology for
determining the percent sulfur by weight as a monthly block average for
coal used during that month.
(p) Equations for establishing the upper predictive limit--(1)
Equation for normal distribution and statistically independent data.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12AP16.000
Where:
x = average or mean of hourly test run data;
t[(n-1),(0.95)] = t score, the one-tailed t
value of the Student's t distribution for a specific degree of
freedom (n-1) and a confidence level (0.95; 0.99 for Tilden
SO2)
s\2\ = variance of the hourly data set;
n = number of values (e.g. 5,760 if 8 months of valid lbs
NOX/MMBTU hourly values)
m = number of values used to calculate the test average (m = 720 as
per averaging time)
(i) To determine if statistically independent, use the Rank von
Neumann Test on p. 137 of data Quality Assessment: Statistical Methods
for Practitioners EPA QA/G-9S.
(ii) Alternative to Rank von Neumann test to determine if data are
dependent, data are dependent if t test value is greater than t
critical value, where:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12AP16.001
[rho] = correlation between data points
t critical = t[(n-2),(0.95)] = t score, the
two-tailed t value of the Student's t distribution for a specific
degree of freedom (n-2) and a confidence level (0.95)
(iii) The Anderson-Darling normality test is used to establish
whether the data are normally distributed. That is, a distribution is
considered to be normally distributed when p > 0.05.
(2) Non-parametric equation for data not normally distributed and
normally distributed but not statistically independent.
m = (n + 1) * [alpha]
m = the rank of the ordered data point, when data are sorted
smallest to largest. The data points are 720-hour averages for
establishing NOX limits.
n = number of data points (e.g., 5040 720-hourly averages for eight
months of valid NOX lbs/MMBTU values)
[alpha] = 0.95, to reflect the 95th percentile
If m is a whole number, then the limit, UPL, shall be computed as:
UPL = Xm
Where:
Xm = value of the m\th\ data point in terms of lbs SO2/hr
or lbs NOX/MMBTU, when the data are sorted smallest to
largest.
If m is not a whole number, the limit shall be computed by linear
interpolation according to the following equation.
UPL = xm = xmi[middot]md = xmi + 0.md (xmi+1-xmi)
Where:
mi = the integer portion of m, i.e., m truncated at zero decimal
places, and
md = the decimal portion of m
0
3. Section 52.1235 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(1)(ii),
(b)(1)(iv), (b)(1)(v), (b)(2)(iv), (c), (d), and (e) and by adding
paragraph (f) to read as follows:
Sec. 52.1235 Regional haze.
* * * * *
(b)
(1) * * *
(ii) Hibbing Taconite Company--(A) Hibbing Line 1. (1) An emission
limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling
average, shall apply to Hibbing Line 1 when burning natural gas. This
emission limit will become enforceable 37 months after May 12, 2016 and
only after EPA's confirmation or modification of the emission limit in
accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(A)(2)
through (7) of this section.
(2) Compliance with this emission limit will be demonstrated with
data collected by a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) for
NOX. The owner or operator of Hibbing Line 1 must install a
CEMS for NOX and SO2 within six months from May
12, 2016. The owner or operator must start collecting CEMS data and
submit the data to EPA no later than 30 days from the end of each
calendar quarter after that installation deadline. Any remaining data
through the end of the 34th month from May 12, 2016, that does not fall
within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no later than 30
days from the end of the 34th month. Although CEMS data must continue
to be collected, it does not need to be submitted to EPA starting 34
months after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 24 months after May 12, 2016 the owner or
operator must submit to EPA a report, including any final report(s)
completed by the selected NOX reduction technology supplier
and furnace retrofit engineer, containing a detailed engineering
analysis and modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on Hibbing Line 1. The NOX
reduction control technology must be designed to meet an emission limit
of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU. This report must include a list of all
process and control technology variables that can reasonably be
expected to have an impact on NOX emissions control
technology performance, as well as a description of how these variables
can be adjusted to reduce NOX emissions to meet the
NOX design emission limit.
(4) The NOX reduction control technology shall be
installed on Hibbing Line 1 furnace no later than 26 months after May
12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six months from the installation
of the NOX reduction control technology; or 26 months from
May 12, 2016, the owner or operator must provide to EPA the results
from pellet quality analyses. The owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no later than 30 days from the end
of each calendar quarter up until 34 months after May 12, 2016. Any
remaining results through the end of the 34th month from May 12, 2016,
that do not fall within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of the 34th month. The
[[Page 21688]]
pellet quality analyses shall include results for the following
factors: Compression, reducibility, before tumble, after tumble, low
temperature disintegration, and swelling. For each of the pellet
quality analysis factors, the owner or operator must explain the pellet
quality analysis factor, as well as the defined acceptable range for
each factor using the applicable product quality standards based upon
customers' pellet specifications that are contained in Hibbing's ISO
9001 quality management system. The owner or operator shall provide
pellet quality analysis testing results that state the date and time of
the analysis and, in order to define the time period when pellets were
produced outside of the defined acceptable range for the pellet quality
factors listed, provide copies of the production logs that document the
starting and ending times for such periods. The owner or operator shall
provide an explanation of causes for pellet samples that fail to meet
the acceptable range for any pellet quality analysis factor. Pellet
quality information and data may be submitted to EPA as Confidential
Business Information.
(6) No later than 34 months after May 12, 2016, the owner or
operator may submit to EPA a report to either confirm or modify the
NOX limits for Hibbing Line 1 furnace within the upper and
lower bounds described below. EPA will review the report and either
confirm or modify the NOX limits. If the CEMS data collected
during operating periods between months 26 and 34 that both meet pellet
quality specifications and proper furnace/burner operation is normally
distributed, the limit adjustment determination shall be based on the
appropriate (depending upon whether data are statistically independent
or dependent) 95% upper predictive limit (UPL) equations in paragraph
(f) of this section. If the CEMS data collected during operating
periods between months 26 and 34 that both meet pellet quality
specifications and proper furnace/burner operation are not normally
distributed, the limit adjustment determination shall be based on the
non-parametric equation provided in paragraph (f) of this section. The
data set for the determination shall exclude periods when pellet
quality did not fall within the defined acceptable ranges of the pellet
quality factors identified pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(E) of this
section and for any subsequent period when production has been reduced
in response to pellet quality concerns consistent with Hibbing's ISO
9001 operating standards. Any excluded period will commence at the time
documented on the production log demonstrating that pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable range and shall end when pellet
quality within the defined acceptable range has been re-established at
planned production levels, which will be presumed to be the level that
existed immediately prior to the reduction in production due to pellet
quality concerns. EPA may also exclude data where operations are
inconsistent with the reported design parameters of the NOX
reduction control technology installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action by publishing its final
confirmation or modification of the NOX limit in the Federal
Register no later than 37 months after May 12, 2016. The confirmed or
modified NOX limit for Hibbing Line 1 when burning only
natural gas may be no lower than 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on
a 30-day rolling average, and may not exceed 1.8 lbs NOX/
MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling average.
(B) Hibbing Line 2. (1) An emission limit of 1.2 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling average, shall apply to
Hibbing Line 2 when burning natural gas. This emission limit will
become enforceable 55 months after May 12, 2016 and only after EPA's
confirmation or modification of the emission limit in accordance with
the procedures set forth in paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(B)(2) through (7) of
this section.
