National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ferroalloys Production
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Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking.
CFR Part: "40 CFR Part 63"
RIN Number: "RIN 2060-AQ11"
Citation: "79 FR 60238"
Document Number: "EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0895; FRL-9909-26-OAR"
Page Number: "60238"
"Proposed Rules"
SUMMARY: This action supplements our proposed amendments to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for the Ferroalloys Production source category published in the
EFFECTIVE DATE: Comments. Comments must be received on or before
Public Hearing. If anyone contacts the
ADDRESSES: Comments. Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0895, by one of the following methods:
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http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
* Email: [email protected]. Include "Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0895" in the subject line of the message.
* Fax: (202) 566-9744. Attention Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0895.
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* Hand/Courier Delivery: EPA Docket Center,
Instructions. Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0895. The
Docket. The
Public Hearing. If requested, we will hold a public hearing on
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this proposed action, contact Mr.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Preamble Acronyms and Abbreviations
We use multiple acronyms and terms in this preamble. While this list may not be exhaustive, to ease the reading of this preamble and for reference purposes, the
AEGL--acute exposure guideline levels
AERMOD--air dispersion model used by the HEM-3 model
ATSDR--Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
BLDS--bag leak detection system
BTF--Beyond the Floor
CAA--Clean Air Act
CalEPA--California
CBI--Confidential Business Information
CFR--Code of Federal Regulations
EJ--environmental justice
EPA--
ERPG--Emergency Response Planning Guidelines
ERT--Electronic Reporting Tool
FR--
HAP--hazardous air pollutants
HCl--hydrochloric acid
HEM-3--Human Exposure Model, Version 1.1.0
HI--Hazard Index
HQ--Hazard Quotient
ICR--Information Collection Request
IRIS--Integrated Risk Information System
km--kilometer
LOAEL--lowest-observed-adverse-effect level
MACT--maximum achievable control technology
MACT Code--Code within the National Emissions Inventory used to identify processes included in a source category
mg/dscm--milligrams per dry standard cubic meter
mg/kg-day--milligrams per kilogram-day
mg/m3--milligrams per cubic meter
MIR--maximum individual risk
MRL--Minimal Risk Level
NAAQS--National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NAICS--North American Industry Classification System
NAS--
NATA--National Air Toxics Assessment
NESHAP--National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
NOAEL--no-observed-adverse-effect level
NRC--
NTTAA--National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
OAQPS--Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
OECA--Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
OMB--
PAH--polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
PB-HAP--hazardous air pollutants known to be persistent and bio-accumulative in the environment
PEL--probable effect level
PM--particulate matter
POM--polycyclic organic matter
ppm--parts per million
RDL--representative method detection level
REL--reference exposure level
RFA--Regulatory Flexibility Act
RfC--reference concentration
RfD--reference dose
RTR--residual risk and technology review
SAB--
SBA--
SSM--startup, shutdown and malfunction
TOSHI--target organ-specific hazard index
TPY--tons per year
TRIM.FaTE--Total Risk Integrated Methodology.Fate, Transport, and Ecological Exposure model
TTN--Technology Transfer Network
UF--uncertainty factor
[mu]g/dscm--micrograms per dry standard cubic meter
[mu]g/m3--micrograms per cubic meter
UMRA--Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
UPL--Upper Prediction Limit
URE--unit risk estimate
VCS--voluntary consensus standards
Organization of this Document. The information in this preamble is organized as follows:
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
B. Where can I get a copy of this document and other related information?
C. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for the
II. Background Information
A. What is the statutory authority for this action?
B. What is this source category and how does the current NESHAP regulate its HAP emissions?
C. What is the history of the Ferroalloys Production Risk and
D. What data collection activities were conducted to support this action?
III. Analytical Procedures
A. For purposes of this supplemental proposal, how did we estimate the post-MACT risks posed by the Ferroalloys Production Source Category?
B. How did we consider the risk results in making decisions for this supplemental proposal?
C. How did we perform the technology review?
IV. Revised Analytical Results and Proposed Decisions for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category
A. What actions are we taking pursuant to CAA sections 112(d)(2) and 112(d)(3)?
B. What are the results of the risk assessment and analyses?
C. What are our proposed decisions regarding risk acceptability, ample margin of safety and adverse environmental effects based on our revised analyses?
D. What are the results and proposed decisions based on our technology review?
E. What other actions are we proposing?
F. What compliance dates are we proposing?
V. Summary of the Revised Cost, Environmental and Economic Impacts
A. What are the affected sources?
B. What are the air quality impacts?
C. What are the cost impacts?
D. What are the economic impacts?
E. What are the benefits?
VI. Request for Comments
VII. Submitting Data Corrections
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
Table 1 of this preamble lists the industrial source category that is the subject of this supplemental proposal. Table 1 is not intended to be exhaustive but rather to provide a guide for readers regarding the entities that this proposed action is likely to affect. The proposed standards, once finalized, will be directly applicable to the affected sources. Federal, state, local and tribal government agencies are not affected by this proposed action. As defined in the "Initial List of Categories of Sources Under Section 112(c)(1) of the
FOOTNOTE 1
Table 1--NESHAP And Industrial Source Categories Affected by This Proposed Action Source category NESHAP NAICS code *a Ferroalloys Production Ferroalloys Production 331110 *a 2012 North American Industry Classification System
B. Where can I get a copy of this document and other related information?
In addition to being available in the docket, an electronic copy of this action is available on the Internet through the
C. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for the
Submitting CBI. Do not submit information containing CBI to the
II. Background Information
A. What is the statutory authority for this action?
Section 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) establishes a two-stage regulatory process to address emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) from stationary sources. In the first stage, after the
MACT standards must reflect the maximum degree of emissions reduction achievable through the application of measures, processes, methods, systems or techniques, including, but not limited to, measures that (1) reduce the volume of or eliminate pollutants through process changes, substitution of materials or other modifications; (2) enclose systems or processes to eliminate emissions; (3) capture or treat pollutants when released from a process, stack, storage or fugitive emissions point; (4) are design, equipment, work practice or operational standards (including requirements for operator training or certification); or (5) are a combination of the above. CAA section 112(d)(2)(A)-(E). The MACT standards may take the form of design, equipment, work practice or operational standards where the
The MACT "floor" is the minimum control level allowed for MACT standards promulgated under CAA section 112(d)(3) and may not be based on cost considerations. For new sources, the MACT floor cannot be less stringent than the emissions control that is achieved in practice by the best-controlled similar source. The MACT floor for existing sources can be less stringent than floors for new sources, but not less stringent than the average emissions limitation achieved by the best-performing 12 percent of existing sources in the category or subcategory (or the best-performing five sources for categories or subcategories with fewer than 30 sources). In developing MACT standards, the
The EPA is then required to review these technology-based standards and revise them "as necessary (taking into account developments in practices, processes, and control technologies)" no less frequently than every eight years. CAA section 112(d)(6). In conducting this review, the
The second stage in standard-setting focuses on reducing any remaining (i.e., "residual") risk according to CAA section 112(f). Section 112(f)(1) required that the
Section 112(f)(2) of the CAA requires the
The first step in the process of evaluating residual risk is the determination of acceptable risk. If risks are unacceptable, the
1. Step 1--Determination of Acceptability
The agency in the Benzene NESHAP concluded that "the acceptability of risk under section 112 is best judged on the basis of a broad set of health risk measures and information" and that the "judgment on acceptability cannot be reduced to any single factor." Benzene NESHAP at 38046. The determination of what represents an "acceptable" risk is based on a judgment of "what risks are acceptable in the world in which we live" (Risk Report at 178, quoting NRDC v.
In the Benzene NESHAP, we stated that "
Understanding that there are both benefits and limitations to using the MIR as a metric for determining acceptability, we acknowledged in the Benzene NESHAP that "consideration of maximum individual risk * * * must take into account the strengths and weaknesses of this measure of risk." Id. Consequently, the presumptive risk level of 100-in-1 million (1-in-10 thousand) provides a benchmark for judging the acceptability of maximum individual lifetime cancer risk, but does not constitute a rigid line for making that determination. Further, in the Benzene NESHAP, we noted that:
[p]articular attention will also be accorded to the weight of evidence presented in the risk assessment of potential carcinogenicity or other health effects of a pollutant. While the same numerical risk may be estimated for an exposure to a pollutant judged to be a known human carcinogen, and to a pollutant considered a possible human carcinogen based on limited animal test data, the same weight cannot be accorded to both estimates. In considering the potential public health effects of the two pollutants, the Agency's judgment on acceptability, including the MIR, will be influenced by the greater weight of evidence for the known human carcinogen.
Id. at 38046. The agency also explained in the Benzene NESHAP that:
[i]n establishing a presumption for MIR, rather than a rigid line for acceptability, the Agency intends to weigh it with a series of other health measures and factors. These include the overall incidence of cancer or other serious health effects within the exposed population, the numbers of persons exposed within each individual lifetime risk range and associated incidence within, typically, a 50 km exposure radius around facilities, the science policy assumptions and estimation uncertainties associated with the risk measures, weight of the scientific evidence for human health effects, other quantified or unquantified health effects, effects due to co-location of facilities, and co-emission of pollutants.
Id. at 38045. In some cases, these health measures and factors taken together may provide a more realistic description of the magnitude of risk in the exposed population than that provided by maximum individual lifetime cancer risk alone.
As noted earlier, in NRDC v.
2. Step 2--Determination of Ample Margin of Safety
CAA section 112(f)(2) requires the
According to CAA section 112(f)(2)(A), if the MACT standards for HAP "classified as a known, probable, or possible human carcinogen do not reduce lifetime excess cancer risks to the individual most exposed to emissions from a source in the category or subcategory to less than one in one million," the
FOOTNOTE 2 "Adverse environmental effect" is defined as any significant and widespread adverse effect, which may be reasonably anticipated to wildlife, aquatic life or natural resources, including adverse impacts on populations of endangered or threatened species or significant degradation of environmental qualities over broad areas. CAA section 112(a)(7). END FOOTNOTE
The CAA does not specifically define the terms "individual most exposed," "acceptable level" and "ample margin of safety." In the Benzene NESHAP, 54 FR at 38044-38045,
In protecting public health with an ample margin of safety under section 112,
The agency further stated that "[t]he
In the ample margin of safety decision process, the agency again considers all of the health risks and other health information considered in the first step, including the incremental risk reduction associated with standards more stringent than the MACT standard or a more stringent standard that
B. What is this source category and how does the current NESHAP regulate its HAP emissions?
Ferroalloys are alloys of iron in which one or more chemical elements (such as chromium, manganese and silicon) are added into molten metal. Ferroalloys are consumed primarily in iron and steel making and are used to produce steel and cast iron products with enhanced or special properties. The ferroalloys products that are the focus of the NESHAP are ferromanganese (FeMn) and silicomanganese (SiMn), which are produced by two facilities in
Ferroalloys within the scope of this source category are produced using submerged electric arc furnaces, which are furnaces in which the electrodes are submerged into the charge. The submerged arc process is a reduction smelting operation. The reactants consist of metallic ores (ferrous oxides, silicon oxides, manganese oxides, etc.) and a carbon-source reducing agent, usually in the form of coke, charcoal, high- and low-volatility coal, or wood chips. Raw materials are crushed and sized and then conveyed to a mix house for weighing and blending. Conveyors, buckets, skip hoists or cars transport the processed material to hoppers above the furnace. The mix is gravity-fed through a feed chute either continuously or intermittently, as needed. At high temperatures in the reaction zone, the carbon source reacts with metal oxides to form carbon monoxide and to reduce the ores to base metal. /3/ The molten material (product and slag) is tapped from the furnace, sometimes subject to post-furnace refining and poured into casting beds on the furnace room floor. Once the material hardens, it is transported to product crushing and sizing systems and packaged for transport to the customer.
FOOTNOTE 3
The NESHAP for Ferroalloys Production: Ferromanganese and Silicomanganese were promulgated on
FOOTNOTE 4 The emission limits were revised on
The existing Ferroalloys Production NESHAP rule applies to process emissions from the submerged arc furnaces, the metal oxygen refining process and the product crushing equipment; process fugitive emissions from the furnace; and outdoor fugitive dust emissions sources such as roadways, yard areas and outdoor material storage and transfer operations. For the electric (submerged) arc furnace process, the NESHAP specifies numerical emissions limits for particulate matter (as a surrogate for non-mercury (or particulate) metal HAP). The NESHAP also includes emissions limits for particulate matter (again as a surrogate for particulate metal HAP) for process emissions from the metal oxygen refining process and product crushing and screening equipment. Table 2 is a summary of the applicable limits in the existing Subpart XXX. GOES
Table 2--Emission Limits in Subpart XXX New or Affected source Applicable PM Subpart XXX reconstructed or emission reference existing source standards New or Submerged arc furnace 0.23 kilograms 40 CFR reconstructed per hour per 63.1652(a)(1) megawatt and (a)(2) (kg/hr/MW) (0.51 pounds per hour per megawatt (lb/hr/MW) or 35 milligrams per dry standard cubic meter (mg/dscm) (0.015 grains per dry standard cubic foot (gr/dscf) Existing Open submerged arc 9.8 kg/hr (21.7 40 CFR furnace producing lb/hr) 63.1652(b)(1) ferromanganese and operating at a furnace power input of 22 megawatts (MW) or less Existing Open submerged arc 13.5 kg/hr (29.8 40 CFR furnace producing lb/hr) 63.1652(b)(2) ferromanganese and operating at a furnace power input greater than 22 MW Existing Open submerged arc 16.3 kg/hr (35.9 40 CFR furnace producing lb/hr) 63.1652(b)(3) silicomanganese and operating at a furnace power input greater than 25 MW Existing Open submerged arc 12.3 kg/hr (27.2 40 CFR furnace producing lb/hr) 63.1652(b)(4) silicomanganese and operating at a furnace power input of 25 MW or less Existing Semi-sealed submerged 11.2 kg/hr (24.7 40 CFR arc furnace (primary, lb/hr) 63.1652(c) tapping and vent stacks) producing ferromanganese New, Metal oxygen refining 69 mg/dscm (0.03 40 CFR reconstructed, process gr/dscf) 63.1652(d) or existing New or Individual equipment 50 mg/dscm 40 CFR reconstructed associated with the (0.022 gr/dscf) 63.1652(e)(1) product crushing and screening operation Existing Individual equipment 69 mg/dscm (0.03 40 CFR associated with the gr/dscf) 63.1652(e)(2) product crushing and screening operation
The 1999 NESHAP established a building opacity limit of 20 percent that is measured during the required furnace control device performance test. The rule provides an excursion limit of 60 percent opacity for one 6-minute period during the performance test. The opacity observation is focused only on emissions exiting the shop due solely to operations of any affected submerged arc furnace. In addition, blowing taps, poling and oxygen lancing of the tap hole, burndowns associated with electrode measurements and maintenance activities associated with submerged arc furnaces and casting operations are exempt from the opacity standards specified in
For outdoor fugitive dust sources, as defined in
C. What is the history of the Ferroalloys Production Risk and
Pursuant to section 112(f)(2) of the CAA, we first evaluated the residual risk associated with the Ferroalloys Production NESHAP in 2011. We also conducted a technology review, as required by section 112(d)(6) of the CAA. Finally, we also reviewed the 1999 MACT rule to determine if other amendments were appropriate. Based on the results of that previous residual risk and technology review (RTR) and the MACT rule review, we proposed amendments to subpart XXX on
* Revisions to particulate matter (PM) standards for electric arc furnaces and local ventilation control devices;
* emission limits for mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and hydrochloric acid (HCl);
* proposed requirements to control process fugitive emissions based on full-building enclosure with negative pressure, or fenceline monitoring as an alternative;
* a provision for emissions averaging;
* amendments to the monitoring, notification, recordkeeping and testing requirements; and
* proposed provisions establishing an affirmative defense to civil penalties for violations caused by malfunctions.
The comment period for the 2011 proposal opened on
However, we also proposed other requirements in the 2011 proposal (listed below) for which we have made no revisions to the analyses, we are not proposing any changes and are not reopening for public comment. The other requirements that we proposed in the 2011 proposal, for which we are not re-opening for comment, are the following:
* PM standards for metal oxygen refining processes and crushing and screening operations;
* emissions limits for formaldehyde;
* elimination of SSM exemptions; and
* electronic reporting.
We will address the comments we received on these other proposed requirements during the public comment period for the 2011 proposal at the time we take final action.
In the 2011 proposal, we also included information about several ATSDR health consultations and a study (Kim et al.) that had been conducted in the
D. What data collection activities were conducted to support this action?
Commenters on the 2011 proposal expressed concern that the data set used in the risk assessment did not adequately reflect current operations at the plants. In response to these comments, we worked with the facilities to address these concerns and we obtained a significant amount of new data in order to establish a more robust dataset than the dataset we had for the 2011 proposal. Specifically, the plants provided data collected during their 2011 and 2012 compliance tests and, in response to an Information Collection Request (ICR) from the
* Additional stack test data for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, HCl, formaldehyde, PAH, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and dioxins/furans;
* Test data collected using updated, state-of-the-art test methods and procedures;
* Hazardous air pollutant (HAP) test data for all operational furnaces;
* Test data obtained during different seasonal conditions (i.e., spring and fall);
* Test data for both products (ferromanganese and silicomanganese) for both furnaces at
With the new data, we no longer have to extrapolate HAP emissions from a ratio of PM to HAP emissions from just one or two tested furnaces. We are also using test data collected using state-of-the-art test methods that provide better QA/QC of the test results. For mercury, test data were collected for the supplemental proposal using EPA Method 30B, which requires paired samples collected for each test run, in addition to a spiked sample during the 3-run test. Test data for PAH were collected using CARB 429, which provides greater sensitivity, precision and identification of individual PAH compounds as compared to Method 0010 which was used for previous tests. We also received PCB and dioxin/furan test data that were collected using CARB 428, which uses high resolution instruments and provides a specific procedure for measuring PCBs in addition to dioxin/furans.
The data described above, which we received prior to summer 2014, were incorporated into our risk assessment, technology review and other MACT analyses presented in this Notice. However, we recently received additional test reports and data for PAH, mercury and PM emissions from one of the furnaces at
FOOTNOTE 5 Emission Measurement Summary Report. Furnace No. 12 Scrubber. PAHs and Mercury.
FOOTNOTE 6 Emission Measurement Summary Report. Filterable Particulate Matter Furnaces 1 and 12.
Commenters also expressed concern that the estimated cost and operational impacts of the 2011 proposed process fugitive standards based on use of a total building enclosure requirement were significantly underestimated. In their comments both companies submitted substantial additional information and estimates regarding the elements, costs and impacts involved with constructing and operating a full building enclosure for their facilities. We also received comments saying that full-enclosure with negative pressure can lead to worker safety and health issues related to indoor air quality if the systems are not designed and operated appropriately to provide sufficient air exchanges and air conditioning in the work space. Furthermore, in their comments and in subsequent meetings and other communications, the companies also provided design and cost information for an alternative approach to substantially reduce fugitive emissions based on enhanced local capture and control of these emissions at each plant. In the summer of 2012 and fall of 2013, both plants submitted updated enhanced capture plans and cost estimates to implement those plans. We also consulted with outside ventilation experts and control equipment vendors to re-evaluate the costs of process fugitive capture as well as costs of other control measures such as activated carbon injection. We also gathered a substantial amount of opacity data from both facilities and collected additional information regarding the processes, control technologies and modeling input parameters (such as stack release heights and fugitive emissions release characteristics). We reviewed and evaluated these data and information provided by the facilities, the ventilation experts and vendors, and revised our analyses accordingly.
III. Analytical Procedures
A. For purposes of this supplemental proposal, how did we estimate the post-MACT risks posed by the Ferroalloys Production Source Category?
The EPA conducted a risk assessment that provides estimates of the MIR posed by the HAP emissions from each source in the source category, the hazard index (HI) for chronic exposures to HAP with the potential to cause noncancer health effects and the hazard quotient (HQ) for acute exposures to HAP with the potential to cause noncancer health effects. The assessment also provides estimates of the distribution of cancer risks within the exposed populations, cancer incidence and an evaluation of the potential for adverse environmental effects. The risk assessment consisted of eight primary steps, as discussed in detail in the 2011 proposal. The docket for this rulemaking contains the following document which provides more information on the risk assessment inputs and models: Residual Risk Assessment for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category in Support of the
FOOTNOTE 7 U.S. EPA SAB. Risk and
1. How did we estimate actual emissions and identify the emissions release characteristics?
As explained previously, the revised data set for the ferroalloys production source category, derived from the two existing ferromanganese and silicomanganese production facilities, constitutes the basis for the revised risk assessment. We estimated the magnitude of emissions using emissions test data collected through ICRs along with additional data submitted voluntarily by the companies. We also collected information regarding emissions release characteristics such as stack heights, stack gas exit velocities, stack temperatures and source locations. In addition to the quality assurance (QA) of the source data for the facilities contained in the data set, we also checked the coordinates of every emission source in the data set through visual observations using tools such as GoogleEarth and ArcView. Where coordinates were found to be incorrect, we identified and corrected them to the extent possible. We also performed a QA assessment of the emissions data and release characteristics to ensure the data were reliable and that there were no outliers. The emissions data and the methods used to estimate emissions from all the various emissions sources are described in more detail in the technical document:
2. How did we estimate MACT-allowable emissions?
The available emissions data in the RTR emissions dataset include estimates of the mass of HAP emitted during the specified annual time period. In some cases, these "actual" emission levels are lower than the emission levels required to comply with the MACT standards. The emissions level allowed to be emitted by the MACT standards is referred to as the "MACT-allowable" emissions level. We discussed the use of both MACT-allowable and actual emissions in the final Coke Oven Batteries residual risk rule (70 FR 19998-19999,
For this supplemental proposal, we evaluated allowable stack emissions based on the level of control required by the 1999 MACT standards. We also evaluated the level of reported actual emissions and available information on the level of control achieved by the emissions controls in use. Further explanation is provided in the technical document:
3. How did we conduct dispersion modeling, determine inhalation exposures and estimate individual and population inhalation risks?
Both long-term and short-term inhalation exposure concentrations and health risks from the source category addressed in this proposal were estimated using the Human Exposure Model (Community and Sector HEM-3 version 1.1.0). The HEM-3 performs three primary risk assessment activities: (1) Conducting dispersion modeling to estimate the concentrations of HAP in ambient air, (2) estimating long-term and short-term inhalation exposures to individuals residing within 50 kilometers (km) of the modeled sources /8/ , and (3) estimating individual and population-level inhalation risks using the exposure estimates and quantitative dose-response information.
FOOTNOTE 8 This metric comes from the Benzene NESHAP. See 54 FR 38046. END FOOTNOTE
The air dispersion model used by the HEM-3 model (AERMOD) is one of the
FOOTNOTE 9
FOOTNOTE 10 A census block is the smallest geographic area for which census statistics are tabulated. END FOOTNOTE
In developing the risk assessment for chronic exposures, we used the estimated annual average ambient air concentrations of each HAP emitted by each source for which we have emissions data in the source category. The air concentrations at each nearby census block centroid were used as a surrogate for the chronic inhalation exposure concentration for all the people who reside in that census block. We calculated the MIR for each facility as the cancer risk associated with a continuous lifetime (24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 52 weeks per year for a 70-year period) exposure to the maximum concentration at the centroid of inhabited census blocks. Individual cancer risks were calculated by multiplying the estimated lifetime exposure to the ambient concentration of each of the HAP (in micrograms per cubic meter ([mu]g/m3)) by its unit risk estimate (URE). The URE is an upper bound estimate of an individual's probability of contracting cancer over a lifetime of exposure to a concentration of 1 microgram of the pollutant per cubic meter of air. For residual risk assessments, we generally use URE values from the
In the case of nickel compounds, to provide a conservative estimate of potential cancer risks, we used the IRIS URE value for nickel subsulfide (which is considered the most potent carcinogen among all nickel compounds) in the assessment for the 2011 proposed rule for ferroalloys production. In the 2011 proposed rule, the determination of the percent of nickel subsulfide was considered a major factor for estimating the risks of cancer due to nickel-containing emissions. Nickel speciation information for some of the largest nickel-emitting sources (including oil combustion, coal combustion and others) suggested that at least 35 percent of total nickel emissions may be soluble compounds and that the cancer risk for the mixture of inhaled nickel compounds (based on nickel subsulfide and representative of pure insoluble crystalline nickel) was derived to reflect the assumption that 65 percent of the total mass of nickel may be carcinogenic.
Based on consistent views of major scientific bodies (i.e., National Toxicology Program (NTP) in their 12th Report of the Carcinogens (ROC) /11/ ,
FOOTNOTE 11 National Toxicology Program (NTP), 2011. Report on carcinogens. 12th ed.
