Applicability Matrix
Meridian Chemical Corporation — Houston Plant · Harris County TX · NAICS 325510
Emission Units
8
4 unit types
Regulations Mapped
6
Federal + TCEQ SIP
Obligations
42
11 primary + 31 sub-conditions
Under Review
3
Pending human approval
Confirmed Applicable
Under Review
Not Applicable
| Emission Unit | Type | Title V Part 70 |
NSPS Kb §60 Storage |
MACT-G SOCMI |
MACT-FFFF Misc. Org. |
MACT-DDDDD Boilers |
CAM §64 |
TCEQ SIP State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU-001 Reactor R-101 | Process Vent | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| EU-002 Reactor R-102 | Process Vent | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| EU-003 Tank T-201 | Fixed Roof Tank | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| EU-004 Tank T-202 | Floating Roof | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| EU-005 Boiler B-301 | Combustion | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| EU-006 Coating CL-401 | Surface Coating | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | — | ? | ✓ |
| EU-007 Wastewater WWT-501 | Wastewater | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | — | ? |
| EU-008 Emerg. Gen EG-601 | Diesel Combustion | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | ? |
3 items under review — CAM applicability for EU-006, TCEQ SIP for EU-007 and EU-008. All three are in the Approval Queue pending compliance manager sign-off.
Facility Profile
Active · TX-O-01234 · Permit expires Sep 30, 2026
Identity & Jurisdiction
Facility
Meridian Chemical Corporation — Houston Plant
Facility ID
TX-0042891
Permit ID
TX-O-01234 · Part 70
NAICS
325510 — Paint & Coating Manufacturing
Location
4200 Clinton Dr, Houston TX · Harris County
Authority
TCEQ · EPA Region 6
Permit Term
Oct 1 2021 — Sep 30 2026 Renewal Due
Resp. Official
Jennifer Martinez, VP Environmental Affairs
Emissions Summary — PTE (tons/year)
vs. Major Source Thresholds
VOC
142 tpy
Major · >50
NOx
45 tpy
Near limit
CO
23 tpy
Below
HAP
18 tpy
Area src.
PM10
8 tpy
Below
Houston-Galveston NAA (Serious Ozone) — VOC & NOx major source threshold: 50 tpy. General threshold: 100 tpy.
Emission Units & Controls
8 units across 4 categories
| ID | Unit Name | Type | Capacity | Key Pollutants | Control Device | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU-001 | Reactor Vessel R-101 | Process Vent | 5,000 gal | VOC · HAP (toluene, xylene) | CD-001 RTO | |
| EU-002 | Reactor Vessel R-102 | Process Vent | 5,000 gal | VOC · HAP (toluene, xylene) | CD-001 RTO | |
| EU-003 | Storage Tank T-201 | Fixed Roof | 120,000 gal | VOC (xylene solvent) | None | |
| EU-004 | Storage Tank T-202 | Internal Float. Roof | 250,000 gal | VOC (toluene) | CD-004 IFR | |
| EU-005 | Boiler B-301 | Combustion | 100 MMBtu/hr | NOx · CO · PM | CD-003 Low-NOx | |
| EU-006 | Coating Line CL-401 | Surface Coating | 8,500 gal/day | VOC · HAP (ethylbenzene) | CD-002 Carbon Adsorber | |
| EU-007 | Wastewater WWT-501 | Process Wastewater | 50,000 gal/day | VOC · HAP | Cover + RTO (CD-001) | |
| EU-008 | Emergency Gen EG-601 | Diesel Combustion | 2,000 kW | NOx · PM · CO | DOC (oxidation cat.) |
Applicability Determinations
AI-proposed · Human-approved · Confidence-scored
Total
9
Positive (TRUE)
7
Negative (FALSE)
2
Avg Confidence
94%
is_titleV_required
TRUE
Confidence 99%
VOC PTE 142 tpy > 50 tpy Houston-Galveston Serious NAA threshold → Title V permit required under 40 CFR Part 70. Approved J. Martinez, Apr 2 2024.
is_major_source_criteria
TRUE (VOC)
Confidence 99%
VOC 142 tpy > 50 tpy NAA threshold. NOx 45 tpy < 50 tpy. All other pollutants below 100 tpy general threshold. Major source driven by coating and reaction VOC emissions.
is_major_source_hap
FALSE
Confidence 97%
Total HAP PTE 18 tpy < 25 tpy threshold. No single HAP > 10 tpy (toluene 7.2, xylene 6.1, ethylbenzene 4.7). Area source NESHAP rules apply.
is_synthetic_minor
FALSE
Confidence 96%
Even with max enforceable limits, VOC PTE remains ~95 tpy — still above 50 tpy NAA threshold. Synthetic minor classification not achievable without significant production curtailment.
