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Update on Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and New Source Review (NSR) Activities. October 5, 2004. Overview – Informational Briefing. WESTAR work on PSD increment tracking and technical issues Upcoming NSR Actions Litigation Reconsideration NO2 Increments
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Update on Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and New Source Review (NSR) Activities October 5, 2004
Overview – Informational Briefing • WESTAR work on PSD increment tracking and technical issues • Upcoming NSR Actions • Litigation • Reconsideration • NO2 Increments • Debottlenecking, Aggregation and Allowable PALs • Ozone and PM2.5 Implementation • Tribal NSR rule
NSR Reform – June 2002 Recommendations • Debottlenecking • Aggregation • Allowable PALs
Litigation – December 2002 NSR Rule • D.C. Court denied request for stay on December 2002 rules (Actual PALs, Clean Units, Pollution Control Projects, Emission Test) • Briefing schedule for December 2002 changes • Litigants briefs – May 2004 • EPA briefs – August 2004 • Final Briefs – October 2004 • Oral Arguments – January 2005
Litigation – Equipment Replacement Rule • D.C. Court granted request for stay on Equipment Replacement Provision. • Proposed Briefing Schedule for ERP • Litigants Briefs – the later of November 2004 or 90 days after publication of EPA Response on Reconsideration • EPA Brief – 90 days after Litigants Briefs • Final Briefs – 77 days after EPA Briefs
Litigation • Reconsideration of treatment of fugitive emissions under December 2002 rule • Reconsideration of ERP • Legal Basis • 20 percent cutoff • Reconsideration proposal published July 1, 2004 • Court remand of NO2 increments
Holmstead to Patton Letter – September 29, 2004 • Identified 3 alternatives to using increment approach • Cap-and-trade program • Protection of ecosystems based on critical loads • State planning program for protecting and enhancing air quality in attainment areas • Commitment to propose one or more of alternatives in a balanced way • Proposal – February 14, 2005
Ozone/PM2.5 Implementation • Guidance and rules on how new 8-hour ozone and PM2.5 standards should be implemented in nonattainment areas • NSR Rulemakings • Appendix S – “bridge” NSR rule that is in effect until State adopts its rules • Transition from 1-hour ozone standard to 8-hour ozone standard • Requirements for PM2.5 • Increment levels • Precursor pollutants
Possible Major Source Thresholds • The PM-2.5 program is governed by Subpart 1 of the CAA. • 100/250 tpy for attainment and unclassifiable areas • 100 tpy for nonattainment areas • We may suggest that States consider the effect smaller sources have on their ability to attain or maintain the NAAQS.
Possible Significant Emissions Rates Approaches (tpy) • Propose significant emission rate of 10 tpy for PM-2.5 direct emissions • Use methodology comparable to methods used to establish the significant emission rate for TSP and PM10. • Take comment on alternative approaches that support a 4-15 tpy significant emissions rate. • Proposing a 40 tpy significant rate for precursors (if applicable) to harmonize implementation of the PM-2.5 NAAQS with the ozone NAAQS.
Increments and Significant Impact Level (SIL) • Still developing approach for increment level for PM-2.5 direct emissions, PM-2.5 precursors, and the baseline trigger date. • Meanwhile, States must continue to implement the PM-10 increments. • We also will be requesting comment on methods for developing SILs for PM-2.5 direct emissions and precursors.