Acid makers renew emissions tracking with EPA—business as usual
Published Date: 2/28/2025
Notice
Summary
The EPA is asking to keep collecting info on hydrochloric acid production to make sure pollution rules stay strong. This affects companies making hydrochloric acid, who’ll keep reporting their emissions. You’ve got until March 31, 2025, to share your thoughts, and there’s no new cost or big changes—just a renewal to keep things running smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Mandatory reporting for HCl producers
If you run a hydrochloric acid production facility that emits ≥10 tons per year of any one hazardous air pollutant or ≥25 tons per year of any combination of hazardous air pollutants, you must keep submitting required notifications, performance tests, periodic reports, and records (including startup/shutdown/malfunction and monitoring downtime) under 40 CFR part 63, subpart NNNNN. The rule applies to both new and existing facilities and covers hydrochloric acid (HCl) and chlorine (Cl2).
Estimated annual paperwork burden and costs
EPA estimates the industry-wide annual burden for this ICR is 21,900 hours and total annual cost of $2,980,000, which includes $216,000 in annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs. The estimate covers 19 respondents and responses occur initially and then semiannually.
Renewal with slight cost adjustment
EPA is proposing to renew the existing ICR (currently approved through February 28, 2025) without major changes; EPA reports a slight decrease in burden compared to the prior approved ICR but a slight increase in costs due to a Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) adjustment. This is a proposed extension submitted to OMB for review and approval.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Next: 2025-03346, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NESHAP for Site Remediation (Renewal)
The EPA is asking to keep collecting info about cleaning up polluted sites, making sure the rules stay clear and effective. This affects companies and workers involved in site cleanup, with no new costs but a chance to share thoughts by March 31, 2025. The goal? Keep protecting the air while keeping paperwork manageable!