FOOTNOTE 12
FOOTNOTE 13
FOOTNOTE 14 Grimsrud TK and Andersen A. Evidence of carcinogenicity in humans of water-soluble nickel salts. J Occup Med Toxicol 2010, 5:1-7. Available online at http://www.ossup-med.com/content/5/1/7. END FOOTNOTE
In the inhalation risk assessment for the 2011 proposed rule, to take a conservative approach, we considered all nickel compounds to have the same carcinogenic potential as nickel subsulfide and used the IRIS URE for nickel subsulfide to estimate risks due to all nickel emissions from the source category. However, given that there are two additional URE values /15/ derived for exposure to mixtures of nickel compounds, as a group, that are 2-3 fold lower than the IRIS URE for nickel subsulfide, the
FOOTNOTE 15 Two UREs (other than the current IRIS values) have been derived for nickel compounds as a group: One developed by the
The EPA estimated incremental individual lifetime cancer risks associated with emissions from the facilities in the source category as the sum of the risks for each of the carcinogenic HAP (including those classified as carcinogenic to humans, likely to be carcinogenic to humans, and suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential /16/) emitted by the modeled sources. Cancer incidence and the distribution of individual cancer risks for the population within 50 km of the sources were also estimated for the source category as part of this assessment by summing individual risks. A distance of 50 km is consistent with both the analysis supporting the 1989 Benzene NESHAP (54 FR 38044,
FOOTNOTE 16 These classifications also coincide with the terms "known carcinogen, probable carcinogen, and possible carcinogen," respectively, which are the terms advocated in the
To assess the risk of non-cancer health effects from chronic exposures, we summed the HQ for each of the HAP that affects a common target organ system to obtain the HI for that target organ system (or target organ-specific HI, TOSHI). The HQ is the estimated exposure divided by the chronic reference value, which is a value selected from one of several sources. First, the chronic reference level can be the
For the ferroalloys source category, we applied this policy in our estimate of noncancer inhalation hazards and note the following related to manganese. There is an existing IRIS RfC for manganese (Mn) published in 1993. /17/ This value was used in the RTR risk assessment supporting the Ferroalloys Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. /18/ However, since the 2011 proposal, ATSDR has published an assessment of Mn toxicity (2012) which includes a chronic inhalation value (i.e., an ATSDR Minimal Risk Level or MRL). /19/ Both the 1993 IRIS RfC and the 2012 ATSDR MRL were based on the same study (Roels et al., 1993). In developing their assessment, ATSDR used updated dose-response modeling methodology (benchmark dose approach) and considered recent pharmacokinetic findings to support their MRL derivation. Consistent with Agency policy, which was supported by SAB, /20/ the
FOOTNOTE 17 US EPA Integrated Risk Information System Review of Manganese (1993) available at http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0373.htm. END FOOTNOTE
FOOTNOTE 18 2011 Notice of proposed Rulemaking reference (76 FR 72508). END FOOTNOTE
FOOTNOTE 19
FOOTNOTE 20 The SAB peer review of RTR Risk Assessment Methodologies is available at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/4AB3966E263D943A8525771F00668381/$File/EPA-SAB-10-007-unsigned.pdf. END FOOTNOTE
The EPA also evaluated screening estimates of acute exposures and risks for each of the HAP at the point of highest potential off-site exposure for each facility. To do this, the
As described in the CalEPA's Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part I, The Determination of Acute Reference Exposure Levels for Airborne Toxicants, an acute REL value (http://www.oehha.ca.gov/air/pdf/acuterel.pdf) is defined as "the concentration level at or below which no adverse health effects are anticipated for a specified exposure duration." Id. at page 2. Acute REL values are based on the most sensitive, relevant, adverse health effect reported in the peer-reviewed medical and toxicological literature. Acute REL values are designed to protect the most sensitive individuals in the population through the inclusion of margins of safety. Because margins of safety are incorporated to address data gaps and uncertainties, exceeding the REL does not automatically indicate an adverse health impact.
As we state above, in assessing the potential risks associated with acute exposures to HAP, we do not follow a prioritization scheme and therefore we consider available dose-response values from multiple authoritative sources. In the RTR program,
The broad nickel noncancer health effects database strongly suggests that the respiratory tract is the primary target of nickel toxicity following inhalation exposure. The available database on acute noncancer respiratory effects is limited and was considered unsuitable for quantitative analysis of nickel toxicity by both California EPA /21/ and ATSDR. /22/ The California EPA's acute (1-hour) REL is based on an alternative endpoint, immunotoxicity in mice, specifically depressed antibody response measured in an antibody plaque assay.
FOOTNOTE 21 http://oehha.ca.gov/air/allrels.html. END FOOTNOTE
FOOTNOTE 22 http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=44. END FOOTNOTE
In addition, the current
Further, the ATSDR's intermediate MRL (relevant to Ni exposures for a time frame between 14 and 364 days), was established at the same concentration as the California EPA (1- hour) REL, indicating that exposure to this concentration "is likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse noncancer effects" (MRL definition) /23/ for up to 364 days.
FOOTNOTE 23
We have high confidence in the nickel ATSDR intermediate MRL. Our analysis of the broad toxicity database for nickel indicates that this value is based on the most biologically-relevant endpoint. That is, the intermediate MRL is based on a scientifically sound study of acute respiratory toxicity. Furthermore, this value is supported by a robust subchronic nickel toxicity database and was derived following guidelines that are consistent with
FOOTNOTE 24 US EPA 2002. Review of the reference dose and reference concentration processes (
AEGL values were derived in response to recommendations from the
FOOTNOTE 25
The document lays out the purpose and objectives of AEGL by stating that "the primary purpose of the AEGL program and the
The AEGL-1 value is then specifically defined as "the airborne concentration (expressed as ppm (parts per million) or mg/m3 (milligrams per cubic meter)) of a substance above which it is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, could experience notable discomfort, irritation, or certain asymptomatic nonsensory effects. However, the effects are not disabling and are transient and reversible upon cessation of exposure." Id. at 3. The document also notes that, "Airborne concentrations below AEGL-1 represent exposure levels that can produce mild and progressively increasing but transient and nondisabling odor, taste, and sensory irritation or certain asymptomatic, nonsensory effects." Id. Similarly, the document defines AEGL-2 values as "the airborne concentration (expressed as parts per million or milligrams per cubic meter) of a substance above which it is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, could experience irreversible or other serious, long-lasting adverse health effects or an impaired ability to escape." Id.
ERPG values are derived for use in emergency response, as described in the
FOOTNOTE 26 ERP Committee Procedures and Responsibilities.
As can be seen from the definitions above, the AEGL and ERPG values include the similarly-defined severity levels 1 and 2. For many chemicals, a severity level 1 value AEGL or ERPG has not been developed because the types of effects for these chemicals are not consistent with the AEGL-1/ERPG-1 definitions; in these instances, we compare higher severity level AEGL-2 or ERPG-2 values to our modeled exposure levels to screen for potential acute concerns. When AEGL-1/ERPG-1 values are available, they are used in our acute risk assessments.
Acute REL values for 1-hour exposure durations are typically lower than their corresponding AEGL-1 and ERPG-1 values. Even though their definitions are slightly different, AEGL-1 values are often the same as the corresponding ERPG-1 values, and AEGL-2 values are often equal to ERPG-2 values. Maximum HQ values from our acute screening risk assessments typically result when basing them on the acute REL value for a particular pollutant. In cases where our maximum acute HQ value exceeds 1, we also report the HQ value based on the next highest acute dose-response value (usually the AEGL-1 and/or the ERPG-1 value).
To develop screening estimates of acute exposures in the absence of hourly emissions data, generally we first develop estimates of maximum hourly emissions rates by multiplying the average actual annual hourly emissions rates by a default factor to cover routinely variable emissions. We choose the factor to use partially based on process knowledge and engineering judgment. The factor chosen also reflects a
FOOTNOTE 27 See http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/field_ops/eer/index.html or docket to access the source of these data. END FOOTNOTE
For this source category, data were available to determine process-specific factors. Some processes, for example the electric arc furnaces, operate continuously so there are no peak emissions. These processes received a factor of 1 in the acute assessment. Other processes, for example tapping and casting, have specific cycles, with peak emissions occurring for a part of that cycle (e.g., 30 minutes during a 2-hour period). For these processes, we used a factor of 4 in the acute assessment. Even with data available to develop process-specific factors, our acute assessment is still conservative in that it assumes that every process releases its peak emissions at the same hour and that this is the same hour as the worst-case dispersion conditions. This results in a highly conservative exposure scenario. A further discussion of why this factor of 4 was chosen can be found in the memorandum,
As part of our acute risk assessment process, for cases where acute HQ values from the screening step were less than or equal to 1 (even under the conservative assumptions of the screening analysis), acute impacts were deemed negligible and no further analysis was performed. In cases where an acute HQ from the screening step was greater than 1, additional site-specific data were considered to develop a more refined estimate of the potential for acute impacts of concern. For this source category, the data refinements employed consisted of determining that the receptor with the maximum concentration was off of plant property. These refinements are discussed more fully in the Residual Risk Assessment for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category in Support of the
To better characterize the potential health risks associated with estimated acute exposures to HAP, and in response to a key recommendation from the SAB's peer review of the
FOOTNOTE 28 The SAB peer review of RTR Risk Assessment Methodologies is available at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/4AB3966E263D943A8525771F00668381/$File/EPA-SAB-10-007-unsigned.pdf. END FOOTNOTE
FOOTNOTE 29
4. How did we conduct the multipathway exposure and risk screening?
The EPA conducted a screening analysis examining the potential for significant human health risks due to exposures via routes other than inhalation (i.e., ingestion). We first determined whether any sources in the source category emitted any hazardous air pollutants known to be persistent and bioaccumulative in the environment (PB-HAP). The PB-HAP compounds or compound classes are identified for the screening from the
For the Ferroalloys Production source category, we identified emissions of cadmium compounds, chlorinated dibenzodioxins and furans, lead compounds, mercury compounds and polycyclic organic matter. Because one or more of these PB-HAP are emitted by at least one facility in the Ferroalloys Production source category, we proceeded to the second step of the evaluation. In this step, we determined whether the facility-specific emissions rates of each of the emitted PB-HAP were large enough to create the potential for significant non-inhalation human health risks under reasonable worst-case conditions. To facilitate this step, we developed emissions rate screening levels for several PB-HAP using a hypothetical upper-end screening exposure scenario developed for use in conjunction with the
For the purpose of developing emissions rates for our Tier I TRIM-screen, we derived emission levels for these PB-HAP (other than lead compounds) at which the maximum excess lifetime cancer risk would be 1-in-1 million (i.e., for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and furans and POM) or, for HAP that cause non-cancer health effects (i.e., cadmium compounds and mercury compounds), the maximum hazard quotient would be 1. If the emissions rate of any PB-HAP included in the Tier I screen exceeds the Tier I screening emissions rate for any facility, we conduct a second screen, which we call the Tier II TRIM-screen or Tier II screen.
In the Tier II screen, the location of each facility that exceeded the Tier I emission rate is used to refine the assumptions associated with the environmental scenario while maintaining the exposure scenario assumptions. We then adjust the risk-based Tier I screening level for each PB-HAP for each facility based on an understanding of how exposure concentrations estimated for the screening scenario change with meteorology and environmental assumptions. PB-HAP emissions that do not exceed these new Tier II screening levels are considered to pose no unacceptable risks. When facilities exceed the Tier II screening levels, it does not mean that multipathway impacts are significant, only that we cannot rule out that possibility based on the results of the screen.
If the PB-HAP emissions for a facility exceed the Tier II screening emissions rate and data are available, we may decide to conduct a more refined multipathway assessment. A refined assessment replaces some of the assumptions made in the Tier II screen, with site-specific data. The refined assessment also uses the TRIM.FaTE model and facility-specific emission rate screening levels that are created for each PB-HAP. For the ferroalloys production source category, we did conduct a refined multipathway assessment for one facility in the category. A detailed discussion of the approach for this assessment can be found in Appendix 10 (Technical Support Document: Human Health Multipathway Residual Risk Assessment for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category) of the risk assessment document.
In evaluating the potential multi-pathway risk from emissions of lead compounds, rather than developing a screening emissions rate for them, we compared maximum estimated chronic inhalation exposures with the level of the current National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead. /30/ Values below the level of the primary (health-based) lead NAAQS were considered to have a low potential for multi-pathway risk.
FOOTNOTE 30 In doing so,
For further information on the multipathway analysis approach, see the Residual Risk Assessment for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category in Support of the
5. How did we assess risks considering the revised emissions control options?
In addition to assessing baseline inhalation risks and potential multipathway risks, we also estimated risks considering the emissions reductions that would be achieved by the control options under consideration in this supplemental proposal. In these cases, the expected emissions reductions were applied to the specific HAP and emissions points in the RTR emissions dataset to develop corresponding estimates of risk that would exist after implementation of the proposed amendments in today's action.
6. How did we conduct the environmental risk screening assessment?
a. Adverse Environmental Effect
The EPA has developed a screening approach to examine the potential for adverse environmental effects as required under section 112(f)(2)(A) of the CAA. Section 112(a)(7) of the CAA defines "adverse environmental effect" as "any significant and widespread adverse effect, which may reasonably be anticipated, to wildlife, aquatic life, or other natural resources, including adverse impacts on populations of endangered or threatened species or significant degradation of environmental quality over broad areas."
b. Environmental HAP
The EPA focuses on seven HAP, which we refer to as "environmental HAP," in its screening analysis: Five persistent bioaccumulative HAP (PB-HAP) and two acid gases. The five PB-HAP are cadmium, dioxins/furans, polycyclic organic matter (POM), mercury (both inorganic mercury and methyl mercury) and lead compounds. The two acid gases are hydrogen chloride (HCl) and hydrogen fluoride (HF). The rationale for including these seven HAP in the environmental risk screening analysis is presented below.
The HAP that persist and bioaccumulate are of particular environmental concern because they accumulate in the soil, sediment and water. The PB-HAP are taken up, through sediment, soil, water, and/or ingestion of other organisms, by plants or animals (e.g., small fish) at the bottom of the food chain. As larger and larger predators consume these organisms, concentrations of the PB-HAP in the animal tissues increase as does the potential for adverse effects. The five PB-HAP we evaluate as part of our screening analysis account for 99.8 percent of all PB-HAP emissions nationally from stationary sources (on a mass basis from the 2005 NEI).
In addition to accounting for almost all of the mass of PB-HAP emitted, we note that the TRIM.FaTE model that we use to evaluate multipathway risk allows us to estimate concentrations of cadmium compounds, dioxins/furans, POM and mercury in soil, sediment and water. For lead compounds, we currently do not have the ability to calculate these concentrations using the TRIM.FaTE model. Therefore, to evaluate the potential for adverse environmental effects from lead compounds, we compare the estimated HEM-modeled exposures from the source category emissions of lead with the level of the secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead. /31/ We consider values below the level of the secondary lead NAAQS as unlikely to cause adverse environmental effects.
FOOTNOTE 31 The secondary lead NAAQS is a reasonable measure of determining whether there is an adverse environmental effect since it was established considering "effects on soils, water, crops, vegetation, man-made materials, animals, wildlife, weather, visibility and climate, damage to and deterioration of property, and hazards to transportation, as well as effects on economic values and on personal comfort and well-being." END FOOTNOTE
Due to their well-documented potential to cause direct damage to terrestrial plants, we include two acid gases, HCl and HF, in the environmental screening analysis. According to the 2005 NEI, HCl and HF account for about 99 percent (on a mass basis) of the total acid gas HAP emitted by stationary sources in the U.S. In addition to the potential to cause direct damage to plants, high concentrations of HF in the air have been linked to fluorosis in livestock. Air concentrations of these HAP are already calculated as part of the human multipathway exposure and risk screening analysis using the HEM3-AERMOD air dispersion model, and we are able to use the air dispersion modeling results to estimate the potential for an adverse environmental effect.
The EPA acknowledges that other HAP beyond the seven HAP discussed above may have the potential to cause adverse environmental effects. Therefore, the
c. Ecological Assessment Endpoints and Benchmarks for PB-HAP
An important consideration in the development of the
For PB-HAP (other than lead compounds), we evaluated the following community-level ecological assessment endpoints to screen for organisms directly exposed to HAP in soils, sediment and water:
* Local terrestrial communities (i.e., soil invertebrates, plants) and populations of small birds and mammals that consume soil invertebrates exposed to PB-HAP in the surface soil.
* Local benthic (i.e., bottom sediment dwelling insects, amphipods, isopods and crayfish) communities exposed to PB-HAP in sediment in nearby water bodies.
* Local aquatic (water-column) communities (including fish and plankton) exposed to PB-HAP in nearby surface waters.
For PB-HAP (other than lead compounds), we also evaluated the following population-level ecological assessment endpoint to screen for indirect HAP exposures of top consumers via the bioaccumulation of HAP in food chains.
* Piscivorous (i.e., fish-eating) wildlife consuming PB-HAP-contaminated fish from nearby water bodies.
For cadmium compounds, dioxins/furans, POM and mercury, we identified the available ecological benchmarks for each assessment endpoint. An ecological benchmark represents a concentration of HAP (e.g., 0.77 ug of HAP per liter of water) that has been linked to a particular environmental effect level (e.g., a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL)) through scientific study. For PB-HAP we identified, where possible, ecological benchmarks at the following effect levels:
Probable effect levels (PEL): Level above which adverse effects are expected to occur frequently.
Lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL): The lowest exposure level tested at which there are biologically significant increases in frequency or severity of adverse effects.
No-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAEL): The highest exposure level tested at which there are no biologically significant increases in the frequency or severity of adverse effect.
We established a hierarchy of preferred benchmark sources to allow selection of benchmarks for each environmental HAP at each ecological assessment endpoint. In general, the
Benchmarks for all effect levels are not available for all PB-HAP and assessment endpoints. In cases where multiple effect levels were available for a particular PB-HAP and assessment endpoint, we use all of the available effect levels to help us to determine whether ecological risks exist and, if so, whether the risks could be considered significant and widespread.
d. Ecological Assessment Endpoints and Benchmarks for Acid Gases
The environmental screening analysis also evaluated potential damage and reduced productivity of plants due to direct exposure to acid gases in the air. For acid gases, we evaluated the following ecological assessment endpoint:
* Local terrestrial plant communities with foliage exposed to acidic gaseous HAP in the air.
The selection of ecological benchmarks for the effects of acid gases on plants followed the same approach as for PB-HAP (i.e., we examine all of the available benchmarks). For HCl, the
For HF, the
e. Screening Methodology
For the environmental risk screening analysis, the
Because one or more of the seven environmental HAP evaluated are emitted by the facilities in the source category, we proceeded to the second step of the evaluation.
f. PB-HAP Methodology
For cadmium, mercury, POM and dioxins/furans, the environmental screening analysis consists of two tiers, while lead compounds are analyzed differently as discussed earlier. In the first tier, we determined whether the maximum facility-specific emission rates of each of the emitted environmental HAP were large enough to create the potential for adverse environmental effects under reasonable worst-case environmental conditions. These are the same environmental conditions used in the human multipathway exposure and risk screening analysis.
To facilitate this step, TRIM.FaTE was run for each PB-HAP under hypothetical environmental conditions designed to provide conservatively high HAP concentrations. The model was set to maximize runoff from terrestrial parcels into the modeled lake, which in turn, maximized the chemical concentrations in the water, the sediments and the fish. The resulting media concentrations were then used to back-calculate a screening level emission rate that corresponded to the relevant exposure benchmark concentration value for each assessment endpoint. To assess emissions from a facility, the reported emission rate for each PB-HAP was compared to the screening level emission rate for that PB-HAP for each assessment endpoint. If emissions from a facility do not exceed the Tier I screening level, the facility "passes" the screen, and therefore, is not evaluated further under the screening approach. If emissions from a facility exceed the Tier I screening level, we evaluate the facility further in Tier II.
In Tier II of the environmental screening analysis, the emission rate screening levels are adjusted to account for local meteorology and the actual location of lakes in the vicinity of facilities that did not pass the Tier I screen. The modeling domain for each facility in the tier II analysis consists of eight octants. Each octant contains 5 modeled soil concentrations at various distances from the facility (5 soil concentrations x 8 octants = total of 40 soil concentrations per facility) and 1 lake with modeled concentrations for water, sediment and fish tissue. In the tier II environmental risk screening analysis, the 40 soil concentration points are averaged to obtain an average soil concentration for each facility for each PB-HAP. For the water, sediment and fish tissue concentrations, the highest value for each facility for each pollutant is used. If emission concentrations from a facility do not exceed the Tier II screening levels, the facility passes the screen and typically is not evaluated further. If emissions from a facility exceed the Tier II screening level, the facility does not pass the screen and, therefore, may have the potential to cause adverse environmental effects. Such facilities are evaluated further to investigate factors such as the magnitude and characteristics of the area of exceedance.
g. Acid Gas Methodology
The environmental screening analysis evaluates the potential phytotoxicity and reduced productivity of plants due to chronic exposure to acid gases. The environmental risk screening methodology for acid gases is a single-tier screen that compares the average off-site ambient air concentration over the modeling domain to ecological benchmarks for each of the acid gases. Because air concentrations are compared directly to the ecological benchmarks, emission-based screening levels are not calculated for acid gases as they are in the ecological risk screening methodology for PB-HAPs.
For purposes of ecological risk screening, the
7. How did we conduct facility-wide assessments?
To put the source category risks in context, we typically examine the risks from the entire "facility," where the facility includes all HAP-emitting operations within a contiguous area and under common control. In other words, we examine the HAP emissions not only from the source category of interest, but also emissions of HAP from all other emissions sources at the facility for which we have data. However, for the Ferroalloys Production source category, we did not identify other HAP emissions sources located at these facilities. Thus, we did not perform a separate facility wide risk assessment.
8. How did we consider uncertainties in risk assessment?
In the Benzene NESHAP, we concluded that risk estimation uncertainty should be considered in our decision-making under the ample margin of safety framework. Uncertainty and the potential for bias are inherent in all risk assessments, including those performed for this proposal. Although uncertainty exists, we believe that our approach, which used conservative tools and assumptions, ensures that our decisions are health protective and environmentally protective. A brief discussion of the uncertainties in the RTR emissions dataset, dispersion modeling, inhalation exposure estimates and dose-response relationships follows below. A more thorough discussion of these uncertainties is included in the
a. Uncertainties in the RTR Emissions Dataset
Although the development of the RTR emissions dataset involved quality assurance/quality control processes, the accuracy of emissions values will vary depending on the source of the data, the degree to which data are incomplete or missing, the degree to which assumptions made to complete the datasets are accurate, errors in emission estimates and other factors. The emission estimates considered in this analysis generally are annual totals for certain years, and they do not reflect short-term fluctuations during the course of a year or variations from year to year. The estimates of peak hourly emission rates for the acute effects screening assessment were based on an emission adjustment factor applied to the average annual hourly emission rates, which are intended to account for emission fluctuations due to normal facility operations.
As described above and in the emissions technical document, we gathered a substantial amount of emissions test data for the stack emissions from both facilities. Therefore, the level of uncertainty in the estimates of HAP emissions from the stacks is relatively low. Regarding fugitive emissions, we lack direct quantitative measurements of these emissions, therefore, we had to rely on available emissions factors and other technical information to derive the best estimates of emissions for these emissions. To estimate these fugitive emissions, we relied on information and observations gathered through several site visits by the
b. Uncertainties in Dispersion Modeling
We recognize there is uncertainty in ambient concentration estimates associated with any model, including the
c. Uncertainties in Inhalation Exposure
The EPA did not include the effects of human mobility on exposures in the assessment. Specifically, short-term mobility and long-term mobility between census blocks in the modeling domain were not considered. /32/ The approach of not considering short or long-term population mobility does not bias the estimate of the theoretical MIR (by definition), nor does it affect the estimate of cancer incidence because the total population number remains the same. It does, however, affect the shape of the distribution of individual risks across the affected population, shifting it toward higher estimated individual risks at the upper end and reducing the number of people estimated to be at lower risks, thereby increasing the estimated number of people at specific high risk levels (e.g., 1-in-10 thousand or 1-in-1 million).
FOOTNOTE 32 Short-term mobility is movement from one micro-environment to another over the course of hours or days. Long-term mobility is movement from one residence to another over the course of a lifetime. END FOOTNOTE
In addition, the assessment predicted the chronic exposures at the centroid of each populated census block as surrogates for the exposure concentrations for all people living in that block. Using the census block centroid to predict chronic exposures tends to over-predict exposures for people in the census block who live farther from the facility and under-predict exposures for people in the census block who live closer to the facility. Thus, using the census block centroid to predict chronic exposures may lead to a potential understatement or overstatement of the true maximum impact, but is an unbiased estimate of average risk and incidence. We reduce this uncertainty by analyzing large census blocks near facilities using aerial imagery and adjusting the location of the block centroid to better represent the population in the block, as well as adding additional receptor locations where the block population is not well represented by a single location.
The assessment evaluates the cancer inhalation risks associated with pollutant exposures over a 70-year period, which is the assumed lifetime of an individual. In reality, both the length of time that modeled emission sources at facilities actually operate (i.e., more or less than 70 years) and the domestic growth or decline of the modeled industry (i.e., the increase or decrease in the number or size of domestic facilities) will influence the future risks posed by a given source or source category. Depending on the characteristics of the industry, these factors will, in most cases, result in an overestimate both in individual risk levels and in the total estimated number of cancer cases. However, in the unlikely scenario where a facility maintains, or even increases, its emissions levels over a period of more than 70 years, residents live beyond 70 years at the same location, and the residents spend most of their days at that location, then the cancer inhalation risks could potentially be underestimated. However, annual cancer incidence estimates from exposures to emissions from these sources would not be affected by the length of time an emissions source operates.
