Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 42 : Section 7411


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 7411. Standards of performance for new stationary sources

    (a) Definitions
      For purposes of this section:
        (1) The term "standard of performance" means a standard for
      emissions of air pollutants which reflects the degree of emission
      limitation achievable through the application of the best system
      of emission reduction which (taking into account the cost of
      achieving such reduction and any nonair quality health and
      environmental impact and energy requirements) the Administrator
      determines has been adequately demonstrated.
        (2) The term "new source" means any stationary source, the
      construction or modification of which is commenced after the
      publication of regulations (or, if earlier, proposed regulations)
      prescribing a standard of performance under this section which
      will be applicable to such source.
        (3) The term "stationary source" means any building, structure,
      facility, or installation which emits or may emit any air
      pollutant. Nothing in subchapter II of this chapter relating to
      nonroad engines shall be construed to apply to stationary
      internal combustion engines.
        (4) The term "modification" means any physical change in, or
      change in the method of operation of, a stationary source which
      increases the amount of any air pollutant emitted by such source
      or which results in the emission of any air pollutant not
      previously emitted.
        (5) The term "owner or operator" means any person who owns,
      leases, operates, controls, or supervises a stationary source.
        (6) The term "existing source" means any stationary source
      other than a new source.
        (7) The term "technological system of continuous emission
      reduction" means - 
          (A) a technological process for production or operation by
        any source which is inherently low-polluting or nonpolluting,
        or
          (B) a technological system for continuous reduction of the
        pollution generated by a source before such pollution is
        emitted into the ambient air, including precombustion cleaning
        or treatment of fuels.

        (8) A conversion to coal (A) by reason of an order under
      section 2(a) of the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination
      Act of 1974 [15 U.S.C. 792(a)] or any amendment thereto, or any
      subsequent enactment which supersedes such Act [15 U.S.C. 791 et
      seq.], or (B) which qualifies under section 7413(d)(5)(A)(ii)
      )1(! of this title, shall not be deemed to be a modification for
      purposes of paragraphs (2) and (4) of this subsection.

    (b) List of categories of stationary sources; standards of
      performance; information on pollution control techniques; sources
      owned or operated by United States; particular systems; revised
      standards
      (1)(A) The Administrator shall, within 90 days after December 31,
    1970, publish (and from time to time thereafter shall revise) a
    list of categories of stationary sources. He shall include a
    category of sources in such list if in his judgment it causes, or
    contributes significantly to, air pollution which may reasonably be
    anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.
      (B) Within one year after the inclusion of a category of
    stationary sources in a list under subparagraph (A), the
    Administrator shall publish proposed regulations, establishing
    Federal standards of performance for new sources within such
    category. The Administrator shall afford interested persons an
    opportunity for written comment on such proposed regulations. After
    considering such comments, he shall promulgate, within one year
    after such publication, such standards with such modifications as
    he deems appropriate. The Administrator shall, at least every 8
    years, review and, if appropriate, revise such standards following
    the procedure required by this subsection for promulgation of such
    standards. Notwithstanding the requirements of the previous
    sentence, the Administrator need not review any such standard if
    the Administrator determines that such review is not appropriate in
    light of readily available information on the efficacy of such
    standard. Standards of performance or revisions thereof shall
    become effective upon promulgation. When implementation and
    enforcement of any requirement of this chapter indicate that
    emission limitations and percent reductions beyond those required
    by the standards promulgated under this section are achieved in
    practice, the Administrator shall, when revising standards
    promulgated under this section, consider the emission limitations
    and percent reductions achieved in practice.
      (2) The Administrator may distinguish among classes, types, and
    sizes within categories of new sources for the purpose of
    establishing such standards.
      (3) The Administrator shall, from time to time, issue information
    on pollution control techniques for categories of new sources and
    air pollutants subject to the provisions of this section.
      (4) The provisions of this section shall apply to any new source
    owned or operated by the United States.
      (5) Except as otherwise authorized under subsection (h) of this
    section, nothing in this section shall be construed to require, or
    to authorize the Administrator to require, any new or modified
    source to install and operate any particular technological system
    of continuous emission reduction to comply with any new source
    standard of performance.
      (6) The revised standards of performance required by enactment of
    subsection (a)(1)(A)(i) and (ii) )1(! of this section shall be
    promulgated not later than one year after August 7, 1977. Any new
    or modified fossil fuel fired stationary source which commences
    construction prior to the date of publication of the proposed
    revised standards shall not be required to comply with such revised
    standards.
    (c) State implementation and enforcement of standards of
      performance
      (1) Each State may develop and submit to the Administrator a
    procedure for implementing and enforcing standards of performance
    for new sources located in such State. If the Administrator finds
    the State procedure is adequate, he shall delegate to such State
    any authority he has under this chapter to implement and enforce
    such standards.
      (2) Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the Administrator
    from enforcing any applicable standard of performance under this
    section.
    (d) Standards of performance for existing sources; remaining useful
      life of source
      (1) The Administrator shall prescribe regulations which shall
    establish a procedure similar to that provided by section 7410 of
    this title under which each State shall submit to the Administrator
    a plan which (A) establishes standards of performance for any
    existing source for any air pollutant (i) for which air quality
    criteria have not been issued or which is not included on a list
    published under section 7408(a) of this title or emitted from a
    source category which is regulated under section 7412 of this title
    but (ii) to which a standard of performance under this section
    would apply if such existing source were a new source, and (B)
    provides for the implementation and enforcement of such standards
    of performance. Regulations of the Administrator under this
    paragraph shall permit the State in applying a standard of
    performance to any particular source under a plan submitted under
    this paragraph to take into consideration, among other factors, the
    remaining useful life of the existing source to which such standard
    applies.
      (2) The Administrator shall have the same authority - 
        (A) to prescribe a plan for a State in cases where the State
      fails to submit a satisfactory plan as he would have under
      section 7410(c) of this title in the case of failure to submit an
      implementation plan, and
        (B) to enforce the provisions of such plan in cases where the
      State fails to enforce them as he would have under sections 7413
      and 7414 of this title with respect to an implementation plan.

