Regulations last checked for updates: Jun 01, 2024

Title 40 - Protection of Environment last revised: May 30, 2024
§ 96.101 - Purpose.

This subpart and subparts BB through II establish the model rule comprising general provisions and the designated representative, permitting, allowance, monitoring, and opt-in provisions for the State Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) NOX Annual Trading Program, under section 110 of the Clean Air Act and § 51.123 of this chapter, as a means of mitigating interstate transport of fine particulates and nitrogen oxides. The owner or operator of a unit or a source shall comply with the requirements of this subpart and subparts BB through II as a matter of federal law only if the State with jurisdiction over the unit and the source incorporates by reference such subparts or otherwise adopts the requirements of such subparts in accordance with § 51.123(o)(1) or (2) of this chapter, the State submits to the Administrator one or more revisions of the State implementation plan that include such adoption, and the Administrator approves such revisions. If the State adopts the requirements of such subparts in accordance with § 51.123(o)(1) or (2) of this chapter, then the State authorizes the Administrator to assist the State in implementing the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program by carrying out the functions set forth for the Administrator in such subparts.

§ 96.102 - Definitions.

The terms used in this subpart and subparts BB through II shall have the meanings set forth in this section as follows:

Account number means the identification number given by the Administrator to each CAIR NOX Allowance Tracking System account.

Acid Rain emissions limitation means a limitation on emissions of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides under the Acid Rain Program.

Acid Rain Program means a multi-state sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides air pollution control and emission reduction program established by the Administrator under title IV of the CAA and parts 72 through 78 of this chapter.

Administrator means the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or the Administrator's duly authorized representative.

Allocate or allocation means, with regard to CAIR NOX allowances, the determination by a permitting authority or the Administrator of the amount of such CAIR NOX allowances to be initially credited to a CAIR NOX unit, a new unit set-aside, or other entity.

Allowance transfer deadline means, for a control period, midnight of March 1 (if it is a business day), or midnight of the first business day thereafter (if March 1 is not a business day), immediately following the control period and is the deadline by which a CAIR NOX allowance transfer must be submitted for recordation in a CAIR NOX source's compliance account in order to be used to meet the source's CAIR NOX emissions limitation for such control period in accordance with § 96.154.

Alternate CAIR designated representative means, for a CAIR NOX source and each CAIR NOX unit at the source, the natural person who is authorized by the owners and operators of the source and all such units at the source, in accordance with subparts BB and II of this part, to act on behalf of the CAIR designated representative in matters pertaining to the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program. If the CAIR NOX source is also a CAIR SO2 source, then this natural person shall be the same person as the alternate CAIR designated representative under the CAIR SO2 Trading Program. If the CAIR NOX source is also a CAIR NOX Ozone Season source, then this natural person shall be the same person as the alternate CAIR designated representative under the CAIR NOX Ozone Season Trading Program. If the CAIR NOX source is also subject to the Acid Rain Program, then this natural person shall be the same person as the alternate designated representative under the Acid Rain Program. If the CAIR NOX source is also subject to the Hg Budget Trading Program, then this natural person shall be the same person as the alternate Hg designated representative under the Hg Budget Trading Program.

Automated data acquisition and handling system or DAHS means that component of the continuous emission monitoring system, or other emissions monitoring system approved for use under subpart HH of this part, designed to interpret and convert individual output signals from pollutant concentration monitors, flow monitors, diluent gas monitors, and other component parts of the monitoring system to produce a continuous record of the measured parameters in the measurement units required by subpart HH of this part.

Biomass means—

(1) Any organic material grown for the purpose of being converted to energy;

(2) Any organic byproduct of agriculture that can be converted into energy; or

(3) Any material that can be converted into energy and is nonmerchantable for other purposes, that is segregated from other nonmerchantable material, and that is;

(i) A forest-related organic resource, including mill residues, precommercial thinnings, slash, brush, or byproduct from conversion of trees to merchantable material; or

(ii) A wood material, including pallets, crates, dunnage, manufacturing and construction materials (other than pressure-treated, chemically-treated, or painted wood products), and landscape or right-of-way tree trimmings.

Boiler means an enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and to transfer heat to recirculating water, steam, or other medium.

Bottoming-cycle cogeneration unit means a cogeneration unit in which the energy input to the unit is first used to produce useful thermal energy and at least some of the reject heat from the useful thermal energy application or process is then used for electricity production.

CAIR authorized account representative means, with regard to a general account, a responsible natural person who is authorized, in accordance with subparts BB, FF, and II of this part, to transfer and otherwise dispose of CAIR NOX allowances held in the general account and, with regard to a compliance account, the CAIR designated representative of the source.

CAIR designated representative means, for a CAIR NOX source and each CAIR NOX unit at the source, the natural person who is authorized by the owners and operators of the source and all such units at the source, in accordance with subparts BB and II of this part, to represent and legally bind each owner and operator in matters pertaining to the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program. If the CAIR NOX source is also a CAIR SO2 source, then this natural person shall be the same person as the CAIR designated representative under the CAIR SO2 Trading Program. If the CAIR NOX source is also a CAIR NOX Ozone Season source, then this natural person shall be the same person as the CAIR designated representative under the CAIR NOX Ozone Season Trading Program. If the CAIR NOX source is also subject to the Acid Rain Program, then this natural person shall be the same person as the designated representative under the Acid Rain Program. If the CAIR NOX source is also subject to the Hg Budget Trading Program, then this natural person shall be the same person as the Hg designated representative under the Hg Budget Trading Program.

