Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 42 : Section 7429


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 7429. Solid waste combustion

    (a) New source performance standards
      (1) In general
        (A) The Administrator shall establish performance standards and
      other requirements pursuant to section 7411 of this title and
      this section for each category of solid waste incineration units.
      Such standards shall include emissions limitations and other
      requirements applicable to new units and guidelines (under
      section 7411(d) of this title and this section) and other
      requirements applicable to existing units.
        (B) Standards under section 7411 of this title and this section
      applicable to solid waste incineration units with capacity
      greater than 250 tons per day combusting municipal waste shall be
      promulgated not later than 12 months after November 15, 1990.
      Nothing in this subparagraph shall alter any schedule for the
      promulgation of standards applicable to such units under section
      7411 of this title pursuant to any settlement and consent decree
      entered by the Administrator before November 15, 1990: Provided,
      That, such standards are subsequently modified pursuant to the
      schedule established in this subparagraph to include each of the
      requirements of this section.
        (C) Standards under section 7411 of this title and this section
      applicable to solid waste incineration units with capacity equal
      to or less than 250 tons per day combusting municipal waste and
      units combusting hospital waste, medical waste and infectious
      waste shall be promulgated not later than 24 months after
      November 15, 1990.
        (D) Standards under section 7411 of this title and this section
      applicable to solid waste incineration units combusting
      commercial or industrial waste shall be proposed not later than
      36 months after November 15, 1990, and promulgated not later than
      48 months after November 15, 1990.
        (E) Not later than 18 months after November 15, 1990, the
      Administrator shall publish a schedule for the promulgation of
      standards under section 7411 of this title and this section
      applicable to other categories of solid waste incineration units.
      (2) Emissions standard
        Standards applicable to solid waste incineration units
      promulgated under section 7411 of this title and this section
      shall reflect the maximum degree of reduction in emissions of air
      pollutants listed under section )1(! (a)(4) that the
      Administrator, taking into consideration the cost of achieving
      such emission reduction, and any non-air quality health and
      environmental impacts and energy requirements, determines is
      achievable for new or existing units in each category. The
      Administrator may distinguish among classes, types (including
      mass-burn, refuse-derived fuel, modular and other types of
      units), and sizes of units within a category in establishing such
      standards. The degree of reduction in emissions that is deemed
      achievable for new units in a category shall not be less
      stringent than the emissions control that is achieved in practice
      by the best controlled similar unit, as determined by the
      Administrator. Emissions standards for existing units in a
      category may be less stringent than standards for new units in
      the same category but shall not be less stringent than the
      average emissions limitation achieved by the best performing 12
      percent of units in the category (excluding units which first met
      lowest achievable emissions rates 18 months before the date such
      standards are proposed or 30 months before the date such
      standards are promulgated, whichever is later).

      (3) Control methods and technologies
        Standards under section 7411 of this title and this section
      applicable to solid waste incineration units shall be based on
      methods and technologies for removal or destruction of pollutants
      before, during, or after combustion, and shall incorporate for
      new units siting requirements that minimize, on a site specific
      basis, to the maximum extent practicable, potential risks to
      public health or the environment.
      (4) Numerical emissions limitations
        The performance standards promulgated under section 7411 of
      this title and this section and applicable to solid waste
      incineration units shall specify numerical emission limitations
      for the following substances or mixtures: particulate matter
      (total and fine), opacity (as appropriate), sulfur dioxide,
      hydrogen chloride, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, lead,
      cadmium, mercury, and dioxins and dibenzofurans. The
      Administrator may promulgate numerical emissions limitations or
      provide for the monitoring of postcombustion concentrations of
      surrogate substances, parameters or periods of residence time in
      excess of stated temperatures with respect to pollutants other
      than those listed in this paragraph.
      (5) Review and revision
        Not later than 5 years following the initial promulgation of
      any performance standards and other requirements under this
      section and section 7411 of this title applicable to a category
      of solid waste incineration units, and at 5 year intervals
      thereafter, the Administrator shall review, and in accordance
      with this section and section 7411 of this title, revise such
      standards and requirements.
    (b) Existing units
      (1) Guidelines
        Performance standards under this section and section 7411 of
      this title for solid waste incineration units shall include
      guidelines promulgated pursuant to section 7411(d) of this title
      and this section applicable to existing units. Such guidelines
      shall include, as provided in this section, each of the elements
      required by subsection (a) of this section (emissions
      limitations, notwithstanding any restriction in section 7411(d)
      of this title regarding issuance of such limitations), subsection
      (c) of this section (monitoring), subsection (d) of this section
      (operator training), subsection (e) of this section (permits),
      and subsection (h)(4) )2(! of this section (residual risk).

