From: 
French, Chuck <French.Chuck@epa.gov>
Sent:
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 4:21 PM
To: 
Henry, JeannaR <Henry.Jeannar@epa.gov>
Cc:
Jones, DonnaLee <Jones.Donnalee@epa.gov>; Boaggio, Katie <Boaggio.Katie@epa.gov>; Hansen, Amanda <Hansen.Amanda@epa.gov>
Subject: 
RE: Mon Valley - Any Updates - Coke Ovens Proposed rule signed


Hello Jeanna,

     Last night, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to update and strengthen emission standards for hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, mercury, lead and arsenic that are emitted by coke oven facilities. These proposed amendments would further reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants, also known as HAP, and improve accountability and compliance assurance at coke oven facilities.

     The proposed amendments would fulfill EPA's responsibility under the Clean Air Act to periodically review emission standards to reflect developments in pollution control technologies and techniques, and to establish standards for all types of hazardous air pollutants emitted by regulated facilities.  If finalized, the proposal would establish more protective standards for HAP leaks from doors and other sources at coke oven batteries; establish a fenceline monitoring requirement to ensure that coke oven batteries regularly monitor benzene levels near the facility and take appropriate corrective action if measurements at the fenceline exceed a particular level; and establish standards for currently unregulated pollutants.  

     EPA will be taking public comment on the proposed amendments for 45 days after it is published in the Federal Register. Interested parties can download a copy of the NESHAP for Coke Ovens Pushing, Quenching, and Battery Stacks proposed rule and fact sheet from EPA's website at the following address: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/coke-ovens-pushing-quenching-and-battery-stacks-national-emission 

      A copy of the proposed rule and fact sheet for the Coke Oven Batteries NESHAP can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/coke-ovens-batteries-national-emissions-standards-hazardous-air

Please share this news with your colleagues in Region 3 and ATSDR, etc...

Let us know if you have questions.

Thank You!
Chuck French, Group Leader 
Metals and Inorganic Chemicals Group 
Sector Policies & Programs Division
Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

Phone:  919-541-7912 (office), 919-358-0865 (cell)  
