Air Plan Approval; Maryland; Reasonably Available Control Technology for Municipal Waste Combustors
Key claim: EPA is approving Maryland’s plan requiring municipal waste incinerators statewide to limit nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions under reasonably available control technology rules.
Abstract
(Rule · Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving state implementation plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Maryland. The SIP revisions consist of a regulation that implements statewide reasonably available control technology (RACT) requirements by limiting air emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOX) from municipal waste combustors (MWCs) in Maryland. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Why this matters
RACT determinations for municipal waste combustors translate ozone-transport obligations into enforceable NOx limits on a specific industrial category, affecting incinerator operating costs and downwind ozone contributions in the Northeast corridor. EPA approval locks these state limits into the federally enforceable SIP, converting them from state-only requirements into Clean Air Act obligations.