Ozone nonattainment areas

Because of the necessity to comply with national standards for ground-level ozone, some states are planning another phase of more stringent NO emissions limits which may take place in the eady 2000s. These additional post-RACT reductions may affect plants of all sizes and types, but are likely to focus on major sources. The deadline for compliance in the most extreme areas is 2010. For severe nonattainment areas (O levels 0.181—0.280 ppm), including many coastal areas in the Northeast, from northern Virginia to southern Maine, compliance must be achieved by November 2005 to November 2007. Serious ozone nonattainment areas (O levels 0.161—0.180 ppm) are expected to be in compliance by November 1999. Moderate noncompHance areas must comply by November 1996. 

Although considerable federal legislation dealing with air pollution has been enacted since the 1950s, the basic statutory framework now in effect was established by the Clean Air Act of 1970 amended in 1974 to deal with energy-related issues amended in 1977, when a number of amendments containing particularly important provisions associated with the approval of new industrial plants were adopted and amended in 1990 to address toxic air pollutants and ozone nonattainment areas. 

TABLE 25-7 Ozone Nonattainment Area Classifications and Associated Requirements... 

Nonattainment area classification One-hour ozone concentration design value, ppm Attainment date Major source threshold level, tons VOGs/yr Offset ratio for new/modified sources... 

If in an ozone nonattainment area, does the toller facility actually emit, or have the potential to emit, VOC or NOx in excess of the threshold limit value ... 

VOC emissions must be reduced by at least 15% from 1990 levels in ozone nonattainment areas. 

Title I allows the EPA to define the boundaries of "nonattainment" areas for ozone, CO, and PMjg. Emission standards for these areas will be based on a new set of "nonattainment categories." EPA has established a classification system for ozone design values (goals) and attainment deadlines. Table 24-2 lists these parameters. 

If a nonattainment area is classified as serious, based on ambient ozone measurements, then the state must modify its SIP to bring the area into compliance in 9 years. The CAAA90 also specify the size and, therefore, the number of sources subject to regulatory control as a function of nonattainment classification. Table 24-3 illustrates these requirements for ozone nonattainment classifications of extreme and severe the state must include... 

Classification and Attainment Dates for Ozone Nonattainment Areas... 

As mentioned, nonattainment areas will have to implement different control measures, depending on their classification. Marginal areas, for example, are the closest to meeting the standard. They will be required to conduct an inventory of their ozone-causing emissions and institute a permit program. Nonattainment areas with more serious air quality problems must implement various control measures. The worse the air quality, the more controls areas will have to implement. 

Choose a specific metropolitan area and determine its classification as an ozone nonattainment area. Find the alternative deadline and allowable emissions of NO and VOC com-... 

As of November 1, 1992, all gasoline sold in the 39 CO nonattainment areas contained 2.7 wt% oxygen during the winter months. Beginning January 1, 1995, regulations mandated that gasoline sold in the nine worst ozone non-attainment areas contain at least 2.0 wt% oxygen and not more than 1 vol% benzene and 25 vol% total aromatics. Other cities that have had mobile source emission problems can optin voluntarily to the use of reformulated fuels. 

While petroleum refining represents only 5% of the total emissions, these emissions are concentrated in small areas and generally in or near metropolitan areas not meeting the ozone NAAQS. Many refineries are locafed in so called nonattainment areas and can significantly contribute to local concentration of NO and the concomitant ozone. For many refineries, the NO emission limits from the Fluid Catalytic... 

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. 

Because nonattainment areas still exist, especially in urban areas, the 1990 CAAA contain new and more stringent requirements for such areas. The ambient air quality standards for ozone are of particular concern. Controls include tighter standards on emissions from motor vehicles, use of cleaner fuels, and additional controls on industrial facilities. One of the biggest impacts on the chemical industry is more stringent requirements for minimizing the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This can include process emissions as well as emissions from storage tanks. 

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