By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 24 -- The US Environmental Protection Agency plans to propose updated air emission standards for boilers and certain solid waste incinerators by Oct. 31. EPA intends to issue final standards by Apr. 30, 2012.
EPA outlined its schedule as part of a filing with the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Multiple industry groups had petitioned EPA to delay the effective date of updated standards. In May, EPA delayed the effective date, saying more public review and agency reconsideration was required.
Previously, EPA received more than 4,800 comments from businesses and communities, including the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association and the American Petroleum Institute, regarding boiler standards proposed during 2010.
The new boiler rule, known as the maximum achievable control technology rule, or MACT, sets standards to reduce air emissions of mercury, organic air toxics, and dioxins (OGJ Online, Feb. 4, 2011).
US Government Accountability Office.
