The proposed settlement agreement between the American Foundry Society (AFS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Iron & Steel Foundries, also known as Iron & Steel MACT (maximum achievable control technology), has been published in the Federal Register.

Due to industry concerns and the need to clarify several requirements, AFS filed a legal challenge against the final rule, which was issued on April 22, 2004. This settlement agreement marks the culmination of industry efforts to negotiate with EPA and reach resolution on each issue identified in the lawsuit. Public comment on the proposed settlement agreement is open until Feb. 16, 2007.

Under the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to regulate the emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from major sources within specific industrial source categories, including iron and steel metalcasting facilities. A major source is defined as a facility that emits 25 tons/year of a combination of HAPs or 10 tons/year of any one HAP. Iron and steel facilities that are major sources of HAPs will have to be in full compliance with the new standards by April 23, 2007.

“This was an important victory for the metalcasting industry,” said Jerry Call, executive vice president of AFS. “As part of our mission, our government advocacy work is one of the most important things we do at AFS. The proposed changes to the MACT standards, reached as part of our settlement, will provide greater flexibility for the metalcasting industry.”

The proposed changes to the current Iron & Steel MACT and a copy of the Federal Register notice, including how to submit comments, can be found on the AFS website at www.afsinc.org/MACT.