The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold three public hearings in June on proposals cutting mercury emissions in half and significantly reducing other toxic air pollutants from industrial and institutional boilers, process heaters and solid waste incinerators, according to an agency press release. These toxics are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems. The agency will also take comment at the hearings on a proposal to identify which non-hazardous secondary materials would be considered solid waste and which would be considered fuel. Secondary materials are those that are not the primary product of a manufacturing or commercial process and include consumer and industrial materials that are no longer used for their original purpose, such as scrap tires, used oil, wood, coal refuse, and construction and demolition debris.

Each hearing will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 8 p.m., local time or later if necessary. The public may preregister to speak at the hearings at a specific time. People also may register in person on the day of the hearing, but may not be given a specific time slot to speak:

June 15: Arlington, Va.
Crystal City Marriott
1999 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Arlington, Va.
Preregistration deadline 5 p.m., June 11

June 22: Houston
Hilton Houston Hobby Airport
8181 Airport Blvd.
Houston
Preregistration deadline: 5 p.m., June 18

June 22: Los Angeles
Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel
711 South Hope Street
Los Angeles
Preregistration deadline: 5 p.m., June 18

To preregister to speak at the hearings, please contact Teresa Clemons at clemons.teresa@epa.gov, or 919-541-0252.

EPA also is extending the deadline for written comments on the proposed rules until Aug. 3, 2010.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/combustion