(2) Compliance with this emission limit will be demonstrated with
data collected by a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) for
NOX. The owner or operator of Hibbing Line 2 must install a
CEMS for NOX and SO2 within six months from May
12, 2016. The owner or operator must start collecting CEMS data and
submit the data to EPA no later than 30 days from the end of each
calendar quarter after that installation deadline. Any remaining data
through the end of the 52nd month from May 12, 2016, that does not fall
within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no later than 30
days from the end of the 52nd month. Although CEMS data must continue
to be collected, it does not need to be submitted to EPA starting 52
months after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 42 months after May 12, 2016 the owner or
operator must submit to EPA a report, including any final report(s)
completed by the selected NOX reduction technology supplier
and furnace retrofit engineer, containing a detailed engineering
analysis and modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on Hibbing Line 2. The NOX
reduction control technology must be designed to meet an emission limit
of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU. This report must include a list of all
process and control technology variables that can reasonably be
expected to have an impact on NOX emissions control
technology performance, as well as a description of how these variables
can be adjusted to reduce NOX emissions to meet the
NOX design emission limit.
(4) The NOX reduction control technology shall be
installed on Hibbing Line 2 furnace no later than 44 months after May
12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six months from the installation
of the NOX reduction control technology; or 44 months from
May 12, 2016, the owner or operator must provide to EPA the results
from pellet quality analyses. The owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no later than 30 days from the end
of each calendar quarter up until 52 months after May 12, 2016. Any
remaining results through the end of the 52nd month from May 12, 2016,
that do not fall within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of the 52nd month. The pellet quality
analyses shall include results for the following factors: Compression,
reducibility, before tumble, after tumble, low temperature
disintegration, and swelling. For each of the pellet quality analysis
factors, the owner or operator must explain the pellet quality analysis
factor, as well as the defined acceptable range for each factor using
the applicable product quality standards based upon customers' pellet
specifications that are contained in Hibbing's ISO 9001 quality
management system. The owner or operator shall provide pellet quality
analysis testing results that state the date and time of the analysis
and, in order to define the time period when pellets were produced
outside of the defined acceptable range for the pellet quality factors
listed, provide copies of the production logs that document the
starting and ending times for such periods. The owner or operator shall
provide an explanation of causes for pellet samples that fail to meet
the acceptable range for any pellet quality analysis factor. Pellet
quality information and data may be submitted to EPA as Confidential
Business Information.
(6) No later than 52 months after May 12, 2016, the owner or
operator may submit to EPA a report to either confirm or modify the
NOX limits for Hibbing Line 2 furnace within the upper and
lower bounds described below. EPA
[[Page 21689]]
will review the report and either confirm or modify the NOX
limits. If the CEMS data collected during operating periods between
months 44 and 52 that both meet pellet quality specifications and
proper furnace/burner operation is normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based on the appropriate (depending
upon whether data are statistically independent or dependent) 95% upper
predictive limit (UPL) equations in paragraph (f) of this section. If
the CEMS data collected during operating periods between months 44 and
52 that both meet pellet quality specifications and proper furnace/
burner operation are not normally distributed, the limit adjustment
determination shall be based on the non-parametric equation provided in
paragraph (f) of this section. The data set for the determination shall
exclude periods when pellet quality did not fall within the defined
acceptable ranges of the pellet quality factors identified pursuant to
paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(E) of this section and for any subsequent period
when production has been reduced in response to pellet quality concerns
consistent with Hibbing's ISO 9001 operating standards. Any excluded
period will commence at the time documented on the production log
demonstrating that pellet quality did not fall within the defined
acceptable range and shall end when pellet quality within the defined
acceptable range has been re-established at planned production levels,
which will be presumed to be the level that existed immediately prior
to the reduction in production due to pellet quality concerns. EPA may
also exclude data where operations are inconsistent with the reported
design parameters of the NOX reduction control technology
installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action by publishing its final
confirmation or modification of the NOX limit in the Federal
Register no later than 55 months after May 12, 2016. The confirmed or
modified NOX limit for Hibbing Line 2 when burning only
natural gas may be no lower than 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on
a 30-day rolling average, and may not exceed 1.8 lbs NOX/
MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling average.
(C) Hibbing Line 3. (1) An emission limit of 1.2 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling average, shall apply to
Hibbing Line 3 when burning natural gas. This emission limit will
become enforceable 60 months after May 12, 2016 and only after EPA's
confirmation or modification of the emission limit in accordance with
the procedures set forth in paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(C)(2) through (7) of
this section.
(2) Compliance with this emission limit will be demonstrated with
data collected by a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) for
NOX. The owner or operator of Hibbing Line 3 must install a
CEMS for NOX and SO2 within six months from May
12, 2016. The owner or operator must start collecting CEMS data and
submit the data to EPA no later than 30 days from the end of each
calendar quarter after that installation deadline. Any remaining data
through the end of the 57th month from May 12, 2016, that does not fall
within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no later than 30
days from the end of the 57th month. Although CEMS data must continue
to be collected, it does not need to be submitted to EPA starting 57
months after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 48 months after May 12, 2016 the owner or
operator must submit to EPA a report, including any final report(s)
completed by the selected NOX reduction technology supplier
and furnace retrofit engineer, containing a detailed engineering
analysis and modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on Hibbing Line 3. The NOX
reduction control technology must be designed to meet an emission limit
of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU. This report must include a list of all
process and control technology variables that can reasonably be
expected to have an impact on NOX emissions control
technology performance, as well as a description of how these variables
can be adjusted to reduce NOX emissions to meet the
NOX design emission limit.
(4) The NOX reduction control technology shall be
installed on Hibbing Line 3 furnace no later than 50 months after May
12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six months from the installation
of the NOX reduction control technology; or 50 months from
May 12, 2016, the owner or operator must provide to EPA the results
from pellet quality analyses. The owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no later than 30 days from the end
of each calendar quarter up until 57 months after May 12, 2016. Any
remaining results through the end of the 57th month from May 12, 2016,
that do not fall within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of the 57th month. The pellet quality
analyses shall include results for the following factors: Compression,
reducibility, before tumble, after tumble, low temperature
disintegration, and swelling. For each of the pellet quality analysis
factors, the owner or operator must explain the pellet quality analysis
factor, as well as the defined acceptable range for each factor using
the applicable product quality standards based upon customers' pellet
specifications that are contained in Hibbing's ISO 9001 quality
management system. The owner or operator shall provide pellet quality
analysis testing results that state the date and time of the analysis
and, in order to define the time period when pellets were produced
outside of the defined acceptable range for the pellet quality factors
listed, provide copies of the production logs that document the
starting and ending times for such periods. The owner or operator shall
provide an explanation of causes for pellet samples that fail to meet
the acceptable range for any pellet quality analysis factor. Pellet
quality information and data may be submitted to EPA as Confidential
Business Information.
