Crompton Corporation (Formerly Witco Corporation)
Witco Draft FPA Available for Public Comment
PROJECT XL
FINAL PROJECT AGREEMENT
Between OSi Specialties, Inc.
A Subsidiary of Witco Corporation and U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and West Virginia Division of Environmental
Protection For The OSi Specialties Plant in Sistersville,
West Virginia
DRAFT FINAL
FINAL PROJECT AGREEMENT
OSI SPECIALTIES CONTENTS
I. Purpose
II. Project Description
III. Project XL Criteria
IV. Performance Standards
V. Allowable Exclusion/Allowable Increase
VI. Implementation
VII. Modification
VIII. Duration and Reevaluation of Project
IX. Termination
X. Dispute Resolution
XI. Rights Retained
XII. Transfer of Project Benefits and Responsibilities
XIII. FPA Signatories and Contact Persons
XIV. Notice
APPENDICES
Appendix A Wastewater Collection and Treatment System
Flow Diagram
Appendix B Capper Flow Diagram
Appendix C Regulatory Analysis
Appendix D Emissions Analysis
Appendix E Public Involvement Plan
Appendix F Cost Estimates
Appendix G EPA Prioritized Chemical List for Waste Minimization/Pollution
Prevention Study
I. Purpose
A. Purpose of the XL Program
This Final Project Agreement ("FPA") states the intention
of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), the West
Virginia Division of Environmental Protection ("WVDEP") and
OSi Specialties, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Witco Corporation,
("OSi") to carry out a pilot project as part of EPA's "Project
XL" program to test innovative approaches to environmental protection.
Project XL is an EPA initiative to test the extent to which regulatory
flexibility, and other innovative environmental approaches, can be used
to achieve both superior environmental performance and reduced economic
burdens.
B. Purpose of This Final Project Agreement
This FPA is intended to be a joint statement of the plans and intentions
of EPA, WVDEP, and OSi (collectively "the parties") with regard
to the project approved for implementation at the Sistersville, West
Virginia plant of OSi (the "Project"). This FPA is intended
to clearly state the plans of the parties and to reflect the firm commitment
of each party to carry out the Project.
This FPA is not, however, intended to
create legal rights or obligations and is not an enforceable contract
or a regulatory action such as a permit or rule. Nevertheless,
some provisions of this FPA will be implemented through rulemaking,
consent orders and/or permitting, the terms and conditions of which
will be legally enforceable. All parties to this FPA will strive
for a high level of cooperation, communication, and coordination to
assure successful, effective, and efficient administration of the FPA
and the Project.
II. Project Description
A. Facility Description
1. General Background
OSi is a specialty chemical manufacturer. At its chemical manufacturing
plant near Sistersville, West Virginia (the "Facility"), OSi
produces a broad range of silicone and silane products. The Facility
is located along the east side of the Ohio River in Long Reach, West
Virginia, approximately six miles south of Sistersville, West Virginia
on State Route 2. It is located in a rural setting near the border
of Tyler and Pleasants Counties, and is situated on approximately 1300
acres of land. The operating units are situated centrally within
the Facility and encompass approximately 50 acres.
Preliminary aggregate figures from the 1990 Census conducted
by the United States Bureau of the Census show a total population of
9,796 for Tyler County and 7,546 for Pleasants County. Both counties
are characterized as rural and have populations with an average age
of approximately 35 years. Only one residence on the West Virginia
(east) side of the Ohio River is within a mile radius of the Facility.
This residence is more than 3,000 feet from the northern boundary
of the operating units at the Facility. Several other residences
are located approximately 4,000 to 5,000 feet from the Facility on the
Ohio (west) side of the Ohio River. The town of Ben's Run is located
approximately 6,000 feet southwest of the Facility. There are
no schools, hospitals or retirement centers within 8 miles of the Facility.
There are three small industrial facilities located within one
mile of the Facility to the southwest.
The surface rock formations in the area of the Facility
are of sedimentary origin. They consist primarily of sandstones,
siltstones, claystones, shales, and coals. The Facility is underlain
by alluvium composed primarily of silty sand with some gravel. Depths
to bedrock vary from approximately 45 to 80 feet. The bedrock
is composed primarily of sandstones, siltstones, claystones, coal and
shales of the Monogahela Series.
Just to the north of the operating units at the Facility
is Sugar Camp Run. Sugar Camp Run is a small intermittent stream
that flows generally westward to the Ohio River. In the upper
hillside areas, immediately adjacent to Sugar Camp Run, and generally
to the east of the operating units, vegetation consists of typical tree
species, such as black willow, American sycamore, black locust, and
sugar maple. The ground vegetation consists primarily of jewelweed,
horsetail, crown vetch, and grasses. The alluvial flood plain
adjacent to the Facility is generally meadow-like. Most of this
area contains few trees, but does contain grasses, crown vetch, dandelions,
goldenrod, etc.
Benthic population (flies, beetles, worms) are found in
portions of Sugar Camp Run in varying degrees, depending on the intermittent
water flow in the run. A variety of fish and wildlife habitats
exist in the periphery of the Facility. Typical wildlife include:
mammals such as mice and rabbits; birds such as crows, killdeer,
sparrows, and turkeys; fish such as the darter and minnows; reptiles
such as turtles and snakes; and amphibians such as salamanders, frogs,
and toads. According to the WV Division of Natural Resources,
Wildlife Resources Section, Natural Heritage Program, no known occurrences
of any endangered or threatened species occur within the vicinity of
the Facility.
Groundwater levels in the floodplain area appear to be
controlled by the elevations of the Ohio River and fluctuate directly
with the river. Water levels along the hillside at the eastern border
of the facility are controlled by the slope of the bedrock, seasonal
rainfall, and permeability of the soils. Groundwater flow is generally
from northeast to the southwest. The aquifer is recharged by the
floodplain to the north, the hillside to the east, possibly the bedrock
formations below, and during high river stage by the river to the west.
The operating units are above the 100-year flood elevation. Depth
to groundwater near the operating units is approximately 50 feet.
2. Plant Manufacturing
Areas
The Facility is divided into four manufacturing groups
as follows:
a. The
Silanes Department manufactures organofunctional silanes and intermediates.
b. The
New Product Development Department manufactures various organofunctional
silanes and intermediates. Equipment in this area is also used
by on-site research and development for new product development and
is operated by manufacturing personnel.
c. The
Polymers I Department manufactures silicone fluids and silane esters.
d. The
Polymers II Department manufactures silicone surfactants, emulsions,
antifoams, and oils. Included in this department is the polyether
methyl capper unit, which, under this Project, will be the focus of
emissions control and sludge reduction efforts. The capper unit
is described more fully in Section II.A.5. below.
3. Environmental
Protection/Energy Systems Department (EP/ES Department)
The EP/ES Department is responsible for treatment and
disposal of plant wastes as well as supplying plant utilities. Included
in the EP operating areas are the Facility's hazardous waste incinerator,
No. 2 hazardous waste landfill, wastewater treatment facility (including
the dewatering unit and hydrolysis reactor), groundwater recovery well,
hazardous waste container storage pads, drum flushing station, clean
sewer skimmer, and Facility septic system. The ES area includes
the Facility boiler house, four wells which supply water to the Facility,
air compressors which supply plant air, and a nitrogen unit operated
by a contractor.
4. Process Sewer
System
The process sewer system collects wastewater streams (including
process water such as scrubber water and vacuum jets, and intermittent
waste streams from clean-up operations) from the Facility's manufacturing
units and transports the wastewater via a collection system to the wastewater
treatment unit located in the EP area. The process sewer system
transports the wastewater through several treatment steps including
primary and secondary neutralization, primary clarification, equalization,
biological treatment, secondary clarification, and air stripping for
removal of any residual alkyl halides. This wastewater collection
and treatment system treats approximately 5.5 million gallons of wastewater
per day, discharging the treated effluent into the Ohio River through
a 30-inch high density polyethylene line under a National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") permit. (A wastewater
collection and treatment system flow diagram is attached at Appendix
A.)
As part of this system, wastewater from the incinerator's
air pollution control equipment (which is a listed hazardous waste under
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA")) is mixed
with the other Facility process wastewater, and the mixture is managed
in one of two lined, permitted minimum technology requirement ("MTR")
surface impoundments (the "surface impoundments"). In
addition, the surface impoundments receive leachate from the on-site
hazardous waste landfill which is also a listed hazardous waste under
RCRA. These surface impoundments are each approximately 1 million
gallons in size. As a result of the treatment and disposal of
the hazardous wastes mentioned above, the surface impoundments are considered
to be hazardous waste management units. Federal and state hazardous
waste management requirements will apply to these impoundments so long
as the wastewater is considered hazardous waste.
5. Proposed Methyl
Capper Unit Controls and Methanol Collection System
The polyether methyl capper unit (the "capper unit")
operates continuously and performs a two-step reaction. A process
flow diagram of the capper unit is attached at Appendix B. First,
polyether (polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide polymers) and sodium
methylate in methanol are fed into the first stage "devolatilizer"
in which methanol is stripped from the product. This first step
results in additional methanol, plus a sodium salt of the polyether
which is then processed in the second step of the reaction. A
portion of the stripped methanol is condensed, collected in a tank,
and is either disposed of in the wastewater treatment unit ("WWTU")
or incinerated. Under this Project, the collected methanol will
be transferred to tank trucks or rail cars for reuse or recycling. Absent
the Project, the condensed methanol could continue to be disposed of
in the WWTU or incinerated.
In the second step, the sodium salt of the polyether is
routed to the methyl chloride contactor, in which methyl chloride is
added to produce the methyl capped polyether, which is the intended
product. Under this Project, excess methyl chloride and dimethyl
ether generated in the reaction will be collected from various vents
and will be routed via a closed-vent system to a thermal incinerator.
The incinerator will be capable of achieving a minimum 98% destruction
efficiency of the organic compounds in the vent stream. This incineration
will produce hydrogen chloride gas as a by-product, which will be controlled
with a water scrubber that discharges to the process sewer. Absent
the Project, no thermal incinerator or other control device for the
process vent stream from the capper unit would be required.
B. Overview of the Project
Under this Project, OSi will reduce air emissions and
waste that would otherwise be generated by its capper unit in two distinct
ways. First, air emissions of organic compounds (methyl chloride,
dimethyl ether, and methanol) from process vents associated with the
capper unit will be reduced by 98% by the installation and operation
of a currently unrequired control device. Second, discharges of
condensed methanol from the capper unit's recovery equipment to the
wastewater treatment system will be minimized. OSi will direct
95% of the recovered methanol toward recycling or thermal recovery/treatment,
and will restrict traditional bio-treatment of the methanol in wastewater
treatment units. It is OSi's goal to direct as much of the methanol
to reuse or recovery as is feasible. OSi will thereby reduce loading
on, and secondary air emissions from, the on-site wastewater treatment
system, and will decrease sludge generation and subsequent disposal
of sludge in the on-site hazardous waste landfill. Based on estimates
of historical performance of the methanol condenser, OSi anticipates
that approximately fifty percent of the methanol generated by the capper
unit will be recovered. In total, the Project is anticipated to
reduce annual air emissions by approximately 309,000 pounds and annual
sludge generation by approximately 800,000 pounds, as compared to 1995
emissions and sludge generation.
