EPA Issues Interim Hazardous Waste Combustor MACT Standards And Finalizes Additional Changes

摘要

On September 30, 1999 (64 FR 52828), EPA finalized air emission standards under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for hazardous waste combustors, including hazardous waste incinerators, and cement kilns and lightweight aggregate kilns that burn hazardous waste. The standards, which are based on the concept of maximum achievable control technology (MACT), impose stringent limits on hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from all existing and new regulated sources. On July 24, 2001, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that EPA had failed to conform with CAA requirements when establishing the standards (Cement Kiln Recycling Coalition et al. v. EPA). Specifically, the court found that the agency had not complied with the CAA requirement that emission standards reflect the performance of the best available control technology. Therefore, the court vacated the rule's emission standards and remanded the rale to EPA for further action. However, at the request of all parties involved, the court stayed issuance of the mandate that would implement the vacature until February 14, 2002.