(a) Unless otherwise specified in §§ 63.306, 63.307, and 63.311, the provisions of this subpart apply to existing by-product coke oven batteries at a coke plant and to existing nonrecovery coke oven batteries at a coke plant on and after the following dates:

(1) December 31, 1995, for existing by-product coke oven batteries subject to emission limitations in § 63.302(a)(1) or existing nonrecovery coke oven batteries subject to emission limitations in § 63.303(a);

(2) January 1, 2003, for existing by-product coke oven batteries subject to emission limitations in § 63.302(a)(2);

(3) July 14, 2005, for existing by-product coke oven batteries subject to emission limitations in § 63.302(a)(3) and for nonrecovery coke oven batteries subject to the emission limitations and requirements in § 63.303(b)(3) or (c);

(4) Upon startup for a new nonrecovery coke oven battery subject to the emission limitations and requirements in § 63.303(b), (c), and (d). A new nonrecovery coke oven battery subject to the requirements in § 63.303(d) is one for which construction or reconstruction commenced on or after August 9, 2004;

(5) November 15, 1993, for existing by-product and nonrecovery coke oven batteries subject to emission limitations in § 63.304(b)(1) or 63.304(c);

(6) January 1, 1998, for existing by-product coke oven batteries subject to emission limitations in § 63.304(b)(2) or 63.304(b)(7); and

(7) January 1, 2010, for existing by-product coke oven batteries subject to emission limitations in § 63.304(b)(3) or 63.304(b)(7).

(b) The provisions for new sources in §§ 63.302(b) and (c) and 63.303(b) apply to each greenfield coke oven battery and to each new or reconstructed coke oven battery at an existing coke plant if the changes to or addition of a coke oven battery results in an increase in the design capacity of the coke plant as of November 15, 1990, (including any capacity qualifying under § 63.304(b)(6), and the capacity of any coke oven battery subject to a construction permit on November 15, 1990, which commenced operation before October 27, 1993.

(c) The provisions of this subpart apply to each brownfield coke oven battery, each padup rebuild, and each cold-idle coke oven battery that is restarted.

(d) The provisions of §§ 63.304(b)(2)(i)(A) and 63.304(b)(3)(i) apply to each foundry coke producer as follows:

(1) A coke oven battery subject to § 63.304(b)(2)(i)(A) or § 63.304(b)(3)(i) must be a coke oven battery that on January 1, 1992, was owned or operated by a foundry coke producer; and

(2)(i) A coke oven battery owned or operated by an integrated steel producer on January 1, 1992, and listed in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, that was sold to a foundry coke producer before November 15, 1993, shall be deemed for the purposes of paragraph (d)(1) of this section to be owned or operated by a foundry coke producer on January 1, 1992.

(ii) The coke oven batteries that may qualify under this provision are the following:

(A) The coke oven batteries at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation's Lackawanna, New York facility; and

(B) The coke oven batteries at the Rouge Steel Company's Dearborn, Michigan facility.

(e) The emission limitations set forth in this subpart shall apply at all times. At all times, the owner or operator must operate and maintain any affected source, including associated air pollution control equipment and monitoring equipment, in a manner consistent with safety and good air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions. The general duty to minimize emissions does not require the owner or operator to make any further efforts to reduce emissions if levels required by the applicable standard have been achieved. Determination of whether a source is operating in compliance with operation and maintenance requirements will be based on information available to the Administrator which may include, but is not limited to, monitoring results, review of operation and maintenance procedures, review of operation and maintenance records, and inspection of the source.

(f) After October 28, 1992, rules of general applicability promulgated under section 112 of the Act, including the General Provisions, may apply to coke ovens provided that the topic covered by such a rule is not addressed in this subpart.

[58 FR 57911, Oct. 27, 1993, as amended at 70 FR 20012, Apr. 15, 2005; 89 FR 55731, July 5, 2024]

Terms used in this subpart are defined in the Act or in this section as follows:

Administrator means the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or his or her authorized representative (e.g., a State that has been delegated the authority to implement the provisions of this subpart or its designated agent).

Brownfield coke oven battery means a new coke oven battery that replaces an existing coke oven battery or batteries with no increase in the design capacity of the coke plant as of November 15, 1990 (including capacity qualifying under § 63.304(b)(6), and the capacity of any coke oven battery subject to a construction permit on November 15, 1990, which commenced operation before October 27, 1993.

Bypass stack at a heat recovery facility means a stack through which emissions are discharged from a common tunnel that collects gases from a coke oven battery. and where the emissions are not passed through a heat recovery unit. Common tunnels typically are equipped with afterburners to further reduce organic emissions in the coke oven gas.

Bypass/bleeder stack means a stack, duct, or offtake system that is opened to the atmosphere and used to relieve excess pressure by venting raw coke oven gas from the collecting main to the atmosphere from a by-product coke oven battery, usually during emergency conditions.

By-product coke oven battery means a source consisting of a group of ovens connected by common walls, where coal undergoes destructive distillation under positive pressure to produce coke and coke oven gas, from which by-products are recovered.

Certified observer means a visual emission observer, certified under (if applicable) Method 303 and Method 9 or ASTM D7520-16 (if applicable; see § 63.14 for availability) and employed by the Administrator, which includes a delegated enforcement agency or its designated agent. For the purpose of notifying an owner or operator of the results obtained by a certified observer, the person does not have to be certified.

Charge or charging period means, for a by-product coke oven battery, the period of time that commences when coal begins to flow into an oven through a topside port and ends when the last charging port is recapped. For a nonrecovery coke oven battery, charge or charging period means the period of time that commences when coal begins to flow into an oven and ends when the push side door is replaced.

Coke oven battery means either a by-product or nonrecovery coke oven battery.

Coke oven door means each end enclosure on the pusher side and the coking side of an oven. The chuck, or leveler-bar, door is part of the pusher side door. A coke oven door includes the entire area on the vertical face of a coke oven between the bench and the top of the battery between two adjacent buckstays.

Cold-idle coke oven battery means an existing coke oven battery that has been shut down, but is not dismantled.

Collecting main means any apparatus that is connected to one or more offtake systems and that provides a passage for conveying gases under positive pressure from the by-product coke oven battery to the by-product recovery system.

Collecting main repair means any measure to stop a collecting main leak on a long-term basis. A repair measure in general is intended to restore the integrity of the collecting main by returning the main to approximately its design specifications or its condition before the leak occurred. A repair measure may include, but is not limited to, replacing a section of the collecting main or welding the source of the leak.

Consecutive charges means charges observed successively, excluding any charge during which the observer's view of the charging system or topside ports is obscured.

Corrective action means the design, operation and maintenance changes that one takes consistent with good engineering practice to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of the recurrence of the primary cause and any other contributing cause(s) of an event identified by a root cause analysis as having resulted in a discharge of gases from an affected facility in excess of specified thresholds.

Day for monitoring purposes means any operation of the unit of more than three hours total for any time in the 24-hour period between 12:00 a.m. on one calendar day and 12:00 a.m. on the next calendar day.

Design capacity means the original design capacity of a coke oven battery, expressed in megagrams per year of furnace coke.

Fenceline is a location on the border of the coke oven manufacturing facility property.

Foundry coke producer means a coke producer that is not and was not on January 1, 1992, owned or operated by an integrated steel producer and had on January 1, 1992, an annual design capacity of less than 1.25 million megagrams per year (1.38 million tons per year) (not including any capacity satisfying the requirements of § 63.300(d)(2) or § 63.304(b)(6)).

Greenfield coke oven battery means a coke oven battery for which construction is commenced at a plant site (where no coke oven batteries previously existed) after December 4, 1992.

Heat and/or nonrecovery coke oven battery means a group of ovens, connected by common side walls, in which coal undergoes destructive distillation under negative pressure to produce coke and coke oven gas and from which by-products are not recovered. The common tunnels typically contain afterburners to further reduce organic emissions in the coke oven gas. For nonrecovery plants (i.e., no chemical recovery) with heat recovery, the oven gases are vented through common tunnels to a heat recovery steam generator that produces steam. Heat recovery coke oven batteries may release oven gases through common tunnels and then into the atmosphere through bypass stacks when the heat recovery steam generators are not available due to maintenance or repair. For nonrecovery coke oven batteries (i.e., no chemical recovery) without heat recovery, oven gases are vented through common tunnels and then released to the atmosphere through waste heat stacks.

Heat recovery steam generator is a process unit that recovers heat from coke oven gas in order to produce steam. Units typically are equipped with desulfurization units and baghouses to remove pollutants from the exhaust gases.

Heat recovery steam generator bypass/waste heat stack means a stack that allows coke oven gas to be vented from the coke oven batteries through common tunnels and into the atmosphere when there are no heat recovery steam generator units available for heat recovery. Common tunnels typically are equipped with afterburners to further reduce organic emissions in the coke oven gas.

Heat recovery steam generator main stack means the stack that is the point of final discharge to the atmosphere of the gases emanating from a heat recovery steam generator and its control devices, which typically are desulfurization units and baghouses.

Integrated steel producer means a company or corporation that produces coke, uses the coke in a blast furnace to make iron, and uses the iron to produce steel. These operations may be performed at different plant sites within the corporation.

Malfunction means any sudden, infrequent, and not reasonably preventable failure of air pollution control equipment, process equipment, or a process to operate in a normal or usual manner which causes, or has the potential to cause, the emission limitations in an applicable standard to be exceeded. Failures caused in part by poor maintenance or careless operation are not malfunctions.

New shed means a shed for which construction commenced after September 15, 1992. The shed at Bethlehem Steel Corporation's Bethlehem plant on Battery A is deemed not to be a new shed.

Nonrecovery coke oven battery means a source consisting of a group of ovens connected by common walls, where coal undergoes destructive distillation under negative pressure to produce coke, and which is designed for the combustion of the coke oven gas from which by-products are not recovered. Also known as a heat and/or nonrecovery battery. Nonrecovery coke oven battery refers to units from which heat is recovered from the coke oven gas exhaust as well as units where heat is not recovered. Both heat and/or nonrecovery batteries are connected by common tunnels that typically include afterburners to further reduce organic emissions in the coke oven gas.

Not tall oven battery means a coke oven battery with ovens less than 6 meters (20 feet) in height.

Offtake system means any individual oven apparatus that is stationary and provides a passage for gases from an oven to a coke oven battery collecting main or to another oven. Offtake system components include the standpipe and standpipe caps, goosenecks, stationary jumper pipes, mini-standpipes, and standpipe and gooseneck connections.

Oven means a chamber in the coke oven battery in which coal undergoes destructive distillation to produce coke.

Padup rebuild means a coke oven battery that is a complete reconstruction of an existing coke oven battery on the same site and pad without an increase in the design capacity of the coke plant as of November 15, 1990 (including any capacity qualifying under § 63.304(b)(6), and the capacity of any coke oven battery subject to a construction permit on November 15, 1990, which commenced operation before October 27, 1993. The Administrator may determine that a project is a padup rebuild if it effectively constitutes a replacement of the battery above the pad, even if some portion of the brickwork above the pad is retained.

Pushing, for the purposes of § 63.305, means the coke oven operation that commences when the pushing ram starts into the oven to push out coke that has completed the coking cycle and ends when the quench car is clear of the coke side shed.

Pushing/charging machine (PCM) means the combined coke oven pushing and charging machine operated on rail tracks to open an oven door, push the finished coke from the open oven, and close the oven door, and to charge the adjacent oven with coal to start the coking cycle. Typically used with horizontal ovens such as those at nonrecovery coke facilities.

Root cause analysis is an assessment conducted through a process of investigation to determine the primary underlying cause and all other contributing causes to an exceedance of an action level set forth in this rule.

Run means the observation of visible emissions from topside port lids, offtake systems, coke oven doors, or the charging of a coke oven that is made in accordance with and is valid under Methods 303 or 303A in appendix A to this part.

Shed means a structure for capturing coke oven emissions on the coke side or pusher side of the coke oven battery, which routes the emissions to a control device or system.

Short coke oven battery means a coke oven battery with ovens less than 6 meters (20 feet) in height. Also called a “not tall” oven battery.

Shutdown means the operation that commences when pushing has occurred on the first oven with the intent of pushing the coke out of all of the ovens in a coke oven battery without adding coal, and ends when all of the ovens of a coke oven battery are empty of coal or coke.

Standpipe cap means an apparatus used to cover the opening in the gooseneck of an offtake system.

Startup means that operation that commences when the coal begins to be added to the first oven of a coke oven battery that either is being started for the first time or that is being restarted and ends when the doors have been adjusted for maximum leak reduction and the collecting main pressure control has been stabilized. Except for the first startup of a coke oven battery, a startup cannot occur unless a shutdown has occurred.

Tall coke oven battery means a coke oven battery with ovens 6 meters (20 feet) or more in height.

Temporary seal means any measure, including but not limited to, application of luting or packing material, to stop a collecting main leak until the leak is repaired.

Topside port lid means a cover, removed during charging or decarbonizing, that is placed over the opening through which coal can be charged into the oven of a by-product coke oven battery.

Waste heat stack at a heat and/or nonrecovery facility means a stack that allows coke oven gas to be vented from the coke oven batteries through common tunnels and into the atmosphere when there are no units available for heat recovery. Common tunnels typically contain afterburners to further reduce organic emissions in coke oven gas.

[58 FR 57911, Oct. 27, 1993, as amended at 65 FR 62215, Oct. 17, 2000; 71 FR 20456, Apr. 20, 2006; 89 FR 55732, July 5, 2024]

(a) Except as provided in § 63.304 or § 63.305, on and after the dates specified in this paragraph, no owner or operator shall cause to be discharged or allow to be discharged to the atmosphere, coke oven emissions from each affected existing by-product coke oven battery that exceed any of the following emission limitations or requirements:

(1) On and after December 31, 1995;

(i) For coke oven doors;

(A) 6.0 percent leaking coke oven doors for each tall by-product coke oven battery, as determined according to the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(B) 5.5 percent leaking coke oven doors for each short by-product coke oven battery, as determined according to the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(ii) 0.6 percent leaking topside port lids, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(iii) 3.0 percent leaking offtake system(s), as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(iv) 12 seconds of visible emissions per charge, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(2).

