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