Federal Register #RIN 2060AU73

EPA Finalizes Amendments to NESHAP for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources Technology Review

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources (CMAS) following a technology review under the Clean Air Act. - Government Buyer: - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Office of Air and Radiation - Industrial Processing and Power Division - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in this regulatory action - Products/Services and Requirements: - New Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) requirements for equipment leaks and heat exchange systems in organic hazardous air pollutant (HAP) service - Annual monitoring of pumps, valves, and connectors using EPA Method 21 (leak definition: 10,000 ppmv) - Quarterly monitoring of heat exchange systems with flow rates ≥8,000 gallons per minute using the Modified El Paso Method (leak definition: 6.2 ppmv) - Standards for pressure relief devices (PRDs) and pressure vessels - PRDs in organic HAP service must be monitored for leaks after releases, with preventative measures and root cause analysis required - Pressure vessels must operate with no detectable emissions (<500 ppmv) and route organic HAP through closed vent systems - Electronic reporting requirements - Compliance notifications, performance test reports, and periodic reports must be submitted electronically via EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) and Compliance and Emissions Data Reporting Interface (CEDRI) - Continuous performance testing of non-flare air pollution control devices (APCD) - Initial and recurring testing every five years for certain process vents and storage tanks - Removal of certain design evaluation options and elimination of affirmative defense provisions - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Electronic data submission is mandatory - The rule does not finalize the proposed area source category for chemical manufacturing with ethylene oxide (EtO) - Affects 251 facilities across nine chemical manufacturing categories - No specific products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory action affecting chemical manufacturing facilities nationwide.

Description

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Chemical Manufacturing Area Source (CMAS) categories following a technology review under the Clean Air Act. The final rule introduces new leak detection and repair (LDAR) requirements for equipment leaks and heat exchange systems in organic hazardous air pollutant service, standards for pressure relief devices and pressure vessels, electronic reporting requirements, and continuous performance testing of non-flare air pollution control devices. The EPA is not finalizing the proposed area source category for chemical manufacturing with ethylene oxide at this time. The rule is effective April 1, 2026.

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