(2) On and after January 1, 2003, unless the Administrator promulgates more stringent limits pursuant to section 112(f) of the Act;

(i) 5.5 percent leaking coke oven doors for each tall by-product coke oven battery, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(ii) 5.0 percent leaking coke oven doors for each short by-product coke oven battery, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1).

(3) On and after July 14, 2005;

(i) 4.0 percent leaking coke oven doors for each tall by-product coke oven battery and for each by-product coke oven battery owned or operated by a foundry coke producer, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(ii) 3.3 percent leaking coke oven doors for each by-product coke oven battery not subject to the emission limitation in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(iii) 0.4 percent leaking topside port lids, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(iv) 2.5 percent leaking offtake system(s), as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(v) 12 seconds of visible emissions per charge, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(2).

(4) On and after July 7, 2025:

(i) for facilities with coke production capacity more than or equal to 3 million tpy coke and as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1), 2.5 percent leaking coke oven doors for each tall by-product coke oven battery and 1.7 percent leaking coke oven doors for each not tall by-product coke oven battery;

(ii) for facilities with coke production capacity less than 3 million tpy coke and as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1), 3.8 percent leaking coke oven doors for each tall by-product coke oven battery and 3.2 percent leaking coke oven doors for each not tall by-product coke oven battery;

(iii) 0.32 percent leaking topside port lids, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(iv) 2.1 percent leaking offtake system(s), as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(v) 12 seconds of visible emissions per charge, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(2).

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no owner or operator shall cause to be discharged or allow to be discharged to the atmosphere, coke oven emissions from a by-product coke oven battery subject to the applicability requirements in § 63.300(b) that exceed any of the following emission limitations:

(1) 0.0 percent leaking coke oven doors, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(2) 0.0 percent leaking topside port lids, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(3) 0.0 percent leaking offtake system(s), as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(4) 34 seconds of visible emissions per charge, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(2).

(c) The emission limitations in paragraph (b) of this section do not apply to the owner or operator of a by-product coke oven battery that utilizes a new recovery technology, including but not limited to larger size ovens, operation under negative pressure, and processes with emission points different from those regulated under this subpart. An owner or operator constructing a new by-product coke oven battery or reconstructing an existing by-product recovery battery that utilizes a new recovery technology shall:

(1) Notify the Administrator of the intention to do so, as required in § 63.311(c); and

(2) Submit, for the determination under section 112(g)(2)(B) of the Act, and as part of the application for permission to construct or reconstruct, all information and data requested by the Administrator for the determination of applicable emission limitations and requirements for that by-product coke oven battery.

(d) Emission limitations and requirements applied to each coke oven battery utilizing a new recovery technology shall be less than the following emission limitations or shall result in an overall annual emissions rate for coke oven emissions for the battery that is lower than that obtained by the following emission limitations on and after July 7, 2025:

(1) Coke oven doors on by-product coke oven batteries at facilities with production capacity more than or equal to 3 million tpy coke:

(i) 2.5 percent leaking coke oven doors on tall by-product coke oven batteries, as defined in § 63.301 and as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(ii) 1.7 percent leaking coke oven doors for each not tall by-product coke oven battery, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(2) For coke oven doors on by-product coke oven batteries at facilities with coke production capacity less than 3 million tpy coke:

(i) 3.8 percent leaking coke oven doors on tall by-product coke oven batteries, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(ii) 3.2 percent leaking coke oven doors on not tall by-product coke oven batteries, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(3) 2.1 percent leaking offtake system(s), as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(4) 0.32 percent leaking topside port lids, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(5) 12 seconds of visible emissions per charge, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(2).

[58 FR 57911, Oct. 27, 1993, as amended at 70 FR 20013, Apr. 15, 2005; 89 FR 55733, July 5, 2024]

(a) Except as provided in § 63.304, on and after December 31, 1995, no owner or operator shall cause to be discharged or allow to be discharged to the atmosphere coke oven emissions from each affected existing nonrecovery coke oven battery that exceed any of the following emission limitations or requirements:

(1) For coke oven doors and common tunnels;

(i) 0.0 percent leaking coke oven doors, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(ii) The owner or operator shall monitor and record, once per day for each day of operation, the pressure in each oven or in each common battery tunnel during pushing, charging, and coking to ensure that the ovens are operated under a negative pressure.

(iii) The date for compliance with (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section is on and after July 7, 2025.

(2) For charging operations, the owner or operator shall implement, for each day of operation, the work practices specified in § 63.306(b)(6) and record the performance of the work practices as required in § 63.306(b)(7).

(b) No owner or operator shall cause to be discharged or allow to be discharged to the atmosphere coke oven emissions from each affected new nonrecovery coke oven battery subject to the applicability requirements in § 63.300(b) that exceed any of the following emission limitations or requirements:

(1) For coke oven doors and common tunnels;

(i) 0.0 percent leaking coke oven doors, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(ii) The owner or operator shall monitor and record, once per day for each day of operation, the pressure in each oven or in each common battery tunnel during pushing, charging, and coking to ensure that the ovens are operated under a negative pressure.

(iii) The date for compliance with (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section is on and after July 7, 2025, or upon initial startup, whichever is later.

(2) For charging operations, the owner or operator shall install, operate, and maintain an emission control system for the capture and collection of emissions in a manner consistent with good air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions from the charging operation;

(3) For charging operations, the owner or operator shall implement, for each day of operation, the work practices specified in § 63.306(b)(6) and record the performance of the work practices as required in § 63.306(b)(7).

(4) 0.0 percent leaking topside port lids, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1) (if applicable to the new nonrecovery coke oven battery); and

(5) 0.0 percent leaking offtake system(s), as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1) (if applicable to the new nonrecovery coke oven battery).

(c) Except as provided in § 63.304(a), (b), and (d), the owner or operator of any nonrecovery coke oven battery shall meet the work practice standards in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section.

(1) The owner or operator shall observe each coke oven door after charging and record the oven number of any door from which visible emissions occur. Emissions from coal spilled during charging or from material trapped within the seal area of the door are not considered to be a door leak if the owner or operator demonstrates that the oven is under negative pressure, and that no emissions are visible from the top of the door or from dampers on the door.

(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, if a coke oven door leak is observed at any time during the coking cycle, the owner or operator shall take corrective action and stop the leak within 15 minutes from the time the leak is first observed. No additional leaks are allowed from doors on that oven for the remainder of that oven's coking cycle.

(i) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section, the owner or operator may take corrective action and stop the leak within 45 minutes (instead of 15 minutes) from the time the leak is first observed for a maximum of two times per battery in any semiannual reporting period.

(ii) If a worker must enter a cokeside shed to stop a leaking door under the cokeside shed, the owner or operator shall take corrective action and stop the door leak within 45 minutes (instead of 15 minutes) from the time the leak is first observed. The evacuation system and control device for the cokeside shed must be operated at all times there is a leaking door under the cokeside shed.

(d) The owner or operator of a new nonrecovery coke oven battery shall meet the emission limitations and work practice standards in paragraphs (d)(1) through (4) of this section.

(1) The owner or operator shall not discharge or cause to be discharged to the atmosphere from charging operations any fugitive emissions that exhibit an opacity greater than 20 percent, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(j).

(2) The owner or operator shall not discharge or cause to be discharged to the atmosphere any emissions of particulate matter (PM) from a charging emissions control device that exceed 0.0081 pounds per ton (lbs/ton) of dry coal charged, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(k).

(3) The owner or operator shall observe the exhaust stack of each charging emissions control device at least once each day of operation during charging to determine if visible emissions are present and shall record the results of each daily observation or the reason why conditions did not permit a daily observation. If any visible emissions are observed, the owner or operator must:

(i) Take corrective action to eliminate the presence of visible emissions;

(ii) Record the cause of the problem creating the visible emissions and the corrective action taken;

(iii) Conduct visible emission observations according to the procedures in § 63.309(m) within 24 hours after detecting the visible emissions; and

(iv) Report any 6-minute average, as determined according to the procedures in § 63.309(m), that exceeds 10 percent opacity as a deviation in the semiannual compliance report required by § 63.311(d).

(4) The owner or operator shall develop and implement written procedures for adjusting the oven uptake damper to maximize oven draft during charging and for monitoring the oven damper setting during each charge to ensure that the damper is fully open.

[58 FR 57911, Oct. 27, 1993, as amended at 70 FR 20013, Apr. 15, 2005; 89 FR 55733, July 5, 2024]

(a) An owner or operator of an existing coke oven battery (including a cold-idle coke oven battery), a padup rebuild, or a brownfield coke oven battery, may elect an extension of the compliance date for emission limits to be promulgated pursuant to section 112(f) of the Act in accordance with section 112(i)(8). To receive an extension of the compliance date from January 1, 2003, until January 1, 2020, the owner or operator shall notify the Administrator as described in § 63.311(c) that the battery will comply with the emission limitations and requirements in this section in lieu of the applicable emission limitations in § 63.302 or 63.303.

(b) Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(4), (b)(5), and (b)(7) of this section and in § 63.305, on and after the dates specified in this paragraph, no owner or operator shall cause to be discharged or allow to be discharged to the atmosphere coke oven emissions from a by-product coke oven battery that exceed any of the following emission limitations:

(1) On and after November 15, 1993;

(i) 7.0 percent leaking coke oven doors, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(ii) 0.83 percent leaking topside port lids, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(iii) 4.2 percent leaking offtake system(s), as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(iv) 12 seconds of visible emissions per charge, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(2).

(2) On and after January 1, 1998;

(i) For coke oven doors:

(A) 4.3 percent leaking coke oven doors for each tall by-product coke oven battery and for each by-product coke oven battery owned or operated by a foundry coke producer, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(B) 3.8 percent leaking coke oven doors on each by-product coke oven battery not subject to the emission limitation in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A) of this section, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(ii) 0.4 percent leaking topside port lids, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(iii) 2.5 percent leaking offtake system(s), as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(iv) 12 seconds of visible emissions per charge, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(2).

(3) On and after January 1, 2010, unless the Administrator promulgates more stringent limits pursuant to section 112(i)(8)(C) of the Act;

(i) 4.0 percent leaking coke oven doors on each tall by-product coke oven battery and for each by-product coke oven battery owned or operated by a foundry coke producer, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(ii) 3.3 percent leaking coke oven doors for each by-product coke oven battery not subject to the emission limitation in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1).

(4) No owner or operator shall cause to be discharged or allow to be discharged to the atmosphere coke oven emissions from a brownfield or padup rebuild by-product coke oven battery, other than those specified in paragraph (b)(4)(v) of this section, that exceed any of the following emission limitations:

(i) For coke oven doors;

(A) 4.0 percent leaking coke oven doors for each tall by-product coke oven battery, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(B) 3.3 percent leaking coke oven doors on each short by-product coke oven battery, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(ii) 0.4 percent leaking topside port lids, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1);

(iii) 2.5 percent leaking offtake system(s), as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1); and

(iv) 12 seconds of visible emissions per charge, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(2).

(v) The requirements of paragraph (b)(4) of this section shall not apply and the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this section do apply to the following brownfield or padup rebuild coke oven batteries:

(A) Bethlehem Steel-Burns Harbor, Battery No. 2;

(B) National Steel-Great Lakes, Battery No. 4; and

(C) Koppers-Woodward, Battery No. 3.

(vi) To retain the exclusion provided in paragraph (b)(4)(v) of this section, a coke oven battery specified in paragraph (b)(4)(v) of this section shall commence construction not later than July 1, 1996, or 1 year after obtaining a construction permit, whichever is earlier.

(5) The owner or operator of a cold-idle coke oven battery that shut down on or after November 15, 1990, shall comply with the following emission limitations:

(i) For a brownfield coke oven battery or a padup rebuild coke oven battery, coke oven emissions shall not exceed the emission limitations in paragraph (b)(4) of this section; and

(ii) For a cold-idle battery other than a brownfield or padup rebuild coke oven battery, coke oven emissions shall not exceed the emission limitations in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section.

(6) The owner or operator of a cold-idle coke oven battery that shut down prior to November 15, 1990, shall submit a written request to the Administrator to include the battery in the design capacity of a coke plant as of November 15, 1990. A copy of the request shall also be sent to Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. The Administrator will review and approve or disapprove a request according to the following procedures:

(i) Requests will be reviewed for completeness in the order received. A complete request shall include:

(A) Battery identification;

(B) Design information, including the design capacity and number and size of ovens; and

(C) A brief description of the owner or operator's plans for the cold-idle battery, including a statement whether construction of a padup rebuild or a brownfield coke oven battery is contemplated.

(ii) A complete request shall be approved if the design capacity of the battery and the design capacity of all previous approvals does not exceed the capacity limit in paragraph (b)(6)(i)(C) of this section.

(iii) The total nationwide coke capacity of coke oven batteries that receive approval under paragraph (b)(6) of this section shall not exceed 2.7 million Mg/yr (3.0 million ton/yr).

(iv) If a construction permit is required, an approval shall lapse if a construction permit is not issued within 3 years of the approval date, or if the construction permit lapses.

(v) If a construction permit is not required, an approval will lapse if the battery is not restarted within 2 years of the approval date.

(7) The owner or operator of a by-product coke oven battery with fewer than 30 ovens may elect to comply with an emission limitation of 2 or fewer leaking coke oven doors, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(4), as an alternative to the emission limitation for coke oven doors in paragraphs (b)(2)(i), (b)(3) (i) through (ii), (b)(4)(i), (b)(5), and (b)(6) of this section.

(8) On and after July 7, 2025:

(i) 2.5 percent leaking coke oven doors on each tall by-product coke oven battery and for each by-product coke oven battery owned or operated by a foundry coke producer, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1) for facilities with production capacity greater than 3 million tpy coke or 1.7 percent leaking coke oven doors for each not tall by-product coke oven battery and for each by-product coke oven battery owned or operated by a foundry coke producer, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1) for facilities with production capacity greater than 3 million tpy coke; and

(ii) 3.8 percent leaking coke oven doors on each tall by-product coke oven battery and for each by-product coke oven battery owned or operated by a foundry coke producer, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1) for facilities with production capacity less than 3 million tpy coke or 3.2 percent leaking coke oven doors for each not tall by-product coke oven battery and for each by-product coke oven battery owned or operated by a foundry coke producer, as determined by the procedures in § 63.309(d)(1) for facilities with production capacity less than 3 million tpy coke.

