[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 208 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64189-64190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27582]



[[Page 64189]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[FRL-6892-3]


Availability of Additional Information on Nitrogen Oxides 
Emissions From Portland Cement Kilns Under Proposed Section 110 Federal 
Implementation Plan Rulemaking

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The EPA is making available to the public additional 
information on nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) emissions from portland 
cement kilns relating to the proposed Federal implementation plan (FIP) 
rulemaking. The purpose of this rulemaking is to reduce interstate 
transport of ozone by controlling emissions of NO<INF>X</INF>. The 
NO<INF>X</INF> emissions significantly contribute to violations of the 
national ambient air quality standards for ozone in downwind States. 
This document announces the availability of additional information that 
will be used to estimate the costs and effectiveness of controls to 
reduce emissions of NO<INF>X</INF> at cement kilns.

ADDRESSES: Documents relevant to this action are available for 
inspection at the Office of Air and Radiation Docket and Information 
Center (6102), Docket Nos. A-98-12 (Section 110 FIP rulemaking) and A-
96-56 [NO<INF>X</INF> State implementation plan (SIP) Call rulemaking], 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, room M-1500, 
Washington, DC 20460, telephone (202) 260-7548 between 8:00 a.m. and 
5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. A 
reasonable fee may be charged for copying. Other documents related to 
this proposed rulemaking have been made available in electronic form at 
the following EPA websites: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/rto under 
``NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call'' and ``Transport FIPs.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General questions concerning today's 
action should be addressed to David Cole, Office of Air Quality 
Planning and Standards, Air Quality Strategies and Standards Division, 
MD-15, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, telephone (919) 541-5565, e-
mail at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cba8a4a7aee5afaabda2af8baebbaae5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e1828e8d84cf8580978885a1849180cf868e97">[email protected]</span></a>. Technical questions concerning cement kiln 
data should be addressed to Doug Grano at telephone (919) 541-3292, e-
mail at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ff988d9e9190d19b908a98bf9a8f9ed1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b3d4c1d2dddc9dd7dcc6d4f3d6c3d29dd4dcc5">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Outline

    1. What is today's action?
    2. How is this action related to the section 110 final 
NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call final rulemaking and the proposed FIP 
rulemaking?
    3. What information is EPA making available?
    4. How is this information related to the Section 110 
NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call final rulemaking and the proposed FIP 
rulemaking?
    5. Where can I get the information?

1. What Is Today's Action?

    Today, we are making available information on emissions of 
NO<INF>X</INF> from portland cement kilns that could potentially be 
affected by a Federal action by a FIP under section 110 of the Clean 
Air Act. The purpose of making the information available is to ensure 
that we have accurate and up-to-date information to characterize the 
costs and effectiveness of NO<INF>X</INF> controls at cement kilns.

2. How Is This Action Related to the Section 110 Final 
NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call Rulemaking and the Proposed FIP Rulemaking?

    On September 24, 1998, in accordance with section 110, we issued a 
final rule to require 22 States and the District of Columbia to submit 
SIP revisions to prohibit specified amounts of emissions of 
NO<INF>X</INF>-one of the precursors to ozone (smog) pollution-for the 
purpose of reducing NO<INF>X</INF> and ozone transport across State 
boundaries in the eastern half of the United States. (63 FR 57356, 
October 27, 1998). On October 21, 1998, we proposed FIPs that may be 
needed if any State fails to revise its SIP to comply with the 
NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call. (63 FR 56393, October 21, 1998). The FIP 
proposes to control NO<INF>X</INF> emissions from large stationary 
sources, including cement kilns. The information announced today will 
be used to support estimates of costs and NO<INF>X</INF> emissions 
reductions potential for cement kilns if we issue a FIP because a State 
fails to respond adequately to the NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call.
    The Section 110 NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call Notice of Final Rulemaking 
and the FIP Notice of Proposed Rulemaking are contained in the 
rulemaking dockets. They are also currently available on EPA's website 
at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/rto/ under ``NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call'' and 
``Transport FIPs.''

