Federal Requirements for PM-2.5 Emissions and Anticipated Changes - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Air Quality Permitting Program

Joel Leon, Section Chief December 18, 2012

Background: NAAQS and NSR

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Federal Requirements for PM-2.5 Emissions and Anticipated Changes to NJ Rules

What is PM-2.5

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What is PM-2.5 (Contd.)

• Particulate matter (PM) with a nominal aerodynamic

diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less is considered to be “fine particles” or “PM-2.5”

• “Primary” PM-2.5 particles:
• Are emitted directly into the air as a solid or liquid particle
• e.g, elemental carbon from diesel engines
• “Secondary” PM-2.5 particles:
• Are formed in the atmosphere after NOx and SO2 are

emitted and react chemically to form PM-2.5 particles

• e.g, sulfates and nitrates

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Background: Health and Environmental Effects

(www.epa.gov/oar/particlepollution)

• PM-2.5 particles can reach deep into the lungs
• People with heart or lung diseases, children, older adults most

at risk

• Linked to many health problems
• Asthma
• Decreased lung function
• respiratory symptoms
• Heart attacks
• Irregular heartbeat
• Premature death in people with heart or lung disease
• Environmental effects
• Reduced visibility (haze)
• Acidification of water bodies from deposition of sulfates and

nitrates (formed through chemical reactions)

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PM-2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and EPA Rules

• PM-2.5 NAAQS (October, 2006)
• 35 ug/m3 (Daily) and 15 ug/m3 (Annual)
• PM-2.5 New Source Review Rules (May, 2008)
• Established Major source thresholds
• Established Modification triggers
• PM-2.5 condensables must be included in emission limits
• Includes precursor pollutants (NOx and SO2)
• Significant Impact Level (SIL)/Significant Monitoring

Concentration (SMC) Rule (October, 2010)

• PM-2.5 Testing/Measurement Rule (December, 2010)
• EPA Offset Policy Memo (July, 2011)

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Federal NA NSR Requirements for PM-2.5 in NJ’s 13 Counties

• Requirements established
• Major Source PM-2.5 threshold – 100 tons per year (tpy)
• Significant Emission Rates – 10 tpy for PM2.5, 40 tpy for

precursors (only if source itself is major for the precursor)

• Control Technology – Lowest Achievable Emission Rate

(LAER) for PM-2.5 and precursors

• Offsets – Minimum 1:1 (for PM-2.5 and precursors)
• Transition to Non-Attainment NSR
• Minor NSR – Must be revised to include PM-2.5

requirements

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NJDEP Request to EPA for Re-designation

• NJDEP submitted to EPA a redesignation request and

maintenance plan on 7/18/12

• Public Notification Process on SIP revision
• Public hearing held on 9/5/12
• Public comment period closed on 9/12/12
• Response to comments in 3 to 6 months
• Upon redesignation, facilities in the 13 counties which were not

attainment

• No longer subject to non-attainment provisions of 40 CFR

Part 51, Appendix S

• Will become subject to Prevention of Significant

Deterioration provisions of 40 CFR 52.21.

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Air Permit Rules

• NJ’s non-attainment NSR rules (N.J.A.C. 7:27-18.2(b) and 18.4) requires NJDEP to

review impacts on attainment area to maintain attainment status. These rules do not allow NJDEP to issue air permits that violates NAAQS.

• Tracking air quality in New Jersey is required for continued attainment of PM-2.5

NAAQS as a part of the re-designation and 10 year maintenance plan.

• N.J.A.C. 7:27-18.4 need to specify SILs which are used to review impacts on attainment

area, in addition to non-attainment area

• N.J.A.C. 7:27-18 needs to include a new provision of inter-pollutant offsets.
• EPA proposed to lower annual NAAQS (from 15 ug/m3 to 12 to 13 ug/m3) which may

create non-attainment area in NJ triggering non-attainment NSR. (6/29/2012 FR)

• NJDEP is committed to EPA to adopt rule revisions by 2013.

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