Alaska Oil and Gas Association

121 W. Fireweed Lane, Suite 207

Anchorage, Alaska 99503

Phone: (907) 272-1481

www.aoga.org

Alaska Miners Association

3305 Arctic Blvd., Suite 105

Anchorage, Alaska 99503

Phone: (907) 563-9229

www.alaskaminers.org

May 20, 2011

The Honorable Lisa P. Jackson

Administrator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Ariel Rios Building (Room 3000)

1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20004

Re: Petition for Reconsideration – Standards of Performance for New Sources

and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial

Solid Waste Incineration Units – Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119

Dear Ms. Jackson:

The Alaska Oil and Gas Association (“AOGA”) and the Alaska Miners Association (“AMA”)

(jointly, “Petitioners”) respectfully submit the attached Petition for Reconsideration of the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) final rule titled “Standards of Performance for New

Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste

Incineration Units (“CISWI Rule”), specifically, the provisions for “small remote incinerators”.

See 76 Fed. Reg. 15704-90 (Mar. 21, 2011).

AOGA is a private non-profit trade association whose member companies account for the

majority of oil and gas exploration, development, production, transportation, refining, and

marketing activities in Alaska. AMA is a non-profit membership organization established in

1939 to represent the mining industry. AMA is composed of individual prospectors, geologists

and engineers, vendors, small family miners, junior mining companies, and major mining
companies. Petitioners, as well as other Alaska business interests, are directly and adversely

impacted by the “small remote incinerator” provisions in the CISWI Rule.

Should any questions arise regarding the attached Petition, please to not hesitate to contact us

with questions.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Crockett

Executive Director, AOGA

Steven C. Borell, P.E.

Executive Director, AMA

Attachment(s)

Cc: Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator

Richard Ossias, Associate General Counsel for the Air and Radiation Law Office

Charlene Spells

Toni Jones
1

The Alaska Oil & Gas Association (“AOGA”) and the Alaska Miners Association

(“AMA”) (jointly, “Petitioners”) petition the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) for

reconsideration and amendment of the small remote incinerator (“SRI”) standards contained in

the Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing

Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units (“the CISWI Rule”), 76 Fed.

Reg. 15704 (Mar. 21, 2011).

Alaska business interests including AOGA and ConocoPhillips submitted comments on

the SRI provisions in the proposed CISWI rule. We appreciate the fact that EPA revised the SRI

applicability criteria in the final rule in response to comments from Alaska stakeholders.

Unfortunately, errors in the derivation of the emission standards render those standards

unachievable by all or virtually all of the incinerators within the subcategory. Accordingly, for

the reasons stated herein, we respectfully petition EPA to reconsider and revise the existing

source and new source SRI emission standards.

Clean Air Act § 307(d)(7)(B) authorizes EPA to reconsider a rule where a petitioner

demonstrates that it was impracticable to raise objections during the public comment period or if

grounds for an objection arose after the close of the comment period, but within the time

specified for judicial review. EPA has already determined that (1) the CISWI and Boiler MACT

rules present “difficult technical issues,” (2) certain issues arose after the public comment period

closed or may have been impracticable to comment upon, and that (3) EPA may benefit from a

more full evaluation of the relevant issues and data. National Emission Standards for Hazardous

Air Pollutants, Notice of Reconsideration, 76 Fed. Reg. at 15267 (March 21, 2011).

On May 18, 2011, EPA published notice that the Agency has stayed the effective date of

the CISWI Rule until the proceedings for judicial review of the CISWI and Boiler MACT rules

are complete or EPA completes its reconsideration of the rules, whichever is earlier. 76 Fed.

Reg. 28662 (May 18, 2011). In that notice EPA explained that the proposed reconsideration will

“address issues on which the EPA believes further opportunity for public comment is appropriate

. . .” EPA announced that it will issue a notice of proposed reconsideration of each rule that

identifies the specific issue or issues raised in the petitions on which the Agency is granting

reconsideration. Id. For the reasons set forth below, Petitioners request that EPA grant

reconsideration of the SRI emission standards in Subparts CCCC and DDDD, and invite

submittal of additional information on the issues summarized in this petition.

Petitioners submit that the emission standards and guidelines for SRIs demand revision

for the following reasons::

 The SRI subcategory was established to address the unique operating and waste

management conditions that prevail in rural Alaska, yet the existing source

standards are unachievable in practice by all of the existing units in Alaska that

fall within the scope of the subcategory;

 The SRI standards and guidelines fail to account for the range of wastes burned in

SRI units and the fact that different waste materials exhibit profoundly different

emissions characteristics;
2

 The SRI standards fail to adequately factor in cost and therefore impose a

disproportionate burden on SRI units;

 The SRI standards in their current form will adversely impact wildlife in rural

Alaska, including species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

EPA violated Section 7 of the ESA by adopting the standards without first

consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding adverse impacts on

listed species, notably polar bears and spectacled eiders;

 EPA violated Section 129 by excluding from its maximum achievable control

technology floor calculations for SRI emissions during startup and shutdown

periods;

 EPA employed flawed data analysis and statistical protocols to derive the Subpart

CCCC sulfur dioxide emission limit for new sources; and

 EPA neglected an opportunity to clarify the applicability of the CISWI Rule to

incinerators located on marine vessels and outer continental shelf sources.

We look forward to working with the Agency to resolve these issues.

I. COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL INCINERATORS IN ALASKA

Many Alaska industry sectors, including mining, oil and gas production, electric power

generation and fish processing, find it necessary to operate in remote areas of the state, far from

paved highways, landfills and regional waste management facilities. Facilities located in

northern Alaska face challenging transportation issues, including seasonal restrictions on the

movement of vehicles and marine vessels, enormous distances from waste management facilities

and prohibitions on road construction resulting from requirements to minimize impacts on

wildlife, waterfowl, and the subsistence lifestyle practiced by the indigenous population.

Facilities located in remote areas rely on small incinerators to manage solid waste, for reasons

that include limited (if any) land disposal options in the vicinity, the high cost of transporting

waste to alternative disposal sites, and the need to minimize wildlife interactions with industrial

waste (and any related interactions with humans).

Incineration evolved as the preferred waste management practice in remote areas through

close collaboration with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and following studies funded

by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conducted by the University of Alaska. The studies

found that wildlife were not dispersing from North Slope oilfields during the winter months

because they were attracted to food sources available to them in dumpsters and at the regional

landfills.1In response, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas

1 Waste storage sites attract wildlife throughout rural Alaska, not just on the North Slope.

Oil and gas production and mining operations on the west side of Cook Inlet and platforms in the

(continued . . .)
3

now requires lessees of state lands to prepare plans of operations that include specified

mitigation measures for fish and wildlife impacts. For a 2010 North Slope Areawide Oil and

Gas Lease Sale DNR specified the following waste management mitigation measures:

Proper disposal of garbage and putrescible waste is essential to

minimize attraction of wildlife. The lessee must use the most

appropriate and efficient method to achieve this goal. The primary

method of garbage and putrescible waste is prompt, on-site

incineration in compliance with state of Alaska air quality

regulations. The secondary method of disposal is on-site frozen

storage in animal proof containers with backhaul to an approved

waste disposal facility.2

Throughout much of rural Alaska, there is no access to “an approved waste disposal

facility.” As a result, many industries in rural Alaska operate small incinerators.

