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RIN 2060-AD00

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.


 [Federal Register: December 19, 1995 (Volume 60, Number 243)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65387-65436]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]



ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 60

[AD-FRL-5327-5]

RIN 2060-AD00

Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission 
Guidelines for Existing Sources
Municipal Waste Combustors
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.



SUMMARY: This action adds standards of performance for new municipal 
waste combustor (MWC) units and emission guidelines for existing MWC's. 
The standards and guidelines implement sections 111 and 129 of the 
Clean Air Act and are based on the Administrator's determination that 
MWC's cause, or contribute significantly to, air pollution that may 
reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. The 
standards and guidelines apply to MWC units at plants with aggregate 
capacities to combust greater than 35 megagrams per day (Mg/day) 
(approximately 40 tons per day) of municipal solid waste (MSW) and 
require sources to achieve emission levels reflecting the maximum 
degree of reduction in emissions of air pollutants that the 
Administrator determined is achievable, taking into consideration the 
cost of achieving such emission reduction, and any non-air-quality 
health and environmental impacts and energy requirements. The 
promulgated standards and guidelines establish emission levels for MWC 
organics (dioxins/furans), MWC metals (cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury 
(Hg), particulate matter (PM), and opacity), MWC acid gases (hydrogen 
chloride (HCl) and sulfur dioxide (SO2)), nitrogen oxides 
(NOX), and MWC fugitive ash emissions. Some of the pollutants 
being regulated are considered to be carcinogens and at sufficient 
concentrations can cause toxic effects following exposure. The 
standards and guidelines also establish requirements for MWC operating 
practices (carbon monoxide (CO), load, flue gas temperature at the PM 
control device inlet, and operator training/certification). 
Additionally, the standards for new MWC plants also require a siting 
analysis and materials separation plan.


DATES: Effective Dates. June 19, 1996 for the standards for new sources 
(Secs. 60.50b through 60.59b) and December 19, 1995 for the emission 
guidelines for existing sources (Secs. 60.30b through 60.39b). The 
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
June 19, 1996 for the standards for new sources. See table 3 of this 
preamble for a summary of the retrofit schedules for existing MWC 
sources. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a discussion of the schedule 
for judicial review.
    Comments. Comments on the Information Collection Request (ICR) 
document associated with the final standards for new sources are 
requested, as discussed in section VI.B of this preamble. Comments on 
the ICR document must be received on or before February 20, 1996. Refer 
to Section VI.B for further information on this request for comment.


ADDRESSES: Comments. As noted above, comments on the ICR document 


[[Page 65388]]
associated with the final standards for new source are requested. See 
section VI.B and the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this preamble 
for further information on obtaining a copy of the ICR document and 
addresses for submitting comments on the ICR document.
    Background Information. The principal background information for 
the final standards and guidelines includes: (1) A background 
information document (BID) entitled, ``Municipal Waste Combustion: 
Background Information for Promulgated Standards and Guidelines--
Summary of Public Comments and Responses'' (EPA-453/R-95-0136), which 
contains a summary of all the significant public comments submitted 
regarding the proposed standards and guidelines, the EPA's response to 
these comments, and a summary of the changes made to the standards and 
guidelines as a result of the comments; and (2) several technical 
documents listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, including all of the 
background information documents that supported the proposal and 
promulgation of the subpart Ea standards and subpart Ca guidelines. A 
document entitled ``FACT SHEET: New Municipal Waste Combustors--Subpart 
Eb Standards,'' which succinctly summarizes the final standards, and a 
document entitled ``FACT SHEET: Existing Municipal Waste Combustors--
Subpart Cb Emission Guidelines,'' which succinctly summarizes the 
guidelines, are also available. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for 
instructions and addresses for obtaining these documents.
    Docket. Docket Nos. A-90-45 and A-89-08, containing supporting 
information used in developing the standards and guidelines, are 
available for public inspection and copying between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 
p.m., Monday through Friday except for Federal holidays at the 
following address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Air and 
Radiation Docket and Information Center (Mail Code 6102), 401 M Street 
SW, Washington DC 20460 [phone: (202) 260-7548]. The docket is located 
at the above address in room M-1500, Waterside Mall (ground floor, 
central mall). A reasonable fee may be charged for copying.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Walter Stevenson at (919) 541-5264 
or Mr. Fred Porter at (919) 541-5251, Combustion Group, Emission 
Standards Division (MD-13), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:


Background Information.


