EPA & Clean Air Act Compliance Flashcards

Under the Clean Air Act's Good Neighbor Provision (Section 110(a)(2)(D)), what must upwind states do regarding their air pollution?

Answer: Prohibit emissions that significantly contribute to nonattainment in downwind states

The Good Neighbor Provision requires upwind states to reduce emissions that significantly contribute to downwind states' inability to attain or maintain NAAQS.

A CCP professional evaluating a power plant's compliance finds it emits CO2 at 1,800 lbs/MWh. Under EPA's New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new coal plants, this most likely:

Answer: Violates the standard, which requires approximately 1,400 lbs CO2/MWh for new coal units with CCS

EPA's 2015 NSPS (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart TTTT) set a CO2 standard of approximately 1,400 lbs/MWh for new large coal-fired steam generating units, effectively requiring CCS.

Which EPA regulation requires most large industrial facilities to hold a single, comprehensive operating permit that consolidates all Clean Air Act requirements?

Answer: Title V operating permit

Title V of the CAA (40 CFR Part 70/71) requires major sources to obtain a comprehensive operating permit that consolidates and makes enforceable all applicable air quality requirements.

In the context of EPA's Regional Haze Rule under the Clean Air Act, what is the primary goal?

Answer: Restoring natural visibility conditions in national parks and wilderness areas by reducing regional haze-causing pollution

The Regional Haze Rule requires states to develop plans to restore natural visibility in Class I areas (national parks and wilderness areas) by reducing visibility-impairing pollutants like sulfates and nitrates.

What is 'Reasonably Available Control Technology' (RACT) under the Clean Air Act, and where does it apply?

Answer: The lowest emission limitation achievable by a source considering economic and technical feasibility, applied to existing sources in nonattainment areas

RACT is the least stringent of the technology standards, applied to existing sources in nonattainment areas where achieving attainment requires reducing emissions from sources already operating.

Under EPA's Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding (2009), which two GHG mixtures were found to endanger public health and welfare?

Answer: The current and projected atmospheric mix of CO2, CH4, N2O, and three fluorinated gas groups

The Endangerment Finding concluded that the current and projected atmospheric concentrations of six key GHGs (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6) endanger public health and welfare.

A manufacturing facility wants to avoid Title V permitting by keeping emissions just below major source thresholds. EPA refers to this practice as:

Answer: Synthetic minor permitting or 'netting out'

Facilities that use permit conditions or operational limits to stay below major source thresholds are called 'synthetic minors,' legally bound to limits that keep them below Title V applicability.