PVC Industry Vows to Support EPA Rule Making Process
ALEXANDRIA, VA, June 13, 2011 – At hearings in Houston and Baton Rouge last week, representatives from across the vinyl industry told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the industry’s commitment to stewardship, to manufacturing products of value to society, and to helping EPA develop cost-effective new air emissions regulations.
Allen Blakey, acting President of the Vinyl Institute, said, “We all want a clean, healthy environment, but we also want products that bring value to our lives, we want jobs and we want a strong economy. We are committed to working with the agency under the Clean Air Act to get this rule right.”
EPA proposed new Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) regulations for PVC manufacturing on May 20. MACT rules are required for various industry sectors under the Clean Air Act.
The collection of federal U.S. regulations governing the industry sets global standards for human and environmental safety, health and performance. As a result the vinyl industry in the US has seen tremendous reductions in emissions over the past 20 years, including 80 percent reductions in vinyl chloride emissions from 1987-2007 and dioxin emissions were reduced 80 percent between 2000-2007.
“Nevertheless,” said Rich Krock, Technical Director for the Vinyl Institute, “we recognize that the PVC MACT rule is overdue. We support an update of the regulatory requirements that take into consideration industry’s variability in products and rates and welcome the opportunity to assist agency staff in the development of a technically sound rule.”
Written comments will be accepted until July 19 with the final rule expected to be signed in January 2012.
Mary Bachynsky, Environmental Manager, Formosa Plastics Corp., U.S.A., asked EPA to recognize the wide variability in the size and porosity of PVC resin, since different types of resin are needed for the enormous range of products made of PVC.
“The rule should consider the full range of PVC products and flexibility to achieve lower emissions,” she said.
Otis Sistrunk, Manager - Safety, Health & Environmental, PolyOne Specialty Resins Group, made a similar comment, noting distinctions among resin blends and other “critical factors” that affect PVC plant operations.
Partners from the value chain also participated in the hearings. Bruce Hollands of the PVC Pipe Association noted how the material is approved for use around the world in water distribution and transmission. “With over two million miles in service, PVC pipe is the product of choice for buried water, sewer, drainage and irrigation infrastructure,” he said. He also shared that the PVC pipe industry alone contributes in excess of $14 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supports more than 25,000 jobs.
Dean Thompson, President of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, said that the demand for PVC floor covering has increased significantly and will continue to do so.
“Consumers and specifiers are selecting PVC flooring at the expense of other flooring categories because of its exceptional performance and value,” Thompson said. “In addition, the long life of PVC flooring gives it the strongest claim to sustainability.”
Beverly Smiley of Solutions Through Science commented, “Vinyl manufacturers spend thousands of hours training their employees in safety and environmental management.”
She added that she grew up in the industrial area of North Baton Rouge, where her father worked, and raised a family in the town. “I feel as safe when I am on site at a vinyl facility as I have anywhere else I have worked.” The PVC manufacturing industry is “an important part of the community providing economic benefits for our city and state.”