CAIR NOX allowance means a limited authorization issued by a permitting authority or the Administrator under provisions of a State implementation plan that are approved under § 51.123(o)(1) or (2) or (p) of this chapter, or under subpart EE of part 97 or § 97.188 of this chapter, to emit one ton of nitrogen oxides during a control period of the specified calendar year for which the authorization is allocated or of any calendar year thereafter under the CAIR NOX Program. An authorization to emit nitrogen oxides that is not issued under provisions of a State implementation plan that are approved under § 51.123(o)(1) or (2) or (p) of this chapter or subpart EE of part 97 or § 97.188 of this chapter shall not be a CAIR NOX allowance.

CAIR NOX allowance deduction or deduct CAIR NOX allowances means the permanent withdrawal of CAIR NOX allowances by the Administrator from a compliance account, e.g., in order to account for a specified number of tons of total nitrogen oxides emissions from all CAIR NOX units at a CAIR NOX source for a control period, determined in accordance with subpart HH of this part, or to account for excess emissions.

CAIR NOX Allowance Tracking System means the system by which the Administrator records allocations, deductions, and transfers of CAIR NOX allowances under the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program. Such allowances will be allocated, held, deducted, or transferred only as whole allowances.

CAIR NOX Allowance Tracking System account means an account in the CAIR NOX Allowance Tracking System established by the Administrator for purposes of recording the allocation, holding, transferring, or deducting of CAIR NOX allowances.

CAIR NOX allowances held or hold CAIR NOX allowances means the CAIR NOX allowances recorded by the Administrator, or submitted to the Administrator for recordation, in accordance with subparts FF, GG, and II of this part, in a CAIR NOX Allowance Tracking System account.

CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program means a multi-state nitrogen oxides air pollution control and emission reduction program approved and administered by the Administrator in accordance with subparts AA through II of this part and § 51.123(o)(1) or (2) of this chapter or established by the Administrator in accordance with subparts AA through II of part 97 of this chapter and §§ 51.123(p) and 52.35 of this chapter, as a means of mitigating interstate transport of fine particulates and nitrogen oxides.

CAIR NOX emissions limitation means, for a CAIR NOX source, the tonnage equivalent, in NOX emissions in a control period, of the CAIR NOX allowances available for deduction for the source under § 96.154(a) and (b) for the control period.

CAIR NOX Ozone Season source means a source that is subject to the CAIR NOX Ozone Season Trading Program.

CAIR NOX Ozone Season Trading Program means a multi-state nitrogen oxides air pollution control and emission reduction program approved and administered by the Administrator in accordance with subparts AAAA through IIII of this part and § 51.123(aa)(1) or (2) (and (bb)(1)), (bb)(2), or (dd) of this chapter or established by the Administrator in accordance with subparts AAAA through IIII of part 97 of this chapter and §§ 51.123(ee) and 52.35 of this chapter, as a means of mitigating interstate transport of ozone and nitrogen oxides.

CAIR NOX source means a source that includes one or more CAIR NOX units.

CAIR NOX unit means a unit that is subject to the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program under § 96.104 and, except for purposes of § 96.105 and subpart EE of this part, a CAIR NOX opt-in unit under subpart II of this part.

CAIR permit means the legally binding and federally enforceable written document, or portion of such document, issued by the permitting authority under subpart CC of this part, including any permit revisions, specifying the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program requirements applicable to a CAIR NOX source, to each CAIR NOX unit at the source, and to the owners and operators and the CAIR designated representative of the source and each such unit.

CAIR SO2 source means a source that is subject to the CAIR SO2 Trading Program.

CAIR SO2 Trading Program means a multi-state sulfur dioxide air pollution control and emission reduction program approved and administered by the Administrator in accordance with subparts AAA through III of this part and § 51.124(o)(1) or (2) of this chapter or established by the Administrator in accordance with subparts AAA through III of part 97 of this chapter and §§ 51.124(r) and 52.36 of this chapter, as a means of mitigating interstate transport of fine particulates and sulfur dioxide.

Clean Air Act or CAA means the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.

Coal means any solid fuel classified as anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous, or lignite.

Coal-derived fuel means any fuel (whether in a solid, liquid, or gaseous state) produced by the mechanical, thermal, or chemical processing of coal.

Coal-fired means:

(1) Except for purposes of subpart EE of this part, combusting any amount of coal or coal-derived fuel, alone or in combination with any amount of any other fuel, during any year; or

(2) For purposes of subpart EE of this part, combusting any amount of coal or coal-derived fuel, alone or in combination with any amount of any other fuel, during a specified year.