The parties recognize that pollution prevention is an
integral part of modern environmental management. While enormous
strides in environmental protection have been made through the use of
"end of pipe controls," pollution prevention strategies can
often achieve further, substantial environmental performance in a more
cost-effective manner. In the past, OSi has implemented a number
of pollution reduction opportunities at the Facility, and is committed
to implementing source reduction where possible and cost-effective.
In an effort to formalize its continuing source reduction efforts,
OSi will, as part of the Project, implement a comprehensive waste minimization/pollution
prevention project (the "WMPP Project"). Consistent
with EPA's Hazardous Waste Minimization National Plan, the reduction
of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic constituents in the Facility's
waste streams will be one focus of the WMPP Project.
The WMPP Project will include a study of plant operations
in an effort to identify existing and future pollution prevention and
waste minimization opportunities. OSi will retain an outside consultant
to work with plant and corporate personnel to conduct this study. As
set forth in Section IV, OSi expects to implement those waste minimization
and/or pollution prevention opportunities which are technically and
economically feasible. Through the use of an Advisory Committee,
OSi will involve EPA, WVDEP, and appropriate stakeholder representative(s)
in the study and implementation phases of the WMPP Project.
As an incentive for undertaking all of the above measures,
EPA and WVDEP (the "Agencies") intend to propose and (subject
to review of public comment) implement a limited deferral of certain
air emission control requirements applicable to the Facility's wastewater
collection and treatment system under Subpart CC of Parts 264 and 265
of the federal hazardous waste program and the state equivalent. If
the Project is not implemented, OSi would address the RCRA Subpart CC
standards by replacing the surface impoundments with open top tanks.
As described in more detail in Section II.C.1.a., the tanks would
not be subject to the RCRA Subpart CC requirements, and their level
of air emissions would be the same as that of the surface impoundments.
Moreover, absent the Project, methanol discharges to the process
sewer as waste would continue, and OSi would be under no obligation
to undertake the WMPP Project. Thus, this means of addressing
the existing RCRA Subpart CC control requirements would result in no
decrease in air emissions from the wastewater collection and treatment
system, and would have no effect on sludge generation. Capital
costs associated with complying with the RCRA Subpart CC requirements
in this manner are approximately $2,500,000. The capital costs
OSi will incur as a result of this Project are approximately $600,000.
Also, in limited circumstances, OSi would obtain a deferral
of the application of separate proposed air emission control requirements
expected to be codified at 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Subpart YYY of the Clean
Air Act ("CAA") regulations. As discussed in Section
II.C.1.b., OSi believes that these provisions might apply to the Facility
if OSi undertakes certain waste minimization activities. As proposed,
these regulations could require emission controls on the wastewater
collection and treatment system. OSi estimates the cost associated
with implementation of such controls to be approximately $2,500,000.
This additional cost would likely prevent the implementation of
a number of waste minimization activities. The Project provides
for a limited deferral of the CAA Subpart YYY provisions where certain
criteria are met by OSi.
C. Identification of Regulatory Flexibility
This section describes the nature of the regulatory flexibility
to be obtained through this Project. First, it summarizes the
legal authorities that are relevant to or impacted by the Project. Second,
it highlights how the Project affects the otherwise potentially applicable
requirements. Last, it describes the manner in which the regulatory
flexibility will be implemented.
1. Relevant Federal
and State Regulations
The major federal and state regulations which are relevant
to this Project are set forth below. Further description of these
and other relevant federal and state regulations is included in the
Regulatory Analysis attached at Appendix C.
a. Air
Emission Standards for Hazardous Waste Tanks, Surface Impoundments,
and Containers
The federal hazardous waste regulations pertinent to this
Project implement Section 3004(n) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act ("RCRA"). These regulations establish requirements
for the control of air emissions from hazardous waste tanks, surface
impoundments and containers and are set forth at 40 C.F.R. Parts 264
and 265, Subpart CC. West Virginia has incorporated these federal
regulations into its air quality regulations at 45 C.S.R. 25. (These
federal and state regulations will be collectively referred to in this
FPA as "RCRA Subpart CC.") Under RCRA Subpart CC, OSi
would be required to meet certain standards to control air emissions
from its two surface impoundments, a number of hazardous waste tanks
and containers, and certain transfer systems between some of those units.
With respect to the OSi surface impoundments, RCRA Subpart
CC would require the installation of some type of air emissions control
equipment. Alternatively, OSi could replace its two surface impoundments
with two aboveground tanks which are exempted from the RCRA regulatory
program because they would be part of a wastewater treatment system
permitted under the NPDES program to discharge to the Ohio River. See 40
C.F.R. ' 264.1(g)(6). Because these tanks would be exempt from
RCRA permitting, the tanks would not be subject to the RCRA Subpart
CC requirements. OSi's evaluation of these alternatives has shown
the most economical option to address RCRA Subpart CC would have been
the replacement of the surface impoundments with aboveground tanks for
a cost of approximately $2,500,000. The replacement of the surface
impoundments would have no significant effect on air emissions from
the wastewater treatment system at the Facility due to the expected
configuration of the tanks.
RCRA Subpart CC also sets forth management standards intended
to control organic emissions from containers and tanks. OSi is
not seeking regulatory relief with respect to the hazardous waste containers
and tanks within the scope of this Project, and will comply with the
RCRA Subpart CC requirements, to the extent applicable thereto.
b. New
Source Performance Standards for Volatile Organic Compound Emissions
From the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry's ("SOCMI")
Wastewater
On September 12, 1994, EPA proposed new source performance
standards under Section 111 of the CAA to control volatile organic compound
emissions from wastewater generated by certain SOCMI process units.
As proposed, these standards would generally apply to new or modified
process units that (i) produce as a product, co-product, by-product,
or intermediate any of a specific list of substances ("Subpart
YYY Substances") and (ii) generate a wastewater stream with volatile
organic concentrations above a threshold amount. The standards,
which will be set forth at 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Subpart YYY, are limited
to emission points in the wastewater collection and treatment system
to which the process unit discharges. Although no state equivalent
has been proposed, the parties expect that the state will incorporate
the final standards by reference into the state air quality rules. (These
anticipated federal and state regulations will be collectively referred
to in this FPA as "CAA Subpart YYY.")
If CAA Subpart YYY is promulgated as proposed and if it
becomes applicable to the Facility as a result of process changes or
additions, OSi may be required to place air emission controls on portions
of the wastewater collection and treatment system, including the surface
impoundments (or replacement tanks), the individual drain systems and
process sewers, and other units. OSi anticipates, based upon a
rough estimate of the scope of work, that capital costs to comply with
CAA Subpart YYY as currently proposed would be approximately $2,500,000.
It is important to note that OSi does not currently produce,
nor does it expect to produce in the future, any of the CAA Subpart
YYY Substances as primary products. Based on the proposed rule,
OSi anticipates that the most likely potential trigger of CAA Subpart
YYY applicability to a source at the Facility would be the recovery
and subsequent reuse of a byproduct (such as methanol or acetic acid)
from the waste stream of a new or modified process unit. If such
a triggering event were to occur at any time during the Project, the
cost associated with CAA Subpart YYY compliance would undermine the
economic basis of such recovery/reuse, and the Project itself. In
essence, the benefit to OSi of the deferral obtained under the Project
(i.e., delay in compliance with RCRA Subpart CC surface impoundment
control requirements) would provide no practical relief given the similar
requirements under CAA Subpart YYY. This would occur even if the
increase in volatile organic emissions from the wastewater system resulting
from the addition or modification is relatively small.
The parties acknowledge the competing considerations to
be balanced in working through the relationship between the Project
and the potential future applicability of CAA Subpart YYY. The
Project will result in approximately 300,000 pounds per year reduction
of volatile organic emissions. In addition, the Project includes
a waste minimization/pollution prevention ("WMPP") study that
may, among other results, include one or more WMPP activities designed
to recover, for productive use, constituents that would otherwise enter
waste streams or be released into the environment. If such WMPP
activities involve a new or modified process and include one or more
CAA Subpart YYY Substances, the proposed CAA Subpart YYY indicates that
the associated wastewater treatment system could be subject to air emission
control requirements.
The parties consider the WMPP initiatives to be a significant
contribution to the superior environmental performance offered by the
Project. To avoid discouraging the Facility from undertaking WMPP
activities, the parties have agreed that it is reasonable to offer a
deferral from CAA Subpart YYY applicability triggered by a WMPP activity.
If CAA Subpart YYY would not otherwise be applicable to the new
construction, reconstruction or modification at the Facility, but the
inclusion of a WMPP activity causes CAA Subpart YYY to be applicable,
the EPA and WVDEP expect to defer applicability of CAA Subpart YYY to
that new construction, reconstruction, or modification, for the minimum
Project term as defined in Section II.D. Given the possibility
that the final CAA Subpart YYY rule could differ significantly from
the proposal, the parties acknowledge that after publication in the
Federal Register of the final rule, further evaluation of
the deferral provisions of Section V of the FPA may be appropriate.
c. National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions From Miscellaneous
Organic Chemical Processes
EPA plans to promulgate national emission standards for
hazardous air pollutants ("NESHAPs") applicable to miscellaneous
organic processes (the "MON") under Section 112 of the CAA
by November 15, 2000. The MON is expected to apply to organic
chemical processes which are covered by Standard Industrial Classification
major group code 28 (Chemical Manufacturing) and which are not covered
by another NESHAP. EPA anticipates that the MON will establish
air emission standards applicable to the capper unit and wastewater
collection and treatment system at the Facility. EPA expects the
standards to establish control requirements for emissions of hazardous
air pollutants from process vents, transfer operations, storage tanks,
equipment leaks and wastewater collection and treatment systems. EPA
further believes that the MON will include process vent control requirements
similar to the proposed control for the capper unit process vent emissions
to be implemented under the Project. Accordingly, EPA expects
to receive superior environmental benefits from the Project only until
such time as compliance with the technical requirements of the MON is
required (the "MON compliance date"). Therefore, this
FPA provides for reevaluation of the Project following the proposal
of the MON. (See Section VIII.)
2. Alternative Compliance
Provided by the Project
Under this Project, OSi would not be required to comply
with RCRA Subpart CC with respect to the surface impoundments or, in
limited circumstances described in Section V, with CAA Subpart YYY during
the minimum Project term, as defined in Section II.D. Instead,
under this Project, OSi will:
a. install
and operate emission controls on the process vents of the existing capper
unit which will significantly reduce Facility emissions beyond levels
anticipated to be achieved by OSi's planned compliance with RCRA Subpart
CC,
b. initiate
reuse/recycling of methanol recovered from the existing capper which
reduces (a) methanol emissions from the wastewater collection and treatment
system, and (b) the loading of methanol in the wastewater treated at
the wastewater treatment plant. The reduction in methanol loading
will decrease the amount of sludge generated and disposed of in the
on-site hazardous waste landfill, and
c. conduct
a pollution prevention/waste minimization study of processes and operations
at the Facility, and, to the extent technically and economically feasible
as defined in Section IV.F., make good faith efforts to implement opportunities
identified during the study.
