NY firm's methanol tanks get EPA air plan nod
Published Date: 3/24/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to New York’s updated air plan for Knowlton Technologies LLC in Watertown. This update focuses on cutting pollution from two big methanol storage tanks to keep the air clean and meet ozone rules. The new rules kick in on April 23, 2025, helping the environment without costing extra money or causing delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Methanol throughput cap set for tanks
Knowlton Technologies must limit methanol throughput at its two 10,000-gallon underground tanks to 2,500,000 pounds per year using a 12-month rolling total. This limit is part of the approved Source-Specific SIP and is effective April 23, 2025.
Monthly recordkeeping requirement
The Facility must keep monthly records to verify methanol throughput in support of the 12-month rolling total. Those records support compliance with the 2,500,000 pounds/year limit and are part of the federally approved SIP.
Must justify any throughput increases
If methanol throughput increases above 2,500,000 pounds/year, Knowlton Technologies must submit a VOC RACT demonstration showing how it will implement RACT at the higher throughput rate. This requirement is part of the approved SIP and is effective April 23, 2025.
Limits are federally enforceable in SIP
The VOC case-by-case RACT limit for Knowlton Technologies is incorporated by reference into New York's SIP and is federally enforceable under the Clean Air Act as of April 23, 2025. The Facility's Title V permit containing the limits was issued December 27, 2022 and expires December 26, 2027.
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