Montana Sugar Plant Emissions Get EPA Revision Approval
Published Date: 5/14/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to Montana’s updated air pollution rules for the Western Sugar plant in Billings. These changes tweak how sulfur dioxide emissions are measured and controlled, like switching to natural gas and adjusting monitoring rules. The new rules kick in on June 15, 2026, helping keep the air cleaner without extra costs for the plant.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Federal Enforceability Begins June 15, 2026
The EPA approved Montana's September 25, 2025 revisions for the Western Sugar Cooperative facility and incorporated those revisions by reference into the Montana State Implementation Plan. The revisions are federally enforceable under Clean Air Act sections 110 and 113 as of June 15, 2026.
Pulp Dryers Required To Burn Natural Gas
Montana's revisions add a requirement that the pulp dryer units at the Western Sugar facility burn natural gas, as part of the September 25, 2025 changes the EPA approved. This requirement becomes part of the federally enforceable SIP as of June 15, 2026.
Boiler Stack Monitoring Requirements Removed
The approved revisions remove the continuous emission monitor and flow rate monitor requirements on the boiler house stack for the Western Sugar facility. These removals were part of Montana's September 25, 2025 revisions and are federally enforceable as of June 15, 2026.
190-Day Campaign Limit Replaced
Montana replaced the previous 190-day annual campaign limit with a heat input limit for the Western Sugar facility as part of the September 25, 2025 revisions the EPA approved. That revision is incorporated into the SIP and is federally enforceable on June 15, 2026.
Pulp Dryer SO2 Limits and Monitoring Removed
The September 25, 2025 revisions remove the SO2 emission limits and monitoring and reporting requirements for the pulp dryer units at the Western Sugar facility. Those removals were approved by the EPA and are federally enforceable as part of the SIP on June 15, 2026.
No Tribal Application in This Approval
The EPA states the SIP approval does not apply on any Indian reservation land or in areas where an Indian Tribe has demonstrated jurisdiction. In those areas, this rule is not effective and does not impose Tribal costs or preempt Tribal law.
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