It is possible that future process changes may result
in the applicability of CAA Subpart YYY (as currently proposed) to the
wastewater collection and treatment system. The parties to this
FPA agree that the "allowable exclusion/allowable increase"
CAA Subpart YYY deferral contained in this Project will apply to future
SOCMI process unit construction, reconstruction or modification that
would trigger CAA Subpart YYY, provided that EPA and WVDEP determine
that the "allowable exclusion" or "allowable increase"
meets the criteria set forth at Section V herein.
OSi and (subject to review of public comment received
on the proposed implementation mechanisms) the Agencies have determined
that the regulatory flexibility described above constitutes an appropriate
incentive for the expected reduction in air emissions, the sludge generation,
and performance of the WMPP Project.
D. Project Implementation/Duration
OSi's implementation of the Project is conditioned upon
the issuance by the Agencies of the implementation mechanisms described
in Section VI (e.g., the EPA site-specific RCRA rule and the
WVDEP Consent Order) consistent with the provisions of this FPA. The
parties to the FPA agree to the following implementation schedule:
1. By April 1, 1998,
OSi will complete installation and initial start-up of a thermal incinerator
on the capper unit's process vents. By July 14, 1997, OSi expects
to have entered into a contract for the purchase of the thermal incinerator.
By December 15, 1997, OSi expects to have received on-site the
thermal incinerator. By January 15, 1998, OSi expects to have
initiated on-site installation of the thermal incinerator.
2. OSi will continue
methanol recovery and commence methanol reuse/recycling as set forth
in this FPA within 10 days of the signing of this FPA by all parties.
3. Within forty-five
(45) days of signing of the FPA by all parties, OSi will select a Study
Team to perform the WMPP Study. OSi will implement the WMPP Project
in accordance with the timeframes set forth in Section IV.F. of this
FPA.
The parties expect that this Project will be in operation
until the date on which any emission controls applicable to the capper
unit and the wastewater collection and treatment system under the MON
are required to be operated (the "minimum Project term") unless
reevaluation under Section VIII of this FPA allows otherwise.
E. Enforceability
This FPA is not intended to create legal rights or obligations
and is not an enforceable contract or a regulatory action such as a
permit or rule. This applies to both the substantive and the procedural
provisions of the FPA. Thus, for example, the FPA establishes
procedures that the parties intend to follow with respect to termination
under the FPA. However, while the parties fully intend to follow
these procedures, they are not legally obligated to do so. Because
it is not legally enforceable, the FPA is not an agency "action"
that could be reviewable; in addition, no action or omission by any
party to the FPA could give rise to any claim against the party for
penalties, damages or other compensation based solely on the claim that
the action or omission was at variance with a provision or provisions
of the FPA.
III. Project XL Criteria
A. Environmental Results
The Project will attain reductions in air emissions (primarily
methyl chloride) over the term of the Project superior to those reductions
that would otherwise be obtained through compliance with RCRA Subpart
CC absent the Project. OSi's XL Project will require a baseline
for measurement and evaluation of future results. Two scenarios
(based on 1995 production rates for the unit) have been developed to
establish this preliminary baseline and as a comparison method to demonstrate
the superior environmental performance of this Project. The first
scenario represents the environmental results expected under this XL
Project. The second scenario represents the environmental results
expected without implementation of the Project. The values presented
are best engineering estimates and should be viewed only as estimates
and not expected absolute values. These values are used for evaluation
only, and will not constitute performance standards for the Project.
The values could increase or decrease depending upon production
requirements, waste minimization projects under Section IV.F., and possible
use of the allowable exclusion/allowable increase procedures under Section
V. The emissions estimates for each scenario will be updated in
each annual report using then-current data.
1. With Project XL
OSi is granted
its XL Project and installs a vent incinerator, to which certain process
vents of the capper unit are routed for air emissions control. Collected
methanol is reused/recycled and is neither discharged to the WWTU nor
incinerated. (Management of the methanol in this manner does not
trigger CAA Subpart YYY controls because, among other reasons, the capper
unit has not been modified or reconstructed.) There are no air
emission controls (RCRA Subpart CC or CAA Subpart YYY) installed on
the WWTU. At the expected end of the Project (assumed to be 2002,
the year in which it is expected that the MON may require control of
capper unit emissions), any required emission controls will be placed
on the capper unit and the WWTU and voluntary methanol collection could
continue.
2. Without Project
XL
OSi is not granted
its XL Project and continues to operate its capper unit without a vent
incinerator. OSi's two surface impoundments are replaced with
two open top tanks. Because these tanks would be exempt from RCRA
permitting (under 40 C.F.R. Sections 264.1(g)(6) and 265.1(c)(10)),
the tanks would not be subject to the RCRA Subpart CC requirements .
OSi continues to collect and reuse or dispose of methanol from
the capper unit. Additional controls on either the capper unit
or WWTU will not be required until the expected MON compliance date,
assumed to be 2002, at the earliest.
The following table, Table 1, depicts, in summary form,
the estimated air emission and waste discharges from the two different
scenarios.
TABLE 1
Baseline | With XL | Without XL | Reduction Due to XL |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Air Emissions from Capper Unit (lb/yr) | 277,000 | 6,300 | 277,000 | 271,000 |
Air Emissions from WWTU (lb/yr) | 140,300 | 102,000 | 140,300 | 38,000 |
Total Project Related Air Emissions (lb/yr) | 417,300 | 108,300 | 417,300 | 309,000 |
Organic Capper Discharges to WWTU (lb/yr) | 790,000 | 389,000 | 940,000 | 551,000* |
Sludge Generated From Capper Methanol (lb/yr) | 1,177,300 | 610,000 | 1,425,000 | 815,000* |
* In these cases, the "Reduction Due to XL" is calculated by subtracting the "With XL" column figure from the "Without XL" column figure because it is anticipated that the "Baseline" column figures will not be representative of future operations. In 1995, the baseline year, 790,000 pounds of methanol and other organics were sent to the WWTU, and 150,000 pounds of methanol were incinerated on-site. However, due to operational factors, OSi expects that absent the Project most of the methanol from the capper unit would be discharged to the WWTU in years after 1996.
Absent the Project, OSi's method of addressing RCRA
Subpart CC with respect to the surface impoundments would result in
no decrease in air emissions. In contrast, under the Project,
incinerator vent controls on the capper unit would reduce annual Facility
air emissions associated with the process by an estimated 309,000
pounds. A more detailed discussion and presentation of estimated
emissions with and without this Project is contained in the Emissions
Analysis attached at Appendix D.
The Project will also include important pollution prevention
components consisting of OSi's commitment to perform methanol recovery
and to undertake the WMPP Project. By recovering the methanol,
OSi will reduce the loading of methanol in the wastewater treated
at the wastewater treatment plant, as well as reducing the amount
of sludge that would be generated and disposed of in the on-site hazardous
waste landfill absent Project XL. Without Project XL, an estimated
940,000 pounds of organics (over 90 percent of which is methanol)
could be discharged to the wastewater treatment plant annually, generating
1,425,000 pounds of hazardous waste sludge. In contrast, the
Project will result in an estimated net decrease in organics loading
by 551,000 pounds annually, reducing sludge generation by 815,000
pounds. Moreover, OSi intends to identify and implement other
waste minimization/pollution prevention opportunities through the
WMPP Project.
As noted previously, it is likely that the MON will
apply in the future to require some level of control of emissions
from the capper unit and the wastewater collection and treatment system.
That event would not diminish the superior environmental performance
obtained prior to the compliance date of the MON under this Project.
The total emission reductions and pollution prevention achieved
as a result of implementation of the Project during the minimum Project
term will be significant. As noted previously, absent the Project,
OSi would address RCRA Subpart CC by replacing the two surface impoundments
with two open top tanks not subject to RCRA Subpart CC. Even
if OSi were to comply with RCRA Subpart CC by covering the surface
impoundments, the resulting air emission reductions of approximately
45,000 pounds would be less than one-sixth of the air emission reductions
expected under this Project. Thus, the Project is expected to
result in a positive overall environmental impact for organic air
emissions reductions during the minimum Project term.
B. Stakeholder Support
OSi has undertaken an extensive program to measure and
maintain stakeholder support for the Project. This program is
described in detail in the Public Involvement Plan prepared for this
Project, which is attached at Appendix E. OSi focused on a number
of stakeholder groups, including the local community, workers at the
plant (both salaried and union), and local, state and national environmental
groups. Support for the Project has been consistent, as indicated
by the letters of support and news clippings which will be included
in the FPA's administrative record file.
Stakeholder involvement during the Project development
stage was cultivated in several ways. The methods included communicating
through the media (newspaper and radio announcements), directly contacting
interested parties, and offering an educational program on the regulatory
programs impacted by the Project.
As the Project moves from the development stage to implementation,
the stakeholder involvement program will shift its focus to ensuring
that (1) stakeholders are apprised of the status of Project construction
and operation, and (2) stakeholders have access to information sufficient
to judge the success of the Project. Anticipated stakeholder
involvement during the term of the Project will likely include another
general public meeting to present the final draft FPA, periodic status
reports, availability of data and other information generated during
the Project, and appointment of an OSi Project XL contact at the Facility
to serve as a resource for the community. For example, the Project
reporting protocols will call for notification of interested parties
of the availability of semiannual and annual Project reports.
C. Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation
Monitoring, reporting, and evaluation information will
be made available to EPA, WVDEP, and stakeholders as provided in Section
IV.H. of this FPA. The performance standards for this Project,
set forth in Section IV of this FPA, encompass clear objectives and
requirements which will allow EPA and the public to evaluate the success
of this Project.
D. Cost Savings and Paperwork Reduction
Project XL will result in significant cost deferrals
to OSi. As indicated in the cost savings table attached at Appendix
F, the capital costs associated with compliance with RCRA Subpart
CC are approximately $2,500,000, to be incurred by the end of 1997,
resulting in no decrease in air emissions from the two surface impoundments.
These costs include $2,000,000 for the replacement of the two
surface impoundments with two open top tanks exempt from RCRA regulation
and approximately $500,000 for RCRA closure of the surface impoundments.
Compliance with CAA Subpart YYY, if applicable, could be achieved
by fitting the replacement tanks with covers and emission controls
and by sealing and controlling the wastewater collection and treatment
system. CAA Subpart YYY compliance costs, if incurred, could
add up to an additional $2,500,000, resulting in a reduction in annual
air emissions of approximately 130,000 pounds from the WWTU and collection
system.
In contrast, the cost of installing emission controls
on the existing capper unit will be $600,000 and will result in the
annual reduction of about 860,000 pounds of organic compounds discharged
to the air and water. These figures reflect the capital costs
of the equipment, but do not include the additional costs of operation
and maintenance, which are also expected to be higher absent the Project.
In addition, decreased sludge generation will extend the useful
life of the existing on-site landfill.
E. Innovation/Multi-Media Pollution
Prevention
The Project will test an innovative alternative to traditional
regulation. Having quantified the anticipated benefits to be
achieved under OSi's expected approach for addressing RCRA Subpart
CC at the Facility, OSi identified more cost-effective measures which
result in superior reductions of Facility air emissions. Thus,
under the Project, OSi will install and operate controls on a currently
unregulated emissions source in exchange for a deferral with respect
to the otherwise applicable control requirements on another emission
source. In addition, the Project provides a cross-media benefit
in that OSi will also reduce sludge generation. This approach
will achieve a superior reduction in air emissions and waste generation
at the Facility in exchange for relief from the RCRA Subpart CC and,
in limited circumstances, potential relief from CAA Subpart YYY air
emission requirements. See the Emissions Analysis at Appendix
D for a more complete discussion of these estimated reductions. Further,
OSi will perform the WMPP Project to identify and implement opportunities
for waste minimization and pollution prevention at the Facility.