The exposure estimates used in these analyses assume chronic exposures to ambient (outdoor) levels of pollutants. Because most people spend the majority of their time indoors, actual exposures may not be as high, depending on the characteristics of the pollutants modeled. For many of the HAP, indoor levels are roughly equivalent to ambient levels, but for very reactive pollutants or larger particles, indoor levels are typically lower. This factor has the potential to result in an overestimate of 25 to 30 percent of exposures. /33/
FOOTNOTE 33
In addition to the uncertainties highlighted above, there are several factors specific to the acute exposure assessment that the
d. Uncertainties in Dose-Response Relationships
There are uncertainties inherent in the development of the dose-response values used in our risk assessments for cancer effects from chronic exposures and non-cancer effects from both chronic and acute exposures. Some uncertainties may be considered quantitatively, and others generally are expressed in qualitative terms. We note as a preface to this discussion a point on dose-response uncertainty that is brought out in the
Cancer URE values used in our risk assessments are those that have been developed to generally provide an upper bound estimate of risk. That is, they represent a "plausible upper limit to the true value of a quantity" (although this is usually not a true statistical confidence limit). /34/ In some circumstances, the true risk could be as low as zero; however, in other circumstances the risk could be greater. /35/ When developing an upper bound estimate of risk and to provide risk values that do not underestimate risk, health-protective default approaches are generally used. To err on the side of ensuring adequate health protection, the
FOOTNOTE 34 IRIS glossary (http://www.epa.gov/NCEA/iris/help_gloss.htm). END FOOTNOTE
FOOTNOTE 35 An exception to this is the URE for benzene, which is considered to cover a range of values, each end of which is considered to be equally plausible and which is based on maximum likelihood estimates. END FOOTNOTE
Chronic non-cancer RfC and reference dose (RfD) values represent chronic exposure levels that are intended to be health-protective levels. Specifically, these values provide an estimate (with uncertainty spanning perhaps an order of magnitude) of a continuous inhalation exposure (RfC) or a daily oral exposure (RfD) to the human population (including sensitive subgroups) that is likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime. To derive values that are intended to be "without appreciable risk," the methodology relies upon an uncertainty factor (UF) approach (
FOOTNOTE 36 According to the NRC report, Science and Judgment in Risk Assessment (NRC, 1994) "[Default] options are generic approaches, based on general scientific knowledge and policy judgment, that are applied to various elements of the risk assessment process when the correct scientific model is unknown or uncertain." The 1983 NRC report, Risk Assessment in the Federal Government: Managing the Process, defined default option as "the option chosen on the basis of risk assessment policy that appears to be the best choice in the absence of data to the contrary" (NRC, 1983a, p. 63). Therefore, default options are not rules that bind the Agency; rather, the Agency may depart from them in evaluating the risks posed by a specific substance when it believes this to be appropriate. In keeping with
While collectively termed "UF," these factors account for a number of different quantitative considerations when using observed animal (usually rodent) or human toxicity data in the development of the RfC. The UF are intended to account for: (1) Variation in susceptibility among the members of the human population (i.e., inter-individual variability); (2) uncertainty in extrapolating from experimental animal data to humans (i.e., interspecies differences); (3) uncertainty in extrapolating from data obtained in a study with less-than-lifetime exposure (i.e., extrapolating from sub-chronic to chronic exposure); (4) uncertainty in extrapolating the observed data to obtain an estimate of the exposure associated with no adverse effects; and (5) uncertainty when the database is incomplete or there are problems with the applicability of available studies.
Many of the UF used to account for variability and uncertainty in the development of acute reference values are quite similar to those developed for chronic durations, but they more often use individual UF values that may be less than 10. The UF are applied based on chemical-specific or health effect-specific information (e.g., simple irritation effects do not vary appreciably between human individuals, hence a value of 3 is typically used), or based on the purpose for the reference value (see the following paragraph). The UF applied in acute reference value derivation include: (1) Heterogeneity among humans; (2) uncertainty in extrapolating from animals to humans; (3) uncertainty in lowest observed adverse effect (exposure) level to no observed adverse effect (exposure) level adjustments; and (4) uncertainty in accounting for an incomplete database on toxic effects of potential concern. Additional adjustments are often applied to account for uncertainty in extrapolation from observations at one exposure duration (e.g., 4 hours) to derive an acute reference value at another exposure duration (e.g., 1 hour).
Not all acute reference values are developed for the same purpose and care must be taken when interpreting the results of an acute assessment of human health effects relative to the reference value or values being exceeded. Where relevant to the estimated exposures, the lack of short-term dose-response values at different levels of severity should be factored into the risk characterization as potential uncertainties.
Although every effort is made to identify appropriate human health effect dose-response assessment values for all pollutants emitted by the sources in this risk assessment, some HAP emitted by this source category are lacking dose-response assessments. Accordingly, these pollutants cannot be included in the quantitative risk assessment, which could result in quantitative estimates understating HAP risk. As we state above in section III.A.3, based on a recent in-depth examination of the available acute value for nickel (California EPA's acute (1-hour) REL), we have concluded that this value is not appropriate for our regulatory needs in characterizing the potential for acute health risks. This conclusion takes into account the effect on which the acute REL is based, aspects of the methodology used in its derivation, and how this assessment stands in comparison to other comprehensive toxicological assessments which considered the broader nickel health effects database. Also, there are no AEGL-1 or -2 or ERPG-1 or -2 values available to use in this acute risk assessment. Therefore, we will not include nickel in our acute analysis for this source category or in future assessments unless and until an appropriate value becomes available.
To help to alleviate this potential underestimate, where we conclude similarity with a HAP for which a dose-response assessment value is available, we use that value as a surrogate for the assessment of the HAP for which no value is available. To the extent use of surrogates indicates appreciable risk, we may identify a need to increase priority for new IRIS assessment of that substance. We additionally note that, generally speaking, HAP of greatest concern due to environmental exposures and hazard are those for which dose-response assessments have been performed, reducing the likelihood of understating risk. Further, HAP not included in the quantitative assessment are assessed qualitatively and considered in the risk characterization that informs the risk management decisions, including with regard to consideration of HAP reductions achieved by various control options.
For a group of compounds that are unspeciated (e.g., glycol ethers), we conservatively use the most protective reference value of an individual compound in that group to estimate risk. Similarly, for an individual compound in a group (e.g., ethylene glycol diethyl ether) that does not have a specified reference value, we also apply the most protective reference value from the other compounds in the group to estimate risk.
e. Uncertainties in the Multipathway Assessment
For each source category, we generally rely on site-specific levels of PB-HAP emissions to determine whether a refined assessment of the impacts from multipathway exposures is necessary. This determination is based on the results of a two-tiered screening analysis that relies on the outputs from models that estimate environmental pollutant concentrations and human exposures for four PB-HAP. Two important types of uncertainty associated with the use of these models in RTR risk assessments and inherent to any assessment that relies on environmental modeling are model uncertainty and input uncertainty. /37/ Model uncertainty concerns whether the selected models are appropriate for the assessment being conducted and whether they adequately represent the actual processes that might occur for that situation. An example of model uncertainty is the question of whether the model adequately describes the movement of a pollutant through the soil. This type of uncertainty is difficult to quantify. However, based on feedback received from previous
FOOTNOTE 37 In the context of this discussion, the term "uncertainty" as it pertains to exposure and risk encompasses both variability in the range of expected inputs and screening results due to existing spatial, temporal, and other factors, as well as uncertainty in being able to accurately estimate the true result. END FOOTNOTE
Input uncertainty is concerned with how accurately the models have been configured and parameterized for the assessment at hand. For Tier I of the multipathway screen, we configured the models to avoid underestimating exposure and risk. This was accomplished by selecting upper-end values from nationally-representative data sets for the more influential parameters in the environmental model, including selection and spatial configuration of the area of interest, lake location and size, meteorology, surface water and soil characteristics and structure of the aquatic food web. We also assume an ingestion exposure scenario and values for human exposure factors that represent reasonable maximum exposures.
In Tier II of the multipathway assessment, we refine the model inputs to account for meteorological patterns in the vicinity of the facility versus using upper-end national values and we identify the actual location of lakes near the facility rather than the default lake location that we apply in Tier I. By refining the screening approach in Tier II to account for local geographical and meteorological data, we decrease the likelihood that concentrations in environmental media are overestimated, thereby increasing the usefulness of the screen. The assumptions and the associated uncertainties regarding the selected ingestion exposure scenario are the same for Tier I and Tier II.
For both Tiers I and II of the multipathway assessment, our approach to addressing model input uncertainty is generally cautious. We choose model inputs from the upper end of the range of possible values for the influential parameters used in the models, and we assume that the exposed individual exhibits ingestion behavior that would lead to a high total exposure. This approach reduces the likelihood of not identifying high risks for adverse impacts.
Despite the uncertainties, when individual pollutants or facilities do screen out, we are confident that the potential for adverse multipathway impacts on human health is very low. On the other hand, when individual pollutants or facilities do not screen out, it does not mean that multipathway impacts are significant, only that we cannot rule out that possibility and that a refined multipathway analysis for the site might be necessary to obtain a more accurate risk characterization for the source category.
For further information on uncertainties and the Tier I and II screening methods, refer to the risk document Appendix 4, Technical Support Document for TRIM-Based Multipathway Tiered Screening Methodology for RTR.
We also completed a refined multi-pathway assessment for this supplemental proposal. The refined assessment contains considerably less uncertainty compared to the Tier I and Tier II screens. Nevertheless, some uncertainties also exist with the refined assessments. The refined multi-pathway assessment and related uncertainties are described in detail in the risk document Appendix 10, Residual Risk Assessment for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category in Support of the
f. Uncertainties in the Environmental Risk Screening Assessment
For each source category, we generally rely on site-specific levels of environmental HAP emissions to perform an environmental screening assessment. The environmental screening assessment is based on the outputs from models that estimate environmental HAP concentrations. The same models, specifically the TRIM.FaTE multipathway model and the AERMOD air dispersion model, are used to estimate environmental HAP concentrations for both the human multipathway screening analysis and for the environmental screening analysis. Therefore, both screening assessments have similar modeling uncertainties.
Two important types of uncertainty associated with the use of these models in RTR environmental screening assessments--and inherent to any assessment that relies on environmental modeling--are model uncertainty and input uncertainty. /38/
FOOTNOTE 38 In the context of this discussion, the term "uncertainty," as it pertains to exposure and risk assessment, encompasses both variability in the range of expected inputs and screening results due to existing spatial, temporal and other factors, as well as uncertainty in being able to accurately estimate the true result. END FOOTNOTE
Model uncertainty concerns whether the selected models are appropriate for the assessment being conducted and whether they adequately represent the movement and accumulation of environmental HAP emissions in the environment. For example, does the model adequately describe the movement of a pollutant through the soil? This type of uncertainty is difficult to quantify. However, based on feedback received from previous
Input uncertainty is concerned with how accurately the models have been configured and parameterized for the assessment at hand. For Tier I of the environmental screen for PB-HAP, we configured the models to avoid underestimating exposure and risk to reduce the likelihood that the results indicate the risks are lower than they actually are. This was accomplished by selecting upper-end values from nationally-representative data sets for the more influential parameters in the environmental model, including selection and spatial configuration of the area of interest, the location and size of any bodies of water, meteorology, surface water and soil characteristics and structure of the aquatic food web. In Tier I, we used the maximum facility-specific emissions for the PB-HAP (other than lead compounds, which were evaluated by comparison to the secondary lead NAAQS) that were included in the environmental screening assessment and each of the media when comparing to ecological benchmarks. This is consistent with the conservative design of Tier I of the screen. In Tier II of the environmental screening analysis for PB-HAP, we refine the model inputs to account for meteorological patterns in the vicinity of the facility versus using upper-end national values, and we identify the locations of water bodies near the facility location. By refining the screening approach in Tier II to account for local geographical and meteorological data, we decrease the likelihood that concentrations in environmental media are overestimated, thereby increasing the usefulness of the screen. To better represent widespread impacts, the modeled soil concentrations are averaged in Tier II to obtain one average soil concentration value for each facility and for each PB-HAP. For PB-HAP concentrations in water, sediment and fish tissue, the highest value for each facility for each pollutant is used.
For the environmental screening assessment for acid gases, we employ a single-tiered approach. We use the modeled air concentrations and compare those with ecological benchmarks.
For both Tiers I and II of the environmental screening assessment, our approach to addressing model input uncertainty is generally cautious. We choose model inputs from the upper end of the range of possible values for the influential parameters used in the models, and we assume that the exposed individual exhibits ingestion behavior that would lead to a high total exposure. This approach reduces the likelihood of not identifying potential risks for adverse environmental impacts.
Uncertainty also exists in the ecological benchmarks for the environmental risk screening analysis. We established a hierarchy of preferred benchmark sources to allow selection of benchmarks for each environmental HAP at each ecological assessment endpoint. In general,
In all cases (except for lead compounds, which were evaluated through a comparison to the NAAQS), we searched for benchmarks at the following three effect levels, as described in section III.A.6. of this notice:
1. A no-effect level (i.e., NOAEL).
2. Threshold-effect level (i.e., LOAEL).
3. Probable effect level (i.e., PEL).
For some ecological assessment endpoint/environmental HAP combinations, we could identify benchmarks for all three effect levels, but for most, we could not. In one case, where different agencies derived significantly different numbers to represent a threshold for effect, we included both. In several cases, only a single benchmark was available. In cases where multiple effect levels were available for a particular PB-HAP and assessment endpoint, we used all of the available effect levels to help us to determine whether risk exists and if the risks could be considered significant and widespread.
The EPA evaluates the following seven HAP in the environmental risk screening assessment: Cadmium, dioxins/furans, POM, mercury (both inorganic mercury and methyl mercury), lead compounds, HCl and HF, where applicable. These seven HAP represent pollutants that can cause adverse impacts for plants and animals either through direct exposure to HAP in the air or through exposure to HAP that is deposited from the air onto soils and surface waters. These seven HAP also represent those HAP for which we can conduct a meaningful environmental risk screening assessment. For other HAP not included in our screening assessment, the model has not been parameterized such that it can be used for that purpose. In some cases, depending on the HAP, we may not have appropriate multipathway models that allow us to predict the concentration of that pollutant. The
Further information on uncertainties and the Tier I and II screening methods is provided in Appendix 4 of the document "Technical Support Document for TRIM-Based Multipathway Tiered Screening Methodology for RTR: Summary of Approach and Evaluation." Also, see the Residual Risk Assessment for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category in Support of the
As discussed in section II.A of this preamble, in evaluating and developing standards under section 112(f)(2), we apply a two-step process to address residual risk. In the first step, the
FOOTNOTE 39 Although defined as "maximum individual risk," MIR refers only to cancer risk. MIR, one metric for assessing cancer risk, is the estimated risk were an individual exposed to the maximum level of a pollutant for a lifetime. END FOOTNOTE
In past residual risk actions, the
The agency is considering these various measures of health information to inform our determinations of risk acceptability and ample margin of safety under CAA section 112(f). As explained in the Benzene NESHAP, "the first step judgment on acceptability cannot be reduced to any single factor" and thus "[t]he Administrator believes that the acceptability of risk under [previous] section 112 is best judged on the basis of a broad set of health risk measures and information." 54 FR 38046,
The Benzene NESHAP approach provides flexibility regarding factors the
"[t]he policy chosen by the Administrator permits consideration of multiple measures of health risk. Not only can the MIR figure be considered, but also incidence, the presence of non-cancer health effects, and the uncertainties of the risk estimates. In this way, the effect on the most exposed individuals can be reviewed as well as the impact on the general public. These factors can then be weighed in each individual case. This approach complies with the Vinyl Chloride mandate that the Administrator ascertain an acceptable level of risk to the public by employing [her] expertise to assess available data. It also complies with the Congressional intent behind the CAA, which did not exclude the use of any particular measure of public health risk from the
See 54 FR at 38057,
The EPA notes that it has not considered certain health information to date in making residual risk determinations. At this time, we do not attempt to quantify those HAP risks that may be associated with emissions from other facilities that do not include the source categories in question, mobile source emissions, natural source emissions, persistent environmental pollution or atmospheric transformation in the vicinity of the sources in these categories.
The agency understands the potential importance of considering an individual's total exposure to HAP in addition to considering exposure to HAP emissions from the source category and facility. We recognize that such consideration may be particularly important when assessing non-cancer risks, where pollutant-specific exposure health reference levels (e.g., RfCs) are based on the assumption that thresholds exist for adverse health effects. For example, the agency recognizes that, although exposures attributable to emissions from a source category or facility alone may not indicate the potential for increased risk of adverse non-cancer health effects in a population, the exposures resulting from emissions from the facility in combination with emissions from all of the other sources (e.g., other facilities) to which an individual is exposed may be sufficient to result in increased risk of adverse non-cancer health effects. In
FOOTNOTE 40
In response to the SAB recommendations, the
Although we are interested in placing source category and facility-wide HAP risks in the context of total HAP risks from all sources combined in the vicinity of each source, we are concerned about the uncertainties of doing so. Because of the contribution to total HAP risk from emission sources other than those that we have studied in depth during this RTR review, such estimates of total HAP risks would have significantly greater associated uncertainties than the source category or facility-wide estimates. Such aggregate or cumulative assessments would compound those uncertainties, making the assessments too unreliable.
Our technology review focused on the identification and evaluation of developments in practices, processes and control technologies that have occurred since the MACT standards were promulgated. Where we identified such developments, in order to inform our decision of whether it is "necessary" to revise the emissions standards, we analyzed the technical feasibility of applying these developments and the estimated costs, energy implications, non-air environmental impacts, as well as considering the emission reductions. We also considered the appropriateness of applying controls to new sources versus retrofitting existing sources.
Based on our analyses of the available data and information, we identified potential developments in practices, processes and control technologies. For this exercise, we considered any of the following to be a "development":
* Any add-on control technology or other equipment that was not identified and considered during development of the original MACT standards.
* Any improvements in add-on control technology or other equipment (that were identified and considered during development of the original MACT standards) that could result in additional emissions reduction.
* Any work practice or operational procedure that was not identified or considered during development of the original MACT standards.
* Any process change or pollution prevention alternative that could be broadly applied to the industry and that was not identified or considered during development of the original MACT standards.
* Any significant changes in the cost (including cost effectiveness) of applying controls (including controls the
We reviewed a variety of data sources in our investigation of potential practices, processes or controls to consider. Among the sources we reviewed were the NESHAP for various industries that were promulgated since the MACT standards being reviewed in this action. We reviewed the regulatory requirements and/or technical analyses associated with these regulatory actions to identify any practices, processes and control technologies considered in these efforts that could be applied to emission sources in the Ferroalloys Production source category, as well as the costs, non-air impacts and energy implications associated with the use of these technologies. Additionally, we requested information from facilities regarding developments in practices, processes or control technology. Finally, we reviewed information from other sources, such as state and/or local permitting agency databases and industry-supported databases.
For the 2011 proposal, our technology review focused on the identification and evaluation of developments in practices, processes and control technologies that have occurred since the 1999 NESHAP was promulgated. In cases where the technology review identified such developments, we conducted an analysis of the technical feasibility of applying these developments, along with the estimated impacts (costs, emissions reductions, risk reductions, etc.) of applying these developments. We then made decisions on whether it is necessary to propose amendments to the 1999 NESHAP to require any of the identified developments. Based on our analyses of the data and information collected by the 2010 ICR and our general understanding of the industry and other available information on potential controls for this industry, we identified several potential developments in practices, processes and control technologies.
Based on our technology review for the 2011 proposed rule, we determined that there had been advances in emissions control measures since the Ferroalloys Production NESHAP was originally promulgated in 1999. Based on that review, we proposed lower PM emissions limits for the process vents because we determined that the existing add-on control devices (baghouses and wet venture scrubbers) were achieving better control than that reflected by the emissions limits in the 1999 MACT rule. Furthermore, based on that previous technology review, to reduce fugitive process emissions, in 2011 we proposed a requirement for sources to enclose the furnace building, prevent the fugitive emissions from being released to the atmosphere by maintaining the furnace building under negative pressure and collect and duct those fugitive emissions to a control device. We proposed that approach in 2011, because at that time, we believed it represented a technically-feasible cost-effective advance in emissions control since the Ferroalloys Production NESHAP was originally promulgated in 1999. Additional details regarding the previously-conducted technology review can be found in the
We also gathered additional emissions data for the process vents. Therefore, we have updated and revised our technology review for the process vent emissions and fugitive emissions control options. The following paragraphs describe the up-dated and revised technology review and additional analyses that were performed for today's supplemental proposal.
1. Process Vent Emission Limits
The ferroalloy production facilities have add-on control devices such as venturi scrubbers or fabric filters to control emissions of metal HAP from the furnace operations. The furnace operations include charging, smelting and tapping. Other operations that take place inside the furnace buildings include casting and ladle treatment. The vast majority of emissions from the charging and smelting processes are currently vented to the add-on control devices. However, the percent of emissions currently captured and controlled from tapping, ladle treatment and casting are considerably lower and varies across furnaces. The ferroalloy production facilities also use add-on control devices to reduce emissions from the metal oxygen refining (MOR) process, local ventilation sources (e.g., tapping fugitive control device) and the product crushing operations.
To evaluate the effectiveness of these emission control technologies currently used to reduce emissions and meet the emission limits in the 1999 MACT rule, an ICR under section 114 of the Clean Air Act was sent to each of the ferroalloy production facilities on
FOOTNOTE 41 Total phosphorus was also measured for the ICR using EPA Method 29; however this method does not distinguish between white phosphorus (which is a non-HAP) and red phosphorus (which is a HAP). Due to the uncertainty of the percentage of red phosphorus in the total phosphorus test results, it was concluded that phosphorus would not be incorporated in the emissions used for modeling. END FOOTNOTE
FOOTNOTE 42 Total phosphorus was also measured using Method 29, but was not used in the technology review. END FOOTNOTE
The test data collected from the ICR responses, the compliance reports and other testing indicate that the PM emissions from the furnace process vents (also known as process stacks) are well below the level of emissions allowed by the current emission standards in subpart XXX. In the 2011 proposal, we proposed lower PM limits to reflect the better performance of these sources. We also proposed lower limits for the MOR process and the crushing and screening process vents in the 2011 proposal. We did not receive any additional test data for the MOR process or the crushing and screening process since the 2011 proposal and have received no other information indicating that changes to the limits we proposed in 2011 for these sources are necessary, therefore we plan no changes to the proposed emission standards in this supplemental proposal for the MOR process and the crushing and screening processes.
However, for the furnace process vents, we did receive additional data and based on that data combined with the data we already had, we evaluated whether it is appropriate to propose revised emissions limits for PM from the furnace process vents. We also re-evaluated the proposed emission limits for the local ventilation system based on the new test data received. Further discussions of the re-evaluations and the proposed revised limits are presented in Section IV below.
For purposes of addressing new ferroalloy production facilities, we considered the feasibility of more stringent emission limits. Specifically, we examined what emission level could be met using available add-on control devices and the emission concentrations that could be achieved by the use of the control devices. The results of this analysis and the proposed decisions are described in Section IV below.
2. Process Fugitive Control Standards
We re-evaluated the costs and operational feasibility associated with the option of requiring full building enclosure with negative pressure at all openings. We also consulted with ventilation experts working with hot process fugitives like those found in the ferroalloys industry (e.g., electric arc furnace steel mini-mills and secondary lead smelters). Furthermore, we received detailed information from each of the Ferroalloys facilities that provides an alternative approach to achieve significant reductions of process fugitive emissions using enhanced local capture, including primary and secondary hoods, which would effectively capture most of the fugitive process emissions and route these emissions to a PM control device (e.g., baghouse or wet scrubber). The plans provided by the facilities are designed to achieve a high overall level of control. These plans are available in the docket for this action (identified by document numbers: EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0895-0106 and EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0895-0073).
We also reviewed other options to control process fugitive emissions. When we consider the evolution of the
However, there is a history of addressing fugitive emissions by requiring a building opacity limit, including a 20 percent limit in the current subpart XXX (although this limit also contains a 60-percent short-term excursion and it excludes some key process fugitives events such as casting). Subpart FFFFF of Part 63, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Integrated Iron and Steel Manufacturing Facilities, contains various building opacity limits ranging from 20 percent for existing sources to 10 percent for new sources. Section 60.272a in the Subpart AAa--Standards of Performance for Steel Plants: Electric Arc Furnaces and Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Vessels Constructed After
After reviewing and evaluating available information regarding approaches to reduce process fugitive emissions, we revised our analysis of options to control these fugitive emissions. The results of the revised analyses of control options for process fugitive emissions are summarized in Section IV and also presented in the Cost Impacts of Control Options to Address Fugitive HAP Emissions for the Ferroalloys Production NESHAP Supplemental Proposal document and the Revised Technology Review for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category for the Supplemental Proposal document (Revised Technology Review document), which are available in the docket.
