NESHAP for Chemical Recovery Combustion Sources at Kraft, Soda, Sulfite, and Stand-Alone Semichemical Pulp Mills (40 CFR part 63, subpart MM) (Proposed Rule)
NESHAP for Chemical Recovery Combustion Sources at Kraft, Soda, Sulfite, and Stand-Alone Semichemical Pulp Mills (40 CFR part 63, subpart MM) (Proposed Rule)
In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. Prior to publication of the final rule, the agency must submit to OMB a summary of all comments related to the information collection contained in the proposed rule and the agency response. The agency should clearly indicate any changes made to the information collection as a result of these comments.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/2018
36 Months From Approved
10/31/2018
240
0
240
126,207
0
126,207
712,000
0
712,000
The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Chemical Recovery Combustion Sources at Kraft, Soda, Sulfite, and Stand-Alone Semichemical Pulp Mills was proposed on April 15, 1998, promulgated on January 12, 2001, and most recently amended on April 20, 2006. The NESHAP is codified at 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart MM. Amendments to the NESHAP are being proposed as a result of the residual risk and technology review (RTR) required under the Clean Air Act (CAA) (as discussed further below). The NESHAP applies to kraft, soda, sulfite, and stand-alone semichemical pulp mills that have chemical recovery combustion sources and that emit greater than or equal to 10 tons per year (tpy) of any one hazardous air pollutant (HAP) or greater than or equal to 25 tpy of any combination of HAPs. Affected sources include recovery furnaces, smelt dissolving tanks (SDTs), and lime kilns at kraft and soda pulp mills and chemical recovery combustion units at sulfite and stand-alone semichemical pulp mills. The pollutants regulated include HAP metals, using particulate matter (PM) as a surrogate, and gaseous organic HAP, using methanol or total hydrocarbon (THC) as a surrogate, depending on the affected source. New facilities include those that commenced construction or reconstruction after the date of the original proposal (April 15, 1998). This information is being collected to assure compliance with 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart MM.
In general, all NESHAP require initial notifications, performance tests, and periodic reports by the owners/operators of the affected facilities. Owners/operators are also required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any failures to meet applicable standards, or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative. These notifications, reports, and records are essential in determining compliance, and are required of all sources subject to NESHAP. A semiannual report is also required.
Any owner or operator subject to the provisions of this part shall maintain a file of these measurements, and retain the file for at least 5 years following the date of such measurements, maintenance reports, and records. All reports are sent to the delegated state or local authority. In the event that there is no such delegated authority, the reports are sent directly to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional office.
The proposed amendments to the rule eliminate the startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) exemption; remove the SSM plan requirement; add periodic emissions testing; revise the opacity monitoring provisions; add parameter monitoring for electrostatic precipitators (ESPs); add electronic submittal of notifications, semiannual reports, and performance test reports; and make technical and editorial changes. The remaining portions of the NESHAP remain unchanged.
The number of affected mills changed because of: (1) continued consolidation and closures within the pulp and paper industry, which reduced the number of mills previously affected by Subpart MM; and (2) updates to the number of affected mills based on EPAâs 2011 pulp and paper sector survey and subsequent updates from other information sources. Costs per labor hour increased due to increases in labor rates. In addition, the burden estimate for reading and understanding the rule requirements was increased to reflect the actual time it would take industry to review the amended rule. Burden estimates were added for the industry to prepare for/attend performance tests and retests, report the results of the performance tests/retests through the ERT, and record ESP parameters. Burden estimates were removed for developing SSM plans and submitting periodic SSM reports. Burden estimates were reduced by changing the excess emissions reporting frequency from quarterly to semiannually.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.