WASHINGTON (June 7, 2010)—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has scheduled three public hearings on its proposals to reduce emissions of mercury and other toxic air pollutants from industrial and institutional boilers, process heaters and solid waste incinerators.
These proposed rules, issued by the agency April 29, concern the Rubber Manufacturers Association because they entail the possibility of redefining various non-hazardous materials, such as tire-derived fuel, as solid waste. If this is part of the final rules, this will mean units that burn TDF will be redefined as solid waste incinerators.
Under Clean Air Act rules, such incinerators are much more closely regulated—and much more expensive to operate—than industrial boilers.
The first of the three meetings is scheduled for June 15 at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington, Va. Potential speakers must pre-register by June 11 to be guaranteed a slot at a specific time, though registration is still allowed on the day of the hearing.
The other two meetings are scheduled for June 22 at the Hilton Houston Hobby Airport in Houston and the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel in Los Angeles. Pre-registration is allowed until June 18.
All meetings are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., though they may run longer if necessary. To pre-register to speak at the meetings, contact Teresa Clemons at [email protected] or 919-541-0252.
The EPA is accepting written comments on the proposed rules until Aug. 3.