The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS) for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) (subpart ZZZZ) on May 3, 2010. On January 30, 2013, the EPA issued a final rule amending the standards. These were published less than 120 days before the compliance deadline, which began on May 2, 2013. Stationary engines are used in many applications where they may be installed at fixed locations, such as power generators.
The amendments affect the way emergency engines may operate after the NESHAP subpart ZZZZ compliance deadline, and some sources may have revised their intended uses of these engines following the January 20, 2013, final rule publication. EPA acknowledges that some sources may be in compliance currently, but because of the 2013 amendments, could exceed the maximum hours allowed for non-emergency operation for the year. Therefore, EPA will consider extending the compliance deadline for engines by one year in certain circumstances. This is addressed in a July 11, 2013, memorandum issued by the agency.
There are three federal standards regulating the emissions from stationary RICE:
- NESHAP Subpart ZZZZ (also known as MACT)
- NSPS IIII (New Source Performance Standard for stationary compression ignition internal combustion engines)
- NSPS JJJJ (New Source Performance Standard for stationary spark ignition internal combustion engines).
The 2013 amendments affect the way emergency engines may operate after the NESHAP compliance date. In light of the 2013 amendments, some sources could potentially exceed the maximum hours allowed for non-emergency operation of emergency engines. The memo provides details about what factors may be considered for granting a one-year compliance extension request. The memo is available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/rice/20130703extensionmemo.pdf.
EPA provides a software program to help owners and operators of RICE determine their requirements under 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 63, subpart ZZZZ at http://www.epa.gov/airtoxics/rice/output/quiz.html.
For more information on on how to comply with EPA regulations for stationary RICE, please contact EHS Support Compliance Expert, Amy Bauer at amy.bauer@ehs-support.com or (251)533-6949.
