PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Wood-fired boiler reasonably available control technology (RACT) determination under chapter 173-400 WAC, General regulations for air pollution sources, chapter 173-405 WAC, Kraft pulping mills, chapter 173-410 WAC, Sulfite pulping mills, chapter 173-433 WAC, Solid fuel burning devices, and chapter 173-434 WAC, Solid waste incinerator facilities.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.94.154, the Washington Clean Air Act.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule making is being entered into to provide affected sources within the source category "wood-fired boilers" RACT-level emission limitations and applicable definitions. In addition to the aforementioned changes, it is the intention of the air quality program to reorganize chapter 173-434 WAC, Solid waste incinerator facilities, into a general, all-purpose rule that regulates various combustion-type source categories.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates new sources of wood-fired boiler emissions. No other state agency regulates air emissions from wood-fired boilers. Local air authorities may have jurisdiction over some of the affected sources. The Department of Ecology will seek the input and advice of these agencies by including a local air authority representative to the wood-fired boiler advisory committee.
Process for Developing New Rule: The rule will be developed through the application of the DRAFT Source Category RACT Guidelines document. The air quality program has established an advisory committee of interested parties who will provide the agency with input.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Peter Lyon, Department of Ecology, Air Quality Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, (360) 407-7530.
March 15, 1999
Mary E. Burg
Program Manager