      (2) State plans
        Not later than 1 year after the Administrator promulgates
      guidelines for a category of solid waste incineration units, each
      State in which units in the category are operating shall submit
      to the Administrator a plan to implement and enforce the
      guidelines with respect to such units. The State plan shall be at
      least as protective as the guidelines promulgated by the
      Administrator and shall provide that each unit subject to the
      guidelines shall be in compliance with all requirements of this
      section not later than 3 years after the State plan is approved
      by the Administrator but not later than 5 years after the
      guidelines were promulgated. The Administrator shall approve or
      disapprove any State plan within 180 days of the submission, and
      if a plan is disapproved, the Administrator shall state the
      reasons for disapproval in writing. Any State may modify and
      resubmit a plan which has been disapproved by the Administrator.
      (3) Federal plan
        The Administrator shall develop, implement and enforce a plan
      for existing solid waste incineration units within any category
      located in any State which has not submitted an approvable plan
      under this subsection with respect to units in such category
      within 2 years after the date on which the Administrator
      promulgated the relevant guidelines. Such plan shall assure that
      each unit subject to the plan is in compliance with all
      provisions of the guidelines not later than 5 years after the
      date the relevant guidelines are promulgated.
    (c) Monitoring
      The Administrator shall, as part of each performance standard
    promulgated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and section
    7411 of this title, promulgate regulations requiring the owner or
    operator of each solid waste incineration unit - 
        (1) to monitor emissions from the unit at the point at which
      such emissions are emitted into the ambient air (or within the
      stack, combustion chamber or pollution control equipment, as
      appropriate) and at such other points as necessary to protect
      public health and the environment;
        (2) to monitor such other parameters relating to the operation
      of the unit and its pollution control technology as the
      Administrator determines are appropriate; and
        (3) to report the results of such monitoring.

