EQB Invites Comments On Corrections To RACT Air Quality Regulations That May Affect Natural Gas-Fired Power Plants; 3 Hearings Set

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the January 25 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed “corrections” to regulations setting RACT requirements for major sources of NOx and VOCs related to meeting the ozone pollution standard may affect natural gas-fired power plants.

This proposed rulemaking would amend the optional alternative compliance demonstration method provisions to correct errors in the mass-equivalent basis factors established in § 129.115(c)(2)—(4).  Read more here.

It also corrects a cross reference error in § 129.115(d). The proposed amendment would provide the correct cross reference of subsection (b) to clarify that the owners and operators of affected facilities shall demonstrate compliance using the monitoring and testing procedures in subsection (b), not by using the notification procedures in subsection (a).  Read more here.

This proposed rulemaking may affect the owner and operator of a combined cycle or combined heat and power combustion turbine with a rated output equal to or greater than 180 megawatts (MW) located at a major NOx emitting facility or a major VOC emitting facility, or both, that was in existence on or before August 3, 2018.  Read more here.

These facilities are power plants whose turbines are fired either primarily or exclusively on natural gas. 

The owners and operators of the 17 affected power plants under the Department’s jurisdiction have the option to elect to use the mass-equivalent basis factors as an alternative method to demonstrate compliance with the presumptive RACT emission limits. 

As of June 4, 2024, no affected owners or operators have requested to use the optional alternative compliance demonstration method.

3 Hearings

The EQB has scheduled three hearings starting at 1:00 p.m.--

-- February 25: DEP Southwest Regional Office, 500 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh.

-- February 26: Room 105 Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg

-- February 26: DEP Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for information on submitting comments and more background.

Click Here for background documents on this rulemaking.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

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[Posted: January 24, 2025]  PA Environment Digest