    On December 20, 1989, the EPA proposed standards and guidelines for 
MWC's in subparts Ea and Ca of 40 CFR 60, respectively. The subparts Ea 
and Ca were promulgated on February 11, 1991 and were developed under 
authority of paragraph (b) of section 111 of the Clean Air Act of 1977. 
The 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act required the EPA to review 
these emission standards and guidelines and determine if they were 
fully consistent with the requirements of section 129. The EPA reviewed 
the subpart Ea standards and subpart Ca guidelines and concluded that 
they were not fully consistent with the requirements of section 129. 
Therefore, the EPA proposed to revise the standards and guidelines in a 
September 20, 1994 proposal to make the standards and guidelines fully 
consistent with the requirements of section 129. Municipal waste 
combustors that begin construction after September 20, 1994 or that 
begin modification or reconstruction after June 19, 1996 and that meet 
all other applicability criteria are subject to the revised standards 
(subpart Eb). Municipal waste combustors that were constructed on or 
before September 20, 1994 and that meet all other applicability 
criteria are subject to the revised guidelines (subpart Cb). Municipal 
waste combustors that were constructed after December 20, 1989 and on 
or before September 20, 1994 and that meet all other applicability 
criteria are subject to both the subpart Ea standards (1991 standards 
for new sources) and the subpart Cb guidelines (1995 retrofit 
guidelines for existing sources). In this final rule, the EPA is 
withdrawing the subpart Ca guidelines (1991 guidelines for existing 
sources). In a separate action in today's Federal Register the EPA is 
publishing a direct final rule amending the text of subpart Ea.
    This Federal Register final rule discusses: (1) The standards for 
new MWC's, (2) the guidelines for existing MWC's, (3) the withdrawal of 
the 1991 subpart Ca guidelines for existing MWC's, and (4) a request 
for public comment on the ICR document. This preamble and regulatory 
text are available on the EPA's Technology Transfer Network (TTN) 
electronic bulletin board. Also available on the EPA's TTN are FACT 
SHEETS, which summarize the final standards and guidelines. They are 
suggested reading for persons requiring an overview of the standards 
and guidelines. The FACT SHEETS can also be obtained by calling Donna 
Collins at (919) 541-5578. The TTN contains 18 electronic bulletin 
boards, and the following 5 items are included in the Clean Air Act 
Amendments (CAAA) bulletin board under menu item ``Recently Signed 
Rules'' in file ``MWC2.ZIP'':
    (1) ``FACT SHEET: New Municipal Waste Combustors--Subpart Eb 
Standards (1995).''
    (2) ``FACT SHEET: Existing Municipal Waste Combustors--Subpart Cb 
Emission Guidelines (1995).''
    (3) Federal Register notice for this promulgation: ``Standards of 
Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for 
Existing Sources: Municipal Waste Combustors'' (this document).
    (4) ``Municipal Waste Combustion: Background Information for 
Promulgated Standards and Guidelines--Summary of Public Comments and 
Responses,'' EPA-453/R-95-0136.
    (5) Information Collection Request document for these standards for 
new sources: ``Standard Form 83 Supporting Statement for ICR No. 
1506.5--1995 Standards for New Municipal Waste Combustors (Subpart 
Eb),'' September 29, 1995.
    The TTN is accessible 24 hours per day, 7 days per week except 
Monday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. when the system is updated. 
The service is free except for the cost of the phone call. Dial (919) 
541-5742 to access the TTN. The TTN is compatible with up to a 14,400 
bits-per-second (bps) modem. An alternative way to access the TTN is by 
``telenet,'' using access code ``ttnbbs.rtpnc.epa.gov''. Further 
instructions for accessing the TTN can be obtained by calling the help 
desk at (919) 541-5384.
    Documents in the Docket. The background information for today's 
promulgation includes all of the documents that supported the proposal 
and promulgation of the subpart Ea standards and subpart Ca guidelines 
(docket No. A-90-45 and docket No. A-89-08). Key background information 
documents used in developing the subpart Ea standards, the subpart Ca 
guidelines, and today's promulgated standards and guidelines are as 
follows:
    (1) ``Municipal Waste Combustors--Background Information for 
Proposed Standards: 111(b) Model Plant Description and Cost Report,'' 
EPA-450/3-89-27b, August 1989;
    (2) ``Municipal Waste Combustors--Background Information for 
Proposed Standards: Post-Combustion Technology Performance,'' EPA-450/
3-89-27c, August 1989;
    (3) ``Municipal Waste Combustion Assessment: Combustion Control at 


[[Page 65389]]
    Existing Facilities,'' EPA-600/8-89-057, August 1989;
    (4) ``Municipal Waste Combustion Assessment, Technical Basis for 
Good Combustion Practices,'' EPA-600/8-89-063, August 1989;
    (5) ``Municipal Waste Combustors--Background Information for 
Proposed Standards: Control of NOXEmissions,'' EPA-450/3-89-27d, 
August 1989;
    (6) ``Municipal Waste Combustors--Background Information for 
Proposed Standards: Cost Procedures,'' EPA-450/3-89-27a, August 1989;
    (7) ``Economic Impact Analysis for Proposed Emission Standards and 
Guidelines for Municipal Waste Combustors,'' EPA-450/3-91-029, March 
1994;
    (8) ``Municipal Waste Combustors--Background Information for 
Proposed Guidelines for Existing Facilities,'' EPA-450/3-89-27e, August 
1989;
    (9) ``Municipal Waste Combustion: Background Information for 
Promulgated Standards and Guidelines--Summary of Public Comments and 
Responses,'' EPA-453/R-95-0136, 1995.
    These documents and additional technical information are contained 
in dockets A-90-45 and A-89-08. Docket materials are available for 
inspection and copying as described in the ADDRESSES section of this 
preamble.
    Judicial Review. Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, 
judicial review of the actions taken by this notice is available by 
filing of a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 
District of Columbia Circuit within 60 days of today's publication of 
this rule. Under section 307(b)(2) of the Clean Air Act, the 
requirements that are in today's notice may not be challenged later in 
the civil or criminal proceedings brought by the EPA to enforce these 
requirements (42 U.S.C. 7607(b)).
    Preamble Outline. The following outline is provided to aid in 
locating information in the introductory text (preamble) to the final 
standards and guidelines.


I. Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Measurement Units


A. Acronyms
B. Abbreviations and Measurement Units


II. Background and Withdrawal of the 1991 Subpart Ca Emission 
Guidelines


III. Summary of Considerations in Developing the 1995 Standards for New 
Sources and Guidelines for Existing Sources


A. Purpose of the Standards and Guidelines
B. Technical Basis of the Standards and Guidelines
C. Stakeholders and Public Involvement


IV. Standards of Performance for New Sources (1995)--Summary of the 
Standards, Impacts of the Standards, and Significant Issues and Changes 
to the Proposed Standards


A. Summary of the Standards
B. Significant Issues and Changes to the Proposed Standards

 Applicability
 Emission Limits for MWC Metals, Acid Gases, Organics, 
Nitrogen Oxides, and Ash Fugitive Emissions
 Good Combustion Practices
 Operator Training and Certification
 Air Curtain Incinerators
 Siting Analysis/Materials Separation Plan
 Compliance and Performance Testing
 Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
C. Impacts of the Standards


V. Guidelines for Existing Sources (1995)--Summary of the Guidelines, 
Impacts of the Guidelines, and Significant Issues and Changes to the 
Proposed Guidelines


A. Summary of the Guidelines
B. Significant Issues and Changes to the Proposed Guidelines

 Designated Facilities
 Emission Limits for MWC Metals, Acid Gases, Organics, 
Nitrogen Oxides, and Fugitive Ash Emissions
 Good Combustion Practices
 Operator Training and Certification
 Air Curtain Incinerators
 Compliance and Performance Testing
 Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Compliance 
Schedules
C. Impacts of the Guidelines


VI. Administrative Requirements


A. Docket
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
C. Executive Order 12866
D. Unfunded Mandates Act
E. Executive Order 12875
F. Regulatory Flexibility Act
G. Clean Air Act Procedural Requirements

I. Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Measurement Units

    The following definitions, acronyms, and measurement units are 
provided to clarify the preamble to the final standards and guidelines.

A. Acronyms

ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
BID Background Information Document
CEMS continuous emissions monitoring system(s)
COMS continuous opacity monitoring system(s) dioxins/furans 
polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans
DSI dry sorbent injection
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ESP electrostatic precipitator
FF fabric filter
GCP good combustion practices
ICR information collection request
MACT maximum achievable control technology
MSW municipal solid waste
MWC municipal waste combustor
MWI medical waste incinerator
NSR New Source Review
NOXnitrogen oxides
OAQPS Office of Air Quality Planning Standards
OMB Office of Management and Budget
PM particulate matter
RDF refuse-derived fuel
RFA Regulatory Flexibility Act
SD spray dryer
SNCR selective noncatalytic reduction
TEQ basis 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalent 
based on the 1989 international toxic equivalency factors


B. Abbreviations and Measurement Units


 deg.C=degrees Celsius (degrees Fahrenheit= deg.C*9/5+32)
Cd=cadmium
CO=carbon monoxide
CO<INF>2=carbon dioxide
dscf=dry standard cubic feet (at 14.7 pounds per square inch, 68 
deg.F)
dscm=dry standard cubic meters (at 14 pounds per square inch, 68 
deg.F)
g=gram (454 grams per pound)
g/yr=grams per year
gr=grains (7,000 grains per pound)
HCl=hydrogen chloride
Hg=mercury
kg=kilogram (0.454 kilograms per pound)
kg/yr=kilograms per year
m3=cubic meter (35.3 cubic feet per cubic meter)
mg=milligrams (10<SUP>-3 grams)
Mg=megagram (1.1 tons)
Mg/d=megagrams per day
Mg/yr=megagrams per year
ng=nanogram (10<SUP>-9 grams)
Pb=lead
ppmv=parts per million by volume
SO2=sulfur dioxide
tons/d=tons per day
tons/yr=tons per year
total mass basis (dioxins/furans=total mass of tetra- through octachlorinated 
dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibzofurans


II. Background and Withdrawal of the 1991 Subpart Ca Emission 
Guidelines


    By the mid-1980's, several studies had been performed to determine 
whether MWC emissions should be regulated and, if so, under what 
section of the Clean Air Act. As set forth in the Advanced Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (52 FR 25399, July 7, 1987), the EPA decided to 
regulate air emissions from MWC's under section 111 of the Clean Air 
Act, and to base the 


[[Page 65390]]
regulation on best demonstrated technology, as required by section 111. 
On December 20, 1989, the EPA proposed standards for new MWC's and 
guidelines for existing MWC's (54 FR 52251 and 54 FR 52209, 
respectively). On November 15, 1990, 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air 
Act were enacted and added section 129 to the Clean Air Act. Section 
129 of the Clean Air Act specifies that revised standards and 
guidelines must be developed for MWC's in accordance with the 
requirements of both section 111 and new section 129. Section 129 
further specifies that revised standards and guidelines be developed 
for both large and small MWC plants and that the revised standards and 
guidelines must reflect more restrictive performance levels. Section 
129 includes a schedule for revising the 1991 standards and guidelines.
    When the EPA did not comply with the section 129 schedule, the 
Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Integrated 
Waste Services Association filed complaints with the U.S. District 
Court for the Eastern District of New York. The resulting consent 
decree required the EPA Administrator to sign a notice of proposed 
rulemaking not later than September 1, 1994 and a notice of 
promulgation not later than October 31, 1995 (Nos. CV-92-2093, CV-93-
0284, and CV-93-5144). The proposal notice for the standards and 
guidelines was signed as scheduled and published on September 20, 1994 
(59 FR 48198 and 59 FR 48228, respectively). This notice responds to 
the requirement for the Administrator to sign the final standards and 
guidelines by October 31, 1995.
    The standards and guidelines promulgated on February 11, 1991 (56 
FR 5488 and 56 FR 5514, respectively) apply to only large MWC's 
(capacities above 225 Mg/day) and reflect best demonstrated technology. 
Today's notice promulgates revised standards and guidelines that are 
fully consistent with sections 111 and 129 of the Clean Air Act and 
extend coverage of the revised standards and guidelines to MWC units 
located at MWC plants with aggregate plant capacity above 35 Mg/day.
    Today's promulgated standards for new sources are more stringent 
than the standards promulgated on February 11, 1991. Today's 
promulgated standards will apply to plants for which construction 
commenced after September 20, 1994 or for which reconstruction or 
modification commenced after June 19, 1996. The guidelines will apply 
to all MWC's constructed prior to September 20, 1994. The February 11, 
1991 subpart Ea standards will remain in effect for plants constructed, 
modified, or reconstructed between December 20, 1989 and September 20, 
1994. Sources subject to the February 11, 1991 subpart Ea standards are 
also subject to the guidelines being promulgated today under subpart 
Cb. In some cases, the promulgated subpart Cb guidelines are more 
stringent than the existing subpart Ea standards. The control 
technologies being used to meet the emission limits included in the 
1991 subpart Ea standards will be able to comply with the promulgated 
subpart Cb guidelines, except supplemental controls would be required 
to reduce Hg emissions and fugitive ash emissions. The direct final 
rule also being published in today's Federal Register will provide 
consistency between the subpart Ea and Cb rules.
    Today's promulgated guidelines under subpart Cb for existing 
sources are more stringent than the guidelines promulgated under 
subpart Ca on February 11, 1991. Today's promulgated guidelines will 
apply to MWC's for which construction commenced on or before September 
20, 1994. Today's promulgated guidelines are based on maximum 
achievable control technology, or MACT, and will require MWC plants to 
purchase and install different types of air pollution control equipment 
than the best demonstrated technology-based guidelines promulgated in 
1991 under subpart Ca. In consideration of public comments, which 
supported the withdrawal of subpart Ca, and to satisfy the MACT 
requirements of section 129 of the Clean Air Act, the EPA is 
withdrawing the 1991 subpart Ca guidelines as a part of today's action.