IV. Revised Analytical Results and Proposed Decisions for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category
A. What actions are we taking pursuant to CAA sections 112(d)(2) and 112(d)(3)?
As described previously, CAA section 112(d) requires the
Based on those analyses we determined it is appropriate to propose revised limits for these three HAP. Therefore, in today's supplemental notice, we are proposing revised emissions limits pursuant to section 112(d)(2) and 112(d)(3) for mercury, PAHs and HCl. In this section, we describe how we developed the revised proposed standards for these HAP, including how we calculated MACT floor limits, how we account for variability in those floor calculations and how we considered beyond the floor (BTF) options. The revised MACT analyses for these previously unregulated pollutants (i.e., mercury, PAH and HCl) are presented in the following paragraphs. For more information on these analyses, see the Revised MACT Floor Analysis for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category and the Mercury Control Options and Impacts for the Ferroalloys Production Industry documents which are available in the docket for this action.
1. How do we develop MACT floor limits?
As discussed in the 2011 proposal (76 FR 72508), the MACT floor limit for existing sources is calculated based on the average performance of the best performing units in each category or subcategory, and also on a consideration of these units' variability, and the MACT floor for new sources is based on the single best performing source, with a similar consideration of that source's variability. The MACT floor for new sources cannot be less stringent than the emissions performance that is achieved in practice by the best-controlled similar source. To account for variability in the operation and emissions, the stack test data were used to calculate the average emissions and the 99 percent upper predictive limit (UPL) to derive the MACT floor limits. For more information regarding the general use of the UPL and why it is appropriate for calculating MACT floors, see the memorandum titled Use of the Upper Prediction Limit for Calculating MACT Floors (UPL Memo), which is available in the docket for this action. Furthermore, with regard to calculation of MACT Floor limits based on limited datasets, we considered additional factors as summarized below and described in more details in the memorandum titled: Approach for Applying the Upper Prediction Limit to Limited Datasets, which is available in the docket for this action.
2. What is our approach for applying the upper prediction limit to limited datasets?
The UPL approach addresses variability of emissions data from the best performing source or sources in setting MACT standards. The UPL also accounts for uncertainty associated with emission values in a dataset, which can be influenced by components such as the number of samples available for developing MACT standards and the number of samples that will be collected to assess compliance with the emission limit. The UPL approach has been used in many environmental science applications. /43/ /44/ /45/ /46/ /47/ /48/ As explained in more detail in the UPL Memo, the
FOOTNOTE 43 Gibbons, R. D. (1987), Statistical Prediction Intervals for the Evaluation of Ground-Water Quality. Groundwater, 25: 455-465 and Hart, Barbara F. and Janet Chaseling, Optimizing Landfill Ground Water Analytes --
FOOTNOTE 44 Wan, Can; Xu, Zhao; Pinson, Pierre; Dong,
FOOTNOTE 45 Khosravi, Abbas; Mazloumi, Ehsan; Nahavandi, Saeid; Creighton, Doug; van Lint, J. W. C. Prediction Intervals to Account for Uncertainties in Travel Time Prediction. 2011. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, ISSN 1524-9050, 12(2):537-547. END FOOTNOTE
FOOTNOTE 46 Ashkan Zarnani;
FOOTNOTE 47 Rayer, Stefan; Smith, Stanley K; Tayman, Jeff. 2009. Empirical Prediction Intervals for County Population Forecasts.
FOOTNOTE 48 Nicholas A Som; Nicolas P Zegre; Lisa M Ganio; Arne E Skaugset. 2012. Corrected prediction intervals for change detection in paired watershed studies.
With regard to the derivation of MACT limits using limited datasets, in a recent
3. How did we apply the approach for limited datasets to limited datasets in the ferroalloys source category?
For the ferroalloys source category, we have limited datasets for the following pollutants and subcategories: PAHs for existing and new furnaces producing ferromanganese (FeMn); PAHs for new furnaces producing silicon manganese (SiMn); mercury for new furnaces producing SiMn; mercury for existing and new furnaces producing FeMn; and HCl for new furnaces producing FeMn or SiMn. Therefore, we evaluated these specific datasets to determine whether it is appropriate to make any modifications to the approach used to calculate MACT floors for each of these datasets.
For each dataset, we performed the steps outlined in the Limited Dataset Memo, including: Ensuring that we selected the data distribution that best represents each dataset; ensuring that the correct equation for the distribution was then applied to the data; and comparing individual components of each small dataset to determine if the standards based on small datasets reasonably represent the performance of the units included in the dataset. The results of each analysis are described and presented below in the applicable sections for each of the three HAP (i.e., mercury, PAHs and HCl). We seek comments regarding the specific application of the limited dataset approach used to derive the proposed emissions limits for Hg, PAHs and HCl described in the sections below.
4. How did we develop proposed limits for mercury emissions?
a. Background on Mercury
As described above, we obtained significant additional data on mercury emissions from the two ferroalloys production facilities since the 2011 proposal. In particular, we obtained data from each furnace and for each product type (ferromanganese and silicomanganese). While the mercury test data from the 2010 ICR were collected using EPA Method 29 and the mercury test data from the 2012 ICR and other submitted test reports were collected using EPA Method 30B, the mercury test results from the two test methods were considered to be comparable and were used in the MACT Floor analysis. All of the test reports provided analytical results for mercury that were above the detection limit.
The raw materials used to produce ferroalloys contain various amounts of mercury, which is emitted during the smelting process. These mercury emissions are derived primarily from the manganese ore although there may be trace amounts in the coke or coal used in the smelting process. Some of the mercury that is in oxidized form is captured on the particulate matter (PM) and then collected in the particle control device (e.g., fabric filter or wet scrubber). In contrast, most of the gaseous elemental mercury is not captured by these particulate control devices and is largely emitted to the atmosphere. Based on the available emissions test data, we estimate
b. Calculation of MACT Floor Limits for Mercury
With regard to determining appropriate MACT limits for mercury, importantly, the new test data confirm that ferromanganese (FeMn) production has substantially higher mercury emissions compared to silicomanganese (SiMn) production and that emissions are considerably higher at
Because of the significant differences in the input material and the mercury emissions between FeMn and SiMn, we determined that subcategories should be created for ferromanganese and silicomanganese production, with separate MACT limits for mercury proposed for each ferroalloys product (FeMn and SiMn).
The MACT floor dataset for mercury from existing and new furnaces producing FeMn includes 6 test runs from a single furnace. As described above, this dataset (for the calculation of MACT limits for mercury from furnaces producing FeMn) was considered limited and therefore we followed the steps described in the Limited Dataset Memo to determine the appropriate MACT floor limits for mercury for furnaces producing FeMn. We first determined that the dataset is best represented by a normal distribution and ensured that we used the correct equation for the distribution. Because the floor for both existing and new furnaces is based on the performance of a single unit, our evaluation of the data was limited to ensuring that the emission limit is a reasonable estimate of the performance of the unit based on our knowledge about the process and controls. Accordingly, we compared the calculated emission limit to the highest measured value and the average short-term emissions from the unit, and found that the calculated emission limit is about 2.5 times the short-term average from the unit, which is within the range that we see when we evaluate larger data sets using our MACT floor calculation procedures. The fairly wide range in mercury emissions shown by the available data for this best performing unit indicate that variability is significant, and we determined that the emission limit is representative of the actual performance of the unit upon which the limit is based, considering variability. Therefore, we determined that no changes to our standard floor calculation procedure were warranted for this pollutant and subcategory, and we are proposing that the MACT floor is 170 [mu]g/dscm for Hg from existing furnaces producing FeMn. We also note that while we calculated the same MACT floor value for new sources, we are proposing a beyond-the-floor standard for new sources, which is discussed later in this section of this preamble.
The MACT floor dataset for mercury from new furnaces producing SiMn includes 3 test runs from a single furnace (furnace #7 at Felman) that we identified as the best performing unit based on average emissions. After determining that the dataset is best represented by a normal distribution and ensuring that we used the correct equation for the distribution, we evaluated the variance of this unit (furnace #7 at Felman). Our analysis showed that this unit, identified as the best unit based on average emissions, also had the lowest variance, indicating consistent performance. Therefore, we determined that the emission limit reasonably accounts for variability and that no changes to the standard floor calculation procedure were warranted for this pollutant and subcategory, and we are proposing that the MACT floor is 4.0 [mu]g/dscm for Hg from new furnaces producing SiMn.
With regard to mercury emissions from existing furnaces producing SiMn, we have 12 test runs in our dataset. This data set was not determined to be a limited data set. Using the 99 percent UPL method described above, we calculated the MACT floor limit (or 99 percent UPL) for exhaust mercury concentrations from existing furnaces producing SiMn to be 12 [mu]g/dscm.
The MACT floor limits for mercury for existing furnaces are higher than the actual emissions measured during the ICR performance tests at each plant due to an allowance for variability reflected in the UPL. We anticipate that both of the existing sources would be able to meet these product-specific MACT Floor limits for existing sources without installing additional controls. Therefore, the costs and reductions for the MACT floor option were estimated to be zero because we conclude that the facilities would be able to meet the mercury limits with their current furnace controls.
The next step in establishing MACT standards is the BTF analysis. In this step, we investigate other mechanisms for further reducing HAP emissions that are more stringent than the MACT floor level of control in order to "require the maximum degree of reduction in emissions" of HAP. In setting such standards, section 112(d)(2) requires the Agency to consider the cost of achieving the additional emission reductions, any non-air quality health and environmental impacts and energy requirements. Historically, these factors have included factors such as solid waste impacts of a control, effects of emissions on bodies of water, as well as the energy impacts.
c. Beyond the Floor Analysis for Mercury for Existing Furnaces
As described below, we considered BTF control options to further reduce emissions of mercury. The BTF mercury control options were developed assuming sub-categorization of furnace melting operations into ferromanganese production operations and silicomanganese production operations and installing activated carbon injection (ACI) technology with brominated carbon to control mercury emissions.
The BTF mercury limits would be based on the estimated mercury emission reduction that can be achieved through the use of ACI and brominated carbon. The bromine in the activated carbon can oxidize elemental mercury (Hg0) to oxidized mercury (Hg+2). The oxidized mercury is then suitable for capture on the activated carbon sorbent or further reacts with the bromine to produce mercuric bromide (HgBr2). Both the oxidized mercury and the mercuric bromide can be removed using a PM control device. It is generally accepted that the installation of ACI in conjunction with a fabric filter achieves at least 90 percent reduction of mercury. /49/
FOOTNOTE 49
All three furnaces at Felman and one of the two furnaces at
FOOTNOTE 50 Memorandum from
FOOTNOTE 51 Michael E Berndt,
We estimated the capital costs, annualized costs, emissions reductions and cost effectiveness for the BTF limits for FeMn and SiMn production sources. The details regarding how these limits were derived and the estimated costs and expected reductions of mercury emissions by installing ACI controls, are provided in the Mercury Control Options and Impacts for the Ferroalloys Production Industry document which is available in the docket.
Regarding the BTF control option for existing sources that produce ferromanganese, we estimated the costs and reductions based on the installation of ACI on Furnaces 1 and 12 at
As stated earlier the cost-effectiveness is estimated to be
As mentioned above, we estimate the capital costs would be about
We also evaluated an approach that could reduce the compliance costs of the BTF option. We considered the possibility that
Based on the available economic information, assuming market conditions remain approximately the same, we believe Eramet Marietta would not be able to sustain the costs of BTF mercury controls (in addition to the fugitive control costs required as part of the risk analysis explained later in this preamble, in Section IV.C.). /52/ This would likely result in substantial economic impacts in the short-term and potential closure of the facility in the longer-term. Since Eramet Marietta is the only facility in
FOOTNOTE 52 As noted in our risk analysis explained later in this preamble, proposal of the MACT floor standard for mercury (along with the controls for fugitive manganese emissions, which are explained later in this preamble) provide an ample margin of safety to protect public health. END FOOTNOTE
We also evaluated possible BTF controls for existing SiMn production sources, which have much lower mercury emissions as compared to FeMn production. We estimated that the BTF option for SiMn would achieve an additional 60 pounds/year reductions and that the cost-effectiveness would be about
d. Beyond the Floor Analysis for New and Reconstructed Furnaces
Regarding BTF controls for new or major reconstructed furnaces, we believe such sources would be constructed to include a baghouse as the primary PM control device (in order to comply with the proposed lower new source limits for PM) and then they could add ACI after the baghouse for mercury control along with a polishing baghouse and would achieve at least 90 percent reduction. Therefore, the BTF limit for new FeMn production sources is calculated to be 17 [mu]g/dscm. Regarding SiMn, the BTF limit for new sources producing SiMn would be 1.2 [mu]g/dscm.
The estimated costs for beyond the floor controls for mercury for new and reconstructed sources are based on the costs of installing and operating brominated ACI and a polishing baghouse. Based on this, we estimate that the cost effectiveness of BTF controls for a new and major reconstructed FeMn production source would be about
However, for a new SiMn production source, the cost effectiveness would be at least
e. Proposed Limits for Existing, New and Reconstructed Sources
Based on all our analyses described above, we are proposing mercury limits based on the MACT Floor (UPL) for each product type (ferromanganese, silicomanganese) for existing furnaces; BTF limits for mercury for new and reconstructed FeMn production furnaces; and mercury limits for new and reconstructed SiMn production furnaces based on the MACT Floor. These limits are summarized in Table 4. GOES
Table 4--Summary of the Proposed Mercury Control Emissions Limits ([mu]g/dscm) From the Furnace Melting Processes Proposed FeMn FeMn SiMn SiMn mercury production production production production controls (existing (new and (existing (new and sources) reconstructed sources) reconstructed sources) sources) MACT Floor 170 17 12 4.0 limits for FeMn and SiMn existing sources; BTF limit for new and reconstructed FeMn sources; and MACT floor limit for new and reconstructed SiMn sources
5. How did we develop proposed limits for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)?
As described above, we obtained additional data on PAH emissions from the two ferroalloys production facilities since the 2011 proposal. In particular, we obtained data from each furnace and for each product type (FeMn and SiMn). We used the resulting dataset to re-evaluate the MACT floor limits and BTF options. For more information on this analysis, see Revised MACT Floor Analysis for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category, which is available in the docket.
As in the case of the mercury analysis, our results show that there is a significant difference in PAH emissions during FeMn production as compared to SiMn production. Furthermore, similar to mercury, we conclude that this difference is due to significant differences in the recipe and input materials for FeMn compared to SiMn production.
Therefore, we determined that it would be appropriate to have two subcategories for PAH emissions and establish separate MACT limits for each of these two subcategories.
The MACT floor dataset for PAHs from existing furnaces producing FeMn includes 6 test runs from 2 furnaces. As described above, this dataset (for the calculation of the MACT Floor limit for PAHs for FeMn production furnaces) was considered a limited dataset and therefore we followed the steps described in the Limited Dataset Memo to determine the appropriate MACT Floor limit for PAHs for these sources. This subcategory includes only two units, and the CAA specifies that the existing source MACT floor for subcategories with fewer than 30 sources shall not be less stringent than "the average emission limitation achieved by the best performing 5 sources." However, since there are only 2 units in the subcategory and we have data for both units, the data from both units serve as the basis for the MACT floor. After determining that the dataset is best represented by a normal distribution and ensuring that we used the correct equation for the distribution, we considered the selection of a lower confidence level for determining the emission limit by evaluating whether the calculated limit reasonably represents the performance of the units upon which it is based. In this case, where two units make up the pool of best performers, the calculated emission limit is about twice the short-term average emissions from the best performing sources, indicating that the emission limit is not unreasonable compared to the actual performance of the units upon which the limit is based and is within the range that we see when we evaluate larger datasets using our MACT floor calculation procedures. Therefore, we determined that no changes to our standard floor calculation procedure are warranted for this pollutant and subcategory, and we are proposing that the MACT floor is 1,400 [mu]g/dscm for PAHs from existing furnaces producing FeMn.
The MACT floor dataset for PAHs from new furnaces producing FeMn includes 3 test runs from a single furnace (furnace #12 at
The MACT floor dataset for PAHs initially identified for new furnaces producing SiMn includes 6 test runs from a single furnace (furnace #2 at Felman) that we identified as the best performing unit based on average emissions. After determining that the dataset is best represented by a normal distribution and ensuring that we used the correct equation for the distribution, we evaluated the variance of this unit (furnace #2 at Felman) and concluded that further consideration of the variance was warranted. In particular, we noted that the variance of the dataset for this unit was almost twice as large as the variance of the dataset for the pool of best performing units that was used to calculate the existing source MACT floor. The high degree of variance in the dataset for the unit with the lowest average prompted us to question whether this unit was, in fact, the best performing unit and to evaluate the dataset for the unit with the next lowest average (furnace #7 at Felman). The dataset for furnace #7 includes 3 test runs, the furnaces are controlled with the same type of add-on control technology, and the average emissions from furnace #2 are only about 22 percent lower than the average emissions from furnace #7. While we find the average performance of these 2 units to be similar, the unit with the higher average has a variance more than 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of the unit with the lower average, thus indicating that the unit with the higher average has a far more consistent level of performance. The combination of components from the unit with the higher average (furnace #7) yields an emissions limit that is lower than that calculated from the dataset of the unit (furnace #2) with the lowest average (71.7 versus 132.8 [mu]g/dscm). For these reasons, we determined that the unit with the lowest average (furnace #2) is not the best performing source for this pollutant and we are instead selecting furnace #7 as the best performing source. After selecting the source upon which the new source limit would be based, we next considered whether the selection of a different confidence level would be appropriate. In this case, we determined that a lower confidence level was not warranted given the small amount of variability in the data for the unit that we identified as the best performer. Based on the factors outlined above, we are proposing that the MACT floor is 72 [mu]g/dscm for PAHs from new furnaces producing SiMn.
With regard to PAH emissions from existing furnaces producing SiMn, we have 18 test runs in our dataset. This dataset was not determined to be a limited data set. The UPL results for this dataset using a 99 percent confidence level was determined to be 120 [mu]g/dscm for SiMn production and was determined to be the MACT floor limit for PAHs for existing furnaces producing SiMn.
Based on the data we received prior to summer 2014, we estimate that neither source would need to install additional controls to meet the MACT Floor emission limits described above. However, as mentioned in Section II.D of today's notice, we received additional PAH data in
The current PM controls on both facilities capture some of PAH emissions. Nevertheless, we also considered BTF options for control of PAH emissions based on the additional reductions that could be achieved via control with ACI. Based on information from carbon vendors, an activated carbon system that is designed to achieve up to 90 percent reduction in mercury emissions should also achieve significant reductions in PAH with no additional costs. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding the percent of reductions in PAHs that would be achieved with ACI. One study /53/ found that ACI can achieve 74-91 percent reduction in PAH emissions depending on the concentration of activated carbon in the flue gas. Based on this information, we assume that ACI probably can achieve 75 percent reduction in PAH emissions from the furnace. Therefore, for our analysis of BTF options, we assumed an ACI system can achieve 75 percent reduction of PAH emissions from the furnace exhaust. Based on this assumption, possible BTF limits for PAHs would be 340 [mu]g/dscm for FeMn production furnaces and 28 [mu]g/dscm for SiMn production furnaces. The estimated capital and annualized costs to achieve these BTF PAH limits are the same costs as those shown for mercury in the mercury control options memorandum. For FeMn production, the capital cost was calculated to be
FOOTNOTE 53 Hong-Cang Zhou,
Table 5--Proposed Emissions Limits ([mu]g/dscm) for PAHs From the Furnace Melting Processes FeMn FeMn SiMn SiMn production production production production (existing (new and (existing (new and sources) reconstructed sources) reconstructed sources) sources) Proposed 1400 880 120 72 Emissions Limits for PAHs
6. How did we develop limits for hydrochloric acid (HCl)?
Like mercury and PAH, we obtained additional HCl test data since proposal. However, more than half the test results (20 of the 36 test runs) were below the detection limit. This situation required the use of additional statistical analysis, as described in the Revised MACT Floor Analysis for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category, which is available in the docket. We determined the data set for HCl from furnace outlets has a non-normal distribution. The non-normal distribution of the data is a result of the mix of analytical results reported above and below the detection limit and is not due to the type of product being produced (FeMn or SiMn) in the furnace. Therefore, for HCL we are not establishing subcategories based on product. An equation for log-normally distributed data was used to determine the UPL of the HCl dataset for both FeMn and SiMn production combined. The UPL for the log-normal dataset was calculated to be 1,100 [mu]g/dscm. Because more than half of the dataset were reported below the detection limit, using
The MACT floor dataset for HCl from new furnaces producing FeMn or SiMn includes 6 test runs from a single furnace (furnace #5 at Felman) that we identified as the best performing unit based on average emissions. As described above, this dataset (for the calculation of the new source limit for HCL) was considered a limited dataset and therefore we followed the steps described in the Limited Dataset Memo to determine the appropriate MACT Floor limit for HCl for new furnaces. After determining that the dataset is best represented by a non-normal distribution and ensuring that we used the correct equation for the distribution, we evaluated the variance of this best performing unit. Our analysis showed that this unit, identified as the best unit based on average emission, also had the lowest variance, indicating consistent performance. Therefore, we determined that the emission limit reasonably accounts for variability and that no changes to the standard floor calculation procedure were warranted for this pollutant and subcategory. We also note that for this standard, the calculated new source floor level was below the level that can be accurately measured (the level that we refer to as "3 times the representative detection level" or 3xRDL). Therefore, we are proposing a new source MACT emission limit of 180 ppm for HCl, which is the 3xRDL value for HCl.
No facilities in the source category use add-on control devices or work practices to limit emissions of HCl beyond what is normally achieved as co-control of the emissions with particulate matter control device. Also, as explained above, there are a significant number of non-detects for HCl. Thus, emissions are already low. Nevertheless, we evaluated possible beyond the floor options to further reduce HCl to ensure our analyses were complete. The BTF analyses are described in the Revised MACT Floor Analysis for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category document which is available in the docket. We did not identify any appropriate BTF options for HCl.
Given the low emissions of HCl and the results of our analyses, we are not proposing beyond the floor limits for HCl. Therefore, in this supplemental proposal, we are proposing emission limits for HCl of 1,100 [mu]g/dscm for existing furnaces and 180 [mu]g/dscm for new or reconstructed furnaces, which are at the level of the MACT floors. GOES
Table 6--Proposed Emissions Limits ( [micro] g/dscm) for HCl From the Furnace Melting Processes FeMn and SiMn production FeMn and SiMn production (existing sources) (new and reconstructed sources) Proposed Emissions Limits 1100 180 for HCl
B. What are the results of the risk assessment and analyses?
1. Inhalation Risk Assessment Results
Table 7 of this preamble provides an overall summary of the results of the inhalation risk assessment. GOES
Table 7--Ferroalloys Production Source Category Inhalation Risk Assessment Results Maximum Estimated Estimated Maximum Maximum Individual Population at Annual Cancer Chronic Screening Cancer Risk Increased Risk Incidence Non-cancer Acute (-in-1 Levels of (cases per TOSHI *b Non-cancer HQ million) *a Cancer year) *c Actual Emissions >/= 1-in-1 million: 31,000 20 >/= 10-in-1 0.002 4 HQ= 1 million: 400 (arsenic compounds, hydrofluoric acid, formaldehyde) >/= 100-in-1 million: 0 Allowable Emissions *d >/= 1-in-1 million: 94,000 100 >/= 10-in-1 0.005 40 -- million: 2,500 >/= 100-in-1 million: 0 *a Estimated maximum individual excess lifetime cancer risk due to HAP emissions from the source category. *b Maximum TOSHI. The target organ with the highest TOSHI for the Ferroalloys Production source category for both actual and allowable emissions is the neurological system. The estimated population at increased levels of noncancer hazard is 1,500 based on actual emissions and 11,000 based on allowable emissions. *c See Section III.A.3 of this notice for explanation of acute dose-response values. Acute assessments are not performed on allowable emissions. *d The development of allowable emission estimates can be found in the memorandum titled Revised Development of the RTR Emissions Dataset for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category for the 2014 Supplemental Proposal, which is available in the docket.
The inhalation risk modeling performed to estimate risks based on actual and allowable emissions relied primarily on emissions data from the ICRs and calculations described in the Emissions Memo. The results of the chronic baseline inhalation cancer risk assessment indicate that, based on estimates of current actual emissions, the maximum individual lifetime cancer risk (MIR) posed by the ferroalloys production source category is 20-in-1 million, with chromium compounds, PAHs and nickel compounds from tapping fugitives, furnace fugitives and a furnace accounting for 70 percent of the MIR. The total estimated cancer incidence from ferroalloys production sources based on actual emission levels is 0.002 excess cancer cases per year or one case every 500 years, with emissions of PAH, chromium compounds and cadmium compounds contributing 42 percent, 18 percent and 15 percent, respectively, to this cancer incidence. In addition, we note that approximately 400 people are estimated to have cancer risks greater than or equal to 10-in-1 million, and approximately 31,000 people are estimated to have risks greater than or equal to 1-in-1 million as a result of actual emissions from this source category.