Cogeneration unit means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine:

(1) Having equipment used to produce electricity and useful thermal energy for industrial, commercial, heating, or cooling purposes through the sequential use of energy; and

(2) Producing during the 12-month period starting on the date the unit first produces electricity and during any calendar year after the calendar year in which the unit first produces electricity—

(i) For a topping-cycle cogeneration unit,

(A) Useful thermal energy not less than 5 percent of total energy output; and

(B) Useful power that, when added to one-half of useful thermal energy produced, is not less then 42.5 percent of total energy input, if useful thermal energy produced is 15 percent or more of total energy output, or not less than 45 percent of total energy input, if useful thermal energy produced is less than 15 percent of total energy output.

(ii) For a bottoming-cycle cogeneration unit, useful power not less than 45 percent of total energy input;

(3) Provided that the total energy input under paragraphs (2)(i)(B) and (2)(ii) of this definition shall equal the unit's total energy input from all fuel except biomass if the unit is a boiler.

Combustion turbine means:

(1) An enclosed device comprising a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine and in which the flue gas resulting from the combustion of fuel in the combustor passes through the turbine, rotating the turbine; and

(2) If the enclosed device under paragraph (1) of this definition is combined cycle, any associated duct burner, heat recovery steam generator, and steam turbine.

Commence commercial operation means, with regard to a unit:

(1) To have begun to produce steam, gas, or other heated medium used to generate electricity for sale or use, including test generation, except as provided in § 96.105 and § 96.184(h).

(i) For a unit that is a CAIR NOX unit under § 96.104 on the later of November 15, 1990 or the date the unit commences commercial operation as defined in paragraph (1) of this definition and that subsequently undergoes a physical change (other than replacement of the unit by a unit at the same source), such date shall remain the date of commencement of commercial operation of the unit, which shall continue to be treated as the same unit.

(ii) For a unit that is a CAIR NOX unit under § 96.104 on the later of November 15, 1990 or the date the unit commences commercial operation as defined in paragraph (1) of this definition and that is subsequently replaced by a unit at the same source (e.g., repowered), such date shall remain the replaced unit's date of commencement of commercial operation, and the replacement unit shall be treated as a separate unit with a separate date for commencement of commercial operation as defined in paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition as appropriate.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this definition and except as provided in § 96.105, for a unit that is not a CAIR NOX unit under § 96.104 on the later of November 15, 1990 or the date the unit commences commercial operation as defined in paragraph (1) of this definition, the unit's date for commencement of commercial operation shall be the date on which the unit becomes a CAIR NOX unit under § 96.104.

(i) For a unit with a date for commencement of commercial operation as defined in paragraph (2) of this definition and that subsequently undergoes a physical change (other than replacement of the unit by a unit at the same source), such date shall remain the date of commencement of commercial operation of the unit, which shall continue to be treated as the same unit.

(ii) For a unit with a date for commencement of commercial operation as defined in paragraph (2) of this definition and that is subsequently replaced by a unit at the same source (e.g., repowered), such date shall remain the replaced unit's date of commencement of commercial operation, and the replacement unit shall be treated as a separate unit with a separate date for commencement of commercial operation as defined in paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition as appropriate.

Commence operation means:

(1) To have begun any mechanical, chemical, or electronic process, including, with regard to a unit, start-up of a unit's combustion chamber, except as provided in § 96.184(h).

(2) For a unit that undergoes a physical change (other than replacement of the unit by a unit at the same source) after the date the unit commences operation as defined in paragraph (1) of this definition, such date shall remain the date of commencement of operation of the unit, which shall continue to be treated as the same unit.

(3) For a unit that is replaced by a unit at the same source (e.g., repowered) after the date the unit commences operation as defined in paragraph (1) of this definition, such date shall remain the replaced unit's date of commencement of operation, and the replacement unit shall be treated as a separate unit with a separate date for commencement of operation as defined in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this definition as appropriate, except as provided in § 96.184(h).

Compliance account means a CAIR NOX Allowance Tracking System account, established by the Administrator for a CAIR NOX source under subpart FF or II of this part, in which any CAIR NOX allowance allocations for the CAIR NOX units at the source are initially recorded and in which are held any CAIR NOX allowances available for use for a control period in order to meet the source's CAIR NOX emissions limitation in accordance with § 96.154.

Continuous emission monitoring system or CEMS means the equipment required under subpart HH of this part to sample, analyze, measure, and provide, by means of readings recorded at least once every 15 minutes (using an automated data acquisition and handling system (DAHS)), a permanent record of nitrogen oxides emissions, stack gas volumetric flow rate, stack gas moisture content, and oxygen or carbon dioxide concentration (as applicable), in a manner consistent with part 75 of this chapter. The following systems are the principal types of continuous emission monitoring systems required under subpart HH of this part:

(1) A flow monitoring system, consisting of a stack flow rate monitor and an automated data acquisition and handling system and providing a permanent, continuous record of stack gas volumetric flow rate, in standard cubic feet per hour (scfh);

(2) A nitrogen oxides concentration monitoring system, consisting of a NOX pollutant concentration monitor and an automated data acquisition and handling system and providing a permanent, continuous record of NOX emissions, in parts per million (ppm);

