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EPA/AR RIN: 2060-AN99 Publication ID: Fall 2011 
Title: NESHAP: Mercury Cell Chlor-Alkali Plants--Amendments 
Abstract: This action is a final for the amendments of the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for mercury emissions from mercury cell chlor-alkali plants that was promulgated in 2003. The 2003 NESHAP limited mercury air emissions from existing plants and prohibited the use of mercury in new plants. Following promulgation of the 2003 NESHAP, EPA received a petition to reconsider several aspects of the rule from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). NRDC also filed a petition for judicial review of the rule in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. By a letter dated April 8, 2004, EPA granted NRDC’s petition for reconsideration, and on July 20, 2004, the Court placed the petition for judicial review in abeyance pending EPA’s action on the reconsideration. In May 2008, EPA proposed amendments in response to NRDC’s petition for reconsideration. The 2008 amendments proposed changes to the regulation for cell room fugitive mercury emissions to require recordkeeping of work practice standards for cell rooms in all facilities as well as to require instrumental monitoring of cell room fugitive mercury emissions for all plants. The 2008 proposed rule also amended aspects of the 2003 NESHAP to correct errors and inconsistencies that had been brought to EPA's attention since the NESHAP was promulgated. This supplemental proposal in March 2011, covered technical corrections, revised start and shutdown requirements, and included a proposed additional control option. This action will finalize those amendments. 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 63   
Legal Authority: 42 USC 7412   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  06/11/2008  73 FR 33258   
NPRM Comment Period End  08/11/2008    
Supplemental NPRM  03/14/2011  76 FR 13852   
Supplemental NPRM Comment Period End  05/13/2011    
Final Action  09/00/2012    
Additional Information: EPA publication information: NPRM - http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=090000648061e497; EPA Docket information: EPA–HQ– OAR–2002–0017
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hgcellcl/hgcellclpg.html  
Sectors Affected: 325181 Alkalies and Chlorine Manufacturing 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Nathan Topham
Environmental Protection Agency
Air and Radiation
109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Mail Code D243-02,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-0483
Fax:919 541-4991
Email: topham.nathan@epa.gov

Nick Hutson
Environmental Protection Agency
Air and Radiation
109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Mail Code D243-01,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-2968
Fax:919 541-4991
Email: hutson.nick@epa.gov