Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 91.djvu/775

 PUBLIC LAW 95-95—AUG. 7, 1977 which are nonprofit health or education institutions which have been exempted by the State. "(2)(A) The term 'commenced' as applied to construction of a major emitting facility means that the owner or operator has obtained all necessary preconstruction approvals or permits required by Federal, State, or local air pollution emissions and air quality laws or regulations and either has (i) begun, or caused to begin, a continuous program of physical on-site construction of the facility or (ii) entered into binding agreements or contractual obligations, which cannot be canceled or modified without substantial loss to the owner or operator, to undertake a program of construction of the facility to be completed within a reasonable time. "(B) The term 'necessary preconstruction approvals or permits' means those permits or approvals, required by the permitting authority as a precondition to undertaking any activity under clauses (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. "(3) The term 'best available control technology' means an emis= sion limitation based on the maximum degree of reduction of each pollutant subject to regulation under this Act emitted from or which results from any major emitting facility, which the permitting authority, on a case-by-case basis, taking into account energy, environmental, and economic impacts and other costs, determines is achievable for such facility through application of production processes and available methods, systems, and techniques, including fuel cleaning or treatment or innovative fuel combustion techniques for control of each such pollutant. In no event shall application of 'best available control technology' result in emissions of any pollutants which will exceed the emissions allowed by any applicable standard established pursuant to section 111 or 112 of this Act. " (4) The term 'baseline concentration' means, with respect to a pollutant, the ambient concentration levels which exist at the time of the first application for a permit in an area subject to this part, based on air quality data available in the Environmental Protection Agency or a State air pollution control agency and on such monitoring data as the permit applicant is required to submit. Such ambient concentration levels shall take into account all projected emissions in, or which may affect, such area from any major emitting facility on which construction commenced prior to January 6, 1975, but which has not begun operation by the date of the baseline air quality concentration determination. Emissions of sulfur oxides and particulate matter from any major emitting facility on which construction commenced after January 6, 1975, shall not be included in the baseline and shall be counted against the maximum allowable increases in pollutant concentrations established under this part.". (b) Within one year from the date of enactment of this Act the Administrator shall report to the Congress on the consequences of that portion of the definition of "major emitting facility" under the amendment made by subsection (a) which applies to facilities with the potential to emit two hundred and fifty tons per year or more. Such study shall examine the type of facilities covered, the air quality benefits of including such facilities, and the administrative aspect of regulating such facilities. (c) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall publish a guidance document to assist the

91 STAT. 741

Ante, pp. 697, 699-701, 703; Post, p. 791. Ante, pp. 701, 703; Post, p. 791.

Report to Congress. 42 USC 7479 note.

Guidance document, publication. 42 USC 7470 note.

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