When considering MACT-allowable emissions, the maximum individual lifetime cancer risk is estimated to be up to 100-in-1 million, driven by emissions of arsenic compounds and cadmium compounds from the MOR process baghouse outlet. The estimated cancer incidence is estimated to be 0.005 excess cancer cases per year or one excess case in every 200 years. Approximately 2,500 people are estimated to have cancer risks greater than or equal to 10-in-1 million and approximately 94,000 people are estimated to have cancer risks greater than or equal to 1-in-1 million considering allowable emissions from ferroalloys facilities.
The risk results described in this section and shown in Table 7 are based on the emissions data received prior to summer 2014. These results do not reflect the new PAH, PM or mercury data we received in
The maximum modeled chronic non-cancer HI (TOSHI) value for the source category based on actual emissions is estimated to be 4, with manganese emissions from tapping fugitives accounting for 93 percent of the HI. Approximately 1,500 people are estimated to have exposure to HI levels greater than 1 as a result of actual emissions from this source category. When considering MACT-allowable emissions, the maximum chronic non-cancer TOSHI value is estimated to be 40, driven by allowable emissions of manganese from the MOR process baghouse outlet. Approximately 11,000 people are estimated to have exposure to HI levels greater than 1 considering allowable emissions from these ferroalloys facilities.
2. Acute Risk Results
Our screening analysis for worst-case acute impacts based on actual emissions indicates the potential for three pollutants--arsenic compounds, formaldehyde, and hydrofluoric acid--to have HQ values of 1, based on their respective REL value. Both facilities have estimated HQs of 1 for these pollutants.
To better characterize the potential health risks associated with estimated worst-case acute exposures to HAP from the source category at issue and in response to a key recommendation from the SAB's peer review of the
All the HAP in this analysis have worst-case acute HQ values of 1 or less, indicating that they carry no potential to pose acute concerns. In characterizing the potential for acute non-cancer impacts of concern, it is important to remember the upward bias of these exposure estimates (e.g., worst-case meteorology coinciding with a person located at the point of maximum concentration during the hour) and to consider the results along with the conservative estimates used to develop peak hourly emissions as described earlier, as well as the screening methodology. Refer to the document titled
3. Multipathway Risk Screening Results
Results of the worst-case Tier I screening analysis indicate that PB-HAP emissions (based on estimates of actual emissions) from one or both facilities in this source category exceed the screening emission rates for cadmium compounds, mercury compounds, dioxins and PAH. For the compounds and facilities that did not screen out at Tier I, we conducted a Tier II screen. The Tier II screen replaces some of the assumptions used in Tier I with site-specific data, including the land use around the facilities, the location of fishable lakes and local wind direction and speed. The Tier II screen continues to rely on high-end assumptions about consumption of local fish and locally grown or raised foods (adult female angler at 99th percentile consumption for fish /54/ and 90th percentile for consumption of locally grown or raised foods /55/) and uses an assumption that the same individual consumes each of these foods in high end quantities (i.e., that an individual has high end ingestion rates for each food). The result of this analysis was the development of site-specific emission rate screening levels for each PB-HAP. It is important to note that, even with the inclusion of some site-specific information in the Tier II analysis, the multi-pathway screening analysis is still a very conservative, health-protective assessment (e.g., upper-bound consumption of local fish, locally grown and/or raised foods) and in all likelihood will yield results that serve as an upper-bound multi-pathway risk associated with a facility.
FOOTNOTE 54 Burger, J. 2002. Daily consumption of wild fish and game: Exposures of high end recreationists.
FOOTNOTE 55
While the screening analysis is not designed to produce a quantitative risk result, the factor by which the emissions exceed the screening level serves as a rough gauge of the "upper-limit" risks we would expect from a facility. Thus, for example, if a facility emitted a PB-HAP carcinogen at a level 2 times the screening level, we can say with a high degree of confidence that the actual maximum cancer risks will be less than 2-in-1 million. Likewise, if a facility emitted a noncancer PB-HAP at a level 2 times the screening level, the maximum noncancer hazard would represent an HQ less than 2. The high degree of confidence comes from the fact that the screens are developed using the very conservative (health-protective) assumptions that we describe above.
Based on the Tier II screening analysis, no facility emits cadmium compounds above the Tier II screening levels. One facility emits mercury compounds above the Tier II screening levels and exceeds that level by a factor of 9. Both facilities emit chlorinated dibenzodioxins and furans (CDDF) as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxicity equivalent (TEQ) above the Tier II screening levels and the facility with the highest emissions of dioxins exceeds its Tier II screening level by a factor of 20. Both facilities emit POM as benzo(a)pyrene TEQ above the Tier II screening levels and the facility with the highest emissions exceeds its screening level by a factor of 20.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are PB-HAP that do not currently have multi-pathway screening values and so are not evaluated for potential non-inhalation risks. These HAP however, are not emitted in appreciable quantities (estimated to be 0.00026 tpy) from the ferroalloys source category and we do not believe they contribute to multi-pathway risks for this source category.
Results of the analysis for lead indicate that based on the baseline, actual emissions, the maximum annual off-site ambient lead concentration was only 50 percent of the NAAQS for lead and if the total annual emissions occurred during a 3-month period, the maximum 3-month rolling average concentrations would exceed the NAAQS. However, as shown later in this preamble, based on emissions estimated for the post-control scenario, the maximum annual off-site ambient lead concentration was only 3 percent of the NAAQS for lead. If the total annual emissions occurred during a 3-month period, the maximum 3-month rolling average concentrations would be about 12 percent of the NAAQS for lead, indicating that there is no concern for multi-pathway risks due to lead emissions.
4. Multipathway Refined Risk Results
A refined multipathway analysis was conducted for one facility in this source category using the TRIM.FaTE model. The facility,
Overall, the refined analysis predicts a potential lifetime cancer risk of 10-in-1 million to the maximum most exposed individual due to exposure to dioxins and PAHs. The non-cancer HQ is predicted to be below 1 for cadmium compounds and 1 for mercury compounds.
Further details on the refined multipathway analysis can be found in Appendix 10 of the Residual Risk Assessment for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category in Support of the
5. Environmental Risk Screening Results
As described in Section III.A, we conducted an environmental risk screening assessment for the ferroalloys source category. In the Tier I screening analysis for PB-HAP the individual modeled Tier I concentrations for one facility in the source category exceeded some sediment, fish--avian piscivorus and surface soil benchmarks for PAHs, methylmercury and mercuric chloride. Therefore, we conducted a Tier II assessment.
In the Tier II screening analysis for PAHs and methylmercury none of the individual modeled concentrations for any facility in the source category exceeded any of the ecological benchmarks (either the LOAEL or NOAEL). For mercuric chloride, soil benchmarks were exceeded for some individual modeled points that collectively accounted for 5 percent of the modeled area. However, the weighted average modeled concentration for all soil parcels was well below the soil benchmarks.
For HCl, each individual concentration (i.e., each off-site data point in the modeling domain) was below the ecological benchmarks for all facilities. The average modeled HCl concentration around each facility (i.e., the average concentration of all off-site data points in the modeling domain) did not exceed any ecological benchmark.
6. Facility-Wide Risk Assessment Results
For both facilities in this source category, there are no other HAP emissions sources present beyond those included in the source category. Therefore, we conclude that the facility-wide risk is the same as the source category risk and that no separate facility-wide analysis is necessary.
7. Demographic Analysis Results
To examine the potential for any environmental justice (EJ) issues that might be associated with the source category, we performed a demographic analysis, which is an assessment of risks to individual demographic groups, of the population close to the facilities. In this analysis, we evaluated the distribution of HAP-related cancer risks and non-cancer hazards from the ferroalloys production source category across different social, demographic and economic groups within the populations living near facilities identified as having the highest risks. The methodology and the results of the demographic analyses are included in a technical report, Risk and Technology Review--Analysis of Socio-Economic Factors for Populations Living Near Ferroalloys Facilities, which is available in the docket for this action.
The results of the demographic analysis are summarized in Table 8 below. These results, for various demographic groups, are based on the estimated risks from actual emissions levels for the population living within 50 km of the facilities. GOES
Table 8--Ferroalloy Production Demographic Risk Analysis Results Nationwide Population Population with cancer with chronic risk at or hazard index above 1-in-1 above 1 due million due to to ferroalloys ferroalloys production production Total Population 312,861,265 31,283 1,521 Race by Percent White 72 96 99 All Other Races 28 4 1 Race by Percent White 72 96 99 African American 13 1 0 Native American 1 0 0 Other and Multiracial 14 2 1 Ethnicity by Percent Hispanic 17 1 1 Non-Hispanic 83 99 99 Income by Percent Below Poverty Level 14 15 7 Above Poverty Level 86 85 93 Education by Percent Over 25 and without High School 15 11 11 Diploma Over 25 and with a High School 85 89 89 Diploma
The results of the ferroalloys production source category demographic analysis indicate that emissions from the source category expose approximately 31,000 people to a cancer risk at or above 1-in-1 million and approximately 1,500 people to a chronic non-cancer TOSHI greater than 1 (we note that many of those in the first risk group are the same as those in the second). The percentages of the at-risk population in each demographic group (except for White and non-Hispanic) are similar to or lower than their respective nationwide percentages. Implementation of the provisions included in this proposal is expected to significantly reduce the number of people estimated to have a cancer risk greater than 1-in-1 million due to HAP emissions from these sources from 31,000 people to about 6,600 people. Implementation of the provisions included in the proposal also is expected to reduce the number of people estimated to have a chronic non-cancer TOSHI greater than 1 from 1,500 people to no people with a TOSHI greater than 1.
C. What are our proposed decisions regarding risk acceptability, ample margin of safety and adverse environmental effects based on our revised analyses?
1. Risk Acceptability
As noted in Section II.A.1 of this preamble, the
FOOTNOTE 56 1-in-10 thousand is equivalent to 100-in-1 million. The
In this proposal, the
a. Estimated Risks From Actual Emissions
The baseline inhalation cancer risk to the individual most exposed to emissions from sources in the ferroalloys source category is 20-in-1 million based on actual emissions. The estimated incidence of cancer due to inhalation exposures is 0.002 excess cancer cases per year, or 1 case every 500 years. Approximately 31,000 people face an increased cancer risk greater than 1-in-1 million due to inhalation exposure to actual HAP emissions from this source category and approximately 400 people face an increased risk greater than 10-in-1 million and up to 20-in-1 million. The agency estimates that the maximum chronic non-cancer TOSHI from inhalation exposure is 4, with manganese emissions from tapping fugitives accounting for a large portion (93 percent) of the HI.
The Tier II multipathway screening analysis of actual emissions indicated the potential for PAH emissions that are about 20 times the screening level for cancer, dioxin emissions that are about 20 times the screening level for cancer and mercury emissions that are 9 times above the screening level for non-cancer.
As noted above, the Tier II multipathway screen is conservative in that it incorporates many health-protective assumptions. For example, the
The refined multipathway analysis that the
The screening assessment of worst-case acute inhalation impacts from baseline actual emissions indicates that all pollutants have HQ values of 1 or less, based on their respective REL values. Considering the conservative, health-protective nature of the approach that is used to develop these acute estimates, it is highly unlikely that an individual would have an acute exposure above the REL. Specifically, the analysis is based on the assumption that worst-case emissions and meteorology would coincide with a person being at the exact location of maximum impact for a period of time long enough to have an exposure level above the conservative REL value. The fact that the facilities in this source category are not located in areas that naturally lead to people being near the fence line for periods of time indicates that the exposure scenario used in the screening assessment would be unlikely to occur.
b. Estimated Risks From Allowable Emissions
The EPA estimates that the baseline inhalation cancer risk to the individual most exposed to emissions from sources in the ferroalloys source category is up to 100-in-1 million based on allowable emissions, with arsenic and cadmium emissions driving the risks. The
The risk assessment estimates that the maximum chronic non-cancer TOSHI from inhalation exposure values is up to 40, driven by allowable manganese emissions. Approximately 11,000 people are estimated to have exposure to HI levels greater than 1.
c. Acceptability Determination
In determining whether risks are acceptable for this source category, the
The risk results indicate that the allowable inhalation cancer risks to the individual most exposed are up to but no greater than approximately 100-in-1 million, which is the presumptive limit of acceptability. The MIR based on actual emissions is 20-in-1 million, well below the presumptive limit. The maximum chronic exposure to manganese exceeds the human health dose-response value for manganese by a factor of approximately 4 based on actual emissions. For allowable emissions, exposures could exceed the health value up to a factor of approximately 40. The noncancer hazard is driven by manganese emissions.
Neither the acute risk nor the risks from the multipathway assessment exceeded levels of concern, however the
The EPA proposes that the risks are unacceptable for the following reasons. First, the
2. Proposed Controls to Address Unacceptable Risks
a. Stack Emissions
In order to address the unacceptable risk from this source category, we evaluated the potential to reduce MACT-allowable stack emissions, which resulted in a cancer MIR of 100-in-1 million, primarily due to allowable stack emissions of arsenic and cadmium and contributed significantly to the chronic noncancer TOSHI of 40, primarily due to allowable stack emissions of manganese. Our analysis determined that we could lower the existing particulate matter emission limits by approximately 50 percent for furnace stack emissions, by 80 percent for crushing and screening stack emissions and by 98 percent for the metal oxygen refining (MOR) process, which would help reduce risk to an acceptable level. As explained above, the MOR is a major driver of the allowable risks. Therefore, by lowering the MOR limit by 98 percent, this results in a large reduction in the allowable risks.
For the reasons described above, under the authority of CAA section 112(f)(2), we propose particulate matter emission limits for the stacks at the following levels: 4.0 mg/dscm for new or reconstructed electric arc furnaces and 25 mg/dscm for existing electric arc furnaces. In the 2011 proposal, we proposed a limit of 3.9 mg/dscm for any new, reconstructed or existing MOR process and 13 mg/dscm for any new, reconstructed or existing crushing and screening equipment. We believe sources can achieve the limits we are proposing today with existing controls. These emissions limits will substantially reduce potential risks due to allowable emissions from the stacks. We propose that compliance for all existing and new sources will be demonstrated by periodic stack testing, along with installation and continuous operation of bag leak detection systems for both new and existing sources that have baghouses, and continuous monitoring of liquid flow rate and pressure drop for sources controlled with wet scrubbers.
b. Process Fugitive Emissions Sources
Process fugitive sources are partially controlled by the existing MACT rule via a shop building opacity standard; however, that standard was only intended to address tapping process fugitives generated under "normal" tapping process operating conditions. Casting and crushing and screening process fugitives in the furnace building were not included. Under the authority of section 112 of the Act, which allows the use of measures to enclose systems or processes to eliminate emissions and measures to collect, capture or treat such pollutants when released from a process, stack, storage, or fugitive emissions point, we evaluated options to achieve improved emissions capture. In the 2011 proposal, we proposed full-enclosure with negative pressure and viewed local capture as not being an appropriate method of risk reduction. However, based on comments and other information gathered since the 2011 proposal and after further review and analyses of available information, we reevaluated whether the necessary risk reduction could be accomplished by an alternative approach to control fugitive emissions based on enhanced local capture of emissions. This control approach would include a combination of primary and secondary hoods that effectively capture process fugitive emissions and vents those emissions to PM control devices. The secondary capture would include hooding at the roof-lines whereby remaining fugitives are collected and vented to control devices. As described further under the technology review section of this preamble, this approach (based on enhanced local capture and control of process fugitives, using primary and secondary hoods), will effectively reduce process fugitive emissions. We conclude that this approach will achieve substantial reductions of process fugitive emissions (approximately 95 percent capture and control of fugitive emissions) and will also substantially reduce the estimated risks due to these emissions. Therefore, under section 112(f) of the CAA we are proposing this control option that is based on enhanced capture of fugitive emissions using primary hoods (that capture process fugitive emissions near the source) and secondary capture of fugitives (which would capture remaining fugitive emissions near the roof-line) and includes a tight opacity limit of 8 percent to ensure fugitives are effectively captured and controlled. We are proposing that the facilities in this source category must install and maintain a process fugitives capture system that is designed to capture and control 95 percent or more of the process fugitive emissions. This is the same exact control approach described in more detail under the technology review section of today's notice and the same control approach that we are proposing under section 112(d)(6) of the Act, as described below. We estimate that this control approach will achieve about 95 percent capture of process fugitive emissions and will achieve about 77 tpy reduction in HAP metals emissions and will substantially reduce risks due to process fugitive emissions. We conclude that achieving these reductions is the level of control needed to address the unacceptable risks due to HAP emissions from the source category.
c. Results of
The results of the post-control chronic inhalation cancer risk assessment indicate that the maximum individual lifetime cancer risk posed by these two facilities, after the implementation of the proposed controls, could be up to 10-in-1 million, reduced from 20-in-1 million (i.e., pre-controls), with an estimated reduction in cancer incidence to 0.001 excess cancer cases per year, reduced from 0.002 excess cancer cases per year. In addition, the number of people estimated to have a cancer risk greater than or equal to 1-in-1 million would be reduced from 31,000 to 6,600. The results of the post-control assessment also indicate that the maximum chronic noncancer inhalation TOSHI value would be reduced to 1, from the baseline estimate of 4. The number of people estimated to have a TOSHI greater than 1 would be reduced from 1,500 to 0. We also estimate that after the implementation of controls, the maximum worst-case acute HQ value would be reduced from 1 to less than 1 (based on REL values).
Considering post-control emissions of multipathway HAP, mercury emissions would be reduced by approximately 3 lbs/yr, lead would be reduced by about 1,600 lbs/yr, POM emissions would be reduced by approximately 5,200 lbs/yr, cadmium would be reduced by about 150 lbs/yr and dioxins and furans would be reduced by about 0.002 lbs/yr from the baseline emission rates.
3. Ample Margin of Safety Analysis
Under the ample margin of safety analysis, we again consider all of the health factors evaluated in the acceptability determination and evaluate the cost and feasibility of available control technologies and other measures (including the controls, measures and costs reviewed under the technology review) that could be applied in this source category to further reduce the risks due to emissions of HAP identified in our risk assessment.
We estimate that the actions proposed under CAA section 112(f)(2), as described above to address unacceptable risks, will reduce the MIR associated with arsenic, nickel, chromium and PAHs from 20-in-1 million to 10-in-1 million for actual emissions. The cancer incidence will be reduced from 0.002 to 0.001 cases per year and the number of people estimated to have cancer risks greater than 1-in-1 million will be reduced, from 31,000 people to 6,600 people. The chronic noncancer inhalation TOSHI will be reduced from 4 to 1 and the number of people exposed to a TOSHI level greater than 1 will be reduced from 1,500 people to 0. In addition, the potential multipathway impacts will be reduced.
Based on all of the above information, we conclude that the risks after implementation of the proposed controls are acceptable. Based on our research and analysis, we did not identify any cost-effective controls beyond those proposed above that would achieve further reduction in risk. While in theory the 2011 proposed approach of total enclosure would provide some additional risk reduction, the additional risk reduction is minimal and, as noted, we have substantial doubts that it would be feasible for these facilities. Therefore we conclude that the controls to achieve acceptable risks (described above) will also provide an ample margin of safety to protect public health.
D. What are the results and proposed decisions based on our technology review?
1. Metal HAP Emissions Limits From Stacks
As mentioned in the previous section, the available test data from the five furnaces located at two facilities indicate that all of these furnaces have PM emission levels that are well below their respective emission limits (the emission limits are based on size and product being produced in the furnace) in the 1999 MACT rule. These findings demonstrate that the add-on emission control technologies (venturi scrubber, positive pressure fabric filter, negative pressure fabric filter) used to control emissions from the furnaces are quite effective in reducing particulate matter (used as a surrogate for metal HAP) and that all of the facilities have emissions well below the current limits.
Under section 112(d)(6) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), we are required to revise emission standards, taking into account developments in practices, processes and control technologies. The particulate matter (PM) emissions, used as a surrogate for metal HAP, that were reported by the industry in response to the 2010 ICR were far below the level specified in the current NESHAP, indicating improvements in the control of PM emissions since promulgation of the current NESHAP. We re-evaluated the data received in 2010, along with additional data received in 2012 and 2013, to determine whether it is appropriate to propose revised emissions limits for PM from the furnace process vents. The re-evaluation of the PM limits was completed using available PM emissions test data from all the furnaces and consideration of variability across those data. More details regarding the available PM data and this re-evaluation are provided in the Revised Technology Review for the Ferroalloys Production Source Category for the Supplemental Proposal, which is available in the docket. Unlike PAH and mercury stack data, we did not see significant differences in variability of the PM data sets depending on product produced (e.g., ferromanganese or silicomanganese). Therefore, we are not proposing to subcategorize the PM stack limits based on product type.
Based on this analysis, we determined that it is appropriate to propose revised PM limits for the furnaces and that the revised existing source furnace stack PM emissions limit should be 25 milligrams per dry standard cubic meter (mg/dscm). Therefore, we are proposing a revised emissions limit of 25 mg/dscm for existing furnace stack PM emissions in this supplemental proposal. This emission limit is slightly higher than the existing source furnace PM emission limit of 24 mg/dscm that we proposed in the 2011 proposal. The revised emissions limit is based on more data than the previous proposed limit. No additional add-on controls are expected to be required by the facilities to meet the revised existing source limit of 25 mg/dscm. However, this revised limit would result in significantly lower "allowable" PM emissions from the source category compared to the level of emissions allowed by the 1999 MACT rule and would help prevent any emissions increases. To demonstrate compliance, we propose these sources would be required to conduct periodic performance testing and develop and operate according to a baghouse operating plan or continuously monitor venturi scrubber operating parameters. We also propose that furnace baghouses would be required to be equipped with bag leak detection systems (BLDS).
The revised new source PM standard for furnaces was determined by evaluating the available data from the best performing furnace (which was determined to be furnace #2 at Felman). The new source MACT limit was determined to be 4.0 mg/dscm based on data from furnace #2 and was selected as the proposed MACT emissions limit for PM from new and reconstructed source furnace stacks.
The PM emission limit for the local ventilation control device outlet was also re-evaluated using compliance test data and test data from the 2012 ICR. A local ventilation control device is used to capture tapping, casting, or ladle treatment emissions and direct them to a control device other than one associated with the furnace. The 2011 proposal included a proposed PM limit for the local ventilation control device that was based on PM data from the furnaces. After the 2011 proposal, we received test data from 3 different emissions tests (for a total of 9 test runs) specifically for this local ventilation source. We determined these data were more appropriate for the development of a limit for this source than the furnace data we had used for the 2011 proposal. There is currently only one local ventilation control device outlet emissions source in this source category.
Using the new data for the one existing local ventilation source, we calculated a revised emissions limit of 4.0 mg/dscm and determined that this was an appropriate emissions limit for this source. Therefore we are proposing this emissions limit of 4.0 mg/dscm for existing, new and reconstructed local ventilation control device emissions sources.
2. Metal HAP Emissions From Process Fugitives
In the 2011 proposal, we concluded that a proposed requirement for sources to enclose the furnace building, collect fugitive emissions such that the furnace building is maintained under negative pressure and duct those emissions to a control device represented an advance in emissions control measures since the Ferroalloys Production NESHAP was originally promulgated in 1999. Commenters on the 2011 proposal disagreed with our assessment. Based on these comments, we reassessed the proposed requirement for negative pressure ventilation and determined that the installation and operation of the proposed system may not be feasible and would likely be very costly. For example, the recent secondary lead NESHAP requires use of such a system, but we recognize that a much smaller volume of air must be evacuated at secondary lead facilities because of their smaller size compared to ferroalloy facilities. We agree that we had underestimated the costs of such negative pressure systems and we have provided updated cost analyses.
Commenters also raised concerns about worker safety and comfort in designing and operating such systems based on historical examples. We believe that such issues can be overcome with proper ventilation design and installation of air conditioning systems and other steps to ensure these issues are not a problem. However, after further review and evaluation we conclude that it would be quite costly for these facilities to become fully enclosed with negative pressure and achieve the appropriate ventilation and conditioning of indoor air.
Going back to the original goal of identifying advances in emissions control measures since the Ferroalloys Production NESHAP was promulgated in 1999, we have arrived at a different conclusion than we described in the 2011 proposal. We re-evaluated the costs and operational feasibility associated with the full building enclosure with negative pressure that we proposed in 2011. We consulted with ventilation experts who have worked with hot process fugitives similar to those found in the ferroalloys industry (e.g., electric arc furnace steel mini-mills and secondary lead smelters). We determined that substantially more air flow, air exchanges, ductwork, fans and control devices and supporting structural improvements would be needed (compared to what we had estimated in the 2011 proposal) to achieve negative pressure and also ensure adequate ventilation and air quality in these large furnace buildings. Therefore, we determined that the proposed negative pressure approach presented in the 2011 proposal would be much more expensive than what we had estimated in 2011 and may not be feasible for these facilities.
