Controlling HRVOC Emissions
Rules in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 115 for controlling emissions of highly reactive volatile organic compounds. These rules are part of the state implementation plan strategy to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone.
Areas Affected
- Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area (Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller Counties)
Rule Citation
30 TAC Chapter 115, Subchapter H 
Rule Description
- First adopted on December 13, 2002, after results from the Texas 2000 Air Quality Study (TexAQS) revealed that:
- VOC emissions from stationary sources were likely significantly understated in earlier emissions inventories; and
- HRVOCs play a significant role in ground-level ozone formation in the HGB area.
- HRVOCs are defined as:
- ethylene and propylene in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller Counties
- ethylene, propylene, 1,3-butadiene, and butenes in Harris County
- Reduce HRVOC emissions from flares, process vents, cooling towers, and fugitives.
- HRVOC rules are performance based, emphasizing monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, and enforcement, rather than establishing individual unit emission rates.
- The HRVOC Emissions Cap and Trade (HECT) Program is a mandatory annual cap for HRVOC emissions for all sites in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area that have the potential to emit more than 10 tons of HRVOCs per year and are subject to the HRVOC rules for vent gas control or cooling tower heat exchange systems.
Rule History
The Chapter 115 rule history for HRVOC gives information on revisions to the rules, including the rule proposal and adoption, the associated state implementation plan revision, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval of the rules.
Compliance Resources
- The Decision Support System can help you determine if you are subject to the Chapter 115 HRVOC rules for:
- HRVOC Emissions Cap and Trade Program
- Resources for small businesses and local governments
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards
- EPA Test Methods
- EPA Performance Specifications for Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems and CEMS Quality Assurance Procedures
- EPA Air Toxics Monitoring Methods (e.g., Method TO-14A)
- Air Stripping Method for Cooling Tower Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compounds (Appendix P of the TCEQ Sampling Procedures Manual) referenced in 30 TAC 115.764
- Outline for Minimum Content of Continuous Monitoring System Quality Assurance Plans (QAPs)
Related Information
- HRVOC Stakeholder Group helps the agency with air quality issues
- Flare Task Force Stakeholder Group
- State plan to meet the national ozone standard in the HGB area
- Air permitting and registration
- Tax relief for pollution-control property
- Point source emissions inventory
- Related research studies:
- Cost Analysis of HRVOC Controls on Polymer Plants and Flares
- Cost Analysis of HRVOC Controls on Refineries and Chemical Plants and Control of HRVOC Emissions in Flares at Low Flow Conditions
- How Chemical Manufacturing and Petroleum Refining Facilities in Harris County are Using Point Source Monitoring to Identify and Reduce HRVOC Emissions (HARC Project H76)
Contact Information
- Contact the Stationary Source Programs Team for additional information about stationary source rules.
- Sign up to receive e-mail updates on SIP-related information, including information on stationary source rules. Select SIP Hot Topics under the Air Quality heading.