(6) No later than 57 months after May 12, 2016, the owner or
operator may submit to EPA a report to either confirm or modify the
NOX limits for Hibbing Line 3 furnace within the upper and
lower bounds described below. EPA will review the report and either
confirm or modify the NOX limits. If the CEMS data collected
during operating periods between months 50 and 57 that both meet pellet
quality specifications and proper furnace/burner operation is normally
distributed, the limit adjustment determination shall be based on the
appropriate (depending upon whether data are statistically independent
or dependent) 95% upper predictive limit (UPL) equations in paragraph
(f) of this section. If the CEMS data collected during operating
periods between months 50 and 57 that both meet pellet quality
specifications and proper furnace/burner operation are not normally
distributed, the limit adjustment determination shall be based on the
non-parametric equation provided in paragraph (f) of this section. The
data set for the determination shall exclude periods when pellet
quality did not fall within the defined acceptable ranges of the pellet
quality factors identified pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(E) of this
section and for any subsequent period when production has been reduced
in response to pellet quality concerns consistent with Hibbing's ISO
9001 operating standards. Any excluded period will commence at the time
documented on the production log demonstrating that pellet quality did
not fall within the defined acceptable range and shall end when pellet
quality
[[Page 21690]]
within the defined acceptable range has been re-established at planned
production levels, which will be presumed to be the level that existed
immediately prior to the reduction in production due to pellet quality
concerns. EPA may also exclude data where operations are inconsistent
with the reported design parameters of the NOX reduction
control technology installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action by publishing its final
confirmation or modification of the NOX limit in the Federal
Register no later than 60 months after May 12, 2016. The confirmed or
modified NOX limit for Hibbing Line 3 when burning only
natural gas may be no lower than 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on
a 30-day rolling average, and may not exceed 1.8 lbs NOX/
MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling average.
* * * * *
(iv) United Taconite--(A) United Taconite Line 1. (1) An emission
limit of 2.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling
average, shall apply to United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1 when burning
natural gas, and an emission limit of 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU,
based on a 720-hour rolling average, shall apply to United Taconite
Grate Kiln Line 1 when burning coal or a mixture of coal and natural
gas. These emission limits will become enforceable 37 months after May
12, 2016 and only after EPA's confirmation or modification of the
emission limit in accordance with the procedures set forth in
paragraphs (b)(1)(iv)(A)(2) through (8) of this section.
(2) Compliance with these emission limits shall be demonstrated
with data collected by a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS)
for NOX. The owner or operator must start collecting CEMS
data for NOX on May 12, 2016 and submit the data to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of each calendar quarter. Any remaining
data through the end of the 34th month from May 12, 2016, that does not
fall within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no later than
30 days from the end of the 34th month. Although CEMS data must
continue to be collected, it does not need to be submitted to EPA
starting 34 months after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 24 months from May 12, 2016, the owner or
operator must submit to EPA a report, including any final report(s)
completed by the selected NOX reduction technology supplier
and furnace retrofit engineer, containing a detailed engineering
analysis and modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1. This
report must include a list of all variables that can reasonably be
expected to have an impact on NOX emission control
technology performance, as well as a description of how these variables
can be adjusted to reduce NOX emissions to meet the
NOX design emission limit. This NOX reduction
control technology must be designed to meet emission limits of 2.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU when burning natural gas and 1.5 lbs
NOX/MMBTU when burning coal or a mixture of coal and natural
gas.
(4) The NOX reduction control technology shall be
installed on United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1 furnace no later than 26
months from May 12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six months from the installation
of the NOX reduction control technology or 26 months from
May 12, 2016, the owner or operator must provide to EPA the results
from pellet quality analyses. The owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no later than 30 days from the end
of each calendar quarter up until 34 months after May 12, 2016. Any
remaining results through the end of the 34th month, that do not fall
within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no later than 30
days from the end of the 34th month. The pellet quality analyses shall
include results for the following factors: Compression, reducibility,
before tumble, after tumble, and low temperature disintegration. For
each of the pellet quality analysis factors, the owner or operator must
explain the pellet quality analysis factor, as well as the defined
acceptable range for each factor using the applicable product quality
standards based upon customers' pellet specifications that are
contained in United Taconite's ISO 9001 quality management system. The
owner or operator shall provide pellet quality analysis testing results
that state the date and time of the analysis and, in order to define
the time period when pellets were produced outside of the defined
acceptable range for the pellet quality factors listed, provide copies
of the production logs that document the starting and ending times for
such periods. The owner or operator shall provide an explanation of
causes for pellet samples that fail to meet the acceptable range for
any pellet quality analysis factor. Pellet quality information and data
may be submitted to EPA as Confidential Business Information.
(6) No later than 34 months after May 12, 2016, the owner or
operator may submit to EPA a report to either confirm or modify the
NOX limits for United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1 within the
upper and lower bounds described below. EPA will review the report and
either confirm or modify the NOX limits. If the CEMS data
collected during operating periods between months 26 and 34 that both
meet pellet quality specifications and proper furnace/burner operation
is normally distributed, the limit adjustment determination shall be
based on the appropriate (depending upon whether data are statistically
independent or dependent) 95% upper predictive limit (UPL) equations in
paragraph (f) of this section. If the CEMS data collected during
operating periods between months 26 and 34 that both meet pellet
quality specifications and proper furnace/burner operation are not
normally distributed, the limit adjustment determination shall be based
on the non-parametric equation provided in paragraph (f) of this
section. The data set for the determination shall exclude periods when
pellet quality did not fall within the defined acceptable ranges of the
pellet quality factors identified pursuant to paragraph
(b)(1)(iv)(A)(5) of this section and for any subsequent period when
production had been reduced in response to pellet quality concerns
consistent with United Taconite's ISO 9001 operating standards. Any
excluded period will commence at the time documented on the production
log demonstrating pellet quality did not fall within the defined
acceptable range, and shall end when pellet quality within the defined
acceptable range has been re-established at planned production levels,
which will be presumed to be the level that existed immediately prior
to the reduction in production due to pellet quality concerns. EPA may
also exclude data where operations are inconsistent with the reported
design parameters of the NOX reduction control technology
that were installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action by publishing its final
confirmation or modification of the NOX limits in the
Federal Register no later than 37 months after May 12, 2016. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for United Taconite Grate
Kiln Line 1 when burning only natural gas may be no lower than 2.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling average, and may not
exceed 3.0 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling
average. The confirmed or modified NOX limit for United
Taconite Grate Kiln Line 1 when burning coal or a mixture of coal and
natural gas may be no lower than 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on
a 720-hour rolling average, and may not exceed 2.5
[[Page 21691]]
lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling average.
(8) If the owner or operator submits a report proposing a single
NOX limit for all fuels, EPA may approve the proposed
NOX limit for all fuels based on a 30-day rolling average.
The confirmed or modified limit will be established and enforceable
within 37 months from May 12, 2016.
(B) United Taconite Line 2. (1) An emission limit of 2.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling average, shall apply
to United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2 when burning natural gas, and an
emission limit of 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour
rolling average, shall apply to United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2 when
burning coal or a mixture of coal and natural gas. These emission
limits will become enforceable 55 months after May 12, 2016 and only
after EPA's confirmation or modification of the emission limit in
accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraphs (b)(1)(iv)(B)(2)
through (8) of this section.
