EPA Sends Chem Mfg Technology Review Final Rule to OMB

Yesterday the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIIRA) announced that it had received an final rule from the EPA on “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Chemical Manufacturing Area Source Technology Review”. This mandatory NESHAP review is subject to a consent decree requiring the publication of the final rule by January 15^th, 2026. The notice of proposed rulemaking for this action was published on January 22^nd, 2025.

According to the Spring 2025 Unified Agenda entry for this rulemaking:

“This action will address the agency's technology review of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources (CMAS). The CMAS NESHAP, subpart VVVVVV, was promulgated on October 29, 2009, pursuant to section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and established emission limitations and work practice requirements for controlling emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP). The NESHAP controls HAP emissions from process vents, storage tanks, equipment leaks, wastewater streams, transfer operations and heat exchange systems. This action addresses the technology review requirements of CAA section 112(d)(6) which require the EPA to review and revise the standards as necessary (taking into account developments in practices, processes and control technologies) no less often than every 8 years.”

This rulemaking is beyond the normal scope of coverage in this blog, so I probably will not provide any detailed coverage of the final rule. I do expect to at least acknowledge its publication in the appropriate Short Takes post.