[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 37 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8791-8794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4125]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-1196; FRL-8772-3]


Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the broadly applicable alternative test 
method approval decisions the EPA has made under and in support of New 
Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and the National Emission Standards 
for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) in 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: An electronic copy of each alternative 
test method approval document is available on EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html. For questions about this notice, 
contact Jason M. DeWees, Air Quality Assessment Division, Office of Air 
Quality Planning and Standards (E143-02), Environmental Protection 
Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: 919-541-
9724; fax number: 919-541-0516; e-mail address: [email protected]. 
For technical questions about individual alternative test method 
decisions, refer to the contact person identified in the individual 
approval documents.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does This Notice Apply to Me?

    This notice will be of interest to entities regulated under 40 CFR 
parts 60, 61, and 63, and State, local, Tribal agencies, and EPA 
Regional Offices responsible for implementation and enforcement of 
regulations under 40 CFR parts 60, 61, and 63.

[[Page 8792]]

B. How Can I Get Copies of This Information?

    You may access copies of the broadly applicable alternative test 
method approval documents from the EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html.

II. Background

    This notice identifies EPA's broadly applicable alternative test 
method approval decisions issued between January 1, 2008, and December 
31, 2008, under the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), 40 CFR 
part 60, and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air 
Pollutants (NESHAP), 40 CFR parts 61 and 63 (see Table 1). Source 
owners and operators may voluntarily use these broadly applicable 
alternative test methods subject to their specific applicability. Use 
of these broadly applicable alternative test methods does not change 
the applicable emission standards.
    As explained in a previous Federal Register notice published at 72 
FR 4257, 1/30/07 and found on the EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html, the EPA Administrator has the authority to 
approve the use of alternative test methods to comply with requirements 
under 40 CFR parts 60, 61, and 63. This authority is found in sections 
60.8(b)(3), 61.13(h)(1)(ii), and 63.7(e)(2)(ii). Over the years, we 
have performed thorough technical reviews of numerous requests for 
alternatives and modifications to test methods and procedures. Based on 
these experiences, we have found that often these changes or 
alternatives would be equally valid and appropriate to apply to other 
sources within a particular class, category, or subcategory. 
Consequently, we have concluded that where a method modification or a 
change or alternative is clearly broadly applicable to a class, 
category, or subcategory of sources, it is both more equitable and 
efficient to approve its use for all appropriate sources and situations 
at the same time.
    It is important to clarify that alternative methods are not 
mandatory but permissive. Sources are not required to employ such a 
method but may choose to do so in appropriate cases. Source owners or 
operators should review the specific broadly applicable alternative 
method approval decision on the EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html before electing to employ it. By electing to use 
an alternative method, the source owner or operator consents to 
thereafter demonstrate compliance with applicable requirements based on 
the results of the alternative method until approved to do so 
otherwise.
    The criteria for approval and procedures for submission and review 
of broadly applicable alternative test methods are outlined at 72 FR 
4257, 1/30/07. EPA will continue to announce approvals for broadly 
applicable alternative test methods on the EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html and intends to publish a notice 
annually that summarizes approvals for broadly applicable alternative 
test methods.
    This notice comprises a summary of eleven such approval documents 
added to our technology transfer network from January 1, 2008, through 
December 31, 2008. The alternative test number, the reference method 
affected, sources affected, and modification or alternative method 
allowed are summarized in Table 1 of this notice. Please refer to the 
complete copies of these approval documents available from the EPA's 
Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html as the table 
serves only as a summary of the broadly applicable alternative test 
methods. If you are aware of reasons why a particular alternative test 
method approval that we issue should not be broadly applicable, we 
request that you make us aware of the reasons within 60 days of the 
Federal Register notice announcing the broad approval, and we will 
revisit the broad approval. Any objection to a broadly applicable 
alternative test method as well as the resolution of that objection 
will be announced on the EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html and in the subsequent Federal Register notice. If we 
should decide to retract a broadly applicable test method, we would 
continue to grant case-by-case approvals, as appropriate, and would (as 
States, local and Tribal agencies and EPA Regional Offices should) 
consider the need for an appropriate transition period for users either 
to request case-by-case approval or to transition to an approved 
method.

