Environmental Protection Agency February 12, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action revises the definition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This revision adds four chemical compounds to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOC on the basis that each of these compounds makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. These compounds consist of four hydrofluoropolyethers (HFPEs) which are identified as HCF2OCF2H (also known as HFE-134), HCF2OCF2OCF2H (also known as HFE- 236cal2), HCF2OCF2CF2OCF2H (also known as HFE-338pcc13), and HCF2OCF2OCF2CF2OCF2 H (also known as H-Galden 1040X or H-Galden ZT 130 (or 150 or 180)). If an entity uses or produces any of these four HFPE compounds (these being in the family of products known by the trade name H-Galden) and is subject to the EPA regulations limiting the use of VOC in a product, limiting the VOC emissions from a facility, or otherwise controlling the use of VOC for purposes related to attaining the ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), then the compound will not be counted as a VOC in determining whether these regulatory obligations have been met. This action may also affect whether any of these compounds is considered a VOC for state regulatory purposes, depending on whether the state relies on the EPA's definition of VOC. In addition, the EPA is making certain technical corrections to the current list of exempt compounds.

On July 18, 2012, the EPA proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and the Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants. This final action amends the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for the Portland cement industry. The EPA is also promulgating amendments with respect to issues on which it granted reconsideration on May 17, 2011. In addition, the EPA is amending the new source performance standard for particulate matter. These amendments promote flexibility, reduce costs, ease compliance and preserve health benefits. The amendments also address the remand of the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for the Portland cement industry by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on December 9, 2011. Finally, the EPA is setting the date for compliance with the existing source national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants to be September 9, 2015.