(c) On and after November 15, 1993, no owner or operator shall cause to be discharged or allow to be discharged to the atmosphere coke oven emissions from an existing nonrecovery coke oven battery that exceed any of the emission limitations or requirements in § 63.303(a).

(d) Each owner or operator of an existing coke oven battery qualifying for a compliance date extension pursuant to this section shall make available, no later than January 1, 2000, to the surrounding communities the results of any risk assessment performed by the Administrator to determine the appropriate level of any emission standard established by the Administrator according to section 112(f) of the Act.

[58 FR 57911, Oct. 27, 1993, as amended at 65 FR 62215, Oct. 17, 2000; 89 FR 55733, July 5, 2024]

(a) The owner or operator of a new or existing coke oven battery equipped with a shed for the capture of coke oven emissions from coke oven doors and an emission control device for the collection of the emissions may comply with an alternative to the applicable visible emission limitations for coke oven doors in §§ 63.302 and 63.304 according to the procedures and requirements in this section.

(b) To qualify for approval of an alternative standard, the owner or operator shall submit to the Administrator a test plan for the measurement of emissions. A copy of the request shall also be sent to the Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. The plan shall describe the procedures to be used for the measurement of particulate matter; the parameters to be measured that affect the shed exhaust rate (e.g., damper settings, fan power) and the procedures for measuring such parameters; and if applicable under paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section, the procedures to be used for the measurement of benzene soluble organics, benzene, toluene, and xylene emitted from the control device for the shed. The owner or operator shall notify the Administrator at least 30 days before any performance test is conducted.

(c) A complete test plan is deemed approved if no disapproval is received within 60 days of the submittal to the Administrator. After approval of the test plan, the owner or operator shall;

(1) Determine the efficiency of the control device for removal of particulate matter by conducting measurements at the inlet and the outlet of the emission control device using Method 5 in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter, with the filter box operated at ambient temperature and in a manner to avoid condensation, with a backup filter;

(2) Measure the visible emissions from coke oven doors that escape capture by the shed using Method 22 in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter. For the purpose of approval of an alternative standard, no visible emissions may escape capture from the shed.

(i) Visible emission observations shall be taken during conditions representative of normal operations, except that pushing shall be suspended and pushing emissions shall have cleared the shed; and

(ii) Method 22 observations shall be performed by an observer certified according to the requirements of Method 9 in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter. The observer shall allow pushing emissions to be evacuated (typically 1 to 2 minutes) before making observations;

(3) Measure the opacity of emissions from the control device using Method 9 in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter during conditions representative of normal operations, including pushing; and

(i) If the control device has multiple stacks, the owner or operator shall use an evaluation based on visible emissions and opacity to select the stack with the highest opacity for testing under this section;

(ii) The highest opacity, expressed as a 6-minute average, shall be used as the opacity standard for the control device.

(iii) Alternatively, ASTM D7520-16, (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14) may be used with the following conditions:

(A) During the digital camera opacity technique (DCOT) certification procedure outlined in section 9.2 of ASTM D7520-16 (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14), the owner or operator or the DCOT vendor must present the plumes in front of various backgrounds of color and contrast representing conditions anticipated during field use such as blue sky, trees, and mixed backgrounds (clouds and/or a sparse tree stand).

(B) The owner or operator must also have standard operating procedures in place including daily or other frequency quality checks to ensure the equipment is within manufacturing specifications as outlined in section 8.1 of ASTM D7520-16 (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14).

(C) The owner or operator must follow the recordkeeping procedures outlined in § 63.10(b)(1) for the DCOT certification, compliance report, data sheets, and all raw unaltered JPEGs used for opacity and certification determination.

(D) The owner or operator or the DCOT vendor must have a minimum of four independent technology users apply the software to determine the visible opacity of the 300 certification plumes. For each set of 25 plumes, the user may not exceed 15 percent opacity of anyone reading and the average error must not exceed 7.5 percent opacity.

(E) Use of this approved alternative does not provide or imply a certification or validation of any vendor's hardware or software. The onus to maintain and verify the certification and/or training of the DCOT camera, software, and operator in accordance with ASTM D7520-16 (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14) and these requirements is on the facility, DCOT operator, and DCOT vendor.

(4) Thoroughly inspect all compartments of each air cleaning device prior to the performance test for proper operation and for changes that signal the potential for malfunction, including the presence of tears, holes, and abrasions in filter bags; damaged seals; and for dust deposits on the clean side of bags; and

(5) Determine the allowable percent leaking doors under the shed using either of the following procedures:

(i) Calculate the allowable percent leaking doors using the following equation:

where PLD = Allowable percent leaking doors for alternative standard. PLDstd = Applicable visible emission limitation of percent leaking doors under this subpart that would otherwise apply to the coke oven battery, converted to the single-run limit according to Table 1. eff = Percent control efficiency for particulate matter for emission control device as determined according to paragraph (c)(1) of this section. or;

(ii) Calculate the allowable percent leaking doors using the following procedures:

(A) Measure the total emission rate of benzene, toluene, and xylene exiting the control device using Method 18 in appendix A-6 to 40 CFR part 60 and the emission rate of benzene soluble organics entering the control device as described in the test plan submitted pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section. The voluntary consensus standard ASTM D6420-18, (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14) is an acceptable alternative to EPA Method 18 for benzene, toluene, and xylene; or

(B) Measure benzene, toluene, xylene, and benzene soluble organics in the gas in the collector main as described in the test plan submitted pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section; and

(C) Calculate the ratio (R) of benzene, toluene, and xylene to benzene soluble organics for the gas in the collector main, or as the sum of the outlet emission rates of benzene, toluene, and xylene, divided by the emission rate of benzene soluble organics as measured at the inlet to the control device; and

(D) Calculate the allowable percent leaking doors limit under the shed using the following equation:

where R = Ratio of measured emissions of benzene, toluene, and xylene to measured emissions of benzene soluble organics.

(iii) If the allowable percent leaking coke oven doors is calculated to exceed 15 percent leaking coke oven doors under paragraphs (c)(5)(i) or (c)(5)(ii) of this section, the owner or operator shall use 15 percent leaking coke oven doors for the purposes of this section.

(6) Monitor the parameters that affect the shed exhaust flow rate.

(7) The owner or operator may request alternative sampling procedures to those specified in paragraph (c)(5)(ii) (A) and (B) of this section by submitting details on the procedures and the rationale for their use to the Administrator. Alternative procedures shall not be used without approval from the Administrator.

(8) The owner or operator shall inform the Administrator of the schedule for conducting testing under the approved test plan and give the Administrator the opportunity to observe the tests.

(d) After calculating the alternative standard for allowable percent leaking coke oven doors, the owner or operator shall submit the following information to the Administrator:

(1) Identity of the coke oven battery;

(2) Visible emission limitation(s) for percent leaking doors currently applicable to the coke oven battery under this subpart and known future limitations for percent leaking coke oven doors;

(3) A written report including:

(i) Appropriate measurements and calculations used to derive the allowable percent leaking coke oven doors requested as the alternative standard;

(ii) Appropriate visible emission observations for the shed and opacity observations for the control device for the shed, including an alternative opacity standard, if applicable, as described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section based on the highest 6-minute average; and

(iii) The parameter or parameters (e.g., fan power, damper position, or other) to be monitored and recorded to demonstrate that the exhaust flow rate measured during the test required by paragraph (c)(1) of this section is maintained, and the monitoring plan for such parameter(s).

(iv) If the application is for a new shed, one of the following demonstrations:

(A) A demonstration, using modeling procedures acceptable to the Administrator, that the expected concentrations of particulate emissions (including benzene soluble organics) under the shed at the bench level, when the proposed alternative standard was being met, would not exceed the expected concentrations of particulate emissions (including benzene soluble organics) if the shed were not present, the regulations under this subpart were met, and the battery was in compliance with federally enforceable limitations on pushing emissions; or

(B) A demonstration that the shed (including the evacuation system) has been designed in accordance with generally accepted engineering principles for the effective capture and control of particulate emissions (including benzene soluble organics) as measured at the shed's perimeter, its control device, and at the bench level.

(e) The Administrator will review the information and data submitted according to paragraph (d) of this section and may request additional information and data within 60 days of receipt of a complete request.

(1) Except for applications subject to paragraph (e)(3) of this section, the Administrator shall approve or disapprove an alternative standard as expeditiously as practicable. The Administrator shall approve an alternative standard, unless the Administrator determines that the approved test plan has not been followed, or any required calculations are incorrect, or any demonstration required under paragraph (d)(3)(iv) of this section does not satisfy the applicable criteria under that paragraph. If the alternative standard is disapproved, the Administrator will issue a written notification to the owner or operator within the 60-day period.

(2) The owner or operator shall comply with the applicable visible emission limitation for coke oven doors and all other requirements in this subpart prior to approval of an alternative standard. The owner or operator may apply for an alternative standard at any time after December 4, 1992.

(3) An application for an alternative standard to the standard in § 63.304(b)(1)(i) for any shed that is not a new shed that is filed on or before June 15, 1993, is deemed approved if a notice of disapproval has not been received 60 days after submission of a complete request. An approval under paragraph (e)(3) of this section shall be valid for a period of 1 year.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (e) of this section, no alternative standard shall be approved that exceeds 15 percent leaking coke oven doors (yard equivalent).

(f) After approval of an alternative standard, the owner or operator shall comply with the following requirements:

(1) The owner or operator shall not discharge or allow to be discharged to the atmosphere coke oven emissions from coke oven doors under sheds that exceed an approved alternative standard for percent leaking coke oven doors under sheds.

(i) All visible emission observations for compliance determinations shall be performed by a certified observer.

(ii) Compliance with the alternative standard for doors shall be determined by a weekly performance test conducted according to the procedures and requirements in § 63.309(d)(5) and Method 303 in appendix A to this part.

(iii) If the visible emission limitation is achieved for 12 consecutive observations, compliance shall be determined by monthly rather than weekly performance tests. If any exceedance occurs during a performance test, weekly performance tests shall be resumed.

(iv) Observations taken at times other than those specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(ii) and (f)(1)(iii) of this section shall be subject to the provisions of § 63.309(f).

(2) The certified observer shall monitor the visible coke oven emissions escaping capture by the shed on a weekly basis. The provision in paragraph (f)(6) of this section is applicable if visible coke oven emissions are observed during periods when pushing emissions have cleared the shed.

(3) The owner or operator shall not discharge or allow to be discharged to the atmosphere any visible emissions from the shed's control device exhibiting more than 0 percent opacity unless an alternative limit has been approved under paragraph (e) of this section.

(4) The opacity of emissions from the control device for the shed shall be monitored in accordance with the requirements of either paragraph (f)(4)(i) or (ii) of this section, at the election of the owner or operator.

(i) The owner or operator shall install, operate, and maintain a continuous opacity monitor, and record the output of the system, for the measurement of the opacity of emissions discharged from the emission control system per §§ 63.300(e) and 63.8(d)(1) and (2).

(A) Each continuous opacity monitoring system shall meet the requirements of Performance Specification 1 in appendix B to 40 CFR part 60; and

(B) Each continuous opacity monitoring system shall be operated, calibrated, and maintained according to the procedures and requirements specified in 40 CFR part 52; and

(C) The owner or operator shall keep the written procedures required by § 63.8(d)(1) and (2) on record for the life of the affected source or until the affected source is no longer subject to the provisions of this part, to be made available for inspection, upon request, by the Administrator. If the performance evaluation plan is revised, the owner or operator shall keep previous (i.e., superseded) versions of the performance evaluation plan on record to be made available for inspection, upon request, by the Administrator, for a period of 5 years after each revision to the plan. The program of corrective action should be included in the plan required under § 63.8(d)(2); or

(ii) A certified observer shall monitor and record at least once each day during daylight hours, opacity observations for the control device for the shed using Method 9 in appendix A-4 to 40 CFR part 60. Alternatively, ASTM D7520-16, (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14) may be used with the following conditions:

(A) During the digital camera opacity technique (DCOT) certification procedure outlined in section 9.2 of ASTM D7520-16 (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14), the owner or operator or the DCOT vendor must present the plumes in front of various backgrounds of color and contrast representing conditions anticipated during field use such as blue sky, trees, and mixed backgrounds (clouds and/or a sparse tree stand).

(B) The owner or operator must also have standard operating procedures in place including daily or other frequency quality checks to ensure the equipment is within manufacturing specifications as outlined in section 8.1 of ASTM D7520-16 (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14).

(C) The owner or operator must follow the recordkeeping procedures outlined in § 63.10(b)(1) for the DCOT certification, compliance report, data sheets, and all raw unaltered JPEGs used for opacity and certification determination.

(D) The owner or operator or the DCOT vendor must have a minimum of four independent technology users apply the software to determine the visible opacity of the 300 certification plumes. For each set of 25 plumes, the user may not exceed 15 percent opacity of anyone reading and the average error must not exceed 7.5 percent opacity.

(E) Use of this approved alternative does not provide or imply a certification or validation of any vendor's hardware or software. The onus to maintain and verify the certification and/or training of the DCOT camera, software, and operator in accordance with ASTM D7520-16 (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14) and these requirements is on the facility, DCOT operator, and DCOT vendor.

(5) The owner or operator shall visually inspect the structural integrity of the shed at least once a quarter for defects, such as deterioration of sheet metal (e.g., holes in the shed), that may allow the escape of visible emissions.

(i) The owner or operator shall record the time and date a defect is first observed, the time and date the defect is corrected or repaired, and a brief description of repairs or corrective actions taken;

(ii) The owner or operator shall temporarily repair the defect as soon as possible, but no later than 5 days after detection of the defect;

(iii) Unless a major repair is required, the owner or operator shall perform a complete repair of the defect within 15 days of detection of the defect. If a major repair is required (e.g., replacement of large sections of the shed), the owner or operator shall submit a repair schedule to the enforcement agency.

