EPA’s PVC MACT Rule Delayed: White House, OMB Provided Time to Address Rule’s Overall Impact
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 21, 2012 – The Environmental Protection Agency has been given a one-month extension of the deadline to finalize and sign the Maximum Achievable Control Technology rule for polyvinyl chloride and co-polymers production, under a revised settlement agreement with plaintiffs in a lawsuit to hasten promulgation of the rule.
The proposed PVC MACT rule is an update required under the Clean Air Act of the long-standing Vinyl Chloride National Emission Standard and will set new limits for hazardous air pollutants from polyvinyl chloride and co-polymers production at the levels of the best performing plants in the industry.
EPA now has until Feb. 13, 2012, to finalize and sign the rule. EPA currently has many rules at the same stage to be reviewed and issued. The extension provides the necessary additional time for comprehensive review of the complex PVC MACT rule by all appropriate federal agencies. The OMB, a part of the Executive Branch, reviews the economic impacts of Federal regulations, and ensures they are consistent with the Administration’s overall policies and goals.
“This delay provides OMB, the Department of Commerce, and other agencies the time needed to assess the full impact of this major rulemaking on American manufacturers,” said VI President Richard Doyle. “While The Vinyl Institute supports the modernization of the PVC MACT rules, we urge EPA to do so in a manner that not only further reduces emissions, but also sustains this critically important $50-billion American industry. The initial proposed EPA rule failed on this point.”
The Vinyl Institute has provided EPA with comprehensive and current emissions data for the entire industry. This, along with operationally specific data accounting for more than 100 vinyl resin products produced, provides EPA with a sound foundation upon which to finalize a rule that complies with the Clean Air Act and is achievable by the PVC resin producers.
Doyle added, “PVC resin manufacturers in the United States have demonstrated their commitment to reducing emissions over the past 20 years. Vinyl chloride emissions have been reduced by 83 percent from 1987 to 2007, and dioxin emissions have dropped 78 percent. And all of these major achievements have been accomplished while PVC resin production increased 77percent domestically.”
Leaders from downstream industry sectors representing durable PVC pipe, PVC cool roofing membrane, energy efficient vinyl windows and doors, and vinyl siding, flooring, and wallcoverings, have submitted comments to the OMB addressing their particular concerns about the proposed rule and its impact on the thousands of downstream processors and product fabricators.
PVC industry representatives met with OMB, White House, EPA, and Small Business Administration staff on Jan. 5 to explain the full ramifications of the PVC MACT if the rule is promulgated as proposed. The meeting included a discussion and submission of an economic study on the broad impact of this regulation on jobs, exports, and big U.S. markets, including upstream suppliers of PVC producers and the thousands of companies that reformulate PVC into thousands of consumer applications.
Doyle concluded, “This extension is a positive outcome from our point of view, as it allows the OMB to conduct a thorough review of the PVC MACT, and all the material provided by the industry. We believe OMB appreciates the gravity of this rulemaking, and we are confident that this additional time will enable the final rule to be practical and consistent with the Clean Air Act.”
The Vinyl Institute represents the leading manufacturers involved in the production of PVC vinyl in the United States, and promotes the value of PVC and vinyl products to society.
For more information, contact:
Jeffrey B. Palmer
Director of Marketing & Communications
The Vinyl Institute
571-970-3327
jpalmer@vinylinfo.org
Also go to: www.vinylindesign.com, www.achievegreen.net and www.vinylinfo.org.