United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) published the federal Regional Haze Rule on July 1, 1999, requiring states to submit a State Implementation Plan (SIP), including best available retrofit technology (BART), to mitigate contributions to regional haze visibility impairment in federally-protected parks and wilderness areas, known as “Class I” areas (64 FR 35714 [PDF]). On July 6, 2005, U.S. EPA published BART guidelines as a component of the federal regional haze regulations (70 FR 39104 [PDF]). Indiana does not have any Class I areas; however, U.S. EPA determined that Indiana sources may impact visibility in Class I areas in other states. IDEM formed an external workgroup of interested and potentially affected representatives from companies, trade organizations, consulting firms, law firms, and environmental groups to ensure the dissemination and discussion of information concerning Indiana’s initial regional haze SIP submittal.
Following is a list of historical documents and resources relating to the development of Indiana’s initial Regional Haze SIP. Indiana identified one non-electric generating unit (non-EGU) source, Alcoa in Warrick County, as having sufficient impact to warrant being subject to a requirement representing BART, as detailed in rulemaking documents below. IDEM’s Regional Haze State Implementation page contains all of Indiana’s regional haze SIP submittals to date.
- Indiana’s initial Regional Haze SIP Documents [ZIP]:
- U.S. EPA Regional Haze Regulations; Final Rule (July 1, 1999, 64 FR 35714)
- U.S. EPA BART Guidelines (Regional Haze Regulations and Guidelines for Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) Determinations; Final Rule) (July 6, 2005, 70 FR 39104)
- U.S. EPA BART Alternatives Rule (Regional Haze Regulations; Revisions to Provisions Governing Alternative to Source-Specific Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) Determinations, Final Rule) (October 13, 2006)
- U.S. EPA Additional Regional Haze Questions (August 24, 2006)
- Regional Haze Consultation Letters
- Missouri and Arkansas (February 26, 2007)
- New Jersey (March 15, 2007)
- Vermont (February 23, 2007)
- Examples of Comments on Analysis for a BART Source in Region 4
- National Park Service Letter (February 7, 2007)
- U.S. EPA Letter (January 31, 2007)
Modeling Information
An air model is a mathematical simulation of air quality in a specified area using an approved computer program and inputs such as emissions from sources located in or near to the area, air quality monitoring data, and meteorological data. IDEM utilized U.S. EPA guidance, as well as technical support provided by the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO) for the determination of control measures that would be most effective in meeting visibility goals. IDEM worked with the Midwest Regional Planning Organization (MRPO) using the CALPUFF modeling system for a consistent regional and national modeling approach for addressing BART eligibility and the analyses to determine which sources are subject to BART.
- Modeling Documents [ZIP]:
- LADCO BART Modeling Protocol (March 21, 2006)
- Modeling Results for Electric Generating Units (EGUs)
- Modeling Results for Non-EGUs
BART Rulemaking
Indiana’s Regional Haze, Best Available Retrofit Technology Rule is contained in the Indiana Administrative Code at 326 IAC 26 [PDF]. Following is information concerning the rule’s development and adoption.
- LSA Document #06-208
- LSA Document #09-498
Links
- Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO): a Multi-Jurisdictional Organization (MJO) that provides technical support to states including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota , Ohio, and Wisconsin, as well as local and tribal air agencies in the Great Lakes region to aid in the fulfillment of federal clean air requirements.
- U.S. EPA Regional Haze Program
- U.S. EPA Regulatory Impact Analysis for BART [PDF]
- U.S. EPA OAQPS Control Cost Manual, Sixth Edition [PDF]