New EPA Guidelines

 EPA Emissions Rules For Boilers

On March 21, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published three rules regarding air emissions standards in the Federal Register. Two of the three rules pertain to boilers and are specifically designed to reduce emissions of air pollutants. The two rules are:  

• Major Source (Boiler MACT) Rule: Rules to reduce boiler and process heater emissions at large sources of air toxics 
• Area Source Rule: Rules to reduce boiler emissions at small sources of air toxics 

The EPA is reconsidering parts of the Major Source and Area Source Rules. While it is carrying out the formal reconsideration process, the EPA announced in May 2011 that it would delay the implementation of the Major Source Rule (also known as Boiler MACT or BMACT) until further notice. 

However, the compliance requirements of the Area Source Rule, which include the majority of boilers in the United States, are in effect while the EPA is reconsidering this rule. Affected boiler owners must take immediate action to begin compliance.The first step is sending an initial notification form to the EPA. Although the rules for Major Source facilities are not yet in effect, Cleaver-Brooks recommends that Major Source facilities send in notification of their status as a Major Source.   

Examples of the types of requirements under these two new rules include: boiler tune-ups, emissions limit requirements, one-time energy assessments, and monthly fuel monitoring.

To determine which records and reports are required for your boiler, consult this decision tree.  

For a summary of compliance dates specific to your boiler, click here. 

For a summary of specific emissions limits by boiler type, click here.

To determine rule applicability and compliance actions required, complete the following three steps: 

• Step 1: Determine if your facility is an Area Source or Major Source.Complete Step 1  
• Step 2: Determine boiler(s) subcategory for: a) Fuels Combusted; b) New vs. Existing Source; c) Size of Boiler. Complete Step 2 
• Step 3: Submit Initial Notification of Applicability and Determine Compliance Requirements.Complete Step 3  

Do not delay in completing the above three steps. Several reports are required to validate compliance with the new rules.The first report to be submitted is an Initial Notification of Applicability due September 17, 2011, if startup was before May 20, 2011. If startup is on or after May 20, 2011, the notification is due September 17, 2011, or within 120 daysafter startup for Area Source facilities, or within 15 days after startup for Major Source facilities. If you miss the notification deadline, send in your form as soon as possible. 

We will continue to update information as it becomes available and upload the forms necessary for compliance. If you would like to receive notification when we post updates, please register your e-mail address below. 

Click here to download Cleaver-Brooks complete package of information, forms, and tools necessary for compliance with the new EPA Emissions Rules for Boilers.