(3) A nitrogen oxides emission rate (or NOX-diluent) monitoring system, consisting of a NOX pollutant concentration monitor, a diluent gas (CO2 or O2) monitor, and an automated data acquisition and handling system and providing a permanent, continuous record of NOX concentration, in parts per million (ppm), diluent gas concentration, in percent CO2 or O2; and NOX emission rate, in pounds per million British thermal units (lb/mmBtu);

(4) A moisture monitoring system, as defined in § 75.11(b)(2) of this chapter and providing a permanent, continuous record of the stack gas moisture content, in percent H2O;

(5) A carbon dioxide monitoring system, consisting of a CO2 pollutant concentration monitor (or an oxygen monitor plus suitable mathematical equations from which the CO2 concentration is derived) and an automated data acquisition and handling system and providing a permanent, continuous record of CO2 emissions, in percent CO2; and

(6) An oxygen monitoring system, consisting of an O2 concentration monitor and an automated data acquisition and handling system and providing a permanent, continuous record of O2, in percent O2.

Control period means the period beginning January 1 of a calendar year, except as provided in § 96.106(c)(2), and ending on December 31 of the same year, inclusive.

Emissions means air pollutants exhausted from a unit or source into the atmosphere, as measured, recorded, and reported to the Administrator by the CAIR designated representative and as determined by the Administrator in accordance with subpart HH of this part.

Excess emissions means any ton of nitrogen oxides emitted by the CAIR NOX units at a CAIR NOX source during a control period that exceeds the CAIR NOX emissions limitation for the source.

Fossil fuel means natural gas, petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived from such material.

Fossil-fuel-fired means, with regard to a unit, combusting any amount of fossil fuel in any calendar year.

Fuel oil means any petroleum-based fuel (including diesel fuel or petroleum derivatives such as oil tar) and any recycled or blended petroleum products or petroleum by-products used as a fuel whether in a liquid, solid, or gaseous state.

General account means a CAIR NOX Allowance Tracking System account, established under subpart FF of this part, that is not a compliance account.

Generator means a device that produces electricity.

Gross electrical output means, with regard to a cogeneration unit, electricity made available for use, including any such electricity used in the power production process (which process includes, but is not limited to, any on-site processing or treatment of fuel combusted at the unit and any on-site emission controls).

Heat input means, with regard to a specified period of time, the product (in mmBtu/time) of the gross calorific value of the fuel (in Btu/lb) divided by 1,000,000 Btu/mmBtu and multiplied by the fuel feed rate into a combustion device (in lb of fuel/time), as measured, recorded, and reported to the Administrator by the CAIR designated representative and determined by the Administrator in accordance with subpart HH of this part and excluding the heat derived from preheated combustion air, recirculated flue gases, or exhaust from other sources.

Heat input rate means the amount of heat input (in mmBtu) divided by unit operating time (in hr) or, with regard to a specific fuel, the amount of heat input attributed to the fuel (in mmBtu) divided by the unit operating time (in hr) during which the unit combusts the fuel.

Hg Budget Trading Program means a multi-state Hg air pollution control and emission reduction program approved and administered by the Administrator in accordance subpart HHHH of part 60 of this chapter and § 60.24(h)(6), or established by the Administrator under section 111 of the Clean Air Act, as a means of reducing national Hg emissions.

Life-of-the-unit, firm power contractual arrangement means a unit participation power sales agreement under which a utility or industrial customer reserves, or is entitled to receive, a specified amount or percentage of nameplate capacity and associated energy generated by any specified unit and pays its proportional amount of such unit's total costs, pursuant to a contract:

(1) For the life of the unit;

(2) For a cumulative term of no less than 30 years, including contracts that permit an election for early termination; or

(3) For a period no less than 25 years or 70 percent of the economic useful life of the unit determined as of the time the unit is built, with option rights to purchase or release some portion of the nameplate capacity and associated energy generated by the unit at the end of the period.

Maximum design heat input means the maximum amount of fuel per hour (in Btu/hr) that a unit is capable of combusting on a steady state basis as of the initial installation of the unit as specified by the manufacturer of the unit.

Monitoring system means any monitoring system that meets the requirements of subpart HH of this part, including a continuous emissions monitoring system, an alternative monitoring system, or an excepted monitoring system under part 75 of this chapter.

Most stringent State or Federal NOX emissions limitation means, with regard to a unit, the lowest NOX emissions limitation (in terms of lb/mmBtu) that is applicable to the unit under State or Federal law, regardless of the averaging period to which the emissions limitation applies.

Nameplate capacity means, starting from the initial installation of a generator, the maximum electrical generating output (in MWe) that the generator is capable of producing on a steady state basis and during continuous operation (when not restricted by seasonal or other deratings) as of such installation as specified by the manufacturer of the generator or, starting from the completion of any subsequent physical change in the generator resulting in an increase in the maximum electrical generating output (in MWe) that the generator is capable of producing on a steady state basis and during continuous operation (when not restricted by seasonal or other deratings), such increased maximum amount as of such completion as specified by the person conducting the physical change.

