August 16, 2024
New Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and Polymers/Resins Industry Requirements
On May 16, 2024, EPA finalized amendments to numerous CAA stationary source standards regulating the synthetic organic chemical manufacturing industry (SOCMI) and the polymers and resins industry. [89 FR 42932] Effective July 15, 2024, the rule is estimated to reduce HAP emissions by 6,200 tons, smog-forming emissions by 23,000 tons, and chloroprene and ethylene oxide emissions by 80% annually. To meet these targets, the rule removes various exemptions, sets fenceline monitoring requirements, revises Group 1 and Group 2 emission point applicability, establishes new emission limits, requires additional work practice standards, and more. The following standards are new or have been revised:
- Part 60, Subparts VVa and VVb—SOCMI: equipment leaks of VOCs
- Part 60, Subparts III and IIIa—SOCMI: air oxidation unit processes;
- Part 60, Subparts NNN and NNNa—SOCMI: distillation operations;
- Part 60, Subparts RRR and RRRa—SOCMI: reactor processes
- Part 63, Subparts F, G, H, and I—collectively known as the hazardous organic NESHAP;
- Part 63, Subparts U—Polymers and resins I;
- Part 63, Subparts W—Polymers and resins II;
- Part 63, Appendix A, Method 327—Fugitive and area source measurement of selected volatile organic hazardous air pollutants using specially prepared canisters.
Given the rule’s scope, EPA has also provided many resources to assist affected sources in attaining the compliance deadlines, including:
- A list of facilities anticipated to be impacted by the rule,
- A regulatory impact analysis,
- An overview presentation,
The regulatory impact analysis estimates an annual national compliance cost of $150 million, most of which comes from complying with the SOCMI standards. Large corporations own most of the affected sources, and compliance is estimated to cost less than 1% of their annual national sales.
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