(2) Compliance with these emission limits shall be demonstrated
with data collected by a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS)
for NOX. The owner or operator must start collecting CEMS
data for NOX on May 12, 2016 and submit the data to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of each calendar quarter. Any remaining
data through the end of the 52nd month from May 12, 2016, that does not
fall within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no later than
30 days from the end of the 52nd month. Although CEMS data must
continue to be collected, it does not need to be submitted to EPA
starting 52 months after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 42 months from May 12, 2016, the owner or
operator must submit to EPA a report, including any final report(s)
completed by the selected NOX reduction technology supplier
and furnace retrofit engineer, containing a detailed engineering
analysis and modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2. This
report must include a list of all variables that can reasonably be
expected to have an impact on NOX emission control
technology performance, as well as a description of how these variables
can be adjusted to reduce NOX emissions to meet the
NOX design emission limit. This NOX reduction
control technology must be designed to meet emission limits of 2.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU when burning natural gas and 1.5 lbs
NOX/MMBTU when burning coal or a mixture of coal and natural
gas.
(4) The NOX reduction control technology shall be
installed on United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2 furnace no later than 44
months from May 12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six months from the installation
of the NOX reduction control technology or 44 months from
May 12, 2016, the owner or operator must provide to EPA the results
from pellet quality analyses. The owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no later than 30 days from the end
of each calendar quarter up until 52 months after May 12, 2016. Any
remaining results through the end of the 52nd month, that do not fall
within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no later than 30
days from the end of the 52nd month. The pellet quality analyses shall
include results for the following factors: Compression, reducibility,
before tumble, after tumble, and low temperature disintegration. For
each of the pellet quality analysis factors, the owner or operator must
explain the pellet quality analysis factor, as well as the defined
acceptable range for each factor using the applicable product quality
standards based upon customers' pellet specifications that are
contained in United Taconite's ISO 9001 quality management system. The
owner or operator shall provide pellet quality analysis testing results
that state the date and time of the analysis and, in order to define
the time period when pellets were produced outside of the defined
acceptable range for the pellet quality factors listed, provide copies
of the production logs that document the starting and ending times for
such periods. The owner or operator shall provide an explanation of
causes for pellet samples that fail to meet the acceptable range for
any pellet quality analysis factor. Pellet quality information and data
may be submitted to EPA as Confidential Business Information.
(6) No later than 52 months after May 12, 2016, the owner or
operator may submit to EPA a report to either confirm or modify the
NOX limits for United Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2 within the
upper and lower bounds described below. EPA will review the report and
either confirm or modify the NOX limits. If the CEMS data
collected during operating periods between months 44 and 52 that both
meet pellet quality specifications and proper furnace/burner operation
is normally distributed, the limit adjustment determination shall be
based on the appropriate (depending upon whether data are statistically
independent or dependent) 95% upper predictive limit (UPL) equations in
paragraph (f) of this section. If the CEMS data collected during
operating periods between months 44 and 52 that both meet pellet
quality specifications and proper furnace/burner operation are not
normally distributed, the limit adjustment determination shall be based
on the non-parametric equation provided in paragraph (f) of this
section. The data set for the determination shall exclude periods when
pellet quality did not fall within the defined acceptable ranges of the
pellet quality factors identified pursuant to paragraph
(b)(1)(iv)(B)(5) of this section and for any subsequent period when
production had been reduced in response to pellet quality concerns
consistent with United Taconite's ISO 9001 operating standards. Any
excluded period will commence at the time documented on the production
log demonstrating pellet quality did not fall within the defined
acceptable range, and shall end when pellet quality within the defined
acceptable range has been re-established at planned production levels,
which will be presumed to be the level that existed immediately prior
to the reduction in production due to pellet quality concerns. EPA may
also exclude data where operations are inconsistent with the reported
design parameters of the NOX reduction control technology
that were installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action by publishing its final
confirmation or modification of the NOX limits in the
Federal Register no later than 55 months after May 12, 2016. The
confirmed or modified NOX limit for United Taconite Grate
Kiln Line 2 when burning only natural gas may be no lower than 2.8 lbs
NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling average, and may not
exceed 3.0 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling
average. The confirmed or modified NOX limit for United
Taconite Grate Kiln Line 2 when burning coal or a mixture of coal and
natural gas may be no lower than 1.5 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on
a 720-hour rolling average, and may not exceed 2.5 lbs NOX/
MMBTU, based on a 720-hour rolling average.
(8) If the owner or operator submits a report proposing a single
NOX limit for all fuels, EPA may approve the proposed
NOX limit for all fuels based on a 30-day rolling average.
The confirmed or modified limit will be established and enforceable
within 55 months from May 12, 2016.
(v) ArcelorMittal USA--(A) ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine. (1) An
emission limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day
rolling average, shall apply to the ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine
indurating furnace when burning natural gas. This emission limit will
become enforceable 55 months after
[[Page 21692]]
May 12, 2016 and only after EPA's confirmation or modification of the
emission limit in accordance with the procedures set forth in
paragraphs (b)(1)(v)(A)(2) through (7) of this section.
(2) Compliance with this emission limit will be demonstrated with
data collected by a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) for
NOX. The owner or operator of the ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine
indurating furnace must install a CEMS for NOX and
SO2 within six months from May 12, 2016. The owner or
operator must start collecting CEMS data and submit the data to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of each calendar quarter after that
installation deadline. Any remaining data through the end of the 52nd
month from May 12, 2016, that does not fall within a calendar quarter,
must be submitted to EPA no later than 30 days from the end of the 52nd
month. Although CEMS data must continue to be collected, it does not
need to be submitted to EPA starting 52 months after May 12, 2016.
(3) No later than 42 months after May 12, 2016 the owner or
operator must submit to EPA a report, including any final report(s)
completed by the selected NOX reduction technology supplier
and furnace retrofit engineer, containing a detailed engineering
analysis and modeling of the NOX reduction control
technology being installed on the ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine indurating
furnace. The NOX reduction control technology must be
designed to meet an emission limit of 1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU.
This report must include a list of all process and control technology
variables that can reasonably be expected to have an impact on
NOX emissions control technology performance, as well as a
description of how these variables can be adjusted to reduce
NOX emissions to meet the NOX design emission
limit.
(4) The NOX reduction control technology shall be
installed on the ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine indurating furnace no later
than 44 months after May 12, 2016.
(5) Commencing on the earlier of: Six months from the installation
of the NOX reduction control technology; or 44 months from
May 12, 2016, the owner or operator must provide to EPA the results
from pellet quality analyses. The owner or operator shall provide the
results from pellet quality analyses no later than 30 days from the end
of each calendar quarter up until 52 months after May 12, 2016. Any
remaining results through the end of the 52nd month from May 12, 2016,
that do not fall within a calendar quarter, must be submitted to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of the 52nd month. The pellet quality
analyses shall include results for the following factors: Compression,
reducibility, before tumble, after tumble, low temperature
disintegration, and contraction. For each of the pellet quality
analysis factors, the owner or operator must explain the pellet quality
analysis factor, as well as the defined acceptable range for each
factor using the applicable product quality standards based upon
customers' pellet specifications that are contained in the
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine's Standard Product Parameters. The owner or
operator shall provide pellet quality analysis testing results that
state the date and time of the analysis and, in order to define the
time period when pellets were produced outside of the defined
acceptable range for the pellet quality factors listed, provide copies
of production or scale data that document the starting and ending times
for such periods. The owner or operator shall provide an explanation of
causes for pellet samples that fail to meet the acceptable range for
any pellet quality analysis factor. Pellet quality information and data
may be submitted to EPA as Confidential Business Information.
