Biomass plants could be affected under proposed EPA ruling

PennEnergy.com

8 June 2010 - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards which would classify biomass boiler units, conventionally considered multi-fuel boilers, as incinerators and would be subject to new emission limits for mercury, hydrogen chloride, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and dioxin. The new proposed ruling is originally part of the Clean Air Act of 1990.

The Biomass Power Association (BPA), a group of 80 plants in 20 states, voiced their concerns during a June 8 teleconference from Washington D.C. BPA President Bob Cleaves said that boilers used by industrial, commercial and institutional facilities use various fuels and the fuels are used to generate various forms of energy such as steam, heat and electricity to be used in manufacturing or the generation of power that is sent to the grid.

If the new rule is enacted, Cleaves believes that 100 percent of boilers in the U.S. will have to do more work emitting less pollutants even though they are currently well controlled. Early estimates have shown that it could cost the biomass industry up to $7 billion to comply with EPA’s new standards.

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