    Such regulations shall contain provisions regarding the frequency
    of monitoring, test methods and procedures validated on solid waste
    incineration units, and the form and frequency of reports
    containing the results of monitoring and shall require that any
    monitoring reports or test results indicating an exceedance of any
    standard under this section shall be reported separately and in a
    manner that facilitates review for purposes of enforcement actions.
    Such regulations shall require that copies of the results of such
    monitoring be maintained on file at the facility concerned and that
    copies shall be made available for inspection and copying by
    interested members of the public during business hours.
    (d) Operator training
      Not later than 24 months after November 15, 1990, the
    Administrator shall develop and promote a model State program for
    the training and certification of solid waste incineration unit
    operators and high-capacity fossil fuel fired plant operators. The
    Administrator may authorize any State to implement a model program
    for the training of solid waste incineration unit operators and
    high-capacity fossil fuel fired plant operators, if the State has
    adopted a program which is at least as effective as the model
    program developed by the Administrator. Beginning on the date 36
    months after the date on which performance standards and guidelines
    are promulgated under subsection (a) of this section and section
    7411 of this title for any category of solid waste incineration
    units it shall be unlawful to operate any unit in the category
    unless each person with control over processes affecting emissions
    from such unit has satisfactorily completed a training program
    meeting the requirements established by the Administrator under
    this subsection.
    (e) Permits
      Beginning (1) 36 months after the promulgation of a performance
    standard under subsection (a) of this section and section 7411 of
    this title applicable to a category of solid waste incineration
    units, or (2) the effective date of a permit program under
    subchapter V of this chapter in the State in which the unit is
    located, whichever is later, each unit in the category shall
    operate pursuant to a permit issued under this subsection and
    subchapter V of this chapter. Permits required by this subsection
    may be renewed according to the provisions of subchapter V of this
    chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, each
    permit for a solid waste incineration unit combusting municipal
    waste issued under this chapter shall be issued for a period of up
    to 12 years and shall be reviewed every 5 years after date of
    issuance or reissuance. Each permit shall continue in effect after
    the date of issuance until the date of termination, unless the
    Administrator or State determines that the unit is not in
    compliance with all standards and conditions contained in the
    permit. Such determination shall be made at regular intervals
    during the term of the permit, such intervals not to exceed 5
    years, and only after public comment and public hearing. No permit
    for a solid waste incineration unit may be issued under this
    chapter by an agency, instrumentality or person that is also
    responsible, in whole or part, for the design and construction or
    operation of the unit. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
    subsection, the Administrator or the State shall require the owner
    or operator of any unit to comply with emissions limitations or
    implement any other measures, if the Administrator or the State
    determines that emissions in the absence of such limitations or
    measures may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or
    the environment. The Administrator's determination under the
    preceding sentence is a discretionary decision.
    (f) Effective date and enforcement
      (1) New units
        Performance standards and other requirements promulgated
      pursuant to this section and section 7411 of this title and
      applicable to new solid waste incineration units shall be
      effective as of the date 6 months after the date of promulgation.
      (2) Existing units
        Performance standards and other requirements promulgated
      pursuant to this section and section 7411 of this title and
      applicable to existing solid waste incineration units shall be
      effective as expeditiously as practicable after approval of a
      State plan under subsection (b)(2) of this section (or
      promulgation of a plan by the Administrator under subsection
      (b)(3) of this section) but in no event later than 3 years after
      the State plan is approved or 5 years after the date such
      standards or requirements are promulgated, whichever is earlier.
      (3) Prohibition
        After the effective date of any performance standard, emission
      limitation or other requirement promulgated pursuant to this
      section and section 7411 of this title, it shall be unlawful for
      any owner or operator of any solid waste incineration unit to
      which such standard, limitation or requirement applies to operate
      such unit in violation of such limitation, standard or
      requirement or for any other person to violate an applicable
      requirement of this section.
      (4) Coordination with other authorities
        For purposes of sections 7411(e), 7413, 7414, 7416, 7420, 7603,
      7604, 7607 of this title and other provisions for the enforcement
      of this chapter, each performance standard, emission limitation
      or other requirement established pursuant to this section by the
      Administrator or a State or local government, shall be treated in
      the same manner as a standard of performance under section 7411
      of this title which is an emission limitation.
    (g) Definitions
      For purposes of section 306 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of
    1990 and this section only - 
      (1) Solid waste incineration unit
        The term "solid waste incineration unit" means a distinct
      operating unit of any facility which combusts any solid waste
      material from commercial or industrial establishments or the
      general public (including single and multiple residences, hotels,
      and motels). Such term does not include incinerators or other
