AQS Regulatory Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Clean Air Act, which agency is primarily responsible for setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)?
- EPA (Correct answer)
- OSHA
- NIOSH
- DOT
Correct answer: EPA
The EPA is authorized under the Clean Air Act to establish and revise NAAQS for criteria pollutants.
Question 2: A facility exceeds its permitted SO2 emission limit during a startup event. Under Title V, what is the most appropriate immediate action?
- Notify the permitting authority as required by the permit (Correct answer)
- Shut down immediately without notification
- Continue operations and report at the next annual compliance certification
- File for a permit revision before taking any action
Correct answer: Notify the permitting authority as required by the permit
Title V permits typically require prompt notification to the permitting authority when deviations from emission limits occur.
Question 3: Which CAA provision requires major stationary sources to install Best Available Control Technology (BACT)?
- Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) (Correct answer)
- New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)
- National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs)
- State Implementation Plan (SIP)
Correct answer: Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)
PSD review requires major new or modified sources in attainment areas to apply BACT for regulated pollutants.
Question 4: A facility's Potential to Emit (PTE) for NOx is 90 tons per year. How is this source classified under the CAA?
- Minor source (Correct answer)
- Major source
- Synthetic minor source
- Area source
Correct answer: Minor source
A source with a PTE below 100 tons per year for criteria pollutants is classified as a minor source under federal rules.
Question 5: Which section of the Clean Air Act governs the permitting of major sources through the Title V Operating Permit Program?
- Title V (Sections 501-507) (Correct answer)
- Title I (Sections 108-110)
- Title II (Sections 202-250)
- Title III (Sections 301-328)
Correct answer: Title V (Sections 501-507)
Title V, codified at Sections 501–507 of the CAA, established the federal operating permit program for major stationary sources.
Question 6: When a state fails to submit an adequate State Implementation Plan (SIP), what action may EPA take?
- Issue a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) (Correct answer)
- Revoke the state's air quality authority permanently
- Issue an emergency order shutting down major emitters
- Transfer authority to OSHA
Correct answer: Issue a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP)
If a state does not submit or implement an adequate SIP, EPA is required to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan to fill the gap.
Question 7: Which CAA program requires facilities to conduct fenceline monitoring and report community air quality data?
- Risk Management Program (RMP)
- Refinery Sector Rule (40 CFR Part 63 Subpart CC) (Correct answer)
- New Source Review (NSR)
- Title IV Acid Rain Program
Correct answer: Refinery Sector Rule (40 CFR Part 63 Subpart CC)
EPA's 2015 Petroleum Refinery Sector Rule under Subpart CC introduced fenceline monitoring requirements for benzene at refineries.
AQS Regulatory Compliance 2
Under the Clean Air Act, which agency is primarily responsible for setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)?