(6) No later than 52 months after May 12, 2016, the owner or
operator may submit to EPA a report to either confirm or modify the
NOX limits for the ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine indurating
furnace within the upper and lower bounds described below. EPA will
review the report and either confirm or modify the NOX
limits. If the CEMS data collected during operating periods between
months 44 and 52 that both meet pellet quality specifications and
proper furnace/burner operation is normally distributed, the limit
adjustment determination shall be based on the appropriate (depending
upon whether data are statistically independent or dependent) 95% upper
predictive limit (UPL) equations in paragraph (f) of this section. If
the CEMS data collected during operating periods between months 44 and
52 that both meet pellet quality specifications and proper furnace/
burner operation are not normally distributed, the limit adjustment
determination shall be based on the non-parametric equation provided in
paragraph (f) of this section. The data set for the determination shall
exclude periods when pellet quality did not fall within the defined
acceptable ranges of the pellet quality factors identified pursuant to
paragraph (b)(1)(v)(A)(5) of this section and for any subsequent period
when production has been reduced in response to pellet quality concerns
consistent with the ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine's Standard Product
Parameters. Any excluded period will commence at the time documented in
related quality reports demonstrating that pellet quality did not fall
within the defined acceptable range and shall end when pellet quality
within the defined acceptable range has been re-established at planned
production levels, which will be presumed to be the level that existed
immediately prior to the reduction in production due to pellet quality
concerns. EPA may also exclude data where operations are inconsistent
with the reported design parameters of the NOX reduction
control technology installed.
(7) EPA will take final agency action by publishing its final
confirmation or modification of the NOX limit in the Federal
Register no later than 55 months after May 12, 2016. The confirmed or
modified NOX limit for the ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine
indurating furnace when burning only natural gas may be no lower than
1.2 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling average, and
may not exceed 1.8 lbs NOX/MMBTU, based on a 30-day rolling
average.
(B) [Reserved]
* * * * *
(2) * * *
(iv) United Taconite: An aggregate emission limit of 529.0 lbs
SO2/hr, based on a 30-day rolling average, shall apply to
the Line 1 pellet furnace (EU040) and Line 2 pellet furnace (EU042)
beginning six months after May 12, 2016. Compliance with this aggregate
emission limit shall be demonstrated with data collected by a
continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) for SO2. The
owner or operator must start collecting CEMS data for SO2
beginning six months after May 12, 2016 and submit the data to EPA no
later than 30 days from the end of each calendar quarter. Beginning six
months after May 12, 2016, any coal burned on UTAC Grate Kiln Line 1 or
Line 2 shall have no more than 1.5 percent sulfur by weight based on a
monthly block average. The sampling and calculation methodology for
determining the sulfur content of coal must be described in the
monitoring plan required for this furnace.
* * * * *
(c) Testing and monitoring. (1) The owner or operator of the
respective facility shall install, certify, calibrate, maintain and
operate continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) for
NOX on United States Steel
[[Page 21693]]
Corporation, Keetac unit EU030; Hibbing Taconite Company units EU020,
EU021, and EU022; United States Steel Corporation, Minntac units EU225,
EU261, EU282, EU315, and EU334; United Taconite units EU040 and EU042;
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine unit EU026; and Northshore Mining Company-
Silver Bay units Furnace 11 (EU100/EU104) and Furnace 12 (EU110/EU114).
Compliance with the emission limits for NOX shall be
determined using data from the CEMS.
(2) The owner or operator shall install, certify, calibrate,
maintain, and operate CEMS for SO2 on United States Steel
Corporation, Keetac unit EU030; Hibbing Taconite Company units EU020,
EU021, and EU022; United States Steel Corporation, Minntac units EU225,
EU261, EU282, EU315, and EU334; United Taconite units EU040 and EU042;
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine unit EU026; and Northshore Mining Company-
Silver Bay units Furnace 11 (EU100/EU104) and Furnace 12 (EU110/EU114).
(3) The owner or operator shall install, certify, calibrate,
maintain, and operate one or more continuous diluent monitor(s)
(O2 or CO2) and continuous flow rate monitor(s)
on the BART affected units to allow conversion of the NOX
and SO2 concentrations to units of the standard (lbs/MMBTU
and lbs/hr, respectively) unless a demonstration is made that a diluent
monitor and continuous flow rate monitor are not needed for the owner
or operator to demonstrate compliance with applicable emission limits
in units of the standards.
(4) For purposes of this section, all CEMS required by this section
must meet the requirements of paragraphs (c)(4)(i) through (xiv) of
this section.
(i) All CEMS must be installed, certified, calibrated, maintained,
and operated in accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix B, Performance
Specification 2 (PS-2) and appendix F, Procedure 1.
(ii) CEMS must be installed and operational as follows:
(A) All CEMS associated with monitoring NOX (including
the NOX monitor and necessary diluent and flow rate
monitors) at the following facilities: U.S. Steel Keetac, U.S. Steel
Minntac, and Northshore Mining Company-Silver Bay, must be installed
and operational no later than the unit specific compliance dates for
the emission limits identified at paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (iii) and (vi)
of this section, respectively.
(B) All CEMS associated with monitoring NOX (including
the NOX monitor and necessary diluent and flow rate
monitors) at the following facilities: Hibbing Taconite Company, United
Taconite, and ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine, must be installed and
operational no later than the unit specific installation dates for the
installation and operation of CEMS identified at paragraphs (b)(1)(ii),
(iv) and (v) of this section, respectively.
(C) All CEMS associated with monitoring SO2 at the
following facilities: U.S. Steel Keetac, U.S. Steel Minntac, and
Northshore Mining Company-Silver Bay, must be installed and operational
no later than six months after May 12, 2016.
(D) All CEMS associated with monitoring SO2 at the
following facilities: Hibbing Taconite Company, United Taconite, and
ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine, must be installed and operational no later
than six months after May 12, 2016.
(E) The operational status of the CEMS identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (2) of this section shall be verified by, as a minimum,
completion of the manufacturer's written requirements or
recommendations for installation, operation, and calibration of the
devices.
(iii) The owner or operator must conduct a performance evaluation
of each CEMS in accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix B, PS-2. The
performance evaluations must be completed no later than 60 days after
the respective CEMS installation.
(iv) The owner or operator of each CEMS must conduct periodic
Quality Assurance, Quality Control (QA/QC) checks of each CEMS in
accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix F, Procedure 1. The first CEMS
accuracy test will be a relative accuracy test audit (RATA) and must be
completed no later than 60 days after the respective CEMS installation.
(v) The owner or operator of each CEMS must furnish the Regional
Administrator two, or upon request, more copies of a written report of
the results of each performance evaluation and QA/QC check within 60
days of completion.
(vi) The owner or operator of each CEMS must check, record, and
quantify the zero and span calibration drifts at least once daily
(every 24 hours) in accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix F,
Procedure 1, Section 4.
(vii) Except for CEMS breakdowns, repairs, calibration checks, and
zero and span adjustments, all CEMS required by this section shall be
in continuous operation during all periods of BART affected process
unit operation, including periods of process unit startup, shutdown,
and malfunction.
(viii) All CEMS required by this section must meet the minimum data
requirements at paragraphs (c)(4)(viii)(A) through (C) of this section.
(A) Complete a minimum of one cycle of operation (sampling,
analyzing, and data recording) for each successive 15-minute quadrant
of an hour.
(B) Sample, analyze, and record emissions data for all periods of
process operation except as described in paragraph (c)(4)(viii)(C) of
this section.
