US EPA Finalizes Revisions for Reclassification of Major Sources to Area Sources under CAA
October 5, 2020
On October 1, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a final action that will allow a major source of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) to reclassify as an area source at any time after taking steps to limit emissions. A “major source” emits or has the potential to emit (PTE) 10 tons per year (tpy) or more of a single HAP or 25 tpy or more of a combination of HAP.
This final action amends the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) General Provisions to provide sources that reduce emissions and PTE to below these major source thresholds (MST) of 10 and 25 tpy the flexibility to reclassify as an area source. This rule also finalizes amendments to clarify the compliance dates, notification, and record keeping requirements that apply to sources choosing to reclassify to area source status and to sources that revert to major source status, including a requirement for electronic notification.
For additional insight regarding revisions to these rules, please refer to the following link to a more detailed article on the issue provided by Mr. Joe Sullivan of AECOM.