federal_register: 05-8447
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| document_number | title | type | abstract | publication_date | pub_year | pub_month | html_url | pdf_url | agency_names | agency_ids | excerpts |
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| 05-8447 | Standards of Performance for New and Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Steam Generating Units | Rule | In this document, EPA is finalizing the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) and establishing standards of performance for mercury (Hg) for new and existing coal-fired electric utility steam generating units (Utility Units), as defined in Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111. The amendments to CAA section 111 rules would establish a mechanism by which Hg emissions from new and existing coal-fired Utility Units are capped at specified, nation-wide levels. A first phase cap of 38 tons per year (tpy) becomes effective in 2010, and a second phase cap of 15 tpy becomes effective in 2018. Facilities must demonstrate compliance with the standard by holding one "allowance" for each ounce of Hg emitted in any given year. Allowances are readily transferrable among all regulated facilities. Such a "cap-and-trade" approach to limiting Hg emissions is the most cost-effective way to achieve the reductions in Hg emissions from the power sector. The added benefit of the cap-and-trade approach is that it dovetails well with the sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) and nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) emission caps under the final Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) that was signed on March 10, 2005. CAIR establishes a broadly-applicable cap-and-trade program that significantly limit SO<INF>2</INF> and NO<INF>X</INF> emissions from the power sector. The advantage of regulating Hg at the same time and using the same regulatory mechanism as for SO<INF>2</INF> and NO<INF>X</INF> is that significant Hg emissions reductions, especially reductions of oxidized Hg, can and will be achieved by the air pollution controls designed and installed to reduce SO<INF>2</INF> and NO<INF>X</INF>. Significant Hg emissions reductions can be obtained as a "co-benefit" of controlling emissions of SO<INF>2</INF> and NO<INF>X</INF>; thus, the coordinated regulation of Hg, SO<INF>2</INF>, and NO<INF>X</INF> allows Hg reductions to be achieved in a cost- effective manner. The final rule also finalizes a performance specification (PS) (Performance Specification 12A, "Specification and Test Methods for Total Vapor Phase Mercury Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems in Stationary Sources") and a test method ("Quality Assurance and Operating Procedures for Sorbent Trap Monitoring Systems"). The EPA is also taking final action to amend the definition of "designated pollutant." The existing definition predates the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (the CAAA) and, as a result, refers to section 112(b)(1)(A) which no longer exists. The EPA is also amending the definition of "designated pollutant" so that it conforms to EPA's interpretation of the provisions of CAA section 111(d)(1)(A), as amended by the CAAA. That interpretation is explained in detail in a separate Federal Register notice (70 FR 15994; March 29, 2005) announcing EPA's revision of its December 2000 regulatory determination and removing Utility Units from the 112(c) list of categories. For these reasons, EPA has determined that it is appropriate to promulgate the revised definition of "designated pollutant" without prior notice and opportunity for comment. | 2005-05-18 | 2005 | 5 | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/05/18/05-8447/standards-of-performance-for-new-and-existing-stationary-sources-electric-utility-steam-generating | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2005-05-18/pdf/05-8447.pdf | Environmental Protection Agency | 145 | In this document, EPA is finalizing the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) and establishing standards of performance for mercury (Hg) for new and existing coal-fired electric utility steam generating units (Utility Units), as defined in Clean Air Act (CAA)... |