Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 40 - Protection of Environment last revised: Nov 20, 2024
§ 63.481 - Compliance dates and relationship of this subpart to existing applicable rules.

(a) Affected sources are required to achieve compliance on or before the dates specified in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section and paragraphs (n) and (o) of this section. Paragraph (e) of this section provides information on requesting compliance extensions. Paragraphs (f) through (l) of this section discuss the relationship of this subpart to subpart A and to other applicable rules. Where an override of another authority of the Act is indicated in this subpart, only compliance with the provisions of this subpart is required. Paragraph (m) of this section specifies the meaning of time periods.

(b) Except as specified in paragraphs (n) and (o) of this section, new affected sources that commence construction or reconstruction after June 12, 1995 shall be in compliance with this subpart upon initial start-up or by June 19, 2000, whichever is later.

(c) With the exceptions provided in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this section and paragraphs (n) and (o) of this section, existing affected sources shall be in compliance with this subpart no later than June 19, 2001, as provided in § 63.6(c), unless an extension has been granted as specified in paragraph (e) of this section.

(1) Existing affected sources producing epichlorohydrin elastomer, butyl rubber, neoprene rubber, and nitrile butadiene rubber shall be in compliance with the applicable emission limitation in § 63.494(a)(4) no later than April 23, 2012.

(2) Existing affected sources producing butyl rubber and ethylene propylene rubber shall be in compliance with § 63.485(q)(1) no later than April 23, 2012.

(3) Compliance with § 63.502 is covered by paragraph (d) of this section.

(d) Except as provided for in paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(6) of this section, and paragraphs (n) and (o) of this section, existing affected sources shall be in compliance with § 63.502 no later than July 31, 1997, unless an extension has been granted pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section.

(1) Compliance with the compressor provisions of § 63.164 shall occur no later than September 5, 1997 for any compressor meeting one or more of the criteria in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (d)(1)(iv) of this section, if the work can be accomplished without a process unit shutdown, as defined in § 63.161.

(i) The seal system will be replaced;

(ii) A barrier fluid system will be installed;

(iii) A new barrier fluid will be utilized which requires changes to the existing barrier fluid system; or

(iv) The compressor will be modified to permit connecting the compressor to a fuel gas system or closed vent system, or be modified so that emissions from the compressor can be routed to a process.

(2) Compliance with the compressor provisions of § 63.164 shall occur no later than March 5, 1998, for any compressor meeting all the criteria in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) through (d)(2)(iv) of this section.

(i) The compressor meets one or more of the criteria specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (d)(1)(iv) of this section;

(ii) The work can be accomplished without a process unit shutdown as defined in § 63.161;

(iii) The additional time is actually necessary, due to the unavailability of parts beyond the control of the owner or operator; and

(iv) The owner or operator submits the request for a compliance extension to the appropriate U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Office at the address listed in § 63.13 no later than 45 days before the compliance date. The request for a compliance extension shall contain the information specified in § 63.6(i)(6)(i)(A), (B), and (D). Unless the EPA Regional Office objects to the request for a compliance extension within 30 days after receipt of the request, the request shall be deemed approved.

(3) If compliance with the compressor provisions of § 63.164 cannot reasonably be achieved without a process unit shutdown, the owner or operator shall achieve compliance no later than September 5, 1998. The owner or operator who elects to use this provision shall submit a request for an extension of compliance in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (d)(2)(iv) of this section.

(4) Compliance with the compressor provisions of § 63.164 shall occur no later than September 5, 1999 for any compressor meeting one or more of the criteria in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) through (d)(4)(iii) of this section. The owner or operator who elects to use these provisions shall submit a request for an extension of compliance in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (d)(2)(iv) of this section.

(i) Compliance cannot be achieved without replacing the compressor;

(ii) Compliance cannot be achieved without recasting the distance piece; or

(iii) Design modifications are required to connect to a closed-vent or recovery system.

(5) Compliance with the surge control vessel and bottoms receiver provisions of § 63.170 shall occur no later than June 19, 2001.

(6) Compliance with the heat exchange system provisions of § 63.104 shall occur no later than June 19, 2001.

(e) Pursuant to section 112(i)(3)(B) of the Act, an owner or operator may request an extension allowing the existing affected source up to 1 additional year to comply with section 112(d) standards. For purposes of this subpart, a request for an extension shall be submitted to the permitting authority as part of the operating permit application, or to the Administrator as a separate submittal or as part of the Precompliance Report. Requests for extensions shall be submitted no later than 120 days prior to the compliance dates specified in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section, or as specified elsewhere in this subpart, except as provided in paragraph (e)(3) of this section. The dates specified in § 63.6(i) for submittal of requests for extensions shall not apply to this subpart.

(1) A request for an extension of compliance shall include the data described in § 63.6(i)(6)(i)(A), (B), and (D).

(2) The requirements in §§ 63.6(i)(8) through 63.6(i)(14) shall govern the review and approval of requests for extensions of compliance with this subpart.

