EPA to Establish Uniform MACT Standard for Storage Vessels, Transfer Operations, and Wastewater Operations

Organic chemical processing industries such as Oil and Gas, Petroleum Refining, and Chemical Production have similar emission sources that are often required to be controlled to similar levels by the same type of control devices and work practice standards. The air pollution control regulatory requirements for these sources have evolved and improved as different New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) have been developed over the years. This has resulted in requirements that are different and in many cases insufficient especially with respect to ensuring continuous compliance.

EPA has developed standardized regulatory requirements in the past but they are specific to Part 60, 61, and 63 rules respectively and are out of date. Therefore, the agency is planning to develop and consolidate state-of-the-art uniform standards that will then become applicable when they are referenced in future regulatory actions, such as new and revised Control Technique Guidelines documents, NSPS technology reviews, and MACT Risk and Technology reviews for these industries. The uniform standards are expected to include requirements for work practices and equipment standards and for monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. Uniform standards will be developed in this action for the following: 1) equipment leaks and ancillary systems, 2) closed vent systems and control devices, 3) storage vessels and transfer operations, and 4) wastewater operations. In addition to developing the uniform standards, EPA also expects to develop tools for the proper application of these uniform standards during rule development, including anticipated costs and pollutant emission reductions.

The new standards are expected to be published within the next 12 months.

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New Requirements for Fracking

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process used to extract natural gas by pressurizing underground wells with water and sand and chemicals to break-up formations and maximize well production. The process came under national scrutiny in recent months as other states discovered environmental damage from the ways that certain operators disposed of used fracking fluid and constructed their wells.

Fracking began in the 1940s. Michigan oil and gas operators have used the system on nearly 12,000 wells around the state since the 1960s without, according to the DEQ, any instance of environmental harm from the fracturing process. Michigan’s environmental safety record is attributable in large part to the state’s tight standards for well construction and water disposal.

The department has announced key new requirements to address public concern and increase protection through issuing New Permitting Instructions by the state Supervisor of Wells, which include:

• Changes to water usage oversight: operators will be required to document where they plan to get the fresh water used in the process using the DEQ’s water withdrawal tool, to ensure that neither surface water nor any neighboring water wells are impacted. They also will be required to report the total volume of fracturing water recovered during operation.
• Reporting: DEQ will require operators to disclose all Material Safety Data Sheets and will post that information on the department’s Web site for public review. The sheets list characteristics of the chemical additives and their potential health and environmental effects.
• Fracturing records: Operators are required to submit service company fracturing records and associated charts showing fracturing volumes, rates, and pressures.

In recent Congressional hearings, Michigan has been lauded as a regulatory model for responsible production of gas and oil reserves. This announcement is part of the state’s effort to further ensure environmental protection and public transparency.

EPA to Update MACT Standards for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities

On September 1, 1995 (60 FR 45948), EPA promulgated the National Emission Standards for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities (40 CFR 63, Subpart GG) under section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) sets MACT standards for existing and new major sources of hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions and includes standards to control volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions.

Under CAA section 112(d)(6) EPA is required to review standards issued under section 112 and to revise them “as necessary (taking into account developments in practices, processes and control technologies)” no less frequently than every 8 years. EPA also must evaluate the MACT standards within 8 years after promulgation and promulgate standards under CAA section 112 (f)(2) if required to provide an ample margin of safety to protect public health or prevent an adverse environmental effect. The source category will be assessed for inhalation risks, including cancer risk and incidence, population cancer risk, and non-cancer effects (chronic and acute). EPA also plans to evaluate multipathway risk associated with those source categories with significant levels of persistent and bioaccumulative HAP.

EPA will follow the Benzene Policy to identify the source categories as low risk, acceptable risk, or unacceptable risk. EPA will then evaluate the effectiveness and cost of additional risk reduction options and make acceptability and ample-margin-of-safety determinations. If the need for additional controls is identified, the standards will include technology, work practice, or performance standards as amendments to the existing MACT standards.

Trash to Treasure: Turning Steel-Mill Waste into Bricks

Scientists are reporting development and successful testing of a promising new way of using a troublesome byproduct of the global steel industry as raw materials for bricks that can be used in construction projects. 

In the report, Ana Andr?s and colleagues note that steel mills around the world produce vast quantities of waste dust each year with 8–12 million tons in the United States, for example, and 700,000 tons in the European Union countries. The dust often is converted into a rock-like material known as Waelz slag, which is usually disposed of in landfills. The slag contains iron, calcium, silicon oxide, and other minor oxides as manganese, lead, or zinc oxide. Scientists have been searching for practical and safe uses for Waelz slag. In earlier research, scientists showed that Waelz slag had potential as an ingredient in bricks, roof tiles, and other ceramic products. The new research moves large-scale recycling of Waelz slag closer to reality, establishing at two real-world brick factories that the material can successfully be incorporated into commercial-size bricks.

It showed existing commercial equipment could be used to make bricks with Waelz slag, and eased concerns about large amounts of potentially toxic metals leaching out of such bricks. A small amount of potentially toxic material came out of the slag-made bricks over time, not in excess of European Union regulations. “Overall, it may be summarized that Waelz slag containing bricks meet the highest quality standards set for construction ceramic materials,” the researchers say.

EPA, DOT Unveil the Next Generation of Fuel Economy Labels

EPA and DOT unveiled new fuel economy labels that will help consumers take advantage of the increased efficiency standards achieved under the Obama Administration that will save families money at the pump starting this year. The new labels, which are the most dramatic overhaul to fuel economy labels since the program began more than 30 years ago, will provide more comprehensive fuel efficiency information, including estimated annual fuel costs, savings, as well as information on each vehicle’s environmental impact. The new labels underscore the benefits of the historic, bipartisan passenger car and truck fuel economy rule adopted under this administration by the EPA and DOT in 2010.

These improvements will give consumers better, more complete information to consider when purchasing new vehicles that are covered by the increased fuel economy standards. Starting with model year 2013, the improved fuel economy labels will be required to be affixed to all new passenger cars and trucks—both conventional gasoline powered and next generation cars, such as plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.

Upon taking office, President Obama directed DOT and EPA to prioritize the development of new fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards, resulting in the historic standards that will be represented by these new labels. This is the latest step in EPA’s and DOT’s joint efforts to improve the fuel economy and environmental performance of vehicles and to provide consumers with useful information to inform their purchasing decisions.

The 2010 fuel economy rule, developed with input from major automakers, environmental groups, and the states, will dramatically increase the energy efficiency of cars and trucks built in model years 2012 through 2016, saving 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program and the average consumer $3,000 in fuel costs. 
In July, the Administration plans to finalize the first-ever national fuel economy and GHG emission standards for commercial trucks, vans, and buses built in 2014 to 2018. These standards are expected to save hundreds of millions of barrels of oil over the life of the vehicles covered and promote the development and deployment of alternative fuels, including natural gas. The Administration is also developing the next generation of joint fuel economy/GHG emission standards for model year 2017-2025 passenger vehicles and expects to announce the proposal in September 2011.

The new labels will help consumers take advantage of the new, more energy efficient fleet, allowing them to save money at the pump. Consumers will see the new labels in showrooms early next year, when 2013 models begin arriving. Automakers may also voluntarily adopt the new labels earlier for model year 2012 vehicles.

“President Obama’s work to shape a Clean Cars program is fostering a marketplace of cutting-edge American vehicles that are more fuel efficient than ever before. The EPA and DOT are creating a new generation of fuel economy labels to meet the needs of a new generation of innovative cars,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Today’s car buyers want the best possible information about which cars on the lot offer the greatest fuel economy and the best environmental performance. The new labels provide comprehensive information to American car buyers, helping them make a choice that will save money at the gas pump and prevent pollution in the air we breathe.”

. “These labels will provide consumers with up front information about a vehicle’s fuel costs and savings so that they can make informed decisions when purchasing a new car.”

The new labels will for the first time provide:

• New ways to compare energy use and cost between new-technology cars that use electricity and conventional cars that are gasoline-powered.
• Useful estimates on how much consumers will save or spend on fuel over the next five years compared to the average new vehicle.
• Easy-to-read ratings of how a model compares to all others for smog emissions and emissions of pollution that contribute to climate change.
• An estimate of how much fuel or electricity it takes to drive 100 miles.
• Information on the driving range and charging time of an electric vehicle.
• A QR Code® that will allow users of smartphones to access online information about how various models compare on fuel economy and other environmental and energy factors. This tool will also allow consumers to enter information about their typical commutes and driving behavior in order to get a more precise estimate of fuel costs and savings.

The new labels are required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. 

Biden Announces First Agreement Under America’s Next Top Energy Innovator Challenge

While visiting the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, Vice President Biden announced that a Colorado-based start-up company has signed the first option agreement under the Department of Energy’s new “America’s Next Top Energy Innovator” challenge. Based in Boulder, Colorado, US e-Chromic LLC will use electrochromic technology developed by the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to create a new thin film window material that reflects sunlight on demand, making windows more energy efficient while reducing cooling costs for consumers.

“Now, more than ever, America’s future competitiveness depends on our ability to innovate and our capacity to live up to our rich history of technological advancement,” said Vice President Biden. “This kind of public-private partnership fosters extraordinary innovation, allows brilliant ideas to develop, and gives businesses the tools they need to bring technology to the market.”

Of the agreement, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said, “This is a great example of what can happen when we unleash the American innovation machine and allow entrepreneurs to turn a great idea into a business opportunity. By making it easier, faster and cheaper for start-ups to license groundbreaking technologies we can move innovative ideas to the marketplace—creating jobs and growing our economy.”

These initiatives are part of the President’s plan to help the United States win the future by out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building our global competition.

The agreement demonstrates how American innovation is growing the economy and keeping America competitive in the 21st century. The electrochromic technology used by US e-Chromic LLC uses an electric field to change the tint of a window, allowing users to control the transparency based on the time of day, temperature, or exposure to sunlight. The current supply of electrochromic windows turn darker in color when activated, consequently absorbing heat. In contrast, the technology being developed by US e-Chromic LLC reflects sunlight, keeping buildings cooler. They can be retrofitted to existing windows, potentially reducing cooling costs by 25-30% for commercial buildings during air conditioning months.

Beginning May 2, entrepreneurs interested in some of the 15,000 patents and patent applications held by the 17 National Laboratories can now obtain a streamlined option agreement through the Department of Energy’s “America’s Next Top Energy Innovator” challenge. The restructured option agreement will give entrepreneurs the opportunity to option groundbreaking technologies developed by the National Laboratories for a $1,000 upfront fee. The portfolio of patents available under this challenge—including biomass, vehicle technology and grid energy storage—can help achieve the Administration’s goal of reducing our oil imports by one-third by 2025. To date, more than 400 companies and entrepreneurs have inquired about the available technologies.

New Software Helps Evaluate Natural Cooling Options for Buildings

With the Climate Suitability Tool, building design teams can evaluate whether the local climate is suitable for cooling a prospective building with natural ventilation or requires a hybrid system that supplies supplemental cooling capacity. The tool is based on a model of the heat-related characteristics of a building configured to take full advantage of ambient climate conditions and natural air movement. It incorporates an algorithm—or problem-solving procedure—that crunches hourly weather data (downloaded from annual datasets for U.S. localities) and uses standardized criteria for rating the comfort of building occupants.

“We think this tool will be useful during the early stages of design, when decisions on the form of a building and its components are being made,” explains NIST mechanical engineer Steven Emmerich. “It provides estimates of ventilation rates for preliminary design calculations. You can approximate how many air changes per hour will be necessary to offset heat gains due to the occupants, equipment and lighting so that comfortable conditions are maintained.”

The effects of direct natural ventilation and a nighttime cooling procedure are assessed using a method devised by James Axley, Yale University professor of architecture and engineering. When the outdoor temperature is below an accepted threshold, direct ventilation through open windows and by other means can deliver the cooling to maintain the comfort zone. When the outdoor temperature exceeds the threshold during the day but drops below it after sunset, the cooler nightime air can dilute heat gained during the day and build a reserve of cooling potential for the day to come.

Results include an estimate of the total number and percentage of hours that direct ventilation would be effective over the total for the year; the percentage of hours for which ambient conditions would be too cold, hot, or humid for direct ventilation; the total number of days warranting nighttime cooling; and the estimated percentage of days for which nighttime cooling would be effective.

In a recently published article, Emmerich, Axley, and NIST’s Brian Polidoro describe the capabilities of the new sustainability analysis tool, and present results of analyses of different scenarios in four U.S. cities representing a wide range of climates: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Phoenix. They also evaluate the impact of an adaptive thermal comfort standard for buildings, issued by the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The ASHRAE standard (55-2010) includes an option for specifying a range of temperatures as opposed to setting fixed maximum outdoor temperature at which occupants will become increasingly uncomfortable.

Studies have found that occupants of naturally ventilated buildings tolerate a wider range of temperature than do people in air-conditioned structures. The researchers concluded that in cities with dry climates, such as Phoenix and Los Angeles, the adaptive thermal comfort option increases the effectiveness of natural cooling. Though not specified in the standard, the researchers recommend that humidity levels be carefully considered when evaluating cooling and ventilation options.

As Summer Travel Kicks off, Stay Safe with Tire Pressure and Tread Depth Checks

Memorial Day marked the start of summer travel in and it’s important to ensure tires are properly inflated to keep drivers safe on the road. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminded motorists to start travel season off right with a simple family vehicle tire tune up.

“It takes less than five minutes to check your tires for proper inflation and tread depth,” said CalRecycle Acting Director Mark Leary. “As a result, you and your family can stay safe on the road, get better fuel efficiency and make your tires last longer, which saves you money and helps protect the environment.”

CalRecycle recommends conducting a simple tire inspection to prepare for the wear and tear of long road trips and every day travel. Checking tires to ensure the proper inflation level and tread depth is proven to help motorists steer better, stop faster, and avoid blowouts.

CalRecycle offers these tips:

• Check tires once a month, when they are cool to the touch, for the right inflation level, which is measured in PSIs. For the vehicle’s recommended PSI, check the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door frame.
• Test tire tread monthly. Insert a penny upside down. If you can see the top of President Lincoln’s head, the tire tread is too low.
• While checking your tire inflation and tread, also check the tires for nails, bulges, and other irregularities.
• Have your tires rotated and balanced every 5,000-8,000 miles.
• Always keep the correct safety equipment, such as an emergency roadside kit and an inflated spare tire, in your car at all times.

According to a national 2011 survey conducted by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), only 15% of drivers regularly check their tires for proper inflation levels. Correct tire inflation can actually save motorists between $100 and $200 per year in increased fuel efficiency, according to the EPA.

Investors Call on Corporate Members of National Association of Manufacturers Board

Many companies that are NAM Board members have set laudable goals to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impact. Yet through NAM these same companies simultaneously lobby and support measures to weaken, delay, or overturn EPA regulations to lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to the joint letter from 23 investors and investment organizations.

The full list of companies includes:

Stu Dalheim, director shareholder advocacy, Calvert Investment Management, Inc., who coordinated the open letter with Walden Asset Management, said, “Any company supporting NAM’s recent letter to Congress seeking to block EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases harms their public image and reputation as well as forward progress on environmental issues.”

In the letter, investors point out that, “Contrary to the claims made in NAM’s short-sighted [Congressional] letter, EPA regulations will result not only in cleaner air and decreased GHG emissions, but also cost savings for business. This will bring more jobs and economic growth, which we as shareholders strongly support.”

Timothy Smith, senior vice president, Walden Asset Management, said, “Companies serving on the Board need to evaluate how their internal corporate policies on climate change contradict the policies they support through NAM. Serving on the Board of a trade association comes with the responsibility to govern responsibly and hold the association accountable for lobbying that results in environmental harm.”

The letter argues the case that NAM and its member companies should support EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions for three reasons: 1) the EPA rules are not overly costly as NAM claims, 2) EPA rules will enhance manufacturers’ competitiveness by encouraging energy efficiency and cost savings, and 3) a growing number of investors are supporting EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

The challenge to companies serving on the NAM Board parallels challenges by investors with companies sitting on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board.

Sprint Earns Sustainability Award

Sprint Nextel received the “Sustainability Leadership Award” at the Third Annual International Electronics Recycling Conference and Expo (IERCE) in Las Vegas. IERCE is a networking and learning platform for stakeholders in the e-waste management industry. IERCE’s panel of judges based its decision on Sprint’s full lifecycle approach to product sustainability.

“Sprint’s wide-ranging sustainability initiatives and efforts set the company apart from other wireless carriers and is why it deserves to receive this award for the second consecutive year,” said Ismail Oyekan, publisher, Electronic Waste Journal, and program director, International Electronics Recycling Conference and Expo. “Sprint truly leads by example, and it is our hope that other wireless carriers will emulate their practices and policies.”

“Sprint is proud to be recognized by IERCE for its sustainability initiatives,” said Ralph Reid, Sprint vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility. “Receiving this award two years in a row is a clear testament to Sprint’s continued environmental leadership and innovation. To further Sprint’s commitment to the environment, today we are proud to announce the creation of an Electronics Stewardship Policy, the first in the telecommunications industry. The policy outlines Sprint’s goals in handling electronic waste, from product design to end of life.”

Sprint is the only wireless carrier to outline specific commitments that address e-waste holistically by focusing on the full lifecycle of the electronics it buys and sells. Through the new Electronics Stewardship Policy, Sprint commits to design and procure eco-friendly electronics, maximize the equipment’s useful life, boost collection of equipment, maximize reuse of electronics, responsibly recycle electronic scrap, and use environmentally and socially responsible vendors for recycling. Sprint developed the policy with input from BSR (Basel Action Network) and ABI Research.

The policy outlines four goals:

• At least 70% of Sprint-branded devices should meet the company’s scorecard criteria for environmental design by 2017.
• 100% of Sprint’s recycling vendors and remanufacturing partners must meet certification requirements by 2012 and 2013, respectively.
• Sprint intends to collect nine phones for reuse or recycling for every 10 it sells annually by 2017, a 90% collection rate. Since 2001, Sprint’s wireless reuse and recycling take-back programs have helped consumers keep more than 24 million mobile phones out of landfills, helping to conserve resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent air and water pollution.
• Sprint intends to collect 100% of its own annual e-waste for reuse and recycling by 2017.

Sprint’s leadership in environmental sustainability continues to receive recognition. For the second year in a row, Sprint ranked highest among all U.S. telecom companies on Newsweek’s 2010 Rankings of America’s Greenest Companies at No. 6, up from No. 15 in 2009. Sprint was honored by Frost & Sullivan with the 2010 Green Excellence of the Year Award in Mobile & Wireless. Sprint was also ranked highest among the wireless carrier industry on the Carbon Disclosure Project’s “Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index.”

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Trivia Question of the Week

Which of the following wastes does not qualify for the hazardous waste alternative treatment standard for lab packs?a. D002
b. D003
c. D009
d. All of the above