III. Summary of Considerations in Developing the 1995 Standards for New 
Sources and Guidelines for Existing Sources


A. Purpose of the Standards and Guidelines


    Under sections 111 and 129 of the Clean Air Act, the EPA is 
required to develop and adopt performance standards and guidelines for 
MWC's. Congress specifically added section 129 to the Clean Air Act to 
address public concerns about MWC's and other solid waste combustion 
units. Under section 111, performance standards and guidelines must be 
developed for new and existing stationary sources that may contribute 
to air pollution and that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger 
public health or welfare. Under section 129 of the Clean Air Act, the 
standards and guidelines adopted for MWC's must be based on MACT.
    Independent of Clean Air Act requirements, the general public is 
concerned about emissions from all sources including MWC's. This is 
understandable considering (1) about two-thirds of the MWC population 
is located in air quality nonattainment areas with high population 
densities, and (2) the EPA's 1994 MWC Dioxin Survey identified a 
limited number of older poorly controlled MWC's with atypically high 
dioxin/furan emissions (interim corrective actions have been taken at 
these MWC's).
    The MWC industry has aggressively controlled new MWC plants built 
since 1990, and almost half of the existing population currently is 
equipped with high efficiency air pollution control equipment. The 
other older half of the population has control equipment with lower 
efficiency. As mentioned earlier, health effects are associated with 
many of the pollutants emitted from MWC's, and the standards and 
guidelines being promulgated today will bring all MWC units up to the 
same high performance level.
    The EPA estimates that in the United States, there are about 307 
operating MWC units at 128 plants, providing a total U.S. MSW 
combustion capacity of about 94,000 Mg/day. Approximately 16 percent of 
MSW generated in the United States is combusted.
    Emissions from MWC's contain organics (dioxins/furans), metals (Cd, 
Pb, Hg, PM, and opacity), acid gases (Hcl and SO2), and NO<INF>X. 
These pollutants can have adverse effects on both public health and 
welfare. The EPA recently released a draft report reassessing the 
health effects of human exposure to dioxins/furans. In the draft 
report, which is currently undergoing review, MWC's are identified as 
one source of dioxin/furan emissions. Other MWC emissions of principal 
concern include Pb, Cd, and Hg. Acid gas and NOXemissions 
contribute to acid rain when emissions of SO2 and NOXare 
chemically transformed in the atmosphere into sulfuric and nitric acids 
and return to earth as wet deposition such as rain, fog, or snow, or as 
dry deposition such as fine particles or gases. Acid deposition damages 
lakes and harms forests and buildings. Nitrogen oxides also contribute 
to low-level ozone and urban area smog formation.
    Today's standards and guidelines are set forth as emission limits 
and will significantly reduce MWC emissions. 


[[Page 65391]]



