Owners and operators of stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines must meet new national emission standards and operating limits by the May 2013 compliance deadline set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There also is an “Initial Notification” requirement currently in effect for certain engine horsepower ranges – Sample Initial Notification- Compression Ignition. AGC recently produced a fact sheet (that was reviewed and approved by EPA Headquarters) that details the steps you need to take to meet federal requirements and avoid penalties – click here.
Construction companies that own or operate a stationary engine at their jobsite or facility (or a portable one that remains at a fixed location for more than 12 consecutive months) that was put into service before June 2006 are most likely subject to the national rules for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE). For example, RICE generate electricity and power pumps and compressors used in rock crushers, welders, and generators.
Most notably, the rules establish Numeric Emission Control Limits that require non-emergency engines >300 HP to install of emissions control systems capable of reducing carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 70% (or meet a CO ppmvd @15% O2 limit). The majority of industry will rely on Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOC) to control CO emissions. The deadline to comply with the emission limits for existing diesel (i.e., compression ignition) RICE is May 3, 2013. Certain engines are also subject to management practice requirements, operating limits, idling limits, and fuel requirements. During a recent EPA webinar on this topic, engine manufacturers strongly recommended that companies contact their local equipment dealers now to start conversations about the engine control systems (“retrofit devices”) they will need to purchase/install to get into compliance by EPA’s deadline.
Other key requirements include—
- Initial Notification – An Initial Notification to U.S. EPA is required immediately for non‐emergency engines greater than 300 HP at area sources subject to numerical emission standards – Sample Initial Notification- Compression Ignition.
- Compliance Testing – Performance testing to demonstrate compliance must be conducted within 6 months of installation and then again every three years or 8,760 hours of operations, whichever occurs first. The RICE rule requires all notifications to be submitted to EPA at least 60 days after completing a performance testing.
- Recordkeeping – Keep records of pressure drop across the DOC and continuous records of exhaust temperature at the inlet of catalyst to demonstrate compliance. Keep records of the results of any performance testing conducted. Keep record of maintenance of all engines.
- Reporting – A Notification of Compliance Status must be sent within 60 days following completion of the initial performance test, or 30 days after completion of performance evaluation of a continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS). Semiannual or annual compliance reports are required after the compliance date for the engine, depending on the engine size.