[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7092-7094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02738]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-1196; FRL-9942-04-OAR]
Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces the broadly applicable alternative test
method approval decisions the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
[[Page 7093]]
has made under and in support of New Source Performance Standards
(NSPS) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAP).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: An electronic copy of each alternative
test method approval document is available at www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html. For questions about this notice, contact Ms. Lula H.
Melton, Air Quality Assessment Division, Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (E143-02), Environmental Protection Agency, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: (919) 541-2910; fax number:
(919) 541-0516; email address: [email protected]. For technical
questions about individual alternative test method decisions, refer to
the contact person identified in the individual approval document(s).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this notice apply to me?
This notice will be of interest to entities regulated under 40 Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 60, 61, and 63, state, local, and
tribal agencies, and the EPA Regional offices responsible for
implementation and enforcement of regulations under 40 CFR parts 60,
61, and 63.
B. How can I get copies of this information?
You may access copies of the broadly applicable alternative test
method approval documents at www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html.
II. Background
Broadly applicable alternative test method approval decisions made
by the EPA in 2015 under the NSPS, 40 CFR part 60 and the NESHAP, 40
CFR parts 61 and 63 are identified in this notice (see Table 1). Source
owners and operators may voluntarily use these broadly applicable
alternative test methods subject to their specific applicability in
lieu of otherwise specified reference test methods. Use of these
broadly applicable alternative test methods does not change the
applicable emission standards.
As explained in a previous Federal Register notice published at 72
FR 4257 (January 30, 2007) and located at www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html, the EPA Administrator has the authority to approve the
use of alternative test methods to comply with requirements under 40
CFR parts 60, 61, and 63. This authority is found in sections
60.8(b)(3), 61.13(h)(1)(ii), and 63.7(e)(2)(ii). A similar authority is
granted in 40 CFR part 65 under section 65.158(a)(2). In the past, we
have performed thorough technical reviews of numerous source-specific
requests for alternatives and modifications to test methods and
procedures. Based on these reviews, we have often found that these
changes or alternatives would be equally valid and appropriate to apply
to other sources within a particular class, category, or subcategory.
Consequently, we have concluded that, where a method modification or an
alternative method is clearly broadly applicable to a class, category,
or subcategory of sources, it is both more equitable and efficient to
approve its use for all appropriate sources and situations at the same
time.
It is important to clarify that alternative methods are not
mandatory but permissive. Sources are not required to employ such a
method but may choose to do so in appropriate circumstances. Source
owners or operators should review the specific broadly applicable
alternative method approval decision at www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html before electing to employ it. As per section 63.7(f)(5),
by electing to use an alternative method for 40 CFR part 63 standards,
the source owner or operator must continue to use the alternative
method until approved otherwise.
The criteria for approval and procedures for submission and review
of broadly applicable alternative test methods are outlined at 72 FR
4257 (January 30, 2007). We will continue to announce approvals for
broadly applicable alternative test methods at www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html and publish a notice annually that summarizes approvals
for broadly applicable alternative test methods.
This notice comprises a summary of five such approval documents
posted to our Technology Transfer Network dated between January 1,
2015, and December 31, 2015. The alternative method decision letter/
memo number, the reference method affected, sources allowed to use this
alternative, and the modification or alternative method allowed are
summarized in Table 1 of this notice. Please refer to the complete
copies of these approval documents available at www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html, as Table 1 serves only as a brief summary of the broadly
applicable alternative test methods.
If you are aware of reasons why a particular alternative test
method approval that we issued should not be broadly applicable or that
its use should in some way be limited, we request that you make us
aware of the reasons in writing, and we will revisit the broad
approval. Any objection to a broadly applicable alternative test
method, as well as the resolution of that objection, will be announced
at www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html and in the subsequent Federal
Register notice. If we decide to retract a broadly applicable test
method, we would continue to grant case-by-case approvals, as
appropriate, and would (as states, local and tribal agencies and the
EPA Regional offices should) consider the need for an appropriate
transition period for users either to request case-by-case approval or
to transition to an approved method.
Dated: January 19, 2016.
Stephen D. Page,
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
Table 1--Approved Alternative Test Methods and Modifications to Test Methods Referenced in or Published Under
Appendices in 40 CFR Parts 60, 61 and 63 Posted Between January 2015 and December 2015.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative method decision As an alternative or
letter/memo No. modification to . . . For . . . You may . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALT-109.................... Method 22-Visual Sources subject to 40 CFR Use digital photographs
Determination of Fugitive parts 60, 61, and 63. for specific
Emissions From Material recordkeeping
Sources and Smoke requirements.
Emissions From Flares.
[[Page 7094]]
ALT-110.................... Method 7--Determination of Sources subject to 40 CFR Use Method 7E-
Nitrogen Oxide Emissions part 60, subpart G, Determination of Nitrogen
From Stationary Sources. Standards of Performance Oxides Emissions from
for Nitric Acid Plants. Stationary Sources
(Instrumental Analyzer
Procedure) in conjunction
with the specific
application instructions
defined in 40 CFR
60.73a(b)(4).
ALT-111.................... Method 5-Determination of Electric utility steam Use Method 5I to conduct
Particulate Matter generating units meeting quarterly compliance
Emissions From Stationary the criteria referenced testing and/or
Sources or Method 5B-- in the Agency's approval certification and ongoing
Determination of letter and subject to 40 QA testing of the
Nonsulfuric Acid CFR part 63, subpart installed PM CEMS.
Particulate Matter UUUUU; 40 CFR part 60,
Emissions From Stationary subpart D; and 40 CFR
Sources. part 60, subpart Da.
ALT-112.................... Performance Specification Stationary sources in Include measurement path
18-Performance which hydrogen chloride during calibration drift
Specifications and Test (HCl) is measured testing according to the
Procedures for Hydrogen continuously to provisions specified in
Chloride Continuous demonstrate compliance in the Agency's approval
Emission Monitoring 40 CFR part 63, subparts letter dated September
Systems at Stationary LLL, UUUUU, and DDDDD. 25, 2015.
Sources and Procedure 6.
ALT-113.................... Requirements for Sources subject to 40 CFR Conduct the initial and
performance tests----. part 60, subpart KKKK, subsequent performance
Standards of Performance tests on turbines at
for Stationary Combustion ambient temperatures
Turbines. below 0 [deg]F, provided
that you operate the
inlet air preheaters such
that the turbine inlet
air temperature is always
maintained above 0
[deg]F.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source owners or operators should review the specific broadly applicable alternative method approval letter at
www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html before electing to employ it.
[FR Doc. 2016-02738 Filed 2-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P