B. Technical Basis of Standards and Guidelines


    Section 129(a)(2) of the Clean Air Act requires the revised 
standards for new MWC's and revised guidelines for existing MWC's to 
reflect the maximum degree of reduction in emissions of designated air 
pollutants, taking into consideration the cost of achieving such 
emission reduction, and any non-air-quality health and environmental 
impacts and energy requirements that the Administrator determines are 
achievable for a particular category of sources. (This control level is 
commonly referred to as the ``maximum achievable control technology, or 
``MACT''.) Section 129 also provides that standards for new sources may 
not be less stringent than the emissions control achieved in practice 
by the best controlled similar unit. This is commonly referred to as 
the ``MACT floor'' for new MWC units. Additionally, section 129 
provides that the emission limitations in the guidelines for existing 
MWC's may not be less stringent than the average emission limitations 
achieved by the best performing 12 percent of units in the category. 
This is commonly referred to as the ``MACT floor'' for existing MWC 
units. Emission control options less stringent than the MACT floor can 
not be considered in developing section 129 standards and guidelines.
    Technical data on the number and size of MWC's, control 
technologies in use, permit emission limits, and emission test data 
were used to determine the MACT floor for new and existing MWC's and to 
define control alternatives. The types of data EPA considered in 
selecting final standards and guidelines included the following: (1) 
Over 100 MWC plant-specific questionnaires; (2) emissions information 
from literature, and State and local agencies; and (3) EPA and industry 
test reports. Overall, the EPA used performance test data from over 60 
MWC plants to develop the standards and guidelines. After proposal, the 
EPA reviewed additional data submitted with public comments on the 
proposal and data that EPA gathered from States and industry. Based on 
the new information, the EPA reviewed both the proposed MACT 
determinations for new and existing MWC's and the regulatory 
alternatives. The reassessment of the standards and guidelines in light 
of the new data resulted in the EPA revising the MACT emission rates 
for some pollutants.
    The most significant changes to the standards and guidelines since 
proposal are summarized in sections IV.B and V.B., respectively, of 
this preamble. The rationales for these changes as well as other 
changes are summarized in the preamble and discussed in more detail in 
the BID. In keeping with the Administrator's ``reinventing government'' 
initiative, several of the changes to the guidelines and standards were 
made to streamline the regulations and provide increased flexibility 
while optimizing environmental control by using common sense 
initiatives. Examples of these changes include the following: (1) 
Reduced dioxin/furan testing for MWC plants with low dioxin/furan 
emission levels; (2) NOXguidelines for large MWC plants that 
allow plants to use an emissions averaging plan to demonstrate 
compliance for two or more existing MWC units located at the same 
facility; (3) clarification of siting requirements for new MWC's; (4) 
providing additional time for MWC operators to obtain operator training 
and certification; (5) replacing quarterly reporting with annual 
reporting (semiannual reporting if noncompliance); (6) revised text to 
clarify that the regulations do not apply to MWC plants with combustion 
capacity less than 35 Mg/day; (7) exemption for plants firing small 
amounts of MSW (10 Mg/day or less); (8) exemption for combustion of 
clean wood; and (9) allowing certain records to be maintained in either 
electronic or paper format without duplication. All of these changes 
are discussed further in sections IV and V of this preamble, and 
represent changes that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the 
standards and guidelines without any reduction in environmental 
protection.


C. Stakeholders and Public Involvement


    Prior to proposal, in accordance with section 117 of the Clean Air 
Act, the EPA consulated with advisory committees, independent experts, 
Federal departments and agencies, and owners, operators, and 
manufacturers of MWC's. Numerous discussions were held with 
governmental entities, industry representatives, and environmental 
groups including, but not limited to, the following groups: the U.S. 
Conference of Majors, the National League of Cities, the National 
Association of Counties, the Municipal Waste Management Association, 
the Solid Waste Association of North America, the Integrated Waste 
Services Association, the Sierra Club, and the Natural Resources 
Defense Council.
    The standards and guidelines being adopted today were proposed in 
the Federal Register on September 20, 1994 (59 FR 48198 and 59 FR 
48228, respectively). The preambles for the proposed standards and 
guidelines describe the rationale for the proposed standards and 
guidelines. After proposal, the EPA provided interested persons the 
opportunity to comment through a written comment period. The public 
comment period was from September 20, 1994 to November 21, 1994. 
Comments were received from private citizens, industry representatives, 
environmental groups, and governmental entities. The comments have been 
carefully considered, and changes have been made in the standards and 
guidelines where appropriate. Sections IV and V of this preamble 
discuss the major revisions to the standards and guidelines to address 
the commenters' concerns.


IV. Standards of Performance for New Sources (1995)--Summary of the 
Standards, Impacts of the Standards, and Significant Issues and Changes 
to the Proposed Standards


    This section presents a summary of the final standards, including 
identification of the source category and pollutants being regulated, 
and presentation of the final emission limits and their associated 
performance testing, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements. This section also discusses the most significant changes 
to the proposed standards. Also discussed are the impacts of the final 
standards.


A. Summary of the Standards


    The final standards (subpart Eb) apply to each new MWC unit located 
at an MWC facility that has an aggregate plant capacity to combust over 
35 Mg/day of MSW, for which construction commenced after September 20, 
1994 or modification or reconstruction commenced after June 19, 1996. 
Municipal waste combustors that commenced construction on or before 
September 20, 1994 are not covered under the subpart Eb standards. 
Municipal waste combustors constructed on or before September 20, 1994 
are considered existing sources and are subject to the guidelines that 
are addressed in section V of this notice.
    An MWC is defined as any setting or equipment that combusts MSW 
including air curtain incinerators. Municipal solid waste combustion 
includes the direct combustion of MSW or the combustion of MSW gases 
from pyrolysis or gasification. The MWC unit includes any type of 
setting or equipment including combustion equipment with or without 
heat recovery.


[[Page 65392]]


    Municipal solid waste is defined as a mixture or a single-item 
waste stream of household, commercial, and/or institutional discards. 
This would include materials such as paper, yard waste, plastics, 
leather, rubber, glass, metals, and other combustible and 
noncombustible materials. The final MSW definition is revised slightly 
from proposal to make it clear that MSW does not include used motor 
oil; sewage sludge; wood pallets; construction, renovation, and 
demolition wastes (including but not limited to railroad ties and 
telephone poles); clean wood; industrial process or manufacturing 
wastes; medical waste; or motor vehicles. Although these wastes are not 
MSW, they can be intermixed with MSW and can be combusted in MWC 
plants. The regulations do not prohibit their combustion. The 
definition of MSW includes RDF, which is municipal solid waste that is 
shredded (or pelletized) before combustion. Any medical, industrial, or 
other type of waste combustor plant with capability to combust greater 
than 35 Mg/day of MSW and is in compliance with a federally enforceable 
permit to combust less than 10 Mg/day of MSW is not covered by this 
standard. Furthermore, cofired MWC plants that combust less than 30 
percent MSW (on a calendar quarter basis) are exempt. A summary of the 
final standards is presented in table 1. In table 1, significant 
revisions made since proposal are marked with an asterisk (*) and are 
discussed in section IV.B.


