DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Division of Air and Waste Management
Air Quality Management Section
Secretary’s Order No. 99-A-0022
Air Regulation No. 25, Requirements for Preconstruction Review
Re: Proposed Amendments to Regulation No. 25,
Requirements for Preconstruction Review of the
Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution
Date of Issuance: April 15, 1999
Effective Date of the Regulatory Amendments: May 11, 1999
I. Background
On Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at approximately 6:00 p.m., a public hearing was held in the DNREC Auditorium at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, Delaware. The purpose of the hearing was to receive comment on proposed amendments to Regulation No. 25, entitled Requirements for Preconstruction Review of the Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution. Thereafter, the Hearing Officer prepared his report and recommendation in the form of a memorandum to the Secretary dated April 14, 1999, and that memorandum is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
II. Findings and Conclusions
All of the findings and conclusions contained in the Hearing Officer’s Memorandum dated April 14, 1999, are expressly incorporated herein and explicitly adopted as the findings and conclusions of the Secretary.
III. Order
In view of the above, I hereby order that the proposed amendments to Regulations No. 25, Requirements for Preconstruction Review, of the Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution as proposed in the Hearing Draft of the Regulation (with the additional change suggested in AQM’s March 30, 1999, memorandum) be promulgated in the manner and form provided for by law.
IV. Reasons
Adopting the proposed amendments to the Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution will further the policies and purposes of 7 Del. C. Chapter 60, because it will allow for the construction of new major sources and the modification of existing major sources that emit volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in Delaware in a manner intended to protect the environment. This rulemaking was not opposed in any way by the public or the regulated community. In addition, this amendment is intended to address deficiencies that the United States Environmental Protection Agency found in Delaware’s regulation of these pollutants.
Nicholas A. Di Pasquale
Secretary
REGULATION NO. 25
REQUIREMENTS FOR PRECONSTRUCTION REVIEW
01/11/93 [xx/xx/99][5/11/99]
Section 1 - General Provisions
1.1 Requirements of this regulation are in addition to any other requirements of the State of Delaware Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution.
1.2 Any stationary source which will impact an attainment area or an unclassifiable area as designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to Section 107 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAA), is subject to the regulations of Section 3, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD).
1.3 Any stationary source which will impact a non-attainment area as designated by the EPA pursuant to Section 107 of the CAA is subject to the regulations of Section 2, Emission Offset Provisions (EOP).
1.4 A source may be subject to PSD for one pollutant and to EOP for another pollutant, or may affect both attainment or unclassifiable areas and a non-attainment area for the same pollutant.
1.5 Any emission limitation represented by Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) may be imposed by the Department pursuant to regulations adopted under Section 2 herein notwithstanding any emission limit specified elsewhere in the State of Delaware Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution.
1.6 Any emission limitation represented by Best Available Control Technology (BACT) may be imposed by the Department pursuant to regulations adopted under Section 3 herein notwithstanding any emission limit specified elsewhere in the State of Delaware Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution.
1.7 No stationary source shall be constructed unless the applicant can substantiate to the Department that the source will comply with any applicable emission limit or New Source Performance Standard or Emission Standard for a Hazardous Air Pollutant as set forth in the State of Delaware Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution.
1.8 Any stationary source that implements, for the purpose of gaining relief from Regulation 25, Section 3, by any physical or operational limitation on the capacity of the source to emit a pollutant, including (but not limited to) air pollution control equipment and restrictions on hours of operation or on the type or amount of material combusted, stored, or processed, shall be treated as part of its design and the limitation or the effect it would have on emissions is enforceable, not withstanding any emission limit specified elsewhere in the State of Delaware Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution. If a source petitions the Department for relief from any resulting limitation described above, the source is subject to review under Regulation 25, Sections 2 and 3 as though construction had not yet commenced on the source or modification.
1.9 Definitions - For the purposes of this regulation
A. "Major Stationary Source" - See Sections 2.2 and 3.0
B. "Major Modification"
1. Major modification means any physical change or change in the method of operation of a major stationary source that would result in a significant net emissions increase of any pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA.
2. Any net emissions increase that is significant for either volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides shall be considered significant for ozone.
3. A physical change or change in the method of operation shall not include:
i. Routine maintenance, repair and replacement;
ii. Use of an alternative fuel or raw material by reason of an order under sections 2(a) and (b) of the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 (or any superseding legislation) or by reason of a natural gas curtailment plan pursuant to the Federal Power Act;
iii. Use of an alternative fuel by reason of an order or rule under Section 125 of the CAA;
iv. Use of an alternative fuel at a steam generating unit to the extent that the fuel is generated from municipal solid waste;
v. Use of an alternative fuel or raw material by a stationary source which:
a. The source was capable of accommodating before January 6, 1975, unless such change would be prohibited under any previously issued permit condition which was established after January 6, 1975.
b. The source is approved to use under any previously issued PSD permit or under Regulation 25, Section 3.
vi. An increase in the hours of operation or in the production rate, unless such change would be prohibited under any previously issued permit condition which was established after January 6, 1975;
vii. Any change in ownership at a stationary source.
C. "Net Emissions Increase"
1. Net emissions increase means the amount by which the sum of the following exceeds zero:
i. Any increase in actual emissions from a particular physical change or change in method of operation at a stationary source; and
ii. Any other increases and decreases in actual emissions at the source that are contemporaneous with the particular change and are otherwise creditable.