The Project will reduce organic compound emissions in
two ways: (a) control of emissions from capper unit process
vents and (b) reduction of secondary emissions from the wastewater
collection and treatment system. Recovery of methanol is also
an innovative approach to pollution prevention. It significantly
reduces loading of methanol to wastewater, reduces secondary emissions,
and reduces the volume of sludge land-disposed. The Project
is also innovative in that it allows OSi to proceed with pollution
prevention efforts that may be otherwise economically infeasible given
the anticipated cost to OSi of compliance with CAA Subpart YYY, which
may be triggered by such pollution prevention efforts.
F. Transferability
The reduction of emissions from otherwise unregulated
sources in exchange for relief from regulation of other sources is
easily transferable to other facilities. A large universe of
facilities exist that have either "grandfathered" sources
or new sources that are not subject to extensive control. This
Project could be an example to such facilities of what is possible,
as well as a proving ground for a broader industry-wide approach to
flexible, performance-based regulation.
The Project also integrates two pollution prevention
concepts, waste minimization and recycling, with the broader goal
of achieving superior environmental results through an innovative
regulatory approach. Application of these concepts recognizes
that modifications to existing regulation can be used effectively
to achieve meaningful pollution prevention.
G. Feasibility
The available organic compound emission control technology
and methanol recovery equipment that OSi expects to use under the
Project are state-of-the art, and the expected performance is considered
reasonable and attainable. In addition, the emissions reductions
to be gained are from proven technology. OSi has the resources
necessary to implement the Project and intends to apply those resources
to the Project.
H. Shifting of Risk Burden
OSi will follow applicable state and federal requirements
(including OSHA standards) to ensure worker safety during construction
and implementation of the Project. Representatives of the workers'
union have been present during FPA negotiations, and will be closely
involved in the development and implementation of the Project.
OSi has analyzed Executive Order No. 12898 on Environmental
Justice, and concluded that the Project will result in no unjust or
disproportionate environmental impacts. The Project will result
in reductions in air emissions which benefit all persons working in
or living near the Facility. Moreover, no person or population
has been excluded either from participation in the development of
this FPA or from the enjoyment of the benefits of the Project on the
basis of their race, color, national origin, or level of income.
IV. Performance Standards
The following performance standards will be incorporated
in, and become legally effective and enforceable through, the legal
mechanisms used to implement the Project:
A. Installation of Capper Unit Control
Device and Methanol Recovery Operation
1. Initial start-up
of a thermal incinerator on the capper unit's process vents -- from
the first stage vacuum pump, from the flash pot and surge tank, and
from the water stripper (see flow diagram in Appendix B) -- will be
completed by April 1, 1998. For these purposes, the term "start-up"
shall have the meaning set forth at 40 C.F.R. ' 63.2.
2. Methanol recovery
and reuse/recycling will commence within 10 days of signing of the
FPA by all parties.
3. Notification of
the actual date of initial start-up and commencement will be provided
to EPA and WVDEP as soon as practicable, but in no event later than
15 days after such events.
B. Operation of the Capper Unit Process Vent
Incinerator
1. Performance Standard
a. Except
as provided under Section IV.B.4. herein, the process vent thermal
incinerator will reduce emissions of total organic compounds ("TOC")
from the process vent streams identified in Section IV.A.1., above,
by 98 weight-percent or to a concentration of 20 parts per million
by volume, on a dry basis, corrected to 3 percent oxygen, whichever
is less stringent. Compliance will be determined as follows:
(1) Prior to conducting the initial performance test, compliance
is demonstrated by operating the thermal incinerator at or above a
minimum temperature of 1600E F.
(2) After the initial performance test, compliance is demonstrated
by operating the thermal incinerator at or above the minimum temperature
established during the initial performance test described in Section
IV.B.2.a.(1), below.
(3) The process vent thermal incinerator will be in operation
at all times during which the capper unit is being operated to manufacture
product.
b. OSi
will install, calibrate, and maintain all air pollution control and
monitoring equipment required under Paragraph IV.A.1. and IV.B.2.b.
according to the manufacturer's specifications, or other written procedures
that provide adequate assurance that the equipment will reasonably
be expected to control and monitor accurately, and in a manner consistent
with good air pollution control practices during all periods when
emissions are generated.
2. Performance Testing
and Monitoring
a. Initial
Performance Test
(1) Within sixty (60) days after vent incinerator initial start-up,
OSi will conduct a performance test to determine the minimum temperature
at which compliance with the emission reduction requirement specified
in Section IV.B.1. is achieved. This determination will be made
by measuring TOC (minus methane and ethane) in the emissions from
the thermal incinerator using the procedures set forth in the relevant
provisions of 40 C.F.R. ' 63.116, although the parties recognize that
these regulatory requirements are not directly applicable.
(2) The initial performance test will be conducted consistent
with 40 C.F.R. ' 63.116, although the parties recognize that these
regulatory requirements are not directly applicable, and any additional
requirements as may be specified by WVDEP.
b. Monitoring
Upon initial start-up, OSi will install, calibrate, maintain and operate
according to manufacturer's specifications and in a manner consistent
with good air pollution control practices the following equipment:
(1) A temperature monitoring device equipped with a continuous
recorder. The temperature monitoring device shall be installed
in the firebox or in the duct work immediately downstream of the firebox
in a position before any substantial heat exchange is encountered.
(2) A flow indicator that provides a record of vent stream
flow to the incinerator at least once every fifteen minutes. The
flow indicator will be installed in the vent stream from the process
vent at a point closest to the inlet of the incinerator.
(3) If the closed-vent system includes bypass devices that
could be used to divert the gas or vapor stream to the atmosphere
before entering the control device, each bypass device shall be equipped
with either a bypass flow indicator as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(i)
or a seal or locking device as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of
this Section. For the purpose of complying with this paragraph,
low leg drains, high point bleeds, analyzer vents, open-ended valves
or lines, spring-loaded pressure relief valves, and other fittings
used for safety purposes are not considered to be bypass devices.
(i) If a bypass flow indicator is used
to comply with paragraph (b)(3) of this Section, the bypass flow indicator
shall be installed at the inlet to the bypass line used to divert
gases and vapors from the closed-vent system to the atmosphere at
a point upstream of the control device inlet.
(ii) If a seal or locking device is used
to comply with paragraph (b)(3) of this Section, the device shall
be placed on the mechanism by which the bypass device position is
controlled (e.g., valve handle, damper levels) when the bypass device
is in the closed position such that the bypass device cannot be opened
without breaking the seal or removing the lock. Examples of
such devices include, but are not limited to, a car-seal or lock-and-key
configuration valve. OSi shall visually inspect the seal or
closure mechanism at least once every month to verify that the bypass
mechanism is maintained in the closed position.
(4) For purposes of this Section, the term "flow indicator"
means a device which indicates whether gas flow is present in the
vent stream, and, if required by the permit for the thermal incinerator,
which measures the gas flow in that stream.
(5) For purposes of this Section, the term "continuous
recorder" means a data recording device that records an instantaneous
data value at least once every fifteen minutes.
3. Recordkeeping
OSi will keep an
up-to-date, readily accessible record of the following:
a.
Data measured during the initial performance test regarding the firebox
temperature of the incinerator and the percent reduction of TOC achieved
by the incinerator, and/or such other information required in addition
to or in lieu of that information by the WVDEP in its approval of
equivalent test methods and procedures.
b.
Continuous records of the equipment operating procedures specified
to be monitored under Section IV.B.2.b., as well as records of periods
of operation during which the firebox temperature falls below the
minimum temperature established under Section IV.B.1.a.
c.
Records of all periods during which the vent stream has no flow rate
to the extent that the capper unit is being operated during such period.
d.
Records of all periods during which there is flow through a bypass
device.
4. Start-up, Shutdown,
Maintenance and Malfunction
a.
OSi will develop and implement a Start-up, Shutdown and Malfunction
Plan consistent with the provisions set forth below and any additional
requirements set forth by WVDEP in the operating permit for the thermal
incinerator issued under 45 C.S.R. 13. The plan shall describe,
in detail, procedures for operating and maintaining the thermal incinerator
during periods of start-up, shutdown and malfunction and a program
of corrective action for malfunctions of the thermal incinerator.
b. The purpose
of the plan is to:
(i)
ensure that the thermal incinerator is operated in a manner
consistent with good air pollution control practices,
(ii)
ensure that OSi is prepared to correct malfunctions as soon
as practicable after their occurrence in order to minimize excess
emissions, and
(iii)
reduce the reporting burden associated with periods of start-up, shutdown
and malfunction.
c. During
periods of start-up, shutdown and malfunction, OSi shall maintain
the process unit and the associated thermal incinerator in accordance
with the procedures set forth in the plan.
d. The
plan will contain recordkeeping requirements relating to periods of
start-up, shutdown or malfunction, actions taken during such periods
in conformance with the plan, and any failures to act in conformance
with the plan during such periods.
e. During
periods of maintenance or malfunction of the thermal incinerator,
OSi may continue to operate the capper unit, provided that operation
of the capper unit without the thermal incinerator shall be limited
to no more than 240 hours each calendar year.
f. To
satisfy the requirement to have a plan, OSi may use its operating
procedures manual, or any other plan developed for other reasons,
provided the alternative plans meet the standards set forth above
for the start-up, shutdown and malfunction plan.
C. Operation of the Closed-Vent System
1. Performance Standards
a. At all
times when the process vent thermal incinerator is operating, the
process vent streams identified in Section IV.A. from the capper unit
will be routed to the thermal incinerator through a closed-vent system.
For these purposes, a closed vent system is defined as a system
that is not open to the atmosphere and that is composed of piping,
connections and, if necessary, flow-inducing devices that transport
gas or vapor from the capper unit process vent to the thermal incinerator.
b. The closed-vent
system will be designed for and operated with no detectable emissions,
which for these purposes is defined as an instrument reading of less
than 500 parts per million by volume above background as determined
under EPA Reference Method 21.
2. Compliance Date
OSi will comply with
the performance standard set forth in Section IV.C.1.a. on and after
the date on which the initial performance test referenced in Section
IV.B.2.a. is completed, but no later than sixty (60) days after the
initial start-up date.
3. Monitoring
a. At the
time of the performance test described in Section IV.B.2.a., OSi will
inspect the closed-vent system to determine compliance with Section
IV.C.1.b. The initial inspection will be performed using the
procedures and methods set forth at 40 C.F.R. ' 63.148(c), although
the parties recognize that these regulatory requirements are not directly
applicable.
b. Subsequent
annual inspections will be performed for visible, audible, or olfactory
indications of leaks.
c. If at any
time a defect or leak is detected in the closed-vent system, OSi shall
repair the defect or leak as follows:
(i)
OSi shall make first efforts at repair of the defect no later
than five (5) calendar days after detection, and repair shall be completed
as soon as possible but no later than forty-five (45) calendar days
after detection.
(ii)
OSi shall maintain a record of the defect repair in accordance with
the requirements specified in paragraph 4, below.