We also evaluated another option based on enhanced capture of the process fugitive emissions using a combination of effective local capture with primary hooding close to the emissions sources and secondary capture of remaining fugitives with roof-line capture hoods and control devices. These buildings are currently designed such that fugitive emissions that are not captured by the primary hoods flow upward with a natural draft to the open roof vents and are vented to the atmosphere uncontrolled. Under our enhanced control scenario, the primary capture close to the emissions sources would be significantly improved with effective local hooding and ventilation and the remaining fugitive emissions (that are not captured by the primary hoods) would be drawn up to the roof-line and captured with secondary hooding and vented to control devices.
In cases where additional collection of fugitives from the roof monitors is needed to comply with building opacity limits, fume collection areas may be isolated via baffles (so the area above the furnace where fumes collect may be kept separated from "empty" spaces in large buildings) and roof monitors over fume collection areas can be sealed and directed to control devices. The fugitive emission capture system should achieve inflow at the building floor, but outflow toward the roof where most of the remaining fugitives would be captured by the secondary hooding. We conclude that a rigorous, systematic examination of the ventilation requirements throughout the building is the key to developing a fugitive emission capture system (consisting of primary hoods, secondary hoods, enclosures and/or building ventilation ducted to particulate matter control devices) that can be designed and operated to achieve very low levels of fugitive emissions. Such an evaluation considers worker health, safety and comfort and it is designed to optimize existing ventilation options (fan capacity and hood design) and add additional capture options to meet specified design criteria determined through the evaluation process. Thus, we conclude that an enhanced capture system based on these design principles does represent an advancement in technology. We estimate that this control scenario would capture about 95 percent of the process fugitive emissions and vent those emissions to PM control devices. This enhanced local capture option is described in more detail in the Revised Technology Review document and in the Cost Impacts of Control Options to Address Fugitive HAP Emissions for the Ferroalloys Production NESHAP Supplemental Proposal document (Cost Impacts document) which are available in the docket.
Under this control option, the cost elements vary by plant and furnace and include the following:
* Curtains or doors surrounding furnace tops to contain fugitive emissions;
* Improvements to hoods collecting tapping emissions;
* Upgrade fans to improve the airflow of fabric filters controlling fugitive emissions;
* Addition of "secondary capture" or additional hoods to capture emissions from tapping platforms or crucibles;
* Addition of fugitives capture for casting operations;
* Improvement of existing control devices or addition of fabric filters; and
* Addition of rooftop ventilation, in which fugitive emissions escaping local capture are collected in the roof canopy over process areas through addition of partitions, hoods, and then directed through ducts to control devices.
We estimate the total capital costs of installing the required ductwork, fans and control devices under the enhanced capture option (which is described above and in more detail in the Cost Impacts document) to be
We also re-evaluated the option based on building ventilation as described in the 2011 proposal. This control option involves installation of full building ventilation at negative pressure for furnace buildings instead of installing fugitive controls on individual tapping and casting operations. This option would require installation of ductwork from the roof vents of furnace buildings, additional fans, structural repairs to buildings and a new fabric filter for each building. Both
We estimate that the full building enclosure option would reduce PM emissions from the facilities by 252 tons per year (and total HAP emissions by 83 tons per year). The total estimated capital cost for these fugitive controls is
Based on these analyses, we conclude that the full-building enclosure option with negative pressure may not be feasible and would have significant economic impacts on the facilities (including potential closure for one or more facilities). However, we conclude that the enhanced local capture option is a feasible and cost-effective approach to achieve significant reductions in fugitive HAP emissions and will achieve almost as much reductions as the full-building enclosure option (229 vs 252 tons PM reductions) thus achieving most of the risk reductions. In light of the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of the enhanced capture options, we are proposing the enhanced capture option under the authority of section 112(d)(6) of the CAA.
In the 2011 proposal, we included a requirement that emissions exiting from a shop building may not exceed more than 10 percent opacity for more than one 6-minute period, to be demonstrated every 5 years as part of the periodic required performance tests. For day-to-day continuous monitoring to demonstrate compliance with the proposed shop building requirements, the 2011 proposal relied on achieving the requirement to maintain the shop building at negative pressure to at least 0.007 inches of water. This was to be supplemented by operation and work practice standards that required preparation of a process fugitive emissions ventilation plan for each shop building, which would include schematics with design parameters (e.g., air flow and static pressure) of the ventilation system. The source would conduct a baseline survey to verify that building air supply and exhaust are balanced and the building will be maintained under at least 0.007 inches of water. Such plan would identify critical maintenance activities and schedules, be submitted to the permitting authority and incorporated into the source's operating permit. The baseline survey would be repeated every 5 years or following significant changes to the ventilation system.
With the move to the proposed enhanced local capture alternative, we believe that more frequent opacity monitoring based on an average of 8 percent opacity at all times, is appropriate to demonstrate compliance with the process fugitives standards. We propose that if the average opacity reading from the shop building is greater than 8 percent opacity during an observed furnace process cycle, an additional two more furnace process cycles must be observed such that the average opacity during the entire observation period is less than 7 percent opacity. A furnace process cycle means the period in which the furnace is tapped to the time in which the furnace is tapped again and includes periods of charging, smelting, tapping, casting and ladle raking. We also propose that at no time during operation may any two consecutive 6-minute block opacity readings be greater than 20 percent opacity. We believe that the longer averaging time for this new opacity limit (furnace process cycle vs. individual 6-minute averages) addresses concerns that small variations in an otherwise well-controlled furnace cycle could result in violations of the opacity standard. The proposed 20 percent ceiling ensures that there are no acute events that could adversely affect public health. Finally, the lower limit (8 vs. 10 percent opacity) also reflects that sources should achieve lower overall emissions over a longer averaging period. We propose that sources be required to conduct opacity observations at least once per week for each operating furnace and each MOR operation. Similar to the 2011 proposal, continuous monitoring of key ventilation operating system parameters and periodic inspections of the ventilation systems would ensure that the ventilation systems are operating as designed.
Also, similar to the 2011 proposal, we believe that the source should demonstrate that the overall design of the ventilation system is adequate to achieve the proposed standards. We propose that the facilities in this source category must maintain a process fugitives capture system that is designed to collect 95 percent or more of the process fugitive emissions from furnace operations, casting MOR process, ladle raking and slag skimming and crushing and screening operations and convey the collected emissions to a control device that meets specified emission limits and the proposed opacity limits. We believe that if the source designs the plan according to the most recent (at the time of construction) ventilation design principles recommended by the
E. What other actions are we proposing?
In addition to the proposed actions described above, we re-evaluated compliance requirements associated with the 2011 proposed amendments to determine whether we should make changes to those proposed amendments. Based on this re-evaluation, we are proposing the following changes to what was proposed in the 2011 proposal.
1. Stack Emission Limits
In response to public comments, we revisited the format of the stack emission limits. We concluded that a concentration-based limit is still appropriate, but we agree that the proposed CO2 concentration correction poses a problem under certain control device configurations. While such a concentration correction is appropriate for combustion sources such as boilers, we agree that its use in the context of ferroalloys production is not helpful. The PM stack limits proposed above do not include a CO2 correction.
2. Emissions Averaging
As described above, we have decided to retain a concentration format for the emissions limits for the stacks but we are not retaining the emissions averaging provision in this supplemental proposal that we had proposed in 2011. We believe a concentration format is the best format for this NESHAP and we have concluded that it is not the best format to use under an emissions averaging option. We are concerned that emissions from a large furnace emitting a lower than average concentration could still emit more emissions than a small furnace with a higher than average concentration. This could result in a net increase in emissions from the two furnaces compared to their emissions if they were not allowed to average emissions. For this reason, we are proposing not to include the emissions averaging provisions in the rule, which is a change from the 2011 proposal.
3. Fenceline Monitoring Alternative
In the 2011 proposal, we assumed there could be control measures other than maintaining the furnace buildings under negative pressure that would achieve equivalent emissions reductions. Therefore, to provide some flexibility to facilities regarding how to achieve the reductions of fugitive emissions, in lieu of building the full enclosure and evacuation system described in the 2011 proposal, we proposed that sources could demonstrate compliance with an alternative approach by conducting fenceline monitoring and demonstrate that the ambient concentrations of manganese at their facility boundary remain at levels no more than 0.1 [mu]g/m3 on a 60-day rolling average. However, at this time, we believe that the proposed enhanced local capture option described in this supplemental proposal incorporates the features anticipated in a non-negative pressure building option and contains compliance requirements (based on meeting a tight opacity limit and other requirements) that would assess emissions at the point of the maximum output, that is, from the roof monitor of the ferroalloys production building. Furthermore, we determined there were various issues associated with fenceline monitoring at facilities within this source category, including highly variable wind patterns, uncertainties as to how to account for background concentrations and road dust and the large difference between emissions release heights (from the high roof vents and stacks) compared to heights where fenceline monitors would be located (near ground level). Therefore, we are proposing to not include fenceline monitoring in the final rule as an alternative method to demonstrate compliance with a specific ambient level as was described in the 2011 proposal. We believe the proposed tight opacity limit (which would be measured at the emissions sources), along with the proposed requirements to install, operate and maintain effective fugitive capture and control systems, emissions limits for the stacks and various parametric monitoring requirements, are appropriate control requirements to ensure effective capture and control of emissions. However, as described in Section V.I. of this Notice, we are seeking comments regarding other possible options to monitor fugitive emissions, including fenceline monitoring as a tool to monitor trends in ambient concentrations at these locations and to use this information (along with meteorological data and modeling tools) to attempt to quantify trends in emissions that are leaving and entering the facility property.
4. Startup, Shutdown, Malfunction
In the 2011 proposal, we proposed to eliminate two provisions that exempt sources from the requirement to comply with the otherwise applicable CAA section 112(d) emission standards during periods of SSM. We also included provisions for affirmative defense to civil penalties for violations of emission standards caused by malfunctions. Periods of startup, normal operations, and shutdown are all predictable and routine aspects of a source's operations. However, by contrast, malfunction is defined as a "sudden, infrequent, and not reasonably preventable failure of air pollution control and monitoring equipment, process equipment or a process to operate in a normal or usual manner . . ." (40 CFR 63.2). As explained in the 2011 proposal, the
Further, accounting for malfunctions in setting emission standards would be difficult, if not impossible, given the myriad different types of malfunctions that can occur across all sources in the category and given the difficulties associated with predicting or accounting for the frequency, degree and duration of various malfunctions that might occur. As such, the performance of units that are malfunctioning is not "reasonably" foreseeable. See, e.g.,
In the event that a source fails to comply with the applicable CAA section 112 standards as a result of a malfunction event, the
Further, to the extent the
As noted above, the 2011 proposal included an affirmative defense to civil penalties for violations caused by malfunctions.
F. What compliance dates are we proposing?
The proposed changes to the 2011 proposal that are set out in this supplementary proposal will not change the compliance dates proposed. We continue to propose that facilities must comply with the changes set out in this supplementary proposal (which are being proposed under CAA sections 112(d)(2), 112(d)(3), 112(d)(6) and 112(f)(2) for all affected sources), no later than 2 years after the effective date of the final rule. We find that 2 years are necessary to complete the installation of the enhanced local capture system and other controls. In the period between the effective date of this rule and the compliance date, existing sources would continue to comply with the existing requirements specified in SUBSEC 63.1650 through 63.1661, which will protect the health of persons from imminent endangerment.
V. Summary of the Revised Cost, Environmental and Economic Impacts
A. What are the affected sources?
We maintain, as at the 2011 proposal, that the two manganese ferroalloys production facilities currently operating in
B. What are the air quality impacts?
The EPA revised the estimated emissions reductions that are expected to result from the proposed amendments to the 1999 NESHAP based on the proposed changes in this supplemental proposal. A detailed documentation of the analysis can be found in the Cost Impacts document, which is available in the docket.
As noted in the 2011 proposal, emissions of metal HAP from ferroalloys production sources have declined in recent years, primarily as the result of state actions and also due to the industry's own initiative. The proposed amendments in this supplemental proposal would cut HAP emissions (primarily particulate metal HAP such as manganese, arsenic and nickel) by about 60 percent from their current levels. Under the revised proposed emissions standards for process fugitives emissions from the furnace building, we estimate that the HAP emissions reductions would be 77 tpy, including significant reductions of manganese.
As noted in the 2011 proposal, based on the emissions data available to the
C. What are the cost impacts?
Under the revised proposed amendments, ferroalloys production facilities are expected to incur costs for the design of a local ventilation system, resulting in a site-specific local ventilation plan and installation of custom hoods and ventilation equipment and additional control devices to manage the air flows generated by the enhanced capture systems. There would also be capital costs associated with installing new or improved continuous monitoring systems, including installation of BLDS on the furnace baghouses that are not currently equipped with these systems.
The revised capital costs for each facility were estimated based on the projected number and types of upgrades required. The specific enhancements for each facility were selected for cost estimation based on estimates directly provided by the facilities based on their engineering analyses and discussions with the
Cost elements vary by plant and furnace and include the following elements:
* Curtains or doors surrounding furnace tops to contain fugitive emissions;
* Improvements to hoods collecting tapping emissions;
* Upgraded fans to improve the airflow of fabric filters controlling fugitive emissions;
* Addition of "secondary capture" or additional hoods to capture emissions from tapping platforms or crucibles;
* Addition of fugitives capture for casting operations;
* Improvement of existing control devices or addition of fabric filters; and
* Addition of rooftop ventilation, in which fugitive emissions escaping local control are collected in the roof canopy over process areas through addition of partitions and hoods, then directed through roof vents and ducts to control devices.
For purposes of the supplemental proposal analysis, we assumed that enhanced fugitive capture and control systems and roofline ventilation will be installed for all operational furnaces at both facilities and for MOR operations at Eramet Marietta. The specific elements of the capture and control systems selected for each facility are based on information supplied by the facilities incorporating their best estimates of the improvements to fugitive emission capture and control they would implement to achieve the standards included in the supplemental proposal. We estimate the total capital costs of installing the required ductwork, fans and control devices under the enhanced capture option to be
D. What are the economic impacts?
As a result of the requirements in this supplemental proposal, we estimate that the total capital cost for the
E. What are the benefits?
The estimated reductions in HAP emissions (i.e., about 77 tpy) that would be achieved by this proposal would provide significant benefits to public health. For example, there would be a significant reduction in emissions of air toxics (especially Mn, Ni, Cd and PAHs). In addition to the HAP reductions, we also estimate that this supplemental proposal would achieve about 48 tons of reductions in PM2.5 emissions as a co-benefit of the HAP reductions annually.
This rulemaking is not an "economically significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866 because it is not likely to have an annual effect on the economy of
Directly emitted particles are precursors to secondary formation of fine particles (PM2.5). Controls installed to reduce HAP would also reduce ambient concentrations of PM2.5 as a co-benefit. Reducing exposure to PM2.5 is associated with significant human health benefits, including avoiding mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. Researchers have associated PM2.5 exposure with adverse health effects in numerous toxicological, clinical and epidemiological studies (
FOOTNOTE 57
FOOTNOTE 58
The rulemaking is also anticipated to reduce emissions of other HAP, including metal HAP (arsenic, cadmium, chromium (both total and Cr+6), lead compounds, manganese and nickel) and PAHs. Some of these HAP are carcinogenic (e.g., arsenic, PAHs) and some have effects other than cancer (e.g., kidney disease from cadmium, respiratory and immunological effects from nickel). While we cannot quantitatively estimate the benefits achieved by reducing emissions of these HAP, we would expect benefits by reducing exposures to these HAP. More information about the health effects of these HAP can be found on the IRIS, /59/ ATSDR, /60/ and California EPA /61/ Web pages.
FOOTNOTE 59 US EPA, 2006. Integrated Risk Information System. http://www.epa.gov/iris/index.html. END FOOTNOTE
FOOTNOTE 60
FOOTNOTE 61
VI. Request for Comments
We solicit comments on the revised risk assessment and technology review and proposed changes to the previously proposed amendments. We seek comments on the additional data received in
The EPA is also soliciting comment with regard to expanding the monitoring requirements in this NESHAP for fugitive particulate matter and manganese emissions being released at the roof vents of furnace buildings using one or more of three different options. For the following three options the
<p> First, the
Second, the
Third, the
The EPA is moving toward advances in information and emissions monitoring technology that is setting the stage for detection, processing and communication capabilities that can revolutionize environmental protection. The
Electronic reporting is another next generation tool that saves time and money while improving results. The
We are not opening comment on aspects of the 2011 proposal (76 FR 72508) that have not changed and are not addressed in this supplemental proposal. Comments received on the 2011 proposal along with comments received on this supplemental proposal will be addressed in the
VII. Submitting Data Corrections
The site-specific emissions profiles used in the source category risk and demographic analyses and instructions are available for download on the RTR Web page at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/rrisk/rtrpg.html. The data files include detailed information for each HAP emissions release point for the facilities in the source category.
If you believe that the data are not representative or are inaccurate, please identify the data in question, provide your reason for concern and provide any "improved" data that you have, if available. When you submit data, we request that you provide documentation of the basis for the revised values to support your suggested changes. To submit comments on the data downloaded from the RTR page, complete the following steps:
1. Within this downloaded file, enter suggested revisions to the data fields appropriate for that information.
2. Fill in the commenter information fields for each suggested revision (i.e., commenter name, commenter organization, commenter email address, commenter phone number and revision comments).
3. Gather documentation for any suggested emissions revisions (e.g., performance test reports, material balance calculations, etc.).
4. Send the entire downloaded file with suggested revisions in Microsoft(R) Access format and all accompanying documentation to Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OAR-*** (through one of the methods described in the ADDRESSES section of this preamble).
5. If you are providing comments on a single facility or multiple facilities, you need only submit one file for all facilities. The file should contain all suggested changes for all sources at that facility. We request that all data revision comments be submitted in the form of updated Microsoft(R) Excel files that are generated by the Microsoft(R) Access file. These files are provided on the RTR Web page at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/rrisk/rtrpg.html.
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection requirements in this supplemental proposed rule have been submitted for approval to the
We are proposing changes to the paperwork requirements to the ferroalloys production source category that were proposed in 2011. In the 2011 proposal, we proposed paperwork requirements in the form of increased frequency and number of pollutants tested for stack testing as described in
In addition, in the 2011 proposal, we included an estimate of the burden associated with the affirmative defense in the ICR. However, as explained above, in this supplemental proposal we are withdrawing our proposal to include an affirmative defense and the burden estimate has been revised accordingly.
We estimate two regulated entities are currently subject to subpart XXX and will be subject to this action. The annual monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection (averaged over the first 3 years after the effective date of the standards) as a result of the supplemental proposal revised amendments to subpart XXX (Ferroalloys Production) is estimated to be
An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for the
To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, the
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act, or any other statute, unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses, small organizations and small governmental jurisdictions.
For purposes of assessing the impacts of this final rule on small entities, small entity is defined as: (1) a small business as defined by the
After considering the economic impacts of today's action on small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Neither of the companies affected by this rule is considered to be a small entity per the definition provided in this section.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
This action does not contain a federal mandate under the provisions of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538 for state, local, or tribal governments, or the private sector. The action would not result in expenditures of
This rule is also not subject to the requirements of section 203 of UMRA because it contains no regulatory requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small governments as it contains no requirements that apply to such governments nor does it impose obligations upon them.
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, as specified in Executive Order 13132. None of the facilities subject to this action are owned or operated by state governments and, because no new requirements are being promulgated, nothing in this action will supersede state regulations. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this action.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments
This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885,
This rule is expected to reduce environmental impacts for everyone, including children. This action establishes emissions limits at the levels based on MACT, as required by the CAA. Based on our analysis, we believe that this rule does not have a disproportionate impact on children.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
This action is not a "significant energy action" as defined under Executive Order 13211, because it is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution or use of energy. This action will not create any new requirements that affect the energy supply, distribution or use sectors.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs the
This supplemental proposal involves technical standards. The
Two VCS were identified acceptable alternatives to the
Under SUBSEC 63.7(f) and 63.8(f) of Subpart A of the General Provisions, a source may apply to the
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629,
The EPA has determined that the current health risks posed by emissions from this source category are unacceptable. There are up to 31,000 people nationwide that are currently subject to health risks which may not be considered negligible (i.e., cancer risks greater than 1-in-1 million or chronic noncancer TOSHI greater than 1) due to emissions from this source category. The demographic makeup of this "at-risk" population is similar to the national distribution for all demographic groups. The proposed supplemental requirements along with other proposed requirements (76 FR 72508) will reduce the number of people in this at-risk group, from up to 31,000, to about 6,600 people. Based on this analysis, the
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 63
Air pollution control, Environmental protection, Hazardous substances, Incorporation by reference, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated:
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, part 63 of title 40, chapter I, of the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 63--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 63 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
2. Section 63.14 is amended by:
a. Adding paragraph (b)(84);
b. Revising paragraph (i)(1);
c. Revising paragraph (p)(6) and adding paragraphs (p)(21) and (p)(22); and
d. By adding paragraph (s).
(b) * * *
(84) ASTM D7520-09, "Standard Test Method for Determining the Opacity in a Plume in an Outdoor Ambient Atmosphere," IBR approved for SUBSEC 63.1625(b) and 63.1657(b).
* * * * *
(i) * * *
(1) ANSI/ASME PTC 19.10-1981, Flue and Exhaust Gas Analyses [Part 10, Instruments and Apparatus], issued
* * * * *
(p) * * *
(6) SW-846-7471B, Mercury in Solid Or Semisolid Waste (Manual Cold-Vapor Technique), Revision 2,
* * * * *
(21) SW-846-Method 3052, Microwave Assisted Acid Digestion Of Siliceous and Organically Based Matrices, Revision 0,
(22) Method 1631, Revision E: Mercury in Water by Oxidation, Purge and Trap and Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry,
* * * * *
(s) The following material is available from the
(1) Method 429, Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Emissions from Stationary Sources, Adopted
(2) [Reserved]
Subpart XXX--[Amended]
3. Section 63.1620 is added to read as follows:
(a) You are subject to this subpart if you own or operate a new or existing ferromanganese and/or silicomanganese production facility that is a major source or is co-located at a major source of hazardous air pollutant emissions.
(b) You are subject to this subpart if you own or operate any of the following equipment as part of a ferromanganese or silicomanganese production facility:
(1) Open, semi-sealed, or sealed submerged arc furnace,
(2) Casting operations,
(3) Metal oxygen refining (MOR) process,
(4) Crushing and screening operations,
(5) Outdoor fugitive dust sources.
(c) A new affected source is any of the sources listed in paragraph (b) of this section for which construction or reconstruction commenced after [DATE OF FINAL RULE PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
(d) Table 1 of this subpart specifies the provisions of subpart A of this part that apply to owners and operators of ferromanganese and silicomanganese production facilities subject to this subpart.
(e) If you are subject to the provisions of this subpart, you are also subject to title V permitting requirements under 40 CFR parts 70 or 71, as applicable.
(f) Emission standards in this subpart apply at all times.
4. Section 63.1621 is added to read as follows:
(a) Existing affected sources must be in compliance with the provisions specified in SUBSEC 63.1620 through 63.1629 no later than [DATE 2 YEARS AFTER EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE].
(b) Affected sources in existence prior to [DATE OF FINAL RULE PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER] must be in compliance with the provisions specified in SUBSEC 63.1650 through 63.1661 by
(c) If you own or operate a new affected source that commences construction or reconstruction after [DATE OF FINAL RULE PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER], you must comply with the requirements of this subpart by [DATE OF EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE], or upon startup of operations, whichever is later.
5. Section 63.1622 is added to read as follows:
Terms in this subpart are defined in the Clean Air Act (Act), in subpart A of this part, or in this section as follows:
Bag leak detection system means a system that is capable of continuously monitoring particulate matter (dust) loadings in the exhaust of a baghouse in order to detect bag leaks and other upset conditions. A bag leak detection system includes, but is not limited to, an instrument that operates on triboelectric, light scattering, light transmittance, or other effect to continuously monitor relative particulate matter loadings.
Capture system means the collection of components used to capture the gases and fumes released from one or more emissions points and then convey the captured gas stream to a control device or to the atmosphere. A capture system may include, but is not limited to, the following components as applicable to a given capture system design: duct intake devices, hoods, enclosures, ductwork, dampers, manifolds, plenums, fans and roofline ventilation systems.
Casting means the period of time from when molten ferroalloy is removed from the tapping station until pouring into casting molds or beds is completed. This includes the following operations: pouring alloy from one ladle to another, slag separation, slag removal and ladle transfer by crane, truck, or other conveyance.
Crushing and screening equipment means the crushers, grinders, mills, screens and conveying systems used to crush, size and prepare for packing manganese-containing materials, including raw materials, intermediate products and final products.
Electric arc furnace means any furnace where electrical energy is converted to heat energy by transmission of current between electrodes partially submerged in the furnace charge.
Furnace process cycle means the period in which the furnace is tapped to the time in which the furnace is tapped again and includes periods of charging, smelting, tapping, casting and ladle raking. For multiple furnaces operating within a single shop building, furnace process cycle means a period sufficient to capture a full cycle of charging, smelting, tapping, casting and ladle raking for each furnace within the shop building.
