Federal Requirements for PM-2.5 Emissions and Anticipated Changes - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Air Quality Permitting Program Federal Requirements for PM-2.5 Emissions and Anticipated Changes to NJ Rules Background: NAAQS and NSR Joel Leon, Section Chief December 18, 2012 1

What is PM-2.5 2

What is PM-2.5 (Contd.) • Particulate matter (PM) with a nominal aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less is considered to be “fine particles” or “PM-2.5” • “Primary” PM-2.5 particles: • Are emitted directly into the air as a solid or liquid particle • e.g, elemental carbon from diesel engines • “Secondary” PM-2.5 particles: • Are formed in the atmosphere after NO x and SO 2 are emitted and react chemically to form PM-2.5 particles • e.g, sulfates and nitrates 3

Background: Health and Environmental Effects (www.epa.gov/oar/particlepollution) PM-2.5 particles can reach deep into the lungs • People with heart or lung diseases, children, older adults most • at risk Linked to many health problems • Asthma • Decreased lung function • respiratory symptoms • Heart attacks • Irregular heartbeat • Premature death in people with heart or lung disease • Environmental effects • Reduced visibility (haze) • Acidification of water bodies from deposition of sulfates and • nitrates (formed through chemical reactions) 4

PM-2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and EPA Rules PM-2.5 NAAQS (October, 2006) • 35 ug/m 3 (Daily) and 15 ug/m 3 (Annual) • PM-2.5 New Source Review Rules (May, 2008) • Established Major source thresholds • Established Modification triggers • PM-2.5 condensables must be included in emission limits • Includes precursor pollutants (NO x and SO 2 ) • Significant Impact Level (SIL)/Significant Monitoring • Concentration (SMC) Rule (October, 2010) PM-2.5 Testing/Measurement Rule (December, 2010) • EPA Offset Policy Memo (July, 2011) • 5

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Federal NA NSR Requirements for PM-2.5 in NJ’s 13 Counties Requirements established • Major Source PM-2.5 threshold – 100 tons per year (tpy) • Significant Emission Rates – 10 tpy for PM 2.5 , 40 tpy for • precursors (only if source itself is major for the precursor) Control Technology – Lowest Achievable Emission Rate • (LAER) for PM-2.5 and precursors Offsets – Minimum 1:1 (for PM-2.5 and precursors) • Transition to Non-Attainment NSR • Minor NSR – Must be revised to include PM-2.5 • requirements 7

NJDEP Request to EPA for Re-designation NJDEP submitted to EPA a redesignation request and • maintenance plan on 7/18/12 Public Notification Process on SIP revision • Public hearing held on 9/5/12 • Public comment period closed on 9/12/12 • Response to comments in 3 to 6 months • Upon redesignation, facilities in the 13 counties which were not • attainment No longer subject to non-attainment provisions of 40 CFR • Part 51, Appendix S Will become subject to Prevention of Significant • Deterioration provisions of 40 CFR 52.21. 8

Air Permit Rules • NJ’s non-attainment NSR rules (N.J.A.C. 7:27-18.2(b) and 18.4) requires NJDEP to review impacts on attainment area to maintain attainment status. These rules do not allow NJDEP to issue air permits that violates NAAQS. • Tracking air quality in New Jersey is required for continued attainment of PM-2.5 NAAQS as a part of the re-designation and 10 year maintenance plan. • N.J.A.C. 7:27-18.4 need to specify SILs which are used to review impacts on attainment area, in addition to non-attainment area • N.J.A.C. 7:27-18 needs to include a new provision of inter-pollutant offsets. • EPA proposed to lower annual NAAQS (from 15 ug/m3 to 12 to 13 ug/m3) which may create non-attainment area in NJ triggering non-attainment NSR. ( 6/29/2012 FR ) • NJDEP is committed to EPA to adopt rule revisions by 2013. 9