(6) If the no visible emission limit for the shed specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this section is exceeded, the Administrator may require another test for the shed according to the approved test plan as specified in paragraph (c) of this section. If the certified observer observes visible coke oven emissions from the shed, except during periods of pushing or when pushing emissions have not cleared the shed, the owner or operator shall check to ensure that the shed and control device are working properly.

(7) The owner or operator shall monitor the parameter(s) affecting shed exhaust flow rate, and record data, in accordance with the approved monitoring plan for these parameters.

(8) The owner or operator shall not operate the exhaust system of the shed at an exhaust flow rate lower than that measured during the test required under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, as indicated by the monitored parameters.

(g) Each side of a battery subject to an alternative standard for doors under this section shall be treated separately for purposes of §§ 63.306(c) (plan implementation) and 63.306(d) (plan revisions) of this subpart. In making determinations under these provisions for the side of the battery subject to an alternative standard, the requirement that exceedances be independent shall not apply. During any period when work practices for doors for both sides of the battery are required to be implemented, § 63.306(a)(3) shall apply in the same manner as if the provisions of a plan for a single emissions point were required to be implemented. Exceedances of the alternative standard for percent leaking doors under a shed is the only provision in this section implicating implementation of work practice requirements.

(h) Multiple exceedances of the visible emission limitation for door leaks and/or the provisions of an alternative standard under this section for door leaks at a battery on a single day shall be considered a single violation.

[58 FR 57911, Oct. 27, 1993, as amended at 89 FR 55734, July 5, 2024]

(a) Work practice plan. On or before November 15, 1993, each owner or operator shall prepare and submit a written emission control work practice plan for each coke oven battery. The plan shall be designed to achieve compliance with visible emission limitations for coke oven doors, topside port lids, offtake systems, and charging operations under this subpart, or, for a coke oven battery not subject to visible emission limitations under this subpart, other federally enforceable visible emission limitations for these emission points.

(1) The work practice plan must address each of the topics specified in paragraph (b) of this section in sufficient detail and with sufficient specificity to allow the reviewing authority to evaluate the plan for completeness and enforceability.

(2) The initial plan and any revisions shall be submitted to the Administrator or the delegated State, local, or Tribal authority. The Administrator (or delegated State, local, or Tribal authority) may require revisions to the initial plan only where the Administrator (or delegated State, local, or Tribal authority) finds either that the plan does not address each subject area listed in paragraph (b) of this section for each emission point subject to a visible emission standard under this subpart, or that the plan in unenforceable because it contains requirements that are unclear.

(3) During any period of time that an owner or operator is required to implement the provisions of a plan for a particular emission point, the failure to implement one or more obligations under the plan and/or any recordkeeping requirement(s) under § 63.311(f)(4) for the emission point during a particular day is a single violation.

(b) Plan components. The owner or operator shall organize the work practice plan to indicate clearly which parts of the plan pertain to each emission point subject to visible emission standards under this subpart. Each of the following provisions, at a minimum, shall be addressed in the plan:

(1) An initial and refresher training program for all coke plant operating personnel with responsibilities that impact emissions, including contractors, in job requirements related to emission control and the requirements of this subpart, including work practice requirements. Contractors with responsibilities that impact emission control may be trained by the owner or operator or by qualified contractor personnel; however, the owner or operator shall ensure that the contractor training program complies with the requirements of this section. The training program in the plan must include:

(i) A list, by job title, of all personnel that are required to be trained and the emission point(s) associated with each job title;

(ii) An outline of the subjects to be covered in the initial and refresher training for each group of personnel;

(iii) A description of the training method(s) that will be used (e.g., lecture, video tape);

(iv) A statement of the duration of initial training and the duration and frequency of refresher training;

(v) A description of the methods to be used at the completion of initial or refresher training to demonstrate and document successful completion of the initial and refresher training; and

(vi) A description of the procedure to be used to document performance of plan requirements pertaining to daily operation of the coke oven battery and its emission control equipment, including a copy of the form to be used, if applicable, as required under the plan provisions implementing paragraph (b)(7) of this section.

(2) Procedures for controlling emissions from coke oven doors on by-product coke oven batteries, including:

(i) A program for the inspection, adjustment, repair, and replacement of coke oven doors and jambs, and any other equipment for controlling emissions from coke oven doors, including a defined frequency of inspections, the method to be used to evaluate conformance with operating specifications for each type of equipment, and the method to be used to audit the effectiveness of the inspection and repair program for preventing exceedances;

(ii) Procedures for identifying leaks that indicate a failure of the emissions control equipment to function properly, including a clearly defined chain of command for communicating information on leaks and procedures for corrective action;

(iii) Procedures for cleaning all sealing surfaces of each door and jamb, including identification of the equipment that will be used and a specified schedule or frequency for the cleaning of sealing surfaces;

(iv) For batteries equipped with self-sealing doors, procedures for use of supplemental gasketing and luting materials, if the owner or operator elects to use such procedures as part of the program to prevent exceedances;

(v) For batteries equipped with hand-luted doors, procedures for luting and reluting, as necessary to prevent exceedances;

(vi) Procedures for maintaining an adequate inventory of the number of spare coke oven doors and jambs located onsite; and

(vii) Procedures for monitoring and controlling collecting main back pressure, including corrective action if pressure control problems occur.

(3) Procedures for controlling emissions from charging operations on by-product coke oven batteries, including:

(i) Procedures for equipment inspection, including the frequency of inspections, and replacement or repair of equipment for controlling emissions from charging, the method to be used to evaluate conformance with operating specifications for each type of equipment, and the method to be used to audit the effectiveness of the inspection and repair program for preventing exceedances;

(ii) Procedures for ensuring that the larry car hoppers are filled properly with coal;

(iii) Procedures for the alignment of the larry car over the oven to be charged;

(iv) Procedures for filling the oven (e.g., procedures for staged or sequential charging);

(v) Procedures for ensuring that the coal is leveled properly in the oven; and

(vi) Procedures and schedules for inspection and cleaning of offtake systems (including standpipes, standpipe caps, goosenecks, dampers, and mains), oven roofs, charging holes, topside port lids, the steam supply system, and liquor sprays.

(4) Procedures for controlling emissions from topside port lids on by-product coke oven batteries, including:

(i) Procedures for equipment inspection and replacement or repair of topside port lids and port lid mating and sealing surfaces, including the frequency of inspections, the method to be used to evaluate conformance with operating specifications for each type of equipment, and the method to be used to audit the effectiveness of the inspection and repair program for preventing exceedances; and

(ii) Procedures for sealing topside port lids after charging, for identifying topside port lids that leak, and procedures for resealing.

(5) Procedures for controlling emissions from offtake system(s) on by-product coke oven batteries, including:

(i) Procedures for equipment inspection and replacement or repair of offtake system components, including the frequency of inspections, the method to be used to evaluate conformance with operating specifications for each type of equipment, and the method to be used to audit the effectiveness of the inspection and repair program for preventing exceedances;

(ii) Procedures for identifying offtake system components that leak and procedures for sealing leaks that are detected; and

(iii) Procedures for dampering off ovens prior to a push.

(6) Procedures for controlling emissions from nonrecovery coke oven batteries including:

(i) Procedures for charging coal into the oven, including any special procedures for minimizing air infiltration during charging, maximizing the draft on the oven, and for replacing the door promptly after charging;

(ii) If applicable, procedures for the capture and control of charging emissions;

(iii) Procedures for cleaning coke from the door sill area for both sides of the battery after completing the pushing operation and before replacing the coke oven door;

(iv) Procedures for cleaning coal from the door sill area after charging and before replacing the push side door;

(v) Procedures for filling gaps around the door perimeter with sealant material, if applicable; and

(vi) Procedures for detecting and controlling emissions from smoldering coal.

(7) Procedures for maintaining, for each emission point subject to visible emission limitations under this subpart, a daily record of the performance of plan requirements pertaining to the daily operation of the coke oven battery and its emission control equipment, including:

(i) Procedures for recording the performance of such plan requirements; and

(ii) Procedures for certifying the accuracy of such records by the owner or operator.

(8) Any additional work practices or requirements specified by the Administrator according to paragraph (d) of this section.

(c) Implementation of work practice plans. On and after November 15, 1993, the owner or operator of a coke oven battery shall implement the provisions of the coke oven emission control work practice plan according to the following requirements:

(1) The owner or operator of a coke oven battery subject to visible emission limitations under this subpart on and after November 15, 1993, shall:

(i) Implement the provisions of the work practice plan pertaining to a particular emission point following the second independent exceedance of the visible emission limitation for the emission point in any consecutive 6-month period, by no later than 3 days after receipt of written notification of the second such exceedance from the certified observer. For the purpose of this paragraph (c)(1)(i), the second exceedance is “independent” if either of the following criteria is met:

(A) The second exceedance occurs 30 days or more after the first exceedance;

(B) In the case of coke oven doors, topside port lids, and offtake systems, the 29-run average, calculated by excluding the highest value in the 30-day period, exceeds the value of the applicable emission limitation; or

(C) In the case of charging emissions, the 29-day logarithmic average, calculated in accordance with Method 303 in appendix A to this part by excluding the valid daily set of observations in the 30-day period that had the highest arithmetic average, exceeds the value of the applicable emission limitation.

(ii) Continue to implement such plan provisions until the visible emission limitation for the emission point is achieved for 90 consecutive days if work practice requirements are implemented pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. After the visible emission limitation for a particular emission point is achieved for 90 consecutive days, any exceedances prior to the beginning of the 90 days are not included in making a determination under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.

(2) The owner or operator of a coke oven battery not subject to visible emission limitations under this subpart until December 31, 1995, shall:

(i) Implement the provisions of the work practice plan pertaining to a particular emission point following the second exceedance in any consecutive 6-month period of a federally enforceable emission limitation for that emission point for coke oven doors, topside port lids, offtake systems, or charging operations by no later than 3 days after receipt of written notification from the applicable enforcement agency; and

(ii) Continue to implement such plan provisions for 90 consecutive days after the most recent written notification from the enforcement agency of an exceedance of the visible emission limitation.

(d) Revisions to plan. Revisions to the work practice emission control plan will be governed by the provisions in this paragraph (d) and in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The reviewing authority is the Administrator or the delegated State, local, or Tribal authority.

(1) The reviewing authority may request the owner or operator to review and revise as needed the work practice emission control plan for a particular emission point if there are 2 exceedances of the applicable visible emission limitation in the 6-month period that starts 30 days after the owner or operator is required to implement work practices under paragraph (c) of this section. In the case of a coke oven battery subject to visual emission limitations under this subpart, the second exceedance must be independent of the criteria in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.

(2) The reviewing authority may not request the owner or operator to review and revise the plan more than twice in any 12 consecutive month period for any particular emission point unless the reviewing authority disapproves the plan according to the provisions in paragraph (d)(6) of this section.

(3) If the certified observer calculates that a second exceedance (or, if applicable, a second independent exceedance) has occurred, the certified observer shall notify the owner or operator. No later than 10 days after receipt of such a notification, the owner or operator shall notify the reviewing authority of any finding of whether work practices are related to the cause or the solution of the problem. The notification is subject to review by the reviewing authority according to the provisions in paragraph (d)(6) of this section.

(4) The owner or operator shall submit a revised work practice plan within 60 days of notification from the reviewing authority under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, unless the reviewing authority grants an extension of time to submit the revised plan.

(5) If the reviewing authority requires a plan revision, the reviewing authority may require the plan to address a subject area or areas in addition to those in paragraph (b) of this section, if the reviewing authority determines that without plan coverage of such an additional subject area, there is a reasonable probability of further exceedances of the visible emission limitation for the emission point for which a plan revision is required.

(6) The reviewing authority may disapprove a plan revision required under paragraph (d) of this section if the reviewing authority determines that the revised plan is inadequate to prevent exceedances of the visible emission limitation under this subpart for the emission point for which a plan revision is required or, in the case of a battery not subject to visual emission limitations under this subpart, other federally enforceable emission limitations for such emission point. The reviewing authority may also disapprove the finding that may be submitted pursuant to paragraph (d)(3) of this section if the reviewing authority determines that a revised plan is needed to prevent exceedances of the applicable visible emission limitations.

[58 FR 57911, Oct. 27, 1993, as amended at 68 FR 37345, June 23, 2003]

(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, on or before March 31, 1994, the owner or operator of an existing by-product recovery battery for which a notification was not submitted under paragraph (e)(1) of this section shall install a bypass/bleeder stack flare system that is capable of controlling 120 percent of the normal gas flow generated by the battery, which shall thereafter be operated and maintained.

(2) Coke oven emissions shall not be vented to the atmosphere through bypass/bleeder stacks, except through the flare system or the alternative control device as described in paragraph (d) of this section.

(3) The owner or operator of a brownfield coke oven battery or a padup rebuild shall install such a flare system before startup, and shall properly operate and maintain the flare system.

(b) Each flare installed pursuant to this section shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Each flare shall be designed for a net heating value of 8.9 MJ/scm (240 Btu/scf) if a flare is steam-assisted or air-assisted, or a net value of 7.45 MJ/scm (200 Btu/scf) if the flare is non-assisted.

(2) Each flare shall have either a continuously operable pilot flame or an electronic igniter that meets the requirements of paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section.

(3) Each electronic igniter shall meet the following requirements:

(i) Each flare shall be equipped with at least two igniter plugs with redundant igniter transformers;

(ii) The ignition units shall be designed failsafe with respect to flame detection thermocouples (i.e., any flame detection thermocouples are used only to indicate the presence of a flame, are not interlocked with the ignition unit, and cannot deactivate the ignition system); and

(iii) Integral battery backup shall be provided to maintain active ignition operation for a minimum of 15 minutes during a power failure.

(iv) Each electronic igniter shall be operated to initiate ignition when the bleeder valve is not fully closed as indicated by an “OPEN” limit switch.

(4) Each flare installed to meet the requirements of this paragraph (b) that does not have an electronic igniter shall be operated with a pilot flame present at all times as determined by § 63.309(h)(2).

(c) Each flare installed to meet the requirements of this section shall be operated with no visible emissions, as determined by the methods specified in § 63.309(h)(1), except for periods not to exceed a total of 5 minutes during any 2 consecutive hours.