(3) An owner or operator may submit a compliance extension request after the date specified in paragraph (e) of this section, provided that the need for the compliance extension arose after that date, and the need arose due to circumstances beyond reasonable control of the owner or operator. This request shall include, in addition to the information specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, a statement of the reasons additional time is needed and the date when the owner or operator first learned of the circumstances necessitating a request for a compliance extension under this paragraph (e)(3).

(f) Table 1 of this subpart specifies the provisions of subpart A that apply and those that do not apply to owners and operators of affected sources subject to this subpart. For the purposes of this subpart, Table 3 of subpart F is not applicable.

(g) Table 2 of this subpart summarizes the provisions of subparts F, G, and H that apply and those that do not apply to owners and operators of affected sources subject to this subpart.

(h)(1) After the compliance dates specified in this section, an affected source subject to this subpart that is also subject to the provisions of 40 CFR part 63, subpart I, is required to comply only with the provisions of this subpart.

(2) Sources subject to 40 CFR part 63, subpart I that have elected to comply through a quality improvement program, as specified in § 63.175 or § 63.176 or both, may elect to continue these programs without interruption as a means of complying with this subpart. In other words, becoming subject to this subpart does not restart or reset the “compliance clock” as it relates to reduced burden earned through a quality improvement program.

(i) After the compliance dates specified in this section, a storage vessel that is assigned to an affected source subject to this subpart and that is also subject to the provisions of 40 CFR part 60, subpart Kb is required to comply only with the provisions of this subpart. After the compliance dates specified in this section, that storage vessel shall no longer be subject to 40 CFR part 60, subpart Kb.

(j) After the compliance dates specified in this section, an affected source subject to this subpart that is also subject to the provisions of 40 CFR part 60, subpart VV, is required to comply only with the provisions of this subpart. After the compliance dates specified in this section, the source shall no longer be subject to 40 CFR part 60, subpart VV.

(k) Applicability of other regulations for monitoring, recordkeeping or reporting with respect to combustion devices, recovery devices, or recapture devices. (1) After the compliance dates specified in this subpart, if any combustion device, recovery device or recapture device subject to this subpart is also subject to monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements in 40 CFR part 264 subpart AA or CC, or is subject to monitoring and recordkeeping requirements in 40 CFR part 265 subpart AA or CC and the owner or operator complies with the periodic reporting requirements under 40 CFR part 264 subpart AA or CC that would apply to the device if the facility had final-permitted status, the owner or operator may elect to comply either with the monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements of this subpart, or with the monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements in 40 CFR parts 264 and/or 265, as described in this paragraph, which shall constitute compliance with the monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements of this subpart. The owner or operator shall identify which option has been selected in the Notification of Compliance Status required by § 63.506(e)(5).

(2) Owners and operators of flares that are subject to the flare related requirements of this subpart and are also subject to flare related requirements of any other regulation in this part or 40 CFR part 61 or 63, may elect to comply with the requirements in § 63.508 in lieu of all flare related requirements in any other regulation in this part or 40 CFR part 61 or 63.

(l) Applicability of other requirements for heat exchange systems or waste management units. Paragraphs (l)(1) and (l)(2) of this section address instances in which certain requirements from other regulations also apply for the same heat exchange system(s) or waste management unit(s) that are subject to this subpart.

(1) After the applicable compliance date specified in this subpart, if a heat exchange system subject to this subpart is also subject to a standard identified in paragraphs (l)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section, compliance with the applicable provisions of the standard identified in paragraphs (l)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section shall constitute compliance with the applicable provisions of this subpart with respect to that heat exchange system.

(i) Subpart F of this part.

(ii) A subpart of this part which requires compliance with § 63.104 (e.g., subpart JJJ of this part).

(2) After the applicable compliance date specified in this subpart, if any waste management unit subject to this subpart is also subject to a standard identified in paragraph (l)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section, compliance with the applicable provisions of the standard identified in paragraph (l)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section shall constitute compliance with the applicable provisions of this subpart with respect to that waste management unit.

(i) Subpart G of this part.

(ii) A subpart of this part which requires compliance with §§ 63.132 through 63.147 (e.g., subpart JJJ of this part).

(m) All terms in this subpart that define a period of time for completion of required tasks (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annual), unless specified otherwise in the section or paragraph that imposes the requirement, refer to the standard calendar periods.

(1) Notwithstanding time periods specified in this subpart for completion of required tasks, such time periods may be changed by mutual agreement between the owner or operator and the Administrator, as specified in subpart A of this part (e.g., a period could begin on the compliance date or another date, rather than on the first day of the standard calendar period). For each time period that is changed by agreement, the revised period shall remain in effect until it is changed. A new request is not necessary for each recurring period.

(2) Where the period specified for compliance is a standard calendar period, if the initial compliance date occurs after the beginning of the period, compliance shall be required according to the schedule specified in paragraphs (m)(2)(i) or (m)(2)(ii) of this section, as appropriate.

