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Beyond Federal StandardsNevada Mercury Emissions Control Program
Colleen Cripps
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
September 22, 2005
Nevada Mercury Emissions Program Overview
Situation in 2000 Voluntary Mercury
Reduction Program Program review in
2005 Enhanced Nevada
Mercury Emissions Program
Situation Analysis
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
2001 2002 2003
Pounds emitted byVMRP companies
1998: Metal mining industry required to submit mercury emissions with Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
2000: TRI numbers for 1998 releasedFour largest mines report 98% of the 21,098 pounds of mercury emissions
2001: EPA site tours to analyze sources and controls
2002: EPA and NDEP develop Voluntary Mercury Reduction Program with four largest metal mines
Objectives of Nevada Mercury Reduction Program
Through the Voluntary Mercury Reduction Program (VMRP): Achieve significant, permanent and rapid reductions in
mercury air emissions from gold mining operations Achieve reductions through approaches that are most
suitable for each individual mining facility Voluntary partnership encourages flexibility in
technology innovation and greater reductions per transaction cost
Measurable goals set
33% reduction in mercury air emissions by the end of 2003
50% reduction by the end of 2005 Reduction measured using baseline
emissions of 21,098 pounds of mercury air emissions reported in 2001
Nevada approach versus MACT
Had a regulatory approach been pursued in the case of the gold mines, it would have taken at least four years for the rules to be developed and another two years to allow companies to install MACT air emission controls.
Nevada program realized rapid mercury emissions reductions
0
25%
50%
75%
Mer
cury
Red
uct io
n
Feb 2002 – Nevada & EPA institute VMRP
2005 – EPA implements Hg Utility Rule
Jan 2001 – Nevada & EPA start discussions with industry
40% reduction achieved in 2002
(reported in 2003)
75% reduction achieved in 2003
(reported in 2004)
Targeted reduction for 2010
1998 2000 2005 2010 2015 2018
Targeted reduction for 2018
Anticipated reductions: ~87% in 2004
VMRP program achieves 75% reduction in mercury emissions 15 years earlier than anticipated reductions from utilities.
Targeted and process specific approach
Examples of MACT equivalent VMRP emissions controls include: Wet Venturi Scrubber/Carbon Filtration installed at
Barrick Goldstrike Mine in March 2002 Gas Quench Scrubber installed at Queenstake Jerritt
Canyon West Roaster in 2002 Baghouses and SO2 Scrubber installed at the Newmont
Gold Quarry Operations Area Ore Preheaters before 2001
2005 Program review
A scheduled summer 2005 review of the VMRP program was accelerated: Greater involvement from other mining operations Improved reporting, record keeping and testing ICL notice of intent to sue Ability to formalize the original VMRP commitments Evaluate the need for additional controls
A brave new world
Need for broader coordination Increased national focus on Hg Three states, three EPA regional offices and
three media (water, waste and air) are involved in Nevada mercury program
Research is needed, but NDEP does not have a research arm Impacts from data collection and research
NDEP focused on controls
NDEP determined that the most critical function of the agency is to focus on controlling mercury emissions
NDEP Deputy Administrator Colleen Cripps said, “regardless of where the impact occurs, whether globally, regionally or locally, we’re doing everything that we can to control mercury air emissions in Nevada.”
Conclusion
Original program exceeded our expectations
Significant reductions were achieved
Reductions were realized better, faster and cheaper with the VMRP program
• Now moving into a new phase with the Nevada Mercury Control Program
Enhanced Nevada Mercury Control Program
NDEP is committed to: Increased involvement in the Nevada Mercury Control
Program Improved consistency of monitoring, record keeping and
reporting Evaluation of the need for additional mercury emissions
controls Continued work with industry to develop innovative
controls Development of a program that will formalize the
commitments made by the industry