4. Recordkeeping:
OSi will keep up-to-date, readily accessible records of the
inspections and repairs referenced above at the Facility.
D. Operation of the Methanol Recovery Operation
1. Performance Standard
The condenser associated
with the methanol recovery operation will be in operation at all times
during which the capper unit is being operated to manufacture product.
2. Monitoring
a. OSi will
perform measurements necessary to determine the following information
needed to demonstrate the percentage recovery by weight of the methanol
contained in the influent gas stream to the condenser:
(1)
such information as is necessary to permit the calculation of
the annual amount of methanol generated by operating the capper unit,
and
(2)
the annual amount of methanol recovered by the condenser associated
with the methanol recovery operation.
b. OSi will
install, calibrate, maintain and operate according to manufacturer
specifications, a temperature monitoring device with a continuous
recorder for the condenser associated with the methanol recovery operation,
as an indicator that the condenser is operating.
c. OSi will
record the dates and times during which the capper unit and the condenser
are operating.
3. Recordkeeping
OSi will keep up-to-date,
readily-accessible records of the parameters specified to be monitored
under Section IV.D.2. at the Facility.
E. Disposition of Methanol Collected by the
Methanol Recovery Operation
1. Performance Standard
On an annual basis,
a minimum of 95% by weight of the methanol collected by the methanol
recovery operation (the "collected methanol") will be utilized
for reuse, recovery, or thermal recovery/treatment (as defined below)
to the extent described below. No more than 5% of the methanol
collected by the methanol recovery operation will be subject to bio-treatment
on an annual basis.
a. "Reuse"
includes the substitution of collected methanol (without reclamation
subsequent to its collection) for virgin methanol as an ingredient
(including uses as an intermediate) or as an effective substitute
for a commercial product. To the extent reuse of all of the
collected methanol destined for reuse, recovery, or thermal recovery
is not economically feasible, the residual portion shall be sent for
recovery as defined in paragraph b., below, except as provided in
paragraph b.
b. "Recovery"
includes the substitution of collected methanol for virgin methanol
as an ingredient (including uses as an intermediate) or as an effective
substitute for a commercial product following reclamation of the methanol
subsequent to its collection. To the extent that reuse or recovery
of all the collected methanol destined for reuse, recovery, or thermal
recovery is not economically feasible, the residual portion shall
be sent for thermal recovery treatment, as defined below.
c. "Thermal
recovery/treatment" includes the use of collected methanol in
fuels blending or as a feed to any combustion device to the extent
permitted by federal or state law.
d. "Bio-treatment"
includes the treatment of the collected methanol through introduction
into a biological treatment system, including the treatment of the
collected methanol as a waste stream in an on-site or off-site wastewater
treatment system. Introduction of the collected methanol to
the on-site wastewater treatment system will be limited to points
downstream of the surface impoundments, and will be consistent with
the requirements of federal and state law.
2. Monitoring
OSi will perform
such measurements as are necessary to determine the pounds of collected
methanol directed to reuse, recovery, thermal recovery/treatment and
bio-treatment, respectively, on a monthly basis.
3. Recordkeeping
OSi shall keep up-to-date,
readily accessible records at the Facility of the amounts of collected
methanol directed to reuse, recovery, thermal recovery/treatment and
bio-treatment necessary for the measurements required under Section
IV.D.2., above.
F. Waste Minimization/Pollution Prevention
("WMPP") Project
1. Performance of WMPP
Project
OSi will perform
a WMPP Project in accordance with the standards and schedules set
forth below. The goal of the WMPP Project is to identify and
implement (1) source reduction opportunities (as defined in EPA's
Hazardous Waste Minimization National Plan, November 1994 (EPA 530/R-94/045)
("National Plan")) that reduce the amount of any hazardous
substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering a waste stream or otherwise
released into the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior
to recycling, treatment, or disposal and reduce the hazards to public
health and the environment associated with the release of such substance,
pollutant, or contaminant and (2) for those waste streams that OSi
concludes cannot be reduced at the source, environmentally sound recycling
opportunities (as defined in the National Plan). One focus of
the WMPP Project will be the reduction of the constituents identified
on the list attached at Appendix G, to the extent that such constituents
are found in wastestreams at the Facility. In performing the
WMPP Project, OSi will utilize a Study Team and an Advisory Committee.
a. Selection
of the Study Team
Within
forty-five (45) days of signing of the FPA by all parties, OSi will
select a Study Team to perform the study phase of the WMPP Project.
At a minimum, the multi-functional Study Team will consist of
OSi personnel from appropriate plant departments (including both management
and employees) and an independent contractor. The contractor
will have appropriate experience and training in waste minimization/pollution
prevention in the chemical manufacturing industry.
b. Functions
of the Study Team
The
Study Team will perform the following functions:
(1)
review Facility operations and waste streams,
(2)
review prior WMPP efforts at the Facility,
(3)
develop criteria for the selection of waste streams to be evaluated
for the WMPP Project,
(4)
based on those criteria, identify and prioritize the waste streams
to be evaluated during the study phase of the WMPP Project, and
(5)
perform the WMPP Study as described below.
c. Establishment
of the Advisory Committee
The
Advisory Committee will consist of a representative from EPA, a representative
from WVDEP, the Facility's Plant Manager, the OSi Director of Safety,
Health and Environmental Affairs, and a stakeholder representative(s).
(1)
EPA and WVDEP will notify OSi of the identity of their respective
representatives no later than 10 days after signing of the FPA by
all parties.
(2)
The stakeholder representative(s) will be selected by mutual
agreement of EPA, WVDEP and OSi within 30 days after signing of the
FPA by all parties.
d. Functions
of the Advisory Committee
The
Advisory Committee will meet within 30 days after selection of the
stakeholder representative(s), and will meet periodically thereafter
as necessary to perform its assigned functions. The members
of the Advisory Committee will perform the following functions:
(1)
review and comment upon the Study Team's criteria for selection
of waste streams, and the Study Team's identification and prioritization
of the waste streams to be evaluated during the WMPP Project,
(2)
review and comment upon the Study Team progress reports and
the draft WMPP Study Report, and
(3)
periodically review the effectiveness of WMPP opportunities
implemented as part of the WMPP Project, and, where appropriate, WMPP
opportunities previously determined to be infeasible by OSi but which
had potential for feasibility in the future.
e. Periodic
Reports of the Study Team
Ninety
(90) days after signing of the FPA by all parties and every ninety
(90) days thereafter until submission of the final WMPP Study Report,
the Study Team will submit a progress report to the Advisory Committee
detailing its efforts during the prior ninety (90) day period.
2. The WMPP Study and
the WMPP Study Report
a. The WMPP
Study will consist of a technical, economic, and regulatory assessment
of opportunities for (1) source reduction and (2) environmentally
sound recycling for waste streams identified by the Study Team.
b. The Study
will: (1) evaluate the source, nature, and volume of the waste
streams, (2) describe all the WMPP opportunities identified by the
Study Team, (3) provide a feasibility screening to evaluate the technical
and economical feasibility of each of the WMPP opportunities, (4)
identify any cross-media impacts or any anticipated transfers of risk
associated with each feasible WMPP opportunity, and (5) identify the
projected economic savings and projected quantitative waste reduction
estimates for each WMPP opportunity identified.
c. Within
twelve (12) months of signing of the FPA by all parties, OSi will
prepare and submit to the members of the Advisory Committee a draft
WMPP Study Report which, at a minimum, includes the results of the
WMPP Study, identifies WMPP opportunities OSi determines to be feasible,
discusses the basis for excluding other opportunities as not feasible,
and makes recommendations as to whether the WMPP Study should be continued.
The members of the Advisory Committee will provide any comments
within thirty (30) days.
3. Implementation of WMPP
Opportunities
OSi will perform
the implementation phase of the WMPP Project, as follows: Within
thirty (30) days after receipt of comments from the members of the
Advisory Committee, OSi will issue a final WMPP Study Report which
identifies those WMPP opportunities OSi determines to be feasible
and includes an implementation schedule for each such WMPP opportunity.
OSi will make reasonable efforts to implement all feasible WMPP
opportunities in accordance with the priorities identified in the
implementation schedule.
a. For purposes
of this FPA, a WMPP opportunity is feasible if, in OSi's judgment,
it is technically feasible (taking into account engineering and regulatory
factors, product line specifications and customer needs) and economically
practical (taking into account the full environmental costs and benefits
associated with the WMPP opportunity and the company's internal requirements
for approval of capital projects). For purposes of the FPA,
"An Introduction to Environmental Accounting as a Business Management
Tool," (EPA 742/R-95/001) will be used as one tool to identify
the full environmental costs and benefits of each WMPP opportunity.
b. As part
of implementing each WMPP opportunity, OSi will, after consulting
with the other members of the Advisory Committee, develop appropriate
protocols and methods for determining the following:
(1)
the overall volume of wastes reduced,
(2)
the quantities of each constituent identified in Appendix G
reduced in the wastes, and
(3)
the economic benefits achieved.
c. Nothing
in this Section IV.F. is intended to prevent or restrict OSi from
evaluating and implementing any WMPP opportunities at the Facility
in the normal course of its operations or from implementing, prior
to the completion of the WMPP Study, any WMPP opportunities identified
by the Study Team.
G. Record Retention
Each record that will be kept under
this Section IV will be retained by OSi for the minimum Project term
unless a longer retention period is required under other laws or permits.
H. Reporting
1. "One-Time"
Reporting
a. OSi will
provide the EPA and WVDEP Project XL contacts with copies of notices
regarding the initial performance test of the thermal incinerator
and the written results of the test which meet the substantive requirements
of 40 C.F.R. '' 63.7(b), (g)(1) and 63.117(a)(4)(i)-(ii), although
the parties recognize that these regulatory requirements are not directly
applicable..
b. No later
than ten (10) days after each milestone date set forth in Section
VI.A. of this FPA, OSi will notify EPA and WVDEP as to whether each
such milestone has been completed.
c. Within
sixty (60) days of signing of the FPA by all parties, OSi will notify
EPA and WVDEP of the names and qualifications of the members of the
Study Team referenced in Section IV.F.
2. Semiannual Reporting
Beginning in 1999,
on January 31 of each year, OSi will provide the following information
to the EPA and WVDEP Project XL contacts with respect to the preceding
six month period ending on December 31:
a. instances
of operating below the minimum operating temperature established for
the thermal incinerator under Section IV.B.1.a., if not corrected
within 24 hours of onset,
b. any periods
during which the capper unit was being operated to manufacture product
while the flow indicator for the vent streams to the thermal incinerator
showed no flow,
c. any periods
during which the capper unit was being operated to manufacture product
while the flow indicator for any bypass device on the closed vent
system to the thermal incinerator showed flow,
d. information
required to be reported during that six month period under the preconstruction
permit issued under 45 C.S.R. 13,
e. any periods
during which the capper unit was being operated to manufacture product
while the condenser associated with the methanol recovery operation
was not in operation,
f. the amount
(in pounds and by month) of methanol collected by the methanol recovery
operation during the six month period,
g. the amount
(in pounds and by month) of collected methanol utilized for reuse,
recovery, thermal recovery/treatment, or bio-treatment, respectively,
during the six month period.
h. the calculated
amount (in pounds and by month) of methanol generated by operating
the capper unit,
i. the status
of the WMPP Project, including the status of developing the WMPP Study
Report. Beginning in the year after OSi submits the final WMPP
Study Report and continuing in each subsequent Semiannual Report,
OSi will report on the progress of the implementation of feasible
WMPP opportunities identified in the WMPP Study Report. The
Semiannual Report will identify any cross-media impacts or impacts
to worker safety or community health issues that have occurred as
a result of implementation of the feasible WMPP opportunities.
