The U.S. EPA on Jan. 11 released a proposed rule that aims to strengthen Clean Air Act standards for large facilities that burn municipal waste. The proposed standards would apply to 57 facilities with 152 units that have the capacity to combust more than 250 tons per day of municipal solid waste (MSW).According to the EPA, the proposed standards are based on emission levels achieved by the best controlled and lower-emitting sources, and limit emissions of nine pollutants: particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, lead, cadmium, mercury, and dioxins/furans. If finalized, the new standard would reduce emissions of those nine pollutants by approximately 14,000 tons per year.The CAA requires EPA to evaluate these standards every five years in order to take into account developments in pollution control technologies and techniques. EPA last revised these standards in 2006.&nbsp;“President Biden believes every person deserves clean air to breathe and the opportunity to lead a healthy life, and EPA’s proposal is just the latest action to achieve this vision. By reducing harmful pollution and improving air quality, this rule will also advance environmental justice for nearby communities already overburdened with pollution,”&nbsp;said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is committed to working with communities and state, local, and Tribal governments to ensure that large facilities burning municipal waste utilize the most up-to-date and cost-effective control technologies to reduce pollution and protect public health.”According to the EPA, the estimated benefits of this action far outweigh the expected pollution control costs. After accounting for compliance costs of the rule, EPA estimated the net present value of health benefits from the proposed rule, due to reductions in particulate matter and ozone alone, to be up to $14 billion over 20 years. Reductions of mercury, lead, and other hazardous air pollutants required by the proposal are expected to result in additional unquantified economic and public health benefits. The agency also said it believes this action is also likely to advance environmental justice by reducing existing disproportionate and adverse effects on overburdened communities.A 60-day public comment period on the proposed rule will open following publication in the Federal Register. The EPA also said it plans to hold an information webinar on the proposal. Additional information is available on the EPA <a href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-stronger-air-pollution-standards-large-facilities-burn-municipal-solid">website</a>.

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The U.S. EPA on Jan. 11 proposed to strengthen CAA standards for large facilities that burn MSW. The proposed standards would apply to 57 facilities with 152 units that have the capacity to combust more than 250 tons per day of MSW. 

EPA proposes stronger air pollution standards for large facilities that burn MSW

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