(d) As an alternative to the installation, operation, and maintenance of a flare system as required in paragraph (a) of this section, the owner or operator may petition the Administrator for approval of an alternative control device or system that achieves at least 98 percent destruction or control of coke oven emissions vented to the alternative control device or system.

(e) The owner or operator of a by-product coke oven battery is exempt from the requirements of this section if the owner or operator:

(1) Submits to the Administrator, no later than November 10, 1993, a formal commitment to close the battery permanently; and

(2) Closes the battery permanently no later than December 31, 1995. In no case may the owner or operator continue to operate a battery for which a closure commitment is submitted, past December 31, 1995.

(f) Any emissions resulting from the installation of flares (or other pollution control devices or systems approved pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section) shall not be used in making new source review determinations under part C and part D of title I of the Act.

(a) On and after November 15, 1993, the owner or operator of a by-product coke oven battery shall inspect the collecting main for leaks at least once daily according to the procedures in Method 303 in appendix A to this part.

(b) The owner or operator shall record the time and date a leak is first observed, the time and date the leak is temporarily sealed, and the time and date of repair.

(c) The owner or operator shall temporarily seal any leak in the collecting main as soon as possible after detection, but no later than 4 hours after detection of the leak.

(d) The owner or operator shall initiate a collecting main repair as expeditiously as possible, but no later than 5 calendar days after initial detection of the leak. The repair shall be completed within 15 calendar days after initial detection of the leak unless an alternative schedule is approved by the Administrator.

(a) Except as otherwise provided, a daily performance test shall be conducted each day, 7 days per week for each new and existing coke oven battery, the results of which shall be used in accordance with procedures specified in this subpart to determine compliance with each of the applicable visible emission limitations for coke oven doors, topside port lids, offtake systems, and charging operations in this subpart. If a facility pushes and charges only at night, then that facility must, at its option, change their schedule and charge during daylight hours or provide adequate lighting so that visible emission inspections can be made at night. “Adequate lighting” will be determined by the enforcement agency. The performance test should be based on representative performance (i.e., performance based on the entire range of normal operating conditions) of the affected source for the period being tested. Representative conditions exclude periods of startup and shutdown. You may not conduct performance tests during periods of malfunction. You must record the process information that is necessary to document operating conditions during the test and include in such record an explanation to support that such conditions represent the entire range of normal operations, including operational conditions for maximum emissions if such emissions are not expected during maximum production. You shall make available to the Administrator such records as may be necessary to determine the conditions of performance tests.

(1) Each performance test is to be conducted according to the procedures and requirements in this section and in Method 303 or 303A in appendix A to this part or Methods 9 and 22 in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter (where applicable).

(2) Each performance test is to be conducted by a certified observer.

(3) The certified observer shall complete any reasonable safety training program offered by the owner or operator prior to conducting any performance test at a coke oven battery.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, the owner or operator shall pay an inspection fee to the enforcement agency each calendar quarter to defray the costs of the daily performance tests required under paragraph (a) of this section.

(i) The inspection fee shall be determined according to the following formula:

where F = Fees to be paid by owner or operator. H = Total person hours for inspections: 4 hours for 1 coke oven battery, 6.25 hours for 2 coke oven batteries, 8.25 hours for 3 coke oven batteries. For more than 3 coke oven batteries, use these hours to calculate the appropriate estimate of person hours. S = Current average hourly rate for private visible emission inspectors in the relevant market.

(ii) The enforcement agency may revise the value for H in equation 3 within 3 years after October 27, 1993 to reflect the amount of time actually required to conduct the inspections required under paragraph (a) of this section.

(iii) The owner or operator shall not be required to pay an inspection fee (or any part thereof) under paragraph (a)(4) of this section, for any monitoring or inspection services required by paragraph (a) of this section that the owner or operator can demonstrate are covered by other fees collected by the enforcement agency.

(iv) Upon request, the enforcement agency shall provide the owner or operator information concerning the inspection services covered by any other fees collected by the enforcement agency, and any information relied upon under paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section.

(5)(i) The EPA shall be the enforcement agency during any period of time that a delegation of enforcement authority is not in effect or a withdrawal of enforcement authority under § 63.313 is in effect, and the Administrator is responsible for performing the inspections required by this section, pursuant to § 63.313(c).

(ii) Within thirty (30) days of receiving notification from the Administrator that the EPA is the enforcement agency for a coke oven battery, the owner or operator shall enter into a contract providing for the inspections and performance tests required under this section to be performed by a Method 303 certified observer. The inspections and performance tests will be conducted at the expense of the owner or operator, during the period that the EPA is the implementing agency.

(b) The enforcement agency shall commence daily performance tests on the applicable date specified in § 63.300 (a) or (c).

(c) The certified observer shall conduct each performance test according to the requirements in this paragraph:

(1) The certified observer shall conduct one run each day to observe and record visible emissions from each coke oven door (except for doors covered by an alternative standard under § 63.305), topside port lid, and offtake system on each coke oven battery. The certified observer also shall conduct five runs to observe and record the seconds of visible emissions per charge for five consecutive charges from each coke oven battery. The observer may perform additional runs as needed to obtain and record a visible emissions value (or set of values) for an emission point that is valid under Method 303 or Method 303A in appendix A to this part. Observations from fewer than five consecutive charges shall constitute a valid set of charging observations only in accordance with the procedures and conditions specified in sections 3.8 and 3.9 of Method 303 in appendix A to this part.

(2) If a valid visible emissions value (or set of values) is not obtained for a performance test, there is no compliance determination for that day. Compliance determinations will resume on the next day that a valid visible emissions value (or set of values) is obtained.

(3) After each performance test for a by-product coke oven battery, the certified observer shall check and record the collecting main pressure according to the procedures in section 6.3 of Method 303 in appendix A to this part.

(i) The owner or operator shall demonstrate pursuant to Method 303 in appendix A to this part the accuracy of the pressure measurement device upon request of the certified observer;

(ii) The owner or operator shall not adjust the pressure to a level below the range of normal operation during or prior to the inspection;

(4) The certified observer shall monitor visible emissions from coke oven doors subject to an alternative standard under § 63.305 on the schedule specified in § 63.305(f).

(5) If applicable, the certified observer shall monitor the opacity of any emissions escaping the control device for a shed covering doors subject to an alternative standard under § 63.305 on the schedule specified in § 63.305(f).

(6) In no case shall the owner or operator knowingly block a coke oven door, or any portion of a door for the purpose of concealing emissions or preventing observations by the certified observer.

(d) Using the observations obtained from each performance test, the enforcement agency shall compute and record, in accordance with the procedures and requirements of Method 303 or 303A in appendix A to this part, for each day of operations on which a valid emissions value (or set of values) is obtained:

(1) The 30-run rolling average of the percent leaking coke oven doors, topside port lids, and offtake systems on each coke oven battery, using the equations in sections 12.5, 12.6, and 12.7 of Method 303 (or section 12 of Method 303A) in appendix A to this part;

(2) For by-product coke oven battery charging operations, the logarithmic 30-day rolling average of the seconds of visible emissions per charge for each battery, using the equation in section 12.4 of Method 303 in appendix A to this part;

(3) For a battery subject to an alternative emission limitation for coke oven doors on by-product coke oven batteries pursuant to § 63.305, the 30-run rolling average of the percent leaking coke oven doors for any side of the battery not subject to such alternative emission limitation;

(4) For a by-product coke oven battery subject to the small battery emission limitation for coke oven doors pursuant to § 63.304(b)(7), the 30-run rolling average of the number of leaking coke oven doors;

(5) For an approved alternative emission limitation for coke oven doors according to § 63.305, the weekly or monthly observation of the percent leaking coke oven doors using Method 303 in appendix A to this part, the percent opacity of visible emissions from the control device for the shed using Method 9 in appendix A-4 to 40 CFR part 60 or ASTM D7520-16 (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14), and visible emissions from the shed using Method 22 in appendix A-7 to 40 CFR part 60;

(e) The certified observer shall make available to the implementing agency as well as to the owner or operator, a copy of the daily inspection results by the end of the day and shall make available the calculated rolling average for each emission point to the owner or operator as soon as practicable following each performance test. The information provided by the certified observer is not a compliance determination. For the purpose of notifying an owner or operator of the results obtained by a certified observer, the person does not have to be certified.

(f) Compliance shall not be determined more often than the schedule provided for performance tests under this section. If additional valid emissions observations are obtained (or in the case of charging, valid sets of emission observations), the arithmetic average of all valid values (or valid sets of values) obtained during the day shall be used in any computations performed to determine compliance under paragraph (d) of this section or determinations under § 63.306.

(g) Compliance with the alternative standards for nonrecovery coke oven batteries in § 63.303; shed inspection, maintenance requirements, and monitoring requirements for parameters affecting the shed exhaust or pushing/charging machine or equivalent device flow rate for batteries subject to alternative standards for coke oven doors under § 63.305; work practice emission control plan requirements in § 63.306; standards for bypass/bleeder stacks in § 63.307; and standards for collecting mains in § 63.308 is to be determined by the enforcement agency based on review of records and inspections.

(h) For a flare installed to meet the requirements of § 63.307(b):

(1) Compliance with the provisions in § 63.307(c) (visible emissions from flares) shall be determined using Method 22 in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter, with an observation period of 2 hours; and

(2) Compliance with the provisions in § 63.307(b)(4) (flare pilot light) shall be determined using a thermocouple or any other equivalent device.

(i) No observations obtained during any program for training or for certifying observers under this subpart shall be used to determine compliance with the requirements of this subpart or any other federally enforceable standard.

(j) The owner or operator of a new nonrecovery coke oven battery shall conduct a performance test once each week to demonstrate compliance with the opacity limit in § 63.303(d)(1). The owner or operator shall conduct each performance test according to the procedures and requirements in paragraphs (j)(1) through (3) of this section.

(1) Using a certified observer, determine the average opacity of five consecutive charges per week for each charging emissions capture system if charges can be observed according to the requirements of Method 9 in appendix A-4 to 40 CFR part 60 or ASTM D7520-16 (as applicable; incorporated by reference, see § 63.14), except as specified in paragraphs (j)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section.

(i) Instead of the procedures in section 2.4 of Method 9 in appendix A-4 to 40 CFR part 60 or section 8.4 of ASTM D7520-16 (as applicable; incorporated by reference, see § 63.14), record observations to the nearest 5 percent at 15-second intervals for at least five consecutive charges.

(ii) Instead of the procedures in section 2.5 of Method 9 in appendix A-4 to 40 CFR part 60 or section 8.5 of ASTM D7520-16 (as applicable; incorporated by reference, see § 63.14), determine and record the highest 3-minute average opacity for each charge from the consecutive observations recorded at 15-second intervals.

(2) Opacity observations are to start when the door is removed for charging and end when the door is replaced.

(3) Using the observations recorded from each performance test, the certified observer shall compute and record the average of the highest 3-minute averages for five consecutive charges.

(k) The owner or operator of a new nonrecovery coke oven battery shall conduct a performance test to demonstrate initial compliance with the emission limitations for a charging emissions control device in § 63.303(d)(2) within 180 days of the compliance date that is specified for the affected source in § 63.300(a)(4) and report the results in the notification of compliance status. The owner or operator shall prepare a site-specific test plan according to the requirements in § 63.7(c) and shall conduct each performance test according to the requirements in paragraphs (a) and (k)(1) through (4) of this section.

(1) Determine the concentration of PM according to the following test methods in appendices A-1 through A-3 to 40 CFR part 60

(i) Method 1 to select sampling port locations and the number of traverse points. Sampling sites must be located at the outlet of the control device and prior to any releases to the atmosphere.

(ii) Method 2, 2F, or 2G to determine the volumetric flow rate of the stack gas.

(iii) Method 3, 3A, or 3B to determine the dry molecular weight of the stack gas. You may also use as an alternative to Method 3B, the manual method (but not instrumental procedures) for measuring the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide content of exhaust gas, ANSI/ASME PTC 19.10-1981 (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14).

(iv) Method 4 to determine the moisture content of the stack gas.

(v) Method 5 or 5D, as applicable, to determine the concentration of front half PM in the stack gas.

(2) During each PM test run, sample only during periods of actual charging when the capture system fan and control device are engaged. Collect a minimum sample volume of 30 dry standard cubic feet (dscf) during each test run. Three valid test runs are needed to comprise a performance test. Each run must start at the beginning of a charge and finish at the end of a charge (i.e., sample for an integral number of charges).

(3) Determine and record the total combined weight of tons of dry coal charged during the duration of each test run.

(4) Compute the process-weighted mass emissions (Ep) for each test run using Equation 1 of this section as follows:

Where: Ep = Process weighted mass emissions of PM, lb/ton; C = Concentration of PM, grains per dry standard cubic foot (gr/dscf); Q = Volumetric flow rate of stack gas, dscf/hr; T = Total time during a run that a sample is withdrawn from the stack during charging, hr; P = Total amount of dry coal charged during the test run, tons; and K = Conversion factor, 7,000 grains per pound (gr/lb).

(l) The owner or operator of a new nonrecovery coke oven battery shall conduct subsequent performance tests for each charging emissions control device subject to the PM emissions limit in § 63.303(d)(2) at least once during each term of their title V operating permit.

(m) Visible emission observations of a charging emissions control device required by § 63.303(d)(3)(iii) must be performed by a certified observer according to Method 9 in appendix A-4 to 40 CFR part 60 or ASTM D7520-16 (as applicable; incorporated by reference, see § 63.14) for one 6-minute period.

[58 FR 57911, Oct. 27, 1993, as amended at 68 FR 37345, June 23, 2003; 70 FR 20013, Apr. 15, 2005; 89 FR 55735, July 5, 2024]

(a) General requirements. After the effective date of an approved permit in a state under part 70 of this chapter, the owner or operator shall submit all notifications and reports required by this subpart to the state permitting authority except a source that reclassifies to an area source must follow the notification procedures of § 63.9(j) and (k). Use of information provided by the certified observer shall be a sufficient basis for notifications required under § 70.5(c)(9) of this chapter and the reasonable inquiry requirement of § 70.5(d) of this chapter.

