Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods
| Published date | 29 January 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 5204 |
| Record Number | 2020-01576 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Environmental Protection Agency |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5204-5206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01576]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-1196; FRL-10004-28-OAR]
Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: This document announces the broadly applicable alternative
test method approval decisions that the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) made under and in support of New Source Performance Standards
(NSPS) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAP) between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: An electronic copy of each alternative
test method approval document is available at https://www.epa.gov/emc/
broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-
[[Page 5205]]
methods. For questions about this document, contact Mrs. Lula H.
Melton, Air Quality Assessment Division, Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (E143-02), Environmental Protection Agency, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: (919) 541-2910; fax number:
(919) 541-0516; email address: [email protected]. For technical
questions about individual alternative test method decisions, refer to
the contact person identified in the individual approval document(s).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this document apply to me?
This document will be of interest to entities regulated under 40
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 60, 61, and 63; state, local,
and tribal agencies; and the EPA Regional offices responsible for
implementation and enforcement of regulations under 40 CFR parts 60,
61, and 63.
B. How can I get copies of this information?
You may access copies of the broadly applicable alternative test
method approval documents at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods.
II. Background
This document identifies broadly applicable alternative test method
approval decisions made by the EPA in 2019 under the New Source
Performance Standards (NSPS), 40 CFR part 60 and National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) programs, 40 CFR parts
61 and 63; see Table 1. Source owners and operators may voluntarily use
these broadly applicable alternative test methods in lieu of otherwise
specified reference test methods. Use of these broadly applicable
alternative test methods are not intended to and should not change the
applicable emission standards.
The Administrator has the authority to approve the use of
alternative test methods for compliance with requirements under 40 CFR
parts 60, 61, and 63. This authority is found in 40 CFR 60.8(b)(3),
61.13(h)(1)(ii), and 63.7(e)(2)(ii). Additional and similar authority
can be found in 40 CFR 65.158(a)(2). The criteria for approval and
procedures for submission and review of broadly applicable alternative
test methods are explained in a previous Federal Register document
published at 72 FR 4257 (January 30, 2007) and located at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods.
As explained in this document, we will announce approvals for broadly
applicable alternative test methods at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods and publish an annual
document that summarizes approvals for broadly applicable alternative
test methods during the preceding year.
As also explained in the January 30, 2007 document, our approval
decisions involve thorough technical reviews of numerous source-
specific requests for alternatives and modifications to test methods
and procedures. Based on these reviews, we have often found that these
modifications or alternatives would be equally valid and appropriate to
apply to other sources within a particular class, category, or
subcategory. Consequently, we have concluded that where a method
modification or an alternative method is clearly broadly applicable to
a class, category, or subcategory of sources, it is both equitable and
efficient to approve its use for all appropriate sources and situations
at the same time.
Use of approved alternative test methods are not mandatory but
rather permissive. Sources are not required to employ such a method but
may choose to do so in appropriate circumstances. As specified in 40
CFR 63.7(f)(5), however, a source owner or operator electing to use an
alternative method for 40 CFR part 63 standards must continue to use
the alternative method until otherwise authorized. Source owners or
operators should, therefore, review the specific broadly applicable
alternative method approval decision at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods before electing to
employ any alternative method.
III. Approved Alternative Test Methods and Modifications to Test
Methods
This document specifies three broadly applicable alternative test
methods that the EPA approved between January 1, 2019, and December 31,
2019. The alternative method decision letter/memo number, the reference
method affected, sources allowed to use this alternative, and the
modification or alternative method allowed are summarized in Table 1 of
this document. A summary of approval documents was previously made
available on our Technology Transfer Network between January 1, 2019,
and December 31, 2019. For more detailed information, please refer to
the complete copies of these approval documents available at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods.
As also explained in our January 30, 2007 document, we will revisit
approvals of alternative test methods in response to written requests
or objections indicating that a particular approved alternative test
method either should not be broadly applicable or that its use should
be limited in some way. Any objection to a broadly applicable
alternative test method, as well as the resolution of that objection,
will be announced at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods and in a subsequent Federal Register
document. If we decide to retract a broadly applicable test method, we
will likely consider the need for an appropriate transition period for
users either to request case-by-case approval or to transition to an
approved method.
Dated: January 6, 2020.
Richard A. Wayland,
Director, Air Quality Assessment Division.
Table 1--Approved Alternative Test Methods and Modifications to Test Methods Referenced in or Published Under
Appendices in 40 CFR Parts 60, 61, and 63 Posted Between January 2019 and December 2019
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Alternative method decision As an alternative or
letter/memo number modification to . . . For . . . You may . . .
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ALT-133....................... Methods 6, 8, 15A, and 16A Sources subject to 40 CFR Use procedures specified
part 60 federal rules in SW-846 Method 9056A
that require sample and the conditions
analysis using methods specified in the
6, 8, 15A, or 16A. Agency's approval letter
dated August 5, 2019.
[[Page 5206]]
ALT-134....................... Method 28 WHH-Measurement Sources subject to 40 CFR Use alternative
of Particulate Emissions part 60, subpart QQQQ- certification testing
and Heating Efficiency of Standards of Performance procedures in the
Wood-Fired Hydronic for New Residential Canadian Standards
Heating Appliances. Hydronic Heaters and Association (CSA) B415.1-
Forced Air Furnaces. 10 test method with the
caveats stipulated in
the Agency's approval
letter dated August 19,
2019.
ALT-135....................... Method 23-Determination of Sources subject to 40 CFR Use toluene in lieu of
Polychlorinated Dibenzo-P- part 63, subpart X- methylene chloride for
Dioxins and National Emission field recovery rinses
Polychlorinated Standards for Hazardous for Method 23 sampling
Dibenzofurans from Air Pollutants from trains with the provisos
Stationary Sources. Secondary Lead Smelting. specified in the
Agency's approval letter
dated September 25,
2019.
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Source owners or operators should review the specific broadly
applicable alternative method approval letter at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods before
electing to employ it.
[FR Doc. 2020-01576 Filed 1-28-20; 8:45 am]
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