Oil-fired means, for purposes of subpart EE of this part, combusting fuel oil for more than 15.0 percent of the annual heat input in a specified year and not qualifying as coal-fired.

Operator means any person who operates, controls, or supervises a CAIR NOX unit or a CAIR NOX source and shall include, but not be limited to, any holding company, utility system, or plant manager of such a unit or source.

Owner means any of the following persons:

(1) With regard to a CAIR NOX source or a CAIR NOX unit at a source, respectively:

(i) Any holder of any portion of the legal or equitable title in a CAIR NOX unit at the source or the CAIR NOX unit;

(ii) Any holder of a leasehold interest in a CAIR NOX unit at the source or the CAIR NOX unit; or

(iii) Any purchaser of power from a CAIR NOX unit at the source or the CAIR NOX unit under a life-of-the-unit, firm power contractual arrangement; provided that, unless expressly provided for in a leasehold agreement, owner shall not include a passive lessor, or a person who has an equitable interest through such lessor, whose rental payments are not based (either directly or indirectly) on the revenues or income from such CAIR NOX unit; or

(2) With regard to any general account, any person who has an ownership interest with respect to the CAIR NOX allowances held in the general account and who is subject to the binding agreement for the CAIR authorized account representative to represent the person's ownership interest with respect to CAIR NOX allowances.

Permitting authority means the State air pollution control agency, local agency, other State agency, or other agency authorized by the Administrator to issue or revise permits to meet the requirements of the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program or, if no such agency has been so authorized, the Administrator.

Potential electrical output capacity means 33 percent of a unit's maximum design heat input, divided by 3,413 Btu/kWh, divided by 1,000 kWh/MWh, and multiplied by 8,760 hr/yr.

Receive or receipt of means, when referring to the permitting authority or the Administrator, to come into possession of a document, information, or correspondence (whether sent in hard copy or by authorized electronic transmission), as indicated in an official log, or by a notation made on the document, information, or correspondence, by the permitting authority or the Administrator in the regular course of business.

Recordation, record, or recorded means, with regard to CAIR NOX allowances, the movement of CAIR NOX allowances by the Administrator into or between CAIR NOX Allowance Tracking System accounts, for purposes of allocation, transfer, or deduction.

Reference method means any direct test method of sampling and analyzing for an air pollutant as specified in § 75.22 of this chapter.

Replacement, replace, or replaced means, with regard to a unit, the demolishing of a unit, or the permanent shutdown and permanent disabling of a unit, and the construction of another unit (the replacement unit) to be used instead of the demolished or shutdown unit (the replaced unit).

Repowered means, with regard to a unit, replacement of a coal-fired boiler with one of the following coal-fired technologies at the same source as the coal-fired boiler:

(1) Atmospheric or pressurized fluidized bed combustion;

(2) Integrated gasification combined cycle;

(3) Magnetohydrodynamics;

(4) Direct and indirect coal-fired turbines;

(5) Integrated gasification fuel cells; or

(6) As determined by the Administrator in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, a derivative of one or more of the technologies under paragraphs (1) through (5) of this definition and any other coal-fired technology capable of controlling multiple combustion emissions simultaneously with improved boiler or generation efficiency and with significantly greater waste reduction relative to the performance of technology in widespread commercial use as of January 1, 2005.

Serial number means, for a CAIR NOX allowance, the unique identification number assigned to each CAIR NOX allowance by the Administrator.

Sequential use of energy means:

(1) For a topping-cycle cogeneration unit, the use of reject heat from electricity production in a useful thermal energy application or process; or

(2) For a bottoming-cycle cogeneration unit, the use of reject heat from useful thermal energy application or process in electricity production.

Solid waste incineration unit means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine that is a “solid waste incineration unit” as defined in section 129(g)(1) of the Clean Air Act.

Source means all buildings, structures, or installations located in one or more contiguous or adjacent properties under common control of the same person or persons. For purposes of section 502(c) of the Clean Air Act, a “source,” including a “source” with multiple units, shall be considered a single “facility.”

State means one of the States or the District of Columbia that adopts the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program pursuant to § 51.123(o)(1) or (2) of this chapter.

Submit or serve means to send or transmit a document, information, or correspondence to the person specified in accordance with the applicable regulation:

(1) In person;

(2) By United States Postal Service; or

(3) By other means of dispatch or transmission and delivery. Compliance with any “submission” or “service” deadline shall be determined by the date of dispatch, transmission, or mailing and not the date of receipt.

Title V operating permit means a permit issued under title V of the Clean Air Act and part 70 or part 71 of this chapter.

Title V operating permit regulations means the regulations that the Administrator has approved or issued as meeting the requirements of title V of the Clean Air Act and part 70 or 71 of this chapter.

Ton means 2,000 pounds. For the purpose of determining compliance with the CAIR NOX emissions limitation, total tons of nitrogen oxides emissions for a control period shall be calculated as the sum of all recorded hourly emissions (or the mass equivalent of the recorded hourly emission rates) in accordance with subpart HH of this part, but with any remaining fraction of a ton equal to or greater than 0.50 tons deemed to equal one ton and any remaining fraction of a ton less than 0.50 tons deemed to equal zero tons.

