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EPA/OAR RIN: 2060-AT05 Publication ID: Spring 2017 
Title: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Taconite Iron Ore Processing Risk and Technology Review 
Abstract:

This action will address the agency's residual risk and technology review (RTR) of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Taconite Iron Ore Processing. The Taconite Iron Ore Processing NESHAP, subpart RRRRR, was promulgated pursuant to section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) on 10/30/03 (68 FR 61867). The NESHAP established emission limitations and/or work practice requirements based on maximum achievable control technology (MACT) for controlling emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) from ore crushing and handling operations, indurating furnaces, finished pellet handling operations and ore dryers. The HAP emitted from these sources include metal hazardous air pollutants (e.g., mercury, manganese and lead), formaldehyde and acid gases (i.e., hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride). This action will implement the residual risk review requirements of CAA section 112(f)(2) and the technology review requirements of CAA section 112(d)(6). The statute directs the EPA to promulgate emission standards under CAA 112(f)(2) if such standards are required to provide an ample margin of safety to protect public health or to prevent, taking relevant factors into account, an adverse environmental effect. Any such standards are to be promulgated within 8 years after promulgation of MACT standards under CAA section 112(d). CAA section 112(d)(6) requires the EPA to review and revise the MACT standards as necessary, taking into account developments in practices, processes and control technologies, no less often than every 8 years. Pursuant to a court order, the EPA is obligated to complete the final action by June 30, 2020. In addition to the RTR, the National Wildlife Federation filed a petition for review of the initial 10/30/03 NESHAP, raising several issues, including the alleged failure of EPA to establish emission standards for mercury and asbestos. EPA requested and was granted a voluntarily partial remand of the rule with the intention to gather information on emissions of mercury and asbestos, and, if appropriate, develop proposed emissions standards for mercury and asbestos. During the development of the RTR proposed rule required by the court order, the EPA might also consider possible options to address issues raised in the NWF petition, if appropriate.

 
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 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Clean Air Act   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Judicial  16-cv-00364-CRC; Filed March 22, 2017.  06/30/2020 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  06/00/2019 
Final Rule  06/00/2020 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
David Putney
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air and Radiation
109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Mail Code D-243-02,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-2016
Fax:919 541-4991
Email: putney.david@epa.gov

Donnalee Jones
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air and Radiation
109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Mail Code D243-02,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-5251
Fax:919 541-4991
Email: jones.donnalee@epa.gov