Texas New Source Review NSR Program Approval

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its proposal to approve revisions submitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the state’s permitting program for major air pollution sources under the Clean Air Act’s New Source Review (NSR) program. These changes to the State’s clean air plan meet federal clean air goals by establishing state rules for existing major facilities that are consistent with federal permitting requirements.

The revised plan provides operating flexibility by establishing site-wide emission caps known as “Plant-wide Applicability Limits,” or PALS, for existing sources. These PALS require continuous monitoring for each of the units included in the cap. PALS are a useful because they provide flexibility in the daily operations at a facility. Today’s proposal is the result of many months of work by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and EPA to develop a PALS program for the state.

After publication in the Federal Register, the EPA will seek public comment on this proposed approval of the state’s revised plan for 30 days. Comments will be considered as the agency completes the final decision process.

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