3. Annual Project Report
Beginning in 1999,
on July 31 of each year, OSi will provide an Annual Project Report
to the EPA and WVDEP Project XL contacts containing the following
information:
a. the categories
of information required to be submitted under Section IV.H.2.a.-h.,
above, for the preceding 12 month period ending on June 30,
b. an updated
Emissions Analysis for January through December of the preceding calendar
year in a form substantially equivalent to the Emissions Analysis
set forth in Appendix D of this FPA, including a comparison of the
volatile organic emissions associated with the capper unit process
vents and the wastewater treatment system (using EPA's Water 8 model
or other model agreed to by the parties) under Project XL with the
expected emissions from those sources absent Project XL during that
period,
c. a discussion
of OSi's performance in attaining the Performance Standards for the
Project, specifically identifying any areas in which OSi either exceeded
or failed to achieve any such standard,
d. a description
of any unanticipated problems in implementing the Project and any
steps taken to resolve them,
e. a WMPP
Implementation Report that contains the following information: (1)
a summary of the WMPP opportunities selected for implementation, (2)
a description of the WMPP opportunities initiated and/or completed,
(3) reductions in volume of waste generated and amounts of each constituent
reduced in wastes including any constituents identified in Appendix
G, (4) an economic benefits analysis, (5) a summary of the results
of the Advisory Committee's review of implemented WMPP opportunities
and reevaluation of WMPP opportunities previously determined to be
infeasible by OSi but which had potential for future feasibility and
(6) any changes necessary to the original FPA in accordance with Section
VIII (Duration and Reevaluation of the Project),
f. an assessment
of the nature of, and the successes or problems associated with, OSi's
interaction with the federal and state agencies under the Project,
g. an update
on stakeholder involvement efforts, and
h. an evaluation
of the Project as implemented against the Project XL Criteria and
the baseline scenario.
4. Final Project Report
Within 180 days after
the termination of the Project, OSi will provide a written Final Project
Report covering the term of the Project, to the EPA and WVDEP Project
XL contacts, containing the categories of information required to
be submitted for the Semiannual Report and Annual Project Report.
5. Availability of Reports
a. OSi will
retain a complete copy of each of the documents to be submitted to
EPA and WVDEP under this Section IV.H. at the Facility for the minimum
Project term. OSi will provide stakeholders and interested parties
with a written notice of availability (to be mailed to all persons
on the Project mailing list and to be provided to at least one local
newspaper of general circulation) of each such document, and provide
a copy of each document to any such person upon request, subject to
the provisions of 40 C.F.R. Part 2, W.Va Code ' 22-5-10, and 45 C.S.R.
31 relating to the protection of confidential business information.
b. Any reports
or other information submitted to EPA or WVDEP may be released to
the public pursuant to the Federal Freedom of Information Act (42
U.S.C. ' 552 et seq.) and the West Virginia Freedom of Information
Act (W. Va. Code ' 29B-1-1 et. seq.), subject to the provisions
of 40 C.F.R. Part 2, W.Va Code ' 22-5-10, and 45 C.S.R. 31 relating
to the protection of confidential business information.
6. OSi will make all supporting
monitoring results and records kept by OSi under this Section IV.H.
available to EPA and WVDEP within a reasonable amount of time after
receipt of a written request from those Agencies, subject to the provisions
of 40 C.F.R. Part 2, W.Va Code ' 22-5-10, and 45 C.S.R. 31 relating
to the protection of confidential business information.
7. Each report submitted
by OSi under this Section IV.H. will be certified by a Responsible
Corporate Officer, as defined in 40 C.F.R. ' 270.11(a)(1).
V. Allowable Exclusion/Allowable Increase
A. General Provisions
1. The provisions for Allowable
Exclusions and Allowable Increases contained in this Section will
only apply if CAA Subpart YYY, which at present is only a proposed
rule, is made final and becomes applicable to the wastewater collection
and treatment system at the Facility as a result of a Qualifying Change.
2. A "Qualifying Change"
is a physical or operational change to a process unit which is intended
to minimize waste generation or reduce or prevent pollution (a "WMPP
Activity") and which causes CAA Subpart YYY to apply to the wastewater
collection and treatment system at the Facility.
a. For new
process units, the physical or operational change may include changes
made to or incorporated into the physical design or planned operation
of the process unit prior to or during construction.
b. The WMPP
Activity may be either a WMPP opportunity identified in the WMPP Study,
discussed in Section II.B. of this FPA, or any other WMPP opportunity
to be implemented by OSi during the minimum Project term.
3. EPA and WVDEP expect to
grant OSi Allowable Exclusions and/or Allowable Increases, as set
forth below, to defer applicability of CAA Subpart YYY for the minimum
Project term for all Qualifying Changes; provided, however that OSi
demonstrates, pursuant to Section V.D. below, that all applicable
criteria are satisfied.
4. No deferral of CAA Subpart
YYY will be granted under this Section until the vent incinerator
is installed on the capper unit and is operating in accordance with
the FPA.
5. A baseline emissions level
("the Baseline") will be used for purposes of determining
changes in emission rates under this Section.
a. The Baseline
for Qualifying Changes to existing process units will be the calculated
level of emissions (expressed in pounds/year) of any volatile organic
compound from wastewater generated by the affected process unit that
occurs absent the Qualifying Change.
b. The Baseline
for Qualifying Changes to new process units, whether made prior to
or during construction, will be the estimated level of emissions that
would occur absent the Qualifying Change.
c. In determining
the emission levels under a. or b., above, OSi will not be using "potential
to emit" as defined for purposes of the Clean Air Act.
B. Allowable Exclusions
1. Availability of Allowable
Exclusions
Where OSi implements
a Qualifying Change to a process unit at the Facility, EPA and WVDEP
expect to defer applicability of CAA Subpart YYY for the Qualifying
Change (in accordance with Section IV.G.7. (Implementation)) for the
minimum Project term provided that the Qualifying Change satisfies
the Allowable Exclusion Criteria set forth below. Such a Qualifying
Change, which meets the Allowable Exclusion Criteria, need not satisfy
the criteria for Allowable Increases.
2. Allowable Exclusion
Criteria
A request for an
Allowable Exclusion may be granted only where OSi demonstrates in
accordance with Section IV.G.4. (Verification) that the following
criteria are satisfied:
a. The change
is a Qualifying Change;
b. The Qualifying
Change will not cause an increase in actual emissions of any volatile
organic compound (measured in pounds/year) over the Baseline from
the wastewater generated by the affected process unit; and
c. The Qualifying
Change will not cause a net adverse environmental impact, including
cross-media impacts.
d. OSi will
be in substantial compliance with the provisions of the FPA and its
implementing mechanisms.
C. Allowable Increases
1. Availability of Allowable
Increases
Where OSi implements
a Qualifying Change to a process unit at the Facility, EPA and WVDEP
expect to defer applicability of CAA Subpart YYY for the Qualifying
Change (in accordance with Section V.G. (Implementation)) for the
minimum Project term, provided that the Qualifying Change satisfies
the Allowable Increase Criteria set forth below.
2. Allowable Increase
Criteria
A request for an
Allowable Increase may be granted only where OSi demonstrates in accordance
with Section V.D. (Verification) that the following criteria are satisfied:
a. The change
is a Qualifying Change;
b. Except
as provided in (1) and (2), below, the Qualifying Change will not
cause an increase in actual emissions of volatile organic compounds
(measured in pounds/year) over the Baseline from the wastewater generated
by the affected process unit.
(1)
The Qualifying Change can result in an increase in actual emissions
of Listed VOCs (as defined below) from the wastewater collection and
treatment system provided that the total aggregate increase in the
annual rate of emissions of Listed VOCs from the wastewater collection
and treatment system attributable to (a) currently effective Allowable
Increases and (b) the requested Allowable Increase, will not exceed
15,000 pounds/year over the Baseline.
(2)
Listed VOCs means acetic acid, ethyl chloride (chloroethane),
dimethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, methyl chloride (chloromethane),
isopropanol, and toluene;
c. The Qualifying
Change will not cause a net adverse environmental impact, including
cross-media impacts; and
d. OSi will
be in substantial compliance with the provisions of the FPA and its
implementing mechanisms.
D. Verification
1. OSi will notify EPA and
WVDEP of each prospective Qualifying Change, and the underlying WMPP
Activity, for which it seeks an Allowable Exclusion or an Allowable
Increase, and will demonstrate as set forth herein that it has
met the applicable criteria set forth above.
2. When seeking an Allowable
Exclusion or Allowable Increase, OSi will submit to EPA and WVDEP
documents to support the granting of an Allowable Exclusion or Allowable
Increase, which include:
a. a protocol
setting forth (1) the measures to be followed by OSi after implementing
the Qualifying Change to demonstrate that the applicable criteria
are met during the operation of the Qualifying Change for the Project
term and (2) corrective measures to be taken in the event of a failure
to meet an applicable criterion (the "Protocol"); and
b. documentation
which supports OSi's conclusion that there will be no net adverse
environmental impact, including cross media impacts, as a result of
granting the requested Allowable Exclusion or Allowable Increase.
3. For each requested Allowable
Increase, OSi will submit to EPA and WVDEP the following additional
supporting data and information to show that it has met the applicable
criteria:
a. A waste
emissions summary table which reflects any changes in emissions resulting
from the Qualifying Change for which the Allowable Increase is sought
including: (1) any changes to the information provided in Table
1 of this FPA, (2) the total of all emissions increases (measured
in pounds/year) obtained through Allowable Increases previously granted,
and (3) the expected emissions increases resulting from the Allowable
Increase being sought;
b. A summary
of methods and calculations for estimating the emissions from the
wastewater collection and treatment system subject to the Allowable
Increase; and
c. A reevaluation
of the Project against the Project XL Criteria, highlighting any changes
to the Project's superior environmental benefits as a result of granting
the Allowable Increase.
4. All information submitted
under this provision will be certified by a Responsible Corporate
Officer, as defined in 40 C.F.R. ' 270.11(a)(1).
5. EPA and WVDEP will review
the information submitted by OSi to verify that OSi has met the applicable
criteria set forth above. EPA and WVDEP will use their best
efforts to make their verification determination within thirty (30)
days of a complete submission by OSi of the information required under
1. through 3., above. EPA and WVDEP will notify OSi of their
determination promptly thereafter in writing including any changes
which may be necessary in the proposed Protocol.
E. Continuing Obligation to Satisfy Criteria
1. In order to retain its
Allowable Exclusion(s) and/or Allowable Increase(s) throughout the
minimum Project term, OSi will demonstrate (in accordance with the
Protocol referenced in Section V.D.2.a.) that it continues to meet
the applicable criteria set forth above throughout the minimum Project
term.
