Epa Boiler MACT

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has finalized the boiler MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology) rule. It is intended to help control emissions of hazardous air pollutants in the commercial and industrial sectors. Companies must comply with the new regulations within 3 years following the date of publication in the Federal Register.

Like other MACT regulations the Boiler MACT ruling has set standards consisting of work practice standards, emission limits, and operating limits. These rulings also contain monitoring, record keeping, reporting, and testing. New or reconstructed sources could have different standards to meet than existing sources.

The finalized ruling applies to commercial, industrial, and institutional boilers and process heaters located at, or are a part of a major source of Hap emissions. Major source Haps are defined as having the potential to emit at least 10 tons per year of any single Hap or aggregate emissions of 25 tons for all Haps. Some boilers are exempt from the rule.

The only times that are exempt from the ruling are during startup, shutdown, and malfunction. Other than those times emission limits, work standards, and operating limits must be met. The Boiler MACT rule defines nine subcategories. Existing sources the EPA established standards for only two, large solid fuel and limited use solid fuel sources. Large solid fuel includes any process heater or watertube boiler that burns solid fuels. It must have a rated capacity of greater than 10MMBtu per hour heat input, and an annual capacity factor greater than 10 percent. Limited use solid fuel is the same as Large solid fuel, except the annual capacity is equal to or less than 10 percent.

Even though emission limits have not been established other than Large solid fuel, and limited use solid fuel, there are some subcategories that will require a summation of initial notification. These are large gaseous fuel, limited use gaseous fuel, large liquid fuel, and limited use liquid fuel.

To find a copy of the Boiler MACT ruling go to Code of Federal Regulations at 40cfr Part 63, Subpart DDDDD. Also you can download a copy from the EPA’s Air Toxics website www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/boiler/boilerpg.html .