Proposed Stationary Source Testing and Ambient Monitoring Requirements for Ethylene Production Facilities

In April 2016, EPA issued an Information Collection Request (ICR) for ethylene production facilities under the statutory authority of Section 114 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). As required by Section 112 of the statute, EPA must examine Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards with respect to residual risk and technological advancements every eight years and promulgate revised MACT standards if the Risk and Technology Review (RTR) indicates that changes are necessary.

MACT requirements for ethylene production plants were promulgated in 2002 (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart YY; Generic Maximum Achievable Control Technology Standards and 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart XX, Ethylene Manufacturing Process Units: Heat Exchange Systems and Waste Operations). It is anticipated that EPA’s RTR process will result in a revision of these MACT standards, imposing new emission testing requirements on ethylene production facilities.

EPA is expected to propose new regulations in connection RTR activities in fall of 2018 or spring of 2019. The presentation will focus on any air pollution measurement methods required by the proposed rule, providing an overview of the methods, the challenges with their implementation, and suggestions for preparing for successful test programs.