National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories: Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants From the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and Other Processes Subject to the Negotiated Regulation for Equipment Leaks; Rule Clarifications

On April 22, 1994 and June 6, 1994, the EPA issued the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories: Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants from the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and Other Processes Subject to the Negotiated Regulation for Equipment Leaks. This rule is commonly known as the Hazardous Organic NESHAP or the HON. In June 1994, petitions for review of the April 1994 rule were filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The petitioners raised over 75 technical issues and concerns with drafting clarity of the rule. On August 26, 1996, the EPA proposed correcting amendments to the rule to address the petitioners' issues. Among the proposed amendments were proposed revisions to definitions that apply to wastewater and wastewater treatment and revised control and compliance provisions for wastewater. A new compliance date of April 22, 1999, was proposed for process wastewater, heat exchange systems, equipment subject to the provisions of Sec. 63.149, and maintenance wastewater. The EPA also proposed a separate compliance date for wastewater streams affected by the omission of nitrobenzene from the list of compounds subject to the wastewater provisions. The proposed revisions to the other provisions to the rule also included corrections and clarifications to ensure the rule is implemented as intended. The proposed amendments also included some additional compliance options that would reduce the burden associated with the recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the rule. Today's action takes final action on those proposed amendments. These amendments to the rule will not change the basic control requirements of the rule or the level of health protection it provides. The rule requires new and existing major sources to control emissions of hazardous air pollutants to the level reflecting application of the maximum achievable control technology.