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Best Available Control Technology (BACT) Analysis

  Any major stationary source or major modification subject to PSD must conduct an analysis to ensure the application of best available control technology (BACT).   The requirement to conduct a BACT analysis and determination is set forth in section 165(a)(4) of the Clean Air Act (Act), in federal regulations at 40 CFR 52.21(j), in regulations setting forth the requirements for State implementation plan approval of a State PSD program at 40 CFR 51.166(j), and in the SIP's of the various States at 40 CFR Part 52, Subpart A - Subpart FFF.
  The Top Down process for determining the best available control technology means that all available control technologies be ranked in descending order of control effectiveness.  The most stringent or "Top" control technology is established as BACT unless the applicant can demonstrate to the permitting authority that it is not feasible to implement it, in which case the next most stringent control technology is examined and so on.

The 5 basic steps of Best Available Control Technology (BACT) Analysis are:

  1. Identify available control technologies for the emissions unit, process or activity
  2. Eliminate technically infeasable options
  3. Rank remaining control options by control effectiveness
  4. Evaluate most effective controls and document results
  5. Select the Best Available Control Technology (BACT)