Document ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0034-0011
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2009-02-23T05:00Z

VOLUNTARY ALUMINUM INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP

PREAMBLE 

This is a voluntary agreement between the [company]  __________
(hereinafter, the partner company) and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) by which the partner company and EPA build on
the progress already achieved through the Voluntary Aluminum Industrial
Partnership from 1995 through 2000.  

The purpose of this agreement is to avoid emissions of  CF4 and C2F6
(perfluorocarbons – PFCs) from primary aluminum manufacturing. As of
2000, the Partner Companies had cumulatively reduced emissions by
30%-60% from the 1990 baseline, the stated goal of VAIP.  This agreement
seeks to make further reductions by expanding the opportunity for
technically feasible, cost-effective emission reductions by 2005.  The
partnership believes such reductions help protect the climate. 

COMMON AGREEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES

The partner company and EPA agree that only technically feasible and
cost effective efforts to reduce or maintain emissions of PFCs are
sought.

The partner company and EPA agree that consistent measurement methods
for PFCs, knowledge of the relationships between PFC generation and
process and design variables, and the development of emission factors
for these gases are critical to the overall success of the partnership.

The partner company and EPA recognize that while there should be no
expectation of zero emissions of PFCs from aluminum smelting operations,
there is some minimum level of emissions that reflect the best
facility-specific control possible.

EPA and the partner company will work together to ensure that the record
of the reductions is at a high level of quality.  EPA and the partner
company expect that companies that possess high quality emissions
reductions records will be in a preferred position to participate in any
future program that provides appropriate rewards and recognition for
early action.

 

Either the partner company or EPA can discontinue this agreement 30 days
after the receipt of written notice by the other party with no penalties
or continuing obligations.  If either party ends the MOU, both parties
will refrain from representing that the partner company is participating
in the partnership. 

EPA RESPONSIBILITIES

EPA will work to improve the availability of information on the
generation of PFCs and on techniques to reduce emissions.

EPA will encourage other aluminum producing countries to include PFC
emission reductions in their respective climate protection strategies
and to share information on successful emission reduction strategies. 

EPA will coordinate with the Department of Energy with respect to
reporting under this program and Section 1605(b)1 of the Energy Policy
Act of 1992.

EPA will provide the partner company with recognition for its
achievements in reducing PFC emissions and for its public service in
protecting the environment.  EPA will publicize the success of the
partnership and/or sponsor meetings/conferences on issues relating to
the partnership. 

EPA will hold confidential any information designated as confidential
business information by the Partner in accordance with applicable
regulations at 40 CFR Part 2.

This MOU is not a fund-obligating document.  All of EPA's activities are
subject to the availability of appropriations.

EPA will continue to provide a single representative for the
partnership.  EPA will notify the partner company within 30 days of any
change in the representative’s identity.  

PARTNER COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES

The partner company will provide, on the basis of best available
information and to the degree technically and economically feasible,
necessary data for calculating annual PFC emissions including: annual
production, anode effect frequency, anode effect duration; anode effect
minutes per cell day (the product of frequency and duration); and slope
coefficients for both CF4 and C2F6.  The partner will provide annual
data by March 31 each year, using the reporting form in Attachment B.  

The Partner Company will update its emissions reduction goal(s).  The
year 1990 will still be used as the base year for the partnership. If
the partner so chooses, it can provide emissions data for years prior to
1990.   At a minimum the partner will strive to maintain reductions
achieved since between 1990 and 2000.   The partner will submit its PFC
emissions reduction goal in conjunction with the signed MOU.  The goal
should include reducing one or more of the following key factors: 

*	Anode Effect Minutes per cell day

*	Anode effect frequency

*	Anode effect duration

*	PFC Emissions

The partner company agrees that the activities it undertakes connected
with this MOU are not intended to provide services to the Federal
government, and that the Partner will not submit a claim for
compensation to any Federal agency.  

The partner company agrees to appoint a single representative for the
partnership (designated in attachment A of this MOU).  The partner will
notify EPA within 30 days of any change in the representative’s
identity. 

Signatories

The undersigned do hereby execute this Memorandum of Understanding on
the latter of the dates indicated below. 

For the United States Environmental Protection Agency:

________________________					On: ________		

Brian J. McLean,  Acting Director

Office of Atmospheric Programs

For the Partner

	_______________________________			On: __________

ATTACHMENT  tc "ATTACHMENT " \l 2  A – PARTNER REPRESENTATION

Designated Partner Representative:

Name:                                                      	Title:      
                                                

Mailing Address:	                                                       
                                   

			                                                                     
                     

			                                                                     
                     

Phone Number:                                                           

Facsimile Number:                                                       
    

E-mail Address:                                                         
   

Official Partner Signatory:

Name:                                                      	Title:      
                                                

Mailing Address:	                                                       
                                   

			                                                                     
                     

			                                                                     
                     

Phone Number:                                                        

Facsimile Number:                                                       

E-mail Address: ___________________________