(C) When emission data from CEMS are not available due to
continuous monitoring system breakdowns, repairs, calibration checks,
or zero and span adjustments, emission data must be obtained using
other monitoring systems or emission estimation methods approved by the
EPA. The other monitoring systems or emission estimation methods to be
used must be incorporated into the monitoring plan required by this
section and provide information such that emissions data are available
for a minimum of 18 hours in each 24-hour period and at least 22 out of
30 successive unit operating days.
(ix) Owners or operators of each CEMS required by this section must
reduce all data to 1-hour averages. Hourly averages shall be computed
using all valid data obtained within the hour but no less than one data
point in each 15-minute quadrant of an hour. Notwithstanding this
requirement, an hourly average may be computed from at least two data
points separated by a minimum of 15 minutes (where the unit operates
for more than one quadrant in an hour) if data are unavailable as a
result of performance of calibration, quality assurance, preventive
maintenance activities, or backups of data from data acquisition and
handling systems and recertification events.
(x) The 30-day rolling average emission rate determined from data
derived from the CEMS required by this section (in lbs/MMBTU or lbs/hr
depending on the emission standard selected) must be calculated in
accordance with paragraphs (c)(4)(x)(A) through (F) of this section.
(A) Sum the total pounds of the pollutant in question emitted from
the unit during an operating day and the previous 29 operating days.
(B) Sum the total heat input to the unit (in MMBTU) or the total
actual hours of operation (in hours) during an operating day and the
previous 29 operating days.
(C) Divide the total number of pounds of the pollutant in question
emitted during the 30 operating days by the total heat input (or actual
hours of operation depending on the emission limit selected) during the
30 operating days.
[[Page 21694]]
(D) For purposes of this calculation, an operating day is any day
during which fuel is combusted in the BART affected unit regardless of
whether pellets are produced. Actual hours of operation are the total
hours a unit is firing fuel regardless of whether a complete 24-hour
operational cycle occurs (i.e. if the furnace is firing fuel for only
five hours during a 24-hour period, then the actual operating hours for
that day are five. Similarly, total number of pounds of the pollutant
in question for that day is determined only from the CEMS data for the
five hours during which fuel is combusted.)
(E) If the owner or operator of the CEMS required by this section
uses an alternative method to determine 30-day rolling averages, that
method must be described in detail in the monitoring plan required by
this section. The alternative method will only be applicable if the
final monitoring plan and the alternative method are approved by EPA.
(F) A new 30-day rolling average emission rate must be calculated
for each new operating day.
(xi) The 720-hour rolling average emission rate determined from
data derived from the CEMS required by this section (in lbs/MMBTU) must
be calculated in accordance with (c)(4)(xi)(A) through (C).
(A) Sum the total pounds of NOX emitted from the unit
every hour and the previous (not necessarily consecutive) 719 hours for
which that type of fuel (either natural gas or mixed coal and natural
gas) was used.
(B) Sum the total heat input to the unit (in MMBTU) every hour and
the previous (not necessarily consecutive) 719 hours for which that
type of fuel (either natural gas or mixed coal and natural gas) was
used.
(C) Divide the total number of pounds of NOX emitted
during the 720 hours, as defined above, by the total heat input during
the same 720 hour period. This calculation must be done separately for
each fuel type (either for natural gas or mixed coal and natural gas).
(xii) Data substitution must not be used for purposes of
determining compliance under this section.
(xiii) All CEMS data shall be reduced and reported in units of the
applicable standard.
(xiv) A Quality Control Program must be developed and implemented
for all CEMS required by this section in accordance with 40 CFR part
60, appendix F, Procedure 1, Section 3. The program will include, at a
minimum, written procedures and operations for calibration checks,
calibration drift adjustments, preventative maintenance, data
collection, recording and reporting, accuracy audits/procedures,
periodic performance evaluations, and a corrective action program for
malfunctioning CEMS.
(d) Recordkeeping requirements. (1)(i) Records required by this
section must be kept in a form suitable and readily available for
expeditious review.
(ii) Records required by this section must be kept for a minimum of
five years following the date of creation.
(iii) Records must be kept on site for at least two years following
the date of creation and may be kept offsite, but readily accessible,
for the remaining three years.
(2) The owner or operator of the BART affected units must maintain
the records at paragraphs (d)(2)(i) through (xi) of this section.
(i) A copy of each notification and report developed for and
submitted to comply with this section including all documentation
supporting any initial notification or notification of compliance
status submitted according to the requirements of this section.
(ii) Records of the occurrence and duration of startup, shutdown,
and malfunction of the BART affected units, air pollution control
equipment, and CEMS required by this section.
(iii) Records of activities taken during each startup, shutdown,
and malfunction of the BART affected unit, air pollution control
equipment, and CEMS required by this section.
(iv) Records of the occurrence and duration of all major
maintenance conducted on the BART affected units, air pollution control
equipment, and CEMS required by this section.
(v) Records of each excess emission report, including all
documentation supporting the reports, dates and times when excess
emissions occurred, investigations into the causes of excess emissions,
actions taken to minimize or eliminate the excess emissions, and
preventative measures to avoid the cause of excess emissions from
occurring again.
(vi) Records of all CEMS data including, as a minimum, the date,
location, and time of sampling or measurement, parameters sampled or
measured, and results.
(vii) All records associated with quality assurance and quality
control activities on each CEMS as well as other records required by 40
CFR part 60, appendix F, Procedure 1 including, but not limited to, the
quality control program, audit results, and reports submitted as
required by this section.
(viii) Records of the NOX emissions during all periods
of BART affected unit operation, including startup, shutdown, and
malfunction in the units of the standard. The owner or operator shall
convert the monitored data into the appropriate unit of the emission
limitation using appropriate conversion factors and F-factors. F-
factors used for purposes of this section shall be documented in the
monitoring plan and developed in accordance with 40 CFR part 60,
appendix A, Method 19. The owner or operator may use an alternate
method to calculate the NOX emissions upon written approval
from EPA.
(ix) Records of the SO2 emissions in lbs/MMBTUs or lbs/
hr(based on CEMS data), depending on the emission standard selected,
during all periods of operation, including periods of startup,
shutdown, and malfunction, in the units of the standard.
(x) Records associated with the CEMS unit including type of CEMS,
CEMS model number, CEMS serial number, and initial certification of
each CEMS conducted in accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix B,
Performance Specification 2 must be kept for the life of the CEMS unit.
(xi) Records of all periods of fuel oil usage as required at
paragraph (b)(2)(vii) of this section.
(e) Reporting requirements. (1) All requests, reports, submittals,
notifications, and other communications to the Regional Administrator
required by this section shall be submitted, unless instructed
otherwise, to the Air and Radiation Division, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 5 (A-18J), at 77 West Jackson Boulevard,
Chicago, Illinois 60604.
(2) The owner or operator of each BART affected unit identified in
this section and CEMS required by this section must provide to the
Regional Administrator the written notifications, reports and plans
identified at paragraphs (e)(2)(i) through (viii) of this section. If
acceptable to both the Regional Administrator and the owner or operator
of each BART affected unit identified in this section and CEMS required
by this section the owner or operator may provide electronic
notifications, reports, and plans.
(i) A notification of the date construction of control devices and
installation of burners required by this section commences postmarked
no later than 30 days after the commencement date.
