EPA's Alternative Test Method Approval Procedures

Collaborative Efforts to Improve Environmental Monitoring
Oral Presentation

Prepared by N. Shappley
Environmental Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Dr,, 109 TW Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC, 27502, United States


Contact Information: shappley.ned@epa.gov; 919-541-7903


ABSTRACT

The General Provisions to New Source Performance Standards (NSPS, 40 CFR Part 60) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP, 40 CFR Part 63)  provide the Administrator of the EPA with the authority to approve alternatives or changes to test methods specified in the subparts to these parts for determining compliance of stationary sources with Federally enforceable emission limitations or standards. These provisions are an important mechanism for the EPA to allow new technology or approaches for improved accuracy, lower cost procedures, addressing facility-specific constraints, or increased applicability and requests may be submitted by the regulated industry, analytical laboratories, and testers. 

This presentation will addresses the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) alternative test method approval/disapproval authority and describes the process and procedures for requesting these alternatives. This talk will address the acceptance criteria focusing on the substantive technical support information typically required for approval and provide the audience with a couple of case studies in how members of the regulated community have used these provisions to improve the compliance strategy within a regulation.