2. An increase or decrease in actual emissions is contemporaneous with the increase from the particular change only if it occurs between:
i. The date five years before construction on the particular change commences; and
ii. The date that the increase from the particular change occurs.
3. An increase or decrease in actual emissions is creditable only if the Department has not relied on it in issuing a permit for the source under this section, which permit is in effect when the increase in actual emissions from the particular change occurs.
4. An increase or decrease in actual emissions of sulfur dioxide or particulate matter which occurs before the applicable baseline date is creditable only if it is required to be considered in calculating the amount of maximum allowable increases remaining available.
5. An increase in actual emissions is creditable only to the extent that the new level of actual emissions exceeds the old level.
6. A decrease in actual emissions is creditable only to the extent that:
i. The old level of actual emissions or the old level of allowable emissions, whichever is lower, exceeds the new level of actual emissions;
ii. It is enforceable at and after the time that actual construction on the particular change begins; and
iii. It has approximately the same qualitative significance for public health and welfare as that attributed to the increase from the particular change.
iv. It has not been adopted by the Department as a required reduction to be made part of the SIP or it is not required by the Department pursuant to an existing requirement of the SIP.
7. An increase that results from a physical change at a source occurs when the emissions unit on which construction occurred becomes operational and begins to emit a particular pollutant. Any replacement unit that requires shakedown becomes operational only after a reasonable shakedown period, not to exceed 180 days.
D. "Potential to Emit" means the maximum capacity of a stationary source to emit a pollutant under its physical and operational design. Any physical or operational limitation on the capacity of the source to emit a pollutant, including air pollution control equipment and restrictions on hours of operation or on the type or amount of material combusted, stored, or processed, shall be treated as part of its design if the limitation or the effect it would have on emissions is enforceable. Secondary emissions do not count in determining the potential to emit of a stationary source.
E. "Stationary Source" means any building, structure, facility or installation which emits or may emit any air pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA.
F. "Building, Structure, Facility, or Installation" means all of the pollutant-emitting activities which belong to the same industrial grouping, are located on one or more contiguous or adjacent properties, and are under the control of the same person (or persons under common control). Pollutant-emitting activities shall be considered as part of the same industrial grouping if they belong to the same "Major Group" (i.e., which have the same first two digit code) as described in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1972, as amended by the 1977 Supplement (U.S. Government Printing Office stock numbers 4101-0066 and 003-005-00176-0, respectively). For purposes of Section 2, this definition shall apply only to the "Building, Structure or Facility".
G. "Emissions Unit" means any part of a stationary source which emits or would have the potential to emit any pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA.
H. "Construction" means any physical change or change in the method of operation (including fabrication, erection, installation, demolition or modification of an emissions unit) which would result in a change in actual emissions.
I. "Commence" as applied to construction of a major stationary source or major modification means that the owner or operator has all necessary preconstruction approvals or permits and either has:
1. Begun, or caused to begin, a continuous program of actual on-site construction of the source, to be completed within a reasonable time; or
2. Entered into binding agreements or contractual obligations, which cannot be canceled or modified without substantial loss to the owner or operator, to undertake a program of actual construction of the source to be completed within a reasonable time.
J. "Necessary Preconstruction Approvals or Permits" means those permits or approvals required under Delaware air quality control laws and regulations.
K. "Begin Actual Construction" means, in general, initiation of physical on-site construction activities on an emissions unit which are of a permanent nature. Such activities include, but are not limited to, installation of building supports and foundations, laying underground pipework and construction or permanent storage structures. With respect to a change in method of operations, this term refers to those on-site activities other than preparatory activities which mark the initiation of the change.
L. "Best Available Control Technology" means an emissions limitation (including a visible emission standard) based on the maximum degree of reduction for each pollutant subject to regulation under CAA which would be emitted from any proposed major stationary source or major modification which the Department, on a case-by-case basis, takes into account energy, environmental, and economic impacts and other costs, determines is achievable for such source or modification through application of production processes or available methods, systems, and techniques, including fuel cleaning or treatment or innovative fuel combustion techniques for control of such pollutant. In no event shall application of best available control technology result in emissions of any pollutant which would exceed the emissions allowed by any applicable standard under Regulation 20 and 21. If the Department determines that technological or economic limitations on the application of measurement methodology to a particular emissions unit would make the imposition of an emissions standard infeasible, a design, equipment, work practice, operational standard, or combination thereof, may be prescribed instead to satisfy the requirement for the application of best available control technology. Such standard shall, to the degree possible, set forth the emissions reduction achievable by implementation of such design, equipment, work practice or operation, and shall provide for compliance by means which achieve equivalent results.
M. "Baseline Concentration"
1. Baseline concentration means that ambient concentration level which exists in the baseline area at the time of the applicable baseline date. A baseline concentration is determined for each pollutant for which a baseline date is established and shall include:
i. The actual emissions representative of sources in existence on the applicable baseline date, except as provided in paragraph 1.9M(2);
ii. The allowable emissions of major stationary sources which commenced construction before January 6, 1975, but were not in operation by the applicable baseline date.
2. The following will not be included in the baseline concentration and will affect the applicable maximum allowable increase(s):
i. Actual emissions from any major stationary source on which construction commenced after January 6, 1975; and
ii. Actual emissions increases and decreases at any stationary source occurring after the baseline date.
N. "Baseline Date"
1. Baseline date means the earliest date after August 7, 1977, on which the first complete application is submitted by a major stationary source or major modification subject to the requirements of Regulation 25, Section 3.
