CAA update: New HAP, NOx rules; more to come

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Hazmat World; (United States)

OSTI ID:7309906

In March of 1994 EPA announced new air toxics rules for chemical companies, electrical utilities and several manufacturing sectors. In one of five major rulings issued under authority of the 1990 CAA Amendments, the Agency gave chemical producers three years to achieve an 88 percent reduction (compared to 1990 levels) in air toxics, or hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions, at their facilities. The ruling is expected to affect about 370 chemical plants in 38 states. EPA estimates that total capital costs to the chemical industry for compliance with the rule will be about $450 million, with annual costs of $230 million. The rule contains an emission averaging option facilities may use to avoid applying some controls as long as public health and the environment remain protected. This compliance alternative, unpopular among environmentalist groups and available only if approved by the state in which a plant operates, allows emissions from uncontrolled sources to be offset by emissions reductions achieved from other sources at the same facility. EPA announced a final acid rain'' regulation under CAA. The rule is designed to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 1.8 million tons annually. NOx and sulfur dioxide (SO[sub 2]) emissions are components of acid rain. The final rules governing SO[sub 2] emissions were issued in January 1993.

• OSTI ID: 7309906
• Journal Information: Hazmat World; (United States), Journal Name: Hazmat World; (United States) Vol. 7:4; ISSN HMWOED; ISSN 0898-5685
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
AIR QUALITY
CHALCOGENIDES
CLEAN AIR ACTS
COMPLIANCE
CONTROL
EMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
LAWS
MATERIALS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION LAWS
STANDARDS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES