Washington Requires Oil Refineries to Focus on Efficiency and Reducing Carbon Emissions

June 02, 2014

 

“This provides a path for oil refineries to save money and shrink their carbon footprint,” said Maia Bellon, Ecology director.

A benefit of the Refinery RACT (Reasonably Available Control Technology) rule is that less carbon pollution will be emitted into the air. Refineries also will save money, use less water and generate less waste.

“We continue to actively work toward reducing carbon pollution in a variety of ways,” said Bellon. “This means cleaner air today and for future generations.”

 The agenda includes over 188 proposed and recently completed regulations. Some of the highlights are listed below. For more information on any of these rules, click on the Regulation Identifier Number in the second column.

EPA’s New Solvent Wipe, Shop Towel Rule Demystified

 

  • Does the rule apply to both cloth and paper wipes and rags?
  • What solvents can be on the towels, and which are prohibited?
  • Does the rule also apply to towels that contain characteristic hazardous waste?
  • Can P or U-listed wastes be on the towels?
  • How must the towels be stored on-site?
  • Do they need to be tested for anything?
  • How long can they be stored?
  • How must the containers be marked or labeled?
  • How must they be prepared for transportation?
  • Where can you ship them and what are the disposal and recycling options?
  • What are the documentation requirements?
  • Can the rule be applied to uniforms or spill absorbents?
  • How is the new rule impacted by current state regulations?

 

Irvine RCRA and DOT Training

 

Dayton RCRA and DOT Training

 

Raleigh RCRA, DOT, and EHS Training

 

How to Implement OSHA’s Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA has issued a final rule revising its Hazard Communication Standard, aligning it with the United Nations’ globally harmonized system (GHS) for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals. This means that virtually every product label, material safety data sheet (now called “safety data sheet” or SDS), and written hazard communication plan must be revised to meet the new standard. Worker training must be updated so that workers can recognize and understand the symbols and pictograms on the new labels as well as the new hazard statements and precautions on SDSs.

Environmental Resource Center is offering live online training for you to learn how the new rule differs from current requirements, how to implement the changes, and when the changes must be implemented. 

What’s on EPA’s 2014 Agenda?

Title
Waste

Regulation Identifier Number

Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals

2050-AG39

Improvements to the Hazardous Waste Generator Regulatory Program

2050-AG70

Additions to List Section 241.4 Categorical Non-Waste Fuels

2050-AG74

Hazardous Waste Export-Import Revisions Rule

2050-AG77

Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals

2050-AG39

Improvements to the Hazardous Waste Generator Regulatory Program

2050-AG70

Additions to List Section 241.4 Categorical Non-Waste Fuels

2050-AG74

Amending the National Contingency Plan (NCP) Provisions for Public Notices for Specific Superfund Activities

2050-AG76

Hazardous Waste Export-Import Revisions Rule

2050-AG77

Standards for the Management of Coal Combustion Residuals Generated by Commercial Electric Power Producers

2050-AE81

Revising Underground Storage Tank Regulations—Revisions to Existing Requirements and New Requirements for Secondary Containment and Operator Training

2050-AG46

Rulemaking on the Definition of Solid Waste

2050-AG62

Revisions to the Export Requirements of the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Rule

2050-AG68

RCRA Smarter Waste Reporting

2050-AF01

Revisions to Land Disposal Restrictions Treatment Standards and Amendments to Recycling Requirements for Spent Petroleum Refining Hydrotreating and Hydrorefining Catalysts

2050-AG34

Hazardous Waste Management and the Retail Sector: Providing and Seeking Information on Practices to Enhance Effectiveness to the RCRA Program

2050-AG72

Revisions to RCRA Subtitle D Research, Demonstration & Development Permit Rule

2050-AG75

Title
Water

Regulation Identifier Number

NPDES Regulations to Address Water Quality Impacts From Forest Road Discharges

2040-AF43

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Application and Program Updates Rule

2040-AF25

Definition of “Waters of the United States” Under the Clean Water Act

2040-AF30

Effluent Guidelines and Standards for Unconventional Oil and Gas Extraction Including Coalbed Methane and Shale Gas Extraction

2040-AF35

Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants Under the Clean Water Act; Analysis and Sampling Procedures

2040-AF48

Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida’s Lakes and Flowing Waters; Withdrawal

2040-AF50

Rulemaking to Provide Process for Tribes to Obtain “Treatment in the Same Manner as a State” Status for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and Total Maximum Daily Load Program.

2040-AF52

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES): Use of Sufficiently Sensitive Test Methods for Permit Applications and Reporting

2040-AC84

Development of Best Management Practices for Recreational Boats Under Section 312(o) of the Clean Water Act

2040-AF03

Oil and Gas Construction Stormwater Rule

2040-AF05

Stormwater Regulations Revision to Address Discharges From Developed Sites

2040-AF13

Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category

2040-AF14

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper: Regulatory Revisions

2040-AF15

Water Quality Standards Regulatory Revisions

2040-AF16

Effluent Guidelines and Standards for the Dental Point Source Category

2040-AF26

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Regulation of Perchlorate

2040-AF28

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Group Regulation of Carcinogenic Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs)

2040-AF29

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Finished Water Storage Facility Inspection Requirements Addendum to the Revised Total Coliform Rule

2040-AF37

Title
Air

Regulation Identifier Number

Section 610 Review of Control of Emissions of Air Pollution From Nonroad Diesel Engines and Fuel

 

Revised Regulation for Environmental Radiation Protection Standard for Nuclear Power Operations

 

Standards for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

 

New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) Review Under CAA Section111(b)(1)(B)

 

Protection of the Stratospheric Ozone: Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning System Servicing

 

Standards of Performance for Grain Elevators

 

Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone

 

Electronic Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for New Source Performance Standards Rulemaking

 

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): Brick and Structural Clay Products Manufacturing and Clay Ceramics Manufacturing

 

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ferroalloys Production

 

Residual Risk and Technology Review Amendments to the Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing and Phosphate Fertilizer Production National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)

 

Residual Risk and Technology Review Amendments to the Secondary Aluminum Production National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)

 

Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Lead

 

Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standard--State Implementation Plan Requirements

 

Petroleum Refinery Sector Risk and Technology Review and NSPS

 

Residual Risk and Technology Review Amendments to the Primary Aluminum Reduction National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)

 

National Emission Standards for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities Risk and Technology Review

 

Data Requirements Rule for the 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS)

 

New Source Review and Title V Operating Permit Programs—Reconsideration of PSD Requirements for Particulate Matter Less Than 2.5 Micrometers (PM2.5) and Revision to Public Notice Requirements

 

Carbon Pollution Guidelines for Existing Power Plants: Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units

 

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) From Off-Site Waste and Recovery Operations Residual Risk and Technology Review

 

NESHAP Emissions for Primary Lead Processing: Residual Risk and Technology Review Reconsideration

 

Performance Specification 18 for Hydrogen Chloride Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems

 

Carbon Pollution Standards for Modified & Reconstructed Power Plants: Standards of Performance for GHG Emissions From Modified & Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units

 

Revisions to Ambient Monitoring Quality Assurance and Other Requirements

 

Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Reconsideration of Natural Gas Well Completion

 

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and Revision of the Venting Prohibition for Certain Refrigerant Substitutes

 

Interstate Transport Rule for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS

 

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters; Notice of Reconsideration

 

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers; Notice of Reconsideration of Final Rule and Request for Public Comment

 

Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units; Notice of Reconsideration

 

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Risk and Technology Review Reconsideration: Oil and Natural Gas Sector

 

National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants; Amendments

 

Technical Amendments to Inadvertent Errors in Air Quality Designations for Fine Particles, Ozone, Lead, Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide

 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles—Phase 2

 

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Change of Listing Status for Certain Substitutes Under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program

 

Revision—Health and Environmental Protection Standards for Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings and Uranium In Situ Leaching Processing Facilities

 

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Revision to the Venting Prohibition for Specific Substitute Refrigerants

 

Stationary Combustion Turbine New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) Amendments to Address UARG Reconsideration Petition

 

Revisions to Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements, and Proposed Confidentiality Determinations Under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program

 

NESHAP Risk and Technology Review for the Mineral Wool and Wool Fiberglass Industries; NESHAP for Wool Fiberglass Area Sources

 

Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units

 

General Permits and Permits by Rule for the Tribal Minor New Source Review Program

 

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Adjustments to the Allowance System for Controlling HCFC Production, Import, and Export for 2015-2019

 

RFS Pathways II and Amendments to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2)

 

Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country—Amendments to the Indian Country Minor New Source Review Rule