[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9306-9307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04375]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-1196; FRL-9974-41-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 that the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has made under and in support of New Source Performance Standards
(NSPS) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAP) between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: An electronic copy of each alternative
test method approval document is available at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods. For questions
about this notice, contact Mrs. 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 https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods.
II. Background
This notice identifies broadly applicable alternative test method
approval decisions made by the EPA in 2017 under the NSPS, 40 CFR part
60 and the NESHAP programs, and 40 CFR parts 61 and 63 (see Table 1).
Source owners and operators may voluntarily use these broadly
applicable alternative test methods in lieu of otherwise specified
reference test methods. Use of these broadly applicable alternative
test methods does not change the applicable emission standards.
The Administrator has the authority to approve the use of
alternative test methods for compliance 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). Additional and similar authority
can be found in 40 CFR 65.158(a)(2). The criteria for approval and
procedures for submission and review of broadly applicable alternative
test methods are explained in a previous Federal Register notice
published at 72 FR 4257 (January 30, 2007) and located at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods.
As explained in this notice, we will announce approvals for broadly
applicable alternative test methods at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods and publish an annual
notice that summarizes approvals for broadly applicable alternative
test methods during the preceding year.
As also explained in the January 30, 2007, notice, our approval
decisions involve 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
modifications 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 equitable and
efficient to approve its use for all appropriate sources and situations
at the same time.
Use of approved alternative test methods are not mandatory but
rather
[[Page 9307]]
permissive. Sources are not required to employ such a method but may
choose to do so in appropriate circumstances. As per section
63.7(f)(5), however, a source owner or operator electing to use an
alternative method for 40 CFR part 63 standards must continue to use
the alternative method until otherwise authorized. Source owners or
operators should, therefore, review the specific broadly applicable
alternative method approval decision at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods before electing to
employ any alternative method.
III. Approved Alternative Test Methods and Modifications to Test
Methods
This notice specifies three broadly applicable alternative test
methods that the EPA approved between January 1, 2017, and December 1,
2017. 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. A summary of approval documents was previously made
available on our Technology Transfer Network between January 1, 2017,
and December 31, 2017. For more detailed information, please refer to
the complete copies of these approval documents available at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods.
As also explained in our January 30, 2007, notice, we will revisit
approvals of alternative test methods in response to written requests
or objections indicating that a particular approved alternative test
method either should not be broadly applicable or that its use should
in some way be limited. Any objection to a broadly applicable
alternative test method, as well as the resolution of that objection,
will be announced at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods and in a subsequent Federal Register
notice. If we decide to retract a broadly applicable test method, we
will likely 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: February 13, 2018.
Panagiotis E. Tsirigotis,
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 2017 and December 2017.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative method decision As an alternative or
letter/memo number modification to . . . For . . . You may . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALT-120..................... 40 CFR Sources subject to 40 CFR Use the alternative
63.1350(k)(2)(ii) and part 63, subpart LLL- procedure for above span
(iii). National Emission Standards mercury calibrations
for Hazardous Air through January 1, 2019,
Pollutants from the only as specified in the
Portland Cement Agency's approval letter
Manufacturing Industry. dated December 7, 2017.
ALT-121..................... Method 3-Gas Analysis Sources subject to 40 CFR Use Method 3A-Determination
for the Determination part 60, subpart Ja- of Oxygen and Carbon
of Dry Molecular Standards of Performance Dioxide Concentrations in
Weight. for Petroleum Refineries Emissions From Stationary
for Which Construction, Sources (Instrumental
Reconstruction, or Analyzer Procedures).
Modification Commenced
After May 14, 2007.
ALT-122..................... Method 325 A-Volatile Sources subject to 40 CFR Use the alternative
Organic Compounds From part 63, subpart CC- approaches for temperature
Fugitive and Area National Emission Standards and pressure corrections,
Sources: Sampler for Hazardous Air sample collection timing,
Deployment and VOC Pollutants From Petroleum and duplicate and field
Sample Collection and Refineries. blank samples as specified
Method 325B-Volatile in the Agency's approval
Organic Compounds From letter dated September 11,
Fugitive and Area 2017.
Sources: Sampler
Preparation and
Analysis.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source owners or operators should review the specific broadly applicable alternative method approval letter at
https://www.epa.gov/emc/ broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods before electing to employ it.
[FR Doc. 2018-04375 Filed 3-2-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P