2. Baseline date means the earliest date after August 7, 1977, but before the effective date of this regulation, on which the first complete application by a major stationary source or major modification which would have been subject to the requirements of Regulation 25, Section 3 if application were submitted after the effective date of this regulation.
3. The baseline date is established for each pollutant for which increments or other equivalent measures have been established if:
i. The area in which the proposed source or modification would construct is designated as attainment or unclassifiable for the pollutant on the date of its complete application under this section; and
ii. In the case of a major stationary source, the pollutant would be emitted in significant amounts, or, in the case of a major modification, there would be a significant net emissions increase of the pollutant. O. "Baseline Area"
1. Baseline area means any intrastate area (and every part thereof) designated as attainment or unclassifiable in which the major source or major modification establishing the baseline date would construct or would have an air quality impact equal to or greater than 1 µg/m3 (annual average) of the pollutant for which the baseline date is established.
2. Area redesignations cannot intersect or be smaller than the area of impact of any major stationary source or major modification which:
i. Establishes a baseline date, or
ii. Is subject to this section.
P. "Allowable Emissions" means the emissions rate of a stationary source calculated using the maximum rated capacity of the source (unless the source is subject to enforceable limits which restrict the operating rate, or hours of operation, or both) and the most stringent of the following:
1. The applicable standards as set forth in Regulations 20 and 21;
2. Other applicable Delaware State Implementation Plan emissions limitations, including those with a future compliance date; or
3. The emissions rate specified as an enforceable permit condition, including those with a future compliance date.
Q. "Secondary Emissions" means emissions which would occur as a result of the construction or operation of a major stationary source or major modification, but do not come from the major stationary source or major modification itself. For the purpose of this section, secondary emissions must be specific, well defined, quantifiable, and impact the same general area as the stationary source or modification which causes the secondary emissions. Secondary emissions may include, but are not limited to:
1. Emissions from ships, trains, or other vehicles coming to or from the new or modified stationary source; and
2. Emissions from any offsite support facility(s) which would not otherwise be constructed or increase its emissions as a result of the construction or operation of the major stationary source or major modification.
R. "Innovative Control Technology" means any system of air pollution control that has not been adequately demonstrated in practice, but would have a substantial likelihood of achieving greater continuous emissions reduction than any control system in current practice or of achieving at least comparable reductions at lower cost in terms of energy economics, or non-air quality environmental impacts.
S. "Fugitive Emissions" means those emissions which could not reasonably pass through a stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally equivalent opening.
T. "Actual Emissions:
1. Actual emissions means the actual rate of emissions of a pollutant from an emission unit, as determined in accordance with subparagraphs (2) through (4) below.
2. In general, actual emissions as of a particular date shall equal the average rate, in tons per year, at which the unit actually emitted the pollutant during a two-year period which precedes the particular date and which is representative of normal source operation. The Department shall allow the use of a different time period upon a determination that it is more representative of normal source operation. Actual emissions shall be calculated using the unit's actual operating hours, production rates, and types of materials processed, stored, or combusted during the selected time period.
3. The Department may presume that source-specific allowable emissions for the unit are equivalent to the actual emissions of the unit.
4. For any emissions unit which has not begun normal operations on the particular date, actual emissions shall equal the potential to emit of the unit on that date.
U. "Complete" means, in reference to an application for a permit, that the application contains all of the information necessary for processing the application.
V. "Significant"
1. Significant means, in reference to a net emissions increase or the potential of a source to emit any of the following pollutants, a rate of emissions that would equal or exceed any of the following rates:
Pollutant and Emissions Rate
Carbon monoxide: 100 tons per year (TPY)
Sulfur dioxide: 40 TPY
Particulate matter: 25 TPY
Ozone: New Castle and Kent Counties - 25 TPY of either volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides *
Sussex County - 40 TPY of either volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides *
Lead: 0.6 TPY
Asbestos: 0.007 TPY
Beryllium: 0.0004 TPY
Mercury: 0.1 TPY
Vinyl chloride: 1 TPY
Fluorides: 3 TPY
Sulfuric acid mist: 7 TPY
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S): 10 TPY
Total reduced sulfur (including H2S): 10 TPY
Reduced sulfur compounds (including H2S): 10 TPY
PM10 particulate: 15 TPY
* Note: Increases in net emissions shall not exceed 25 tons per year in New Castle and Kent Counties, or 40 tons per year in Sussex, when aggregated with all other net increases in emissions from the source over any period of five consecutive calendar years which includes the calendar year in which such increases occur. No part of the five consecutive years shall extend before January 1, 1991.
2. "Significant" means, in reference to a net emissions increase or the potential of a source to emit a pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA that paragraph 1.9 V.(1) does not list, any emissions rate.
3. Notwithstanding paragraph 1.9 V.(1), "significant" means any emissions rate or any net emissions increase associated with a major stationary source or major modification, which would construct within ten kilometers of a Class I area, and have an impact on such area equal to or greater than 1 µg/m3, (24-hour average).
W. "Fixed capital cost" means the capital needed to provide all the depreciable components.
X. "Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) means the same as defined in Regulation No. 1, "Definitions and Administrative Principles".
Y. "Reconstruction" will be presumed to have taken place where the fixed capital cost of the new components exceed 50 percent of the fixed capital cost of a comparable entirely new stationary source. Any final decision as to whether reconstruction has occurred shall be made in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR 60.15(f)(1)-(3). A reconstructed stationary source will be treated as a new stationary source for purposes of this regulation. In determining lowest achievable emission rate (LAER) for a reconstructed stationary source, the provisions of 40 CFR 60.15(f)(4) shall be taken into account in assessing whether a new source performance standard is applicable to such stationary source.
