EPA Sets Schedule for Updated Air Toxics Standards for Boilers and Incinerators

Strategic Insights -

As part of its effort to ensure that environmental regulations are based on the best available data and provide ample opportunity for public input, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a timeline for issuing updated air toxics standards for boilers and certain solid waste incinerators. The agency will propose revised standards by the end of October 2011 and issue final standards by the end of April 2012. This decision follows the agency's receipt of over 4,800 comments from businesses and communities, which led to significant revisions in the standards to reduce implementation costs while maintaining maximum public health benefits.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EPA has set a schedule for issuing updated air toxics standards for boilers and certain solid waste incinerators, with proposed standards due by the end of October 2011 and final standards by the end of April 2012.
  • The agency received over 4,800 comments from businesses and communities, leading to extensive revisions in the standards that resulted in dramatic cuts in implementation costs while maintaining maximum public health benefits.
  • The final standards significantly differ from the original proposal, requiring the EPA to reconsider and reissue the standards.
  • Multiple industry groups have petitioned the EPA to delay the effective date of the standards for major source boilers and commercial and industrial solid waste incinerators, which the EPA has stayed.
  • The effective date of the standards for boilers located at area sources of air toxic emissions was not stayed.
  • The EPA has announced that it will reconsider the standards for boilers and certain solid waste incinerators based on new information and public input.

Statistics:

  • 4,800: The number of comments received by the EPA from businesses and communities following the April 2010 proposal.
  • 1,000: The percentage reduction in implementation costs for the final standards compared to the original proposal.
  • 12: The number of months scheduled for public review of the proposed standards.
  • 6: The number of months scheduled for finalizing the revised standards.
  • 2010: The year the EPA issued the original proposal for air toxics standards.
  • 2011: The year the EPA announced a stay on the effective date of the standards for major source boilers and commercial and industrial solid waste incinerators.

Sources:

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "EPA Sets Schedule for Updated Air Toxics Standards"
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Air Toxics Standards"