(i) Compliance shall be required before the end of the standard calendar period within which the compliance deadline occurs, if there remain at least 2 weeks for tasks that shall be performed monthly, at least 1 month for tasks that shall be performed each quarter, or at least 3 months for tasks that shall be performed annually; or

(ii) In all other cases, compliance shall be required before the end of the first full standard calendar period after the period within which the initial compliance deadline occurs.

(3) In all instances where a provision of this subpart requires completion of a task during each of multiple successive periods, an owner or operator may perform the required task at any time during the specified period, provided that the task is conducted at a reasonable interval after completion of the task during the previous period.

(n) All affected sources that commenced construction or reconstruction on or before April 25, 2023, must be in compliance with the requirements listed in paragraphs (n)(1) through (9) of this section upon initial startup or on July 15, 2027, whichever is later. All affected sources that commenced construction or reconstruction after April 25, 2023, must be in compliance with the requirements listed in paragraphs (n)(1) through (9) of this section upon initial startup, or on July 15, 2024, whichever is later.

(1) The general requirements specified in § 63.483(e), § 63.504(a), § 63.504(a)(1)(iii), and § 63.506(e)(6)(iii)(C).

(2) For flares, the requirements specified in § 63.508.

(3) For storage vessels, the requirements specified in § 63.484(t) and § 63.506(e)(4)(ii)(F)(6).

(4) For continuous front-end process vents, the requirements specified in §§ 63.485(l)(6), (o)(6), (p)(5), (q)(1)(vii), (x), § 63.503(g)(2)(iii)(B)(4), and § 63.506(e)(4)(ii)(F)(6).

(5) For batch front-end process vents, the requirements specified in §§ 63.487(a)(3), (b)(3), and (e)(1)(iv) and (i), §§ 63.488(d)(2), (e)(4), (f)(2), and (g)(3), §§ 63.489(b)(10) and (d)(3), §§ 63.491(d)(1)(iii), (e)(6), and (h), § 63.492(g), and Table 6 to this subpart, item 3 in column 3 for diversion to the atmosphere and monthly inspections of sealed valves for all control devices.

(6) For back-end processes, the requirements specified in §§ 63.497(a)(8) and (d)(3), and § 63.498(d)(5)(v).

(7) For wastewater, the requirements specified in §§ 63.501(d), (e), and (f).

(8) For equipment leaks, the requirements specified in §§ 63.502(a)(2) and (k)(2).

(9) For heat exchange systems, the requirements specified in §§ 63.502(n)(7) and (n)(8).

(o) All affected sources that commenced construction or reconstruction on or before April 25, 2023, must be in compliance with the chloroprene requirements in §§ 63.484(u), 63.485(y) and (z), 63.487(j), 63.494(a)(7), 63.501(a)(10)(iv), 63.502(a)(3) and (a)(7), 63.509, and 63.510 upon initial startup or on October 15, 2024, whichever is later. All affected sources that commenced construction or reconstruction after April 25, 2023, must be in compliance with the chloroprene requirements in §§ 63.484(u), 63.485(x) and (z), 63.487(j), 63.494(a)(7), § 63.501(a)(10)(iv), 63.502(q), 63.502(a)(3) and (a)(7), 63.509, and 63.510 upon initial startup, or on July 15, 2024, whichever is later.

(p) The compliance schedule for fenceline monitoring is specified in paragraphs (p)(1) and (2) of this section.

(1) Except as specified in paragraph (p)(2) of this section, all affected sources that commenced construction or reconstruction on or before April 25, 2023, must commence fenceline monitoring according to the requirements in § 63.502(a)(4) by no later than July 15, 2026, however requirements for corrective actions are not required until on or after July 15, 2027. All affected sources that commenced construction or reconstruction after April 25, 2023, must be in compliance with the fenceline monitoring requirements listed in § 63.502(a)(4) upon initial startup, or on July 15, 2024, whichever is later.

(2) For affected sources producing neoprene, the compliance schedule specified in paragraph (p)(1) of this section does not apply for chloroprene. Instead, all affected sources producing neoprene that commenced construction or reconstruction on or before April 25, 2023, must be in compliance with the fenceline monitoring requirements for chloroprene listed in § 63.502(a)(4) and (a)(7) upon initial startup or on October 15, 2024, whichever is later. All affected sources producing neoprene that commenced construction or reconstruction after April 25, 2023, must be in compliance with the fenceline monitoring requirements for chloroprene listed in § 63.502(a)(4) and (a)(7) upon initial startup, or on July 15, 2024, whichever is later.

[62 FR 46925, Sept. 5, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 1837, Jan. 14, 1997; 64 FR 11542, Mar. 9, 1999; 64 FR 35028, June 30, 1999; 65 FR 38042, June 19, 2000; 76 FR 22587, Apr. 21, 2011; 89 FR 43236, May 16, 2024]
authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401
source: 57 FR 61992, Dec. 29, 1992, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 40 CFR 63.481