Z. “Ozone Transport Region” means the region designated by section 184 of the federal Clean Air Act and comprised of the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area that includes the District of Columbia and northern Virginia.
AA. “Permanent” (Reductions) means that the actual emission reductions submitted to the Department for certification have been incorporated in a permit or a permit condition or, in the case of a shutdown, the permit to operate for the emission unit(s) has been voided.
BB. “Quantifiable” (Reductions) means that the amount, rate and characteristics of emission reductions can be determined by methods that are considered reliable by the Department and the Administrator of the EPA.
CC. “Real” (Reductions) means reductions in actual emissions released into the atmosphere.
DD. “Surplus” (Reductions) means actual emission reductions below the baseline (see Section 2.5(B)) not required by regulations or proposed regulations, and not used by the source to meet any state or federal regulatory requirements.
EE. “Enforceable” means any standard, requirement, limitation or condition established by an applicable federal or state regulation or specified in a permit issued or order entered thereunder, or contained in a SIP approved by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and which can be enforced by the Department and the Administrator of the EPA.
01/11/93 [xx/xx/99][5/11/99]
Section 2 - Emission Offset Provisions (EOP)
2.1 Applicability - The provisions of this Section shall apply to any person responsible for any proposed new major stationary source or any proposed major modification.
2.2 For purposes of Section 2, "major stationary source" means
A. Any stationary source of air pollutants which emits, or has the potential to emit, 100 tons per year or more of any pollutant subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act, except for either volatile organic compound or nitrogen oxides, or
B. Any stationary source of air pollutants which emits, or has the potential to emit either volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides in the following amounts:
1. New Castle & Kent Counties - 25 tons per year of either volatile organic compounds or oxides of nitrogen
2. Sussex County For areas in ozone attainment, ozone marginal, or ozone moderate nonattainment areas and located in the ozone transport region - 50 tons per year volatile organic compounds or 100 tons per year of oxides of nitrogen, or
2. For serious ozone nonattainment areas - 50 tons per year of either volatile organic compounds or oxides of nitrogen, or
3. For severe ozone nonattainment areas - 25 tons per year of either volatile organic compounds or oxides of nitrogen, or
4. For extreme ozone nonattainment areas - 10 tons per year of either volatile organic compounds or oxides of nitrogen.
C. Any physical change that would occur at a stationary source not qualifying under paragraph (A) or (B) as a major stationary source, if the change would constitute a major stationary source by itself[.], or
D. A major stationary source that is major for either volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides shall be considered major for ozone, and "installation" means an identifiable piece of process, combustion or incineration equipment.
2.3 For the purposes of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of this regulation, emission units located in areas designated as attainment or marginal nonattainment areas that are located within the ozone transport region shall be considered located in a moderate ozone nonattainment area.
2.4 Conditions for Approval - No person subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1 shall install a major stationary source of volatile organic compounds or of nitrogen oxides, or make a major modification to a source which will cause or contribute to any violation of the national ambient air quality standards for ozone within an area of non-attainment for that pollutant unless the following conditions are met:
A. The new major source or the major modification is controlled by the application of lowest achievable emission rate (LAER) control technology.
B. All existing sources in the State owned or controlled by the owner of the proposed new or modified source are in compliance with the applicable local, State and federal regulations or are in compliance with a consent order specifying a schedule and timetable for compliance.
C. To the extent that allowable emissions of VOC from the new major stationary source or major modification will exceed the growth allowance in the State Implementation Plan, an emission reduction from existing sources shall be provided prior to start-up of the applicable source such that total allowable emissions from the existing sources and new major stationary sources will be less than that allowed from the existing source under the existing state implementation plan requirements. Where no emission limit exists under the state implementation plan, the level of emissions in existence at the time the permit application is filed shall be used in determining the baseline for the emission reduction.
For the purposes of satisfying offset requirements, the ratio of total actual emissions reductions of volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides to total allowable increased emissions of volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides shall be:
1. For New Castle & Kent Counties, 1.3 to 1, or
2. For Sussex County, 1.15 to 1The new or modified source must satisfy the following offset requirements:
1. The ratio of total actual emissions reductions of volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides to total allowable increased emissions of volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides shall be:
a. For moderate ozone nonattainment areas, 1.15 to 1, or
b. For serious ozone nonattainment areas, 1.2 to 1, or
c. For severe ozone nonattainment areas, 1.3 to 1, or
d. For extreme ozone nonattainment areas, 1.5 to 1.
2. All offsets shall be federally enforceable at the time of application to construct and shall be in effect by the time the new or modified source commences [construction][operation].
D. The emission reduction required by Section 2.3 C is implemented such that there is a net air quality benefit in the affected area.
E.1. The application for construction permit pursuant to Regulation No. II 2 shall include an analysis of alternative sites, sizes, production processes and environmental control techniques for such proposed source which demonstrates that benefits of the proposed source significantly outweigh the environmental and social costs imposed as a result of its location, construction, or modification.
2. Public participation for the construction permit shall be pursuant to Regulation No. 2, Section 12.3 or 12.4 and 12.5.
