Document ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-1196-0013
Agency: epa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods
Posted Date: 2020-01-29T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5204-5206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01576]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-1196; FRL-10004-28-OAR]

Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This document 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, 2019, and December 31, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: An electronic copy of each alternative 
test method approval document is available at https://www.epa.gov/emc/
broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-

[[Page 5205]]

methods. For questions about this document, contact Mrs. Lula H. 
Melton, Air Quality Assessment Division, Office of Air Quality Planning 
and Standards (E143-02), Environmental Protection Agency, Research 
Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: (919) 541-2910; fax number: 
(919) 541-0516; email address: melton.lula@epa.gov. 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 document apply to me?

    This document will be of interest to entities regulated under 40 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 60, 61, and 63; state, local, 
and tribal agencies; and the EPA Regional offices responsible for 
implementation and enforcement of regulations under 40 CFR parts 60, 
61, and 63.

B. How can I get copies of this information?

    You may access copies of the broadly applicable alternative test 
method approval documents at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods.

II. Background

    This document identifies broadly applicable alternative test method 
approval decisions made by the EPA in 2019 under the New Source 
Performance Standards (NSPS), 40 CFR part 60 and National Emission 
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) programs, 40 CFR parts 
61 and 63; see Table 1. Source owners and operators may voluntarily use 
these broadly applicable alternative test methods in lieu of otherwise 
specified reference test methods. 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 60, 61, and 63. 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 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 document 
published at 72 FR 4257 (January 30, 2007) and located at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods. 
As explained in this document, we will announce approvals for broadly 
applicable alternative test methods at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods and publish an annual 
document that summarizes approvals for broadly applicable alternative 
test methods during the preceding year.
    As also explained in the January 30, 2007 document, 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 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 approve its use for all appropriate sources and situations 
at the same time.
    Use of approved alternative test methods are 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 https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods before electing to 
employ any alternative method.

III. Approved Alternative Test Methods and Modifications to Test 
Methods

    This document specifies three broadly applicable alternative test 
methods that the EPA approved between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 
2019. The alternative method decision letter/memo number, the reference 
method affected, sources allowed to use this alternative, and the 
modification or alternative method allowed are summarized in Table 1 of 
this document. A summary of approval documents was previously made 
available on our Technology Transfer Network between January 1, 2019, 
and December 31, 2019. For more detailed information, please refer to 
the complete copies of these approval documents available at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods.
    As also explained in our January 30, 2007 document, 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 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 https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods and in a subsequent Federal Register 
document. If we decide to retract a broadly applicable test method, we 
will likely consider the need for an appropriate transition period for 
users either to request case-by-case approval or to transition to an 
approved method.

    Dated: January 6, 2020.
Richard A. Wayland,
Director, Air Quality Assessment Division.

  Table 1--Approved Alternative Test Methods and Modifications to Test Methods Referenced in or Published Under
             Appendices in 40 CFR Parts 60, 61, and 63 Posted Between January 2019 and December 2019
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  Alternative method decision      As an alternative or
      letter/memo number           modification to . . .            For . . .                You may . . .
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ALT-133.......................  Methods 6, 8, 15A, and 16A  Sources subject to 40 CFR  Use procedures specified
                                                             part 60 federal rules      in SW-846 Method 9056A
                                                             that require sample        and the conditions
                                                             analysis using methods     specified in the
                                                             6, 8, 15A, or 16A.         Agency's approval letter
                                                                                        dated August 5, 2019.

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ALT-134.......................  Method 28 WHH-Measurement   Sources subject to 40 CFR  Use alternative
                                 of Particulate Emissions    part 60, subpart QQQQ-     certification testing
                                 and Heating Efficiency of   Standards of Performance   procedures in the
                                 Wood-Fired Hydronic         for New Residential        Canadian Standards
                                 Heating Appliances.         Hydronic Heaters and       Association (CSA) B415.1-
                                                             Forced Air Furnaces.       10 test method with the
                                                                                        caveats stipulated in
                                                                                        the Agency's approval
                                                                                        letter dated August 19,
                                                                                        2019.
ALT-135.......................  Method 23-Determination of  Sources subject to 40 CFR  Use toluene in lieu of
                                 Polychlorinated Dibenzo-P-  part 63, subpart X-        methylene chloride for
                                 Dioxins and                 National Emission          field recovery rinses
                                 Polychlorinated             Standards for Hazardous    for Method 23 sampling
                                 Dibenzofurans from          Air Pollutants from        trains with the provisos
                                 Stationary Sources.         Secondary Lead Smelting.   specified in the
                                                                                        Agency's approval letter
                                                                                        dated September 25,
                                                                                        2019.
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    Source owners or operators should review the specific broadly 
applicable alternative method approval letter at https://www.epa.gov/emc/broadly-applicable-approved-alternative-test-methods before 
electing to employ it.

[FR Doc. 2020-01576 Filed 1-28-20; 8:45 am]
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