(ii) A notification of the date the installation of each CEMS
required by this section commences postmarked no later than 30 days
after the commencement date.
(iii) A notification of the date the construction of control
devices and installation of burners required by this
[[Page 21695]]
section is complete postmarked no later than 30 days after the
completion date.
(iv) A notification of the date the installation of each CEMS
required by this section is complete postmarked no later than 30 days
after the completion date.
(v) A notification of the date control devices and burners
installed by this section startup postmarked no later than 30 days
after the startup date.
(vi) A notification of the date CEMS required by this section
startup postmarked no later than 30 days after the startup date.
(vii) A notification of the date upon which the initial CEMS
performance evaluations are planned. This notification must be
submitted at least 60 days before the performance evaluation is
scheduled to begin.
(viii) A notification of initial compliance, signed by the
responsible official who shall certify its accuracy, attesting to
whether the source has complied with the requirements of this section,
including, but not limited to, applicable emission standards, control
device and burner installations, CEMS installation and certification.
This notification must be submitted before the close of business on the
60th calendar day following the completion of the compliance
demonstration and must include, at a minimum, the information at
paragraphs (e)(2)(viii)(A) through (F) of this section.
(A) The methods used to determine compliance.
(B) The results of any CEMS performance evaluations, and other
monitoring procedures or methods that were conducted.
(C) The methods that will be used for determining continuing
compliance, including a description of monitoring and reporting
requirements and test methods.
(D) The type and quantity of air pollutants emitted by the source,
reported in units of the standard.
(E) A description of the air pollution control equipment and
burners installed as required by this section, for each emission point.
(F) A statement by the owner or operator as to whether the source
has complied with the relevant standards and other requirements.
(3) The owner or operator must develop and implement a written
startup, shutdown, and malfunction plan for NOX and
SO2. The plan must include, at a minimum, procedures for
operating and maintaining the source during periods of startup,
shutdown, and malfunction; and a program of corrective action for a
malfunctioning process and air pollution control and monitoring
equipment used to comply with the relevant standard. The plan must
ensure that, at all times, the owner or operator operates and maintains
each affected source, including associated air pollution control and
monitoring equipment, in a manner which satisfies the general duty to
minimize or eliminate emissions using good air pollution control
practices. The plan must ensure that owners or operators are prepared
to correct malfunctions as soon as practicable after their occurrence.
(4) The written reports of the results of each performance
evaluation and QA/QC check in accordance with and as required by
paragraph (c)(4)(v) of this section.
(5) Compliance reports. The owner or operator of each BART affected
unit must submit semiannual compliance reports. The semiannual
compliance reports must be submitted in accordance with paragraphs
(e)(5)(i) through (iv) of this section, unless the Administrator has
approved a different schedule.
(i) The first compliance report must cover the period beginning on
the compliance date that is specified for the affected source through
June 30 or December 31, whichever date comes first after the compliance
date that is specified for the affected source.
(ii) The first compliance report must be postmarked no later than
30 calendar days after the reporting period covered by that report
(July 30 or January 30), whichever comes first.
(iii) Each subsequent compliance report must cover the semiannual
reporting period from January 1 through June 30 or the semiannual
reporting period from July 1 through December 31.
(iv) Each subsequent compliance report must be postmarked no later
than 30 calendar days after the reporting period covered by that report
(July 30 or January 30).
(6) Compliance report contents. Each compliance report must include
the information in paragraphs (e)(6)(i) through (vi) of this section.
(i) Company name and address.
(ii) Statement by a responsible official, with the official's name,
title, and signature, certifying the truth, accuracy, and completeness
of the content of the report.
(iii) Date of report and beginning and ending dates of the
reporting period.
(iv) Identification of the process unit, control devices, and CEMS
covered by the compliance report.
(v) A record of each period of startup, shutdown, or malfunction
during the reporting period and a description of the actions the owner
or operator took to minimize or eliminate emissions arising as a result
of the startup, shutdown or malfunction and whether those actions were
or were not consistent with the source's startup, shutdown, and
malfunction plan.
(vi) A statement identifying whether there were or were not any
deviations from the requirements of this section during the reporting
period. If there were deviations from the requirements of this section
during the reporting period, then the compliance report must describe
in detail the deviations which occurred, the causes of the deviations,
actions taken to address the deviations, and procedures put in place to
avoid such deviations in the future. If there were no deviations from
the requirements of this section during the reporting period, then the
compliance report must include a statement that there were no
deviations. For purposes of this section, deviations include, but are
not limited to, emissions in excess of applicable emission standards
established by this section, failure to continuously operate an air
pollution control device in accordance with operating requirements
designed to assure compliance with emission standards, failure to
continuously operate CEMS required by this section, and failure to
maintain records or submit reports required by this section.
(7) Each owner or operator of a CEMS required by this section must
submit quarterly excess emissions and monitoring system performance
reports for each pollutant monitored for each BART affected unit
monitored. All reports must be postmarked by the 30th day following the
end of each three-month period of a calendar year (January-March,
April-June, July-September, October-December) and must include, at a
minimum, the requirements at paragraphs (e)(7)(i) through (xv) of this
section.
(i) Company name and address.
(ii) Identification and description of the process unit being
monitored.
(iii) The dates covered by the reporting period.
(iv) Total source operating hours for the reporting period.
(v) Monitor manufacturer, monitor model number, and monitor serial
number.
(vi) Pollutant monitored.
(vii) Emission limitation for the monitored pollutant.
(viii) Date of latest CEMS certification or audit.
(ix) A description of any changes in continuous monitoring systems,
processes, or controls since the last reporting period.
[[Page 21696]]
(x) A table summarizing the total duration of excess emissions, as
defined at paragraphs (e)(7)(x)(A) through (B) of this section, for the
reporting period broken down by the cause of those excess emissions
(startup/shutdown, control equipment problems, process problems, other
known causes, unknown causes), and the total percent of excess
emissions (for all causes) for the reporting period calculated as
described at paragraph (e)(7)(x)(C) of this section.
(A) For purposes of this section, an excess emission is defined as
any 30-day or 720-hour rolling average period, including periods of
startup, shutdown, and malfunction, during which the 30-day or 720-hour
(as appropriate) rolling average emissions of either regulated
pollutant (SO2 and NOX), as measured by a CEMS,
exceeds the applicable emission standards in this section.
(B)(1) For purposes of this rule, if a facility calculates a 30-day
rolling average emission rate in accordance with this rule which
exceeds the applicable emission standards of this rule, then it will be
considered 30 days of excess emissions. If the following 30-day rolling
average emission rate is calculated and found to exceed the applicable
emission standards of this rule as well, then it will add one more day
to the total days of excess emissions (i.e. 31 days). Similarly, if an
excess emission is calculated for a 30-day rolling average period and
no additional excess emissions are calculated until 15 days after the
first, then that new excess emission will add 15 days to the total days
of excess emissions (i.e. 30 + 15 = 45). For purposes of this section,
if an excess emission is calculated for any period of time within a
reporting period, there will be no fewer than 30 days of excess
emissions but there should be no more than 121 days of excess emissions
for a reporting period.
(2) For purposes of this section, if a facility calculates a 720-
hour rolling average emission rate in accordance with this rule which
exceeds the applicable emission standards of this section, then it will
be considered 30 days of excess emissions. If the 24th following 720-
hour rolling average emission rate is calculated and found to exceed
the applicable emission standards of the rule as well, then it will add
one more day to the total days of excess emissions (i.e. 31 days).
