Boiler MACT Now in Effect, Despite Efforts to Delay It; Facilities Must Meet Work Practice Standards by March 21

THOMASVILLE, Ga.:  February 3, 2012

THOMASVILLE, Ga. (February 3, 2012) – The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated the original compliance date for the Boiler MACT (maximum achievable control technology, also known as BMACT or Major Source Rule) that the EPA published in the Federal Register in March 2011.  In a ruling on Jan. 9, 2012, District Court Judge Paul Friedman said that a delay of the rules was “arbitrary and capricious” and negated the delay.   As a result, owners and operators of certain boilers and process heaters are required to meet work practice standards outlined in the rule by March 21, 2012 and install MACT equipment by March 2014.   

Major source facilities are the ones affected by the newly reinstated Boiler MACT.  A major source facility is one that emits 10 or more tons per year of any single air toxic or 25 tons or more per year of any combination of air toxics. A comprehensive list of the regulated air toxics can be found on the EPA website. Very large industrial facilities, such as refineries, chemical and large manufacturing plants, and large institutional facilities such as universities typically are classifed as major source facilities. 

If a facility is not a major source, it is classified as an area source and is required to meet a different set of regulations that are in effect.  For more information about the Area Source Rule, visit www.cleaverbrooks.com/epa.  

Requirements for both major source and area source facilities vary depending upon: the type of fuel combusted, boiler commissioning date, and boiler size.  For the Major Source Rule, EPA has identified 15 different subcategories of boilers and process heaters based on the design of the various types of units.  The final rule includes specific requirements for each subcategory.  Necessary actions range from conducting regular tune-ups to meeting numeric emissions limits.  Facilities also must maintain records and file periodic reports to demonstrate compliance.  

“Knowing that stricter emissions levels were imminent, our R&D team has been engineering boiler room solutions that minimize emissions while achieving best-in-class efficiency,” said Welch Goggins, president and CEO of Cleaver-Brooks.  “We have a dedicated network of representatives who have the knowledge, experience, and tools necessary to help facilities determine the most cost-efficient way to maintain compliance with the newly enforced regulations.” 

Below is a summary of the requirements of the Boiler MACT for major source facilities.  For the complete rule that is published in the Federal Register, visithttp://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-03-21/pdf/2011-4494.pdf :   

• For all new and existing gas- and refinery gas-fired units, the operator must perform an annual tune-up for each unit. Units combusting other gases can qualify for work practice standards by demonstrating that they burn “clean fuel,” with contaminant levels similar to natural gas.  

• For all new and existing units with a heat input capacity less than 10 MMBtu/hr, the operator is required to perform a tune-up for each unit once every two years.  

• For all new and existing “limited use” boilers (defined as those operated less than 10 percent of the year as emergency and back-up boilers to supplement process power needs), the operator is required to perform a tune-up for each unit once every two years. 

• The final rule establishes numeric emission limits for all other existing and new boilers and process heaters located at major sources.  The final rule establishes emissions limits for: 

Mercury, dioxin, particulate matter (PM) as a surrogate for non-mercury metals,hydrogen chloride (HCI) as a surrogate for acid gases, and  carbon monoxide (C) as a surrogate for non-dioxin organic air toxics. 

• The largest major source boilers are required to continuously monitor their particle emissions.  All units larger than 10 MMBtu/hr must monitor oxygen as a measure of good combustion. 

• Existing major source facilities are required to conduct a one-time energy assessment to identify cost-effective energy conservation measures.    

While the Area Source Rule has been in effect since being published in March 2011, the Major Source Rule has not.  In May 2011, EPA issued a notice of delay and asked for a stay of the rules to give the agency more time to evaluate feedback from the industry.   

In July 2011, the Sierra Club petitioned the appellate court for review of the EPA’s delay notice, contending that the original rules will help reduce illnesses such as lung cancer and asthma.  EPA issued a revised proposal in December 2011 that agency officials said is less costly for affected boiler owners than the original proposal, but still meets the necessary requirements laid out in the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments.  However, Judge Friedman’s ruling reinstates compliance deadlines set in the earlier March 2011 rule. 

Cleaver-Brooks has a dedicated alliance of representatives throughout the world who can be tapped for consultation, sales, maintenance and aftermarket support.  To locate a representative, visit cleaverbrooks.com or call (800) 250-5883. 

About Cleaver-Brooks

Cleaver-Brooks, a world-renowned provider of boiler room products and systems, is committed to providing efficient solutions that help its customers and the industry reduce energy usage, cost and environmental impact. As the pioneer of packaged firetube and watertube boilers, Cleaver-Brooks is the only manufacturer in the world to offer an entirely integrated boiler room solution for any size application. Its products are backed by a world-class representative network offering superior aftermarket service and solutions.

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