Amendments to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) and Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Vessels
Posted by [email protected] on Aug. 28, 2023
On August 1, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) and Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Vessels, based on a review of these standards that the Clean Air Act requires EPA to undertake at least once every eight years. The EAF source category includes any facility that uses an EAF to make steel and that may also use argon-oxygen decarburization (AOD) vessels.
After considering public comments filed on its proposed amendments issued last year, EPA is finalizing several technology improvements to the NSPS, including a new subpart, AAb, that would reduce PM emissions at facilities that are new, modified, or reconstructed after date of the proposal (05/16/2022). The new subpart AAb reduces emissions from EAF melt shops during melting and refining; changes the format of the PM emission limit for individual control devices to a facility-wide limit for all control devices; adds electronic reporting and requires periodic compliance testing once every five years. In addition, this final action makes corrections and clarifications to EPA’s current NSPS regulations (subparts AA and AAa) for facilities constructed on or before May 16, 2022. Final rule notice: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/electric-arc-furnaces-eafs-and-argon-oxygen-decarburization-vessels
