(171a) Ethylene Risk and Technology Review: What's the Outlook?

Per the court-mandated timeline, the EPA is currently working through the statutorily-required risk and technology review (RTR) for the ethylene NESHAP (40 CFR, Part 63, Subpart XX and Subpart YY). Industry trade groups have been engaged in meetings with EPA as this process has moved forward. It is anticipated the proposed rule, due in late 2018, will impact current ethylene operations. It is anticipated the rule will mirror certain aspects of the refinery rule, such as the flare and PRD language and likely will address furnace stack emissions and decoke emissions (both decoke to the fire box and decoke to an atmospheric pot) and potentially waste water emissions.

This paper will discuss the possible proposed rules and the potential impact on the ethylene facilities.