Notice2025-09479
Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods
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Published
May 28, 2025
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, 2024, and December 31, 2024.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 101 (Wednesday, May 28, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 28, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22476-22477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09479]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-1196; FRL-12696-01-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, 2024, and December 31, 2024.
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#ef858087819c8081c19c9b8a89898e81af8a9f8ec1888099"><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 2024 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 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 three broadly applicable alternative test
methods that the EPA approved between January 1, 2024, and December 31,
2024. 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,
2024, and December 31, 2024. 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
[[Page 22477]]
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.
Karen Wesson,
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 2024 and December 2024 \a\
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Alternative method decision As an alternative or
letter/memo No. modification to . . . For . . . You may . . .
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ALT-156.................... Methods prescribed in Sec. Measuring the Combustion Measure the Combustion
60.5417b(d)(8), which Zone Net Heating Value Zone Net Heating Value
specifies the use of a (NHVcz) of industrial (NHVcz) of industrial
calorimeter, gas steam-assisted flares and steam-assisted flares and
chromatograph (GC), mass Net Heating Value Net Heating Value
spectrometer (MS), or grab Dilution Parameter Dilution Parameter
samples at an 8-hour (NHVdil) of air assisted (NHVdil) of air assisted
sampling interval. flares at a standoff flares at a standoff
distance as an distance as an
alternative to the alternative to the
methods prescribed in methods prescribed in
Sec. 60.5417b(d)(8), Sec. 60.5417b(d)(8).
which specifies the use
of a calorimeter, gas
chromatograph (GC), mass
spectrometer (MS), or
grab samples at an 8-hour
sampling interval.
ALT-157.................... Determination of Net The JP3 VeraCal optical Use the VeraCAL instrument
Heating Value (NHV) from system, a near-infrared for determining NHV in
gas sent to an enclosed (NIR) optical Btu/scf from gas being
combustion device or flare spectrometer, sample sent enclosed combustion
subject to 40 CFR Part 60, collection system, and a device or flare subject
Subpart OOOOb. reference cell for to 40 CFR Part 60,
ongoing calibration Subpart OOOOb.
verification.
ALT-161.................... Procedures and instructions Determination of maximum Use the procedures
for establishing the burn rate in Method 28 or enumerated (1-4) on page
Maximum Burn Rate Method 28R where an 2 of the Alternate Test
(Category 4) in EPA Method appliance cannot burn Method letter for
28 and Method 28R. fuel at a rate greater determination of maximum
than 1.9 kg/hr. burn rate for an
appliance incapable of
burning wood fuel at a
rate in excess of 1.9 kg/
hr.
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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. 2025-09479 Filed 5-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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