The waste streams combusted in remote areas of Alaska include:

 Kitchen, domestic, and office waste;

 Oily waste (used sorbents or rags, mainly);

 Compressed sewage sludge (<10%); and

 Very small amounts of wastes generated by first aid clinics.

Kitchen, domestic, and office waste (i.e., municipal waste) represents the majority of

wastes burned in these incinerators and such waste is burned in the SRIs almost as fast as it is

generated to minimize the possibility of animal attraction. Other waste streams are fed into the

municipal waste streams as they are collected.

(. . . continued)

Inlet have no road access to landfills or commercial waste management services. Admiralty

Island, in southeast Alaska, hosts both mining operations and the highest brown bear population

density in the world. The only waste management options available to these facilities are

incineration, boat or barge removal, and/or air removal.

2 Alaska DNR, North Slope Areawide 2010 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale,

Mitigation Measures and Lease Advisories, available at

http://www.dog.dnr.state.ak.us/oil/products/publications/northslope/nsaw2010/NS2010%20mits

%20adj.pdf. DNR required similar mitigation measures for a lease sale in Cook Inlet. See

Mitigation Measures and Other Regulatory Requirements (Lessee Advisories) Cook Inlet 2010,

http://www.dog.dnr.state.ak.us/oil/products/publications/cookinlet/ciaw2010/adj%20cI10%20Mi

ts.pdf.
4

If the waste streams currently managed by Alaska’s SRIs are not combusted as they are

generated, a host of problems arise, including increased human and wildlife interactions.

Facilities will need to be constructed to store the waste until such time as it could be hauled to a

landfill, and such storage likely will attract animals. For facilities connected to landfills by road,

waste storage facilities would need to accommodate just 2-3 days worth of waste generation. For

facilities not connected by road to a landfill, waste accumulation facilities would need to be

designed to accommodate a week of waste generation or more. The longer the storage period,

the more likely human food waste will attract wildlife.

Transportation of the waste from facilities currently using small incinerator units would

be costly. Moreover, transportation may be prohibited by weather conditions during certain

seasons. Increased storage of waste at area landfills is another adverse consequence of decreased

waste incineration that must be considered. Additional food waste storage at landfills will attract

wildlife, one of the problems the state sought to avoid by promoting (and in some cases

requiring) small remote waste incinerators.

II. THE SRI SUBCATEGORY

EPA promulgated the CISWI Rule pursuant to Sections 111 and 129 of the CAA. Those

sections require EPA to establish new source performance standards (“NSPS”) for new solid

waste combustion units and Emission Guidelines for existing units. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 7411,

7429. Both the solid waste combustion NSPS and Emission Guidelines use a maximum

achievable control technology (“MACT”) approach, similar to that used under Section 112 of the

CAA:

Standards applicable to solid waste incineration units promulgated

under section 111 and ... section [129] shall reflect the maximum

degree of reduction in emissions of air pollutants listed under

section (a)(4) that the Administrator, taking into consideration the

cost of achieving such emission reduction, and any non-air quality

health and environmental impacts and energy requirements,

determines is achievable for new or existing units in each category.

The Administrator may distinguish among classes, types (including

mass-burn, refuse derived fuel, modular and other types of units),

and sizes of units within a category in establishing such standards.

The degree of reduction in emissions that is deemed achievable for

new units in a category shall not be less stringent than the

emissions control that is achieved in practice by the best controlled

similar unit, as determined by the Administrator. Emissions

standards for existing units in a category may be less stringent than

standards for new units in the same category but shall not be less

stringent than the average emissions limitation achieved by the

best performing 12 percent of units in the category.

42 U.S.C. § 7429(a)(2).
5

In the proposed CISWI Rule, EPA proposed to establish a “small remote incinerator”

subcategory. 75 Fed. Reg. 31938 (June 4, 2010). EPA described the subcategory as follows:

These are batch-operated units that combust less than one ton of

waste per day and are farther than 50 miles driving distance to the

closest MSW landfill. To the extent that these are located in

Alaska, a major difference in these types of units is the inability to

operate a wet scrubber in the northern climates and the lack of

availability of wastewater handling and treatment utilities. We

believe this would impact their ability to meet emission limits for

pollutants controlled by wet scrubbers. In addition, because of the

remote location, these units do not have lower-cost alternative

waste disposal options (i.e., landfills) nearby and emissions

associated with transporting the solid waste could be significant.

Id. at 31951.

The proposed rule recognized the difficulties faced by SRIs in Alaska, with regard to

available treatment technologies, transportation hurdles, and costs. EPA found that all existing

units within the SRI subcategory would shut down if EPA set beyond-the-floor limits. 75 Fed.

Reg. 31958. For this reason, and due to the limited availability of alternative disposal methods,

EPA determined that it is not reasonable to go beyond-the-floor for the SRI subcategory. Id.

EPA developed MACT floor limits for both new and existing units by ranking units based on

average performance as determined from EPA’s emissions database, selecting best performing

units, pooling test run data for selected units, characterizing the data as normally or log-normally

distributed, and calculating an upper limit, all on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis. 75 Fed. Reg.

31952. The database that EPA considered in deriving existing source emission limits for the SRI

subcategory consists of 19 incinerators. 75 Fed. Reg. 31952-54. The proposed rule derived floor

limits based on a statistical analysis of the top performing three units in the database, again on a

pollutant-by-pollutant basis.

In response to comments from AOGA members, the final CISWI Rule revised the

definition of small incinerator units to those units burning no more than 3 tons per day and more

than 25 miles from a municipal landfill. 76 Fed. Reg. 15734. EPA restated the rationale for

creating the SRI subcategory, noting that harsh environmental conditions preclude certain control

technologies, and observing that closure of small incinerators would cause adverse

environmental impacts, including increased interaction between people and wildlife attracted to

stored waste. 76 Fed. Reg. 15734.

The MACT floor analysis for SRIs changed significantly between the proposed and final

rules. The universe of SRIs shrank from 19 to 14 units, notwithstanding the expansion in the

number of units qualifying for the subcategory. 76 Fed. Reg. 15724. As a result, EPA

considered the performance of only the top two units (rather than three) in the category in

deriving floor limits. Id. As a result of these and other changes, the emission standards for the

SRI subcategory changed dramatically between proposal and the final rule. Most limits for

existing units increased, but CO dropped from 78 to 20 ppmv, and the dioxin/furan limits in the
6

final rule are much lower than in the proposal. Compare 75 Fed. Reg. 31953-54 with 76 Fed.

Reg. 15725-26.

III. THE CISWI EMISSION STANDARDS FOR SRIS ARE UNLAWFUL AND

UNATTAINABLE.

The SRI subcategory was established to address the unique operating conditions that

prevail in rural Alaska. All of the sources in the MACT floor analysis for the SRI subcategory

are Alaska incinerators, yet the existing source standards are unachievable in practice by any of

those sources. EPA based the CISWI emission standards for SRIs on a MACT floor analysis

that incorporated data from 10 of the 14 units that EPA identified within the SRI subcategory.

Table 1 below3compares the test data from these ten units with the final CISWI emission

standards for SRIs.