2.5 Criteria for Emission Reductions Used as Offsets
A. All emission reductions claimed as offset credits shall be real, surplus, [permanent,] quantifiable, and federally enforceable;
B. The baseline for determining credit for emissions reductions shall be the lower of actual or allowable emissions. The offset credit shall only be allowed for emission reductions made below the baseline;
C. Emission reductions claimed as offsets shall [be included in the most recent rate of progress (ROP) emissions inventory and shall] have occurred on or after January 1, 1991;
D. Credit for an emission reduction may be claimed for use as an offset to the extent that the Department has not relied on it in issuing any permit under this regulation and has not relied on it for demonstration of attainment or reasonable further progress;
E. Emission reductions shall not be used as offsets in an area with a higher nonattainment classification than the one in which they were generated.
F. Emission reductions claimed as offsets by a source must be generated from within the same nonattainment area or from any other area that contributes to a violation of the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard in the nonattainment area which the source is located.
2.6 Emission reductions generated in a state other than Delaware and which are placed in the emissions bank established pursuant to Regulation No. 34 of the State of Delaware[’s] “Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution” may be used as offsets provided they are federally enforceable and meet, at a minimum, all the provisions of Regulation No. 34 and Sections 2.5(E), and (F) of this regulation.
03/29/88
Section 3 - Prevention of Significant Deterioration of Air Quality
3.0 Definitions - For purposes of this Section 3
A. "Major Stationary Source"
(1) Major stationary source means:
(i) Any of the following stationary sources of air pollutants which emits or has the potential to emit, 100 tons per year or more of any pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA: Fossil fuel-fired steam electric plants of more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat input, coal cleaning plants (with thermal dryers), kraft pulp mills, portland cement plants, primary zinc smelters, iron and steel mill plants, primary aluminum ore reduction plants, primary copper smelters, municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 250 tons of refuse per day, hydrofluoric, sulfuric, and nitric acid plants, petroleum refineries, lime plants, phosphate rock processing plants, coke oven batteries, sulfur recovery plants, carbon black plants (furnace process), primary lead smelters, fuel conversion plants, sintering plants, secondary metal production plants, chemical process plants, fossil fuel boilers (or combinations thereof) totaling more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat input, petroleum storage and transfer units with a total storage capacity exceeding 300,000 barrels, taconite ore processing plants, glass fiber processing plants, and charcoal production plants;
(ii) Notwithstanding the stationary source size specified in paragraph 3.0 A.(1)(i) of this section, any stationary source which emits, or has the potential to emit, 250 tons per year or more of any air pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA; or
(iii) Any physical change that would occur at a stationary source not otherwise qualifying under paragraph 3.0 as a major stationary source, if the change would constitute a major stationary source by itself.
(2) A major stationary source that is major for volatile organic compounds shall be considered major for ozone.
3.1 Ambient Air Increments. In areas designated as Class I, II or III, increases in pollutant concentration over the baseline concentration shall be limited to the following:
Maximum allowable increase
(Micrograms per cubic meter)
Class I
Pollutant
Total suspended particulates:
Annual geometric mean 5
24-hour maximum 10
Sulfur dioxide:
Annual arithmetic mean 2
24-hour maximum 5
3-hour maximum 25
Class II
Pollutant
Total suspended particulates:
Annual geometric mean 19
24-hour maximum 37
Sulfur dioxide:
Annual arithmetic mean 20
24-hour maximum 91
3-hour maximum 512
Class III
Total suspended particulates:
Annual geometric mean 37
24-hour maximum 75
Sulfur dioxide:
Annual arithmetic mean 40
24-hour maximum 182
3-hour maximum 700
For any period other than an annual period, the applicable maximum allowable increase may be exceeded during one such period per year at any one location.
3.2 Ambient Air Ceilings. No concentration of a pollutant shall exceed:
A. The concentration permitted under the national secondary ambient air quality standard, or
B. The concentration permitted under the national primary ambient air quality standard, whichever concentration is lowest for the pollutant for a period of exposure.
3.3 Restrictions on Area Classification.
A. All Areas in the State of Delaware are designated Class II, but may be redesignated as provided in 40 CFR 52.51(g).
B. The following areas may be redesignated only as Class I:
(1) Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge; and
(2) A national park or national wilderness area established after August 7, 1977 which exceeds 10,000 acres in size.
3.4 Exclusions from Increment Consumption
A. Upon written request of the governor, made after notice and opportunity for at least one public hearing to be held in accordance with procedures established by the State of Delaware, the Department shall exclude the following concentrations in determining compliance with a maximum allowable increase:
(1) Concentrations attributable to the increase in emissions from stationary sources which have converted from the use of petroleum products, natural gas, or both by reason of an order in effect under sections 2(a) and (b) of the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 (or any superseding legislation) over the emissions from such sources before the effective date of such an order;
(2) Concentrations attributable to the increase in emissions from sources which have converted from using natural gas by reason of a natural gas curtailment plan in effect pursuant to the Federal Power Act over the emissions from such sources before the effective date of such plan;
(3) Concentrations of particulate matter attributable to the increase in emissions from construction or other temporary emission-related activities of new or modified sources;
B. No exclusion of such concentrations shall apply more than five years after the effective date of the order to which paragraph 3.4A(1) refers or the plan to which paragraph 3.4A(2) refers, whichever is applicable. If both such order and plan are applicable, no such exclusion shall apply more than five years after the later of such effective dates.
3.5 Stack Heights
The provisions of Regulation 27 - STACK HEIGHTS, are applicable to this section.