       Table 1.--Summary of Standards for new MWC's (Subpart Eb)<SUP>a       
   [* indicates a significant change since proposal and the change is   
                       discussed in this preamble]                      
                                                                        
Applicability                                                           
The final standards apply to new MWC                                    
 units located at plants with                                           
 capacities to combust greater than 35                                  
 Mg/day of residential, commercial, and/                                
 or institutional discards. Industrial                                  
 manufacturing discards are not covered                                 
 by the standards. Any medical,                                         
 industrial manufacturing, municipal,                                   
 or other type of waste combustor plant                                 
 with capacity to combust greater than                                  
 35 Mg/day of MSW and with a federally                                  
 enforceable permit to combust less                                     
 than 10 Mg/day of MSW is not covered.*                                 
                                                                        
Plant Size (MSW combustion capacity)     Requirement.                   
 (referred to as small MWC plants).       below.                        
 plants).                                 below.                        
Good Combustion Practices                                               
<bullet> Applies to large and small MWC plants.                         
 developed and made available for MWC personnel.                        
 operators.                                                             
 dioxin/furan performance test.                                         
 performance test.                                                      
                                                                        
                                                              Averaging 
              MWC type                      CO level             time   
                                                               (hours)  
 fired.                                                                 
 fired.                                                                 
MWC Organic Emissions (measured as                                      
 total mass dioxins/furans):                                            
<bullet> Dioxins/furans                                                 
 (performance test by EPA Reference                                     
 Method 23)                                                             
                                      (mandatory) or 7 ng/              
                                      dscm total mass                   
                                      (optional to qualify              
                                      for less frequent                 
                                      testing).<SUP>*b.                      
                                                                        
 limit                                injection.                        
MWC Metal Emissions:                                                    
<bullet> PM (performance test by                                        
 EPA Reference Method 5)                                                
                                      dscf).*                           
<bullet> Opacity (performance test                                      
 by EPA Reference Method 9)                                             
                                      average)                          
<bullet> Cd (performance test by                                        
 EPA Reference Method 29)                                               
                                      million dscf).*                   
<bullet> Pb (performance test by                                        
 EPA Reference Method 29)                                               
                                      million dscf).*                   
<bullet> Hg (performance test by                                        
 EPA Reference Method 29)                                               
                                      million dscf) or 85-              
                                      percent reduction in              
                                      Hg emissions                      
<bullet> Basis for PM, opacity, Cd,                                     
 Pb, and Hg limits                                                      
                                      furan limit                       
MWC Acid Gas Emissions:                                                 
<bullet> SO2 (performance test by                                       
 CEMS)                                                                  
                                      reduction in SO2                  
                                      emissions                         
<bullet> HCl (performance test by                                       
 EPA Reference Method 26)                                               
                                      reduction in HCl                  
                                      emissions                         
 limits                               furan limit..                     
Nitrogen Oxides Emissions:                                              
<bullet> NOx (performance test by                                       
 CEMS)                                                                  
                                                                        
                                      ppmv is allowed for               
                                      the first year of                 
                                      operation.*                       
  Small MWC plants.................  No NOXcontrol                     
                                      requirement                       
                                                                        
<bullet> Basis for NOXlimit                                            
                                                                        
  Large MWC plants.................  SNCR                               
  Small MWC plants.................  No NOXcontrol                     
                                      requirement.                      
                                                                        
Fugitive Ash Emissions:                                                 
<bullet> Fugitive emissions                                             
 (performance test by EPA Reference                                     
 Method 22)                                                             
                                      than 5 percent of the             
                                      time from the ash                 
                                      transfer system                   
                                      except during                     
                                      maintenance and                   
                                      repair activities.*.              
Siting Requirements:                                                    
   plants.                            (2) materials                     
                                      separation plan, and              
                                      (3) public meetings               
                                      (including response               
                                      to comments)                      
Performance Testing and Monitoring                                      
 Requirements:                                                          
                                      violation).*                      
   temperature.                       4-hour block                      
                                      arithmetic average.               
                                      24-hour daily                     
                                      arithmetic average,               
                                      as applicable.                    
<bullet> Dioxins/furans, PM, Cd,                                        
 Pb, HC1, and Hg                                                        
                                      reduced testing                   
                                      option for low                    
                                      emitters of dioxins/              
                                      furans).*                         
                                      stack test.*                      
  <bullet> Opacity.................  COMS (6-minute                     
                                      average) and annual               
                                      stack test.                       
                                      geometric mean.                   
                                                                        
   only).                             arithmetic average.               
  <bullet> Fugitive ash emissions..  Annual test.                       
  this preamble.                                                        
  dry basis.                                                            
  0.2 ng/dscm TEQ.                                                      
                                                                        
                                                                   Increment of                                 
                                                                    promulgated                                 
                            Parameter                             standards over  1991 Standards      Total <SUP>b   
                                                                     the 1991            <SUP>a                      
                                                                     standards                                  
New MWC's subject to Standards in the Fifth Year After                                                          
 Promulgation:                                                                                                  
Cost (1990 Dollars):                                                                                            
Annual Emissions Reduction (Mg/yr):                                                                             
  standards.                                                                                                    
  the promulgated standards over a pre-1989 baseline.                                                           
                       discussed in this preamble]                      
                                                                        
Applicability                                                           
The final guidelines apply to existing                                  
 MWC's located at plants with                                           
 capacities to combust greater than 35                                  
 Mg/day of residential, commercial, and/                                
 or institutional discards. Industrial                                  
 manufacturing discards are not covered                                 
 by the guidelines. Any medical,                                        
 industrial manufacturing, municipal,                                   
 or other type of waste combustor plant                                 
 with capacity to combust greater than                                  
 35 Mg/day of MSW and with a federally                                  
 enforceable permit to combust less                                     
 than 10 Mg/day of MSW is not covered.*                                 
                                                                        