    Dated: January 29, 2009.
Stephen D. Page,
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

 Table 1--Approved Alternative Test Methods and Modifications to Test Methods Under Appendices A, B or F in CFR
                           60, 61, and 63 Made Between January 2008 and December 2008
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                                         As an alternative or
           Alternative No.              modification to . . .          For . . .              You may . . .
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Alt-039..............................  Method 101A--            Sludge Drying or Sludge  Use Method 29 with
                                        Determination of         Incineration             limitations outlined
                                        Particulate and          Facilities affected      in the approval letter
                                        Gaseous Mercury          under the NESHAP for     in lieu of Method
                                        Emissions from Sewage    Mercury in 40 CFR part   101A.
                                        Sludge Incinerators.     61, subpart E.
Alt-040..............................  Method 25C--             Sources affected under   Use of a Geoprobe brand
                                        Determination of         the NSPS for Municipal   sampling probe to
                                        Nonmethane Organic       Solid Waste Landfills    create a sampling
                                        Compounds (NMOC) in      in 40 CFR part 60,       void.
                                        Landfill Gas.            subpart WWW.
                                                                                         Use of a polyethylene
                                                                                          sampling tubing.
                                                                                         Use of a critical
                                                                                          orifice to regulate
                                                                                          flow.
Alt-041..............................  Method 25C--             Sources affected under   Use of extraction wells
                                        Determination of         the NSPS for Municipal   and leachate risers
                                        Nonmethane Organic       Solid Waste Landfills    for sampling locations
                                        Compounds (NMOC) in      in 40 CFR part 60,       in lieu of the
                                        Landfill Gas.            subpart WWW.             inserting surface
                                                                                          probes.
Alt-042..............................  Method 3C--              Sources affected under   Use handheld combustion
                                        Determination of         the NSPS for Municipal   meters in lieu of
                                        Carbon Dioxide,          Solid Waste Landfills    Method 3C for 2 of the
                                        Methane, Nitrogen, and   in 40 CFR part 60,       3 runs.
                                        Oxygen from Stationary   subpart WWW.
                                        Sources.

[[Page 8793]]