2. In the event that, after
obtaining an Allowable Exclusion or Allowable Increase, OSi fails
to meet the applicable criteria set forth under Section V.B.2. or
V.C.2., as appropriate, OSi will take steps to correct the failure
as specified in the Protocol for that Allowable Exclusion/Allowable
Increase. If the failure is not corrected as specified in the
Protocol, the deferral of CAA Subpart YYY for such Qualifying Change
will terminate. Thereafter, OSi will only operate such Qualifying
Change if such operation either complies with, or is not subject to,
the provisions of CAA Subpart YYY.
F. Discontinuation of a Qualifying Change
1. OSi will provide EPA and
WVDEP advance notice of the discontinuation of any Qualifying Change
to which an Allowable Exclusion or Allowable Increase applies under
Section V of this FPA.
2. Upon discontinuing any
such Qualifying Change, there will be no obligation on the part of
OSi to comply with CAA Subpart YYY where such obligation is based
solely upon OSi's previous implementation of the discontinued Qualifying
Change.
G. Implementation
1. In order to implement
the Allowable Exclusions or Allowable Increases which defer the applicability
of CAA Subpart YYY, as set forth in this Section, EPA expects to propose
for public comment and subsequently promulgate (subject to review
of public comment) a site-specific rule, or rules, under 40 C.F.R.
Part 60 that would defer the application of CAA Subpart YYY to the
wastewater collection and treatment system at the Facility for each
Allowable Exclusion and Allowable Increase granted for the minimum
Project term.
2. EPA will use its best
efforts to propose such rule(s) within one-hundred and twenty (120)
days of verifying OSi's demonstration pursuant to Section V.D.5.,
above. The parties recognize that, depending upon the complexity
of the request and other factors, the time required to propose the
rule may be shorter or longer.
3. In addition, for any request
being implemented after WVDEP obtains authorization from EPA to enforce
the provisions of CAA Subpart YYY, WVDEP and OSi will negotiate and
execute (and modify to include subsequent Allowable Exclusions/ Allowable
Increases) a Consent Order under the authority of W. Va. Code ' 22-5-4(a)(5).
It is expected that the Consent Order will defer the application
of CAA Subpart YYY to the wastewater collection and treatment system
at the Facility for each Allowable Exclusion and Allowable Increase
granted. Subsequently, WVDEP expects to propose for public comment
and subsequently promulgate (subject to review of public comment)
a site-specific rule, or rules, adopting the deferral(s) granted under
this Section V by WVDEP and EPA.
4. WVDEP and OSi expect to
execute any such Consent Order within forty-five (45) days of verifying
OSi's first demonstration pursuant to Section V.D.5. above. WVDEP
and OSi expect to execute any necessary modifications to such Consent
Order to incorporate additional deferral(s) within forty-five (45)
days of verifying OSi's demonstration pursuant to Section V.D.5. above
for such subsequent deferral(s).
5. The parties agree that
following implementation of any Allowable Exclusion(s)/Allowable Increase(s),
each party will take such steps as are necessary to incorporate recognition
of such deferral into the Facility's Title V permit or other relevant
permits.
H. Reopener
In recognition of the uncertain
nature of the environmental benefits and costs associated with WMPP
Activities which increase the rate of emissions of: (1) Listed
VOCs above the threshold level set forth in Section V.C.2.a.(1) above;
or (2) Non-Listed VOCs, the parties to this FPA agree to evaluate
the appropriateness of granting an Allowable Increase for such WMPP
Activities as a "reopener" to the FPA according to the reopener
provisions set forth below.
1. During the minimum Project
term, OSi may seek to reopen and modify this FPA in order to include
Allowable Increases for WMPP Activities which go beyond the scope
presently contained in the FPA. To do so, OSi will submit a
proposal for a reopener under this Section to EPA and WVDEP for their
consideration. EPA and WVDEP will review and evaluate the appropriateness
of each such Allowable Increase reopener proposal submitted by OSi.
2. In determining whether
to reopen and modify the FPA in accordance with any reopener proposal(s)
submitted by OSi under this Section, EPA and WVDEP will base their
decision upon the following: (a) whether the proposal meets
the Project XL Criteria in effect at the time of the proposal, (b)
the environmental benefits expected to be achieved by the WMPP Activity
contained in the proposal, (c) the increased level of emissions from
wastewater included in the proposal, (d) the environmental benefits
achieved as a result of other WMPP Activities covered by Allowable
Exclusions and/or Allowable Increases granted under the Project and
(e) any net adverse environmental impacts expected to occur as a result
of the WMPP Activity.
3. All parties to the FPA
will meet within ninety (90) days following submission of any reopener
proposal by OSi to EPA and WVDEP (or within such shorter or longer
period as the parties may agree) to discuss the Agencies' evaluation
of the reopener proposal. If, after appropriate stakeholder
involvement, the Agencies support reopening of this FPA to incorporate
the proposal, the parties will (subject to any required public comment)
take steps necessary to amend the FPA. Concurrent with the amendment
of this FPA, EPA and WVDEP will take steps consistent with Section
V.G. to implement the proposal.
4. This reopener provision
is not intended to provide for reevaluation of aspects of the Project
other than the Allowable Increase provisions of Section V. For
all other reevaluations, see Section VIII (Duration and Reevaluation
of the Project).
VI. Implementation
To implement the Project, the parties intend to take
the following steps:
A. OSi expects to install and operate by April
1, 1998, an air emission control device on its capper unit, which
device will be designed and operated to be capable of reducing the
total organic compounds in the controlled vent streams' emissions
by 98% by weight. By July 14, 1997, OSi expects to have entered
into a contract for the purchase of the thermal incinerator. By
December 15, 1997, OSi expects to have received on-site the thermal
incinerator. By January 15, 1998, OSi expects to have initiated
on-site installation of the thermal incinerator.
B. Within 10 days of the date of signing of the
FPA by all parties, OSi expects to continue collection of methanol
generated by the capper unit and to utilize the collected methanol
for reuse, recovery, or thermal recovery/treatment (or, in limited
circumstances for bio-treatment) consistent with the provisions of
Section IV.E. of this FPA.
C. Within forty-five (45) days of signing of
the FPA by all parties, OSi will select a Study Team to perform the
study phase of the WMPP Project. Thereafter, OSi will complete
the WMPP Study and implement the feasible WMPP opportunities identified
in the study, in accordance with the provisions of Section IV.F. of
this FPA.
D. WVDEP and OSi expect to negotiate and execute
by June 30, 1997 a consent order under the authority of W. Va. Code
' 22-4-5 (the "Consent Order"). It is expected that
the Consent Order will defer application of the RCRA Subpart CC portions
of 45 C.S.R. 25 to the surface impoundments at the Facility until
the MON compliance date. The deferral will be conditioned upon
OSi's substantial compliance with the requirements of the Consent
Order. The Consent Order will provide for a post-Project compliance
period consistent with Section IX.C. and for transfer procedures consistent
with Section XII. The requirements of the Consent Order will
be consistent with the performance standards and reporting requirements
set forth in Section IV of this FPA.
E. EPA expects to propose for public comment
and subsequently promulgate (subject to review of public comment)
by September 4, 1997, a site-specific rule amending 40 C.F.R. Parts
264 and 265 so as to defer application of RCRA Subpart CC to the surface
impoundments at the Facility until the MON compliance date. It
is expected that the site-specific rule will incorporate the material
requirements of the WVDEP Consent Order as conditions of the deferral.
It is expected that the site-specific RCRA rule will provide
for a post-Project compliance period consistent with Section IX.C.
and for transfer procedures consistent with Section XII.
F. EPA and WVDEP expect to undertake the implementation
measures set forth in Section V in the event that they determine that
an OSi request for an Allowable Exclusion/Allowable Increase meets
the applicable criteria set forth in that Section.
G. Except as provided in the rules, consent orders,
permit provisions or other implementation mechanisms that may be adopted
to implement the Project, the parties do not intend that this FPA
will modify or otherwise alter the applicability of existing or future
laws or regulations to the Facility.
H. The parties expect to take such actions as
are necessary to reflect the deferrals expected to be granted under
(1) the RCRA site-specific rule, (2) any NSPS site-specific rules
that may be proposed pursuant to Section V of this FPA, and (3) the
Consent Order (all subject to review of public comments received on
any implementation mechanisms requiring public comment), in the Facility's
RCRA Part B permit as part of the reissuance of that permit in the
normal course, and the Facility's Clean Air Act Title V operating
permit and any other permits when issued in the normal course.
I. By signing this FPA, EPA and WVDEP acknowledge
and agree that they have the respective authorities and discretion
to enter into this FPA and to implement the provisions of this Project,
to the extent appropriate.
VII. Modification
The FPA may be modified by mutual agreement of all parties
at any time during the minimum Project term. The parties recognize
that certain modifications to the Project may necessitate modification
of any existing implementation mechanisms or may require development
of new implementation mechanisms. In that case, EPA and WVDEP
expect to work together with OSi to identify and pursue any modifications
or additions to the implementation mechanisms required, in accordance
with procedures applicable to the modification of the relevant implementation
mechanism. To the extent that the parties agree to make a material
modification of the Project, appropriate notice of such modification,
and an appropriate opportunity to participate in the process will
be provided to stakeholders and interested parties.
VIII. Duration and Reevaluation of Project
As set forth in this FPA, this Project will achieve
superior environmental performance to that which would otherwise be
achieved through traditional regulatory compliance. EPA anticipates,
however, that the environmental benefits arising from this Project
will no longer be realized when the technical requirements of the
MON become effective as described in II.C.1.c. Specifically,
EPA expects that the MON will require emission controls on the capper
unit similar to those which OSi will voluntarily implement under this
Project as well as some level of control on the wastewater collection
and treatment system. As of this time, the MON has not yet been
proposed and its requirements are not yet known. In recognition
of this uncertainty, the parties to the FPA agree to reevaluate the
environmental benefits presented by this Project after the close of
the public comment period following proposal of the MON.
The parties to this FPA recognize that a dynamic, rather
than static, FPA encourages the parties to identify additional opportunities
for superior environmental benefits during the course of this Project.
Project reevaluation provides the parties with a fluid process,
during the course of the Project, to identify Project enhancements
to achieve superior environmental results at the Facility. Accordingly,
the parties may determine during reevaluation that implementation
of those enhancements supports continuation of the expanded Project
past the compliance date of the MON. In addition, the parties
recognize the possibility that, during the course of the Project,
regulatory changes (other than the promulgation of the MON) may occur
which may negate some of the anticipated benefits of the Project for
OSi. While OSi would expect to continue its involvement in the
Project and thus potentially increase the level of superior environmental
performance achieved by the Project, it anticipates that during the
reevaluation EPA and WVDEP would consider the impact of the regulatory
changes on the value of the Project to OSi. In particular, if
during the course of the Project regulatory or Facility changes occur
such that RCRA Subpart CC is determined to no longer be applicable
to the Facility or to no longer require air emission controls, OSi
would expect to continue operation of its emission controls, methanol
recovery operation and WMPP Project. In that instance, EPA and
WVDEP would consider the unanticipated enhanced superior environmental
benefits achieved by OSi during the reevaluation.
To facilitate reevaluation, OSi intends to prepare a
Project Reevaluation Report and to submit it to EPA and WVDEP within
90 days following the close of the comment period on the MON proposal.