Table 1

3

Table 1 is a summary of source test data reported in Appendix B to a January 12, 2011

memo from Eastern Research Group to Toni Jones, entitled “CISWI Emission Limit

Calculations for Existing and New Sources.”

Comparison of Final CISWI standards (Small Remote subcategory ) to empirical data (test averages) for the units included in the

Floor Analysis by pollutant (Excluding SSM conditions)

Pollutant

Final Existing CISWI Small Remote

Standard

Coeur

XTO Energy

Teck Cominco Alaska, Inc - Red Dog

Mine

Pioneer NR

Entech Alaska

Kuparuk Central Production (one

unit)

UOCC Trading Bay

Hecla Greens Creek Juneau

Chugach Electric Beluga

Cook Inlet Pipeline - Drift River

Cadmium (mg/dscm) 0.61 1.255 0.094 0.167 0.011 0.054 0.044 0.530 0.122 0.232 0.091

Carbon Monoxide (ppmv) 20 12 14 17 19 28 40 111 169 205 219

Hydgrogen Chloride (ppmv) 220 118 -- 126 81 -- 78 100 76 45 28

Lead (mg/dscm) 2.7 0.63 0.47 6.39 0.61 0.09 1.16 0.77 0.45 2.15 0.39

Mercury (mg/dscm) 0.0057 0.0096 0.0096 0.0144 0.0011 0.0027 0.0021 0.0050 0.0018 0.0284 0.0012

Nitrogen Oxides (ppmv) 240 74 78 161 116 61 112 116 122 89 119

Particulate-filterable (mg/dscm) 230 84 -- 195 189 497 181 85 118 107 150

Sulfur Dioxide (PPMV) 420 4.8 0.1 25.5 16.4 2.7 13.7 6.9 13.0 46.4 80.0

Dioxin Furan- Total (ng/dscm) 1,200 421 -- -- 3,350 -- 366 300 1,612 633 1,058

Dioxin Furan - TEQ (ng/dscm) 57 10 -- 21 57 -- 5 -- 29 13 --

Complies with final

standard

Does not comply with

final standard
7

Table 1 shows that none of the SRI units included in EPA’s floor analysis meet the

emission standards for all pollutants, even when SSM conditions are excluded. This result

contravenes the plain mandate of Section 129 that emission standards for existing units reflect

the performance achieved by the best performing 12 percent of units in the category. 42 U.S.C.

§ 7429(a)(2).

A. The SRI emission standards fail to account for the range of wastes burned in SRIs

and the fact that different waste materials exhibit profoundly different emissions

characteristics.

Alaska’s SRIs are essentially single (primary) chamber units that combust waste material

together with natural gas, propane, or atomized diesel. The units may or may not have an

afterburner that further combusts the plume emanating from the primary chamber. The only

characteristics that distinguish SRI units in Alaska from each other are the presence or absence

of an afterburner, and the mix of waste materials combusted.

Unlike other categories of sources subject to MACT standards, SRI feeds are highly

variable. The emission rates from these units are a function of this highly variable feed.

Although the existence of a secondary chamber, heat input, and device geometry may partially

affect NOx, PM, and CO emissions, emission levels for the other six (of nine) pollutants

regulated by the CISWI Rule are not affected by such controls. Those emissions are, instead,

tied to the incinerator’s waste feed.

Because waste feeds vary substantially among SRIs, and from time to time for any one

SRI, the CISWI emission standards must account for the range of wastes burned. Test data from

incinerators included in the floor analysis strongly suggest that the final guidelines for existing

SRIs fail to account for variability in the emission rates from combustion of different waste

materials. Appendix 1 to these comments depicts source test data from an incinerator at Kuparuk

on the Alaska North Slope. The scale settings of the four graphs in Appendix 1 are logarithmic.

Allowing for the compression caused by the logarithmic scale, these graphs are revealing. The

spikes in CO emissions include spikes associated with startup. NOx emissions exceed the SRI

limit when the incinerator is burning sewage sludge. Incineration is the only practical option for

management of sewage sludge on the North Slope, because the harsh Alaskan climate does not

allow for sewage lagoons or for disposal by dispersing sludge over the tundra, and removal by

vehicle would be costly and burdensome.

The CISWI Rule’s SRI standards are unlawful because they fail to consider (1) the range

of wastes combusted in these incinerators, and (2) the fact that the different waste streams exhibit

profoundly different emissions. The SRI limits in the CISWI Rule do not account for this

variability. Rather, the test data developed and used by EPA was collected through a very

limited Information Request, and thus provides a very limited “snapshot in time” of emissions at

a particular unit, given the particular waste stream combusted at that time. For example, EPA’s

MACT floor analysis reports an average NOx concentration from Kuparuk of 112 ppmvd @ 7%

O2. That number may be a valid average, but the Subpart DDDD NOx limit for existing

incinerators is a three run average based on test runs of at least 60 minutes. The Kuparuk
8

incinerator and others may violate this limit when combusting sewage sludge, and perhaps other

waste materials.

In deriving CISWI emission limits for SRIs, EPA did not consider a broad enough range

of the waste streams combusted by these units. Our review of EPA’s test data, and inquiries to

the Agency since rule finalization, suggest that the Agency failed to consider the significant

influence of the characteristics of an incinerator’s waste feed on its emissions when deriving SRI

standards. This flawed methodology resulted in overly stringent limits and contravenes the

CAA’s mandate that emission standards be achievable. 42 U.S.C. § 7429(a)(2).

AOGA and AMA request reconsideration of the SRI limits in the CISWI Rule, to enable

EPA to develop a more inclusive emissions inventory that accounts for the different waste

streams combusted in rural Alaska incineration units.

B. The SRI standards fail to adequately factor in cost and therefore impose a

disproportionate burden on SRI units.

The CAA mandates that EPA consider cost when setting CISWI standards. See 42

U.S.C. § 7429(a)(2). EPA retained Eastern Research Group, Inc. (“ERG”) to conduct

compliance cost analyses for each of the subcategories regulated by the CISWI rule. See ERG

Revised Compliance Cost Analyses for CISWI Units Memorandum (Jan. 12, 2011) (“ERG Costs

Memorandum”).

As will be discussed below, EPA’s estimates of the cost of compliance for SRIs are low.

Even when using the Agency’s numbers, however, the CISWI Rule places a disproportionate

compliance burden on SRI units. In the final rule, EPA estimates that more than half the units in

the SRI subcategory will require afterburner upgrades, about two-thirds of the units will require

activated carbon injection with fabric filters or fabric filters alone, and most will require a more

robust materials segregation plan that removes chlorinated and non-ferrous metal components

from the waste stream. 76 Fed. Reg. 15730. The cost of these upgrades will be spread over very

few tons of emissions because SRIs are small and operate intermittently. Accordingly, the cost

analyses conducted by ERG show a vastly higher compliance cost for SRIs than for other CISWI

subcategories:

The nationwide average cost effectiveness for all units to meet the

emission limits was estimated to be $710/ton for liquid/gasburning energy recovery units (ERUs), $61,700/ton for solidsburning ERUs, $58,400/ton for incinerators, $388,800/ton for

small, remote units, and $1,100/ton for waste-burning kilns. Over

all subcategories, the average cost effectiveness was estimated to

be $6,400/ton.