Ladle treatment means a post-tapping process including metal and alloy additions where chemistry adjustments are made in the ladle after furnace smelting to achieve a specified product.
Local ventilation means hoods and ductwork designed to capture process fugitive emissions close to the area where the emissions are generated (e.g., tap hoods).
Metal oxygen refining (MOR) process means the reduction of the carbon content of ferromanganese through the use of oxygen.
Outdoor fugitive dust source means a stationary source from which hazardous air pollutant-bearing particles are discharged to the atmosphere due to wind or mechanical inducement such as vehicle traffic. Fugitive dust sources include plant roadways, yard areas and outdoor material storage and transfer operations.
Plant roadway means any area at a ferromanganese and silicomanganese production facility that is subject to plant mobile equipment, such as forklifts, front end loaders, or trucks, carrying manganese-bearing materials. Excluded from this definition are employee and visitor parking areas, provided they are not subject to traffic by plant mobile equipment.
Process fugitive emissions source means a source of hazardous air pollutant emissions that is associated with a ferromanganese or silicomanganese production facility and is not a fugitive dust source. Process fugitive sources include emissions that escape capture from the electric arc furnace, tapping operations, casting operations, ladle treatment, MOR or crushing and screening equipment.
Roofline ventilation system means an exhaust system designed to evacuate process fugitive emissions that collect in the roofline area to a control device.
Shop building means the building which houses one or more electric arc furnaces or other processes that generate process fugitive emissions.
Shutdown means the cessation of operation of an affected source for any purpose.
Startup means the setting in operation of an affected source for any purpose.
Tapping emissions means the gases and emissions associated with removal of product from the electric arc furnace under normal operating conditions, such as removal of metal under normal pressure and movement by gravity down the spout into the ladle and filling the ladle.
Tapping period means the time from when a tap hole is opened until the time a tap hole is closed.
6. Section 63.1623 is added to read as follows:
(a) Electric arc furnaces. You must install, operate and maintain an effective capture system that collects the emissions from each electric arc furnace operation (including charging, melting and tapping operations and emissions from any vent stacks) and conveys the collected emissions to a control device for the removal of the pollutants specified in the emissions standards specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) of this section.
(1) Particulate matter emissions. (i) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing particulate matter in excess of 4.0 milligrams per dry standard cubic meter (mg/dscm) into the atmosphere from any new or reconstructed electric arc furnace.
(ii) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing particulate matter in excess of 25 mg/dscm into the atmosphere from any existing electric arc furnace.
(2) Mercury emissions. (i) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing mercury emissions in excess of 17 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any new or reconstructed electric arc furnace when producing ferromanganese.
(ii) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing mercury emissions in excess of 170 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any existing electric arc furnace when producing ferromanganese.
(iii) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing mercury emissions in excess of 4.0 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any new or reconstructed electric arc furnace when producing silicomanganese.
(iv) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing mercury emissions in excess of 12 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any existing electric arc furnace when producing silicomanganese.
(3) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions. (i) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions in excess of 1,400 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any existing electric arc furnace when producing ferromanganese.
(ii) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions in excess of 880 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any new or reconstructed electric arc furnace when producing ferromanganese.
(iii) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions in excess of 120 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any existing electric arc furnace when producing silicomanganese.
(iv) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions in excess of 72 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any new or reconstructed electric arc furnace when producing silicomanganese.
(4) Hydrochloric acid emissions. (i) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing hydrochloric acid emissions in excess of 180 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any new or reconstructed electric arc furnace.
(ii) You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing hydrochloric acid emissions in excess of 1,100 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any existing electric arc furnace.
(5) Formaldehyde emissions. You must not discharge exhaust gases from each electric arc furnace operation containing formaldehyde emissions in excess of 201 [mu]g/dscm into the atmosphere from any new, reconstructed or existing electric arc furnace.
(b) Process fugitive emissions. (1) You must install, operate and maintain a capture system that is designed to collect 95 percent or more of the emissions from the process fugitive emissions sources and convey the collected emissions to a control device that is demonstrated to meet the applicable emission limit specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(2) The determination of 95-percent overall capture must be demonstrated as required by SEC 63.1624(a).
(3) You must not cause the emissions exiting from a shop building, to exceed an average of 8 percent opacity.
(i) The opacity readings from the shop building must be taken every 15 seconds during the observed furnace process cycle and the 15 second readings averaged to determine if the 8 percent opacity requirement has been met.
(ii) If the average opacity reading from the shop building is greater than 8 percent opacity during an observed furnace process cycle, an additional two more furnace process cycles must be observed within 7 days and the average opacity during the entire observation periods must be less than 8 percent opacity.
(iii) At no time during operation may the average of any two consecutive 6-minute blocks be greater than 20 percent opacity.
(c) Local ventilation emissions. If you operate local ventilation to capture tapping, casting, or ladle treatment emissions and direct them to a control device other than one associated with the electric arc furnace, you must not discharge into the atmosphere any captured emissions containing particulate matter in excess of 4.0 mg/dscm.
(d) MOR process. You must not discharge into the atmosphere from any new, reconstructed or existing MOR process exhaust gases containing particulate matter in excess of 3.9 mg/dscm.
(e) Crushing and screening equipment. You must not discharge into the atmosphere from any new, reconstructed, or existing piece of equipment associated with crushing and screening exhaust gases containing particulate matter in excess of 13 mg/dscm.
(f) At all times, you must operate and maintain any affected source, including associated air pollution control equipment and monitoring equipment, in a manner consistent with safety and good air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions. Determination of whether such operation and maintenance procedures are being used will be based on information available to the Administrator that may include, but is not limited to, monitoring results, review of operation and maintenance procedures, review of operation and maintenance records and inspection of the source.
7. Section 63.1624 is added to read as follows:
SEC 63.1624 What are the operational and work practice standards for new, reconstructed and existing facilities?
(a) Process fugitive emissions sources. (1) You must prepare and at all times operate according to, a process fugitive emissions ventilation plan that documents the design and operations to achieve at least 95 percent overall capture of process fugitive emissions. The plan will be deemed to achieve this level of capture if it consists of the following elements:
(i) Documentation of engineered hoods and secondary fugitive capture systems designed according to the most recent, at the time of construction, ventilation design principles recommended by the
(ii) List of critical maintenance actions and the schedule to conduct them.
(2) You must submit a copy of the process fugitive emissions ventilation plan to the designated permitting authority on or before the applicable compliance date for the affected source as specified in SEC 63.1621 in electronic format and whenever an update is made to the plan. The requirement for you to operate the facility according to the written process fugitives ventilation plan and specifications must be incorporated in the operating permit for the facility that is issued by the designated permitting authority under part 70 of this chapter.
(3) You must update the information required in paragraph (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section every 5 years or whenever there is a significant change in variables that affect process fugitives ventilation design such as the addition of a new process.
(b) Outdoor fugitive dust sources. (1) You must prepare and at all times operate according to, an outdoor fugitive dust control plan that describes in detail the measures that will be put in place to control outdoor fugitive dust emissions from the individual fugitive dust sources at the facility.
(2) You must submit a copy of the outdoor fugitive dust control plan to the designated permitting authority on or before the applicable compliance date for the affected source as specified in SEC 63.1621. The requirement for you to operate the facility according to a written outdoor fugitive dust control plan must be incorporated in the operating permit for the facility that is issued by the designated permitting authority under part 70 of this chapter.
(3) You are permitted to use existing manuals that describe the measures in place to control outdoor fugitive dust sources required as part of a state implementation plan or other federally enforceable requirement for particulate matter to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
8. Section 63.1625 is added to read as follows:
SEC 63.1625 What are the performance test and compliance requirements for new, reconstructed and existing facilities?
(a) Performance testing. (1) All performance tests must be conducted according to the requirements in SEC 63.7 of subpart A.
(2) Each performance test in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) must consist of three separate and complete runs using the applicable test methods.
(3) Each run must be conducted under conditions that are representative of normal process operations.
(4) Performance tests conducted on air pollution control devices serving electric arc furnaces must be conducted such that at least one tapping period, or at least 20 minutes of a tapping period, whichever is less, is included in at least two of the three runs. The sampling time for each run must be at least as long as three times the average tapping period of the tested furnace, but no less than 60 minutes.
(5) You must conduct the performance tests specified in paragraph (c) of this section under such conditions as the Administrator specifies based on representative performance of the affected source for the period being tested. Upon request, you must make available to the Administrator such records as may be necessary to determine the conditions of performance tests.
(b) Test methods. The following test methods in appendices of part 60 or 63 of this chapter or as specified elsewhere must be used to determine compliance with the emission standards.
(1) Method 1 of Appendix A-1 of 40 CFR part 60 to select the sampling port location and the number of traverse points.
(2) Method 2 of Appendix A-1 of 40 CFR part 60 to determine the volumetric flow rate of the stack gas.
(3)(i) Method 3A or 3B of Appendix A-2 of 40 CFR part 60 (with integrated bag sampling) to determine the outlet stack and inlet oxygen and CO2 content.
(ii) You must measure CO2 concentrations at both the inlet and outlet of the positive pressure fabric filter in conjunction with the pollutant sampling in order to determine isokinetic sampling rates.
(iii) As an alternative to EPA Reference Method 3B, ASME PTC-19-10-1981-Part 10, "Flue and Exhaust Gas Analyses" may be used (incorporated by reference, see 40 CFR 63.14).
(4) Method 4 of Appendix A-3 of 40 CFR part 60 to determine the moisture content of the stack gas.
(5)(i) Method 5 of Appendix A-3 of 40 CFR part 60 to determine the particulate matter concentration of the stack gas for negative pressure baghouses and positive pressure baghouses with stacks.
(ii) Method 5D of Appendix A-3 of 40 CFR part 60 to determine particulate matter concentration and volumetric flow rate of the stack gas for positive pressure baghouses without stacks.
(iii) The sample volume for each run must be a minimum of 4.0 cubic meters (141.2 cubic feet). For Method 5 testing only, you may choose to collect less than 4.0 cubic meters per run provided that the filterable mass collected (e.g., net filter mass plus mass of nozzle, probe and filter holder rinses) is equal to or greater than 10 mg. If the total mass collected for two of three of the runs is less than 10 mg, you must conduct at least one additional test run that produces at least 10 mg of filterable mass collected (i.e., at a greater sample volume). Report the results of all test runs.
(6) Method 30B of Appendix A-8 of 40 CFR part 60 to measure mercury. Apply the minimum sample volume determination procedures as per the method.
(7)(i) Method 26A of Appendix A-8 of 40 CFR part 60 to determine outlet stack or inlet hydrochloric acid concentration.
(ii) Collect a minimum volume of 2 cubic meters.
(8)(i) Method 316 of Appendix A of 40 CFR part 63 to determine outlet stack or inlet formaldehyde.
(ii) Collect a minimum volume of 1.0 cubic meter.
(9) Method 9 of Appendix A-4 of 40 CFR part 60 to determine opacity. ASTM D7520-09, "Standard Test Method for Determining the Opacity of a Plume in the Outdoor Ambient Atmosphere" may be used (incorporated by reference, see 40 CFR 63.14) with the following conditions:
(i) During the digital camera opacity technique (DCOT) certification procedure outlined in Section 9.2 of ASTM D7520-09, you or the DCOT vendor must present the plumes in front of various backgrounds of color and contrast representing conditions anticipated during field use such as blue sky, trees and mixed backgrounds (clouds and/or a sparse tree stand).
(ii) You must also have standard operating procedures in place including daily or other frequency quality checks to ensure the equipment is within manufacturing specifications as outlined in Section 8.1 of ASTM D7520-09.
(iii) You must follow the recordkeeping procedures outlined in SEC 63.10(b)(1) for the DCOT certification, compliance report, data sheets and all raw unaltered JPEGs used for opacity and certification determination.
(iv) You or the DCOT vendor must have a minimum of four (4) independent technology users apply the software to determine the visible opacity of the 300 certification plumes. For each set of 25 plumes, the user may not exceed 20 percent opacity of any one reading and the average error must not exceed 7.5 percent opacity.
(v) Use of this approved alternative does not provide or imply a certification or validation of any vendor's hardware or software. The onus to maintain and verify the certification and/or training of the DCOT camera, software and operator in accordance with ASTM D7520-09 and these requirements is on the facility, DCOT operator and DCOT vendor.
(10) Methods to determine the mercury content of manganese ore including a total metals digestion technique, SW-846 Method 3052 and a mercury specific analysis method, SW-846 Method 7471b (Cold Vapor AA) or Water Method 1631E (Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence).
(11) California Air Resources Board (CARB) Method 429, Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Emissions from Stationary Sources to determine total PAH emissions. The method is available from California Resources Board,
(12) The owner or operator may use alternative measurement methods approved by the Administrator following the procedures described in SEC 63.7(f) of subpart A.
(c) Compliance demonstration with the emission standards.
(1) Initial Performance Test. You must conduct an initial performance test for air pollution control devices or vent stacks subject to SEC 63.1623(a), (b)(1) and (c) through (e) to demonstrate compliance with the applicable emission standards.
(2) Periodic Performance Test. (i) You must conduct annual particulate matter tests for wet scrubber air pollution control devices subject to SEC 63.1623(a)(1) to demonstrate compliance with the applicable emission standards.
(ii) You must conduct particulate matter tests every five years for fabric filter air pollution control devices subject to SEC 63.1623(a)(1) to demonstrate compliance with the applicable emission standards.
(iii) You must conduct annual mercury performance tests for wet scrubber and fabric filter air pollution control devices or vent stacks subject to SEC 63.1623 (a)(2) to demonstrate compliance with the applicable emission standards.
(iv) You must conduct ongoing performance tests every five years for air pollution control devices or vent stacks subject to SEC 63.1623(a)(3) through (a)(5), (b)(1) and (c) through (e) to demonstrate compliance with the applicable emission standards.
(3) Compliance is demonstrated for all sources performing emissions tests if the average concentration for the three runs comprising the performance test does not exceed the standard.
(4) Operating Limits. You must establish parameter operating limits according to paragraphs (c)(4)(i) through (c)(4)(iv) of this section. Unless otherwise specified, compliance with each established operating limit shall be demonstrated for each 24-hour operating day.
(i) For a wet particulate matter scrubber, you must establish the minimum liquid flow rate and pressure drop as your operating limits during the three-run performance test. If you use a wet particulate matter scrubber and you conduct separate performance tests for particulate matter, you must establish one set of minimum liquid flow rate and pressure drop operating limits. If you conduct multiple performance tests, you must set the minimum liquid flow rate and pressure drop operating limits at the highest minimum hourly average values established during the performance tests.
(ii) For a wet acid gas scrubber, you must establish the minimum liquid flow rate and pH, as your operating limits during the three-run performance test. If you use a wet acid gas scrubber and you conduct separate performance tests for hydrochloric acid, you must establish one set of minimum liquid flow rate and pH operating limits. If you conduct multiple performance tests, you must set the minimum liquid flow rate and pH operating limits at the highest minimum hourly average values established during the performance tests.
(iii) For emission sources with fabric filters that choose to demonstrate continuous compliance through bag leak detection systems you must install a bag leak detection system according to the requirements in SEC 63.1626(d) and you must set your operating limit such that the sum duration of bag leak detection system alarms does not exceed 5 percent of the process operating time during a 6-month period.
(iv) If you choose to demonstrate continuous compliance through a particulate matter CEMS, you must determine an operating limit (particulate matter concentration in mg/dscm) during performance testing for initial particulate matter compliance. The operating limit will be the average of the PM filterable results of the three Method 5 or Method 5D of Appendix A-3 of 40 CFR part 60 performance test runs. To determine continuous compliance, the hourly average PM concentrations will be averaged on a rolling 30 operating day basis. Each 30 operating day average would have to meet the PM operating limit.
(d) Compliance demonstration with shop building opacity standards. (1)(i) If you are subject to SEC 63.1623(b), you must conduct opacity observations of the shop building to demonstrate compliance with the applicable opacity standards according to SEC 63.6(h)(5), which addresses the conduct of opacity or visible emission observations.
(ii) You must conduct the opacity observations according to EPA Method 9 of 40 CFR part 60, Appendix A-4, for a period that includes at least one complete furnace process cycle for each furnace.
(iii) You must conduct the opacity observations at least once per week for each operating furnace.
(2) You must determine shop building opacity operating parameters based on either monitoring data collected during the compliance demonstration or established in an engineering assessment.
(i) If you choose to establish parameters based on the initial compliance demonstration, you must simultaneously monitor parameter values for one of the following: the capture system fan motor amperes and all capture system damper positions, the total volumetric flow rate to the air pollution control device and all capture system damper positions, or volumetric flow rate through each separately ducted hood that comprises the capture system. Subsequently you must monitor these parameters according to SEC 63.1626(h) and ensure they remain within 10 percent of the value recorded during the compliant opacity readings.
(ii) If you choose to establish parameters based on an engineering assessment, then a design analysis shall include, for example, specifications, drawings, schematics and ventilation system diagrams prepared by the owner or operator or capture or control system manufacturer or vendor that describes the shop building opacity system ventilation design based on acceptable engineering texts. The design analysis shall address vent stream characteristics and ventilation system design operating parameters such as fan amps, damper position, flow rate and/or other specified parameters.
(iii) You may petition the Administrator to reestablish these parameter ranges whenever you can demonstrate to the Administrator's satisfaction that the electric arc furnace operating conditions upon which the parameter ranges were previously established are no longer applicable. The values of these parameter ranges determined during the most recent demonstration of compliance must be maintained at the appropriate level for each applicable period.
(3) You will demonstrate continuing compliance with the opacity standards by following the monitoring requirements specified in SEC 63.1626(g) and the reporting and recordkeeping requirements specified in SEC 63.1628(b)(5).
(e) Compliance demonstration with the operational and work practice standards --(1) Process fugitive emissions sources. You will demonstrate compliance by developing and maintaining a process fugitives ventilation plan, by reporting any deviations from the plan and by taking necessary corrective actions to correct deviations or deficiencies.
(2) Outdoor fugitive dust sources. You will demonstrate compliance by developing and maintaining an outdoor fugitive dust control plan, by reporting any deviations from the plan and by taking necessary corrective actions to correct deviations or deficiencies.
(3) Baghouses equipped with bag leak detection systems. You will demonstrate compliance with the bag leak detection system requirements by developing analysis and supporting documentation demonstrating conformance with EPA guidance and specifications for bag leak detection systems in SEC 60.57c(h).
9. Section 63.1626 is added to read as follows:
SEC 63.1626 What monitoring requirements must I meet?
(a) Baghouse Monitoring. You must prepare and at all times operate according to, a standard operating procedures manual that describes in detail procedures for inspection, maintenance and bag leak detection and corrective action plans for all baghouses (fabric filters or cartridge filters) that are used to control process vents, process fugitive, or outdoor fugitive dust emissions from any source subject to the emissions standards in SEC 63.1623.
(b) You must submit the standard operating procedures manual for baghouses required by paragraph (a) of this section to the Administrator or delegated authority for review and approval.
(c) Unless the baghouse is equipped with a bag leak detection system, the procedures that you specify in the standard operating procedures manual for inspections and routine maintenance must, at a minimum, include the requirements of paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section.
(1) You must observe the baghouse outlet on a daily basis for the presence of any visible emissions.
(2) In addition to the daily visible emissions observation, you must conduct the following activities:
(i) Weekly confirmation that dust is being removed from hoppers through visual inspection, or equivalent means of ensuring the proper functioning of removal mechanisms.
(ii) Daily check of compressed air supply for pulse-jet baghouses.
(iii) An appropriate methodology for monitoring cleaning cycles to ensure proper operation.
(iv) Monthly check of bag cleaning mechanisms for proper functioning through visual inspection or equivalent means.
(v) Quarterly visual check of bag tension on reverse air and shaker-type baghouses to ensure that the bags are not kinked (kneed or bent) or lying on their sides. Such checks are not required for shaker-type baghouses using self-tensioning (spring loaded) devices.
(vi) Quarterly confirmation of the physical integrity of the baghouse structure through visual inspection of the baghouse interior for air leaks.
(vii) Semiannual inspection of fans for wear, material buildup and corrosion through visual inspection, vibration detectors, or equivalent means.
(d) Bag leak detection system. (1) For each baghouse used to control emissions from an electric arc furnace, you must install, operate and maintain a bag leak detection system according to paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(4) of this section, unless a system meeting the requirements of paragraph (q) of this section, for a CEMS and continuous emissions rate monitoring system, is installed for monitoring the concentration of particulate matter. You may choose to install, operate and maintain a bag leak detection system for any other baghouse in operation at the facility according to paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(4) of this section.
(2) The procedures you specified in the standard operating procedures manual for baghouse maintenance must include, at a minimum, a preventative maintenance schedule that is consistent with the baghouse manufacturer's instructions for routine and long-term maintenance.
(3) Each bag leak detection system must meet the specifications and requirements in paragraphs (d)(3)(i) through (d)(3)(viii) of this section.
(i) The bag leak detection system must be certified by the manufacturer to be capable of detecting PM emissions at concentrations of 1.0 milligram per dry standard cubic meter (0.00044 grains per actual cubic foot) or less.
(ii) The bag leak detection system sensor must provide output of relative PM loadings.
(iii) The bag leak detection system must be equipped with an alarm system that will alarm when an increase in relative particulate loadings is detected over a preset level.
(iv) You must install and operate the bag leak detection system in a manner consistent with the guidance provided in "Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) Fabric Filter Bag Leak Detection Guidance" EPA-454/R-98-015,
(v) The initial adjustment of the system must, at a minimum, consist of establishing the baseline output by adjusting the sensitivity (range) and the averaging period of the device and establishing the alarm set points and the alarm delay time.
(vi) Following initial adjustment, you must not adjust the sensitivity or range, averaging period, alarm set points, or alarm delay time, except as detailed in the approved standard operating procedures manual required under paragraph (a) of this section. You cannot increase the sensitivity by more than 100 percent or decrease the sensitivity by more than 50 percent over a 365-day period unless such adjustment follows a complete baghouse inspection that demonstrates that the baghouse is in good operating condition.
(vii) You must install the bag leak detector downstream of the baghouse.
(viii) Where multiple detectors are required, the system's instrumentation and alarm may be shared among detectors.
(4) You must include in the standard operating procedures manual required by paragraph (a) of this section a corrective action plan that specifies the procedures to be followed in the case of a bag leak detection system alarm. The corrective action plan must include, at a minimum, the procedures that you will use to determine and record the time and cause of the alarm as well as the corrective actions taken to minimize emissions as specified in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and (d)(4)(ii) of this section.
(i) The procedures used to determine the cause of the alarm must be initiated within 30 minutes of the alarm.
(ii) The cause of the alarm must be alleviated by taking the necessary corrective action(s) that may include, but not be limited to, those listed in paragraphs (d)(4)(i)(A) through (d)(4)(i)(F) of this section.
(A) Inspecting the baghouse for air leaks, torn or broken filter elements, or any other malfunction that may cause an increase in emissions.
(B) Sealing off defective bags or filter media.
(C) Replacing defective bags or filter media, or otherwise repairing the control device.
(D) Sealing off a defective baghouse compartment.
(E) Cleaning the bag leak detection system probe, or otherwise repairing the bag leak detection system.
(F) Shutting down the process producing the particulate emissions.
(e) If you use a wet particulate matter scrubber, you must collect the pressure drop and liquid flow rate monitoring system data according to SEC 63.1628, reduce the data to 24-hour block averages and maintain the 24-hour average pressure drop and liquid flow-rate at or above the operating limits established during the performance test according to SEC 63.1625(c)(4)(i).
(f) If you use curtains or partitions to prevent process fugitive emissions from escaping the area around the process fugitive emission source or other parts of the building, you must perform quarterly inspections of the physical condition of these curtains or partitions to determine if there are any tears or openings.
(g) Shop building opacity. In order to demonstrate continuous compliance with the opacity standards in SEC 63.1623, you must comply with the requirements SEC 63.1625(d)(1) and one of the monitoring options in paragraphs (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this section. The selected option must be consistent with that selected during the initial performance test described in SEC 63.1625(d)(2). Alternatively, you may use the provisions of SEC 63.8(f) to request approval to use an alternative monitoring method.
(1) If you choose to establish operating parameters during the compliance test as specified in SEC 63.1625(d)(2)(i), you must meet one of the following requirements.
(i) Check and record the control system fan motor amperes and capture system damper positions once per shift.
(ii) Install, calibrate and maintain a monitoring device that continuously records the volumetric flow rate through each separately ducted hood.
(iii) Install, calibrate and maintain a monitoring device that continuously records the volumetric flow rate at the inlet of the air pollution control device and check and record the capture system damper positions once per shift.
(2) If you choose to establish operating parameters during the compliance test as specified in SEC 63.1625(d)(2)(ii), you must monitor the selected parameter(s) on a frequency specified in the assessment and according to a method specified in the engineering assessment
(3) All flow rate monitoring devices must meet the following requirements:
(i) Be installed in an appropriate location in the exhaust duct such that reproducible flow rate monitoring will result.