3. What Information Is EPA Making Available?

    The new information is primarily contained in a September 19, 2000 
report entitled ``NO<INF>X</INF> Control Technologies for the Cement 
Industry,'' prepared for EPA by EC/R, Incorporated. This report updates 
information in the ``Alternative Control Techniques Document-
NO<INF>X</INF> Emissions from Cement Manufacturing'' (EPA-453/R-94-
004), which was the primary reference used in preparing the cement kiln 
portion of the proposed FIP rulemaking. Updated information on 
uncontrolled NO<INF>X</INF> emissions from cement kilns and on the 
current use, effectiveness and cost of NO<INF>X</INF> controls is 
contained in the September 2000 report. The NO<INF>X</INF> controls 
discussed in this report include low NO<INF>X</INF> burners, mid-kiln 
firing, CemStar<Register>, and selective noncatalytic reduction. This 
report was placed in the docket on September 21, 2000.
    In addition, EPA is making available in the docket, by mid-October, 
key references cited in the EC/R report. See appendix A at the end of 
this notice. These references include information obtained from the 
portland cement industry, NO<INF>X</INF> control vendors and State and 
regional agencies. Also available is a document describing experience 
with NO<INF>X</INF> controls for cement kilns in Europe at the 
following website: http://eippcb.jrc.es.

4. How Is This Information Related to the Section 110 
NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call Final Rulemaking and the Proposed FIP 
Rulemaking?

    The EPA believes this information is helpful in determining the 
costs and effectiveness of NO<INF>X</INF> controls, including controls 
proposed in the FIP. The FIP proposed to require installation and 
operation of low-NO<INF>X</INF> burners, mid-kiln firing, or 
``alternative control techniques,'' subject to approval by EPA, that 
achieve at least the same 30 percent emissions decrease as low-
NO<INF>X</INF> burners or mid-kiln firing (63 FR 56416, October 21, 
1998). The proposal listed emission rates for each type of kiln that 
would be considered to meet the ``alternative control techniques'' 
test.
    New information in the September 2000 EC/R report identifies 
certain NO<INF>X</INF> control techniques that should also be 
considered ``alternative control techniques'' because they are expected 
to achieve, on average, at least a 30 percent emissions decrease. Those 
techniques are described in chapter 5 of the EC/R report and are as 
follows: CemStar<Register>, low-NO<INF>X</INF> precalciner, tire-
derived fuel at a preheater or precalciner, and selective non-catalytic 
reduction, including biosolids injection.

5. Where Can I Get the Information?

    The EC/R report is available on the Regional Transport of Ozone 
(RTO) website at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/rto/. You will find links to 
the data under ``What's New'' and under the ``Related Documents and 
Data'' subheadings

[[Page 64190]]

under the ``Transport FIPs'' and ``NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call'' headings. 
In addition, the report and key references are in Docket No. A-98-12 
(section 110 FIP rulemaking).

    Dated: October 19, 2000.
Robert D. Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.

