The Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America

Subpart C-Temporary
Exemptions for New Facilities

§ 503.20 Purpose and scope.

(a) This subpart implements the provisions contained in section 211 of the Act with regard to temporary exemptions for new facilities.

(b) This subpart establishes the criteria and standards which owners or operators of new powerplants who petition for a temporary exemption must meet to sustain their burden of proof under the Act.

(c) All petitions for temporary exemptions shall be submitted in accordance with the procedures set out in part 501 of this chapter and the applicable requirements of part 503 of these regulations.

(d) The duration of any temporary exemption granted under this subpart shall be measured from the date that the facility is placed in service using petroleum or natural gas.

[46 FR 59903, Dec. 7, 1981, as amended at 54 FR 52894, Dec. 22, 1989]

§ 503.21 Lack of alternate fuel supply.

(a) Eligibility. Section 211(a)(1) of the Act provides for a temporary exemption due to the unavailability of an adequate and reliable supply of an alternate fuel at a cost which does not substantially exceed the cost of using imported petroleum. To qualify, a petitioner must certify that:

(1) A good faith effort has been to obtain an adequate and reliable supply of an alternate fuel of the quality necessary to conform to the design and operational requirements of the unit;

(2) For the period of the proposed exemption, the cost of using such alternate fuel would substantially exceed the cost of using imported petroleum as a primary energy source as defined in § 503.6 (Cost calculation) of these regulations;

(3) The petitioner will be able to comply with the applicable prohibitions of the Act at the end of the proposed exemption period; and

(4) No alternate power supply exists, as required under §503.8 of these regulations.

(b) Evidence required in support of a petition. The petition must include the

following evidence in order to make the demonstration required by this section:

(1) Duly executed certifications required under paragraph (a) of this section;

(2) Exhibits containing the basis for the certifications required under paragraph (a) of this section (including those factual and analytical materials deemed by the petitioner to be sufficient to support the granting of this exemption);

(3) All data required by §503.6 (cost calculation) of these regulations necessary for computing the cost calculation formula; and

(4) The anticipated duration of the lack of alternate fuel supply which constitutes the basis for the exemption.

[46 FR 59903, Dec. 7, 1981, as amended at 47 FR 15315, Apr. 9, 1982; 54 FR 52894, Dec. 22, 1989]

§ 503.22 Site limitations.

(a) Eligibility. Section 211(a)(2) of the Act provides for a temporary exemption due to a site limitation. To qualify for such an exemption, a petitioner must certify that:

(1) One or more specific physical limitations relevant to the location or operation of the proposed facility exist which, despite diligent good faith efforts, cannot be overcome before the end of the proposed exemption period;

(2) The petitioner will be able to comply with the applicable prohibitions of the Act at the end of the proposed exemption period; and

(3) No alternate power supply exists, as required under § 503.8 of these regulations.

NOTE: Examples of the types of site limitations to which a petitioner may certify in order to qualify for this exemption include:

(i) Inaccessability of alternate fuels as a result of a specific physical limitation;

(ii) Unavailability of transportation facilities for alternate fuels;

(iii) Unavailability of adequate land or facilities for handling, using, or storing an alternate fuel;

(iv) Unavailability of adequate land or facilities for controlling and disposing of wastes, including pollution control equipment or devices necessary to assure compliance with applicable environmental requirements;

(v) Unavailability of adequate and reliable supply of water, including water for use in compliance with applicable environmental requirements; or

(vi) Other site limitations exist which will not permit the location or operation of the proposed unit using an alternate fuel.

(b) Evidence required in support of a petition. The petition must include the following evidence in order to make the demonstration required by this section:

(1) Duly executed certifications required under paragraph (a) of this section;

(3) The anticipated duration of the site limitation which constitutes the basis for the exemption.

(46 FR 59903, Dec. 7, 1981, as amended at 54 FR 52894, Dec. 22, 1989]

$503.23 Inability to comply with applicable environmental requirements. (a) Eligibility. Section 211(a)(3) of the Act provides for a temporary exemption due to an inability to comply with applicable environmental requirements. To qualify a petitioner must demonstrate that despite diligent good faith efforts:

(1) The petitioner will be unable, as of the projected date of commencement of operation, to comply with the applicable prohibitions of the Act without violating applicable Federal or State environmental requirements; and

(2) The petitioner will be able to comply with the applicable prohibi

tions of the Act and with applicable environmental requirements by the end of the temporary exemption period.

NOTE: (1) For purposes of considering an exemption under this section, OFE's decision will be based solely on an analysis of the petitioner's capacity to physically achieve applicable environmental requirements. The petition should be directed toward those conditions or circumstances which make it physically impossible to comply during the temporary exemption period. The cost of compliance is not relevant, but cost-related considerations may be presented as part of a demonstration submitted under §503.21.

(2) Prior to submitting an exemption petition, it is recommended that a meeting be requested with OFE and EPA or the appropriate State or local regulatory agency to discuss options for operating an alternate fuel fired facility in compliance with applicable environmental requirements.

