Notice2024-01495
Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 25, 2024
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
This notice 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, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 17 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 17 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4942-4943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01495]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-1196; FRL-11653-01-OAR]
Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: This notice 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, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: An electronic copy of each alternative
test method approval document is available at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods">https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods</a>. For questions
about this notice, contact Mr. Steffan Johnson, Air Quality Assessment
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (E143-02),
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711;
telephone number: (919) 541-4790; email address:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#18727770766b7776366b6c7d7e7e7976587d6879367f776e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="563c393e3825393878252233303037381633263778313920">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 notice apply to me?
This notice will be of interest to entities regulated under 40 Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 59, 60, 61, 63 and 65; state, local,
and tribal agencies; and the EPA Regional offices responsible for
implementation and enforcement of regulations under 40 CFR parts 59,
60, 61, 63, and 65.
B. How can I get copies of this information?
You may access copies of the broadly applicable alternative test
method approval documents at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods">https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods</a>.
II. Background
This notice identifies broadly applicable alternative test methods
that the EPA approved in 2023 under the NSPS, 40 CFR part 60, and the
NESHAP and 40 CFR part 63 programs. See Table 1 of this notice for the
summary of these test methods. Source owners and operators may
voluntarily use these broadly applicable alternative test methods in
lieu of otherwise required test methods or related testing procedures.
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 59, 60, 61, 63, and 65. 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 59.104(f) and 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 notice published at 72 FR 4257 (January 30, 2007) and
located at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods">https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods</a>. As explained in this notice, we will announce
approvals for broadly applicable alternative test methods at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods">https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods</a> as
they are issued and publish an annual notice that summarizes approvals
for broadly applicable alternative test methods during the preceding
year.
As also explained in the January 30, 2007 notice, 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 either 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
[[Page 4943]]
simultaneously approve its use for all appropriate sources and
situations.
Use of approved alternative test methods is 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 <a href="https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods">https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods</a> before electing to
employ any alternative method. Source owners or operators choosing to
use a broadly applicable alternative should also notify their
regulatory agency prior to using the alternative.
III. Approved Alternative Test Methods and Modifications to Test
Methods
This notice specifies five broadly applicable alternative test
methods that the EPA approved between January 1, 2023, and December 31,
2023. The alternative method decision letter/memo designation numbers,
test methods affected, sources allowed to use this alternative, and
method modifications or alternative methods allowed are summarized in
Table 1 of this notice. A summary of approval documents was previously
made available on our Technology Transfer Network between January 1,
2023, and December 31, 2023. For more detailed information, please
refer to the complete copies of these approval documents available at
<a href="https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods">https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods</a>.
As also explained in our January 30, 2007 notice, 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 is not
appropriate or 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 <a href="https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods">https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods</a> and in a
subsequent Federal Register notice. 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.
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 and 63 Posted Between January 2023 and December 2023 \a\
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Alternative method decision letter/ As an alternative or
memo number modification to . . . For . . . You may . . .
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ALT-151........................... EPA Method 3A as an Testing of regulated Use EPA Method 3A instead
alternative method sources requiring the use of EPA Method 3B,
for EPA Method 3B. of EPA Method 3B in 40 whenever required to use
CFR, parts 59, 60, 61, 63 Method 3B in any
and 65. regulation contained
within 40 CFR, parts 59,
60, 61, 63 and 65.
ALT-152........................... Certification of Use of a VR headset-based Use the VR headset-based
candidate Method 9 alternative method for alternative method for
observers through conducting Method 9 plume conducting Method 9
use of a virtual demonstrations and plume demonstrations and
reality (VR) headset. certification as certification as
described in this letter described in this letter
and further detailed in and further detailed in
Attachment A as an Attachment A as an
alternative to the alternative to the
procedures of section 3.2 procedures of section
of Method 9 with specific 3.2 of Method 9.
limitations, as listed in
the letter.
ALT-153........................... EPA Method 3A as an Calculation of stack gas Use analysis procedures
alternative method molecular weight and/or similar to those found
for EPA Method 3B diluent correction to in Method 3A to analyze
integrated bag measured pollutant the bag sample(s)
analysis. concentrations. collected according to
Method 3B.
ALT-154........................... ASTM E-2515 filter Consistent measurement of Desiccate and perform the
gravimetric pre/post- filter media and pre-test processing
test filter mass associated gaskets, as a (taring) of filters in
assessments per paired set, to lower pairs as is currently
method direction in overall measurement allowed for filter
section 9.4.4. uncertainty. gaskets in section 9.4.4
(pre-test) and 10.2.1
(post-test) when
conducting testing of
wood heaters under
Subpart AAA and
determine mass
emissions.
ALT-155........................... ASTM E-2515 dilution The use of low flow Measure velocities as low
tunnel minimum manometers to measure as 180 fpm, in a
velocity requirement flow velocities as low as dilution tunnel greater
as stated in section 180 fpm during certain PM than 8'' diameter, using
9.2.1. measurement tests. a Ptype pitot tube and a
micromanometer gauge
more sensitive than the
method specified 0.001''
of water such as a
manometer with
resolution to 0.0005
inches of water or less.
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\a\ Source owners or operators should review the specific broadly applicable alternative method approval letter
at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods">https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods</a> before electing to employ any
alternative test method.
[FR Doc. 2024-01495 Filed 1-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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