The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) has recently amended Rules 4306 and 4320 which apply to gaseous or liquid fuel fired boilers, steam generators, and process heaters with a total rated heat input greater than 5 MMBtu/hr. Rule 4306 establishes a maximum NOx limit that units must meet in order to operate within the district, and Rule 4320 establishes more strict NOx limits for units that fall within the category, which are generally technology advancing / forcing. With Rule 4320, operators are given three options to comply:
1. Meet specified emissions limit
2. Pay emissions fee annually to the District
3. Comply with low-use provision (fuel limit of ≤ 1.8 billion Btu/yr)
The primary compliance option, whether governed by Rule 4306 or 4320, is to meet a limit of 2½ ppm NOx by 2023. If compliance is proven at 2½ ppm through source testing, end users will not be subject to any additional emission fees. However, if an alternate compliance option is chosen (5 ppm or 7 ppm NOx based on the table below), end-users may be required to pay additional annual fees of $9,350 per ton of NOx emissions. Fees are based upon the tons of NOx emitted annually, between zero NOx and the permitted NOx limit.
Regardless of which method of control is chosen, the SJVAPCD will require each facility to submit an Emissions Compliance Plan no later than May 1, 2022. Learn more about which category your facility falls into, what your options are, and how Nationwide Boiler can assist with your understanding of these complex requirements as well as preparing the Emissions Compliance Plan.
