Audit, Compliance and Risk Blog

Environmental Compliance: EPA Revises Volatile Organic Compounds

Posted by STP Editorial Team on Wed, Jan 15, 2014

http://www.stpub.com/vehicle-maintenance-facilities-federal-compliance-guide-onlineEffective November 21, 2013, EPA exempted 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (also known as HFO–1234yf) from the regulatory definition of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). This compound will not be counted as a VOC for entities using or producing HFO–1234yf in a product other than an aerosol coating, limiting the VOC emissions from a facility, or otherwise controlling the use of VOC for purposes related to attaining the ozone NAAQS. Emissions of this compound will not be considered in determining whether a proposed new or modified source triggers the applicability of Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements, in areas where the PSD program is implemented by the EPA or a delegated state, local, or tribal agency. This action may also affect whether HFO–1234yf is considered a VOC for state regulatory purposes, depending on whether the state relies on the EPA’s regulatory definition of VOCs.

On September 27, 2013, EPA also exempted Solstice™ 1233zd(E) from the regulatory definition of VOCs. Entities potentially affected by this final rule include, but are not limited to, industries involved in the manufacture or use of refrigerants, aerosol, and non-aerosol solvents and blowing agents for insulating foams, and manufacturers of refrigeration equipment, hot water heaters, and waste heat recovery equipment. Entities using or producing Solstice™ 1233zd(E) that are subject to the EPA regulations limiting the use of VOC in a product other than an aerosol coating, limiting the VOC emissions from a facility, or otherwise controlling the use of VOC for purposes related to attaining the ozone NAAQS, will not be required to count Solstice™ 1233zd(E) as a VOC in determining whether these regulatory obligations have been met. Emissions of this compound will not be considered in determining whether a proposed new or modified source triggers the applicability of Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements. This action may also affect whether Solstice™ 1233zd(E) is considered as a VOC for state regulatory purposes to reduce ozone formation, if a state relies on the EPA’s regulatory definition of VOCs.

EPA Amends Definition of Heating Oil in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program

This amendment expands the scope of renewable fuels that can generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) as heating oil to include fuel oil that will be used to generate heat to warm buildings or other facilities where people live, work, recreate, or conduct other activities. This rule will allow producers or importers of fuel oil that meets the amended definition of heating oil to generate RINs, provided that other requirements specified in the regulations are met, including new registration, reporting, product transfer document, and recordkeeping requirements. Fuel oils used to generate process heat, power, or other functions will not be approved for RIN generation under the amended definition of heating oil, as these fuels are not within the scope of ‘‘home heating oil,’’ for the RFS program. All fuels previously included in the definition of heating oil continue to be included as heating oil under 40 CFR 80.1401 for purposes of the RFS program. Entities potentially affected by this action include those involved with the production, distribution, and sale of transportation fuels, including gasoline and diesel fuel, or renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, as well as those involved with the production, distribution and sale of other fuel oils that are not transportation fuel. These changes took effect December 23, 2013.

STP recently issued an update to its publication Vehicle Maintenance Facilities: A Federal Compliance Guide also publishes the following related guides:


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Tags: Health & Safety, Environmental risks, Environmental, EPA, Greenhouse Gas, ghg, Hazcom, Oil & Gas