(b) Evidence required in support of a petition. The petition must include the following evidence in order to make the demonstration required by this section:

(1) Where the petitioner has applied for a construction permit from EPA or an appropriate State agency prior to petitioning for an exemption under this section, a copy of that application and synopsis of supporting documents filed with or subsequent to that application must be submitted to OFE with the petition or at the time filed with the permitting agency;

(2) To the extent applicable, a copy of the EPA or State denial of the construction permit application;

(3) To the extent applicable, a synopsis of the administrative record of the EPA or State or local permit proceedings;

(4) To the extent applicable, a summary of the technology upon which the denial was based, including a performance comparison between the proposed technology and that technology which would provide the maximum possible reduction of pollution;

(5) An examination of the environmental compliance of the facility, including an analysis of its ability to meet applicable standards and criteria when using both the proposed fuel and the alternate fuel(s) which would provide the basis for exemption. All such analysis must be based on accepted analytical techniques, such as air quality

modeling, and reflect current conditions of the area which would be affected by the facility. The petitioner is responsible for obtaining the necessary data to accurately characterize these conditions. Environmental compliance must be examined in the context of available pollution control equipment which would provide the maximum possible reduction of pollution. The analysis must contain: (i) Requests for bids and other inquiries made and responses received by the petitioner concerning the availability and performance of pollution control equipment; (ii) contracts signed, if any, for an alternate fuel supply and for the purchase and installation of pollution control equipment; or (iii) other comparable evidence such as technical studies documenting the efficacy of equipment to meet applicable requirements;

(6) An examination of any regulatory options available to the petitioner in seeking to achieve environmental compliance (such as offsets, variances, and State Implementation Plan revisions);

(7) Any other documentation which demonstrates an inability to comply with applicable environmental requirements:

(8) No alternate power supply exists, as required under §503.8 of these regulations.

(d) Certification alternative. (1) To qualify for this exemption, in lieu of meeting the evidentiary requirements of paragraph (b) of this chapter, a petitioner may certify that, for the period of the exemption:

(i) The site for the facility is or will be located in a Class I area or Class II area in which the allowable increment established by law has been consumed, as defined in part C of the Clean Air Act; the use of an alternate fuel will cause or contribute to concentrations of pollutants which would exceed the maximum allowable increases in a Class I or Class II area even with the application of best available control technology; the site for the facility is or will be located in a non-attainment area as defined in part D of the Clean Air Act for any pollutant which would

be emitted by the facility; or, even with the application of the lowest achievable emission rate, the use of an alternate fuel will cause or contribute to concentrations in an air quality control region, of a pollutant for which any national ambient air quality standard is or would be exceeded; and

(ii) No alternate power supply exists, as required under § 503.8 of these regulations.

(2) A petition by certification under this paragraph must include:

(i) Duly executed certifications required under paragraph (d)(1) of this section;

(ii) Exhibits containing the basis for the certifications required under paragraph (d)(1) of this section (including those factual and analytical materials deemed by the petitioner to be sufficient to support the granting of this exemption); and

(iii) The anticipated duration of the circumstances which constitute the basis for the exemption.

[46 FR 59903, Dec. 7, 1981, as amended at 54 FR 52894, Dec. 22, 1989]

§ 503.24 Future use of synthetic fuels.

(a) Eligibility. Section 211(b) of the Act provides for a temporary exemption based upon the future use of synthetic fuels. To qualify, a petitioner must certify that:

(1) The petitioner will be able to comply with the applicable prohibitions imposed by the Act by the use of a synthetic fuel derived from coal or another alternate fuel as a primary energy source in the proposed facility by the end of the proposed exemption period;

(2) The petitioner will not be able to comply with the applicable prohibitions imposed by the Act by use of a synthetic fuel until the end of the proposed exemption period; and

(3) No alternate power supply exists, as required under § 503.8 of these regulations.

(b) Evidence required in support of a petition. The petition must include the following evidence in order to make the demonstration required by this section:

(1) Duly executed certifications required under paragraph (a) of this section;

(3) A preliminary compliance plan, including to the extent available, the information required under § 503.12.

(c) Final Compliance Plan. Before an exemption may become effective, the petitioner must submit and OFE must approve a final compliance plan as required by § 503.12.

(d) Duration. This temporary exemption may be granted for a period of up to ten (10) years. Unless the petitioner requests otherwise, any temporary exemption from the fuel use prohibitions of the Act for the future use of synthetic fuels will commence on the date of commercial operation of the facility.

NOTE: Contracts based on the anticipated successful demonstration of a development program and/or the anticipated economic feasibility of a synthetic fuels facility, will generally be sufficient to meet the "binding contract" requirements for this exemption. [46 FR 59903, Dec. 7, 1981; 47 FR 15315, Apr. 9, 1982; 54 FR 52894, Dec. 22, 1989]

(a) Eligibility. Section 211(c) of the Act provides for a temporary public interest exemption. To qualify, a petitioner must demonstrate that:

(1) The unit will be capable of complying with the applicable prohibitions at the end of the proposed exemption period;

(2) The granting of the exemption would be in accord with the purposes of the Act and would be in the public interest; and

(3) No alternate power supply exists, as required under § 503.8 of these regulations.

