ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
    March 13, 1975
    NATIONAL CASTINGS DIVISION,
    MIDLAND ROSS CORPORATION,
    Petitioner,
    vs.
    )
    PCB 74—486
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY,
    Respondent.
    OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by Mr. Henss):
    Midland
    Ross
    Corporation requests extension of a variance
    previously granted in PCB 73-531 for its National Castings
    Division. In PCB 73-531 Petitioner was granted variance from
    Rule 203(a (particulates) of the Air Pollution Control Regu-
    lations until December 31, 1974 for the purpose of installing
    air pollution control equipment. Extension of that variance
    is sought until March 15, 1975.
    Petitioner operates a 400 tons per week steel foundry in
    Meirose Park, Cook County, Illinois. Equipment at this foundry
    includes a 20 ton electric arc furnace, two core sand mullers,
    four core ovens, four mold sand rnullers, a shakeout operation,
    a sand reclaimer, and related sand handling and finishing
    equipment. Stack tests indicate that particulate emissions
    from the shakeout operation are 54.8 lbs./hr. Under Rule 203(a)
    Petitioner is allowed 21 lbs./hr. of particulate emissions. All
    other processes at this facility are reported to be adequately
    controlled.
    In order to bring the shakeout process emissions into
    compliance, Petitioner is installing an American Air Filter
    Type Roto-clone. Under terms of the prior variance, this control
    project was to have been completed by December 31, 1974.
    Initially, Petitioner reported that a fan essential to the
    operation of the control equipment, which was scheduled for
    delivery in late November 1974, would not be delivered until
    the end of December 1974. This would have necessitated a
    corresponding delay in start-up.
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    In the Amended Petition for Variance, a further delay in
    delivery of the fan until January 10, 1975 is reported, and
    after the filing of the Amended Petition Petitioner advised
    that delays in equipment delivery had caused a further delay
    in completion of the project until February 17, 1975.
    An Agency investigator visited the foundry on January 21,
    1975. He found that all major components of the control system
    (roto—clone, 200 hp motor and fan, pump for roto-clone and
    electrical switch boxes) were on site at the facility. Side
    hoods and connecting duct work had not yet been installed.
    Petitioner’s Superintendent of Maintenance and Engineering
    advised the Agency investigator that installation of duct work which
    connects the roto-clone to the fan and installation of the fan~s
    exhaust stack would begin on January 22, 1975. Installation of
    the side hoods and duct work, which can only be done when the
    system is shut down, was scheduled for February 14, 1975. In-
    stallation of a final side hood was to be completed over a weekend
    shutdown. Total system start-up was to be February 17, 1975.
    The Agency recommends approval of this short variance
    extension. It is the opinion of the EPA that Petitioner has
    acted with reasonable diligence within the prior variance time
    period. The Board is aware of numerous delays in equipment
    delivery now being experienced by companies seeking to achieve
    compliance. The delays were beyond the control of Petitioner and
    the variance will be granted.
    This Opinion constitutes the findings of fact and conclusions
    of law of the Illinois Pollution Control Board.
    ORDER
    It is the Order of the Pollution Control Board that Midland
    Ross Corporation is granted variance from Rule 203(a) of the Air
    Pollution Control Regulations for its National Castings Division
    foundry at Melrose Park, Illinois until March 15, 1975 for the
    purpose of installing and testing air pollution control equipment
    designed to achieve compliance with Rule 203(a). This variance
    is subject to the following conditions:
    1. Petitioner shall apply for and obtain all
    necessary permits for the installation and
    operation of pollution control equipment.
    2. Petitioner shall execute an extension of
    the performance bond required pursuant to
    the Board Order in PCB 73-531. The bond
    shall be in a form acceptable to the
    Environmental Protection Agency and shall
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    1A~
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    assure installation and operation of the
    control equipment within the term of the
    variance. The bond shall be mailed to:
    Fiscal Services Division, Illinois EPA,
    2200 Churchill Road, Springfield, Illinois
    62706.
    3. Within 30 days after completion of the air
    pollution control program, Petitioner shall
    have performed a stack test. Results of the
    stack test shall be submitted to the Environ-
    mental Protection Agency as soon as they are
    available to Petitioner. Petitioner shall
    notify the Agency five days prior to the stack
    test indicating the time and place of said test
    and shall allow Agency personnel to observe
    said test if they so desire.
    I, Christan L. Moffett, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control
    Board, hereby certify the above Opinion and Order was adopted
    this
    jfI’L
    day of
    ________,
    1975 by a vote of g to
    0
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