Handbook of Solvents - George Wypych - ChemTech - Ventech!

19 Regulations 1285
Figure 19.2. Designation and classification of ozone areas.
mentation Plan (SIP) must be prepared and submitted by each state with a non-attainment
area. The SIP must contain strategies to achieve compliance within the state’s borders and
“Air Quality Control Regions.” Once a non-attainment area meets the NAAQS for a given
pollutant, it is then classified as a maintenance area.
Ozone non-attainment areas are classified according to the severity of the pollution
problem (see Figure 19.2). These areas also have to achieve VOC reduction as determined
by the non-attainment classification. A 15 percent VOC reduction in non-attainment areas,
classified as moderate and above, was required by 1996. Also, Section 182(c)(2)(B) requires
that non-attainment areas classified as serious and above follow with a 3 percent
VOC reduction per year. 9
Each state with a non-attainment area selects reasonable control measures, known as
Reasonably Available Control Technologies (RACTs), for major sources to achieve the required
reduction. Specific information about RACTs can be found in the EPA published
Control Technology Guideline (CTG) documents, which are designed to assist state agencies
achieve VOC reduction and ozone NAAQS compliance. States are primarily responsible
for meeting NAAQS following measures laid out in their SIPs. States work with
stationary and mobile sources to ensure that criteria pollutant levels (ozone in the case of
solvents) allow the states to meet NAAQS requirements. If a state is not doing an adequate
job in improving and maintaining air quality through the activities identified in the SIP,
EPA may step in and insist on more stringent measures. EPA promulgates Federal Implementation
Plans (FIPs) to correct inadequacies in SIPs. A FIP includes enforceable emission
limitations or other control measures and techniques or economic incentives so
compliance with the NAAQS is achieved.
In the case of new major stationary sources, the states try to stay or come into attainment
through the New Source Review (NSR) program. The NSR program, sometimes
called preconstruction permitting, addresses emissions from new major stationary sources;