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Air Quality. EQE 649. Clean Air Act. The EPA regulations under the Clean Air Act consists of three basic programs, all explained further in the following slides: 1. The NAAQS (Air quality or SIP) Program 2. The NSPS Program (New Source Performance Standards)
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Air Quality EQE 649
Clean Air Act • The EPA regulations under the Clean Air Act consists of three basic programs, all explained further in the following slides: 1. The NAAQS (Air quality or SIP) Program 2. The NSPS Program (New Source Performance Standards) 3. The NESHAPS (or Air Toxics) program
NAAQS • National Ambient Air Quality Standards • Monitors six pollutants: • Sulfur oxides, particulates, carbon monoxide, lead, and • the smog components, ozone and nitrogen oxides
AQCRs • Air Quality Control Regions (242) • Within a region, on a pollutant by pollutant basis, each region is in: • Attainment • Non-attainment • Unclassifiable
SIPs • State Implementation Plans • General portions are independent of non-compliance • For non-compliance • States must adopt measures to “prevent significant deterioration” of air quality • with EPA guidance
Non-compliance Regions • Stationary sources: • RACT, reasonably available control tech. For existing sources (old) • BACT, best available control technology (economically achievable) new sources. • PSD, prevention of significant deterioration • Applies even if area is in attainment • requires review and approval of facilities or improvements that are capable of emitting pollutants over a threshold.
New Source Performance Standards • Set by industry category, not region • Cement plants, for example • Before new plant is constructed or old plant upgraded, it must meet certain control standards (similar to BADT of new discharger under CWA.)
NESHAPs • National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants or “Air Toxics” • Old CAA regulated only 7: beryllium, mercury, vinyl chloride, asbestos, benzene, radio nuclides, and arsenic. • 1990 Amendment now regulate 189 hazardous air pollutants “that may reasonably be anticipated to cause adverse effects to human health or adverse environmental effects.
Regulations • Identify sources by category • Establish MACT, maximum achievable control technology • MACT could vary by category • Applies to both “major” and “area” sources • Major, 10 tons of any HAP or 25 tons aggregate
Title V of CAA 1990 • Requires permits for sources, similar to NPDES