[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62953-62954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30950]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 60

[FRL-5927-4]


Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources; Standards of 
Performance for Nonmetallic Mineral Processing Plants; Clarification

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of policy; clarification.

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SUMMARY: This action clarifies the applicability of the New Source 
Performance Standards for Nonmetallic Mineral Processing Plants (40 CFR 
part 60, subpart OOO). This action is necessary because of incorrect 
guidance and preamble language regarding the regulation's applicability 
to affected facilities in the nonmetallic mineral processing industry. 
The April 1991 Regulatory and Inspection Manual for Nonmetallic Mineral 
Processing Plants included the following incorrect statement: ``Subpart 
OOO affected facilities begin with the first crushing or grinding 
operation at the plant.'' The same incorrect statement was made in a 
response to a comment in the preamble to the June 9, 1997, Federal 
Register document for the final amendments to subpart OOO.
    Section 60.670(a) of subpart OOO lists the affected facilities in 
fixed or portable nonmetallic mineral processing plants. This list 
includes each crusher, grinding mill, screening operation, bucket 
elevator, belt conveyor, bagging operation, storage bin, and enclosed 
truck or railcar loading station. The clear intent of the regulation is 
that all facilities listed in section 60.670(a) are subject to subpart 
OOO. While subpart OOO affected operations typically have crushers or 
grinding mills located at or near the beginning of the nonmetallic 
mineral processing line, this is not always the case (e.g., some plants 
may convey, screen or otherwise process materials without first 
utilizing a crusher located in the plant). Therefore, with this 
document, the EPA is clarifying that as long as crushing or grinding 
occurs anywhere at a non-metallic mineral processing plant, any 
affected facility listed in Sec. 60.670(a) is subject to subpart OOO 
regardless of its location within the plant. EPA expects that plants 
that have not considered facilities prior to the first crushing or 
grinding operation as affected facilities, will now ensure that those 
affected facilities will meet all of the applicable regulatory 
requirements.


[[Page 62954]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Scott Throwe at (202) 564-7013, 
Manufacturing, Energy, and Transportation Division (2223A), U.S. EPA, 
401 M Street, Washington, D.C. 20460.

    Dated: November 20, 1997.
Scott A. Throwe,
Environmental Protection Specialist.
[FR Doc. 97-30950 Filed 11-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P