(b) Initial compliance certification. The owner or operator of an existing or new coke oven battery shall provide a written statement(s) to certify compliance to the Administrator within 45 days of the applicable compliance date for the emission limitations or requirements in this subpart. The owner or operator shall include the following information in the initial compliance certification:

(1) Statement signed by the owner or operator, certifying that a bypass/bleeder stack flare system or an approved alternative control device or system has been installed as required in § 63.307.

(2) Statement, signed by the owner or operator, certifying that all work practice standards for charging operations have been met as required in § 63.303(b)(3).

(3) Statement, signed by the owner or operator, certifying that all work practice standards for door leaks have been met as required in § 63.303(c).

(4) Statement, signed by the owner or operator, that all applicable emission limitations in § 63.303(d)(1) and (2) for a new nonrecovery coke oven battery have been met. The owner or operator shall also include the results of the PM performance test required in § 63.309(k).

(5) Statement, signed by the owner or operator, certifying that all work practice standards in § 63.303(d)(3) and (4) for a new nonrecovery coke oven battery have been met.

(c) Notifications. The owner or operator shall provide written notification(s) to the Administrator of:

(1) Intention to construct a new coke oven battery (including reconstruction of an existing coke oven battery and construction of a greenfield coke oven battery), a brownfield coke oven battery, or a padup rebuild coke oven battery, including the anticipated date of startup.

(2) Election to meet emission limitation(s) in this subpart as follows:

(i) Notification of election to meet the emission limitations in § 63.304(b)(1) or § 63.304(c) either in lieu of or in addition to the applicable emission limitations in § 63.302(a) or § 63.303(a) must be received by the Administrator on or before November 15, 1993; or

(ii) Notification of election to meet the emission limitations in § 63.302(a)(1) or § 63.303(a), as applicable, must be received by the Administrator on or before December 31, 1995; and

(iii) Notification of election to meet the emission limitations in § 63.304(b) (2) through (4) and § 63.304(c) or election to meet residual risk standards to be developed according to section 112(f) of the Act in lieu of the emission standards in § 63.304 must be received on or before January 1, 1998.

(3) Intention to conduct a PM performance test for a new nonrecovery coke oven battery subject to the requirements in § 63.303(d)(2). The owner or operator shall provide written notification according to the requirements in § 63.7(b).

(d) Semiannual compliance certification. The owner or operator of a coke oven battery shall include the following information in the semiannual compliance certification:

(1) Certification, signed by the owner or operator, that no coke oven gas was vented, except through the bypass/bleeder stack flare system of a by-product coke oven battery during the reporting period or that a venting report has been submitted according to the requirements in paragraph (e) of this section.

(2) Certification, signed by the owner or operator, that work practices were implemented if applicable under § 63.306.

(3) Certification, signed by the owner or operator, that all work practices for nonrecovery coke oven batteries were implemented as required in § 63.303(b)(3).

(4) Certification, signed by the owner or operator, that all coke oven door leaks on a nonrecovery battery were stopped according to the requirements in § 63.303(c)(2) and (3). If a coke oven door leak was not stopped according to the requirements in § 63.303(c)(2) and (3), or if the door leak occurred again during the coking cycle, the owner or operator must report the information in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) through (iv) of this section.

(i) The oven number of each coke oven door for which a leak was not stopped according to the requirements in § 63.303(c)(2) and (3) or for a door leak that occurred again during the coking cycle.

(ii) The total duration of the leak from the time the leak was first observed.

(iii) The cause of the leak (including unknown cause, if applicable), any actions taken to minimize emissions in accordance with and § 63.300(e), the corrective action taken to stop the leak.

(iv) Whether the failure occurred during a period of startup, shutdown or malfunction.

(5) Certification, signed by the owner or operator, that the opacity of emissions from charging operations for a new nonrecovery coke oven battery did not exceed 20 percent. If the opacity limit in § 63.303(d)(1) was exceeded, the owner or operator must report the number, duration, and cause of the deviation (including unknown cause, if applicable), and the corrective action taken

(6) Before September 3, 2024, report the results of any PM performance test for a charging emissions control device for a new nonrecovery coke oven battery conducted during the reporting period as required in § 63.309(l). Beginning on September 3, 2024, report PM performance test results according to paragraph (i) of this section.

(7) Certification, signed by the owner or operator, that all work practices for a charging emissions control device for a new nonrecovery coke oven battery were implemented as required in § 63.303(d)(3). If a Method 9 in appendix A-4 to 40 CFR part 60 or ASTM D7520-16 (as applicable; incorporation by reference, see § 63.14) visible emissions observation exceeds 10 percent, the owner or operator must report the duration and cause of the deviation (including unknown cause, if applicable), and the corrective action taken.

(8) Certification, signed by the owner or operator, that all work practices for oven dampers on a new nonrecovery coke oven battery were implemented as required in § 63.303(d)(4).

(9) Facility name and address (including the county) and the beginning and ending date of the reporting period.

(e) Report for the venting of coke oven gas other than through a flare system. The owner or operator shall report any venting of coke oven gas through a bypass/bleeder stack that was not vented through the bypass/bleeder stack flare system to the Administrator as soon as practicable but no later than 24 hours after the beginning of the event. A written or electronic report shall be submitted within 30 days of the event and shall include a description of the event and, if applicable, a copy of the notification for a hazardous substance release required pursuant to 40 CFR 302.6.

(f) Recordkeeping. The owner or operator shall maintain files of all required information in a permanent form suitable for inspection at an onsite location for at least 1 year and must thereafter be accessible within 3 working days to the Administrator for the time period specified in 40 CFR 70.6(a)(3)(ii)(B). Copies of the work practice plan developed under § 63.306 shall be kept onsite at all times. The owner or operator shall record the occurrence and duration of each startup, shutdown, or malfunction of process, air pollution control, and monitoring equipment, and maintain the following information:

(1) For nonrecovery coke oven batteries,

(i) Records of daily pressure monitoring, if applicable according to § 63.303(a)(1)(ii) or § 63.303(b)(1)(ii).

(ii) Records demonstrating the performance of work practice requirements according to § 63.306(b)(7). This requirement applies to nonrecovery coke oven batteries subject to the work practice requirements in § 63.303(a)(2) or § 63.303(b)(3).

(iii) Design characteristics of each emission control system for the capture and collection of charging emissions, as required by § 63.303(b)(2).

(iv) Records to demonstrate compliance with the work practice requirement for door leaks in § 63.303(c). These records must include the oven number of each leaking door, total duration of the leak from the time the leak was first observed, the cause of the leak (including unknown cause, if applicable), the corrective action taken to return the affected unit to its normal or usual manner operation, and the amount of time taken to stop the leak from the time the leak was first observed. Beginning on January 2, 2025, an estimate of the quantity of each regulated pollutant emitted over any emission limit, a description of the method used to estimate the emissions, and whether the failure occurred during a period of startup, shutdown or malfunction. If you failed to meet an applicable standard, the compliance report must include the start date, start time, cause, and duration (in hours) of each failure. For each failure, beginning on January 2, 2025, the compliance report must include a list of the affected sources or equipment, actions taken to minimize emissions, an estimate of the quantity of each regulated pollutant emitted over any emission limit, and a description of the method used to estimate the emissions.

(v) Records to demonstrate compliance with the work practice requirements for oven uptake damper monitoring and adjustments in § 63.303(c)(1)(iv).

(vi) Records of weekly performance tests to demonstrate compliance with the opacity limit for charging operations in § 63.303(d)(1). These records must include calculations of the highest 3-minute averages for each charge, the average opacity of five charges, and, if applicable, records demonstrating why five consecutive charges were not observed (e.g., the battery was charged only at night).

(vii) Records of all PM performance tests for a charging emissions control device to demonstrate compliance with the limit in § 63.303(d)(2).

(viii) Records of all daily visible emission observations for a charging emission control device to demonstrate compliance with the requirements limit in § 63.303(d)(3).

(ix) Records to demonstrate compliance with the work practice requirements for oven uptake damper monitoring and adjustments in § 63.303(d)(4).

(2) For an approved alternative emission limitation according to § 63.305;

(i) Monitoring records for parameter(s) that indicate the exhaust flow rate is maintained;

(ii) If applicable under § 63.305(f)(4)(i);

(A) Records of opacity readings from the continuous opacity monitor for the control device for the shed. Beginning on January 2, 2025, if you failed to meet an applicable standard, the compliance report must include whether the failure occurred during a period of startup, shutdown, or malfunction of process, air pollution control, and monitoring equipment; the start date, start time, and duration (in hours) of each failure; and any corrective actions taken to return the affected unit to its normal or usual manner of operation. For each failure, beginning on January 2, 2025, the compliance report must include a list of the affected sources or equipment, an estimate of the quantity of each regulated pollutant emitted over any emission limit, and a description of the method used to estimate the emissions; and

(B) Records that demonstrate the continuous opacity monitoring system meets the requirements of Performance Specification 1 in appendix B to part 60 of this chapter and the operation and maintenance requirements in part 52 of this chapter; and

(iii) Records of quarterly visual inspections as specified in § 63.305(f)(5), including the time and date a defect is detected and repaired.

(3) A copy of the work practice plan required by § 63.306 and any revision to the plan;

(4) If the owner or operator is required under § 63.306(c) to implement the provisions of a work practice plan for a particular emission point, the following records regarding the implementation of plan requirements for that emission point during the implementation period;

(i) Copies of all written and audiovisual materials used in the training, the dates of each class, the names of the participants in each class, and documentation that all appropriate personnel have successfully completed the training required under § 63.306(b)(1);

(ii) The records required to be maintained by the plan provisions implementing § 63.306(b)(7);

(iii) Records resulting from audits of the effectiveness of the work practice program for the particular emission point, as required under § 63.306(b)(2)(i), 63.306(b)(3)(i), 63.306(b)(4)(i), or 63.306(b)(5)(i); and

(iv) If the plan provisions for coke oven doors must be implemented, records of the inventory of doors and jambs as required under § 63.306(b)(2)(vi); and

(5) The design drawings and engineering specifications for the bypass/bleeder stack flare system or approved alternative control device or system as required under § 63.307.

(g) Record availability. Records required to be maintained and reports required to be filed with the Administrator under this subpart shall be made available in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph by the owner or operator to the authorized collective bargaining representative of the employees at a coke oven battery, for inspection and copying.

(1) Requests under paragraph (g) of this section shall be submitted in writing or electronically, and shall identify the records or reports that are subject to the request with reasonable specificity;

(2) The owner or operator shall produce the reports for inspection and copying within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 30 days. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying (except for the first copy of any document), which shall not exceed the copying fee charged by the Administrator under part 2 of this chapter;

(3) Nothing in paragraph (g) of this section shall require the production for inspection or copying of any portion of a document that contains trade secrets or confidential business information that the Administrator would be prohibited from disclosing to the public under part 2 of this chapter; and

(4) The inspection or copying of a document under paragraph (g) of this section shall not in any way affect any property right of the owner or operator in such document under laws for the protection of intellectual property, including the copyright laws.

(h) Electronic reporting of compliance certification reports. Beginning on July 7, 2025, or once the report template for this subpart has been available on the EPA's Compliance and Emissions Data Reporting Interface (CEDRI) website for one year, whichever date is later, submit all subsequent reports to the EPA via the CEDRI according to § 63.9(k) except that confidential business information (CBI) should be submitted according to paragraph (k) of this section.

(i) Electronic Reporting of Performance Tests. Beginning on September 3, 2024, within 60 days after the date of completing each performance test required by this subpart, you must submit the results of the performance test following the procedure specified in § 63.9(k) except that CBI should submitted be according to paragraph (k) of this section. Data collected using test methods supported by the EPA's Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT) as listed on the EPA's ERT website (https://www.epa.gov/electronic-reporting-air-emissions/electronic-reporting-tool-ert) at the time of the test must be submitted in a file format generated using the EPA's ERT. Alternatively, you may submit an electronic file consistent with the extensible markup language (XML) schema listed on the EPA's ERT website. Data collected using test methods that are not supported by the EPA's ERT as listed on the EPA's ERT website at the time of the test must be included as an attachment in the ERT or alternate electronic file. If a performance test consists only of opacity or EPA Method 303 measurements, reporting using the ERT and CEDRI is not required.

(j) Fenceline monitoring reporting. For fenceline monitoring systems subject to § 63.314 of this subpart, each owner or operator must submit fenceline monitoring reports on a quarterly basis using the appropriate electronic template on the CEDRI website (https://www.epa.gov/electronic-reporting-air-emissions/cedri) for this subpart and following the procedure specified in § 63.9(k), except any medium submitted through mail must be sent to the attention of the Coke Ovens Sector Lead. The first quarterly report must cover the period beginning on the compliance date that is specified in § 63.314(a) of this subpart and ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31, whichever date is the first date that occurs after the owner or operator has completed at least one sampling period. Each subsequent quarterly report must cover one of the following reporting periods: Quarter 1 from January 1 through March 31; Quarter 2 from April 1 through June 30; Quarter 3 from July 1 through September 30; and Quarter 4 from October 1 through December 31. Each quarterly report must be electronically submitted no later than 45 calendar days following the end of the reporting period.

(1) Facility name and address (including the county).

(2) Year and reporting quarter (i.e., Quarter 1, Quarter 2, Quarter 3, or Quarter 4).

(3) For each passive tube monitor: The latitude and longitude location coordinates; the sampler name; and identification of the type of sampler (i.e., regular monitor, extra monitor, duplicate, field blank, inactive). Coordinates must be in decimal degrees with at least five decimal places.

(4) The beginning and ending dates for each sampling period.

(5) Individual sample results for benzene reported in units of micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m 3) for each monitor for each sampling period that ends during the reporting period. Results below the method detection limit shall be flagged as below the detection limit and reported at the method detection limit. Where individual sample results are corrected according to a site specific monitoring plan according to § 63.314(f), both the original and the corrected results are reported.

(6) Data flags that indicate each monitor that was skipped for the sampling period, if the owner or operator uses an alternative sampling frequency under § 63.314(a)(2)(iii).

(7) Data flags for each outlier determined in accordance with section 9.2 of Method 325A in appendix A to this part. For each outlier, the owner or operator must submit the individual sample result of the outlier, as well as the evidence used to conclude that the result is an outlier.

