USEPA Applicability Determination for Autobody Shop's Use of 3 Ounce Cups
 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Applicability Determination on its autobody painting rule addressing questions on the use of 3 oz cups in spray painting. This rule, 40 CFR 63 Part HHHHHH National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants:  Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources, does not apply to painting that is done using a paint cup with a capacity of 3 oz or less. USEPA has clarified that they will not allow companies to deliberately circumvent the rule by using multiple 3 oz cups.

To read the full applicability determination visit our website at www.ienconnect.com/enviro. 

New Combustion Portal

For the first time, regulated entities have easy access to potential air, water, and waste regulatory impacts affecting their combustion activities, including New Source Performance

Standards, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, indirect and direct water discharges, and Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures. The new portal provides federal and state compliance and pollution prevention information regarding boilers; incinerators; hazardous waste combustion units; power plants, stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines; and wood heating appliances. In addition, combustion calculators are available to help estimate emissions and rule requirements as well as links to help regulated entities reduce the quantity of generated pollution. Visit the Combustion Portal at www.combustionportal.org 

Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule Updates

On August 4, 2011, USEPA issued proposed technical corrections, clarifying and other amendments to seven subparts under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule.

In general, this proposal does not change the overall requirements of the final rule. It does clarify the requirements and ensures consistency across the calculation, monitoring and data reporting requirements for the rule. In addition, EPA is also proposing a limited, one time extension of the 2012 reporting deadline for reporting GHG information for subparts required to start collecting data in 2011. This extension would allow sufficient time for stakeholder testing of the online reporting tool for these new source categories. The six- month deadline extension applies only to the following subparts: Subpart I - Electronics Manufacturing; Subpart L - Fluorinated Gas Production; Subpart T - Magnesium Production; Subpart W - Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems; Subpart DD - Use of Electric Transmission and Distribution Equipment; Subpart FF -Underground Coal Mines; Subpart II - Industrial Wastewater Treatment; Subpart QQ - Imports and Exports of Equipment Pre-charged with Fluorinated GHGs or Containing Fluorinated GHGs in Closed-cell Foams; Subpart RR - Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide; Subpart SS - Manufacture of Electric Transmission and Distribution; Subpart TT- Industrial Waste Landfills; Subpart UU - Injection of Carbon Dioxide. For more information on the proposed amendment: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/technical-corrections.html#2011

USEPA  Affirms National Air Quality Standards for Carbon Monoxide

Air Monitoring updates will put more focus on urban communities located near roadways 
 
 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has affirmed the current national air quality standards for carbon monoxide (CO). The science shows that the current standards protect public health, including those who are most susceptible, and the environment. Since 1980, levels of CO in the air have fallen by 80 percent, mostly as a result of motor vehicle emissions controls.

CO is a colorless, odorless gas emitted from combustion processes. Nationally, and particularly in urban areas, the majority of CO emissions come from motor vehicles. CO can cause harmful health effects by reducing oxygen delivery to the body's organs (like the heart and brain) and tissues.

To ensure people are protected from unhealthy concentrations of CO and to develop better information about CO and its health impacts, EPA is revising the air monitoring requirements.The changes will require a more focused monitoring network with CO monitors placed near roads in 52 urban areas with populations of 1 million or more.

Monitors in areas with populations of 2.5 million or more are required to be operational by January 1, 2015 and monitors required in areas with populations of 1 million or more are required to be operational by January 1, 2017. These new monitoring sites will give EPA important data about CO levels that may be affecting public health in neighborhoods located near busy roadways. The data will also be used to determine compliance with the current standards and to help inform future reviews of the standard. 
 

The current health standards are 9 parts per million (ppm) measured over 8 hours, and 35 ppm measured over 1 hour. CO levels at monitors across the country are quite low and are well within the standards, showing that federal, state and local efforts to reduce CO pollution have been successful and are providing important public health protections to all Americans.

The rule is consistent with the advice and recommendations from the agency's independent science advisors, the Clean Air Act Scientific Advisory Committee.
Click here for more information  

New Rule for Wastes Generated from Production of Pesticides, Herbicides, & Fungicides 

On June 13, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a direct final rule to revise the Land Disposal Restriction (LDR) treatment standard for carbamate wastes to ensure that the wastes are adequately treated before land disposal to minimize risks to people's health and the environment.

Carbamate wastes are wastes generated from the production of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Due to their toxicity, carbamate wastes are regulated as hazardous wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Today's action will extend Best Demonstrated Available Technology (BDAT) as an alternative treatment standard for all carbamate wastes. This alternative treatment standard will help industries comply with stringent hazardous waste disposal regulations and allow EPA to enforce these regulations to their fullest extent.

The rule went into effect on August 12, 2011.

More information on the rule click here.