Ohio EPA, Division of Air Pollution Announces Early Stakeholder Outreach on Ohio’s Permits-to-Install New Sources and Permit-to-Install &Operate Rules

The Ohio EPA is seeking stakeholder input on potential amendments to rules within OAC chapter 3745-31. This chapter provides requirements for installation and modification of all new and existing air contaminant sources, as well as operation of those sources, where their operation is not subject to Title V requirements in OAC Chapter 3745-77.

Written comments will be accepted through close of business Friday, Friday, July 27, 2018.

Some important changes are proposed including:

·       new permanent exemptions for certain rubber manufacturing operations, namely extrusion, milling, and calendering.

·       new permanent exemption for temporary fuel-burning equipment (i.e., boilers or engines) used to replace main fuel-burning equipment during periods of maintenance or repair.

·       new permanent exemption for wet cooling towers, water treating systems for process cooling water or boiler feedwater, and water tanks, reservoirs, or other water containers designed to cool, store, or otherwise handle water (including rainwater).

·       new permanent exemption for breweries of beer and flavored malt beverages, including packaging and labeling lines, having a production no greater than 60,000 barrels per year.

·       revisions to existing permanent exemption for maintenance electric arc welding operations, that will extend applicability to production operations as well as maintenance, impose a limit on pounds of electrode consumed per day, and create a new exemption for all brazing and soldering operations.

For more details on the proposed changes and where to submit comments, click here.