Similarly, if an excess emission is calculated for a 720-hour rolling
average period and no additional excess emissions are calculated until
360 hours after the first, then that new excess emission will add 15
days to the total days of excess emissions (i.e. 30+15 = 45). For
purposes of this section, if an excess emission is calculated for any
period of time with a reporting period, there will be no fewer than 30
days of excess emissions but there should be no more than 121 days of
excess emissions for a reporting period.
(C) For purposes of this section, the total percent of excess
emissions will be determined by summing all periods of excess emissions
(in days) for the reporting period, dividing that number by the total
BART affected unit operating days for the reporting period, and then
multiplying by 100 to get the total percent of excess emissions for the
reporting period. An operating day, as defined previously, is any day
during which fuel is fired in the BART affected unit for any period of
time. Because of the possible overlap of 30-day rolling average excess
emissions across quarters, there are some situations where the total
percent of excess emissions could exceed 100 percent. This extreme
situation would only result from serious excess emissions problems
where excess emissions occur for nearly every day during a reporting
period.
(xi) A table summarizing the total duration of monitor downtime, as
defined at paragraph (e)(7)(xi)(A) of this section, for the reporting
period broken down by the cause of the monitor downtime (monitor
equipment malfunctions, non-monitor equipment malfunctions, quality
assurance calibration, other known causes, unknown causes), and the
total percent of monitor downtime (for all causes) for the reporting
period calculated as described at paragraph (e)(7)(xi)(B) of this
section.
(A) For purposes of this section, monitor downtime is defined as
any period of time (in hours) during which the required monitoring
system was not measuring emissions from the BART affected unit. This
includes any period of CEMS QA/QC, daily zero and span checks, and
similar activities.
(B) For purposes of this section, the total percent of monitor
downtime will be determined by summing all periods of monitor downtime
(in hours) for the reporting period, dividing that number by the total
number of BART affected unit operating hours for the reporting period,
and then multiplying by 100 to get the total percent of excess
emissions for the reporting period.
(xii) A table which identifies each period of excess emissions for
the reporting period and includes, at a minimum, the information in
paragraphs (e)(7)(xii)(A) through (F) of this section.
(A) The date of each excess emission.
(B) The beginning and end time of each excess emission.
(C) The pollutant for which an excess emission occurred.
(D) The magnitude of the excess emission.
(E) The cause of the excess emission.
(F) The corrective action taken or preventative measures adopted to
minimize or eliminate the excess emissions and prevent such excess
emission from occurring again.
(xiii) A table which identifies each period of monitor downtime for
the reporting period and includes, at a minimum, the information in
paragraphs (e)(7)(xiii)(A) through (D) of this section.
(A) The date of each period of monitor downtime.
(B) The beginning and end time of each period of monitor downtime.
(C) The cause of the period of monitor downtime.
(D) The corrective action taken or preventative measures adopted
for system repairs or adjustments to minimize or eliminate monitor
downtime and prevent such downtime from occurring again.
(xiv) If there were no periods of excess emissions during the
reporting period, then the excess emission report must include a
statement which says there were no periods of excess emissions during
this reporting period.
(xv) If there were no periods of monitor downtime, except for daily
zero and span checks, during the reporting period, then the excess
emission report must include a statement which says there were no
periods of monitor downtime during this reporting period except for the
daily zero and span checks.
(8) The owner or operator of each CEMS required by this section
must develop and submit for review and approval by the Regional
Administrator a site specific monitoring plan. The purpose of this
monitoring plan is to establish procedures and practices which will be
implemented by the owner or operator in its effort to comply with the
monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements of this section.
The monitoring plan must include, at a minimum, the information at
paragraphs (e)(8)(i) through (x) of this section.
(i) Site specific information including the company name, address,
and contact information.
(ii) The objectives of the monitoring program implemented and
information describing how those objectives will be met.
(iii) Information on any emission factors used in conjunction with
the
[[Page 21697]]
CEMS required by this section to calculate emission rates and a
description of how those emission factors were determined.
(iv) A description of methods to be used to calculate emission
rates when CEMS data are not available due to downtime associated with
QA/QC events.
(v) A description of the QA/QC program to be implemented by the
owner or operator of CEMS required by this section. This can be the QA/
QC program developed in accordance with 40 CFR part 60, appendix F,
Procedure 1, Section 3.
(vi) A list of spare parts for CEMS maintained on site for system
maintenance and repairs.
(vii) A description of the procedures to be used to calculate 30-
day rolling averages and 720-hour rolling averages and example
calculations which show the algorithms used by the CEMS to calculate
30-day rolling averages and 720-hour rolling averages.
(viii) A sample of the document to be used for the quarterly excess
emission reports required by this section.
(ix) A description of the procedures to be implemented to
investigate root causes of excess emissions and monitor downtime and
the proposed corrective actions to address potential root causes of
excess emissions and monitor downtime.
(x) A description of the sampling and calculation methodology for
determining the percent sulfur by weight as a monthly block average for
coal used during that month.
(f) Equations for establishing the upper predictive limit--(1)
Equation for normal distribution and statistically independent data.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12AP16.002
Where:
x = average or mean of hourly test run data;
t[(n-1),(0.95)] = t score, the one-tailed t
value of the Student's t distribution for a specific degree of
freedom (n-1) and a confidence level (0.95; 0.99 for Tilden
SO2)
s\2\ = variance of the hourly data set;
n = number of values (e.g. 5,760 if 8 months of valid lbs
NOX/MMBTU hourly values)
m = number of values used to calculate the test average (m = 720 as
per averaging time)
(i) To determine if statistically independent, use the Rank von
Neumann Test on p. 137 of data Quality Assessment: Statistical Methods
for Practitioners EPA QA/G-9S.
(ii) Alternative to Rank von Neumann test to determine if data are
dependent, data are dependent if t test value is greater than t
critical value, where:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12AP16.003
[rho] = correlation between data points
t critical = t[(n-2),(0.95)] = t score, the
two-tailed t value of the Student's t distribution for a specific
degree of freedom (n-2) and a confidence level (0.95)
(iii) The Anderson-Darling normality test is used to establish
whether the data are normally distributed. That is, a distribution is
considered to be normally distributed when p > 0.05.
(2) Non-parametric equation for data not normally distributed and
normally distributed but not statistically independent.
m = (n + 1) * [alpha]
m = the rank of the ordered data point, when data are sorted
smallest to largest. The data points are 720-hour averages for
establishing NOX limits.
n = number of data points (e.g., 5040 720-hourly averages for eight
months of valid NOX lbs/MMBTU values)
[alpha] = 0.95, to reflect the 95th percentile
If m is a whole number, then the limit, UPL, shall be computed as:
UPL = Xm
Where:
Xm = value of the mth data point in terms of lbs SO2/hr
or lbs NOX/MMBTU, when the data are sorted smallest to
largest.
If m is not a whole number, the limit shall be computed by linear
interpolation according to the following equation.
UPL = xm = xmi[middot]md = xmi + 0.md (xmi+1 - xmi)
Where:
mi = the integer portion of m, i.e., m truncated at zero decimal
places, and
md = the decimal portion of m
[FR Doc. 2016-07818 Filed 4-11-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P