Green Industries Initiative

EPA published its final biomass permitting deferral today (EPA released the final rule informally July 1 (128 DEN A-13, 7/5/11) exempting new and modified facilities that burn wood waste and some landfills from the need to obtain greenhouse gas emissions permits for three years.  BNA reports EPA is taking this action as part of the process of granting the Petition for Reconsideration filed by the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) on August 3, 2010, related to the PSD and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule as the agency conducts further studies of greenhouse gas emissions from biomass such as wood, various crop residues, and grass. The final rule, which amends 40 C.F.R. Parts 51, 52, 70, and 71, exempts those facilities from the requirement to obtain prevention of significant deterioration permits and Title V operating permits for their greenhouse gas emissions.