* * *

The nationwide average cost effectiveness for all units to choose

the lowest cost option between complying using add-on controls

and using an alternative disposal method was estimated as follows:
9

$710/ton for liquid/gas-burning ERUs, $61,700/ton for solidsburning ERUs, $7,600/ton for incinerators, $234,800/ton for small,

remote units, and $1,100/ton for waste-burning kilns. Over all

subcategories, the average cost effectiveness was estimated to be

$6,000/ton.

ERG Costs Memorandum at 10.4

Thus, using EPA’s data, the lowest cost option for compliance for SRIs is $173,100/ton

greater than the lowest cost option for the next most expensive subcategory (solids-burning

energy recovery units), and $234,200/ton more than the average cost of compliance over all of

the subcategories.

While Petitioners appreciate EPA's development of the SRI subcategory, we think it

amiss that such a disproportionate compliance burden should fall to these smallest and lowest

emitting of incinerator operators. Applying agency numbers, this burden is not only

disproportionate in terms of cost, but is not commensurate with the emission reduction benefits

that result from tightly controlling SRIs.

Moreover, EPA’s compliance cost calculations obscure the magnitude of the problem,

because the cost estimates for these incinerators are low. Despite the final rule’s

acknowledgment that Alaska SRIs face particular compliance challenges due to their unique

geographic and climatic considerations, ERG’s Costs Memorandum dismisses comments that

SRI units in certain parts of Alaska require additional footprint for controls, which “may be

costly to construct and permit,” because no data was provided to show these additional footprint

costs. ERG Costs Memorandum, at 3-4. The dismissal of such additional costs – despite agency

acknowledgement of the related problem – suggests that the actual disparity between the costs of

compliance for SRI units and units in other subcategories may be even greater than is

represented in the ERG memorandum. See also id. at 9 (“Annual landfilling costs for small,

remote units ranged from $433,000/yr to $24.6 million/yr.”).

The Agency’s own calculations show a glaring disparity between the compliance burden

placed on SRIs and units in the other CISWI subcategories. Worse yet, EPA’s compliance cost

calculations are unrealistically low. The magnitude of the burden the rule imposes on SRI

owners, together with the dearth of realistic waste management alternatives for these companies,

compels reconsideration of the SRI emission standards.

4

The cost effectiveness of the final emission limits was calculated for each subcategory

by dividing the total compliance cost (emission control, monitoring, testing, recordkeeping, and

reporting) by the total emission reduction (HCl, CO, Pb, Cd, Hg, PCDD/PCDF, NOx, and SO2)

needed to meet the emission limits. Id.
10

C. EPA violated the Endangered Species Act by adopting SRI standards without first

consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding adverse impacts on

listed species, notably polar bears and spectacled eiders.

EPA has an obligation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) to consult

with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“the Service”) before authorizing, funding or carrying

out an action that “may affect” species listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA. Id. §

1536(a)(2); 50 C.F.R. § 402.14(a). The purpose of such consultation is to ensure that EPA’s

actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or destroy or

adversely modify its critical habitat. 16 U.S.C. § 1536(a)(2). Consultation is concluded when

the Service either concurs that the action is not likely to adversely affect listed species or issues a

biological opinion and associated terms and conditions to minimize the impact of the action on

listed species. Id.; 50 C.F.R. § 402.14.

EPA violated the ESA by adopting the SRI emission standards in the CISWI rule without

first consulting with the Service under Section 7. As noted above, the SRI standards will impose

very high compliance costs on affected units. Some facility owners will bear these costs because

there is no realistic alternative, but others will shut down incinerators in favor of storing and

periodically transporting waste to off-site permitted landfill facilities. It is therefore reasonably

foreseeable that, in response to the rule, solid waste will be stored for a number of days and then

transported by aircraft, boat or on ice roads during winter months. Harsh weather in the winter

and fog conditions in the summer will delay these shipments at times. These logistical and

seasonal constraints will result in periods where waste must be stored on site while awaiting

transport. This anticipated change in waste management practices is the “indirect effect” of

EPA’s rule because it is “caused by” the rule and “later in time, but still ... reasonably certain to

occur.” 50 C.F.R. § 402.02 (defining “effects of the action” to include indirect effects). As such,

EPA must consider whether such foreseeable operational changes “may affect” ESA-listed

species.5

Small incinerators were deployed in part to minimize wildlife interactions with food

waste.6Stored waste is expected to attract bears, foxes, gulls, ravens and other species. The

attraction of polar bears to these sites will not only alter their normal behavioral patterns but will

also result in an increase in human-bear interactions that require deterrence activities including

possible lethal take in defense of human life. In addition, the attraction of foxes, ravens and gulls

will increase predation on many species including spectacled eider nests and broods, thus

reversing years of progress in decreasing the number of food-conditioned animals and their

corresponding adverse effect on species productivity.

5

To be clear, Petitioners are not contending that there is a causal relationship between

emissions and effects on endangered species that would necessitate ESA consultation, but rather

that the adoption of the SRI standards will cause indirect effects unrelated to air quality, namely

the attraction of polar bears and eider predators to industrial and commercial operations that store

waste.

6

See studies cited at note 2, supra.
11

EPA’s failure to consider these indirect effects violates Section 7 of the ESA. As a result,

EPA must withdraw this portion of the rule or suspend its application until it completes

consultation with the Service.

D. EPA violated Section 129 by excluding from its MACT floor calculations SRI

emissions during startup and shutdown periods.

EPA’s CISWI Rule replaces the startup, shutdown and malfunction (“SSM”) period

exemption found in the 2000 CISWI rule with a mandate that incinerators must meet CISWI

standards at all times,7coupled with an affirmative defense that facility owners may assert to

excuse exceedance of an emission limit resulting from a malfunction. 40 CFR 60.2685.

The key premise underlying EPA’s decision to apply SRI emission limits during startup

and shutdown is that SRI units should be able to meet the limits during those periods:

We determined that CISWI units will be able to meet the emission

limits during periods of startup because most units use natural gas

or clean distillate oil to start the unit and add waste once the unit

has reached combustion temperatures. Emissions from burning

natural gas or distillate fuel oil would generally be significantly

lower than from burning solid wastes. Emissions during periods of

shutdown are also generally significantly lower than emissions

during normal operations because the materials in the incinerator

will be almost fully combusted before shutdown occurs.

75 Fed. Reg. 31964.

For some SRI units and pollutants, this assumption is incorrect. Periods of startup and

shutdown are characterized by variable emissions rates. For the small incinerators used in rural

Alaska, the period between initial waste charge and steady flame development is characterized

by unstable emissions often exceeding SRI standards. Appendix 1 to these comments shows that

during startup conditions CO emissions at one incinerator in the SRI subcategory greatly exceed

the SRI CO limit. In addition, oxygen levels at startup can be very high and result in high

emissions when a 7 percent oxygen correction factor is applied.

EPA made no attempt to incorporate startup or shutdown condition data into the MACT

floor calculations for the SRI subcategory, nor did EPA establish startup or shutdown emission

limits for the SRI subcategory.8The failure to accommodate startup or shutdown conditions in

7

40 C.F.R. § 60.2105(a) (“You must be in compliance with the emission limitations of

this subpart that apply to you at all times.”).

