Boilers
On March 21, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers Area Source Rule - Subpart JJJJJJ. The rule provides for the use of generally available control technologies (GACT) or management practices by area sources (small facilities) to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). It covers boilers burning oil, coal, biomass (wood) and other solid or liquid fuels to produce steam or hot water for energy or heat. It is commonly referred to as the Boiler GACT or simply 6J.
If your "existing" boiler normally fires gas but has the capability to fire another fuel (usually oil), then you are eligible to opt-in to this rule in order to secure future flexibility. This option basically allows dual-fuel capable boilers to be “grandfathered in” to this rule as an existing source and avoid any additional requirements, e.g., – stack testing. While this option does require that you comply with the rules for existing sources, these requirements (tune-ups for most and energy assessments for some) should acutally save you money on fuel and therefore aren't really much of a burden. To be grandfathered in, simply fill out the initial notification and comply as if you were an oil burner and not an exempt gas burner.
Most boilers covered by this rule are non-residential, oil or biomass (wood)-fired boilers that existed prior to June 4, 2010. If your boiler falls outside these parameters, then additional requirements may apply. Otherwise, you need to:
- Submit an initial notification by Sept. 17, 2011, or as soon thereafter as possible
- Conduct startups and shutdowns according to the manufacturer's recommended procedures
- Keep tune-up and fuel usage records
- Submit a Notification of Compliance Status form (EPA has extended the deadline to December 31, 2012)
- Repeat tune-ups every two years
- Complete and keep on file a biennial compliance certification, and
- If the heat input capacity of the boiler is 10 million Btu per hour (mmBtu/hr) or larger,
- conduct a one-time energy assessment prior to March 21, 2014
- submit a Notification of Compliance Status form by July 19, 2014
Contact Information
Please contact the Business Assistance Team in the Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service for free, confidential assistance at 877-623-6748.
Initial Notification Forms
Tune-up Information
- Guidance and Example Recordkeeping Form
- Example Notification of Compliance Status for Boilers Subject to Tune-ups
Energy Assessment Information
Videos
Area Source Boiler Rule Videos on YouTube
Tools
Related Links
- Understanding EPA's Area Source Boiler Rule Webinar
- EPA brochure with highlights of the rule
- EPA Fast Facts of Requirements (one page of summary tables)
- EPA Compliance Guide for small businesses covering the rule's key points (50+ pages)
- DAQ long summary of the rule (8 pages)
- The official version of the rule in the Federal Register (54 pages)
- Tables showing what the requirements are for emission limits, tune-ups and energy assessments - EPA Table of Requirements
- EPA website
- Combustion portal