Plant Size (MSW combustion capacity)     Requirement                    
 (referred to as small MWC plants).       below.                        
 plants).                                 below.                        
Good Combustion Practices                                               
<bullet> Applies to large and small MWC plants.                         
 developed and made available for MWC personnel.                        
 supervisors, and control room operators.                               
 (optional).*                                                           
 dioxin/furan performance test.                                         
 furan performance test.                                                
                                                                        
                                                              Averaging 
              MWC type                      CO level             time   
                                                               (hours)  
 fired.                                                                 
 fired.                                                                 
  Large MWC plants                                                      
                                          total mass (optional to       
                                          qualify for less frequent     
                                          testing).* <SUP>c                  
                                          total mass (optional to       
                                          qualify for less frequent     
                                          testing).* <SUP>c                  
                                          (mandatory) or 30 ng/dscm     
                                          total mass (optional to       
                                          qualify for less frequent     
                                          testing).* <SUP>c                  
<bullet> Basis for dioxin/furan limits                                  
                                          FF, as specified above.       
MWC Metal Emissions:                                                    
                                          dscf).                        
                                          dscf).                        
                                          dscf).*                       
                                          dscf).                        
                                          dscf) or 85-percent reduction 
                                          in Hg emissions.              
<bullet> Basis for PM, opacity, Cd, Pb, and Hg limits                   
                                          FF/CI                         
                                                                        
MWC Acid Gas Emissions:                                                 
<bullet> SO2 (performance test by CEMS)                                 
                                          in SO2 emissions.*            
                                          in SO2 emissions.             
                                          in HCl emissions.*            
                                          reduction in HCl emissions.   
<bullet> Basis for SO2 and HCl limits                                   
Nitrogen Oxides Emissions                                               
<bullet> NOX(performance test by CEMS)                                 
  Large MWC plants:                                                     
    Mass burn waterwall................  200 ppmv<SUP>b.                     
    Mass burn rotary waterwall.........  250 ppmv<SUP>b.                     
    Refuse-derived fuel combustor......  250 ppmv<SUP>b.                     
  Fluidized bed combustor..............  240 ppmv<SUP>b.                     
  Other................................  200 ppmv<SUP>b.                     
<bullet> Basis for NOXlimits                                           
  Large MWC plants.....................  SNCR.                          
Fugitive Ash Emissions:                                                 
<bullet> Fugitive Emissions                                             
 (performance test by EPA Reference                                     
 Method 22)                                                             
                                          the time from ash transfer    
                                          systems except for maintenance
                                          and repair activities.*       
 limit                                    ash handling.                 
Performance Testing and Monitoring                                      
 Requirements:                                                          
                                          violation)*.                  
                                          block arithmetic average      
<bullet> CO                              CEMS, 4-hour block or 24-hour  
                                          daily arithmetic average, as  
                                          applicable                    
<bullet> Dioxins/furans, PM, Cd, Pb,                                    
 HCl, and Hg                                                            
                                          test.                         
<bullet> Opacity                         COMS (6-minute average) and    
                                          annual stack test.            
<bullet> SO2                             CEMS, 24-hour daily geometric  
                                          mean.                         
                                          average.                      
Compliance Schedule:                                                    
<bullet> Large MWC plants                                               
   toward compliance).                                                  
<bullet> Small MWC plants                                               
  State plans must require full                                         
   compliance or closure with                                           
   regulatory requirements in 3 years                                   
   or less following issuance of a                                      
   revised construction or operation                                    
   permit if a permit modification is                                   
   required, or within 3 years                                          
   following EPA approval of the State                                  
   plan if a permit modification is not                                 
   required.                                                            
 the State plan, whichever is later.                                    
<bullet> State plans are required to                                    
 specify that owners or operators of                                    
 MWC's comply with the operator                                         
 training and certification                                             
 requirements by 6 months after startup                                 
 or 1 year after State plan approval by                                 
 the EPA, whichever is later, for large                                 
 plants and by 6 months after startup                                   
 or 18 months after State plan approval                                 
 by the EPA, whichever is later, for                                    
 small plants.                                                          
  preamble.                                                             
  dry basis.                                                            
  dscm TEQ and 0.3 to 0.8 ng/dscm TEQ, respectively.                    
                                                                                                  Increment of  
                                                                                                promulgated 1995
                                                          1991 subpart Ca    Promulgated 1995      subpart Cb   
                       Parameter                            guidelines <SUP>a        subpart Cb      guidelines over 
                                                                               guidelines <SUP>a     the 1991 subpart
                                                                                                Ca guidelines <SUP>b 
Characteristics of Existing MWC's:                                                                              
Cost (1990 Dollars):                                                                                            
Annual Emissions Reduction (Mg/yr):                                                                             
  guidelines).                                                                                                  
  the promulgated 1995 subpart Cb guidelines (based on a pre-1989 baseline).                                    
                                                                          Ownership                             
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------
               Model plant<SUP>a                     Public                     Private                     Total    
                                            throughput (Mg/   Public   throughput (Mg/  Private   throughput (Mg/
                                                  yr)       share ()        yr)       share ()        yr)     
                                                                                                                
  1994).                                                                                                        
                       Matter, and Metals Control                       
                                                                        
                                GCP + ESP                               
                              GCP + DSI/ESP                             
                              GCP + DSI/FF                              
                              GCP + SD/ESP                              
                               GCP + SD/FF                              
                                                                        
