The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it has revised its Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) final rulemaking to impose more stringent requirements than originally proposed in April to improve air quality, while still protecting grid reliability.
The rulemaking establishes additional requirements for existing major stationary sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as electric generating units (EGUs) and combustion units.
As defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RACT is the lowest emissions limitation that a particular source is capable of meeting by the application of control technology that is reasonably available, considering technological and economic feasibility.
"When implemented, this plan will result in considerable emissions reductions of ozone precursor emissions," DEP Deputy Secretary for Waste, Air, Radiation and Remediation Vince Brisini said.
In April, the Environmental Quality Board published the proposed RACT rulemaking in the Pennsylvania Bulletin for public comment. As originally proposed, allowable emissions rates were lower than the current allowable rates, and certain EGU owners and operators would have needed to optimize existing control technology to meet reduction requirements.
The final proposed rulemaking requires all EGUs to operate emission control equipment. If operating conditions do not allow for the operation of control technology, EGUs must meet reduced NOx and VOC emission levels.
A 30-day emission averaging period will provide operational flexibility and protect the reliability of the electric grid system. As revised, emission limits apply during all conditions, including start-ups, shut-downs and malfunctions.
With the implementation of this RACT final rulemaking, and other previous regulations, NOx emissions from coal-fired EGUs will be reduced by over 85 percent from 1990 levels.
"The revised rule is the result of significant public input and the re-evaluation of achievable emission levels," Brisini said. "The proposed final RACT requirements are yet another demonstration of our commitment to an open, transparent process and improving air quality for all Pennsylvanians."
DEP received comments on the proposal from 134 commenters during the public comment period, which closed on June 30. Commenters included EPA, other states, industry representatives, environmental organizations, concerned citizens, and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.
The emissions reduction plan will be discussed by the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee on November 7. At that meeting, DEP will request AQTAC to concur with the department's recommendation to move the final rulemaking to the EQB for consideration.
The AQTAC meeting is open to the public and will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., adjourning for lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in room 105, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg.
The federal Clean Air Act requires the re-evaluation of state RACT requirements for major stationary sources following the creation of new national ambient air quality standards. RACT is required for non-attainment areas, and because Pennsylvania is located in the Ozone Transport Region, all major sources in the state are treated as being located in at least a moderate ozone non-attainment area.
Based on monitoring data for 2012 through 2014 ozone season, all ozone monitors in the Commonwealth, except one, are measuring attainment of the 2008 ozone NAAQS.A copy of the revised final RACT regulation is available on DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee webpage.
