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EPA/OAR RIN: 2060-AV58 Publication ID: Spring 2022 
Title: ●National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Taconite Iron Ore Processing Residual Risk and Technology Review 
Abstract:

This action will amend the agency's residual risk and technology review (RTR) of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Taconite Iron Ore Processing to address the court decision Louisiana Environmental Action Network, et al., Petitioners v. EPA (2020), also known as the "LEAN Decision." 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 new and existing 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., arsenic, nickel, mercury, manganese and lead), acid gases (i.e., hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride) and formaldehyde and other combustion-related gases. This action implements 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 (Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League v. Pruitt, Case No: 1:16-cv-00364 (D.D.C. 2017)) related to the review of 13 source categories, EPA completed seven final RTR actions by December 31, 2018, and the agency was required to complete six additional RTR actions by June 30, 2020. The final RTR action was signed on June 17, 2020, and published in the Federal Register on July 28, 2020 (85 FR 45476).

 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 63, subpart RRRRR     (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Judicial  The Consent Decree deadline for the final rule signature date is 11/16/23. (1:16-cv-1074-KBJ (D.D.C. 2018)).  11/16/2023 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  03/00/2023 
Final Rule  12/00/2023 
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

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