EPA Announces Proposed Revised New Source MATS Standards

On November 16, 2012, EPA announced the proposed new source MATS standards. EPA proposed to raise the new source emission limits new EGUs for Hg, PM, HCl, sulfur dioxide, selenium, and lead. EPA proposed to revise the new source emission limits after receiving petitions for reconsideration from industry alleging that EPA had not considered all of the data in the record before establishing the emission limits for filterable PM and HCl. EPA also proposed several changes to the startup and shutdown work practice standards, which are applicable to both new and existing EGUs. EPA proposed to no longer require EGUs to engage limestone injection in fluidized bed combustion EGUs and SNCRs while the unit fires fuel during startup and shutdown. EPA also proposed to revise the definitions of startup and shutdown to allow four additional types of clean fuels to be used during startup and shutdown: synthetic natural gas, propane, syngas, and ultra-low sulfur diesel.

A 30-day public comment period will begin after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. If requested, EPA will also hold a public hearing on the proposed rule on December 18, 2012 in Washington, D.C. EPA currently expects to finalize the new source MATS standards in March 2013.