                                           Regulatory Alternatives <SUP>a <SUP>b                                          
                                                             Size Classification (Mg MSW/day)                   
                  APCD                          Small (35 to 225)                    Large (over 225)           
Reg. Alt. I:                                                                                                    
  No control...........................  GCP+ESP                          GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
  ESP (low)............................  GCP+ESP                          GCP+SD/ESP(m)+CI+SNCR                 
  SD/ESP...............................  GCP+SD/ESP                       GCP+SD/ESP(m)+CI+SNCR                 
  SD/FF................................  GCP+SD/FF                        GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
Reg. Alt. II-A:                                                                                                 
  No control...........................  GCP+DSI/FF+CI                    GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
  SD/ESP...............................  GCP+SD/ESP+CI                    GCP+SD/ESP(m)+CI+SNCR                 
  SD/FF................................  GCP+SD/FF+CI                     GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
Reg. Alt. II-B:                                                                                                 
  No control...........................  GCP+DSI/FF+CI                    GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
  ESP (low)............................  GCP+DSI/ESP+CI                   GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
  SD/ESP...............................  GCP+SD/ESP+CI                    GCP+SD/ESP(m)+CI+SNCR                 
  SD/FF................................  GCP+SD/FF+CI                     GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
Reg. Alt. III;                                                                                                  
  No control...........................  GCP+SD/FF+CI                     GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
  ESP (low)............................  GCP+SD/FF+CI                     GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
  SD/ESP...............................  GCP+SD/FF+CI                     GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
  SD/FF................................  GCP+SD/FF+CI                     GCP+SD/FF+CI+SNCR                     
MACT Floor:                                                                                                     
No control.............................  GCP+DSI/FF                       GCP+SD/FF+SNCR                        
ESP (low)..............................  GCP+DSI/ESP                      GCP+SD/ESP(M)+SNCR                    
SD/ESP.................................  GCP+SD/ESP                       GCP+SD/ESP(m)+SNCR                    
SD/FF..................................  GCP+SD/FF                        GCP+SD/FF+SNCR                        
  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for information on obtaining this document.                                         
  control requirements, no additional costs are incurred.                                                       
<SUP>b CI=carbon injection.                                                                                          
                                                 Alternatives <SUP>a                                                 
                                                                 Regulatory alternative                         
         cost ($1990 10 <SUP>6/yr)                         Reg. alt. II-  Reg. alt. II-                              
                                        Reg. alt. I         A              B        Reg. alt. III    Mact floor 
                                                                                                                
  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for information on obtaining this document.                                         
  control requirements, no additional costs are incurred.                                                       
  the MACT floor is not provided in the ``Economic Impacts Analysis.''                                          
                                                                                  Annual                        
                                                                      Annual    operating     Annual     Total  
                        Ownership category                           capital       and         MIRR      annual 
                                                                      costs    maintenance   costs <SUP>a     costs  
                                                                                  costs                         
<SUP>a MIRR=Monitoring, inspection, reporting, and recordkeeping.                                                    
                                                Small MWC     Large MWC 
                                               plants (35     plants <SUP>a  
                                               to 225 Mg/   (over 225 Mg/
                  Ownership                     day MSW)      day MSW)  
                                                (percent      (percent  
                                                 change)       change)  
  1993) converted to 1990 dollars.                                      
                                                      Total             
                                                      social            
                Ownership category                    costs      Share  
                                                     ($10 \3\  (percent)
                                                    per year)           
                                                                             Costs ($1990 x 10 <SUP>6)               
                     Plant size (Mg/day)                        MWC type  -------------------------- Model plant
                                                                             Capital       Annual       number  
  Municipal Waste Combustors'' (EPA-450/3-91-029) for more information.                                         
                                         <bullet>  Carcinogenicity.     
                                          damage.                       
                                         <bullet>  Hypertension.        
                                         <bullet>  Central nervous      
                                          system injury.                
                                         <bullet>  Renal dysfunction.   
                                         <bullet>  Dental erosion.      
                                         <bullet>  Acid rain.           
                                         <bullet>  Mortality, morbidity.
                                         <bullet>  Respiratory tract    
                                          problems, permanent harm to   
                                          lung.                         
                                         <bullet>  Soiling and materials
                                          damage.                       
                                         <bullet>  Reduced agricultural 
                                          yield.                        
                                         <bullet>  Ozone formation.     
                                         <bullet>  Eye and throat       
                                          irritation, bronchitis, lung  
                                          damage.                       
                                         <bullet>  Impaired visibility. 
                                         <bullet>  Soiling and materials
                                          damage.                       
                          by Ownership ($1990)                          
                                           Social benefits ($10 \3\ per 
                                                    year) <SUP>a <SUP>b           
                                             PM        SO2       Total  
  their share of the total annual costs.                                
  control.                                                              
                                                      Total     Partial 
                Ownership category                    social     social 
                                                      costs     benefits
                    Municipal Waste Combustor Plants                    
                                                              Nitrogen  
                                                               oxides   
                                                              emission  
                                                             per million
                                                            by volume) <SUP>a
<SUP>a Corrected to 7 percent oxygen, dry basis.                             
                            Combustor Plants                            
                                                              Nitrogen  
                                                               oxides   
                                                              emission  
                                                             per million
                                                             by volume)<SUP>a
<SUP>a Corrected to 7 percent oxygen, dry basis.                             
  emissions averaging plan.                                             
                                                   Carbon               
                                                  monoxide              
                                                 emissions              
                                                 (parts per   time (hrs)
                                                 million by             
                                                  volume)<SUP>a              
Pulverized coal/refuse-derived fuel mixed fuel-                         
Spreader stoker coal/refuse-derived fuel mixed                          
  Calculated as an arithmetic average.                                  
                                       Carbon monoxide                  
                                       emission limit                   
                                         million by          (hours)    
                                          volume) <SUP>a                     
Pulverized coal/refuse-derived fuel                                     
Spreader stoker coal/refuse-derived 

 
 


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