8

EPA has recognized the need for separate startup and shutdown standards – due to the

variable emissions rate characterizing those periods – in its recent revisions to the Portland

Cement MACT standards and NSPS. See Rulemaking dockets EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0877 &

EPA-HQ-OAR-2002-0051.
12

any way violates Section 129. Emission standards adopted under Sections 129 and 111 are

technology-based standards. They must be achievable during all operating scenarios that a

source will encounter during routine operations, including startup and shutdown.

As for malfunctions, EPA declares that “[i]t is reasonable to interpret section 129 as not

requiring EPA to account for malfunctions in setting performance standards,” and that “even if

malfunctions were considered a distinct operating mode ... it would be impracticable to take

malfunctions into account in setting CAA section 129 standards for CISWI units.” 76 Fed. Reg.

15738. EPA bases its finding of impracticability on the fact that “malfunctions” are “sudden,

infrequent, and not reasonably preventable failure of air pollution control equipment, process

equipment, or a process to operate in a normal or usual manner ...” Id. (quoting 40 C.F.R. §

60.2).

This conclusion may be realistic for some sectors of American industry. For SRI units in

rural Alaska malfunctions are sudden and unpreventable, but they have a strong likelihood of

recurrence. In upstream oil and gas operations, for example, the gas feed can be interrupted for

any number of reasons. These energy sources are not like those found in towns with natural gas

transmission lines supplying a steady flow of fuel. Processing facility upsets may cause the

cessation of gas flow, even in the midst of incinerator combustion cycles. Such upsets can have

potentially significant emissions results. In a recent source test, one Alaska company evaluated

the CO emissions that would occur in the event of a gas supply interruption during the

incinerator combustion process. The CO emissions increased by nearly two orders of magnitude

to 3,357 ppmv (corrected to 7% oxygen).9

The affirmative defense established by EPA is not sufficient to address malfunctions

under operating conditions like those that prevail in rural Alaska. A better approach would be to

impose a work practice standard that requires prompt measures to mitigate any exceedance

caused by a malfunction. It would be difficult to satisfy the criteria spelled out for assertion of

the affirmative defense provided in 40 CFR 60.2685 in a region where the fuel supply is highly

variable and harsh operating conditions cause a higher incidence of malfunctions than in the

lower 48 states. A regulatory agency evaluating a forced shutdown or malfunction-related

excess emission report – where the affirmative defense was asserted – could be forced to reject

the defense and demand the implementation of expensive engineering solutions to prevent

recurrence of environmentally insignificant malfunctions.

Because the assumptions underlying EPA’s repeal of the SSM exemption are not viable

for SRI units in Alaska, Petitioners ask that EPA reconsider elimination of the SSM exemption

for SRI units. The omission from the SRI standards of any provisions to address operating

conditions during startup and shutdown exposes operators to a risk of routine non-compliance.

For this reason, we believe EPA should reconsider its failure to address foreseeable exceedances

of the SRI standards during SSM periods.

9

See Appendix 1 to these comments.
13

E. EPA employed flawed data analysis and statistical protocols to derive the Subpart

CCCC sulfur dioxide emission limit for new sources.

Subpart CCCC establishes a sulfur dioxide emission limit for new SRI units of 1.2

ppmvd.10 1.2 ppm is a very small emission rate from point sources that might be considered "in

the noise" when evaluating emissions from most sources. Petitioners reviewed the mechanics of

developing this standard and found the following deficiencies in its development:

 Use of zero and negative emission values in the raw data analyses and ranking of the

units;

 Inconsistent operating conditions during the data collection not considered in comparing

the data and ranking the results;

 Lack of documentation for the operating conditions needed to normalize the data for

comparison of the data and ranking the results during at least some of (if not all) testing;

 Inappropriate comparison of the data for ranking with regards to variable sample

collection periods during testing;

 Unknown variability in fuel and waste content among tests and, therefore, lack of

consideration in ranking the results and establishing the limit;

 Deficiencies and flaws in the statistical analysis method used to derive the standard; and

 Failure to consider precision and accuracy limitations of the EPA reference methods,

failure to derive detection limits for testing to consider in reported results and failure to

consider inherent variability in analyzers allowed for in EPA reference method testing

with regard to demonstrating compliance with the method.

No official guidance has been published to guide EPA in establishment of an emission

standard based on “the emissions control that is achieved in practice by the best controlled

similar unit.” Therefore, we are left to assess the establishment of emission limits purely on the

basis of sound statistical analysis. The above-cited deficiencies in the derivation of the new unit

SO2 standard led petitioners to conduct an alternative statistical analysis to compensate for the

deficiencies. The alternative analysis generated a revised new unit SO2 standard of between 100

and 130 ppm. The reasonableness of this range is doubtful given the quality of data available for

setting a SO2 limit; however, it highlights the magnitude of the concerns with how EPA derived

the 1.2 ppm limit.

We believe that the data collected by EPA is insufficient to generate a technically valid

new unit standard for SO2. See Appendix 2 (containing detailed analyses and findings). Given

that any incinerator has a finite life cycle and, for some small remote units, replacement with

new units is almost mandatory, we believe EPA must get the new unit emission limits right. We

also believe that it is appropriate, given the deficiencies in data used to set all of the emission

limits for both the new and existing unit categories, for EPA to reevaluate its data, collect more

10 Table 8 to 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart CCCC.
14

data if necessary, and establish emission limits derived from a complete, comprehensible, and

statistically sound data set.

F. EPA neglected an opportunity to clarify the applicability of the CISWI Rule to

incinerators located on marine vessels and outer continental shelf sources.

EPA, without basis, allows for the application of the CISWI standards to sources located

on marine vessels or on the outer continental shelf (“OCS”). A comment was submitted to EPA

during the public comment period asking whether the CISWI rule applies to incinerators on

vessels or on OCS sources. EPA responded:

The applicability of part 60 standards to OCS sources and

associated vessels is addressed in 40 C.F.R. 55.13(c). Owners or

operators of OCS sources should consult their permitting authority

to determine whether and to what extent this final rule applies to

such sources. 11

The response is inadequate for several reasons. First, this response does not address the

question raised on EPA’s intent for CISWI applicability for marine vessels operating incinerators

in state waters or while docked in port. Vessels operating in state waters may or may not be

related to an OCS source. There are numerous vessels (and types of vessels) equipped with

incinerators operating in state waters and/or regularly docked in U.S. ports. The CISWI Rule

must clarify its application to such vessels.

Second, there are no incinerators operating on OCS sources or marine vessels included in

the MACT floor analysis. We can find no information in the docket showing that EPA

contemplated incinerators on marine vessels or on OCS sources in the development of the

MACT floor. We believe that, if emissions data were collected on units operating on OCS

sources and/or marine vessels, the emissions testing results would be significantly different due

to the differences in design of these units. Failure include such data therefore conflicts with the

prescribed statutory process for establishing the MACT floor.

Third, the historical practice for incinerator designs on vessels and OCS sources is the

IMO (MARPOL) requirements, which are completely different standards than those adopted by

states for land based incinerator emissions. The waste burned on vessels may be very different

than typically found in small land based incinerators so could emit significantly different

emissions (quantify and/or qualitatively). Neither fact is addressed in the CISWI Rule.

