&EPA
United afcs
Environmental Protection
Agoncy
RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse (RBLC)
Annual Summary for 2007
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EPA-453/R-11-001
January 2011
RACT/BACT/LAER CLEARINGHOUSE (RBLC)
ANNUAL SUMMARY FOR 2007
By:
CLEAN AIR TECHNOLOGY CENTER
SECTOR POLICIES AND PROGRAMS DIVISION
OFFICE OF AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND STANDARDS
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA, 27711
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
Sector Policies and Programs Division
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Sector Policies and Programs Division of
the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents reflect the
views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mention of trade
names or commercial products is not intended to constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use. Copies of this report are available from the National Technical
Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161, telephone (800)
553-6847.
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CONTENTS
Tables iv
Figures v
Accessing the RBLC Web vi
Acknowledgment vii
National Summary of RBLC Activity 1
Regional Summary of RBLC Activity 4
Region 1 4
Region 2 6
Region 3 8
Region 4 10
Region 5 12
Region 6 14
Region 7 16
Regions 18
Region 9 20
Region 10 22
RBLC Program Development 24
in
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TABLES
Number Page
1 Determinations Entered and Modified by Region for 2007 4
IV
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FIGURES
Number Page
1 New RBLC Determinations Entered by EPA Region 1, 2004-2007 3
2 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by EPA Region 1, 2004-2007 3
3 New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 1, 2004-2007 5
4 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 1, 2004-2007 6
5 New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 2, 2004-2007 7
6 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 2, 2004-2007 8
7 New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 3, 2004-2007 9
8 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 3, 2004-2007 10
9 New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 4, 2004-2007 11
10 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 4, 2004-2007 12
11 New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 5, 2004-2007 13
12 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 5, 2004-2007 14
13 New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 6, 2004-2007 15
14 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 6, 2004-2007 16
15 New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 7, 2004-2007 17
16 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 7, 2004-2007 18
17 New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 8, 2004-2007 19
18 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 8, 2004-2007 20
19 New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 9, 2004-2007 21
20 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 9, 2004-2007 22
21 New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 10, 2004-2007 23
22 Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 10, 2004-2007 24
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ACCESSING THE RBLC WEB
The RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse (RBLC) maintains an on-line data base
(RBLC Web) of all control technology determinations that have been submitted to it.
The RBLC Web and other related information are available at the Internet address listed
below. Detailed instructions about how to access the RBLC are contained in the RBLC
User's Manual.
World Wide Web (WWW) http://www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/
The RBLC can be reached by clicking the appropriate text or icon on the CATC
home page.
The RBLC Web site lets you access all of the information in the Clearinghouse
with your Web browser. To access the online data entry portion of the RBLC, you must
be an authorized permit agency editor. Contact the Clean Air Technology Center
(CATC) Information Line at (919) 541-0800 for information on gaining authorization for
online data entry. Data can also be entered off-line by using the RBLC Standalone
Editor, a computer program that you can run on your personal computer. The RBLC
Standalone Editor can be downloaded from the RBLC Web. It simulates data entry on
the RBLC Web and generates a file that can be sent to the RBLC by E-mail or on a
floppy disk. Call the CATC Information line for more information.
VI
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This project would not have been possible without the cooperation of the many
State and local air pollution control agencies and EPA Regional Offices who submitted
the necessary technical information. A list of all Regional offices and State and local
agency RBLC contacts is provided in Appendix B.
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NATIONAL SUMMARY OF RBLC ACTIVITY
The data entered into the RBLC are provided by State and local agencies.
Submittals represent these agencies' permitting and reporting efforts for major new
sources and modifications to existing major sources. Submittals to the RBLC are, for the
most part, voluntary. Only LAER determinations are required to be submitted to the
RBLC (section 173(d), Clean Air Act).
The number of new Submittals during 2007 as compared to 2006 decreased 8%.
There were a total of 183 new determinations entered and a total of 143 determinations
updated during 2007. Table 1 lists the number of determinations entered and updated in
each EPA Region during 2007. The EPA Regional contributions for the year 2007 are
displayed in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 displayed the number of new determinations by
EPA Region.