The Project Reevaluation Report will include the following:
1. an analysis of the environmental performance
achieved under the Project as set forth in this FPA,
2. a proposal for Project enhancement and/or
continuation, including a description of any Project enhancements
expected to be implemented,
3. the future anticipated benefit expected to
be achieved by enhancements and/or continuation of the Project or
from other projects developed during the course of the Project,
4. a comparison of the environmental benefits
originally anticipated to result from OSi's performance commitments
under the Project and the benefits actually achieved under the Project,
5. any new statutory or regulatory requirements
applicable to the Facility as they may relate to the Project,
6. an analysis of whether (a) superior environmental
benefits to be achieved in the future from proposed enhancements and
(b) unanticipated superior environmental benefits achieved during
the course of the Project support Project continuation, and
7. an analysis of EPA's criteria for selection
or modification for Project XL.
EPA and WVDEP will reevaluate the Project in light of
the Project Reevaluation Report, any criteria applicable to XL Projects
at the time of reevaluation, and any other relevant information available
to the Agencies. EPA and WVDEP will reevaluate the Project to
assess, among other things: (1) whether continuation of the
Project satisfies the XL Criteria in effect at the time of reevaluation,
(2) the environmental results that have been achieved, (3) the extent
to which any proposed enhancements would provide additional environmental
benefits, and (4) whether the Project has resulted in unanticipated
environmental benefits.
All parties to the FPA will meet within ninety
(90) days following OSi's submission of the Project Reevaluation Report
(or within such shorter or longer period as the parties may agree)
to discuss the Agencies' reevaluation of the Project. If the
Agencies and other stakeholders support continuation of the Project,
the parties will take steps necessary to amend the FPA and all other
appropriate documents (e.g., permits, regulations, orders, etc.) under
this Project, as necessary to continue the Project. If either
agency determines that continuation of the Project is not warranted,
then that agency may terminate its involvement in the Project in accordance
with Section IX.
IX. Termination
A. Expectations Concerning Termination
Because this FPA is not a legally binding document,
any party may withdraw from the FPA at any time. However, it
is the desire of the parties that this FPA should remain in effect
through the expected minimum Project term, and be implemented as fully
as possible. Accordingly, it is the intent of the parties that this
Project will not be terminated unilaterally during the expected minimum
Project term established in Section II.D. of this FPA unless one of
the conditions set forth below occurs:
1. Substantial failure (taking
into account its nature and duration) by any other party to (a) comply
with the provisions of the implementation mechanisms for this Project,
or (b) act in accordance with the provisions of this FPA;
2. The capper unit is permanently
removed from methyl capped polyether production service at the Facility;
3. Discovery of the failure
of any other party to disclose material facts during development of
the FPA;
4. Failure of the Project
to provide superior environmental performance consistent with the
expectations of this FPA;
5. Enactment or promulgation
of any environmental, health or safety law or regulation after execution
of the FPA which renders the Project legally, technically or economically
impracticable; or
6. Decision by an agency
to reject the proposed assumption by a future owner or operator of
the Facility of OSi's rights and obligations under the Project.
Unless the Agencies determine, consistent with the provisions of Section
VIII of this FPA, that continuation of the Project past the minimum
Project term is warranted, this FPA will be terminated as of the end
of the minimum Project term.
EPA and WVDEP do not intend to withdraw from the FPA
based on non-compliance by OSi with the implementation mechanisms,
unless such non-compliance constitutes a substantial failure to comply
with the implementation mechanisms, taking into account its nature
and duration (a "Material Noncompliance"). Non-compliance
that is not a Material Noncompliance may be addressed, where appropriate,
through existing enforcement authorities available to the Agencies.
As set forth in Section XI, OSi retains all rights to defend
against any such enforcement actions.
B. Termination Procedures
1. Any party desiring to
terminate is expected to provide written notice of its intent to terminate
to the other parties at least sixty (60) days prior to termination.
2. If requested by any one
party during the sixty (60) day period noted above, the dispute resolution
proceedings provided in Section X herein, may be initiated to resolve
any dispute relating to the intent to terminate. If, following
any dispute resolution or informal discussion, the party still desires
to terminate, the terminating party will provide written notice of
final termination to all other parties to the FPA.
3. If either agency terminates
its participation in the FPA, the remaining agency will consult with
OSi to determine whether the FPA should be continued in a modified
form consistent with applicable federal and state law or terminated.
4. The termination procedures
set forth in this Section IX.B. apply to the decision to terminate
participation in the FPA. Procedures to be used in modifying
or rescinding the legal mechanisms used to implement the Project will
be governed by the terms of those legal mechanisms and applicable
law.
C. Post-Project Compliance Period
1. In the event of any termination
not based upon the end of the expected minimum Project term, there
will be a RCRA Subpart CC Interim Compliance Period to provide sufficient
time for OSi to come into compliance with the regulations deferred
under the Project. By the end of the RCRA Subpart CC Interim
Compliance Period, OSi will either: (a) replace each surface
impoundment with a tank which would be subject to the exception from
permitting set forth at 40 C.F.R. Sections 264.1(g)(6) or 265.1(c)(10),
or (b) comply with the applicable standards set forth in Subpart CC
of 40 C.F.R. Part 264 or 265 for surface impoundments. During
the RCRA Subpart CC Interim Compliance Period, WVDEP and EPA will
continue to defer the applicability of the RCRA Subpart CC portions
of 45 C.S.R. 25 and RCRA Subpart CC, respectively. During such
period, OSi will continue to operate the emission controls on the
capper unit, unless the termination occurred as a result of conditions
described in Section IX.A.2. The RCRA Subpart CC Interim Compliance
Period is eighteen (18) months from the date on which EPA, WVDEP or
OSi provides written notice of final termination of the Project in
accordance with Section IX.B.2. of this FPA. It is OSi's intent
to accomplish either (a) or (b) above as soon as is practicable as
will be set forth in an implementation schedule similar to that required
under 40 C.F.R. ' 265.1082. This schedule will be developed
by OSi within thirty (30) days of notice of final termination. In
no event will OSi exceed the 18-month RCRA Subpart CC Interim Compliance
Period. In the event of termination based upon the end of the
minimum Project term, OSi will achieve compliance with RCRA Subpart
CC, to the extent applicable, by the end of the minimum Project term,
unless the Project is modified in accordance with Section VII (Modification).
2. Following the promulgation
of a final MON rule, OSi may request a meeting with EPA and WVDEP
to discuss the timing and nature of any actions that OSi will be required
to take to come into compliance with regulatory requirements that
have been deferred under this Project. The parties expect that
they will meet within thirty days of receipt of OSi's written request
for such a discussion. At and following such meeting, the parties
expect that they will engage in reasonable good faith discussions
to identify the extent to which RCRA Subpart CC will apply to the
Facility after termination of the Project. The parties do not
expect that OSi will be required to be in compliance with any requirements
deferred pursuant to this Project under RCRA Subpart CC or CAA Subpart
YYY prior to the end of the expected minimum Project term.
X. Dispute Resolution
Any dispute that arises with respect to the meaning,
application, implementation, interpretation, amendment, termination
or modification of the FPA will, in the first instance, be the subject
of informal discussions. To initiate informal discussions, any
party which believes it has a dispute with any other party will simultaneously
notify all of the parties, in writing, setting forth the matter(s)
in dispute.
If the dispute cannot be resolved by the parties within
thirty-five (35) days of receipt of such notice (or such longer time
as agreed to by the parties to the dispute), then one or both of the
parties may invoke non-binding mediation by setting forth the nature
of the dispute, with a proposal for its resolution, in a letter to
the EPA Region III Administrator, with a copy to all parties. The
EPA Regional Administrator or the disputants may request an informal
mediation meeting. The disputants may request an opinion from
the Regional Administrator in lieu of or in addition to the mediation
meeting. Any opinion, verbal or written, expressed by the Regional
Administrator will be non-binding.
Nothing in this Section X will be construed to alter
the parties' expectations regarding the ability to terminate or withdraw
from the FPA set forth in Section IX herein.
XI. Rights Retained
A. Except as expressly provided in the legal
implementation mechanisms described in Section VI, nothing in the
FPA shall be construed to affect or limit either OSi's legal rights
or the Agencies' rights to seek legal, equitable, civil, criminal
or administrative relief regarding the enforcement of present or future
applicable federal and state code, rules, or regulations with respect
to the Facility or OSi.
B. Although OSi does not intend to challenge
agency actions implementing the Project (including any rule amendments
or adoptions, permit actions, or other action) that are consistent
with this FPA, OSi nonetheless reserves its right to appeal or otherwise
challenge any and all agency actions implementing the Project. Nothing
in this FPA is intended to limit OSi's right to administrative or
judicial appeal or review of any modification or termination of those
legal mechanisms in accordance with the applicable procedures for
such review.
XII. Transfer of Project Benefits and Responsibilities
It is expected that the implementation mechanisms will
allow for the transfer of OSi's rights and obligations under the Project
to any future owner or operator upon request of OSi and such owner/operator,
provided that the following conditions are met:
A. OSi will provide written notice of any such
proposed transfer to EPA and WVDEP at least forty-five (45) days prior
to the effective date of the transfer. The notice is expected
to include identification of the proposed transferee, a description
of the proposed transferee's financial and technical capability to
assume the obligations associated with the Project, and a statement
of the transferee's intention to sign the FPA as an additional party.
B. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of the
written notice, it is expected that the Agencies will determine whether
the transferee has demonstrated adequate financial and technical capability
to carry out the Project and a willingness to sign the FPA. It
is expected that the implementation mechanisms will provide that,
so long as the demonstration has been made to the satisfaction of
the Agencies, and upon consideration of other relevant factors, the
FPA will be modified to allow the proposed transferee to assume the
rights and obligations of OSi.
XIII. FPA Signatories and Contact Persons
A. The signatories to this FPA will be the Group
Vice President, OSi; the EPA Regional Administrator for Region III;
and the Director of WVDEP. These signatories have the authority
to execute this agreement on behalf of the respective parties to this
FPA which they represent.
B. Each party has designated a representative
to serve as its contact person for inquiries concerning the Project.
These representatives are as follows:
1. For OSi:
Okey Tucker
OSi Specialties, Inc.
Witco Corporation OrganoSilicones
Group
1500 South State Route 2
Friendly, WV 26146
2. For EPA:
Cheryl Atkinson (3HW00)
U.S. EPA, Region III
841 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
3. For WVDEP:
John H. Johnston
West Virginia Division of
Environmental Protection
Office of Air Quality
1558 Washington Street East
Charleston, WV 25311-2599
C. If any party desires to change the contact
person designated above, the party will provide notice of such change
and the name of the new designee to all other parties, stakeholders
and interested persons.
XIV. Notice
Notices contemplated by this FPA will be sent by controlled
overnight delivery or certified mail, return receipt requested to
the following (or to such other person as the receiving party designates
in writing):
A. For EPA: Cheryl Atkinson
(3HW00)
U.S. EPA, Region III
841 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
B. For OSi: James A. Nortz,
Esquire
Witco Corporation
One American Lane
Greenwich, CT 06831-2559
and
Mr. Dennis R. Heintzman
OSi Specialties, Inc.
Witco Corporation OrganoSilicones Group
1500 South State Route 2
Friendly, WV 26146
C. For WVDEP: John H. Johnston
West Virginia Division of
Environmental Protection
Office of Air Quality
1558 Washington Street East
Charleston, WV 25311-2599