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EPA/AR RIN: 2060-AN99 Publication ID: Spring 2007 
Title: NESHAP: Mercury Cell Chlor-Alkali Plants--Amendments 
Abstract: Section 112(c)(6) of the Clean Air Act requires us to list categories of sources for seven specific pollutants (including mercury) assuring that sources accounting for not less than 90 percent of the aggregate emissions of each pollutant are subject to standards pursuant to section 112(d)(2). Chlor-alkali plants are among the source categories listed to achieve the 90 percent goal for mercury. Currently, the source category includes nine plants in eight States engaged in the production of chlorine and caustic-using mercury cells. Together, these plants account for 45 percent of the nationwide mercury inventory for non-combustion sources. Periodically, mercury cell chlor-alkali plants must replace mercury in the cells. Since mercury is not consumed by the process, this mercury leaves the plant site in products, wastes, or through the air. However, mercury cell plants are not able to account for a considerable amount of the mercury that must be replaced. As cited in the preamble to the final rule, there were around 65 tons of mercury unaccounted for in 2000 (68 FR 70920). However, in 2005 only three tons of mercury were unaccounted for, from mercury cell plants. Since the amount of mercury in products, and wastes, and mercury emitted to the air through stacks are not well quantified, NRDC maintains that all this “missing” mercury is emitted via fugitive emissions from the cell rooms. NRDC submitted a petition for reconsideration requesting EPA to more accurately quantify the emissions of mercury from this industry. In response to NRDC's petition, the EPA is initiating a testing and monitoring study to evaluate and better characterize fugitive emissions from mercury cell chlor-alkali plants. The results of this study will improve EPA's ability to measure and predict mercury emissions from chlor-alkali plants. 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 63   
Legal Authority: 42 USC 7412   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  06/00/2008    
Additional Information: SAN No. 5095;
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Agency Contact:
Donnalee Jones
Environmental Protection Agency
Air and Radiation
D243-02,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-5251
Fax:919 541-3207
Email: jones.donnalee@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