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EPA/OAR RIN: 2060-AU59 Publication ID: Fall 2021 
Title: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Mercury Cell Chlor-Alkali Plants Residual 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 Mercury Cell Chlor-Alkali Plants. The Mercury Cell Chlor-Alkali Plants NESHAP, subpart IIIII, was promulgated pursuant to section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) on December 19, 2003. The NESHAP established emission limitations and work practice requirements based on maximum achievable control technology (MACT) for controlling emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) from these facilities. The HAP emitted from the mercury cell chlor-alkali operations include mercury and chlorine. 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. The EPA issued a proposed rulemaking on January 8, 2021 (86 FR 1362) and then issued a 30 day comment period extension on February 23, 2021 (86 FR 10909). Pursuant to a court order (Community In-Power and Development Association v. Pruitt, No. 16-cv-1074KBJ (D.D.C. 2018)), the EPA is obligated to complete this final action by May 2, 2022.

 
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 U.S.C. 7412 Clean Air Act    42 U.S.C. 7607(d)(7)(B)   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Judicial  16-cv-01074-KBJ; 2/23/2021.  05/02/2022 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  01/08/2021  86 FR 1362   
NPRM Comment Period End  02/22/2021 
Final Rule  06/00/2022 
Additional Information: EPA-HQ-OAR-2020-0560.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Phil Mulrine
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air and Radiation
109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Mail Code D243-02,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-5289
Fax:919 541-4991
Email: mulrine.phil@epa.gov

Chuck French
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air and Radiation
109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Mail Code D243-02,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-7912
Fax:919 541-4991
Email: french.chuck@epa.gov