Proposed Area Source NESHAP for Metal Fabrication and Finishing

On April 3, 2008 EPA published proposed national emission standards for control of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) for nine metal fabrication and finishing area source categories (see http://www.epa.gov/EPA-AIR/2008/April/Day-03/). This rule proposes emission standards in the form of management practices and equipment standards for new and existing operations of dry abrasive blasting, machining, dry grinding and dry polishing with machines, spray painting and other spray coating, and welding operations. These proposed standards reflect EPA's determination regarding the generally achievable control technology (GACT) and/or management practices for the nine area source categories.

The proposed subpart applies to new or existing affected metal fabrication and finishing area sources in one of the following nine source categories (listed alphabetically) that emit MFHAP: (1) Electrical and Electronic Equipment Finishing Operations; (2) Fabricated Metal Products; (3) Fabricated Plate Work (Boiler Shops);

(4) Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing; (5) Heating Equipment, except Electric; (6) Industrial Machinery and Equipment: Finishing Operations; (7) Iron and Steel Forging; (8) Primary Metal Products Manufacturing; and (9) Valves and Pipe Fittings. Facilities affected by this proposed rule are not subject to the miscellaneous coating requirements in 40 CFR part 63, subpart HHHHHH, ``National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources,'' for their source(s) subject to the requirements of this proposed rule. There potentially may be other sources at the facility not subject to the requirements of this proposed rule that are instead subject to subpart HHHHHH of this part.

All existing area source facilities subject to this proposed rule would be required to comply with the rule requirements no later than 2 years after the date of publication of the final rule in the Federal Register.

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