Fact Sheet (PDF) Draft Rule (PDF)
Concise Summary:
The Department is proposing a new rule that will limit the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from fiberglass boatbuilding operations during the manufacture and repair of fiberglass boats. Fiberglass boatbuilding operations use polyester and vinylester resins to fabricate the various components of boats using molds that provide the desired shape for the finished products. Open molding operations, which are most commonly used in fiberglass boatbuilding, release significant amounts of VOC, predominately styrene, during the curing process. These rules are being proposed to pursuant to Section 184 of the federal Clean Air Act, which requires states to implement or update reasonably available control technology (RACT) controls on all major emission sources, and on source categories covered by a Control Technique Guideline (CTG) document. In September 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published a CTG for fiberglass boat manufacturing materials that recommends control options for this source category. Maine's proposed rule is based on these recommendations, and reduces VOC emissions from larger boatbuilding sources with 5400 pounds per 12-month period or greater emissions. These amendments will be submitted to EPA for approval in Maine's State Implementation Plan.
Agency contact:
Jeff Crawford
DEP, 17 SHS
Augusta, Maine 04333-0017
207-287-7647
Public hearing: April 2, 2013 1:00 PM
DEP Response Training Room, 4 Blossom Lane
Augusta, Maine 04333
Public noticed: March 4, 2013
Comment deadline: April 15, 2013