(b) Evidence required in support of a petition. The petition must include the following evidence in order to make the demonstration required by this section:

(1) Substantial evidence to corroborate the eligibility requirements identified above; and

(2) The anticipated duration of the circumstances which constitute the basis for the exemption.

(c) Certification alternative. If the petitioner requires use of oil or natural gas in a unit, during the construction of an alternate-fuel fired unit, the petitioner may substitute, in lieu of the evidentiary requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section:

(1) A duly executed certification, including the requested duration of the exemption, that the unit will be operated on oil or natural gas only during the construction of an alternate fuel fired unit to be owned or operated by the petitioner; and

(2) Exhibits containing the basis for the certifications required under paragraph (c)(1) of this section (including those factual and analytical materials deemed by the petitioner to be sufficient to support the granting of this exemption).

(d) Duration. This temporary exemption, taking into account extension and renewals, may not exceed 5 years. [46 FR 59903, Dec. 7, 1981, as amended at 54 FR 52894, Dec. 22, 1989]

Subpart D-Permanent
Exemptions for New Facilities

§ 503.30 Purpose and scope.

(a) This subpart implements the provisions contained in section 212 of the Act with regard to permanent exemptions for new facilities.

(b) This subpart establishes the criteria and standards which owners or operators of new powerplants and installations who petition for a permanent exemption must meet to sustain their burden of proof under the Act.

(c) All petitions for permanent exemptions for new facilities shall be submitted in accordance with the procedures set out in part 501 of this chapter and the applicable requirements of part 503 of these regulations.

§ 503.31 Lack of alternate fuel supply for the first 10 years of useful life. (a) Eligibility. Section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Act provides for a permanent exemption due to lack of an adequate and reliable supply of alternate fuel within the first 10 years of useful life of the proposed unit. To qualify, a petitioner must certify that:

(1) A good faith effort has been made to obtain an adequate and reliable supply of an alternate fuel for use as a primary energy source of the quality and quantity necessary to conform with the design and operational requirements of the unit;

(2) Such a supply is not likely to be available within the first 10 years of useful life of the proposed unit;

(3) No alternate power supply exists, as required under § 503.8 of these regulations;

(4) Use of mixtures is not feasible, as required under $503.9 of these regulations; and

(5) Alternative sites are not available, as required under § 503.11 of these regulations.

(b) Evidence required in support of a petition. A petition must include the following evidence in order to make the demonstration required by this section:

(1) Duly executed certifications required under paragraph (a) of this section;

(3) Environmental impact analysis, as required under § 503.13 of these regulations; and

(4) Fuels search, as required under § 503.14 of these regulations.

[46 FR 59903, Dec. 7, 1981, as amended at 54 FR 52895, Dec. 22, 1989]

§ 503.32 Lack of alternate fuel supply at a cost which does not substantially exceed the cost of using imported petroleum.

(a) Eligibility. Section 212(a)(1) (A)(ii) of the Act provides for a permanent exemption due to lack of an alternate fuel supply at a cost which does not substantially exceed the cost of using imported petroleum. To qualify a petitioner must certify that:

(1) A good faith effort has been made to obtain an adequate and reliable supply of an alternate fuel for use as a primary energy source of the quality and quantity necessary to conform with

the design and operational requirements of the proposed unit;

(2) The cost of using such a supply would substantially exceed the cost of using imported petroleum as a primary energy source during the useful life of the proposed unit as defined in §503.6 (cost calculation) of these regulations; (3) No alternate power supply exists, as required under §503.8 of these regulations.

(4) Use of mixtures is not feasible, as required under § 503.9 of these regulations; and

(5) Alternative sites are not available, as required under § 503.11 of these regulations.

(b) Evidence required in support of a petition. The petition must include the following evidence in order to make the demonstration required by this section:

(1) Duly executed certifications required under paragraph (a) of this section;

(2) Exhibits containing the basis for certifications required under paragraph (a) of this section (including those factual and analytical materials deemed by the petitioner to be sufficient to support the granting of this exemption);

(3) Environmental impact analysis, as required under § 503.13 of these regulations;

(4) Fuels search, as required under § 503.14 of these regulations; and

(5) All data required by §503.6 (cost calculation) of these regulations necessary for computing the cost calculation formula.

[46 FR 59903, Dec. 7, 1981, as amended at 47 FR 15315, Apr. 9, 1982; 54 FR 52895, Dec. 22, 1989]

§ 503.33 Site limitations.

(a) Eligibility. Section 212(a)(1)(B) of the Act provides for a permanent exemption due to site limitations. To qualify for such an exemption, a petitioner must certify that:

(1) One or more specific physical limitations relevant to the location or operation of the proposed facility exist which, despite good faith efforts, cannot reasonably be expected to be overcome within five years after commencement of operations;

« Previous Continue »

Books