EPA Backs New York Plan to Cut Big Six Towers Emissions
Published Date: 5/28/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving a thumbs-up to New York’s plan to cut pollution from Big Six Towers’ three oil-fired engines in Woodside. This update helps lower harmful nitrogen oxide emissions to keep the air cleaner and meets all federal clean air rules. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 29, 2026—no extra costs or delays expected!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Big Six allowed alternate NOX limit
If you operate the Big Six Towers facility in Woodside, NY, EPA proposes to let the facility use an alternate NOX RACT limit of 5.0 grams per brake-horsepower-hour (g/bhp-hr) for its three oil-fired engines instead of the presumptive 2.3 g/bhp-hr. That alternate limit is in the facility permit issued April 4, 2024 (expires April 3, 2029) and will become part of the federally enforceable SIP if EPA gives final approval.
Monitoring, testing, and record rules
If you operate the Big Six oil-fired engines, the permit requires monitoring the NOX limit once every five years, semi-annual reporting (initial report due July 30, 2024), submission of any testing protocol at least 90 days before stack testing, and keeping on-site records for a minimum of five years.
Permit conditions become federally enforceable
EPA proposes to incorporate permit conditions 19, 30, 31, 32, and 40 from the Big Six Title V permit into the State Implementation Plan (SIP); those permit conditions will become federally enforceable once EPA finalizes approval.
EPA certifies limited small-entity impact
EPA states that this proposed SIP approval is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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