Region 6 was the highest contributor (35% of the total) during 2007, entering 64
determinations. Texas is responsible for 43 of those entries. The other high contributors
for the year are Region 4 (16%) and Region 9 (16%). A review of the contribution from
each individual region is presented in the next section.
The RBLC works with EPA Regional Offices and State and local permitting
agencies to identify major New Source Review (NSR) permits that have not been
submitted to the Clearinghouse. Many agencies voluntarily entered these missing
determinations. Once entered, the agencies may edit their determinations. Figure 2
displayed the number of updated determinations for 2007 by EPA Region.
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Figure 1: New RBLC Determinations Entered by EPA Region 1, 2004-2007
350
300
250
Reg. Reg, Reg. Reg, Reg. Reg. Reg. Reg. Reg. Reg.
123456789 10
• 2004 B2005 2006 • 2007
Total
Figure 2: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by EPA Region 1, 2004-2007
500
450
Reg. Reg. Reg. Reg. Reg. Reg. Reg, Reg. Reg. Reg.
123456789 10
Total
2004 B2QQ5 2006 "2007
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TABLE 1. Determinations Entered and Modified by Region for 2007
Year EPA Region Total
123 4 5 6 789 10
Entered 1 2 10 30 15 64 15 4 30 12 183
Modified 0 2 8 15 16 76 6 1 20 3 147
EPA Regions:
Region 1 - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and
Vermont.
Region 2 - New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Region 3 - Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District
of Columbia.
Region 4 - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Tennessee.
Region 5 - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Region 6 - Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Region 7 - Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Region 8 - Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
Region 9 - Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern
Mariana Islands.
Region 10 - Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
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REGIONAL SUMMARY OF RBLC ACTIVITY
The number of determinations entered by permitting agencies within each EPA
Region for the year 2007 are presented in Table 1 (above). This section presents the
contribution of these agencies, grouped by EPA Region, in more detail. Appendix C,
Index of Control Technology Determinations Entered or Modified in 2007 and Ordered
by EPA Region and State, provides a detailed list of 2007 entries and updates.
EPA REGION 1
EPA Region 1 added only one determination to the RBLC in 2007. This
determination was from the state of New Hampshire. (NOTE: EPA Region 1 has been
responsible for issuing permits in MA since March 2003.) EPA Region 1 did not update
any existing determinations during 2007. Figure 3 shows the number of new
determinations entered and Figure 4 shows the number of updated by State for 2007.
Figure 3: New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 1, 2004-2007
12004
12005
2006
12007
CT MA ME NH Rl VT Region 1
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Figure 4: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 1, 2004-2007
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
2004
2005
2006
2007
CT MA ME NH Rl VT
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EPA REGION 2
Two new determinations were added to the RBLC in 2007 for Region 2 and two
determinations in Region 2 were updated in 2007, both by New Jersey. Figure 5 shows
the number of new determinations entered and Figure 7 shows the number of updated by
State for 2007. (NOTE: EPA Region 2 issues NSR permits in PR, the VI and, more
recently, NY since 2004.)
Figure 5: New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 2, 2004-2007
2004
2005
2006
2007
NJ
NY
PR
VI
Region 2
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Figure 6: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 2, 2004-2007
2004
2005
2006
2007
NJ NY PR VI
Region 2
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EPA REGION 3
Ten determinations were added to the RBLC from EPA Region 3 in 2007.
Delaware (2), Maryland (2), Pennsylvania (2), and Virginia (4) entered new
determinations in 2007; D.C. and West Virginia were the only ones that did not enter any
new determinations. Pennsylvania and Virginia were the only States to update entries
during 2007. Eight (8) determinations were updated - Three (3) in Pennsylvania and five
(5) in Virginia. Figure 7 shows the number of new determinations entered and Figure 8
shows the number of updated by State for 2007.
