DAQ Letters And/Or Inspections Are Coming Soon! Are You Ready?

 

The North Carolina Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has recently undertaken a review of the boat industry in the State.  The purpose of the review is to ensure that boat manufacturing facilities are properly permitted in accordance with the North Carolina air regulations and are in compliance with the Boat MACT, if applicable.  In the near future, your facility may receive a letter from the DAQ regarding the Boat MACT and air permitting.  DAQ staff may also visit your facility for additional information about your operations. It is important that you take steps to ensure you are meeting all air quality requirements.

 

Background:

The final National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (also known as the Maximum Achievable Control Technology or MACT Standards) for Boat Manufacturing regulates Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) from major sources that manufacture aluminum recreational boats and fiberglass boats.  (Please see links below for information about the Boat MACT.)

 

Applicability:

To determine if you are subject to this regulation, you need to consider the potential emissions of HAPs from your facility.  If your recreational boat manufacturing facility has the potential to emit more than 10 tons per year (TPY) of any individual HAP, e.g. Styrene, or 25 TPY total HAPs - then your facility might be subject to this regulation.

 

Potential Emissions:

Keep in mind that potential emissions are not the same as actual emissions.  Even if your actual styrene emissions are less than 10 TPY, you might still be subject to the Boat MACT because of your potential emissions.  For example, if you actually operate one 8-hour shift for five days per week and your actual styrene emissions were 2.5 TPY, your potential emissions calculated as operating three 8-hour shifts for seven days per week and no vacations could be over 10 TPY.

 

Resources:

It is imperative that you properly calculate your emissions to determine if you need a permit and are complying with the federal requirement. Call our office so we can help you determine how these rules impact you.

 

Additional help on determining and/or reducing your emissions may be available from:

 

 

 

Sources of Information about the Boat MACT:

 

The University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service

http://www.epamact.tennessee.edu/boat/

 

The US Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/boat/boatpg.html