Topping-cycle cogeneration unit means a cogeneration unit in which the energy input to the unit is first used to produce useful power, including electricity, and at least some of the reject heat from the electricity production is then used to provide useful thermal energy.

Total energy input means, with regard to a cogeneration unit, total energy of all forms supplied to the cogeneration unit, excluding energy produced by the cogeneration unit itself. Each form of energy supplied shall be measured by the lower heating value of that form of energy calculated as follows:

LHV = HHV − 10.55(W + 9H) Where: LHV = lower heating value of fuel in Btu/lb, HHV = higher heating value of fuel in Btu/lb, W = Weight % of moisture in fuel, and H = Weight % of hydrogen in fuel.

Total energy output means, with regard to a cogeneration unit, the sum of useful power and useful thermal energy produced by the cogeneration unit.

Unit means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or combustion turbine or other stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion device.

Unit operating day means a calendar day in which a unit combusts any fuel.

Unit operating hour or hour of unit operation means an hour in which a unit combusts any fuel.

Useful power means, with regard to a cogeneration unit, electricity or mechanical energy made available for use, excluding any such energy used in the power production process (which process includes, but is not limited to, any on-site processing or treatment of fuel combusted at the unit and any on-site emission controls).

Useful thermal energy means, with regard to a cogeneration unit, thermal energy that is:

(1) Made available to an industrial or commercial process (not a power production process), excluding any heat contained in condensate return or makeup water;

(2) Used in a heating application (e.g., space heating or domestic hot water heating); or

(3) Used in a space cooling application (i.e., thermal energy used by an absorption chiller).

Utility power distribution system means the portion of an electricity grid owned or operated by a utility and dedicated to delivering electricity to customers.

[70 FR 25339, May 12, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 25380, Apr. 28, 2006; 71 FR 74794, Dec. 13, 2006; 72 FR 59205, Oct. 19, 2007]
§ 96.103 - Measurements, abbreviations, and acronyms.

Measurements, abbreviations, and acronyms used in this subpart and subparts BB through II are defined as follows:

Btu—British thermal unit. CO2—carbon dioxide H2O—water Hg—mercury hr—hour kW—kilowatt electrical kWh—kilowatt hour lb—pound mmBtu—million Btu MWe—megawatt electrical MWh—megawatt hour NOX—nitrogen oxides O2—oxygen ppm—parts per million scfh—standard cubic feet per hour SO2—sulfur dioxide yr—year [71 FR 25381, Apr. 28, 2006]
§ 96.104 - Applicability.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section:

(1) The following units in a State shall be CAIR NOX units, and any source that includes one or more such units shall be a CAIR NOX source, subject to the requirements of this subpart and subparts BB through HH of this part: any stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine serving at any time, since the later of November 15, 1990 or the start-up of the unit's combustion chamber, a generator with nameplate capacity of more than 25 MWe producing electricity for sale.

(2) If a stationary boiler or stationary combustion turbine that, under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, is not a CAIR NOX unit begins to combust fossil fuel or to serve a generator with nameplate capacity of more than 25 MWe producing electricity for sale, the unit shall become a CAIR NOX unit as provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section on the first date on which it both combusts fossil fuel and serves such generator.

(b) The units in a State that meet the requirements set forth in paragraph (b)(1)(i), (b)(2)(i), or (b)(2)(ii) of this section shall not be CAIR NOX units:

(1)(i) Any unit that is a CAIR NOX unit under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section:

(A) Qualifying as a cogeneration unit during the 12-month period starting on the date the unit first produces electricity and continuing to qualify as a cogeneration unit; and

(B) Not serving at any time, since the later of November 15, 1990 or the start-up of the unit's combustion chamber, a generator with nameplate capacity of more than 25 MWe supplying in any calendar year more than one-third of the unit's potential electric output capacity or 219,000 MWh, whichever is greater, to any utility power distribution system for sale.

(ii) If a unit qualifies as a cogeneration unit during the 12-month period starting on the date the unit first produces electricity and meets the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1)(i) of this section for at least one calendar year, but subsequently no longer meets all such requirements, the unit shall become a CAIR NOX unit starting on the earlier of January 1 after the first calendar year during which the unit first no longer qualifies as a cogeneration unit or January 1 after the first calendar year during which the unit no longer meets the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B) of this section.

(2)(i) Any unit that is a CAIR NOX unit under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section commencing operation before January 1, 1985:

(A) Qualifying as a solid waste incineration unit; and

(B) With an average annual fuel consumption of non-fossil fuel for 1985-1987 exceeding 80 percent (on a Btu basis) and an average annual fuel consumption of non-fossil fuel for any 3 consecutive calendar years after 1990 exceeding 80 percent (on a Btu basis).

(ii) Any unit that is a CAIR NOX unit under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section commencing operation on or after January 1, 1985:

(A) Qualifying as a solid waste incineration unit; and

(B) With an average annual fuel consumption of non-fossil fuel for the first 3 calendar years of operation exceeding 80 percent (on a Btu basis) and an average annual fuel consumption of non-fossil fuel for any 3 consecutive calendar years after 1990 exceeding 80 percent (on a Btu basis).

