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The EPA is proposing to amend its New Source Review (NSR) regulations (40 CFR 51.166 and 51.165) to allow the emissions decreases from a single project to be included in Step 1 of the NSR applicability test. The EPA has interpreted existing regulations to indicate that only emissions increases may be considered in Step 1, […]
In a case that set several precedents, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit denied an appeal from environmental groups seeking to have the court review a final decision by the EPA to grant a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit for a new biomass-burning power plant planned by Sierra […]
Referencing an opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court, the EPA is proposing to remove a restriction on when a Clean Air Act (CAA) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit may be rescinded. Specifically, the proposal would remove from 40 CFR 52.21(w) the provision indicating that a stationary source may request to have its PSD permit […]
Coal-Fired Utility NSR Violations Power plants and other major sources of air pollution in attainment areas are required to comply with NSR requirements for Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) when constructing new sources and when making major modifications at existing sources. These requirements include installing best available control technology (BACT) and undertaking an air quality […]
By Timothy P. Fagan, BLR Air Expert tfagan@blr.com How were nonattainment designations determined? Once the NAAQS was set in 2010, EPA and state agencies worked together using monitoring data to determine what areas should be designated nonattainment and establish the area’s boundaries. The newly designated nonattainment areas were designated as such because each had air […]
The violations were identified and self-disclosed by the company and occurred in late 2011, when the company constructed three steam generators at the oil field without first obtaining a permit for greenhouse gas emissions under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting program. EPA granted authority to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District […]
