|
Hot Topic Archives
• SPCC
Update Deadlines Extended (August 2004)
• Utility
MACT (August 2004)
• Risk
Management Plans—Updates Due (spring–summer 2004)
• Changes
to MACT standard compliance calendar (fall 2003–spring 2004)
• Stormwater
BMPs (winter 2002–summer 2003)
• Changes
to Minnesota air quality rules (spring 2002–fall 2002)
Utility MACT
August 2, 2004
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
proposed a utility mercury reduction rule (the “utility
MACT”; see 69 FR 4651, 1/30/04) and also proposed rule
language in a supplemental notice (69 FR 12397, 3/16/04).
The proposed rules address decreasing mercury emissions to
the air from coal-burning power plants and nickel emissions
from oil-fired utility units. The EPA set forth two approaches
for public review and comment:
1. A conventional command-and-control requirement
under a maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard,
reducing mercury emissions from 48 tpy to 34 tpy by the end
of 2007
2. A declining cap on mercury emissions with a mercury-emissions
credit-trading program, potentially via Part 63 (NESHAPs)
or Part 60 (NSPS) provisions capping mercury emissions at
15 tpy in 2018
The proposed mercury rule is one part of
a set of broader EPA initiatives, including the proposed Interstate
Air Quality Rule for NOx and SO2 control, which, together,
represent an alternative path for implementing the stalled
Clear Skies multipollutant legislation.
Stakeholders perceive advantages and disadvantages
to each approach. Read about
these points and further details on the proposed rule in Barr's
complete
summary of the proposed utility MACT rule.
|
