EPA’s Preliminary Plan for Retrospective Reviews of Existing Regulations, Part II

In a continuation of our previous blog update. the following are a few key points highlighted in EPA's preliminary plan.

• EPA plans to publish a proposed rulemaking for the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Risk and Technology Review for Pulp and Paper Industry (Subpart S) and Chemical Recovery Combustion Sources (Subpart MM), as well as a New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) review for Kraft Pulp Mills. EPA intends that these regulations, which are expected beginning in summer 2011, be considered together as part of an industry-specific sector approach to regulation.
• EPA plans to publish a proposed rulemaking for the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Risk and Technology Review for Pulp and Paper Industry (Subpart S) and Chemical Recovery Combustion Sources (Subpart MM), as well as a New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) review for Kraft Pulp Mills.  EPA intends that these regulations, which are expected beginning in summer 2011, be considered together as part of an industry-specific sector approach to regulation.
• EPA will also reconsider the NSPS review process, which EPA is required to undertake every 8 years under the CAA for over 70 different industrial source types.  EPA plans to make the NSPS review process more efficient by establishing priorities for reviews and revisions of NSPS based on opportunities for meaningful improvements in air quality and public health.  EPA plans to issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in summer 2011 that will introduce a streamlined process for determining whether an NSPS requires a review.  If a NSPS remains effective in meeting the CAA requirements, EPA will not conduct a review.
• EPA also intends to reduce the burden the SIP process imposes on the states by moving towards electronic submissions.  EPA also plans to eliminate the requirement of formal hearings on matters of no public interest, expensive advertisements in newspapers with low readership, and shipment of multiple hard copies of documents.
• EPA plans to review the Title V program to determine whether changes can be made to the program to help all participants understand it better.  EPA also plans to consider ways to make the Title V program more efficient, including electronic filing of applications and reports.