MoreThe EPA on Monday, Aug. 9, 2010, amended NESHAP, 40 CFR part
63, subpart LLL, issuing its final rules for controlling mercury, particle
pollution and other pollutants from Portland cement manufacturing. This action
sets the nation's first limits on mercury air emissions from existing cement
kilns, strengthens the limits for new kilns, and also sets emission limits for
total hydrocarbons, SO2, NOX and
particulates at major and area sources. The limits will apply to New Source
Performance Standards for cement kilns – those standards applying to new kilns
will affect those that commenced construction or modification after May 6,
2009.
By "major" sources, the EPA will define emitters of 10 tons per year (tpy) or more of a single hazardous air pollutant, or 25 tpy of a combination of HAPs. These must meet MACT standards. The new emission limits will go into effect in 2013.
The Portland Cement Association, based out of Skokie, Ill., noted that it understood the need for controls, but suggested there were better ways to go about it.
Said Brian McCarthy, CEO and president of the association, "Compliance with the rule will cost the industry several billion dollars, and require investments in pollution control equipment at a time when available capital is considerably constrained due to the state of the economy." McCarthy warned that increased regulatory controls risked leading to cement plant closures and a reduction in U.S. cement production. In particular, he noted his organization urged the EPA to create emission standards for subcategories of industry facilities based on risk assessments for HCl controls, rather than controlling HCl just limit SO2.
The rule is not significantly different than that proposed in 2006 and 2008 under the Bush Administration. The key change from the original, late-Clinton-era rule, was mercury control, the MACT floor limit of which will be determined over a 30-day average.
For more information, read the Federal Register notice (pdf).
SOURCES: Above-linked FR notice, PCA press release.
By "major" sources, the EPA will define emitters of 10 tons per year (tpy) or more of a single hazardous air pollutant, or 25 tpy of a combination of HAPs. These must meet MACT standards. The new emission limits will go into effect in 2013.
The Portland Cement Association, based out of Skokie, Ill., noted that it understood the need for controls, but suggested there were better ways to go about it.
Said Brian McCarthy, CEO and president of the association, "Compliance with the rule will cost the industry several billion dollars, and require investments in pollution control equipment at a time when available capital is considerably constrained due to the state of the economy." McCarthy warned that increased regulatory controls risked leading to cement plant closures and a reduction in U.S. cement production. In particular, he noted his organization urged the EPA to create emission standards for subcategories of industry facilities based on risk assessments for HCl controls, rather than controlling HCl just limit SO2.
The rule is not significantly different than that proposed in 2006 and 2008 under the Bush Administration. The key change from the original, late-Clinton-era rule, was mercury control, the MACT floor limit of which will be determined over a 30-day average.
For more information, read the Federal Register notice (pdf).
SOURCES: Above-linked FR notice, PCA press release.
View Pollution Engineering's popular 