Figure 7: New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 3, 2004-2007
0
2004
2005
2006
2007
DC DE MD PA VA WV
Region
3
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Figure 8: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 3, 2004-2007
2004
2005
2006
2007
DC DE MD PA VA WV
Region
3
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EPA REGION 4
Thirty determinations were added to the RBLC from EPA Region 4 in
2007. Florida entered 13 new determinations, Alabama entered 12, Mississippi and
South Carolina each entered two (2), and North Carolina entered one (1). The agencies
in the other states in Region 4, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, did not enter any new
determinations into the RBLC during 2007. Fifteen determinations from agencies in
Region 4 were updated in 2007. Alabama updated seven (7), Florida updated four (4),
and Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee each updated one (1)
determination during 2007. Figure 9 shows the number of new determinations entered
and Figure 10 shows the number of updated by States for 2007.
Figure 9: New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 4, 2004-2007
100
90
80
70
AL FL GA KY MS NC SC TN
2004 ^2005 2006 • 2007
Region
4
10
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Figure 10: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 4, 2004-2007
AL
FL
GA KY MS NC SC
TN
Region
4
2004 B2Q05 2006 • 2007
11
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EPA REGION 5
Fifteen determinations were added to the RBLC from EPA Region 5 in
2007, with 47% of that total added by Ohio. Ohio entered seven (7) new determinations
during 2007, Wisconsin entered five (5), Michigan entered two (2), and Minnesota
entered one (1). A total of 16 determinations were updated in 2007 with all of the states
except Indiana and Wisconsin contributing. Michigan updated seven (7) determinations,
Ohio updated four (4), Illinois updated three (3), and Minnesota updated two (2)
determinations during 2007. Figure 11 shows the number of new determinations entered
and Figure 12 shows the number of updated by States for 2007.
Figure 11: New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 5, 2004-2007
2004
2005
2006
2007
IL
Ml MN OH Wl
Region
5
12
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Figure 12: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 5, 2004-2007
IL
2004
2005
2006
2007
Ml MN OH Wl
Region
5
13
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EPA REGION 6
Sixty-four determinations were added to the RBLC from EPA Region 6 in 2007.
Texas was the largest contributor with 43 new determinations entered in 2007, however,
the other States in Region 6 also contributed: Louisiana entered 11, Oklahoma entered
eight (8), and Arkansas and New Mexico each entered one (1). Seventy-six
determinations from Region 6 were updated in 2007: Arkansas updated 13, Louisiana
updated 22, and Texas updated 41. Figure 13 shows the number of new determinations
entered and Figure 14 shows the number of updated by States for 2007.
Figure 13: New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 6, 2004-2007
2004
2005
2006
2007
AR
LA NM OK TX
Region
6
14
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Figure 14: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 6, 2004-2007
120
100
0
AR
2004
2005
2006
2007
LA NM OK TX
Region
6
15
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EPA REGION 7
Fifteen determinations were added to the RBLC from EPA Region 7 in 2007.
Iowa submitted eight (8) new determinations, Missouri entered five (5) new
determinations, and Nebraska entered two (2) new determinations. Kansas submitted no
determinations in 2007. A total of six (6) determinations from Region 7 were updated in
2007. Two (2) determinations from each of the States: Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska
were updated in 2007. Figure 15 shows the number of new determinations entered and
Figure 16 shows the number of updated by States for 2007.
Figure 15: New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 7, 2004-2007
2004
2005
2006
2007
IA
KS
MO
NE
Region?
16
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Figure 16: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 7, 2004-2007
IA
2004
2005
2006
2007
KS
MO
NE
Region 7
17
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EPA REGION 8
Four (4) new determinations were added to the RBLC from EPA Region 8 in
2007. One (1) new determination was entered by each of the States: Montana, Utah,
North Dakota, and Wyoming. Within EPA Region 8 only Colorado and South Dakota
submitted no new determinations during 2007. (In fact, South Dakota has not entered
any new determinations since 2002 and has not updated any determinations since 2003.)
Only one determination within Region 8 was updated in 2007. This determination was
from the State of North Dakota. Figure 17 shows the number of new determinations
entered and Figure 18 shows the number of updated by States for 2007.