Unless EPA collects data from incinerators utilized on vessels and/or OCS sources, we do

not believe the MACT floor can be established to adequately consider these incinerators.

Moreover, should this data be collected we suspect a separate subcategory will be warranted for

SRIs employed on vessels and OCS sources because of the aforementioned variables. We

believe it is imprudent for EPA to categorically defer applicability decisions for CISWI

11 CISWI Response to Comments, at 358-359.
15

standards to regional offices. Rather, EPA’s intent with regard to CISWI applicability to marine

vessels and/or OCS sources should be clearly articulated in the CISWI rulemaking, thus

providing criteria to be used by the regional offices and the opportunity for stakeholders to

comment on such criteria. To defer CISWI applicability decisions without any explanation

during the rulemaking process, not only increases the likelihood of inconsistency in application,

but also the likelihood of speculation within regional offices on EPA’s CISWI applicability

criteria.

IV. REMEDY

It is premature to propose the precise form of the revisions that would make the SRI

standards technologically feasible and economically attainable. Petitioners hope to engage with

EPA on potential solutions that might include revision of specific emission limits, possible

further subcategorization of the SRI subcategory, or an exemption for SRI units. In the course of

the reconsideration proceedings, Petitioners will work with EPA to develop environmentally

sustainable revisions to the SRI standards.
APPENDIX

1
Appendix 1

Graph 1

Graph 2
Graph 3

Graph 4
APPENDIX

2
1

Appendix 2

The New Small Remote Incinerator SO2 Emission Limit

The following discussion identifies concerns and deficiencies with the data used for the

MACT floor calculation, computation method, and statistical analysis. Information reviewed

included the MACT Floor Memo (“CISWI Emission Limit Calculations for Existing and New

Sources”, January 12, 2011) and associated appendices, final rule preamble Section V.B (Federal

Register Vol. 76, No. 54, 15718), the final CISWI database, and some of the source test reports.

1. Use of Zero and/or Negative Reported Data in the Floor Analysis

The individual test data for each source is provided in the Final CISWI Database. Review of this

data indicates negative and zero values were included in the average for three sources: AK XTO

Energy, AK Coeur, and AK Hecla Greens Creek Juneau. These reported test results and

calculated source average are shown in the Table below.

Small Remote Units in the final MACT database with zero and or negative results

Facility ID Test ID

SO2

(ppmvd @ 7%

O2)

Source

Average

AKXTOEnergy 2 0

AKXTOEnergy 1 0

AKXTOEnergy 3 0.393767705 0.13

AKCoeur 4 0

AKCoeur 5 0

AKCoeur 6 14.3801508 4.79

AKHeclaGreensCreekJuneau 5 -3.159090909

AKHeclaGreensCreekJuneau 4 12.46128769

AKHeclaGreensCreekJuneau 6 29.62621282 12.98

Source: Final CISWI Database, Data: Emissions Tests.

Comments were submitted regarding the zero values as summarized in 76 FR 15727, Section 5:

Some commenters stated that EPA does not appear to have systematically screened the

emissions data for cases where a detection limit should be applied, and has erroneously

recorded zero values for emissions where those are reported in the original test reports.

In EPA’s response to comments the following comments were submitted regarding zero values

incorporated into the MACT floor calculations as follows:
2

 EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-1517.1, Excerpt 16

 EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-1834.1, Excerpt 49

 EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-1951.1, Excerpt 12

 EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-1951.1, Excerpt 35

 EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-1951.1, Excerpt 42

 EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-1967.1, Excerpt 7

 EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-1971.1, Excerpt 6

 EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-2090.1, Excerpt 8

 EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-2092.1, Excerpt 3

 EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-2128.1, Excerpt 33

Although EPA responded to questions regarding treatment of non-detects, rationale for

subcategories, and general MACT floor analysis, we could not find any response to the issue

related to use of zero and negative values. Follow up e-mails with EPA’s rule contact recently

showed EPA was aware of the zero and negative values use in ranking the data and determining

the best performer.

Unless EPA can provide justification for the zero and negative values as valid and representative

data, we do not believe zero or negative data should be included in the MACT Floor analysis for

determining the best-performer. Most importantly removal of this data triggers a material

change on the ranking and determination of the best performer.

2. Selection of the Best-Performer

Based on a review of the MACT Floor Memo, the SO2 limit is derived by first identifying the

best-performer of the sources that reported emissions. First, EPA calculates the 3-run test

average values for each source within the subcategory. The sources are then ranked from

lowest to highest based on the average of its tests. The average concentration for each unit in

the small remote subcategory is provided in the table below.
3

Average SO2 Emissions by Facility ID

Facility ID

Average SO2

Concentration

(ppmvd @ 7%

O2)

EPA

Rank

AKXTOEnergy 0.13 1

AKEntechAlaska 2.67 2

AKCoeur 4.79 3

AKUOCCTradingBay 6.91 4

AKHeclaGreensCreekJuneau 12.98 5

AKKuparukCentral Production 13.66 6

AKPioneerNR 16.37 7

AKTeckComincoAlaskaIncRedDogMine 25.52 8

AKChugachElectricBeluga 46.43 9

AKCookInletPipeline-DriftRiver 80.03 10

Source: MACT Floor Memo, Appendix B, Table B-7

Due to the issues outlined below, we believe the average reported emissions are not accurate

and reliable for comparing the sources and establishing the ranking and best-performers in

accordance with the preamble of the rule:

“In assessing sources’ performance, EPA may consider variability [] in identifying which

performers are ‘‘best’’ ...”1

3. Inconsistent and Ambiguous Test Operating Conditions

SO2 emissions are highly dependent on the fuel and waste composition (particularly sulfur

content) and operating conditions. EPA does not provide enough information in the database to

determine if the tests conducted at each facility are consistent and, therefore, the results

comparable. Furthermore, we suggest EPA should adjust each source’s emissions accounting

for variability in fuel, waste, operating conditions, and testing procedures prior to ranking the

facilities. For example, test results from EPA’s highest ranked source, AKCookInletPipeline1

Federal Register, Vol. 76, No. 54 (March 21, 2011), p. 15723
4

DriftRiver, demonstrate high variability within the source with emissions ranging from 0.16 ppm

(reported non-detect) to 195 ppm (a difference of 2 orders of magnitude between the

minimum and maximum values). This is associated with a coefficient of variation of 1.07,

assuming a normal distribution, indicating that the variability in individual test results is greater

than the average concentration across all tests. No information or description is provided in the

CISWI database or MACT floor analysis to explain this variability. From the documentation, we

could not see any evidence that EPA accounted for this variability in identifying the bestperformer. Applying EPA’s method to compute variability (as described in Section II.B of the

MACT Floor Memo, 99th percent upper limit (UL)), this source has a calculated UL of 195.4 ppm

based on either a normal or lognormal distribution. Further, the source identified as the second

best-performer, AKEntechAlaska, has a calculated UL of 9,200 ppm based on a log-normal

distribution. Further explanation of the UL calculation is provided in the “Calculation of the

MACT Floor” section below. This indicates that if variability was accounted for, the ranking

could change significantly.