3.6 Review of Major Stationary Sources and Major Modifications - Source Applicability and Exemptions.
A. No stationary source or modification to which the requirements of paragraphs 3.7 through 3.14 of this section apply shall begin actual construction without a permit which states that the stationary source or modification would meet those requirements. The Department has authority to issue any such permit.
B. The requirements of paragraphs 3.7 through 3.14 of this section shall apply to any major stationary source and any major modification with respect to each pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA that it would emit, except as this section otherwise provides.
C. The requirements of paragraphs 3.7 through 3.14 of this section apply only to any major stationary source or major modification that would be constructed in an area designated as attainment or unclassifiable.
D. The requirements of paragraphs 3.7 through 3.14 of this section shall not apply to a particular major stationary source or major modification, if:
(1) The source or modification would be a nonprofit health or nonprofit educational institution, or a major modification would occur at such an institution, and the governor requests that it be exempt from those requirements; or
(2) The source or modification would be a major stationary source or major modification only if fugitive emissions, to the extent quantifiable, are considered in calculating the potential to emit of the stationary source or modification and the source does not belong to any of the following categories:
(i) Coal cleaning plants (with thermal dryers);
(ii) Kraft pulp mills;
(iii) Portland cement plants;
(iv) Primary zinc smelters;
(v) Iron and steel mills;
(vi) Primary aluminum ore reduction plants;
(vii) Primary copper smelters;
(viii)Municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 250 tons of refuse per day;
(ix) Hydrofluoric, sulfuric, or nitric acid plants;
(x) Petroleum refineries;
(xi) Lime plants;
(xii) Phosphate rock processing plants;
(xiii) Coke oven batteries;
(xiv) Sulfur recovery plants;
(xv) Carbon black plants (furnace process);
(xvi) Primary lead smelters;
(xvii) Fuel conversion plants;
(xviii) Sintering plants;
(xix) Secondary metal production plants;
(xx) Chemical process plants;
(xxi) Fossil-fuel boilers (or combination thereof) totaling more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat input:
(xxii) Petroleum storage and transfer units with a total storage capacity exceeding 300,000 barrels;
(xxiii) Taconite ore processing plants;
(xxiv) Glass fiber processing plants;
(xxv) Charcoal production plants;
(xxvi) Fossil fuel-fired steam electric plants of more than 250 million British thermal units per hour heat input;
(xxvii) Any other stationary source category which, as of August 7, 1980, is being regulated under section 111 or 112 of the CAA; or
(3) The source is a portable stationary source which has previously received a permit under this section, and
(i) The owner or operator proposal to relocate the source and emissions of the source at the new location would be temporary; and
(ii) The emissions from the source would not exceed its allowable emissions; and
(iii) The emissions from the source would impact no Class I area and no area where an applicable increment is known to be violated; and
(iv) Reasonable notice is given to the Department prior to the relocation identifying the proposed new location and the probable duration of operation at the new location. Such notice shall be given to the Department not less than ten days in advance of the proposed relocation unless a different time duration is previously approved by the Department.
E. The requirements of paragraphs 3.7 through 3.14 of this section shall not apply to a major stationary source or major modification with respect to a particular pollutant if the owner or operator demonstrates that, as to that pollutant, the source or modification is located in an area designated as non-attainment.
F. The requirements of paragraphs 3.8, 3.10, and 3.12 of this section shall not apply to a major stationary source or major modification with respect to a particular pollutant, if the allowable emissions of that pollutant from the source, or the net emissions increase of that pollutant from the modification:
(1) Would impact no Class I area and no area where an applicable increment is known to be violated, and
(2) Would be temporary.
G. The Department may exempt a stationary source or modification from the requirements of paragraph 3.10 with respect to monitoring for a particular pollutant if:
(1) The emissions increase of the pollutant from the new source or the net emissions increase of the pollutant from the modification would cause, in any area, air quality impacts less than the following amounts:
Carbon monoxide: 575 ug/m3, 8-hour average;
Nitrogen dioxide: 14 ug/m3, annual average;
Total suspended particulate: 10 ug/m3, 24-hour average;
Sulfur dioxide: 13 ug/m3, 24-hour average;
Ozone (Note 1)
Lead: 0.1 ug/m3, 24-hour average;
Mercury: 0.25 ug/m3, 24-hour average;
Beryllium: 0.0005 ug/m3, 24-hour average;
Fluorides: 0.25 ug/m3, 24-hour average;
Vinyl chloride: 15 ug/m3, 24-hour average;
Total reduced sulfur: 10 ug/m3, 1-hour average;
Hydrogen sulfide: 0.04 ug/m3, 1-hour average;
Reduced sulfur compounds: 10 ug/m3, 1-hour average;
PM10 particulate: 10 ug/m3, 24-hour average
(2) The concentrations of the pollutant in the area that the source or modification would affect are less than the concentrations listed in paragraph 3.6G(1), or the pollutant is not listed in paragraph 3.6G(1).
3.7 Control Technology Review
A. A major stationary source or major modification shall meet each applicable emissions limitation of the State of Delaware's Air Pollution Control Regulations.
B. A new major stationary source shall apply best available control technology for each pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA that it would have the potential to emit in significant amounts.
C. A major modification shall apply best available control technology for each pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA for which it would result in a significant net emissions increase at the source. This requirement applies to each proposed emissions unit at which a net emissions increase in the pollutant would occur as a result of a physical change or change in the method of operation in the unit.
