July 15, 2005—Through proposed regulatory clarifications, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is emphasizing that affected industries must minimize emissions during their facilities’ startup and shutdown, or at times when equipment is malfunctioning.
The proposed clarifications would amend a rule known as the “General Provisions.” The General Provisions require facilities to develop plans that outline how they will operate to minimize emissions during times of startup, shutdown, and/or malfunction.
Providing they minimize emissions at all times, the proposed amendments would allow a facility to alter the plan on a limited basis. Facilities must maintain these plans on site and must report to their state or local permitting authorities that they have complied with the plans.
For more information on this proposal or how to comment on it, see the EPA Fact Sheet.