program_applicability_NSPS_Kb
TRUE (EU-003, EU-004)
Confidence 95%
Both tanks >40,000 gal storing volatile organic liquids, constructed after Jan 6 1990 → 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart Kb applies. T-202 (IFR) satisfies control requirements by design. T-201 (fixed roof) subject to monitoring obligations.
program_applicability_MACT_SubG
TRUE (EU-001, EU-002, EU-007)
Confidence 91%
NAICS 325510 = SOCMI process. EU-001 & EU-002 uncontrolled VOC >11,000 lb/yr = Group I process vents requiring ≥98% HAP destruction. WWT-501 is a covered wastewater stream.
is_CAM_applicable
TRUE (EU-001, EU-002)
Confidence 94%
Title V source + RTO is primary compliance method + pre-control VOC PTE >10 tpy per unit → CAM plan required. RTO outlet temperature (≥1,600°F) selected as key parametric indicator.
requires_semiannual_monitoring_report
TRUE
Confidence 100%
Title V source → 40 CFR §70.6(a)(3)(iii)(A) + Permit CND-7.1. Due Jul 31 (H1) and Jan 31 (H2). Submitted to TCEQ. Includes all deviations and monitoring results.
requires_annual_compliance_cert
TRUE
Confidence 100%
40 CFR §70.6(c)(5) + Permit CND-8.1. Due April 30 annually. Signed by Responsible Official (J. Martinez). 2025 cert due in 9 days.
Obligation Register
11 obligations mapped from CSV-3 logic · 1 overdue · 3 due this month
Total
11
Due This Month
3
By Apr 30 2026
Overdue
1
SPCC Plan Review
On Track
7
OBL-11 overdue 52 days. SPCC Plan annual review (40 CFR §112.5(b)) was due Feb 28 2026. No 2025 review documented. Escalated to VP Environmental.
OBL-01
Submit Title V Permit Renewal Application
Jun 30 2026
In ProgressOBL-02
Maintain Permit Conditions Register
Ongoing
CurrentOBL-03
Comply with Emission Limits (12-month rolling)
Continuous
CurrentOBL-04
Operate & Maintain Control Devices per O&M Plan
Continuous
CurrentOBL-05
Perform Required Stack Tests (5-year interval)
Mar 2028
UpcomingOBL-06
Implement Required Monitoring — CAM Parametric
Continuous
CurrentOBL-07
Maintain Records — 5-Year Retention Period
Ongoing
CurrentOBL-08
Submit Semiannual Monitoring Report
Jul 31 2026
UpcomingOBL-09
Submit Annual Compliance Certification
Apr 30 2026
Due in 9 daysOBL-10
Prompt Deviation & Excess Emissions Reporting
On event
None openOBL-11
SPCC Plan Annual Review & Update ⚠
Was Feb 28 2026
Overdue 52 daysWorkflow & Tasks
Each task linked to its source obligation and permit condition · Evidence tracked continuously
Active Tasks
10
Due This Month
3
Overdue
1
Evidence Complete
6/10
Q1 2026 VOC Emission Calculations
Apr 30
Annual Compliance Certification
Apr 30
RTO Parametric Monitoring
Apr 30
Monthly Tank Visual Inspection
Apr 30
Carbon Adsorber Daily Check
Today
Q1 LDAR Survey
Complete
H1 Semiannual Monitoring Report
Jul 31
Title V Permit Renewal
Jun 30
Stack Test Coordination
Mar 2028
SPCC Plan Annual Review
52d overdue
Impact Chain
Select an obligation to trace its full lineage · Regulation → Clause → Obligation → Applicability Rule → Permit Condition → Workflow → Evidence
Select a chain below. The RTO chain shows a fully evidenced, working obligation. The SPCC chain shows a broken chain — an obligation with no linked evidence, surfaced by the Audit Agent. This is the gap that creates enforcement exposure.
✓ RTO Parametric Monitoring — CND-3.1
Complete chain · 8,640 data points/month · 0 exceedances · Audit-ready
⚠ SPCC Plan Annual Review — OBL-11
Broken chain · Obligation mapped · No evidence linked · Overdue 52 days
R
Regulation
40 CFR Part 63, Subpart G — MACT for SOCMI
National Emission Standards for Organic HAPs from Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry. CAA §112. Effective June 1994, last amended March 2020.
Federal Register 59 FR 19402
C
Clause
§63.116(b) — Process Vent Standards for Group I Processes
"Owner or operator of a CMPU with a Group I process vent shall reduce organic HAP emissions by: (1) ≥98% by weight; or (2) ≤20 ppmv at control device outlet."
