Landfill Regulations for Hazardous Air Pollution: Nationwide Standards for Waste Disposal Sites (NESHAP)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a series of changes to the regulations governing municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. The final rule, published on March 26, 2020, includes requirements for startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) events, among other changes.
The journey towards this final rule began with a proposed rule published on November 7, 2000. Subsequent proposed rules were published on September 8, 2006, and July 29, 2019. A technical correction to the rule was published on October 13, 2020, and a proposed correction was published on April 8, 2021.
The rule aims to ensure the timely control of bioreactor landfills and addresses the hazardous air pollutants (HAP) emitted by MSW landfills, including vinyl chloride, ethyl benzene, toluene, and benzene.
The final rule applies to major and area sources and contains requirements similar to the Emission Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards (EG/NSPS) from 1996. It is associated with 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart AAAA.
A Fact Sheet titled "Final Amendments to Air Toxics Standards for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills" was provided, along with another Fact Sheet titled "Municipal Solid Waste Landfills Air Toxics Rule." A guide titled "How to Prepare a Startup, Shutdown, Malfunction Plan for Collection and Control Systems at Municipal Solid Waste Landfills" was also made available.
The rule changes the reporting frequency for one type of report and adds operating condition deviations for out-of-bounds monitoring parameters. A document titled "Municipal Solid Waste Landfills: Background Information Document for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants - Public Comments and Responses" was cited.
A supplement to the proposed rule was published on May 23, 2002, and an example of Moisture Mass Balance Calculations for Bioreactor Landfills was provided.
In addition, a virtual workshop was held on January 26th and 28th, 2021, to discuss air emissions measurement and monitoring developments from MSW landfills. Workshop Session 1 and Workshop Session 2 were part of the event.
The rule is also related to a rule for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills: New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and a Fact Sheet titled "Proposed Corrections to National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Municipal Solid Waste Landfills Residual Risk and Technology Review" was provided.
It is important to note that the final regulation for air quality protection regarding waste landfill facilities is enacted by the relevant environmental authorities under the Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz (Federal Immission Control Act) framework, with specific oversight possibly by regional environmental agencies such as the Regierungspräsidium Freiburg or local Senatsverwaltungen (e.g., Berlin's environmental senate), depending on the federal state and facility in question.
The Applicability Determination Index (ADI) maintained by EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) was referenced throughout the rulemaking process. A document titled "Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standard Development" was also cited.
In conclusion, the new regulations for MSW landfills aim to improve air quality and protect public health by addressing hazardous air pollutants and improving the management of bioreactor landfills. The rules apply to major and area sources and are associated with the EPA-HQ-OAR-2002-0047 document. Stakeholders are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the details of the final rule and any associated documents for compliance purposes.
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