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Air Toxics Program >> Area Sources >> Boilers Rule (6J)

Boiler 6J GACT Rule

Boiler pic®EPA

Important Update: On February 1, 2013 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments (changes) to the rule "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers," also called the Boiler 6J GACT Rule. Contact your regional office staff with this link for further clarification. Use the EPA links below for further information on the amendments:

Since issuing an earlier rule in March 2011, EPA reconsidered and re-issued the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers Area Source Rule- Subpart JJJJJJ, commonly referred to as the Boiler 6J GACT Rule. The revised rule provides for the use of generally available control technologies [''GACT''] or management practices by area sources (small non-Title V facilities) to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants. It covers boilers burning oil, coal, biomass (wood), and other solid or liquid fuels to produce steam or hot water for energy or heat. Most boilers covered by this rule are non-residential oil or biomass (wood)-fired boilers that existed prior to June 4, 2010, and are generally required to:

  • Submit an initial notification by January 20, 2014 [DOC]
  • Conduct a tune-up; EPA extended the deadline until March 21, 2014
  • Keep tune-up and fuel usage records
  • Submit a Notification of Compliance Status form for tune-up by July 19, 2014
  • Repeat tune-ups every two years for most boilers; see exceptions below for boilers with tune-ups required every five years
  • Complete and keep on file a compliance certification, and
  • If the heat input capacity of the boiler is 10 million Btu per hour (MMBtu/hr) or larger,
    1. conduct a one-time energy assessment prior to March 21, 2014, and
    2. submit a Notification of Compliance Status form for tune-up and energy assessment by July 19, 2014

Initial Notification Forms

  • Submit an initial notification by January 20, 2014, if not submitted already
    • Initial Notification Forms:
      • for UnPermitted Facilities: [DOC]
      • for Permitted Facilities: [DOC]
  • Conduct startups and shutdowns according to the manufacturer's recommended procedures

Tune-up Requirement Information

  • Conduct a tune-up (6 pages); http://www.epa.gov/boilercompliance/
  • Keep tune-up and fuel usage records
  • Complete and Submit a Notification of Tune-up Compliance Status form by July 19, 2014
  • Keep on file a copy of Tune-up Compliance Certification
  • Repeat tune-ups every 2 years for many boilers, but see following exceptions
  • Repeat tune-ups every 5 years for:
    • Seasonal boilers (only biomass or oil), those undergoing a shutdown for at least 7 consecutive months (210 consecutive days) each 12-month period due to seasonal conditions, except for periodic testing
    • Small oil-fired boilers, those ≤ 5 MMBtu/hr
    • Limited-use boilers, those that burn any amount of solid or liquid fuels and has a federally enforceable average annual capacity factor of no more than 10 percent
    • Any boiler fired with oil, coal, or biomass equipped with an oxygen trim system

Energy Assessment Information

  • If the heat input capacity of the existing boiler is 10 million Btu per hour (MMBtu/hr) or larger,
    1. conduct a one-time energy assessment prior to March 21, 2014, and
    2. submit a Notification of Compliance Status form by July 19, 2014
  • If the heat input capacity of the boiler is less than 10 MMBtu/hr, there is no requirement for a one-time energy assessment.

DAQ Summary of energy assessment requirement [PDF]

Notification of Compliance Status for Boilers Subject to an Energy Assessment [DOCX]

Most boilers affected by this rule are located at small industries, commercial buildings, or institutions burning oil, biomass (wood), or coal. If your boiler falls outside these parameters, normally burns gas but uses oil for backup, or is currently shutdown, then additional information may be in order.

Please contact the Business Assistance Team in the Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach for free, confidential assistance at 1-877-623-6748. If you have compliance questions or desire regulatory assistance, please contact the closest DAQ Regional Office.

Related Links

 

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 Last Modified: Wed May 01 10:36:02 2013
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