Appendix A--Key References for Cement Kiln Report

    1. Andover Technology Partners. NO<INF>X</INF> Reduction from 
Cement Kilns Using the CemStar<Register> Process, Evaluation of 
CemStar<Register> Technology--Final Report to Texas Industries. 
Dallas, Texas. April 18, 2000.
    2. Letter and attachments from M.H. Vaccaro, Pillard Combustion 
Equipment and Control Systems, to G.J. Hawkins, Portland Cement 
Association, re: Low NO<INF>X</INF> Rotaflam<Register> burner, dated 
January 20, 1999.
    3. PSM International, ``Response to USEPA Comments, 13 September 
1995, on the proposed alternative NO<INF>X</INF> RACT for a portland 
cement manufacturing plant located in Thomaston, Maine and owned by 
Dragon Products Company,'' Jan 31, 1996.
    4. Battye, R., and S. Edgerton, EC/R Incorporated. ``December 2, 
1999 Trip Report to Mitsubishi Cement Corporation, Cushenbury 
Plant.'' Lucerne Valley, CA. Submitted to Dave Sanders, US EPA, 
under contract No. 68-D-98-026, work assignment No. 2-28. August 31, 
2000.
    5. Shumway, D.C. ``Tire Derived Fuel at Mitsubishi Cement 
Corporation.'' Received during December 2, 1999 visit to Mitsubishi.
    6. Shumway, D.C. Mitsubishi Cement Corporation's Cushenbury 
Plant presented at the IEEE West Coast Cement Industry Conference. 
Victorville, CA. Oct 1995.
    7. Cadence Environmental Energy and Ash Grove Cement. ``Mid-Kiln 
Fuel Entry Benefits,'' section 3 of the report, Emission, Reduction, 
Technology: Resource Conservation & Recovery. (no date).
    8. Letter from Edgerton, S. and T. Stobert, EC/R Inc., to Bill 
Neuffer, EPA, Feb 8, 2000. Minutes from Dec 16, 1999 meeting with 
representatives from EPA and Cadence.
    9. May, M. and L. Walters, Jr. ``Low NO<INF>X</INF> & Tire-
derived Fuel for the Reduction of NO<INF>X</INF> from the Portland 
Cement Manufacturing Process.'' Cement Americas, August 1999, pp. 
10-1.
    10. Letter and attachments from Bramble, Kim, Cadence, to Bill 
Neuffer, USEPA, re: NO<INF>X</INF> Emission Reducing Technology, 
dated Feb 14, 2000.
    11. Radian Corporation, ``MDE Air Permit Test Report for Lehigh 
Portland Cement Company, Union Bridge, Maryland Facility,'' January 
1996.
    12. Lin, M.L., and M.J. Knenlein, Fuel Tech, Inc. Cement Kiln 
NO<INF>X</INF> Reduction Experience Using the 
NO<INF>X</INF>OUT<Register> Process. Proceedings of 2000 
International Joint Power Generation Conference, Miami Beach, FL., 
July 23-26, 2000.
    13. Biggs, H.O., Plant Manager, Mitsubishi Cement Corporation. 
Biosolids Injection Technology: An Innovation in Cement Kiln 
NO<INF>X</INF> Control. (no date). Received during December 1999 
trip report.
    14. Sun, et.al. Reduction of NO<INF>X</INF> Emissions from 
Cement Kiln/ Calciner through the Use of the 
NO<INF>X</INF>OUT<Register> Process. Presented at the International 
Specialty Conference on Waste Combustion in Boilers and Industrial 
Furnaces. Kansas City, MO. April 1994.
    15. Interoffice Correspondence from McAnany, L. to Knopfel, H., 
LaFarge Corporation. October 26, 1998. re: Fuel Tech 
NO<INF>X</INF>OUT<Register> Testing.
    16. Letter with attachments from Bramble, K.J., Cadence 
Environmental Energy Inc., Michigan City, IN, to W. Neuffer, U.S. 
EPA, RTP, NC. January 20, 2000. Cost of a mid-kiln firing system.
    17. Electronic mail from Joe Truini, Waste News to Lee-Greco, 
J., EC/R Incorporated, Durham, NC. July 28, 2000. Average tire 
tipping fees.
    18. Telecon. Neuffer, W., US EPA, Durham, NC and Mayes, G., TAI, 
Dallas, TX. March 24, 2000. Information on the CemStar<Register> 
Process.
    19. Telecons. Lee-Greco, J., EC/R Incorporated, Durham, NC and 
Mayes, G., TAI, Dallas, TX. July 20 and 28, 2000. Additional 
information on the costs of installing CemStar<Register>.
    20. Electronic mail and telecon. Vaccaro, M., Pillard E.G.C.I., 
Marseille, France with Lee-Greco, J., EC/R Incorporated, Durham, NC. 
July 26, 2000. Costs of low-NO<INF>X</INF> burners.
    21. Letter and attachments from Bennett, J.H., California 
Portland Cement, Glendora, CA to Neuffer, W.J., U.S. EPA, RTP, NC. 
July 2, 1999. Cost of firing system conversion.
    22. PSM International, Inc. Available Control Techniques for 
NO<INF>X</INF> Emissions from the Portland Cement Manufacturing 
Plant of California Portland Cement Company located in Colton, 
California. Prepared by PSM International, Inc., Dallas, Texas for 
California Portland Cement, Glendora, CA. March 6, 1995. Heat input 
for Colton Plant kilns. p.12.
    23. Battye, R., EC/R Incorporated, Chapel Hill, NC. Trip Report 
to California Portland Cement Company, Colton Plant, Colton, CA, 
December 2, 1999. Prepared for the U.S. EPA, RTP, NC, under contract 
No. 68-D-98-026, work assignment No. 2-28. August 16, 2000.
    24. Telecon. Lee-Greco, J., EC/R Incorporated, Durham, NC and 
Knenlein, M.J., Fuel Tech, Inc. August 17, 2000. Additional cost 
information for NO<INF>X</INF>OUT<Register> process.
    25. Letter and attachments from Six, E.B., Spencer Fan Britt & 
Browne LLP, Kansas City, MO to P. Hamlin, Iowa Department of Natural 
Resources, Urbandale, IA. Lafarge Corporation Draft Construction 
Permit for Air Emission Source Plant # 82-01-006, project # 96-494. 
March 10, 1999. Attachment E--SNCR Data Analysis.

[FR Doc. 00-27582 Filed 10-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


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