The Consolidated Air Rule (CAR) for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI) (Proposed Rule)
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
11/24/2021
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
04/30/2024
13,477
4,239
2,203,785
1,100,000
104,534,000
64,000,000
The synthetic organic chemical manufacturing industry (SOCMI) is regulated by both New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) standards. The affected entities are subject to the General Provisions of the NSPS (40 CFR part 60, Subpart A), and any changes or additions to the Provisions specified at 40 CFR part 60, Subparts Ka, Kb, VV, VVa, DDD, III, NNN and RRR. The affected entities are also subject to the General Provisions of the NESHAP at 40 CFR part 63, Subpart A, and any changes, or additions to the Provisions specified at 40 CFR part 63, Subparts BB, Y, V, F, G, H and I. As an alternative, SOCMI sources may choose to comply with the above standards under the consolidated air rule (CAR) at 40 CFR part 65 as promulgated December 14, 2000. Synthetic organic chemical manufacturing facilities subject to NSPS requirements must notify EPA of construction, modification, startups, shutdowns, date and results of initial performance test and excess emissions. Semiannual reports are also required. Synthetic organic chemical manufacturing facilities subject to NESHAP requirements must submit one-time only reports of any physical or operational changes and the results of initial performance tests. Owners or operators are also required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative. Periodic reports are also required semiannually at a minimum. These reports are used by EPA to determine compliance with these standards.
Amendments to the new source performance standards (NSPS) to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from storage vessels as 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Kb are being proposed to reduce burden on storage vessel owners or operators. The proposed revisions apply only to affected storage vessels that have IFRs or EFRs. However, the anticipated reduction in burden is anticipated to be realized only by vessels with an IFR. For IFR storage vessels with a liquid-mounted or mechanical shoe primary seal, visual inspections of the floating roof conducted through manholes and roof hatches on the fixed roof (referred to as top-side inspections) are required at least every 12 months. Inspection of the floating roof from within the fixed roof storage vessel (referred to as internal inspections) is required every time the storage vessel is emptied and degassed, but at no time at intervals greater than once every 10 years. IFR storage vessels with double (vapor mounted) seals must either comply with the annual top-side inspection and an internal inspection (as described above) at least once every 10 years, or alternatively conduct internal inspection of the floating roof every time the storage vessel is emptied and degassed, but at no time at intervals greater than once every 5 years. The proposed revisions will remove the time period thresholds for emptying and degassing events, so internal inspections are only required when the storage vessel is emptied and degassed regardless of the interval between degassing events. Other portions of the NSPS remain unchanged. For a full description of the proposed alternative standard, see the preamble for the proposed rule.
This ICR is prepared for proposed amendments to the NSPS for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Kb). The proposed amendments would allow owners or operators of storage vessels subject to NSPS Kb, and equipped with either an EFR or IFR, to elect to comply with the requirements specified in NESHAP WW as an alternative standard, in lieu of the requirements specified in NSPS Kb. Among other things, the proposed alternative will allow owners or operators of storage vessels subject to NSPS Kb that are equipped with an IFR, and that can meet the visual access requirement of NESHAP WW, to conduct the top-side visual inspection pursuant to NESHAP WW, thereby avoiding the need to empty and degas the vessel for the sole purpose of conducting the inspection.
$933,000
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Courtney Kerwin 202-566-1669
No
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.
1854.12.xlsx
1854ss12 (1).docx
Consolidated Federal Air Rule (CAR) for SOCMI