EPA Releases Final Boiler MACT Rule

After a hotly contested battle between the regulated community, EPA and the Federal Judges, EPA has finally released the court-ordered Boiler MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology) rule. EPA was actually ordered to have the rule issued by December 2010, but somehow they were able to squeak in with a late submittal on February 23, 2011. The implementation date will be 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

There are two categories to this MACT: 1) Boilers in Area Sources and 2) Boilers in Major Sources. Other qualifications are based on the size of the boiler. EPA considers a boiler with a 10MM BTU heat input capacity as "Large" and anything less is "Small". These rules only apply to boilers that burn coal, oil, biomass or non-waste materials. If your boiler is natural gas, it is exempt from this new rule!

Area Source Rules

• New large coal-fired boilers must meet the emission limits for mercury, particulate and carbon monoxide.
• New large biomass and oil-fired boilers are required to meet the emission limits for particulate.
• All small boilers must have a tune-up every two years.
• Existing coal-fired large boilers are required to meet the emission limits for mercury and carbon monoxide.
• Existing biomass or oil-fired boilers as well as small coal-fired boilers do not have to meet the emission limits. They must have a boiler tune-up every 2 years.
• All area source facilities with LARGE boilers are REQUIRED to conduct an energy assessment to "identify cost-effective energy conservation measures".

Major Source Rules

• New natural gas and refinery gas-fired units are subject to a work practice standard rather than specific emission limits. An annual tune-up will be required.
• New and existing small boilers are also subject to a work practice standard rather than specific emission limits. A tune-up is required every two years.
• For new and existing limited use units—those that operate under 876 hours/year—the final rule requires a tune-up every two years. This would apply to emergency and backup boilers.
• New and existing boilers and process heaters fired by coal or biomass are subject to emission limits for mercury, dioxin, particulate, hydrogen chloride and carbon monoxide.
• Pollution control equipment and routine monitoring of oxygen levels (to assure good combustion) and particulate emissions is required for large boilers.
  Major source facilities are required to conduct an energy assessment.

You’ll note that several categories involve conducting an energy assessment - also called energy audits. The rule states that the person conducting the assessment is to be a qualified person. It remains to be seen if such "qualified persons" exist in the Midwest in adequate volumes to handle the upcoming demand.

Some facilities may qualify for government assistance in the energy assessment requirement through partnerships EPA has established with UDSA and DOE. DOE will be focusing on facilities with large coal-burning boilers. USDA will focus on facilities burning biomass. It’s too early in the game to know how or when this assistance will become available.

Read More