Revised Emission Standards for Illinois (Part 60): Guidelines and (Part 62): Joint State/Federal Plans under Sections 111d and 129 Delegations

Revised Emission Standards for Illinois (Part 60): Guidelines and (Part 62): Joint State/Federal Plans under Sections 111d and 129 Delegations

Air Standards for Solid Waste Incinerators in Illinois: Breaking it Down

The Clean Air Act (CAA) isn't just about managing criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants. Section 111(d) was introduced to tackle pollutants left out of those categories from existing and new sources. In 1990, Congress beefed up this section with Section 129 to focus on emissions from solid waste combustion.

Sections 111 and 129 mandate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new units and Emission Guidelines for existing units. Both NSPS and Emission Guidelines employ a Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) strategy.

NSPS are direct federal regulations for new sources, while Emission Guidelines establish requirements for state plans, which serve as the main instrument for states to enforce these regulations once approved. If a state fails to seek approval for a state plan, the federal plan takes over.

Here's a lowdown on the different types of solid waste incinerators in Illinois:

1. Large Municipal Waste Combustors (LMWC): The federal plan (40 CFR Part 62 Subpart FFF) applies if a source is found, but Illinois has issued a Negative Declaration (Final Rule, May 31, 2012) and withdrawn its state plan in the past.
2. Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators (HMIWI): Illinois has an approved state plan (Final Rule, April 24, 2012).
3. Small Municipal Waste Combustors (SMWC): Negative Declaration (Final Rule, Nov. 30, 2001) indicates no action required, but federal regulations (40 CFR Part 62 Subpart JJJ) would apply if a source is found.
4. Commercial/Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators (CISWI): Unlike the previous categories, CISWI units don't follow state plans in Illinois; they comply with federal regulations (40 CFR Part 62 Subpart III).
5. Other Solid Waste Incineration (OSWI): Federal regulations (40 CFR Part 62 Subpart III) also apply here.
6. Sewage Sludge Incinerators (SSI) and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills: Both are regulated under federal plans (40 CFR Part 62 Subpart LLL and 62 Subpart GGG, respectively). Illinois has approved state plans for MSW Landfills (Final Rule, Nov. 23, 1998).

Key Takeaways:

• Different categories of solid waste incinerators in Illinois follow federal or state regulations, depending on the specific unit and the state's decision to implement a state plan.
• If Illinois doesn't approve a state plan, the EPA's Federal Plan provisions kick in to maintain compliance with the Clean Air Act air emission guidelines.
• This arrangement ensures ongoing regulatory oversight of air emissions from solid waste incineration in Illinois, safeguarding air quality whether under state or federal enforcement.

1. The federal Clean Air Act (CAA) mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new solid waste incineration units, while Emission Guidelines are used for existing ones, employing a Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) strategy.
2. Large Municipal Waste Combustors (LMWC) in Illinois are subject to federal regulations, as Illinois has issued a Negative Declaration and withdrawn its state plan.
3. In contrast, Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators (HMIWI) in Illinois have an approved state plan for emissions.
4. Small Municipal Waste Combustors (SMWC) and Commercial/Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators (CISWI) in Illinois don't follow state plans; instead, they comply with federal regulations directly.
5. Other Solid Waste Incineration (OSWI), Sewage Sludge Incinerators (SSI), and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills in Illinois are all governed by federal plans, with MSW Landfills having an approved state plan.

In summary, depending on the specific waste incineration unit and Illinois's decision to implement a state plan, air emissions are regulated under either federal or state guidelines, aiming to safeguard the environment and maintain air quality in Illinois. The arrangement ensures that regulatory oversight remains robust and continual. Additionally, renewable energy sources and environmental science can play a crucial role in reducing waste and pollution in the industry, contributing to financial sustainability and a cleaner environment.

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