    In promulgating a standard of performance under a plan prescribed
    under this paragraph, the Administrator shall take into
    consideration, among other factors, remaining useful lives of the
    sources in the category of sources to which such standard applies.
    (e) Prohibited acts
      After the effective date of standards of performance promulgated
    under this section, it shall be unlawful for any owner or operator
    of any new source to operate such source in violation of any
    standard of performance applicable to such source.
    (f) New source standards of performance
      (1) For those categories of major stationary sources that the
    Administrator listed under subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section
    before November 15, 1990, and for which regulations had not been
    proposed by the Administrator by November 15, 1990, the
    Administrator shall - 
        (A) propose regulations establishing standards of performance
      for at least 25 percent of such categories of sources within 2
      years after November 15, 1990;
        (B) propose regulations establishing standards of performance
      for at least 50 percent of such categories of sources within 4
      years after November 15, 1990; and
        (C) propose regulations for the remaining categories of sources
      within 6 years after November 15, 1990.

      (2) In determining priorities for promulgating standards for
    categories of major stationary sources for the purpose of paragraph
    (1), the Administrator shall consider - 
        (A) the quantity of air pollutant emissions which each such
      category will emit, or will be designed to emit;
        (B) the extent to which each such pollutant may reasonably be
      anticipated to endanger public health or welfare; and
        (C) the mobility and competitive nature of each such category
      of sources and the consequent need for nationally applicable new
      source standards of performance.