Figure 17: New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 8, 2004-2007
2004
2005
2006
2007
0
CO MT ND SD UT WY
Region
8
18
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Figure 18: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 8, 2004-2007
25
20
15
10
5
0
CO MT ND SD UT WY
2004
2005
2006
2007
Region
8
19
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EPA REGION 9
Thirty determinations were added to the RBLC from EPA Region 9 in 2007:
California entered 27, Nevada entered 3, and Arizona and Hawaii entered zero. The
other constituents of Region 9, Guam, American Samoa, and North Mariana Islands did
not enter any determinations during 2007. Twenty (20) determinations from Region 9
were updated in 2007. Seventeen (17) determinations in California and three (3)
determinations in Nevada were updated in 2007. No determinations within the States of
Arizona or Hawaii, nor any in the territories of Guam, American Samoa, or North
Mariana Islands were updated during 2007. Figure 19 shows the number of new
determinations entered and Figure 20 shows the number of updated by States for 2007.
Figure 19: New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 9, 2004-2007
140
120
100
80
60
0
2004
2005
2006
2007
AS AZ CA GU
20
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Figure 20: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 9, 2004-2007
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
2004
2005
2006
2007
AS AZ CA GU
HI NV
Region
9
21
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EPA REGION 10
Twelve new determinations were entered from Region 10 in 2007. Washington
State entered 11 and Alaska entered one (1), while Oregon and Idaho didn't enter any
new determinations during 2007. Three determinations from Region 10 were updated in
2007. The only States updating determinations were Alaska and Washington State with
two and one, respectively. Figure 21 shows the number of new determinations entered
and Figure 22 shows the number of updated by States for 2007.
Figure 21: New RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 10, 2004-2007
2004
2005
2006
2007
AK
ID
OR
WA
Region
10
22
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Figure 22: Updated RBLC Determinations Entered by State, EPA Region 10, 2004-2007
2004
2005
2006
2007
AK
ID
OR
WA
Region
10
23
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RBLC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
In 2007, the RBLC continued to implement improvements, gather missing
information, and process data. The number of new records inserted into the RBLC was
183 and, the number of modified records was 147.
In 2006, the RBLC started working on a Spanish version of the RBLC Standalone
Editor. This effort was scheduled to be completed in 2008, unfortunately unforeseen
problems have slowed this effort. Once this program is completed - now most likely in
2009 - Mexican and Canadian pollution control agencies may use it to enter their permit
information into the RBLC. (Unfortunately, due to security constraints, on-line data entry
and editing of Mexican and Canadian permit information will not be available.)
The RBLC continued using WebEx © to conduct on-line training to State and
Local agencies in 2007. During the year, training was provided to State and local agency
staff on: Searching the RBLC Web; RBLC On-line Data Entry; and RBLC Off-line Data
Entry using the Standalone Editor (the RBLC's PC-based software program).
Participants must have a high speed Internet connection and a separate telephone line for
voice communication to participate in the training. The training is offered free of charge
(except for the price of a long distance telephone call). Participants can take training at
their individual workstations or in a group setting. No travel is required and each session
takes less than 2 hours to complete. Special training sessions for agencies or special
groups can be arranged upon request.
System Improvements
The RBLC System is now many years old and what started as a mainframe
system is now a Web based system. As the RBLC evolved pieces of legacy code
remained. The older bits of code are now causing more and more problems and makes
maintaining the current code very time consuming and thus, expensive. As a result, the
RBLC has decided to update the computer code behind the RBLC system. We hope that
creating a unified, structured code set will result in a more stable environment with lower
maintenance cost in the long run. During the estimated two to three year period the
RBLC update will take, EPA will maintain the current RBLC System, however, no
system improvements will be planned .
On-Going Work
EPA has funded the first part of a project called the RBLC Efficiency Upgrades
and Security Enhancements (REUSE) project. During this project we will be examining
all of the RBLC computer code and basically bringing it all up to the same "standard".
This will address the RBLC biggest problem - old, outdated computer code mixed in
with newer, rewritten computer code. Creating a unified, updated, structured code set
will result in a more stable environment with lower maintenance cost in the long run.
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All inquiries concerning RBLC and information contained in the RBLC Web data
base should be directed to:
RBLC Mail Drop D243-05
U.S. EPA
RTF, NC 27711
OR
The Clean Air Technology Center Information Line
(919)541-0800, FAX (919) 541-1039
catcmail@epa.gov
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United States Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Publication No. EPA-453/R-11 -001
Environmental Protection Sector Policies and Programs Division January 2011
Agency Research Triangle Park, NC
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