EPA To Release Air Pollution Rule for Boilers Today

"U.S. EPA will issue its controversial rules for toxic air pollution from industrial boilers [Wednesday], an agency official said [Tuesday] morning, despite a court order that required the rules be done by Presidents Day.

The regulations, which are often called the 'Boiler MACT' rules, would set limits on the amount of mercury and other dangerous chemicals that the boilers, solid waste incinerators and process heaters are allowed to release. Many manufacturing plants, paper mills and other industrial facilities use the devices, which are cousins of the larger boilers used by coal-fired power plants.

Though the pollution rules were originally due last month, EPA asked for more time, saying the agency needed another year to rework the rules that were proposed last summer. District Court Judge Paul Friedman declined the request and ordered EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to sign a final rule by yesterday, but the administration is now running a bit late.

The rules are still under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget, according to an online database that follows new rules through the regulatory process. They will be released [Wednesday], EPA press secretary Brendan Gilfillan said."

Gabriel Nelson reports for Greenwire February 22, 2011.