EPA Removes Stay Of Emissions Standards For Stationary Gas-Fired Combustion Turbines

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
March 17, 2022

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 9 published a final rule in the Federal Register.

that removes the stay of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) applicable to stationary gas-fired combustion turbines.

The rule became effective March 9, which makes the combustion turbine NESHAP of 91 parts per billion for formaldehyde immediately applicable to all lean premix gas-fired turbines and diffusion flame gas-fired turbines that have commenced construction since January 14, 2003.

EPA has posted on its website an updated list of combustion turbines — both new and existing. However, because the list may not be complete or accurate (including in terms of whether a particular CT is new or existing), owners and operators should determine whether they have new combustion turbines at major sources that will be required to demonstrate compliance with the NESHAP within 180 days of the removal of the stay.

Combustion turbine owners and operators will need to reference their unit commence construction date to determine applicability.

Sources must conduct an initial performance test within 180 days.

Ongoing NESHAP compliance is shown through annual performance tests, monitoring, and operating limitations. There are also notification and recordkeeping requirements. 

The final rule is available here.