D. For phase construction projects, the determination of best available control technology shall be reviewed and modified as appropriate at the latest reasonable time which occurs no later than 18 months prior to commencement of construction of each independent phase of the project. At such time, the owner or operator of the applicable stationary source may be required to demonstrate the adequacy of any previous determination of best available control technology for the source.
________________________________________________Note 1: No de minimus air quality level is provided for ozone. However, any net increase of 100 tons per year or more of volatile organic compounds subject to PSD would be required to perform an ambient impact analysis including the gathering of ambient air quality data.
3.8 Source Impact Analysis. The owner or operator of the proposed source or modification shall demonstrate that allowable emission increases from the proposed source or modification, in conjunction with all other applicable emissions increases or reductions (including secondary emissions), would not cause or contribute to air pollution in violation of:
A. Any national ambient air quality standard in any air quality control region; or
B. Any applicable maximum allowable increase over the baseline concentration in any area.
3.9 Air Quality Models.
A. All estimates of ambient concentrations required under this section shall be based on the applicable air quality models, data bases, and other requirements specified in the "Guideline on Air Quality Models" (OA-QPS 1.2-080, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711, April, 1978 or its subsequent revisions). This document is incorporated by reference.
B. When an air quality impact model specified in the "Guideline on Air Quality Models" is inappropriate, the model may be modified or another model substituted. Such a change must be subject to the notice and opportunity for public comment under paragraph 3.14 of this section. Written approval of the Department must be obtained for any modification or substitution. Methods like those outlined in the "Workbook for the Comparison of Air Quality Models" (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 17711, May, 1978 or its subsequent revisions) should be used to determine the comparability of air quality models.
3.10 Air Quality Analysis
A. Preapplication Analysis.
(1) Any application for a permit under this section shall contain an analysis of ambient air quality in the area that the major stationary source or major modification would affect for each of the following pollutants:
(i) For the source, each pollutant that it would have the potential to emit in a significant amount;
(ii) For the modification, each pollutant for which it would result in a significant net emissions increase.
(2) With respect to any such pollutant for which no National Ambient Air Quality Standard exists, the analysis shall contain such air quality monitoring data as the Department determines is necessary to assess ambient air quality for that pollutant in any area that the emissions of that pollutant would affect.
(3) With respect to any such pollutant (other than non-methane hydrocarbons) for which such a standard does exist, the analysis shall contain continuous air quality monitoring data gathered for purposes of determining whether emissions of that pollutant would cause or contribute to a violation of the standard or any maximum allowable increase.
(4) In general, the continuous air quality monitoring data that is required shall have been gathered over a period of at least one year and shall represent at least the year preceeding receipt of the application, except that, if the Department determines that a complete and adequate analysis can be accomplished with monitoring data gathered over a period shorter than one year (but not to be less than four months), the data that is required shall have been gathered over at least that shorter period.
(5) The owner or operator of a proposed stationary source or modification of volatile organic compounds who satisfies all of the following conditions may provide post-approval monitoring data for ozone in lieu of providing preconstruction data as required under paragraph 3.10A.
Condition 1: The new source is required to meet an emission limitation which specifies the lowest achievable emission rate for such source.
Condition 2: The applicant must certify that all existing major sources owned or operated by the applicant (or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the applicant) in Delaware are in compliance with all applicable emission limitations and standards under the CAA (or are in compliance with an expeditious schedule approved by the Department).
Condition 3: Emission reductions ("offsets") from existing sources in the area of the proposed source (whether or not under the same ownership) are required such that there will be reasonable progress toward attainment of the applicable NAAQS. Only intrapollutant emission offsets will be acceptable (e.g., hydrocarbon increases may not be offset against SO(reductions)).
Condition 4: The emission offsets will provide a positive net air quality benefit in the affected area (see 40 CFR Part 51 App. S). Atmospheric simulation modeling is not necessary for volatile organic compounds and NOx. Fulfillment of Condition 3 will be considered adequate to meet this condition for volatile organic compounds and NOx.
B. Post-construction monitoring. The owner or operator of a major stationary source or major modification shall, after construction of the stationary source or modification conduct such ambient monitoring as the Department determines is necessary to determine the effect emissions from the stationary source or modification may have, or are having, on air quality in any area.
C. Operations of monitoring stations. The owner or operator of a major stationary source or major modification shall meet the Quality Assurance Requirements for PSD Air Monitoring as preapproved by the Department during the operation of monitoring stations for purposes of satisfying paragraph 3.10 of this section.
3.11 Source Information. The owner or operator of proposed source or modification shall submit all information necessary to perform any analysis or make any determination required under this section.
A. With respect to a source or modification to which paragraphs 3.8, 3.10, and 3.12 of this section apply, such information shall include but not be limited to:
(1) A description of the nature, location, design capacity and typical operating schedule of the source or modification, including specifications and drawings showing its design and plant layout;
(2) A detailed schedule for construction of the source or modification;
(3) A detailed description as to what system of continuous emission reduction is planned for the source or modification, emission estimates, and any other information necessary to determine that best available control technology would be applied
B. Upon request of the Department, the owner or operator shall also provide information on:
(1) The air quality impact of the source or modification, including meteorological and topographical data necessary to estimate such impact; and
(2) The air quality impacts, and the nature and extent of any or all general commercial, residential, industrial, and other growth which has occurred since August 7, 1977 or the applicable baseline date(s), in the area the source or modification would affect.