      (3) Before promulgating any regulations under this subsection or
    listing any category of major stationary sources as required under
    this subsection, the Administrator shall consult with appropriate
    representatives of the Governors and of State air pollution control
    agencies.
    (g) Revision of regulations
      (1) Upon application by the Governor of a State showing that the
    Administrator has failed to specify in regulations under subsection
    (f)(1) of this section any category of major stationary sources
    required to be specified under such regulations, the Administrator
    shall revise such regulations to specify any such category.
      (2) Upon application of the Governor of a State, showing that any
    category of stationary sources which is not included in the list
    under subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section contributes
    significantly to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated
    to endanger public health or welfare (notwithstanding that such
    category is not a category of major stationary sources), the
    Administrator shall revise such regulations to specify such
    category of stationary sources.
      (3) Upon application of the Governor of a State showing that the
    Administrator has failed to apply properly the criteria required to
    be considered under subsection (f)(2) of this section, the
    Administrator shall revise the list under subsection (b)(1)(A) of
    this section to apply properly such criteria.
      (4) Upon application of the Governor of a State showing that - 
        (A) a new, innovative, or improved technology or process which
      achieves greater continuous emission reduction has been
      adequately demonstrated for any category of stationary sources,
      and
        (B) as a result of such technology or process, the new source
      standard of performance in effect under this section for such
      category no longer reflects the greatest degree of emission
      limitation achievable through application of the best
      technological system of continuous emission reduction which
      (taking into consideration the cost of achieving such emission
      reduction, and any non-air quality health and environmental
      impact and energy requirements) has been adequately demonstrated,

    the Administrator shall revise such standard of performance for
    such category accordingly.
      (5) Unless later deadlines for action of the Administrator are
    otherwise prescribed under this section, the Administrator shall,
    not later than three months following the date of receipt of any
    application by a Governor of a State, either - 
        (A) find that such application does not contain the requisite
      showing and deny such application, or
        (B) grant such application and take the action required under
      this subsection.

      (6) Before taking any action required by subsection (f) of this
    section or by this subsection, the Administrator shall provide
    notice and opportunity for public hearing.
    (h) Design, equipment, work practice, or operational standard;
      alternative emission limitation
      (1) For purposes of this section, if in the judgment of the
    Administrator, it is not feasible to prescribe or enforce a
    standard of performance, he may instead promulgate a design,
    equipment, work practice, or operational standard, or combination
    thereof, which reflects the best technological system of continuous
    emission reduction which (taking into consideration the cost of
    achieving such emission reduction, and any non-air quality health
    and environmental impact and energy requirements) the Administrator
    determines has been adequately demonstrated. In the event the
    Administrator promulgates a design or equipment standard under this
    subsection, he shall include as part of such standard such
    requirements as will assure the proper operation and maintenance of
    any such element of design or equipment.
      (2) For the purpose of this subsection, the phrase "not feasible
    to prescribe or enforce a standard of performance" means any
    situation in which the Administrator determines that (A) a
    pollutant or pollutants cannot be emitted through a conveyance
    designed and constructed to emit or capture such pollutant, or that
    any requirement for, or use of, such a conveyance would be
    inconsistent with any Federal, State, or local law, or (B) the
    application of measurement methodology to a particular class of
    sources is not practicable due to technological or economic
    limitations.
      (3) If after notice and opportunity for public hearing, any
    person establishes to the satisfaction of the Administrator that an
    alternative means of emission limitation will achieve a reduction
    in emissions of any air pollutant at least equivalent to the
    reduction in emissions of such air pollutant achieved under the
    requirements of paragraph (1), the Administrator shall permit the
    use of such alternative by the source for purposes of compliance
    with this section with respect to such pollutant.
      (4) Any standard promulgated under paragraph (1) shall be
    promulgated in terms of standard of performance whenever it becomes
    feasible to promulgate and enforce such standard in such terms.
      (5) Any design, equipment, work practice, or operational
    standard, or any combination thereof, described in this subsection
    shall be treated as a standard of performance for purposes of the
    provisions of this chapter (other than the provisions of subsection
    (a) of this section and this subsection).
    (i) Country elevators
      Any regulations promulgated by the Administrator under this
    section applicable to grain elevators shall not apply to country
    elevators (as defined by the Administrator) which have a storage
    capacity of less than two million five hundred thousand bushels.
    (j) Innovative technological systems of continuous emission
      reduction
      (1)(A) Any person proposing to own or operate a new source may
    request the Administrator for one or more waivers from the
    requirements of this section for such source or any portion thereof
    with respect to any air pollutant to encourage the use of an
    innovative technological system or systems of continuous emission
    reduction. The Administrator may, with the consent of the Governor
    of the State in which the source is to be located, grant a waiver
    under this paragraph, if the Administrator determines after notice
    and opportunity for public hearing, that - 
        (i) the proposed system or systems have not been adequately
      demonstrated,
        (ii) the proposed system or systems will operate effectively
      and there is a substantial likelihood that such system or systems
      will achieve greater continuous emission reduction than that
      required to be achieved under the standards of performance which
      would otherwise apply, or achieve at least an equivalent
      reduction at lower cost in terms of energy, economic, or nonair
      quality environmental impact,
        (iii) the owner or operator of the proposed source has
      demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the
      proposed system will not cause or contribute to an unreasonable
      risk to public health, welfare, or safety in its operation,
      function, or malfunction, and
        (iv) the granting of such waiver is consistent with the
      requirements of subparagraph (C).

