EPA Releases Air Rules For WTE Facilities

WORLD WASTES STAFF

Washington, D.C. - The long awaited final emissions rules for municipal waste to energy facilities have arrived. Recently signed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the rules reportedly are among the most stringent worldwide.

Officially named the "Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Municipal Waste Combusters," the regulations are often referred to as the "MACT" rules because they are based on facilities using "maximum achievable control technology" for compliance.

MACT contains emissions limitations which local governments believe can be achieved economically, consistently and reliably using currently available technology.

Under the standards, existing facilities will generally be required to install additional air pollution control systems to meet the new standards, primarily for acid gases, mercury, dioxin/furans and nitrogen oxides. (See World Wastes, page 50.)

Other emissions regulated by MACT include particulate matter, metals and fugitive ash emissions. Operator training/certification requirements are included, as well as provisions for a siting analysis (which includes a materials separation plan) for new facilities.

The Emission Guidelines apply to all facilities for which construction, modification or reconstruction began before September 20, 1994. Any facility which was constructed after this date is subject to the New Source Performance Standards.

Due to the large investments required for retrofits, some communities may decide to close their facilities. To give these communities time to transition into alternate disposal methods, EPA included a provision which allows facilities to continue to operate for three to five years before closing.

Required by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, these rules have been in preparation for more than four and one-half years. During the development process, the EPA consulted extensively with a broad-based coalition of affected parties, including the Solid Waste Association of North America; the National Association of Counties; the National League of Cities; the U. S. Conference of Mayors; and the Integrated Waste Services Association.

"We're glad that this rule is finally in place and we can get on with business," said H. Lanier Hickman, executive director of the Solid Waste Association of North America. "We feel that the hard work of our members and the other parties has produced a viable and safe method of managing municipal solid waste."

Currently, 121 waste to energy facilities operate in the United States, handling approximately 20 percent of the waste generated.

Acquisitions Norton Environmental, Independence, Ohio, will purchase a proposed landfill site in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

Contracts The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has contracted with Cambridge, Mass.-based Camp Dresser & Mckee Inc. to design and construct the Washington County, Minn., landfill.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has selected Burns & McDonnell Waste Consultants, Overland Park, Kan., to prepare a comprehensive state solid waste management plan.

The City of Memphis, Tenn., has contracted FCR, Charlotte, N.C., to operate a new processing facility.

The City of Oakland, Calif., has awarded a 15-year contract to Waste Management of Alameda County, Calif., a subsidiary of Waste Management Inc., Oak Brook, Ill., to provide solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services.

Certification The Spartanburg, S.C., facility of Ameron Fiberglass Pipe Group, Houston, has received ISO 9001 certification.

Distributor Transwest Trailers Inc., Commerce City, Colo., will distribute dump trailers and bodies, pup trailers, roll-off hoists and trailers, and transfer trailers for Clement Industries, Minden, La.

Fiscal Republic Industries Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has reported a before-tax income of $5,122,000 for the third quarter of 1995, a 92 percent increase from the third quarter 1994. Revenue for the third quarter of 1995 increased 81 percent to $10,685,000 from $6,708,000 in 1994.

New Council The American Retreaders' Association has formed the Tire & Rubber Recycling Advisory Council.

New Facility The City of Ann Arbor, Mich., has opened a 30,000-square-foot materials recovery facility, to be operated by Resource Recovery Systems, Centerbrook, Conn.

RRT Design & Construction Corp., Melville, N.Y., has completed construction of a large-scale waste paper recovery and processing facility in Philadelphia.

New Office Bulldog Caster Co. Inc., San Juan Capistrano, Calif., has moved its corporate offices. The new address is: 27128A Paseo Espada, Suite 1504, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 92675. (800) 546-7655. Fax: (714) 240-0930.

American Baler Co., Bellevue, Ohio, has opened a new office in New Haven, Conn.

Regionalization Plan The Regional Municipality of Ottawa Carleton, Canada, has taken over responsibility for garbage, recycling and yard waste collection for 10 member municipalities and will begin contracting new services this year.