Lowest Available Emission Rate

All new and modified emission sources must meet the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). These standards are generally less stringent than either the Best Available Control Technology (BACT) or the Lowest Available Emission Rate (LAER). 

We should note that in a general sense, the objective of pollution abatement is compliance. Whether we apply conventional controls or P2, the intent is to develop corrective actions that largely focus on the lowest achievable emission rate (LAER) technologies, and only sometimes on best available control technologies (BACT),... 

Titles I and IV are most relevant to SO, and NO control. Title I establishes a 24-hour average ambient air standard for SO, of 0.14 ppm. The NO provisions require existing major stationaiy sources to apply reasonably available control technologies and new or modified major stationaiy sources to offset their new emissions and install controls representing the lowest achievable emissions rate. Each state with an ozone nonattaininent region must develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) that includes stationaiy NO emissions reductions. 

Cracking (FCC) units have been established through consent decree between the EPA and the rehnery or by the application of new source review (NSR) provisions of the Clean Air Act when making rehnery modihcations that result in a signihcant emission increase. NSR standards require facilities to apply best available control technology (BACT) in ozone attainment areas and the lowest achievable emissions rate (LAER) in ozone nonattainment areas. In addition, in mid-2009, the U.S. EPA revised the Standards of Performance for Petroleum Rehneries (40 CFR 60 Subpart Ja) to include NO, standards for process heaters and FCCUs. 

Note BACT stands for Best Available Control Technology. LAER for Lowest Achievable Emission Rate. NSPSfor New Source Performance Standard, PSD for Prevention of Significant Deterioration. SCR far Selective Catalytic Reduction. SIP far State Implementation Plan. SNCR for Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction, and WEPCOfor Wisconsin Electric Power Company. 

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