On December 28, 2007, EPA finalized National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) addressing new and existing electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking facilities that are area sources (i.e., minor sources).   This particular NESHAP is codified as 40 CFR Part 63 subpart YYYYY.  The regulation establishes requirements for the control of mercury emissions based on maximum achievable control technology (MACT), and requirements for the control of other hazardous air pollutants based on generally available control technology (GACT) or management practices.

MACT Standards.  Final MACT standards for mercury are based on pollution prevention and require EAF facilities that melt scrap from motor vehicles to either (1) purchase motor vehicle scrap only from providers participating in an EPA-approved program for the removal of mercury switches, or (2) fulfill an alternate requirement that removes the mercury switches from the scrap.  If using option 1, the facility must maintain records of scrap dealers and their participation in the EPA-approved program.  If using option 2, a site-specific plan must be prepared and approved for accounting of and removal of mercury switches from the scrap.

GACT Standards.  Final GACT standards require emissions from EAF and AOD vessels to be vented to a venturi scrubber or baghouse for the removal of particulate matter (PM).  Separate limits are established for small facilities, i.e., those that produce less than 150,000 tons per year stainless or speciality steel, and for larger, not-speciality steelmaking facilities.  For small facilities, the emission limit is 0.8 pounds PM per ton steel for each control device serving an EAF or AOD vessel.   For large facilities, the emission limit is 0.0052 grains per dry standard cubic foot.  Opacity limits of 6 percent per control device are also established for both small and large facilities.  Compliance with these emission limits must be demonstrated with performance tests.

All EAF steelmaking facilities are required to obtain a Title V permit.  If a facility already has a Title V permit, a new one is not required, however, the permit must be opened and the requirements of this new regulation added. Monitoring of control devices is also required, following the CAM rule.

Part YYYYY requires EAF facilities to prohibit the processing of scrap that contains certain contaminants, such as scrap from motor vehicle bodies, engine blocks, oil filters, oily turnings, machine shop borings, transformers, and capacitors containing PCBs, lead containing components, chlorinated plastics, or free organic liquids.