Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a)
Certification standards are as follows:
(1)
Maximum acceptable leachate levels for certification:
(i) For metals and other cations other than
selenium, 25 times the waste classification standard for a
contaminant.
(ii) For selenium, 10
times the waste classification standard.
(iii) For nonmetals and anions other than
sulfate and fluoride, the waste classification standard for a
contaminant.
(iv) For sulfate, 10
times the waste classification standard.
(2) The pH of coal ash must be 7.0 or
above.
(3) For coal ash used as an
alkaline additive, the calcium carbonate equivalency, as determined by the
Neutralization Potential Test in the Department's Overburden Sampling
and Testing Manual (Noll, et al., 1988) or other method approved by
the Department, must be a minimum of 100 parts per thousand (10% by
weight).
(4) For coal ash used as a
low permeability material, the hydraulic conductivity of the coal ash must be
1.0 x 10-6 cm/sec or less based on hydraulic
conductivity testing using ASTM D 5084 (Standard Test Method for Measurement of
Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Porous Materials Using a Flexible Wall
Permeameter) or other method approved by the Department. Hydraulic conductivity
testing should use compaction and other preparation techniques that will
duplicate the expected conditions at the mine site.
(5) The Department may approve the addition
of lime or cement to coal ash to achieve the requirements of this subsection.
Use of these conditioners must be designated as part of the request in
subsection (b).
(b) A
request by the generator for coal ash certification must contain the following
information on a form provided by the Department:
(1) The name and location of the generator of
the coal ash.
(2) A designation of
the beneficial use or uses for which certification is requested.
(3) A description of the generation process
specific to the generator, including the combustion process, and pollution
control processes that impact the chemical characteristics or physical
properties of the coal ash, the fuel sources utilized, and the expected
percentages of coal ash derived from different processes that will be
incorporated into the final coal ash stream to be delivered to the beneficial
use site.
(4) A description of the
physical properties and chemical characteristics of any material mixed with the
coal ash, the extent of mixing, and the mixing methods used.
(5) A detailed chemical analysis on at least
four representative samples spaced throughout a 2 to 6-month sampling period
within the last year that fully characterizes the composition of the coal ash.
The chemical analysis must include:
(i) Total
concentrations for aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, boron,
cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese,
mercury, molybdenum, nickel, potassium, selenium, silver, sodium, sulfur,
thallium, vanadium and zinc using methods found in EPA's "Test Methods for
Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods" (EPA Publication No. SW-846)
or comparable methods approved by the Department.
(ii) Leachable concentrations for aluminum,
ammonia, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, boron, cadmium, calcium,
chloride, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluoride, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese,
mercury, molybdenum, nickel, nitrate, nitrite, potassium, selenium, silver,
sodium, sulfate, thallium, vanadium and zinc using methods found in EPA's "Test
Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods" (EPA Publication
No. SW-846) or comparable methods approved by the Department. Leachate
concentrations must be determined using EPA Method 1312, the synthetic
precipitation leaching procedure, unless another leaching procedure is required
by the Department.
(iii) pH using
the soil and waste pH method found in EPA's "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid
Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods" (EPA Publication No. SW-846) or comparable
methods approved by the Department.
(iv) Information to show that the laboratory
making a chemical analysis for the application is in compliance with 27 Pa.C.S.
Chapter 41 (relating to environmental laboratory accreditation).
(6) A laboratory analysis for
optimum moisture content and dry density (Standard or Modified Proctor
Test).
(7) An analysis of hydraulic
conductivity reported in cm/sec.
(8) A determination of neutralization
potential as determined by the Neutralization Potential Test in the
Department's Overburden Sampling and Testing Manual (Noll, et
al., 1988) or other method approved by the Department.
(9) A detailed description of the sampling
methodology used, date the samples were taken, and name and contact information
of the person performing the sampling.
(10) Other physical or chemical testing
results, if required for the particular beneficial uses being
proposed.
(c) The
Department will review the certification request and notify the generator in
writing of the Department-assigned certification identifier or the reason that
the source was not certified for beneficial use.
(d) If the coal ash is certified, the
generator shall submit regular monitoring information to demonstrate that the
coal ash continues to meet the requirements for certification. This information
shall be submitted on dates specified by and on forms provided by the
Department. At a minimum, monitoring requirements shall consist of the
following:
(1) At least one representative
sample analysis of the coal ash submitted every 3 months.
(2) Collection of a representative sample for
analysis whenever there is a change in operation of the combustion unit
generating the coal ash or a change in the fuel source that could result in a
significant increase in a coal ash chemical parameter or a change in physical
properties that could adversely impact slope stability, compaction
characteristics or site hydrology.
(3) Prior to January 31, a yearly report that
includes the weight in dry tons of coal ash produced for beneficial use in the
previous calendar year, an estimate of the volume in cubic yards and the
locations, such as mine sites, where the coal ash was delivered.
(e) The coal ash generator shall
notify the Department of any changes to the information filed in the
certification application or of any evidence that the coal ash may not meet
certification requirements.
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code §
290.101 (relating to general
requirements for beneficial use); 25 Pa. Code §
290.102 (relating to use as
structural fill); 25 Pa. Code §
290.103 (relating to use as a soil
substitute or soil additive); 25 Pa. Code §
290.104 (relating to beneficial
use at coal mining activity sites); 25 Pa. Code §
290.105 (relating to beneficial
use at abandoned mine lands); 25 Pa. Code §
290.106 (relating to other
beneficial uses); 25 Pa. Code §
290.202 (relating to revocation of
certification); and 25 Pa. Code §
290.203 (relating to exceedance of
certification requirements).
