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EPA Finalizes Its Approach to Fugitive Emissions

Release Date: 12/10/2008
Contact Information: Cathy Milbourn, (202) 564-4355/7849 / milbourn.cathy@epa.gov

(12/10/08) EPA is issuing final New Source Review (NSR) rule that requires consistent accounting for air emissions that are not released through a stack, vent or other confined air stream. For example, these emissions, also called fugitive emissions, can escape from equipment leaks or evaporation. The revision requires facilities to account for fugitive emissions from major modifications to existing facilities the same way they account for fugitive emissions from major newly constructed facilities under the NSR program. Fugitive emissions would be included in determining whether a physical or operational change is a major modification only for industries designated through previous Clean Air Act rulemakings.

Affected industries include electric services, petroleum refining, industrial chemical products, and pulp and paper mills.

For more information on this final rule and the NSR Program visit: epa.gov/nsr