(ii) Have an accuracy +/-10 percent over its normal operating range and be calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions.
(4) The Administrator may require you to demonstrate the accuracy of the monitoring device(s) relative to Methods 1 and 2 of Appendix A-1 of part 60 of this chapter.
(5) Failure to maintain the appropriate capture system parameters (e.g., fan motor amperes, flow rate and/or damper positions) establishes the need to initiate corrective action as soon as practicable after the monitoring excursion in order to minimize excess emissions.
(h) Furnace Capture System. You must perform quarterly (once every three months) inspections of the furnace fugitive capture system equipment to ensure that the hood locations have not been changed or obstructed because of contact with cranes or ladles, quarterly inspections of the physical condition of hoods and ductwork to the control device to determine if there are any openings or leaks in the ductwork, quarterly inspections of the hoods and ductwork to determine if there are any flow constrictions in ductwork due to dents or accumulated dust and quarterly examinations of the operational status of flow rate controllers (pressure sensors, dampers, damper switches, etc.) to ensure they are operating correctly. Any deficiencies must be recorded and proper maintenance and repairs performed.
(i) Requirements for sources using CMS. If you demonstrate compliance with any applicable emissions limit through use of a continuous monitoring system (CMS), where a CMS includes a continuous parameter monitoring system (CPMS) as well as a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS), you must develop a site-specific monitoring plan and submit this site-specific monitoring plan, if requested, at least 60 days before your initial performance evaluation (where applicable) of your CMS. Your site-specific monitoring plan must address the monitoring system design, data collection and the quality assurance and quality control elements outlined in this section and in SEC 63.8(d). You must install, operate and maintain each CMS according to the procedures in your approved site-specific monitoring plan. Using the process described in SEC 63.8(f)(4), you may request approval of monitoring system quality assurance and quality control procedures alternative to those specified in paragraphs (j)(1) through (j)(6) of this section in your site-specific monitoring plan.
(1) The performance criteria and design specifications for the monitoring system equipment, including the sample interface, detector signal analyzer and data acquisition and calculations;
(2) Sampling interface location such that the monitoring system will provide representative measurements;
(3) Equipment performance checks, system accuracy audits, or other audit procedures;
(4) Ongoing operation and maintenance procedures in accordance with the general requirements of SEC 63.8(c)(1) and (c)(3);
(5) Conditions that define a continuous monitoring system that is out of control consistent with SEC 63.8(c)(7)(i) and for responding to out of control periods consistent with SEC 63.8(c)(7)(ii) and (c)(8) or Appendix A to this subpart, as applicable; and
(6) Ongoing recordkeeping and reporting procedures in accordance with provisions in SEC 63.10(c), (e)(1) and (e)(2)(i) and Appendix A to this subpart, as applicable.
(j) If you have an operating limit that requires the use of a CPMS, you must install, operate and maintain each continuous parameter monitoring system according to the procedures in paragraphs (j)(1) through (j)(7) of this section.
(1) The continuous parameter monitoring system must complete a minimum of one cycle of operation for each successive 15-minute period. You must have a minimum of four successive cycles of operation to have a valid hour of data.
(2) Except for periods of monitoring system malfunctions, repairs associated with monitoring system malfunctions and required monitoring system quality assurance or quality control activities (including, as applicable, system accuracy audits and required zero and span adjustments), you must operate the CMS at all times the affected source is operating. A monitoring system malfunction is any sudden, infrequent, not reasonably preventable failure of the monitoring system to provide valid data. Monitoring system failures that are caused in part by poor maintenance or careless operation are not malfunctions. You are required to complete monitoring system repairs in response to monitoring system malfunctions and to return the monitoring system to operation as expeditiously as practicable.
(3) You may not use data recorded during monitoring system malfunctions, repairs associated with monitoring system malfunctions, or required monitoring system quality assurance or control activities in calculations used to report emissions or operating levels. You must use all the data collected during all other required data collection periods in assessing the operation of the control device and associated control system.
(4) Except for periods of monitoring system malfunctions, repairs associated with monitoring system malfunctions and required quality monitoring system quality assurance or quality control activities (including, as applicable, system accuracy audits and required zero and span adjustments), failure to collect required data is a deviation of the monitoring requirements.
(5) You must conduct other CPMS equipment performance checks, system accuracy audits, or other audit procedures specified in your site-specific monitoring plan at least once every 12 months.
(6) You must conduct a performance evaluation of each CPMS in accordance with your site-specific monitoring plan.
(7) You must record the results of each inspection, calibration and validation check.
(k) CPMS for measuring gaseous flow. (1) Use a flow sensor with a measurement sensitivity of 5 percent of the flow rate or 10 cubic feet per minute, whichever is greater,
(2) Check all mechanical connections for leakage at least every month and
(3) Perform a visual inspection at least every 3 months of all components of the flow CPMS for physical and operational integrity and all electrical connections for oxidation and galvanic corrosion if your flow CPMS is not equipped with a redundant flow sensor.
(l) CPMS for measuring liquid flow. (1) Use a flow sensor with a measurement sensitivity of 2 percent of the flow rate and
(2) Reduce swirling flow or abnormal velocity distributions due to upstream and downstream disturbances.
(m) CPMS for measuring pressure. (1) Minimize or eliminate pulsating pressure, vibration and internal and external corrosion and
(2) Use a gauge with a minimum tolerance of 1.27 centimeters of water or a transducer with a minimum tolerance of 1 percent of the pressure range.
(3) Perform checks at least once each process operating day to ensure pressure measurements are not obstructed (e.g., check for pressure tap pluggage daily).
(n) CPMS for measuring pH. (1) Ensure the sample is properly mixed and representative of the fluid to be measured.
(2) Check the pH meter's calibration on at least two points every eight hours of process operation.
(o) Particulate Matter CEMS. If you are using a CEMS to measure particulate matter emissions to meet requirements of this subpart, you must install, certify, operate and maintain the particulate matter CEMS as specified in paragraphs (q)(1) through (q)(4) of this section.
(1) You must conduct a performance evaluation of the PM CEMS according to the applicable requirements of SEC 60.13 and Performance Specification 11 at 40 CFR part 60, Appendix B of this chapter.
(2) During each PM correlation testing run of the CEMS required by Performance Specification 11 at 40 CFR part 60, Appendix B of this chapter, PM and oxygen (or carbon dioxide) collect data concurrently (or within a 30-to 60-minute period) by both the CEMS and by conducting performance tests using Method 5 or 5D at 40 CFR part 60, Appendix A-3 or Method 17 at 40 CFR part 60, Appendix A-6 of this chapter.
(3) Perform quarterly accuracy determinations and daily calibration drift tests in accordance with Procedure 2 at 40 CFR part 60, Appendix F of this chapter. Relative Response Audits must be performed annually and Response Correlation Audits must be performed every three years.
(4) Within 60 days after the date of completing each CEMS relative accuracy test audit or performance test conducted to demonstrate compliance with this subpart, you must submit the relative accuracy test audit data and the results of the performance test in the as specified in SEC 63.1628(e).
10. Section 63.1627 is added to read as follows:
SEC 63.1627 What notification requirements must I meet?
(a) You must comply with all of the notification requirements of SEC 63.9 of subpart A, General Provisions. Electronic notifications are encouraged when possible.
(b)(1) You must submit the process fugitives ventilation plan required under SEC 63.1624(a), the outdoor fugitive dust control plan required under SEC 63.1624(b), the site-specific monitoring plan for CMS required under SEC 63.1626(i) and the standard operating procedures manual for baghouses required under SEC 63.1626(a) to the Administrator or delegated authority along with a notification that you are seeking review and approval of these plans and procedures. You must submit this notification no later than [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE]. For sources that commenced construction or reconstruction after [DATE OF EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE], you must submit this notification no later than 180 days before startup of the constructed or reconstructed ferromanganese or silicomanganese production facility. For an affected source that has received a construction permit from the Administrator or delegated authority on or before [DATE OF EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE], you must submit this notification no later than [DATE 1 YEAR AFTER EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE].
(2) The plans and procedures documents submitted as required under paragraph (b)(1) of this section must be submitted to the Administrator in electronic format for review and approval of the initial submittal and whenever an update is made to the procedure.
11. Section 63.1628 is added to read as follows:
SEC 63.1628 What recordkeeping and reporting requirements must I meet?
(a) You must comply with all of the recordkeeping and reporting requirements specified in SEC 63.10 of the General Provisions that are referenced in Table 1 to this subpart.
(1) Records must be maintained in a form suitable and readily available for expeditious review, according to SEC 63.10(b)(1). However, electronic recordkeeping and reporting is encouraged and required for some records and reports.
(2) Records must be kept on site for at least two years after the date of occurrence, measurement, maintenance, corrective action, report, or record, according to SEC 63.10(b)(1).
(b) You must maintain, for a period of five years, records of the information listed in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(13) of this section.
(1) Electronic records of the bag leak detection system output.
(2) An identification of the date and time of all bag leak detection system alarms, the time that procedures to determine the cause of the alarm were initiated, the cause of the alarm, an explanation of the corrective actions taken and the date and time the cause of the alarm was corrected.
(3) All records of inspections and maintenance activities required under SEC 63.1626(a) as part of the practices described in the standard operating procedures manual for baghouses required under SEC 63.1626(c).
(4) Electronic records of the pressure drop and water flow rate values for wet scrubbers used to control particulate matter emissions as required in SEC 63.1626(e), identification of periods when the 1-hour average pressure drop and water flow rate values below the established minimum established and an explanation of the corrective actions taken.
(5) Electronic records of the shop building capture system monitoring required under SEC 63.1626(g)(1) and (g)(2), as applicable, or identification of periods when the capture system parameters were not maintained and an explanation of the corrective actions taken.
(6) Records of the results of quarterly inspections of the furnace capture system required under SEC 63.1626(h).
(7) Electronic records of the continuous flow monitors or pressure monitors required under SEC 63.1626(j) and (k) and an identification of periods when the flow rate or pressure was not maintained as required in SEC 63.1626(e).
(8) Electronic records of the output of any CEMS installed to monitor particulate matter emissions meeting the requirements of SEC 63.1626(i)
(9) Records of the occurrence and duration of each startup and/or shutdown.
(10) Records of the occurrence and duration of each malfunction of operation (i.e., process equipment) or the air pollution control equipment and monitoring equipment.
(11) Records that explain the periods when the procedures outlined in the process fugitives ventilation plan required under SEC 63.1624(a), the fugitives dust control plan required under SEC 63.1624(b), the site-specific monitoring plan for CMS required under SEC 63.1626(i) and the standard operating procedures manual for baghouses required under SEC 63.1626(a).
(c) You must comply with all of the reporting requirements specified in SEC 63.10 of the General Provisions that are referenced in Table 1 to this subpart.
(1) You must submit reports no less frequently than specified under SEC 63.10(e)(3) of the General Provisions.
(2) Once a source reports a violation of the standard or excess emissions, you must follow the reporting format required under SEC 63.10(e)(3) until a request to reduce reporting frequency is approved by the Administrator.
(d) In addition to the information required under the applicable sections of SEC 63.10, you must include in the reports required under paragraph (c) of this section the information specified in paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(7) of this section.
(1) Reports that explain the periods when the procedures outlined in the process fugitives ventilation plan required under SEC 63.1624(a), the fugitives dust control plan required under SEC 63.1624(b), the site-specific monitoring plan for CMS required under SEC 63.1626(i) and the standard operating procedures manual for baghouses required under SEC 63.1626(a).
(2) Reports that identify the periods when the average hourly pressure drop or flow rate of venturi scrubbers used to control particulate emissions dropped below the levels established in SEC 63.1626(e) and an explanation of the corrective actions taken.
(3) Bag leak detection system. Reports including the following information:
(i) Records of all alarms.
(ii) Description of the actions taken following each bag leak detection system alarm.
(4) Reports of the shop building capture system monitoring required under SEC 63.1626(g)(1) and (g)(2), as applicable, identification of periods when the capture system parameters were not maintained and an explanation of the corrective actions taken.
(5) Reports of the results of quarterly inspections of the furnace capture system required under SEC 63.1626(h).
Reports of the CPMS required under SEC 63.1626, an identification of periods when the monitored parameters were not maintained as required in SEC 63.1626 and corrective actions taken.
(7) If a malfunction occurred during the reporting period, the report must include the number, duration and a brief description for each type of malfunction that occurred during the reporting period and caused or may have caused any applicable emissions limitation to be exceeded. The report must also include a description of actions taken by an owner or operator during a malfunction of an affected source to minimize emissions in accordance with SEC 63.1623(f), including actions taken to correct a malfunction.
(e) Within 60 days after the date of completing each CEMS relative accuracy test audit or performance test conducted to demonstrate compliance with this subpart, you must submit the relative accuracy test audit data and the results of the performance test in the method specified by paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(2) of this section. The results of the performance test must contain the information listed in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.
(1)(i) Within 60 days after the date of completing each performance test (as defined in SEC 63.2), you must submit the results of the performance tests, including any associated fuel analyses, required by this subpart according to the methods specified in paragraphs (e)(1)(i)(A) or (e)(1)(i)(B) of this section.
(A) For data collected using test methods supported by the EPA's Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT) as listed on the EPA's ERT Web site (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ert/index.html), you must submit the results of the performance test to the Compliance and Emissions Data Reporting Interface (CEDRI) that is accessed through the EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) (http://cdx.epa.gov/epa_home.asp), unless the Administrator approves another approach. Performance test data must be submitted in a file format generated through the use of the EPA's ERT. Owners or operators, who claim that some of the information being submitted for performance tests is confidential business information (CBI), must submit a complete file generated through the use of the EPA's ERT, including information claimed to be CBI, on a compact disk, flash drive, or other commonly used electronic storage media to the EPA. The electronic media must be clearly marked as CBI and mailed to U.S. EPA/OAQPS/CORE CBI Office, Attention: WebFIRE Administrator, MD C404-02,
(B) For any performance test conducted using test methods that are not supported by the EPA's ERT as listed on the EPA's ERT Web site, the owner or operator shall submit the results of the performance test to the Administrator at the appropriate address listed in SEC 63.13.
(ii) Within 60 days after the date of completing each CEMS performance evaluation (as defined in SEC 63.2), you must submit the results of the performance evaluation according to the method specified by either paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section.
(A) For data collection of relative accuracy test audit (RATA) pollutants that are supported by the EPA's ERT as listed on the EPA's ERT Web site, you must submit the results of the performance evaluation to the CEDRI that is accessed through the EPA's CDX, unless the Administrator approves another approach. Performance evaluation data must be submitted in a file format generated through the use of the EPA's ERT. If you claim that some of the performance evaluation information being transmitted is CBI, you must submit a complete file generated through the use of the EPA's ERT, including information claimed to be CBI, on a compact disk or other commonly used electronic storage media (including, but not limited to, flash drives) by registered letter to the EPA. The compact disk shall be clearly marked as CBI and mailed to U.S. EPA/OAQPS/CORE CBI Office, Attention: WebFIRE Administrator, MD C404-02,
(B) For any performance evaluations with RATA pollutants that are not supported by the EPA's ERT as listed on the EPA's ERT Web site, you shall submit the results of the performance evaluation to the Administrator at the appropriate address listed in SEC 63.13.
(2) The results of a performance test shall include the purpose of the test; a brief process description; a complete unit description, including a description of feed streams and control devices; sampling site description; pollutants measured; description of sampling and analysis procedures and any modifications to standard procedures; quality assurance procedures; record of operating conditions, including operating parameters for which limits are being set, during the test; record of preparation of standards; record of calibrations; raw data sheets for field sampling; raw data sheets for field and laboratory analyses; chain-of-custody documentation; explanation of laboratory data qualifiers; example calculations of all applicable stack gas parameters, emission rates, percent reduction rates and analytical results, as applicable; and any other information required by the test method, a relevant standard, or the Administrator.
12. Section 63.1629 is added to read as follows:
SEC 63.1629 Who implements and enforces this subpart?
(a) This subpart can be implemented and enforced by the U.S. EPA, or a delegated authority such as the applicable state, local, or tribal agency. If the U.S. EPA Administrator has delegated authority to a state, local, or tribal agency, then that agency, in addition to the U.S. EPA, has the authority to implement and enforce this subpart. Contact the applicable U.S. EPA Regional Office to find out if this subpart is delegated to a state, local, or tribal agency.
(b) In delegating implementation and enforcement authority of this subpart to a state, local, or tribal agency under subpart E of this part, the authorities contained in paragraph (c) of this section are retained by the Administrator of U.S. EPA and cannot be transferred to the state, local, or tribal agency.
(c) The authorities that cannot be delegated to state, local, or tribal agencies are as specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this section.
(1) Approval of alternatives to requirements in SUBSEC 63.1620 and 63.1621 and 63.1623 and 63.1624.
(2) Approval of major alternatives to test methods under SEC 63.7(e)(2)(ii) and (f), as defined in SEC 63.90 and as required in this subpart.
(3) Approval of major alternatives to monitoring under SEC 63.8(f), as defined in SEC 63.90 and as required in this subpart.
(4) Approval of major alternatives to recordkeeping and reporting under SEC 63.10(f), as defined in SEC 63.90 and as required in this subpart.
13. Section 63.1650 is amended by:
a. Revising paragraph (d);
b. Removing and reserving paragraph (e)(1); and
c. Revising paragraph (e)(2) to read as follows:
SEC 63.1650 Applicability and Compliance Dates.
* * * * *
(d) Table 1 to this subpart specifies the provisions of subpart A of this part that apply to owners and operators of ferroalloy production facilities subject to this subpart.
(e) * * *
(1) [Reserved]
(2) Each owner or operator of a new or reconstructed affected source that commences construction or reconstruction after
14. Section 63.1652 is amended by adding paragraph (f) to read as follows:
SEC 63.1652 Emission standards.
* * * * *
(f) At all times, you must operate and maintain any affected source, including associated air pollution control equipment and monitoring equipment, in a manner consistent with safety and good air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions. Determination of whether such operation and maintenance procedures are being used will be based on information available to the Administrator that may include, but is not limited to, monitoring results, review of operation and maintenance procedures, review of operation and maintenance records and inspection of the source.
15. Section 63.1656 is amended by:
a. Adding paragraph (a)(6);
b. Revising paragraph (b)(7);
c. Revising paragraph (e)(1); and
d. Removing and reserving paragraph (e)(2)(ii) to read as follows:
SEC 63.1656 Performance testing, test methods and compliance demonstrations.
(a) * * *
(6) You must conduct the performance tests specified in paragraph (c) of this section under such conditions as the Administrator specifies based on representative performance of the affected source for the period being tested. Upon request, you must make available to the Administrator such records as may be necessary to determine the conditions of performance tests.
(b) * * *
(7) Method 9 of Appendix A-4 of 40 CFR part 60 to determine opacity. ASTM D7520-09, "Standard Test Method for Determining the Opacity of a Plume in the Outdoor Ambient Atmosphere" may be used (incorporated by reference, see 40 CFR 63.14) with the following conditions:
(i) During the digital camera opacity technique (DCOT) certification procedure outlined in Section 9.2 of ASTM D7520-09, the owner or operator or the DCOT vendor must present the plumes in front of various backgrounds of color and contrast representing conditions anticipated during field use such as blue sky, trees and mixed backgrounds (clouds and/or a sparse tree stand).
(ii) The owner or operator must also have standard operating procedures in place including daily or other frequency quality checks to ensure the equipment is within manufacturing specifications as outlined in Section 8.1 of ASTM D7520-09.
(iii) The owner or operator must follow the recordkeeping procedures outlined in SEC 63.10(b)(1) for the DCOT certification, compliance report, data sheets and all raw unaltered JPEGs used for opacity and certification determination.
(iv) The owner or operator or the DCOT vendor must have a minimum of four (4) independent technology users apply the software to determine the visible opacity of the 300 certification plumes. For each set of 25 plumes, the user may not exceed 15 percent opacity of any one reading and the average error must not exceed 7.5 percent opacity.
(v) Use of this approved alternative does not provide or imply a certification or validation of any vendor's hardware or software. The onus to maintain and verify the certification and/or training of the DCOT camera, software and operator in accordance with ASTM D7520-09 and these requirements is on the facility, DCOT operator and DCOT vendor.
* * * * *
(e) * * *
(1) Fugitive dust sources. Failure to have a fugitive dust control plan or failure to report deviations from the plan and take necessary corrective action would be a violation of the general duty to ensure that fugitive dust sources are operated and maintained in a manner consistent with good air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions per SEC 63.1652(f).
(2) * * *
(ii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
16. Section 63.1657 is amended by:
a. Revising paragraph (a)(6);
b. Revising paragraph (b)(3); and
c. Revising paragraph (c)(7) to read as follows:
SEC 63.1657 Monitoring requirements.
(a) * * *
(6) Failure to monitor or failure to take corrective action under the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section would be a violation of the general duty to operate in a manner consistent with good air pollution control practices that minimizes emissions per SEC 63.1652(f).
(b) * * *
(3) Failure to monitor or failure to take corrective action under the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section would be a violation of the general duty to operate in a manner consistent with good air pollution control practices that minimizes emissions per SEC 63.1652(f).
(c) * * *
(7) Failure to monitor or failure to take corrective action under the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section would be a violation of the general duty to operate in a manner consistent with good air pollution control practices that minimizes emissions per SEC 63.1652(f).
17. Section 63.1659 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(4) to read as follows:
SEC 63.1659 Reporting Requirements.
(a) * * *
(4) Reporting malfunctions. If a malfunction occurred during the reporting period, the report must include the number, duration and a brief description for each type of malfunction which occurred during the reporting period and which caused or may have caused any applicable emission limitation to be exceeded. The report must also include a description of actions taken by an owner or operator during a malfunction of an affected source to minimize emissions in accordance with SEC 63.1652(f), including actions taken to correct a malfunction.
* * * * *
18. Section 63.1660 is amended by:
a. Revising paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii); and
b. Removing and reserving paragraphs (a)(2)(iv) and (a)(2)(v) to read as follows:
SEC 63.1660 Recordkeeping Requirements.
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(i) Records of the occurrence and duration of each malfunction of operation (i.e., process equipment) or the air pollution control equipment and monitoring equipment;
(ii) Records of actions taken during periods of malfunction to minimize emissions in accordance with SEC 63.1652(f), including corrective actions to restore malfunctioning process and air pollution control and monitoring equipment to its normal or usual manner of operation;
* * * * *
(iv) [Reserved]
(v) [Reserved]
* * * * *
19. Add Table 1 to the end of subpart XXX to read as follows:
Table 1 to Subpart XXX of Part 63--General Provisions Applicability to Subpart XXX Reference Applies to Comment subpart XXX 63.1 Yes 63.2 Yes 63.3 Yes 63.4 Yes 63.5 Yes 63.6(a), (b), (c) Yes 63.6(d) No Section reserved. 63.6(e)(1)(i) No See 63.1623(g) and 63.1652(f) for general duty requirement. 63.6(e)(1)(ii) No 63.6(e)(1)(iii) Yes 63.6(e)(2) No Section reserved. 63.6(e)(3) No 63.6(f)(1) No 6.6(f)(2)-(f)(3) Yes 63.6(g) Yes 63.6(h)(1) No 63.6(h)(2)-(h)(9) Yes 63.6(i) Yes 63.6(j) Yes S. 63.7(a)-(d) Yes S. 63.7(e)(1) No See 63.1625(a)(5) and 63.1656(a)(6) S. 63.7(e)(2)-(e)(4) Yes 63.7(f), (g), (h) Yes 63.8(a)-(b) Yes 63.8(c)(1)(i) No See 63.1623(g) and 63.1652(f) for general duty requirement. 63.8(c)(1)(ii) Yes 63.8(c)(1)(iii) No 63.8(c)(2)-(d)(2) Yes 63.8(d)(3) Yes, except for last SSM plans are not required. sentence 63.8(e)-(g) Yes 63.9(a),(b),(c),(e),(g),(h) Yes (1)through (3), (h)(5) and (6), (i) and (j) 63.9(f) Yes 63.9(h)(4) No Reserved 63.10 (a) Yes 63.10 (b)(1) Yes 63.10(b)(2)(i) No 63.10(b)(2)(ii) No See 63.1628 and 63.1660 for recordkeeping of (1) occurrence and duration and (2) actions taken during malfunction. 63.10(b)(2)(iii) Yes 63.10(b)(2)(iv)-(b)(2)(v) No 63.10(b)(2)(vi)-(b)(2)(xiv) Yes 63.10)(b)(3) Yes 63.10(c)(1)-(9) Yes 63.10(c)(10)-(11) No See 63.1628 and 63.1660 for malfunction recordkeeping requirements. 63.10(c)(12)-(c)(14) Yes 63.10(c)(15) No 63.10(d)(1)-(4) Yes 63.10(d)(5) No See 63.1628(d)(8) and 63.1659(a)(4) for malfunction reporting requirements. 63.10(e)-((f) Yes 63.11 No Flares will not be used to comply with the emission limits 63.12 to 63.15 Yes
[FR Doc. 2014-23266 Filed 10-3-14;
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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