EPA Proposes More Consistent Regulation of Ethanol Production Plants
AEN News
Washington - The US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing
to apply the same air permitting requirements for facilities
that produce ethanol for fuel or human consumption. Ethanol,
a clean-burning renewable fuel, can be used to meet the
requirements of the Renewable Fuels Standard Program, which
is designed to reduce dependence on foreign oil by doubling
the use of vehicle fuels from American crops by 2012.
Ethanol is produced at corn milling facilities for use as fuel
or human consumption. While the processes are similar,
these facilities are currently treated differently under
Clean Air Act permitting programs. EPA's proposal would
provide equal treatment for corn milling facilities,
regardless of whether they produce ethanol for fuel or
human consumption.
Currently, corn milling facilities that produce fuel and
emit less than 100 tons per year of air pollutants are not
subject to the Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) permitting program. Conversely, corn milling
facilities that produce products for human consumption
do not trigger PSD until they emit more than 250 tons
per year.
The proposal would establish the same
emissions limits under the PSD program – 250 tons
per year – regardless of whether the ethanol end
product is used for fuel or human consumption.
The thresholds for the New Source Review and Title
V permitting programs would remain at current
levels, which vary from 10 to 100 tons per year
depending on the area in which the facility is located.
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