No. 31558 (Amendment): R307-150-4. Sulfur Dioxide Milestone Inventory Requirements

DAR File No.: 31558
Filed: 06/13/2008, 12:44
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

Utah's 2003 Regional Haze State Implementation Plant (SIP) contained sulfur dioxide (SO2) milestones that were based in part on 1999 SO2 emissions from power plants that were reported to the federal acid rain program. In the middle of 1999, EPA changed the flow rate methodology that could be used to measure emissions for the acid rain program and in some cases the new flow rates could lead to a significant change in reported emissions. To ensure that real emission changes were being measured, Rule R307-150 required power plants that were using the new flow rate methodology to adjust their emissions back to the old methodology for purposes of comparing regional SO2 emissions to the regional SO2 milestone. Due to proposed changes in the Regional Haze SIP, this adjustment is no longer needed.

Summary of the rule or change:

The modification to Rule R307-150 removes requirements for power plants that were using the new flow rate methodology to adjust their emissions back to the old methodology for purposes of comparing regional SO2 emissions to the regional SO2 milestone. In addition, sources that make changes to their measurement methodology in the future should ensure that their emissions can be compared to their reported emission in 2006 rather than the earlier inventories of 1998 and 1999 as required by the current rule.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Subsection 19-2-104(1)(c)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

A savings may accrue due to the removal of the requirement for affected parties having to adjust SO2 emissions using an old methodology because the state will no longer have to verify the changes.

local governments:

No costs or savings are anticipated with this rule change. No new requirements were created that affect local government.

small businesses and persons other than businesses:

Small Business: A savings may accrue due to the removal of the requirement for affected parties having to adjust SO2 emissions using an old methodology. Other Persons: A savings may accrue due to the removal of the requirement for affected parties having to adjust SO2 emissions using an old methodology.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

No costs are expected to comply with this revision. No new requirements where created.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The revision to Rule R307-150 simplifies the submission of SO2 emissions from sources. It removes a requirement that the submitter must adjust their emissions using an old methodology. Removal of this requirement may result in a cost savings. Rick W. Sprott, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Environmental Quality
Air Quality
150 N 1950 W
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84116-3085

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Kimberly Kreykes at the above address, by phone at 801-536-4042, by FAX at 801-536-4099, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

07/31/2008

Interested persons may attend a public hearing regarding this rule:

7/17/2008 at 2:00 PM, DEQ Bldg, 168 N 1950 W, Room 201, Salt Lake City, UT

This rule may become effective on:

08/07/2008

Authorized by:

Bryce Bird, Planning Branch Manager

RULE TEXT

R307. Environmental Quality, Air Quality.

R307-150. Emission Inventories.

R307-150-4. Sulfur Dioxide Milestone Inventory Requirements.

(1) Annual Sulfur Dioxide Emission Report.

(a) Sources identified in R307-150-3(1) shall submit an annual inventory of sulfur dioxide emissions beginning with calendar year 2003 for all emissions units including fugitive emissions.

(b) The inventory shall include the rate and period of emissions, excess or breakdown emissions, startup and shut down emissions, the specific emissions unit that is the source of the air pollution, type and efficiency of the air pollution control equipment, percent of sulfur content in fuel and how the percent is calculated, and other information necessary to quantify operation and emissions and to evaluate pollution control efficiency. The emissions of a pollutant shall be calculated using the source's actual operating hours, production rates, and types of materials processed, stored, or combusted during the inventoried time period.

(2) Each source subject to R307-150-4 that is also subject to 40 CFR Part 75 reporting requirements shall submit a summary report of annual sulfur dioxide emissions that were reported to the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR Part 75 in [liew]lieu of the reporting requirements in (1) above.

(3) Changes in Emission Measurement Techniques.[

(a) Each source subject to R307-150-4 that is also subject to 40 CFR Part 75 and that uses 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, Test Methods 2F, 2G, or 2H to measure stack flow rate shall adjust reported sulfur dioxide emissions to ensure that the reported sulfur dioxide emissions are comparable to 1999 emissions. The calculations that are used to make this adjustment shall be included with the annual emission report. The adjustment shall be calculated using one of the methods in (i) through (iii) below:

(i) Directly determine the difference in flow rate through a side-by-side comparison of data collected with the new and old flow reference methods required during a relative accuracy test audit (RATA) test under 40 CFR Part 75.

(ii) Compare the annual average heat rate using heat input data from the federal acid rain program (million Btu) and total generation (megawatt (MW) Hrs) as reported to the federal Energy Information Administration. The flow adjustment will be calculated by using the following ratio: (Heat input/MW for first full year of data using new flow rate method) divided by (Heat input/MW for last full year of data using old flow rate method).

(iii) Compare the cubic feet per minute per MW before and after the new flow reference method based on continuous emission monitoring data submitted in the federal acid rain program, using the following equation: (Standard cubic feet (SCF)/Unit of generation for first full year of data using new flow rate method) divided by (SCF/unit of generation for last full year of data using old flow rate method).

(b)] Each source subject to R307-150-4 that uses a different emission monitoring or calculation method than was used to report their sulfur dioxide emissions in [1998]2006 under R307-150 or [1999 under ]40 CFR Part 75 shall adjust their reported emissions to be comparable to the emission monitoring or calculation method that was used in 2006[1998 or 1999, as applicable]. The calculations that are used to make this adjustment shall be included with the annual emission report.

 

KEY: air pollution, reports, inventories

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [December 31, 2003]2008

Notice of Continuation: February 9, 2004

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 19-2-104(1)(c)