4. Lack of Analysis and Consideration in Variability for Fuel and Waste between Units

The amount of SO2 emissions is primarily dependent on the sulfur content of the fuel (i.e., none

of the small remote units tested utilize SO2 emissions control). There is thus a wide variation of

SO2 emissions between sources and at an individual source simply due to variability in the fuel

and/or waste. Very little fuel information is provided in the CISWI database, all sources

providing SO2 emission data had “Municipal” listed as the fuel type.2 Only three sources in the

small remote subcategory provided fuel analysis with sulfur content data. However, the sulfur

content was measured two to three years prior to the SO2 testing so does not necessarily

represent the fuel burned during the test.3

2

CISWI 2011 Database for the Final Rule, “Data: EmissionsTest Fuel Data”, February 21, 2011.

3

CISWI 2011 Database for the Final Rule, “Data: FuelAnalysis”, February 21, 2011.
5

MACT Database Reported Sulfur Content of Fuel (%)

Facility

AKHeclaGreens

CreekJuneau(b)

AKKuparukCentral

Production AKUOCCTradingBay

EPA Rank(a) 5 6 4

Number of

Samples 10 10 3

Minimum 0.00010 0.089 0.06

Maximum 0.00262 0.237 0.07

Average 0.00123 0.160 0.07

Standard Deviation 0.00079 0.054 0.01

(a) See Table 1 of this Appendix. Rank 1 refers to the facility identified as the bestperformer by EPA.

(b) Adjusted to dry basis for comparison with the other facilities’ data.

Even in the limited fuel data collected, there is still substantial variability of the sulfur content

within each facility, but less than that summarized above for SO2 emissions (coefficients of

variation range between .14 and 0.64). With most test runs conducted on the same day or

within 1 day, it is likely the tests were completed on the same charge and, therefore, the same

mix of fuel. We know this is the case with several of the sources. Therefore the data collected

does not show variability due to fuel mix, waste content and sulfur content. EPA’s methodology

did not indicate any variability in fuel or waste was accounted for in ranking the sources.

5. Unknown Variability in the Test Operating Conditions

In addition to variations due to fuel and waste, SO2 emissions also vary during the burn cycle.

EPA did not prescribe the operating conditions that should be tested. We believe the results do

not reflect the full operating variability of the emissions from small remote incinerators over a

burn cycle. Test data recently collected on four different incinerators shows SO2 emissions

spiking at the beginning of a charge in three of four units tested. This is likely because the waste

that burns first typically has the higher sulfur content (e.g. oily waste, gas H2S content, etc )

and/or changes in burner configuration in the primary chamber. In these three tests SO2

emissions are highest in the beginning of the charge and can vary (based on minute readings )

by ±1000% during the first hour of the burn cycle. We did not find any information in the CISWI

database to indicate when the tests were started in the burn cycle, when the waste was added

to the units, or general operating conditions (e.g., chamber temperature, hours of operation,

fuel amount and composition). Without identifying the operating conditions, we cannot

adequately determine what the reported emissions represent. Based on emissions profiles we

obtained from four incinerators, it is likely that the sources EPA identified as the best-
6

performers were starting the tests after the initial burn and/or for longer averaging periods and

the worst-performers are reporting emissions from startup conditions (i.e. when waste is first

introduced to the incinerator) and/or shorter averaging periods.

6. Inconsistent Test Run Length

We were not able to locate the averaging period (run length) of the individual test results in the

database. However, we are aware that some reported emissions are based on a 1-hour average

while others are based on a 4-hour average. The rule simply states the sample should be

collected for a minimum duration of 1 hour per run.4The average concentration would change

based on the averaging period selected where emissions are typically much lower given a

longer averaging time. We believe EPA should use a consistent averaging period for accurate

comparison between sources or account for variability due to potential differences in the

averaging period in determining the best performer and setting the numerical limits.

7. Alternative Floor Analysis Method to quantify the unknown variables

We suggest EPA collect additional information to determine if the test data are comparable

(same operation, fuel, and test procedures) between facilities and conduct additional statistical

analysis to adequately account for variability of the data. This could be done through an

analysis of variance (ANOVA) test that statistically compares the variability across all sources

and identifies those that are different from others, if any. Those sources that are statistically

the same can then be combined as one dataset in the calculation of the MACT Floor, as

discussed below. This larger sample size enables use of the entire population, within the limits

of the statistical method, when considering the MACT Floor.

8. Review of Test Report for the Identified Best-Performer

4

40 CFR 60, Subpart CCCC, Table 1.
7

XTO Energy provided the test report the facility submitted to EPA.5The report stated the

incinerator was charged with waste wood, cardboard and oily waste and no unit upsets or shut

downs occurred during the test series. Based on discussions with XTO Energy we understand

the unit ran from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm and burned 450 pounds of waste on 9/4/2009 (test runs 1

and 2) and 500 pounds of waste on 9/5/2009 (test run 3). The waste was a mixture of 25%

MSW and 75% oily waste. The unit burned some waste for about 1 hour to get the incinerator

warmed up. When the first test started on 9/4/2009 at 8:20 am, a new batch of waste was

thrown in on top of already hot coals.6The second test was started later that same day

(9/4/2009) at 1:41 pm. The third test was started at 7:40 am, 40 minutes after the incinerator

began operation on 9/5/2009. Each test run length was approximately 4 hours and the reported

SO2 concentration is an average of the entire duration of the test run. A summary of the test is

provided in the following table.

Summary of XTO Energy Test Reported Results

Run 1 2 3

Test Date 9/4/2009 9/4/2009 9/5/2009

Run Start Time 8:20 am 1:41 pm 7:40 am

Run Finish Time 12:24 pm 5:45 pm 11:44 am

Concentration, ppm 0 0 0.3

Concentration at 7% O2,

ppm

0 0 0.39

Fuel 400 lb/day 400 lb/day 500 lb/day

Review of the XTO Energy test report shows the first two runs were reported as zero due to

high bias of the instruments relative to the measurement. Essentially, the values measured

were within the range of instrument response with the zero calibration gas. We could not verify

5

Ryan Tunseth, via email correspondence on April 27, 2011.
8

the calculations because the actual upscale gas calibration concentration (Cma) was not given

in the report. Furthermore, the calculation equations were not provided in the report. We

conclude the test followed all EPA procedures for a Method 6C test. However, EPA procedures

are deficient for deriving a valid statistical analysis from the data for comparison in that they do

not specify the operating conditions, calculation of the detection limit, or run length for the

testing. This means EPA has not collected sufficient data to complete a MACT floor analysis.

9. Failure to consider Detection Limits in the Analysis

Including the zero and negative values requires use of a normal distribution, since natural logs

cannot be calculated for these values. This is inconsistent with the prescribed approach

wherein the log-normal distribution should be assumed unless normality is verified. 7 Use of

zero and negative values in the calculations is not appropriate as these are not representative

emission concentrations. Either detected values or detection limits should be used, and other

values should be eliminated from the calculations. EPA should obtain the detection limit of the

test or eliminate it from the calculations. It does not appear to us EPA required sources to

collect or report the data needed to calculate the detection limit.

