“After receiving additional data through the extensive public comment period, the EPA is requesting more time to develop these important rules,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “We want to ensure these rules are practical to implement and protect all Americans from dangerous pollutants such as mercury and soot, which affect kids' development, aggravate asthma and cause heart attacks.”
To meet a court order requiring the EPA to issue final rules in January 2011, the agency proposed standards in April 2010. While the EPA requested and received some information from the industry before the proposal, the comments the EPA received following the proposal shed new light on a number of key areas, including the scope and coverage of the rules and the way to categorize the various boiler-types.
Industry groups and others offered this information during the public comment period after the EPA proposed the rule. After reviewing the data and the more than 4,800 public comments, the agency believes it is appropriate to issue a revised proposal that reflects the new data and allows for additional public comment.
The EPA has estimated that there are more than 200,000 boilers operating in industrial facilities, commercial buildings, hotels and universities located in highly populated areas and communities across the country. The EPA has also estimated that for every $5 spent on reducing these pollutants, the public will see $12 in health and other benefits.
The agency is under a current court order to issue final rules Jan. 16, 2011, and is seeking in its motion to the court to extend the schedule to finalize the rules by April 2012.
Under current law, both on- and off-specification used oil can be recycled through use as fuel in boilers, industrial furnaces and space heaters. Approximately 113 million gallons is used for heating purposes by approximately 100,000 small businesses across the U.S. in used oil-fired space heaters.
If the proposed rule is finalized, and off- specification used oil cannot be recycled as fuel, then automotive maintenance facilities will have to test any used oil they collect from the public to determine if it meets specifications. If that happens, automotive maintenance facilities across the country could simply stop accepting DIY used oil, and as a result, much of the used oil that has been safely burned for heat in boilers and space heaters for many years could end up entering our water supply after being poured down the drain or on the ground.
The Automotive Service Association (ASA), along with a coalition of other industry organizations, is supporting an effort to persuade Lisa Jackson, EPA administrator, to consider the negative environmental and economic impact that the proposed boiler rule would have if it is finalized.
For more information visit www.TakingTheHill.com.
