twoyrs.txt
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Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission Interoffice Memorandum To: New Source Review Permits (NSRP) Engineers From: Ruben Herrera, P.E., Technical Specialist Through: Victoria Hsu, P.E. NSRP Division Director Date: August 4, 1998 Subject: PSD and Non-Attainment (NA) Applicability to the Restart of Sources that Are Shut Down for More Than Two Years During the past few years we have seen more and more applicants inquire about restarting emission units, process lines, manufacturing systems or entire plants (collectively referred to as emission source) that have been shut down for a long period of time. The question that continually comes up is whether restarting the emission source will trigger any state and/or federal permitting requirements. The purpose of this memo is to address federal permitting requirements to situations where an applicant wishes to restart an emission source that has been shut down for more than two years. If the shutdown is less than two years, the company can effectively restart the source without triggering PSD or NA applicability, so long as the restart does not require changes that are considered modifications under the federal rules. EPA's policy on the restart of emission sources has been in practice for several years and has been bolstered through the issuance of memos and letters to states, EPA regional offices and applicants. In general, EPA presumes that any shutdown over two years in duration is a permanent shutdown, therefore any source that has been restarted after a shutdown of more than two years is considered to be a new source, subject to PSD or NA applicability, unless the applicant can rebut that presumption. In order to rebut the presumption of permanent shutdown, the applicant must provide proof and/or demonstrate the following: 1. The source was not dismantled. 2. The source was not cannibalized. 3. The source was maintained in good working order. 4. The source can be restarted with a reasonable amount of time and with minimal work. 5. The source is still listed in the state's air quality permits (for permitted units). 6. The source is still listed in the state's emissions inventory. 7. The owner/operator has paid the appropriate fees (emission/inspection) on the emission source. The logic behind the presumption of permanency is simple. When an applicant shuts down a emission source due to market slowdowns, employee strikes or other business related reasons, the applicant will make every effort to maintain the source in good working order such that when market conditions improve, the source can be brought back on line and become productive within a short amount of time. However, when the source or any part of it is dismantled or the various pieces of equipment/parts are taken out and used elsewhere or the source is simply neglected and left to rust, then it is reasonable to presume that the shutdown was permanent, otherwise the applicant would have made every attempt to keep the source in good working order. Keep in mind that not every situation you come across will be cut and dry. There may be cases where additional information and/or research is needed to determine whether a shutdown over two years in duration was indeed permanent. We have had a few cases where the source was shut down for several years, but the applicant was able to successfully demonstrate that the shutdown was never intended to be permanent. Conversely, we have also had situations where the shutdown was just over two years, but all evidence indicated that the applicant intended the shutdown to be permanent. If you have any doubts, always request more information from the applicant and if possible, enlist the aid of the appropriate regional office. Regional personnel are in a good position to help you confirm or deny any claim made by the applicant. If you still have concerns or question, please consult your team leader, section manager or me. References 1. EPA HQ memo on PSD Requirements, Director of Stationary Source Enforcement Division to Stephen Dvorkin, September 6, 1978. 2. EPA Region V memo on PSD and NSPS Applicability to a Reactivated Source, Sandra Gardebring to Edward Reich, September 22, 1980. 3. EPA HQ memo on Reactivation of Noranda Lakeshore Mines' RLA Plant and PSD Review, John Seitz to David Howekamp, May 27, 1987. 4. EPA Region VI memo on PSD Applicability Determination, William Hathaway to Jay Hoover, April 17, 1989.