A company applied to the state air permitting agency to authorize rebuilding of two furnaces. In the application, the company said the rebuild involved physical changes that would not lead to significantly increased emissions.

PSD Regulations for Increased Emissions
After construction, EPA concluded the rebuilt furnaces increased emissions of particulate matter by significant amounts, triggering the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations. In addition to the allegations regarding PSD, EPA’s enforcement action also alleged the company failed to report the increased emissions.

Multi-Million Dollar Correction
To settle the enforcement action, the company agreed to install a catalytic filter system at an estimated cost of $8.5 million and pay a penalty of $450,000. The system will decrease particulate emissions by over 100 tons per year. The company also agreed to institute additional emission testing and reporting.

To see EPA’s news release announcing the settlement https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-reaches-settlement-fuyao-glass-illinois-inc-resolve-clean-air-act-violations