Regional Transport of Smog (Ozone) Section 126 Petitions
December 20, 1999
Today EPA granted petitions filed by Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania under section 126 of the Clean Air Act. These four northeastern states sought EPA’s assistance in reducing the severity of local ozone pollution (smog) through reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions from other states. EPA estimates this action will provide cleaner air for more than 100 million people.
Nearly 48% of required NOx emission reductions will occur at generating units located within the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) (which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia, but excludes Virginia). If affected sources within Virginia are included in the OTR, then over 50% of the required NOx emissions reductions will occur within OTR.
Today’s action affects 392 generating units at both electric generating (EGU) and non-electric generating (non-EGU) facilities in 12 states. They will have to reduce annual emissions by a total of nearly 510,000 tons from 2007 levels. Affected EGUs will be required to reduce NOx emissions to 0.15 lbs/mmBtu, while large non-EGUs will be required to reduce NOx emissions by approximately 60% from baseline levels.
Affected facilities are located in Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Pennsylvania has the largest number of affected sources, with 73 sources required to reduce NOx emissions. New Jersey follows with 59 sources required to reduce NOx emissions. Ohio is third with 43 sources required to reduce NOx emissions.
The petitions were filed under Section 126 of the Clean Air Act, which authorizes any state request EPA to set emissions limits for specific sources of pollution in other states that significantly contribute to its air quality problems. EPA is granting four of eight petitions filed in August 1997 for the 1-hour ozone standard: Connecticut; Massachusetts; New York; and Pennsylvania.
Each affected generating unit will participate in a federal NOx emissions cap-and-trade program similar to that proposed in the NOx SIP Call. EPA believes a cap-and-trade program is the most cost-effective approach to reducing interstate ozone transport. Sources must implement controls or use emissions allowances to achieve required NOx emission reductions by May 1, 2003.
EPA is initially allocating NOx allowances to sources for 2003 through 2007. The initial allocation is based on heat input. Updated allocations will be calculated on output for electric generating units and probably will be based on heat input for industrial (non-EGU) boilers.
Only sources affected by the 1-hour findings will be subject to control requirements at this time. EPA is indefinitely staying its April technical findings on the 8-hour ozone standard.
For additional information check EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation Airlinks website: http://www.epa.gov/airlinks.