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1121Boiler MACT: Some Background and how it affects your Business

Most owners of industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers understand the basics of the EPA standards – known Boiler MACT (maximum-achievable control technology) – regarding the emissions emanating from boilers. However, the rules are not necessarily as straight forward as they would appear to be. And of course only by having a detailed understanding of the standards can companies hope to come into compliance with said rules. With that in mind, we would like to refresh you on some history and information about Boiler MACT.

What is Boiler MACT?

 

Boiler MACT is the EPA’s National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants as they relate to industrial, commercial and institutional boilers. They do not apply to residential boilers and hot water heaters. The “Boiler MACT Rule” was issued in January 2013 and since then many facilities have sought to come into compliance with the regulations. (Facilities affected by the rules were required to come into full compliance with the rules by January 31, 2016. However, the EPA can grant a one-year extension to facilities requiring additional time to comply.) Because our business is helping you to come into compliance regarding industrial emissions, we are well aware of the regulations.

Background/History of Boiler MACT

 

Back in February of 2004 NESHAP, also known as the “Industrial Boiler MACT Rule” – was finalized by the EPA. However, due to a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling in 2007, the EPA was required to rewrite the rule. During the back and forth process of designing the regulations the EPA received nearly 5,000 comments on the proposed rules and was asked to extend the final promulgation deadline until 2012. This request was denied.

 

Cems-experts can help you remain in compliance with the Boiler MACT rule by renting you reliable equipment that can monitor for CO2, etc. We carry CEMS rentals such as NOx/O2 systems for turbines and boilers. These test for exotic gases such as NH3 (Ammonia), HCl, H2S, THCs, etc. as well as Opacity Monitors (COMS) ensuring that you remain in compliance with the EPA.

What You Should Know About the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal and Settlement

Just as several companies including Subaru have committed to taking steps to fight pollution and aid in the reduction of C02 to the environment, one company has chosen to add a black mark to its name. The company is Volkswagen and the black mark is on this car company’s name when it was revealed last year that they were cheating in order to make their cars appear as if they had lower emissions of harmful gases. Specifically, the company admitted that it used software that could detect when the emissions of its diesel engine cars was being tested and could change the performance in order to improve the results. This scheme affected more than a half-million diesel cars in the U.S. and roughly 10.5 million more worldwide. As a result of the scheme, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer approved the final $14.7 billion settlement on October 25, 2016.

 

The case is an example of what can happen when short cuts and deception are used to achieve a specific result. Such incidences besmirch the reputation of long established businesses who otherwise have good standing in the public. The Volkswagen Scandal and subsequent settlement also illustrate that when it comes to analyzing emissions, honesty is the best policy. Science is what must be used to reduce our negative impact on the environment and to come in compliance with the EPA.

 

At Cems-Experts we use Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technology and CEMS engineering to ensure that our clients can accurately and thoroughly test their emissions and not run afoul of the EPA resulting in costly fines and penalties. (FTIR spectrometer simultaneously collects high-spectral-resolution data over a wide spectral range by using an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission of a solid, liquid or gas.) We don’t take shortcuts where our clients are concerned since the costs can be too great to their name and to the environment.

 

We conduct real-time reporting of air quality for pollutants of concern including ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and volatile/toxic organic compounds and use state of the art equipment to do so. That is why you will never find us using short-cuts. That is also why our clients rely on us.