 
Alt-042..............................  Method 22--Visual        Sources affected under   Reduce Method 22 run
                                        Determination of         the NSPS for Municipal   times from 2 hours to
                                        Fugitive Emissions       Solid Waste Landfills    30 minutes.
                                        from Material Sources    in 40 CFR part 60,
                                        and Smoke Emissions      subpart WWW.
                                        from Flares.
Alt-043..............................  Method 26A--             Sources subject to 40    Use Method 26 in lieu
                                        Determination of         CFR part 63, subpart     of Method 26A provided
                                        Hydrogen Halide and      RRR--National Emission   the emission stream
                                        Halogen Emissions from   Standards for            does not contain water
                                        Stationary Sources       Hazardous Air            droplets.
                                        Isokinetic Method.       Pollutants for
                                                                 Secondary Aluminum
                                                                 Production.
Alt-044..............................  Performance              Sources subject to 40    Use of the alternative
                                        Specification 4B--       CFR part 63, subpart     relative accuracy
                                        Specifications and       EEE, National            procedures in Section
                                        Test Procedures for      Emissions Standards      7.3 of PS 4B when CO
                                        Carbon Monoxides and     for Hazardous Air        emissions levels are
                                        Oxygen Continuous        Pollutants for           consistently very low
                                        Monitoring Systems in    Hazardous Waste          or low and interrupted
                                        Stationary Sources.      Combustors.              periodically by short
                                                                                          duration high level
                                                                                          spikes.
Alt-045..............................  Method 3C--              Sources affected under   Use of an alternative
                                        Determination of         the NSPS for Municipal   calibration procedure
                                        Carbon Dioxide,          Solid Waste Landfills    based on a drift basis
                                        Methane, Nitrogen, and   in 40 CFR part 60,       similar to Method 25.
                                        Oxygen from Stationary   subpart WWW.
                                        Sources.
Alt-046..............................  Method 6C--              Sources affected under   Use of Method 320 in
                                        Determination of         the NSPS for             lieu of Method 6C.
                                        Sulfur Dioxides          Industrial-Commercial-
                                        Emissions from           Institutional Steam
                                        Stationary Sources       Generating Units in 40
                                        (Instrumental Analyzer   CFR part 60, subpart
                                        Procedure).              Db.
Alt-046..............................  Method 7E--              Sources affected under   Use of Method 320 in
                                        Determination of         the NSPS for             lieu of Method 7E.
                                        Nitrogen Oxides          Industrial-Commercial-
                                        Emissions from           Institutional Steam
                                        Stationary Sources       Generating Units in 40
                                        (Instrumental Analyzer   CFR part 60, subpart
                                        Procedure).              Db.
Alt-046..............................  Method 10--              Sources affected under   Use of Method 320 in
                                        Determination of         the NSPS for             lieu of Method 10.
                                        Carbon Monoxide from     Industrial-Commercial-
                                        Stationary Sources       Institutional Steam
                                        (Instrumental Analyzer   Generating Units in 40
                                        Procedure).              CFR part 60, subpart
                                                                 Db.
Alt-047..............................  Method 12--              Sources required to use  Use of Inductively
                                        Determination of         Method 12.               Coupled Plasma--Mass
                                        Inorganic Lead from                               Spectroscopy Analysis
                                        Stationary Sources.                               as described in Method
                                                                                          6020/6020A in lieu of
                                                                                          atomic adsorption
                                                                                          spectroscopy for lead.
Alt-047..............................  Method 103--Beryllium    Sources required to use  Use of Inductively
                                        Screening Method.        Method 103.              Coupled Plasma--Mass
                                                                                          Spectroscopy Analysis
                                                                                          as described in Method
                                                                                          6020/6020A in lieu of
                                                                                          atomic adsorption
                                                                                          spectroscopy for
                                                                                          beryllium.
Alt-047..............................  Method 104--             Sources required to use  Use of Inductively
                                        Determination of         Method 104.              Coupled Plasma--Mass
                                        Beryllium Emissions                               Spectroscopy Analysis
                                        from Stationary                                   as described in Method
                                        Sources.                                          6020/6020A in lieu of
                                                                                          atomic adsorption
                                                                                          spectroscopy for
                                                                                          beryllium.
Alt-047..............................  Method 108--             Sources required to use  Use of Inductively
                                        Determination of         Method 108.              Coupled Plasma--Mass
                                        Particulate and                                   Spectroscopy Analysis
                                        Gaseous Arsenic                                   as described in Method
                                        Emissions.                                        6020/6020A in lieu of
                                                                                          atomic adsorption
                                                                                          spectroscopy for
                                                                                          arsenic.
Alt-047..............................  Method 108A--            Sources required to use  Use of Inductively
                                        Determination of         Method 108A.             Coupled Plasma--Mass
                                        Arsenic Content in Ore                            Spectroscopy Analysis
                                        Samples from                                      as described in Method
                                        Nonferrous Smelters.                              6020/6020A in lieu of
                                                                                          atomic adsorption
                                                                                          spectroscopy for
                                                                                          arsenic.
Alt-047..............................  Method 108B--            Sources required to use  Use of Inductively
                                        Determination of         Method 108B.             Coupled Plasma--Mass
                                        Arsenic Content in Ore                            Spectroscopy Analysis
                                        Samples from                                      as described in Method
                                        Nonferrous Smelters.                              6020/6020A in lieu of
                                                                                          atomic adsorption
                                                                                          spectroscopy for
                                                                                          arsenic.

[[Page 8794]]

 
Alt-047..............................  Method 306--             Sources required to use  Use of Inductively
                                        Determination of         Method 306.              Coupled Plasma--Mass
                                        Chromium Emissions                                Spectroscopy Analysis
                                        from Decorative and                               as described in Method
                                        Hard Chromium                                     6020/6020A in lieu of
                                        Electroplating and                                atomic adsorption
                                        Chromium Anodizing                                spectroscopy for
                                        Operation--Isokinetic                             chromium.
                                        method.
Alt-048..............................  Method 5--Determination  Sources required to use  Use of an alternative
                                        of Particulate Matter    Method 5.                determination of
                                        Emissions from                                    sample volume and flow
                                        Stationary Sources.                               rate used by the
                                                                                          Isostack metering
                                                                                          system.
Alt-049..............................  Performance              Sources subject to 40    Use of the alternative
                                        Specification 4B--       CFR part 63, subpart     relative accuracy
                                        Specifications and       EEE, National            procedures in Section
                                        Test Procedures for      Emissions Standards      7.3 of PS 4B when CO
                                        Carbon Monoxides and     for Hazardous Air        emissions levels are
                                        Oxygen Continuous        Pollutants for           consistently very low
                                        Monitoring Systems in    Hazardous Waste          or low and interrupted
                                        Stationary Sources.      Combustors.              periodically by short
                                                                                          duration high level
                                                                                          spikes.
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Source owners or operators should review the specific broadly applicable alternative method approval letter on
  the EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html before electing to employ it.


[FR Doc. E9-4125 Filed 2-25-09; 8:45 am]
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