Testing relief proposed for industrial facilities during emergencies.

On Aug. 4, the U.S. EPA proposed amendments to allow for a delay in performance test reporting in the case of a major event that causes "unavoidable performance test delays." Examples of such events are acts of nature, acts of war or terrorism, equipment failure or safety hazards. The regulatory changes would be made to the general provisions for air toxics rules that contain requirements applicable to most or all of the Maximum Achievable Control Technology standards, of which the iron and steel metalcaster rule was finalized in 2003.

The proposed amendments will not change any emission requirements but will provide a way for facilities to justify the delay in testing. The owner must provide to the EPA administrator the following information as soon as possible alter the event:

* a written description of the event;

* rationale for the delay in performance testing;

* measures taken or to be taken to minimize the delay;

* an anticipated date by which the performance test will be conducted.

EPA will accept comment on this proposal for 90 days following publication in the Federal Register.

More information on the proposed amendments is available at http:// www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3/fact_sheets/forcemajproposalfs.html.