    In making any determination under clause (ii), the Administrator
    shall take into account any previous failure of such system or
    systems to operate effectively or to meet any requirement of the
    new source performance standards. In determining whether an
    unreasonable risk exists under clause (iii), the Administrator
    shall consider, among other factors, whether and to what extent the
    use of the proposed technological system will cause, increase,
    reduce, or eliminate emissions of any unregulated pollutants;
    available methods for reducing or eliminating any risk to public
    health, welfare, or safety which may be associated with the use of
    such system; and the availability of other technological systems
    which may be used to conform to standards under this section
    without causing or contributing to such unreasonable risk. The
    Administrator may conduct such tests and may require the owner or
    operator of the proposed source to conduct such tests and provide
    such information as is necessary to carry out clause (iii) of this
    subparagraph. Such requirements shall include a requirement for
    prompt reporting of the emission of any unregulated pollutant from
    a system if such pollutant was not emitted, or was emitted in
    significantly lesser amounts without use of such system.
      (B) A waiver under this paragraph shall be granted on such terms
    and conditions as the Administrator determines to be necessary to
    assure - 
        (i) emissions from the source will not prevent attainment and
      maintenance of any national ambient air quality standards, and
        (ii) proper functioning of the technological system or systems
      authorized.

    Any such term or condition shall be treated as a standard of
    performance for the purposes of subsection (e) of this section and
    section 7413 of this title.
      (C) The number of waivers granted under this paragraph with
    respect to a proposed technological system of continuous emission
    reduction shall not exceed such number as the Administrator finds
    necessary to ascertain whether or not such system will achieve the
    conditions specified in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A).
      (D) A waiver under this paragraph shall extend to the sooner of -
    
        (i) the date determined by the Administrator, after
      consultation with the owner or operator of the source, taking
      into consideration the design, installation, and capital cost of
      the technological system or systems being used, or
        (ii) the date on which the Administrator determines that such
      system has failed to - 
          (I) achieve at least an equivalent continuous emission
        reduction to that required to be achieved under the standards
        of performance which would otherwise apply, or
          (II) comply with the condition specified in paragraph
        (1)(A)(iii),

      and that such failure cannot be corrected.

      (E) In carrying out subparagraph (D)(i), the Administrator shall
    not permit any waiver for a source or portion thereof to extend
    beyond the date - 
        (i) seven years after the date on which any waiver is granted
      to such source or portion thereof, or
        (ii) four years after the date on which such source or portion
      thereof commences operation,

    whichever is earlier.
      (F) No waiver under this subsection shall apply to any portion of
    a source other than the portion on which the innovative
    technological system or systems of continuous emission reduction is
    used.
      (2)(A) If a waiver under paragraph (1) is terminated under clause
    (ii) of paragraph (1)(D), the Administrator shall grant an
    extension of the requirements of this section for such source for
    such minimum period as may be necessary to comply with the
    applicable standard of performance under this section. Such period
    shall not extend beyond the date three years from the time such
    waiver is terminated.
      (B) An extension granted under this paragraph shall set forth
    emission limits and a compliance schedule containing increments of
    progress which require compliance with the applicable standards of
    performance as expeditiously as practicable and include such
    measures as are necessary and practicable in the interim to
    minimize emissions. Such schedule shall be treated as a standard of
    performance for purposes of subsection (e) of this section and
    section 7413 of this title.



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