Emissions Control & Environmental Compliance Flashcards

Which federally enforceable mechanism allows states to establish emission limits more stringent than federal standards, often used to demonstrate NAAQS attainment in their State Implementation Plans?

Answer: State Implementation Plan (SIP)

State Implementation Plans (SIPs) are state-developed plans approved by the EPA that describe how each state will attain and maintain NAAQS, including emission limits more stringent than federal minimums.

A Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) program is most commonly required to control emissions of:

Answer: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from equipment components such as valves and pumps

LDAR programs detect and repair leaks of VOCs and other hazardous air pollutants from equipment components in petroleum and chemical processing facilities.

Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA/Superfund), which of the following parties can be held liable for cleanup costs?

Answer: Current owners, past owners, generators, and transporters of hazardous substances

CERCLA imposes broad, strict, joint, and several liability on current owners/operators, past owners/operators, generators, and transporters of hazardous substances.

Best Available Control Technology (BACT) is determined on a case-by-case basis and applies to:

Answer: New or modified major stationary sources in attainment areas under PSD review

BACT is required for new or modified major stationary sources in areas meeting NAAQS (attainment areas) under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration program.

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program, established under EPCRA Section 313, requires facilities to report:

Answer: Annual releases and transfers of listed toxic chemicals above threshold quantities

TRI reporting requires facilities in certain industries that manufacture, process, or otherwise use listed chemicals above thresholds to report annual releases to the EPA.

Which air quality standard type is set to protect public health with an adequate margin of safety, including sensitive populations like children and the elderly?

Answer: Primary NAAQS

Primary NAAQS are health-based standards set to protect public health with an adequate margin of safety, while secondary standards protect public welfare.

When calculating a facility's potential to emit (PTE) for permitting purposes, the PTE represents emissions assuming:

Answer: Maximum capacity operation 8,760 hours per year with no controls

Potential to emit is the maximum capacity emission rate assuming operation at full capacity for all hours in a year, before considering any federally enforceable controls.