On March 30, 2016 the Web site DieselNet published a valuable update that includes in-depth explanation of US federal emission requirements for stationary engines adopted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The update explains emission standards covered by three rules:

• Spark Ignition NSPS rule—New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) – Standards of Performance for Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines, 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart JJJJ
• Compression Ignition NSPS rule—Standards of Performance for Stationary Compression Ignition Internal Combustion Engines, 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart IIII
• RICE NESHAP rule—National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE), 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart ZZZZ

The EPA first proposed NSPS requirements for stationary engines in 1979, but the rule was never finalized. In the absence of federal regulations, emissions from stationary engines gradually became subject to a complex system of state and/or local regulations and permit policies.

The NESHAP and NSPS stationary engine emission requirements were eventually promulgated by the EPA between 2004 and 2008 (with a number of later amendments). However, the structure of federal emission requirements remained very complex—partly due to the fact that several of the stationary engine emission rules have been prompted by court actions against EPA by various environmental or industry groups.

NSPS Standards

New sources are defined as those whose construction, reconstruction, or modification begins after a standard for them is proposed. Therefore, while the standards are applicable to “new” engines, it does not mean “newly manufactured” engines—rather, the NSPS standards are applicable to both new and in-use engines that were manufactured or modified after a certain date.

NESHAP Standards

The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE) are intended to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, methanol and others. In lieu of setting emission limits for these compounds, the regulations can be expressed using emission limits for CO, which is considered a surrogate compound that is more convenient to measure. In some cases, limits are set for formaldehyde. The regulations were adopted through a number of regulatory acts published between 2004 and 2013.

What this means to you
The Web site DieselNet has published valuable updates of EPA’s emission standards for stationary engines. The update explains emissions standards covered by three rules: Spark Ignition NSPS Rule, Compression Ignition NSPS Rule and RICE NESHAP Rule.

MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH to learn about emission controls for your stationary engines.