(iii) If a unit qualifies as a solid waste incineration unit and meets the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section for at least 3 consecutive calendar years, but subsequently no longer meets all such requirements, the unit shall become a CAIR NOX unit starting on the earlier of January 1 after the first calendar year during which the unit first no longer qualifies as a solid waste incineration unit or January 1 after the first 3 consecutive calendar years after 1990 for which the unit has an average annual fuel consumption of fossil fuel of 20 percent or more.

[71 FR 25382, Apr. 28, 2006]
§ 96.105 - Retired unit exemption.

(a)(1) Any CAIR NOX unit that is permanently retired and is not a CAIR NOX opt-in unit under subpart II of this part shall be exempt from the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program, except for the provisions of this section, § 96.102, § 96.103, § 96.104, § 96.106(c)(4) through (7), § 96.107, § 96.108, and subparts BB and EE through GG.

(2) The exemption under paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall become effective the day on which the CAIR NOX unit is permanently retired. Within 30 days of the unit's permanent retirement, the CAIR designated representative shall submit a statement to the permitting authority otherwise responsible for administering any CAIR permit for the unit and shall submit a copy of the statement to the Administrator. The statement shall state, in a format prescribed by the permitting authority, that the unit was permanently retired on a specific date and will comply with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.

(3) After receipt of the statement under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the permitting authority will amend any permit under subpart CC of this part covering the source at which the unit is located to add the provisions and requirements of the exemption under paragraphs (a)(1) and (b) of this section.

(b) Special provisions. (1) A unit exempt under paragraph (a) of this section shall not emit any nitrogen oxides, starting on the date that the exemption takes effect.

(2) The permitting authority will allocate CAIR NOX allowances under subpart EE of this part to a unit exempt under paragraph (a) of this section.

(3) For a period of 5 years from the date the records are created, the owners and operators of a unit exempt under paragraph (a) of this section shall retain, at the source that includes the unit, records demonstrating that the unit is permanently retired. The 5-year period for keeping records may be extended for cause, at any time before the end of the period, in writing by the permitting authority or the Administrator. The owners and operators bear the burden of proof that the unit is permanently retired.

(4) The owners and operators and, to the extent applicable, the CAIR designated representative of a unit exempt under paragraph (a) of this section shall comply with the requirements of the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program concerning all periods for which the exemption is not in effect, even if such requirements arise, or must be complied with, after the exemption takes effect.

(5) A unit exempt under paragraph (a) of this section and located at a source that is required, or but for this exemption would be required, to have a title V operating permit shall not resume operation unless the CAIR designated representative of the source submits a complete CAIR permit application under § 96.122 for the unit not less than 18 months (or such lesser time provided by the permitting authority) before the later of January 1, 2009 or the date on which the unit resumes operation.

(6) On the earlier of the following dates, a unit exempt under paragraph (a) of this section shall lose its exemption:

(i) The date on which the CAIR designated representative submits a CAIR permit application for the unit under paragraph (b)(5) of this section;

(ii) The date on which the CAIR designated representative is required under paragraph (b)(5) of this section to submit a CAIR permit application for the unit; or

(iii) The date on which the unit resumes operation, if the CAIR designated representative is not required to submit a CAIR permit application for the unit.

(7) For the purpose of applying monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements under subpart HH of this part, a unit that loses its exemption under paragraph (a) of this section shall be treated as a unit that commences commercial operation on the first date on which the unit resumes operation.

[70 FR 25339, May 12, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 25382, Apr. 28, 2006; 71 FR 74794, Dec. 13, 2006]
§ 96.106 - Standard requirements.

(a) Permit requirements. (1) The CAIR designated representative of each CAIR NOX source required to have a title V operating permit and each CAIR NOX unit required to have a title V operating permit at the source shall:

(i) Submit to the permitting authority a complete CAIR permit application under § 96.122 in accordance with the deadlines specified in § 96.121; and

(ii) Submit in a timely manner any supplemental information that the permitting authority determines is necessary in order to review a CAIR permit application and issue or deny a CAIR permit.

(2) The owners and operators of each CAIR NOX source required to have a title V operating permit and each CAIR NOX unit required to have a title V operating permit at the source shall have a CAIR permit issued by the permitting authority under subpart CC of this part for the source and operate the source and the unit in compliance with such CAIR permit.

(3) Except as provided in subpart II of this part, the owners and operators of a CAIR NOX source that is not otherwise required to have a title V operating permit and each CAIR NOX unit that is not otherwise required to have a title V operating permit are not required to submit a CAIR permit application, and to have a CAIR permit, under subpart CC of this part for such CAIR NOX source and such CAIR NOX unit.

(b) Monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements. (1) The owners and operators, and the CAIR designated representative, of each CAIR NOX source and each CAIR NOX unit at the source shall comply with the monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements of subpart HH of this part.

(2) The emissions measurements recorded and reported in accordance with subpart HH of this part shall be used to determine compliance by each CAIR NOX source with the CAIR NOX emissions limitation under paragraph (c) of this section.

