Request for an Alternative Means of Emission Limitation for a Multi-Point Ground Flare
(MPGF) at Shell Oil Products U.S. - FACT SHEET
Action
•	The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting comments on an alternative
means of emission limitation (AMEL) request for a multi-point ground flare (MPGF) from
Shell Oil Products U.S. (Shell Martinez). EPA is taking comment on:
•	all aspects of the AMEL request; and
•	specific operating conditions that Shell Martinez should follow to ensure that
equivalent emissions reduction goals are met by these flares.
•	The Clean Air Act provides the ability for regulated sources to seek approval of an AMEL,
which must achieve emission reductions at least as stringent as the existing standards.
Background
•	Units at this facility are subject to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants for Petroleum Refineries.
•	The Petroleum Refinery Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) CC (40 CFR
part 63, subpart CC) contains emission control requirements for flares. These requirements
were developed for elevated flares with a single flare tip.
•	The MPGF in question cannot meet the maximum permitted velocity flare requirements in
the Petroleum Refinery MACT CC because of its design. Specifically, it operates at higher
velocities than traditional elevated flare systems.
How to Comment
•	EPA will accept comment on this action for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-073 8, may be submitted by
one of the following methods:
•	Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.reeulations.eov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or
withdrawn. EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not
submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business
Information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
•	Email: A-and-R-Docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738
and in the subject line of the message.
•	Fax: (202) 566-9744, Attention: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738.
•	Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mail
Code 2822IT, Attention: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460.
•	Hand/Courier Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Attention: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2014-0738, Room 3334, EPA WJC West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20004. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's

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normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of
boxed information.
For More Information
•	Interested parties may download this action from EPA's website at the following address:
https ://www3. epa. eov/tto/atw/ groundflares/ eroundflarespg.html.
•	Today's action and other background information are also available either electronically at
http://www.reeulations.eov. the EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, or in
hardcopy at the EPA Docket Center's Public Reading Room.
•	The Public Reading Room is located at the EPA Headquarters, room number 3334 in
the EPA WJC West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.
Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. eastern standard time, Monday through
Friday, excluding Federal holidays.
•	Visitors are required to show photographic identification, pass through a metal
detector and sign the EPA visitor log. All visitor materials will be processed through
an X-ray machine as well. Visitors will be provided a badge that must be visible at all
times.
•	Materials for this action can be accessed using Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738.
•	For further information about this action, contact Ms. Angie Carey of EPA's Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards, at (919) 541-2187 or by email at Carey. Angela@epa.eov.

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