EPA has announced that it will issue an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that seeks information about the agency’s plan to add 1-bromopropane (1-BP) to the list of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act. It will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow (Friday, June 11). EPA announced in June 2020 that it had approved two petitions to list 1-BP but it did not take further action to add the pollutant at that time. While the notice does not propose new regulations or requirements, it announces that EPA intends to complete the listing of 1-BP by December 31, 2021. This would be the first time EPA has added a substance to the HAP list and the agency notes that the addition of 1-BP “could have immediate regulatory compliance impacts to facilities that emit 1-BP.” The ANPRM requests information from stakeholders and the public about the numbers and types of emission sources currently using 1-BP; source categories that may use 1-BP; potential impacts to facilities from current air toxics regulations; possible impacts on permitting programs, including changes in major source status; and potential impacts to small businesses, tribes and environmental justice communities. EPA also noted that the General Provisions may need to be revised, since they may not be sufficient currently to effectively and efficiently address the addition of the new pollutant. EPA will accept public comment on the ANPRM for 45 days. More information is available here.