(8) The biweekly concentration difference (Δc) for benzene for each sampling period and, beginning the first quarterly report with sufficient data to calculate an annual average, the annual average Δc for benzene for each sampling period.

(9) Indication of whether the owner or operator was required to develop a corrective action plan under § 63.314(e) of this subpart.

(k) Confidential business information (CBI). For notifications and reports required to be submitted to CEDRI:

(1) The EPA will make all the information submitted through CEDRI available to the public without further notice to you. Do not use CEDRI to submit information you claim as CBI. Although we do not expect persons to assert a claim of CBI, if you wish to assert a CBI claim for some of the information submitted under paragraphs (h) or (i) of this section, you must submit a complete file, including information claimed to be CBI, to the EPA.

(2) For performance test reports according to paragraph (j) of this section, the file must be generated using the EPA's ERT or an alternate electronic file consistent with the XML schema listed on the EPA's ERT website.

(3) Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. Information not marked as CBI may be authorized for public release without prior notice. Information marked as CBI will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.

(4) The preferred method to receive CBI is for it to be transmitted electronically using email attachments, File Transfer Protocol, or other online file sharing services. Electronic submissions must be transmitted directly to the OAQPS CBI Office at the email address [email protected], and as described above, should include clear CBI markings. For performance test reports, the CBI should be flagged to the attention of the Group Leader, Measurement Policy Group; for all other reports and notifications, to the attention of the Coke Ovens Sector Lead. If assistance is needed with submitting large electronic files that exceed the file size limit for email attachments, and if you do not have your own file sharing service, please email [email protected] to request a file transfer link.

(5) If you cannot transmit the file electronically, you may send CBI information through the postal service to the following address: OAQPS Document Control Officer (C404-02), OAQPS, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, Attention Group Leader, Measurement Policy Group or Coke Oven Sector Lead as indicated in paragraph (k)(4) of this section. The mailed CBI material should be double wrapped and clearly marked. Any CBI markings should not show through the outer envelope.

(6) All CBI claims must be asserted at the time of submission. Anything submitted using CEDRI cannot later be claimed CBI. Furthermore, under CAA section 114(c), emissions data is not entitled to confidential treatment, and the EPA is required to make emissions data available to the public. Thus, emissions data will not be protected as CBI and will be made publicly available.

(7) You must submit the same file submitted to the CBI office with the CBI omitted to the EPA via the EPA's CDX as described in paragraphs (h), (i), or (j) of this section.

(l) Fenceline monitoring recordkeeping. For fenceline monitoring systems subject to § 63.314, each owner or operator shall keep the records specified in paragraphs (l)(1) through (10) of this section on an ongoing basis.

(1) Coordinates of all fenceline monitors, including co-located samplers and field blanks, and if applicable, the meteorological station. The owner or operator shall determine the coordinates using an instrument with an accuracy of at least 3 meters. The coordinates shall be in decimal degrees with at least five decimal places.

(2) The start and stop times and dates for each sample, as well as the tube identifying information.

(3) Sampling period average temperature and barometric pressure measurements.

(4) For each outlier determined in accordance with Section 9.2 of Method 325A in appendix A to this part, the sampler location of and the concentration of the outlier and the evidence used to conclude that the result is an outlier.

(5) For samples that will be adjusted for a background, the location of and the concentration measured simultaneously by the background sampler(s), and the perimeter samplers to which it applies.

(6) Individual sample results, the calculated Δc for benzene for each sampling period and the two samples used to determine it, whether background correction was used, and the annual average Δc calculated after each sampling period.

(7) Method detection limit for each sample, including co-located samples and blanks.

(8) Documentation of the root cause analysis and any corrective action taken each time the action level was exceeded, including the dates the root cause analysis was initiated and the resulting correction action(s) were taken.

(9) Any corrective action plan developed under § 63.314(e).

(10) Other records as required by Methods 325A and 325B in appendix A to this part.

(11) If a near-field source correction is used as provided in § 63.314(f), or if an alternative test method is used that provides time-resolved measurements, records of hourly meteorological data, including temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed and wind direction, calculated daily unit vector wind direction and daily sigma theta, and other records specified in the site-specific monitoring plan.

[58 FR 57911, Oct. 27, 1993, as amended at 70 FR 20014, Apr. 15, 2005; 85 FR 73888, Nov. 19, 2020; 89 FR 55735, July 5, 2024]

(a) The owner or operator shall comply with all applicable State implementation plan emission limits and (subject to any expiration date) all federally enforceable emission limitations which are contained in an order, decree, permit, or settlement agreement for the control of emissions from offtake systems, topside port lids, coke oven doors, and charging operations in effect on September 15, 1992, or which have been modified according to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) Nothing in this subpart shall affect the enforcement of such State implementation plan emission limitations (or, subject to any expiration date, such federally enforceable emission limitations contained in an order, decree, permit, or settlement agreement) in effect on September 15, 1992, or which have been modified according to the provisions in paragraph (c) of this section.

(c) No such State implementation plan emission limitation (or, subject to any expiration date, such federally enforceable emission limitation contained in an order, decree, permit, or settlement agreement) in effect on September 15, 1992, may be modified under the Act unless:

(1) Such modification is consistent with all requirements of section 110 of the Act; and either

(i) Such modification ensures that the applicable emission limitations and format (e.g., single pass v. multiday average) in effect on September 15, 1992, will continue in effect; or

(ii) Such modification includes a change in the method of monitoring (except frequency unless frequency was indicated in the State implementation plan, or subject to any expiration date, other federally enforceable requirements contained in an order, decree, permit, or settlement agreement) that is more stringent than the method of monitoring in effect on September 15, 1992, and that ensures coke oven emission reductions greater than the emission reductions required on September 15, 1992. The burden of proof in demonstrating the stringency of the methods of monitoring is borne by the party requesting the modification and must be made to the satisfaction of the Administrator; or

(iii) Such modification makes the emission limitations more stringent while holding the format unchanged, makes the format more stringent while holding the emission limitations unchanged, or makes both more stringent.

(2) Any industry application to make a State implementation plan revision or other adjustment to account for differences between Method 303 in appendix A to this part and the State's method based on paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section shall be submitted within 12 months after October 27, 1993.

(d) Except as specified in § 63.307(f), nothing in this subpart shall limit or affect any authority or obligation of Federal, State, or local agencies to establish emission limitations or other requirements more stringent than those specified in this subpart.

(e) Except as provided in § 63.302(c), section 112(g) of the Act shall not apply to sources subject to this subpart.

(a) This subpart can be implemented and enforced by the U.S. EPA, or a delegated authority such as the applicable State, local, or Tribal agency. If the U.S. EPA Administrator has delegated authority to a State, local, or Tribal agency, then that agency, in addition to the U.S. EPA, has the authority to implement and enforce this subpart. Contact the applicable U.S. EPA Regional Office to find out if implementation and enforcement of this subpart is delegated to a State, local, or Tribal agency.

(b) In delegating implementation and enforcement authority of this subpart to a State, local, or Tribal agency under subpart E of this part, the authorities contained in paragraph (d) of this section are retained by the Administrator and cannot be transferred to the State, local, or Tribal agency.

(c) Withdrawal of authority:

(1) Whenever the Administrator learns that a delegated agency has not fully carried out the inspections and performance tests required under § 63.309 for each applicable emission point of each battery each day, the Administrator shall immediately notify the agency. Unless the delegated agency demonstrates to the Administrator's satisfaction within 15 days of notification that the agency is consistently carrying out the inspections and performance tests required under § 63.309 in the manner specified in the preceding sentence, the Administrator shall notify the coke oven battery owner or operator that inspections and performance tests shall be carried out according to § 63.309(a)(5). When the Administrator determines that the delegated agency is prepared to consistently perform all the required inspections and performance tests each day, the Administrator shall give the coke oven battery owner or operator at least 15 days notice that implementation will revert to the previously delegated agency.

(2) In addition to the provisions in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the Administrator may also withdraw delegation of authority pursuant to the provisions of § 63.96 of subpart E of this part.

(d) The authorities that cannot be delegated to State, local, or Tribal agencies are as specified in paragraphs (d)(1) through (5) of this section.

(1) Approval of alternatives to the requirements in §§ 63.300 and 63.302 through 63.308 (except the authorities in 63.306(a)(2) and (d)).

(2) Approval of major alternatives to test methods under § 63.7(e)(2)(ii) and (f), as defined in § 63.90, and as required in this subpart.

(3) Approval of any changes to section 2 of Method 303 in appendix A of this part.

(4) Approval of major alternatives to monitoring under § 63.8(f), as defined in § 63.90, and as required in this subpart.

(5) Approval of major alternatives to recordkeeping and reporting under § 63.10(f), as defined in § 63.90, and as required in this subpart.

(6) Approval of an alternative to any electronic reporting to the EPA required by this subpart.

[68 FR 37346, June 23, 2003, as amended at 89 FR 55738, July 5, 2024]

For each by-product coke oven battery facility as defined in § 63.301 of this subpart, beginning no later than July 7, 2025, the owner or operator of a coke manufacturing facility shall conduct sampling along the facility property boundary and analyze the samples in accordance with paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section.

(a) The owner or operator must conduct sampling along the facility property boundary and analyze the samples in accordance with Methods 325A and 325B in appendix A to this part and paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(2) of this section. The monitoring perimeter may be located within the facility, inside the facility property boundary. However, the monitoring perimeter must encompass all potential sources of benzene that are located within the facility's property boundary.

(1) The target analyte is benzene. The owner or operator must follow the procedure in section 9.6 of Method 325B in appendix A to this part to determine the detection limit of benzene for each sampler used to collect samples and blanks.

(2) The owner or operator must use a sampling period and sampling frequency as specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) through (a)(2)(iii) of this section.

(i) A 14-day sampling period must be used unless a shorter sampling period is determined to be necessary under paragraph (e) or (g) of this section. A sampling period is defined as the period during which a sampling tube is deployed at a specific sampling location with the diffusive sampling end cap in-place and does not include the time required to analyze the sample. For the purpose of this subpart, a 14-day sampling period may be no shorter than 13 calendar days and no longer than 15 calendar days, but the routine sampling period must be 14 calendar days.

(ii) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, the frequency of sample collection must be once each contiguous 14-day sampling period, such that the beginning of the next 14-day sampling period begins immediately upon the completion of the previous 14-day sampling period.

(iii) When an individual monitor consistently achieves results for benzene at or below the level specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the owner or operator may elect to use the applicable minimum sampling frequency specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(iii)(A) through (E) of this section for that monitoring site. When calculating Δc for the monitoring period when using this alternative for burden reduction, use zero for the lowest sampling result for each monitoring period where one or more samples was not taken and/or analyzed for benzene.

(A) If every sample at a monitoring site is at or below the level specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section for 2 years (52 consecutive samples), every other sampling period can be skipped for that monitoring site, i.e., sampling will occur approximately once per month.

(B) If every sample at a monitoring site that is monitored at the frequency specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii)(A) of this section is at or below the level specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section for 2 years (i.e., 26 consecutive “monthly” samples), five 14-day sampling periods can be skipped for that monitoring site following each period of sampling, i.e., sampling will occur approximately once per quarter.

(C) If every sample at a monitoring site that is monitored at the frequency specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii)(B) of this section is at or below the level specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section for 2 years (i.e., 8 consecutive quarterly samples), twelve 14-day sampling periods can be skipped for that monitoring site following each period of sampling, i.e., sampling will occur twice a year.

(D) If every sample at a monitoring site that is monitored at the frequency specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii)(C) of this section is at or below the level specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section for 2 years (i.e., 4 consecutive semiannual samples), only one sample per year is required for that monitoring site. For yearly sampling, samples shall occur at least 10 months but no more than 14 months apart.

(E) If at any time a sample for a monitoring site that is monitored at the frequency specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii)(A) through (D) of this section returns a result that is above the level specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the sampling site must return to the original sampling requirements of contiguous 14-day sampling periods with no skip periods for one quarter (six 14-day sampling periods). If every sample collected during this quarter is at or below the level specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the owner or operator may revert back to the reduced monitoring schedule applicable for that monitoring site prior to the sample reading exceeding the level specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section. If any sample collected during this quarter is above the level specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, that monitoring site must return to the original sampling requirements of contiguous 14-day sampling periods with no skip periods for a minimum of two years. The burden reduction requirements can be used again for that monitoring site once the requirements of paragraph (a)(2)(iii)(A) of this section are met again, i.e., after 52 contiguous 14-day samples with no results above the level specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.

(3) To use the alternative sampling frequency outlined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, an individual monitor must consistently achieve results for benzene at or below 0.7 mg/m 3.

(b) The owner or operator shall collect and record meteorological data according to the applicable requirements in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section.

(1) If a near-field source correction is used as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section and/or if an alternative test method is used that provides time-resolved measurements, the owner or operator must use an on-site meteorological station in accordance with section 8.3 of Method 325A in appendix A to this part. Collect and record hourly average meteorological data, including temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed and wind direction, and calculate daily unit vector wind direction and daily sigma theta.

(2) For cases other than those specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the owner or operator shall collect and record sampling period average temperature and barometric pressure using either an on-site meteorological station in accordance with section 8.3 of Method 325A in appendix A to this part or, alternatively, using data from a National Weather Service (NWS) meteorological station provided the NWS meteorological station is within 40 kilometers (25 miles) of the coke manufacturing facility.

(3) If an on-site meteorological station is used, the owner or operator shall follow the calibration and standardization procedures for meteorological measurements in EPA-454/B-08-002 (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14).

(c) Within 45 days of completion of each sampling period, the owner or operator shall determine whether the results are above or below the action level as follows.

(1) The owner or operator must determine the facility impact on the benzene concentration (Δc) for each sampling period according to either paragraph (c)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section, as applicable.