      units required to have a permit under section 3005 of the Solid
      Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6925]. The term "solid waste
      incineration unit" does not include (A) materials recovery
      facilities (including primary or secondary smelters) which
      combust waste for the primary purpose of recovering metals, (B)
      qualifying small power production facilities, as defined in
      section 796(17)(C) of title 16, or qualifying cogeneration
      facilities, as defined in section 796(18)(B) of title 16, which
      burn homogeneous waste (such as units which burn tires or used
      oil, but not including refuse-derived fuel) for the production of
      electric energy or in the case of qualifying cogeneration
      facilities which burn homogeneous waste for the production of
      electric energy and steam or forms of useful energy (such as
      heat) which are used for industrial, commercial, heating or
      cooling purposes, or (C) air curtain incinerators provided that
      such incinerators only burn wood wastes, yard wastes and clean
      lumber and that such air curtain incinerators comply with opacity
      limitations to be established by the Administrator by rule.
      (2) New solid waste incineration unit
        The term "new solid waste incineration unit" means a solid
      waste incineration unit the construction of which is commenced
      after the Administrator proposes requirements under this section
      establishing emissions standards or other requirements which
      would be applicable to such unit or a modified solid waste
      incineration unit.
      (3) Modified solid waste incineration unit
        The term "modified solid waste incineration unit" means a solid
      waste incineration unit at which modifications have occurred
      after the effective date of a standard under subsection (a) of
      this section if (A) the cumulative cost of the modifications,
      over the life of the unit, exceed 50 per centum of the original
      cost of construction and installation of the unit (not including
      the cost of any land purchased in connection with such
      construction or installation) updated to current costs, or (B)
      the modification is a physical change in or change in the method
      of operation of the unit which increases the amount of any air
      pollutant emitted by the unit for which standards have been
      established under this section or section 7411 of this title.
      (4) Existing solid waste incineration unit
        The term "existing solid waste incineration unit" means a solid
      waste unit which is not a new or modified solid waste
      incineration unit.
      (5) Municipal waste
        The term "municipal waste" means refuse (and refuse-derived
      fuel) collected from the general public and from residential,
      commercial, institutional, and industrial sources consisting of
      paper, wood, yard wastes, food wastes, plastics, leather, rubber,
      and other combustible materials and non-combustible materials
      such as metal, glass and rock, provided that: (A) the term does
      not include industrial process wastes or medical wastes that are
      segregated from such other wastes; and (B) an incineration unit
      shall not be considered to be combusting municipal waste for
      purposes of section 7411 of this title or this section if it
      combusts a fuel feed stream, 30 percent or less of the weight of
      which is comprised, in aggregate, of municipal waste.
      (6) Other terms
        The terms "solid waste" and "medical waste" shall have the
      meanings established by the Administrator pursuant to the Solid
      Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.].
    (h) Other authority
      (1) State authority
        Nothing in this section shall preclude or deny the right of any
      State or political subdivision thereof to adopt or enforce any
      regulation, requirement, limitation or standard relating to solid
      waste incineration units that is more stringent than a
      regulation, requirement, limitation or standard in effect under
      this section or under any other provision of this chapter.
      (2) Other authority under this chapter
        Nothing in this section shall diminish the authority of the
      Administrator or a State to establish any other requirements
      applicable to solid waste incineration units under any other
      authority of law, including the authority to establish for any
      air pollutant a national ambient air quality standard, except
      that no solid waste incineration unit subject to performance
      standards under this section and section 7411 of this title shall
      be subject to standards under section 7412(d) of this title.
      (3) Residual risk
        The Administrator shall promulgate standards under section
      7412(f) of this title for a category of solid waste incineration
      units, if promulgation of such standards is required under
      section 7412(f) of this title. For purposes of this )3(!
      preceding sentence only - 

          (A) the performance standards under subsection (a) of this
        section and section 7411 of this title applicable to a category
        of solid waste incineration units shall be deemed standards
        under section 7412(d)(2) of this title, and
          (B) the Administrator shall consider and regulate, if
        required, the pollutants listed under subsection (a)(4) of this
        section and no others.
      (4) Acid rain
        A solid waste incineration unit shall not be a utility unit as
      defined in subchapter IV-A of this chapter: Provided, That, more
      than 80 per centum of its annual average fuel consumption
      measured on a Btu basis, during a period or periods to be
      determined by the Administrator, is from a fuel (including any
      waste burned as a fuel) other than a fossil fuel.
      (5) Requirements of parts C and D
        No requirement of an applicable implementation plan under
      section 7475 of this title (relating to construction of
      facilities in regions identified pursuant to section
      7407(d)(1)(A)(ii) or (iii) of this title) or under section
      7502(c)(5) of this title (relating to permits for construction
      and operation in nonattainment areas) may be used to weaken the
      standards in effect under this section.



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