TCEQ Qualified Facilities Exemption Rule

EPA disapproved the Qualified Facilities exemption rule that TCEQ had submitted for inclusion in its federally approved State Implementation Plan (SIP). The rule allowed companies that have air permits to avoid certain federal requirements including public review when they modify their plants. EPA has determined that this regulation does not meet several federal Clean Air Act requirements.

In September 2009, EPA issued a Federal Register Notice proposing to disapprove the TCEQ’s Qualified Facilities Program and invited public comment. EPA has been meeting with TCEQ, industry representatives, and environmental groups to discuss deficiencies with current State air emission permits.

Before the end of 2010, EPA plans to issue final decisions on two additional changes: 1) the Flexible Permits Program and 2) New Source Review Reform regulations.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Texas to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website

Amendment to TRI Chemical List

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to add 16 chemicals to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list of reportable chemicals. TRI is a publicly available EPA database that contains information on toxic chemical releases and waste management activities reported annually by certain industries as well as federal facilities.

Four of the chemicals are being proposed for addition to TRI under the polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) category. The PACs category includes chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic (PBT) and are likely to remain in the environment for a very long time. These chemicals are not readily destroyed and may build up or accumulate in body tissue.

To review a list of the chemicals proposed for addition click here

EPA is accepting public comments on the proposal for 60 days after it appears in the Federal Register.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Texas to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website