(i) Except when near-field source correction is used as provided in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the owner or operator shall determine the highest and lowest sample results for benzene concentrations from the sample pool and calculate Δc as the difference in these concentrations. Co-located samples must be averaged together for the purposes of determining the benzene concentration for that sampling location, and, if applicable, for determining Δc. The owner or operator shall adhere to the following procedures when one or more samples for the sampling period are below the method detection limit for benzene:

(A) If the lowest detected value of benzene is below detection, the owner or operator shall use zero as the lowest sample result when calculating Δc.

(B) If all sample results are below the method detection limit, the owner or operator shall use the method detection limit as the highest sample result and zero as the lowest sample result when calculating Δc.

(C) In the case of co-located samples, if one sample is above the method detection limit while the other sample is below the method detection limit, the owner or operator must use the method detection limit as the result for the sample that is below the method detection limit for purposes of averaging the results to determine the concentration at a particular sampling location, and, if applicable, for determining Δc.

(ii) When near-field source correction is used as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the owner or operator must determine Δc using the calculation protocols outlined in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section except as provided in this paragraph (c)(1)(ii), and the additional requirements in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, as well as any additional requirements outlined in the approved site-specific monitoring plan. The Δc for the sampling period is equal to the higher of the values in paragraphs (c)(1)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section.

(A) The highest corrected sample result from a sampling location where near-field source correction is used during the sampling period.

(B) The difference in concentration between the highest sample result that was not corrected for a near-field source during the sampling period and the lowest sample result for the sampling period.

(2) The owner or operator must calculate the annual average Δc based on the average of the 26 most recent 14-day sampling periods. The owner or operator must update this annual average value after receiving the results of each subsequent 14-day sampling period.

(3) The action level for benzene is 7 mg/m 3 on an annual average basis. If the annual average Δc value for benzene is greater than 7 mg/m 3, the concentration is above the action level, and the owner or operator must conduct a root cause analysis and corrective action in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.

(d) Once the action level in paragraph (c)(3) of this section has been exceeded, the owner or operator must take the following actions to bring the annual average Δc back below the action level.

(1) Within 5 days of updating the annual average value as required in paragraph (c)(2) of this section and determining that the action level in paragraph (c)(3) of this section has been exceeded (i.e., in no case longer than 50 days after completion of the sampling period), the owner or operator must initiate a root cause analysis to determine appropriate corrective action. A root cause analysis is an assessment conducted through a process of investigation to determine the primary underlying cause and all other contributing causes to an exceedance of the action level set forth in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

(i) Root cause analysis may include, but is not limited to:

(A) Leak inspection using Method 21 in appendix A-7 to 40 CFR part 60, optical gas imaging, or handheld monitors.

(B) Visual inspection to determine the cause of the high benzene emissions.

(C) Employing progressively more frequent sampling, analysis and meteorology (e.g., using shorter sampling periods for Methods 325A and 325B in appendix A to this part, or using active sampling techniques, like those utilized as part of a site-specific monitoring plan).

(D) Operator knowledge of process changes (e.g., a malfunction or release event).

(ii) If the root cause cannot be identified using the type of techniques described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, the owner or operator must employ more frequent sampling and analysis to determine the root cause of the exceedance.

(A) The owner or operator may first employ additional monitoring points and shorter sampling periods for Methods 325A and 325B in appendix A to this part for benzene to determine the root cause of the exceedance.

(B) If the owner or operator has not determined the root cause of the exceedance within 30 days of determining that the action level has been exceeded, the owner or operator must employ the appropriate real-time sampling techniques (e.g., mobile gas chromatographs, optical spectroscopy instruments, sensors) to locate the cause of the exceedance. If the root cause is not identified after 48 hours, either the real-time monitor must be relocated or an additional real-time monitor must be added. Relocation or addition of extra real-time monitors must continue after each 48-hour period of nonidentification until the owner or operator can identify the root cause of the exceedance.

(2) If either the underlying primary or other contributing causes of the exceedance are deemed to be under the control of the owner or operator and subject to a regulation codified in 40 CFR part 63, except as provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the owner or operator must take appropriate corrective action as expeditiously as possible to bring annual average fenceline concentrations back below the action level set forth in paragraph (c)(3) of this section and to prevent future exceedances from the same underlying cause(s).

(3) If the underlying primary or other contributing cause of the exceedance is under the control of the owner or operator but not subject to a regulation codified in 40 CFR part 63, as evidenced through the root cause analysis in paragraph (d)(1) of this section and supported by appropriate real-time sampling techniques consistent with paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(B) of this section, the owner or operator is not required to take corrective action under this subpart at any portion of the facility not subject to a regulation codified in 40 CFR part 63. However, the owner or operator must add additional monitoring locations in accordance with section 8.2.1.3 of EPA Method 325A in appendix A to this part or update their site-specific monitoring plan to add additional real-time monitors to account and correct for this near-field source of emissions not subject to a regulation codified in 40 CFR part 63 within 60 days of determining the underlying cause.

(4) The root cause analysis must be completed and initial corrective actions, if applicable, taken no later than 45 days after determining there is an exceedance of an action level.

(5) Except as noted in paragraph (d)(6) of this section, until the annual average Δc is below the action level again, following the completion of the initial corrective action, the owner or operator must conduct a new root cause analysis according to this paragraph (d), and if required, submit a corrective action plan under paragraph (e) of this section following any sampling period for which the Δc for the sampling period is greater than the action level in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

(6) This paragraph applies when an owner or operator is required under paragraph (d)(3) of this section to update the site-specific monitoring plan to account for an additional near-field emission source. Until the annual average Δc is below the action level again, following implementation of the approved revision to the site-specific monitoring plan, the owner or operator must conduct a new root cause analysis according to this paragraph (d), and if required, submit a corrective action plan under paragraph (e) of this section following any sampling period for which the Δc for the sampling period is greater than the action level in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

(e) An owner or operator must develop a corrective action plan if any of the conditions in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(3) of this section are met. The corrective action plan must describe the corrective action(s) completed to date, additional measures that the owner or operator proposes to employ to reduce annual average fenceline concentrations below the action level set forth in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, and a schedule for completion of these measures. The corrective action plan does not need to be approved by the Administrator. However, if upon review, the Administrator disagrees with the additional measures outlined in the plan, the owner or operator must revise and resubmit the plan within 7 calendar days of receiving comments from the Administrator.

(1) Except as noted in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, if upon completion of the root cause analysis and initial corrective actions required under paragraph (d) of the section, the Δc value for the next sampling period, for which the sampling start time begins after the completion of the initial corrective actions, is greater than the level specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section. The corrective action plan must include the implementation of real-time sampling techniques to locate the primary and other contributing causes of the exceedance. The owner or operator must submit the corrective action plan to the Administrator within 60 days after receiving the analytical results indicating that the Δc value for the sampling period following the completion of the initial corrective action is greater than the level specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

(2) The owner or operator must develop a corrective action plan if complete implementation of all corrective measures identified in the root cause analysis required by paragraph (e) of this section will require more than 45 days. The owner or operator must submit the corrective action plan to the Administrator no later than 60 days following the completion of the root cause analysis required in paragraph (d) of this section.

(3) The owner or operator must develop a corrective action plan if upon completion of the root cause analysis and following implementation of the approved revision to the site-specific monitoring plan required under paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the Δc value for the next sampling period, for which the sampling start time begins after implementation of the approved revision to the site-specific monitoring plan, is greater than the level specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section. The corrective action plan must include the implementation of real-time sampling techniques to locate the primary and other contributing causes of the exceedance. The owner or operator must submit the corrective action plan to the Administrator within 60 days after receiving the analytical results indicating that the Δc value for the sampling period following the implementation of the approved revision to the site-specific monitoring plan is greater than the level specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

(f) An owner or operator may request approval from the Administrator for a site-specific monitoring plan to account for offsite upwind sources or onsite sources not subject to a regulation codified in 40 CFR part 63 according to the requirements in paragraphs (f)(1) through (4) of this section.

(1) The owner or operator must prepare and submit a site-specific monitoring plan and receive approval of the site-specific monitoring plan prior to using the near-field source alternative calculation for determining Δc provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section. The site-specific monitoring plan shall include, at a minimum, the elements specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (v) of this section. The procedures in section 12 of Method 325A in appendix A to this part are not required, but may be used, if applicable, when determining near-field source contributions.

(i) Identification of the near-field source or sources. For onsite sources, specify that the onsite source is not subject to a regulation codified in 40 CFR part 63 and identify any federal regulation or federally enforceable permit condition the source is subject to.

(ii) Identification of the fenceline monitoring locations impacted by the near-field source. If more than one near-field source is present, identify the near-field source or sources that are expected to contribute to the concentration at each monitoring location.

(iii) A description of (including sample calculations illustrating) the planned data reduction; treatment of invalid data and data below detection limits; and calculations to determine the near-field source concentration contribution for each monitoring location.

(iv) A detailed description of the measurement technique, measurement location(s), the standard operating procedures, measurement frequency, recording frequency, measurement detection limit, and data quality indicators to ensure accuracy, precision, and validity of the data. If you are accounting for on-site sources, you must use a real-time sampling technique (e.g., mobile gas chromatographs, optical spectroscopy instruments, sensors).

(v) A detailed description of how data will be handled during periods of calm wind conditions (i.e., less than 2 miles per hour).

(2) When an approved site-specific monitoring plan is used, the owner or operator shall determine Δc for comparison with action level according to paragraph (c) of this section. When determining the sample results for use in the Δc calculation, the concentration for any monitor that has been corrected using an approved site-specific monitoring plan will be corrected according to the procedures specified in paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section.

(i) For each monitoring location corrected using the site-specific monitoring plan, the corrected fenceline concentration at that monitoring station will be equal to the fenceline concentration measured with Methods 325A and 325B in appendix A to this part minus the near-field source contributing concentration at the measurement location determined using the additional measurements and calculation procedures included in the approved site-specific monitoring plan.

(ii) If the fenceline concentration at the monitoring station is below the method detection limit for Methods 325A and 325B in appendix A to this part, no near-field source contribution can be subtracted from that monitoring station for that sampling period.

(3) The site-specific monitoring plan shall be submitted and approved as described in paragraphs (f)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section.

(i) The site-specific monitoring plan must be submitted to the Administrator for approval.

(ii) The site-specific monitoring plan shall also be submitted to the following address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Sector Policies and Programs Division, U.S. EPA Mailroom (D243-02), Attention: Metals and Inorganic Chemicals Group, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Electronic copies in lieu of hard copies also may be submitted to [email protected].

(iii) The Administrator shall approve or disapprove the plan in 120 days. The plan shall be considered approved if the Administrator either approves the plan in writing or fails to disapprove the plan in writing. The 120-day period shall begin when the Administrator confirms receipt of a complete site-specific monitoring plan.

(iv) If the Administrator finds any deficiencies in the site-specific monitoring plan and disapproves the plan in writing, the owner or operator may revise and resubmit the site-specific monitoring plan following the requirements in paragraphs (f)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section. The 120-day period starts over with the resubmission of the revised monitoring plan. The Administrator may indicate in writing that a submitted plan is incomplete and specify the information necessary for completeness.

(4) The approval by the Administrator of a site-specific monitoring plan will be based on the completeness, accuracy and reasonableness of the request for a site-specific monitoring plan. Factors that the Administrator will consider in reviewing the request for a site-specific monitoring plan include, but are not limited to, those described in paragraphs (f)(4)(i) through (v) of this section.

(i) The identification of the near-field source or sources and evidence of how the sources impact the fenceline concentration.

(ii) The location(s) selected for additional monitoring to determine the near-field source concentration contribution.

(iii) The identification of the fenceline monitoring locations impacted by the near-field source or sources.

(iv) The appropriateness of the planned data reduction and calculations to determine the near-field source concentration contribution for each monitoring location, including the handling of invalid data, data below the detection limit, and data during calm periods.

(v) The adequacy of the description of and the rationale for the measurement technique, measurement location(s), the standard operating procedure, the measurement and recording frequency, measurement detection limit, and data quality indicators proposed to ensure accuracy, precision, and validity of the data.

(g) The owner or operator shall comply with the applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements in § 63.311.

(h) As outlined in § 63.7(f), the owner or operator may submit a request for an alternative test method. At a minimum, the request must follow the requirements outlined in paragraphs (h)(1) through (7) of this section.

(1) The alternative method may be used in lieu of all samplers or a partial number of the passive samplers required in Method 325A in appendix A to this part.

(2) The alternative method must be validated according to Method 301 in appendix A of this part or contain performance-based procedures and indicators to ensure self-validation.

(3) The method detection limit must nominally be at least one-third of the action level. The alternate test method must describe the procedures used to provide field verification of the detection limit in the sample matrix being measured.

(4) If the alternative test method will be used to replace some or all passive samplers required under paragraph (a) of this section, the spatial coverage must be equal to or better than the spatial coverage provided in Method 325A in appendix A to this part.

(i) For path average concentration open-path instruments, the physical path length of the measurement shall be no more than a passive sample footprint (the spacing that would be provided by the sorbent traps when following Method 325A). For example, if Method 325A requires spacing monitors A and B 610 meters (2000 feet) apart, then the physical path length limit for the measurement at that portion of the fenceline shall be no more than 610 meters (2000 feet).

(ii) For range resolved open-path instrument or approach, the instrument or approach must be able to resolve an average concentration over each passive sampler footprint within the path length of the instrument.

(iii) The extra samplers required in sections 8.2.1.3 of Method 325A may be omitted when they fall within the path length of an open-path instrument.

(5) At a minimum, non-integrating alternative test methods must provide a minimum of one cycle of operation (sampling, analyzing, and data recording) for each successive 15-minute period.

(6) For alternative test methods capable of real time measurements (less than a 5-minute sampling and analysis cycle), the alternative test method may allow for elimination of data points corresponding to outside emission sources for purpose of calculation of the high point for the two-week average. The alternative test method approach must have wind speed, direction and stability class of the same time resolution and within the footprint of the instrument.

(7) For purposes of averaging data points to determine the Δc for the 14-day average high sample result, all results measured under the method detection limit must use the method detection limit. For purposes of averaging data points for the 14-day average low sample result, all results measured under the method detection limit must use zero.

[89 FR 55738, July 5, 2024]

[58 FR 57911, Oct. 27, 1993; 59 FR 1992, Jan. 13, 1994]