National Compliance Initiative: Creating Cleaner Air for Communities by Reducing Excess Emissions of Harmful Pollutants

Problem

People living in non-attainment areas or in communities that are near sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) may face significant risks to their health and environment. HAPs are pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects. In some instances, small amounts of these chemicals inhaled or ingested can cause serious illness. There are over 180 chemicals that the EPA has identified as HAPs, including mercury, benzene, dioxin, and lead compounds. Furthermore, significant sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to non-attainment with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) or may adversely affect the attainment status of an area. VOCs are a key component in the formation of ground-level ozone (a constituent of photochemical smog) and secondary organic aerosols, both of which may impact ecosystems and can cause adverse health effects like respiratory ailments. Many individual VOCs also are known to be harmful to human health.

Goal

This NCI, initiated in FY 2020, addresses the adverse health and environmental effects from exceedances of the NAAQS to which sources of VOCs contribute, as well as VOC- and HAP-related health impacts on communities.

Results

During FY 2021, the agency made significant progress on this NCI. The following summary illustrates the Agency’s efforts in FY 2021 to improve air quality and reduce excess emissions of VOCs and HAPs:

• Pollutant Reduction

  • The EPA has addressed serious violations through enforcement actions, achieving measurable pollutant reductions and improving air quality to provide cleaner air for communities.  FY 2021 enforcement actions have resulted in over 15.7 million pounds of methane reduced.  Additionally, FY 2021 enforcement actions have resulted in a reduction of approximately 6.7 million pounds of VOCs and HAPs as well as other harmful air pollutants.
     

• Cases

  • Provided Early Relief to Protect Nearby Communities

    • Used CAA Section 303 emergency authority to address imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and the environment in St. Croix and in South Carolina.

  • Examples of concluded enforcement actions in FY 2021 include the following:

    • Sims Metal Management New England Corporation
    • Drummond Company
    • Hydrite Chemical Company
    • Dow Chemical Company
    • Firestone Polymers, LLC
    • Riverbend Landfill
       

• FY 2021 Number of CCAC Facilities with EPA Inspections / Off-site Compliance Monitoring

• Advanced, innovative equipment and techniques

  • Employed infrared cameras using optical gas imaging and the National Enforcement Investigations Center’s geospatial measurement of air pollution (GMAP) vehicle during inspections. This technology allows for real time measurement of VOCs and HAPs, identifying noncompliance resulting from fugitive emissions and equipment leaks.
     

• Enhanced use of compliance assurance tools

  • Approaches such as remotely observing stack testing at facilities allowed for effective noncompliance determinations while being performed off-site. The EPA used these tools to monitor for compliance even as the COVID-19 public health emergency limited on-site inspections.
     

• Continued Strong Partnerships

  • Through partnerships with state and tribal authorities, conducted multiple joint inspections and joint enforcement actions.
     

• Issued Enforcement Alerts

  • Provided information helpful to both industry and regulators for identifying and addressing observed excess air emissions from metal recycling facilities that operate auto and scrap metal shredders, often located in densely populated, overburdened communities.
  • Reminded permitting agencies, consultants, and regulated entities that improper use of AP-42 emission factors may result in significantly underestimating emissions and permit noncompliance.
     

• Compliance Assistance Portal

  • Enhanced the Environmental Compliance Information for Energy Extraction portal providing compliance assistance for owners and operators of crude oil and natural gas extraction operations.