10. Review of Calculation Method

EPA concluded the UL computation is the appropriate statistical approach because the data are

based on a completely defined population.8Assuming the dataset represents a complete

population, the method is flawed if only a small subset of data is used in the UL calculation to

make predictions about the entire population. Furthermore, as stated above, we suggest

negative and zero values not be incorporated in the MACT floor calculations as these are not

valid numbers.

7 MACT Floor Memo, Section II.B.

8 MACT Floor Memo, Section II.C
9

One factor EPA should consider is that three samples are typically insufficient to have any

statistical power in an analysis. We suggest the entire dataset be used because there were not

enough samples from the “best” performer to make any conclusions regarding variability. We

can’t find any reference to sample size requirements in the Federal Register. When asked, EPA

did not provide any justification for the small sample size.9This is a shortcoming that should be

addressed in the rulemaking. For example, Gilbert10 identifies a minimum of 4 samples to meet

a 95% confidence level in estimating a mean given very small variance (the standard deviation is

1/10th of the mean). For more typical situations where the variability is higher, e.g. 1⁄2 of the

mean, 97 samples would be required for a 95% confidence interval (i.e., correctly stating the

mean is 95% likely to be less than a certain value). If being wrong 25% of the time is

acceptable, only 16 samples are needed using this same variability. Therefore, variability is

crucial in estimating a MACT floor because it defines the minimum number of samples

necessary to meet various levels of acceptable error. In none of these circumstances are three

samples enough.

EPA states, MACT floor calculations “may not use emission levels of the worst performers to

estimate variability of the best performers without a demonstrated relationship between the

two.’’11 The test data suggests there could be a relationship between the best and worstperformers in this case. We did not find any evidence to suggest EPA collected enough data on

the best-performers over a full range of operations and fuels to determine variability of the

best-performer. However, we suggest it is appropriate to use the entire dataset (best and

worst-performers) to assess variability of the best-performer because they can be considered

to come from a single population. That is, the best-performers and worst-performers are not

statistically different, their variability is not different, and therefore, they have a demonstrated

relationship.

As mentioned above the identified worst-performer, AKCookInletPipeline-DriftRiver, reports

emissions ranging from 0.16 (reported non-detect) to 195 ppm. As such, the range of emissions

reported for this worst performer encompasses the emissions reported for the best-performer.

9

Email from Toni Jones, EPA, on May 4, 2011.

10 Gilbert, R.O. (1987). Statistical Methods for Environmental Pollution Monitoring. Van

Nostrand Reinhold, New York.

11 76 FR 15723.
10

Because the worst-performer demonstrated ability to produce emissions as low as the bestperformer and emission are highly dependent on the fuel and start time of the test relative to

start of the burn, we believe it is appropriate to assess variability using data from the entire

dataset. This relationship can be further assessed using the ANOVA test described earlier.

11. Proposed Alternative Statistical Analysis Method Accounting for the Unknown

Variables

The first step in our suggested approach is to compare the variability across different sources,

including the best and worst performers, using the ANOVA test described earlier. The purpose

of this step is to identify if some sources are significantly different from others. If so, the data

from all sources cannot be combined in a statistical analysis. Otherwise, the data from different

sources represent a single population (i.e., no significant difference between them) and can be

combined to gain additional statistical power.

The variability of the different sources representing the single population are then combined

with the associated arithmetic and/or lognormal means, to identify 95 and 99 percentiles, as

well as 95UCL concentrations. The t-statistic test outlined by EPA should then be conducted on

these sources as a single dataset. The resulting value would be the recommended MACT floor.

For example, the resulting value is likely to be met 99 percent of the time if based on the 99th

percentile.

SLR completed a statistical comparison using SPSS software. The Kruskall-Wallis test, a nonparametric ANOVA test, was conducted using all SO2 data, to determine whether sources of

SO2 differed significantly from each other (as determined by a p-value of 0.05 or lower). Across

all 10 facilities, a significant difference was not observed (p-value of 0.066). A one-way ANOVA

was also performed and returned a similar result (p-value of 0.169). The Kruskall-Wallis test was

also run on the dataset with zeros and negative values removed, with a similar result (p-value

of 0.30). A non-parametric t-test (the Mann-Whitney test) was then used to compare the best

and worst performers (XTO Energy and Cook Inlet Pipeline, Drift River). This returned a “just

barely” significant result (p-value of 0.048). However, when zeros were removed and this test

was re-run, the result was not significant (p-value of 0.667), although this leaves only one value

for XTO Energy.

Based on these results, the data across all sources are not statistically different and can be

combined to calculate a 99UL. Excluding the zero and non-negative values results in a dataset

of 33 results from small remote incinerators; the dataset is log-normally distributed based on
11

the kurtosis and skewness test. The t-statistic is 2.44 and the log-transformed standard

deviation is 1.99 for the 99UL calculation.

The facility identified as “AKEntechAlaska” is the best performing source when not considering

any sources with zero or negative test results reported. Assuming log-normal distribution, the

emission limit calculates to 100 ppmvd with variability defined by the entire dataset (excluding

zero and negative values).

If EPA is able to provide adequate justification to include zero values, the average from the XTO

Energy source (0.13 ppm) can be used in combination with the standard deviation and sample

size for the whole dataset (with zeros and negative values). Using zero and negative values

precludes the use of log-normal distribution even though normality is not proven using the

kurtosis and skewness tests. The t-statistic is 2.43 and the standard deviation is 51 for the 99UL

calculation. Using the same 99UL equation and rounding method the 99UL is 130 ppmvd.

Regardless of this alternative statistical analysis data will still need to be adjusted to address

variability in the sampling duration and remove that data upon which adjustments cannot be

made to normalize the data for comparison.

12. Demonstrating Compliance with the Final standard and Precision And Accuracy

Concerns with EPA Reference Test Methods

The test method used for the performance testing, Method 6C, is a gas analyzer test method

which does not have a listed detection limit. EPA describes the method detection limit (MDL) as

the minimum concentration of a substance that can be measured and reported with 99-percent

confidence that the analyte concentration is greater than zero. The EPA method to determine

method detection limit (MDL) involves testing at 1 to 5 times the expected MDL over several

days, then doing a statistical analysis on the results. Details on the sample

conditioning/condensing system configuration, the condenser outlet dew point, and analyzer

response to interfering gases are needed to determine the MDL. Even then, the detection limit

can only be estimated.

Based on our experience, we estimate an MDL of 1 ppm for the Teledyne API SO2 analyzer (the

analyzer used in the XTO Energy test). However, the detection limit could be much higher due

to known interferences from CO2, NO, and H2O vapor. For example, according to the spec

sheet the Teledyne API’s response to H2O is less than 0.1%. As such, the data could be

significantly compromised because the conditioned stack gas generally contains about 10,000
12

ppm water vapor by volume. This suggests 10 ppm potential SO2 interference (0.1% of 10,000

ppm = 10 ppm).

NDIR and pulsed flourescence SO2 analyzers have some cross-interference problems (when

used for stack testing). A UV-absorption type SO2 analyzer has less interferences and might be

used reliably down to 0.25 ppm or 0.5 ppm. Method 6C allows you to use any of these

analyzers. Often overlooked method details such as the Method 6C interference check can

become critical when the method must reliably measure below 1 ppm SO2. In other words, the

1.2 ppm SO2 emission standard is stretching the limits of what Method 6C can measure.