3.12 Additional Impact Analyses.
A. The owner or operator shall provide an analysis of the impairment to visibility, soils and vegetation that would occur as a result of the source or modification and general commercial, residential, industrial and other growth associated with the source or modification. The owner or operator need not provide an analysis of the impact on vegetation having no significant commercial or recreational value.
B. The owner or operator shall provide an analysis of the air quality impact projected for the area as a result of general commercial, residential, industrial and other growth associated with the source or modification.
3.13 Public Participation
A. Within 30 days after receipt of an application to construct, or any addition to such application, the Department shall advise the applicant of any deficiency in the application or in the information submitted. In the event of such a deficiency, the date of receipt of the application shall be, for the purpose of this section, the date on which the Department received all required information.
B. Within one year after receipt of a complete application, the Department shall make a final determination on the application. This involves performing the following actions in a timely manner:
(1) Make a preliminary determination whether construction should be approved, approved with conditions, or disapproved.
(2) Make available a copy of all materials the applicant submitted, a copy of the preliminary determination, and a copy or summary of other materials, if any, considered in making the preliminary determination.
(3) Notify the public, by advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in each region in which the proposed source or modification would be constructed, of the application, the preliminary determination, the degree of increment consumption that is expected from the source or modification, and the opportunity for comment at public hearing as well as written public comment.
(4) Send a copy of the notice of public comment to the applicant and to officials and agencies having cognizance over the location where the proposed construction would occur as follows: the chief executives of the city and county where the source or modification would be located and any comprehensive regional land use planning agency whose lands may be affected by emissions from the source or modification. Additionally, if the proposed source would have significant interstate impact, the Governor of that impacted state would be notified.
(5) Provide opportunity for a public hearing for interested persons to appear and submit written or oral comments on the air quality impact of the source or modification, alternatives to the source or modification, the control technology required, and other appropriate considerations.
(6) Consider all written comments submitted within a time specified in the notice of public comment and all comments received at any public hearing(s) in making a final decision on the approvability of the application. No later than ten days after the close of the public comment period, the applicant may submit a written response to any comments submitted by the public. The Department shall consider the applicant's response in making a final decision. The Department shall make all comments available for public inspection in the same locations where the Department made available preconstruction information relating to the proposed source or modification.
(7) Make a final determination whether construction should be approved, approved with conditions, or disapproved pursuant to this section.
(8) Notify the applicant in writing of the final determination and make such notification available for public inspection at the same location where the Department made available preconstruction information and public comments relating to the source or modification.
3.14 Source Obligation.
A. Any owner or operator who constructs or operates a source or modification not in accordance with the application submitted pursuant to this section or with the terms of any approval to construct, or any owner or operator of a source or modification subject to this section who commences construction after the effective date of these regulations without applying for and receiving approval hereunder, shall be subject to appropriate enforcement action.
B. Approval to construct shall become invalid if construction is not commenced within 18 months after receipt of such approval, if construction is discontinued for a period of 18 months or more, or if construction is not completed within a reasonable time. The Department may extend the 18-month period upon a satisfactory showing that an extension is justified. This provision does not apply to the time period between construction of the approved phases of a phased construction project; each phase must commence construction within 18 months of the projected and approved commencement date.
C. Approval to construct shall not relieve any owner or operator of the responsibility to comply fully with applicable provisions of any other requirements under local or Federal law.
D. At such time that a particular source or modification becomes a major stationary source or major modification solely by virtue of a relaxation in any enforceable limitation which was established after August 7, 1980 on the capacity of the source or modification otherwise to emit a pollutant, such as a restriction on hours of operation, then the requirements or paragraphs 3.7 through 3.14 of this section shall apply to the source or modification as though construction had not yet commenced on the source or modification.
3.15 Innovative Control Technology.
A. An owner or operator of a proposed major stationary source or major modification may request the Department in writing no later than 30 days after the close of the public comment hearing to approve a system of innovative control technology.
B. The Department shall, with the consent of the Governor of Delaware, determine that the source or modification may employ a system of innovative control technology, if:
(1) The proposed control system would not cause or contribute to an unreasonable risk to public health, welfare, or safety in its operation or function;
(2) The owner or operator agrees to achieve a level of continuous emissions reduction equivalent to that which would have been required under paragraph 3.7B by a date specified by the Department. Such date shall not be later than four years from the time of startup or seven years from permit issuance;
(3) The source or modification would meet the requirements of paragraphs 3.7 and 3.8 based on the emissions rate that the stationary source employing the system of innovative control technology would be required to meet on the date specified by the Department;
(4) The source or modification would not be before the date specified by the Department:
(i) Cause or contribute to a violation of an applicable national ambient air quality standard; or
(ii) Impact any Class I area; or
(iii) Impact any area where an applicable increment is known to be violated; and
(5) All other applicable requirements including those for public participation have been met.
C. The Department shall withdraw any approval to employ a system of innovative control technology made under this section, if:
(1) The proposed system fails before the specified date to achieve the required continuous emissions reduction rate; or
(2) The proposed system fails before the specified date so as to contribute to an unreasonable risk to public health, welfare, or safety; or
(3) The Department decides at any time that the proposed system is unlikely to achieve the required level of control or to protect the public health, welfare, or safety.
D. If a source or modification fails to meet the required level of continuous emission reduction within the specified time period or the approval is withdrawn in accordance with paragraph 3.15C, the Department may allow the source or modification up to an additional three years to meet the requirement for the application of best available control technology through use of a demonstrated system of control.
April 1, 1999