(c) Nitrogen oxides emission requirements. (1) As of the allowance transfer deadline for a control period, the owners and operators of each CAIR NOX source and each CAIR NOX unit at the source shall hold, in the source's compliance account, CAIR NOX allowances available for compliance deductions for the control period under § 96.154(a) in an amount not less than the tons of total nitrogen oxides emissions for the control period from all CAIR NOX units at the source, as determined in accordance with subpart HH of this part.

(2) A CAIR NOX unit shall be subject to the requirements under paragraph (c)(1) of this section for the control period starting on the later of January 1, 2009 or the deadline for meeting the unit's monitor certification requirements under § 96.170(b)(1), (2), or (5) and for each control period thereafter.

(3) A CAIR NOX allowance shall not be deducted, for compliance with the requirements under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, for a control period in a calendar year before the year for which the CAIR NOX allowance was allocated.

(4) CAIR NOX allowances shall be held in, deducted from, or transferred into or among CAIR NOX Allowance Tracking System accounts in accordance with subparts FF, GG, and II of this part.

(5) A CAIR NOX allowance is a limited authorization to emit one ton of nitrogen oxides in accordance with the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program. No provision of the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program, the CAIR permit application, the CAIR permit, or an exemption under § 96.105 and no provision of law shall be construed to limit the authority of the State or the United States to terminate or limit such authorization.

(6) A CAIR NOX allowance does not constitute a property right.

(7) Upon recordation by the Administrator under subpart EE, FF, GG, or II of this part, every allocation, transfer, or deduction of a CAIR NOX allowance to or from a CAIR NOX source's compliance account is incorporated automatically in any CAIR permit of the source.

(d) Excess emissions requirements. If a CAIR NOX source emits nitrogen oxides during any control period in excess of the CAIR NOX emissions limitation, then:

(1) The owners and operators of the source and each CAIR NOX unit at the source shall surrender the CAIR NOX allowances required for deduction under § 96.154(d)(1) and pay any fine, penalty, or assessment or comply with any other remedy imposed, for the same violations, under the Clean Air Act or applicable State law; and

(2) Each ton of such excess emissions and each day of such control period shall constitute a separate violation of this subpart, the Clean Air Act, and applicable State law.

(e) Recordkeeping and reporting requirements. (1) Unless otherwise provided, the owners and operators of the CAIR NOX source and each CAIR NOX unit at the source shall keep on site at the source each of the following documents for a period of 5 years from the date the document is created. This period may be extended for cause, at any time before the end of 5 years, in writing by the permitting authority or the Administrator.

(i) The certificate of representation under § 96.113 for the CAIR designated representative for the source and each CAIR NOX unit at the source and all documents that demonstrate the truth of the statements in the certificate of representation; provided that the certificate and documents shall be retained on site at the source beyond such 5-year period until such documents are superseded because of the submission of a new certificate of representation under § 96.113 changing the CAIR designated representative.

(ii) All emissions monitoring information, in accordance with subpart HH of this part, provided that to the extent that subpart HH of this part provides for a 3-year period for recordkeeping, the 3-year period shall apply.

(iii) Copies of all reports, compliance certifications, and other submissions and all records made or required under the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program.

(iv) Copies of all documents used to complete a CAIR permit application and any other submission under the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program or to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program.

(2) The CAIR designated representative of a CAIR NOX source and each CAIR NOX unit at the source shall submit the reports required under the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program, including those under subpart HH of this part.

(f) Liability. (1) Each CAIR NOX source and each CAIR NOX unit shall meet the requirements of the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program.

(2) Any provision of the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program that applies to a CAIR NOX source or the CAIR designated representative of a CAIR NOX source shall also apply to the owners and operators of such source and of the CAIR NOX units at the source.

(3) Any provision of the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program that applies to a CAIR NOX unit or the CAIR designated representative of a CAIR NOX unit shall also apply to the owners and operators of such unit.

(g) Effect on other authorities. No provision of the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program, a CAIR permit application, a CAIR permit, or an exemption under § 96.105 shall be construed as exempting or excluding the owners and operators, and the CAIR designated representative, of a CAIR NOX source or CAIR NOX unit from compliance with any other provision of the applicable, approved State implementation plan, a federally enforceable permit, or the Clean Air Act.

[70 FR 25339, May 12, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 25382, Apr. 28, 2006]
§ 96.107 - Computation of time.

(a) Unless otherwise stated, any time period scheduled, under the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program, to begin on the occurrence of an act or event shall begin on the day the act or event occurs.

(b) Unless otherwise stated, any time period scheduled, under the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program, to begin before the occurrence of an act or event shall be computed so that the period ends the day before the act or event occurs.

(c) Unless otherwise stated, if the final day of any time period, under the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program, falls on a weekend or a State or Federal holiday, the time period shall be extended to the next business day.

§ 96.108 - Appeal procedures.

The appeal procedures for decisions of the Administrator under the CAIR NOX Annual Trading Program are set forth in part 78 of this chapter.

source: 63 FR 57514, Oct. 27, 1998, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 40 CFR 96.102