§63.116(b)(1) · Group I at §63.111
O
Obligation
Achieve ≥98% HAP Destruction at Group I Process Vents — EU-001, EU-002
Substantive emission standard. All downstream permit conditions and monitoring derive from this obligation.
OBL-04 · Substantive · Continuous
A
Applicability Rule
Applies: NAICS 325510 SOCMI + EU-001 VOC >11,000 lb/yr (Group I)
EU-001 uncontrolled VOC = 28,400 lb/yr > 11,000 lb/yr threshold. EU-002 = 26,100 lb/yr. RTO selected as control technique. Confidence 91% · Approved Apr 2 2024.
§63.111 Group I definition
P
Permit Condition
CND-3.1 — RTO Outlet Temp ≥1,600°F · Residence Time ≥0.5 sec
Surrogate for ≥98% HAP destruction. Deviation triggers 10-day reporting clock. Applies whenever EU-001 or EU-002 is in operation.
Permit CND-3.1 · Oct 2021 – Sep 2026
W
Workflow
Monthly Parametric Monitoring — RTO Outlet Temp, 15-min intervals
RTO outlet temp logged continuously. Monthly summary by S. Chen. Any reading <1,600°F triggers immediate alarm + 24-hr log entry.
RTO Monthly Log Review · S. Chen · OBL-06
E
Evidence ✓ Complete · Audit-ready
8,640 Data Points/Month · 5-Year Retention · Immutable
Mar 2026: 0 exceedances. Retrievable on demand — no retroactive assembly required at audit.
Last review: Mar 31 2026 · 0 exceedances
Change View
EPA AP-42 Emission Factor Revision — Chapter 4.3 Surface Coating · Detected same-day · Pending approval
EPA AP-42 Ch. 4.3 — Updated VOC Emission Factor for Solvent-Based Surface Coating
EPA AP-42 Supplement · Published Apr 8 2026 · Detected by Compliance Agent: Apr 8 2026 (same day) · Affects EU-006 Coating Line CL-401
Pending ApprovalRisk FlagConfidence 93%
Enforcement risk flagged. Updated emission factor increases EU-006 VOC PTE from 38 tpy to 47.8 tpy. This leaves only 2.2 tpy of headroom below the 50 tpy major source threshold. Operating at 95.6% of limit. Compliance manager review required before operational decisions are made.
◀ Previous AP-42 Factor (Ch. 4.3, 2019)
VOC emission factor for solvent-based surface coating operations: 6.2 lb VOC per gallon applied.
EU-006 (CL-401) calculated PTE: 38 tpy VOC
Headroom to 50 tpy threshold: 12 tpy (24% buffer)
EU-006 (CL-401) calculated PTE: 38 tpy VOC
Headroom to 50 tpy threshold: 12 tpy (24% buffer)
▶ Updated AP-42 Factor (Ch. 4.3, 2026)
VOC emission factor for solvent-based surface coating operations: 7.8 lb VOC per gallon applied (+25.8%).
EU-006 (CL-401) calculated PTE: 47.8 tpy VOC
Headroom to 50 tpy threshold: 2.2 tpy (4.4% buffer)
EU-006 (CL-401) calculated PTE: 47.8 tpy VOC
Headroom to 50 tpy threshold: 2.2 tpy (4.4% buffer)
Determination Re-run
1
CAM for EU-006
Permit Conditions
2
Emission calcs
Workflows Updated
1
VOC calculation
Risk Flags
1
2.2 tpy headroom
Blast Radius — 4 Items
AI-proposed updates · Require human approval before knowledge layer updates
Determination Re-evaluation — is_CAM_applicable for EU-006
Pre-control VOC PTE for EU-006 increased. Re-run CAM applicability — result may change · Confidence 93%
Permit Condition CND-2.6 — EU-006 Emission Limit Calculation Basis
Emission factor in PTE calculation must be updated to 7.8 lb/gal · Confidence 93%
Permit Condition CND-2.7 — EU-006 12-Month Rolling VOC Calculation
Rolling calculation formula references emission factor — must be updated · Confidence 91%
Risk Flag — EU-006 PTE now 47.8 tpy, 2.2 tpy below major source threshold
Operating at 95.6% of limit. Any throughput increase will trigger major source reclassification and Title V permit modification. Recommend operational limit review.
Approval Queue
Every AI output is a draft · Nothing becomes record without human sign-off
Total Pending
5
Batch Ready (>90%)
2
Needs Review
2
Overdue
1
Select high-confidence items to batch approve. Items <75% confidence are flagged for individual review. Rejection requires a structured reason — items return to the Compliance Agent with reviewer guidance.
Q1 2026 VOC Emission Calculations — Evidence Confirmation
Confidence
94%
Batch Ready2025 Annual Compliance Certification — Pending Signature
Confidence
98%
Batch ReadyEPA CDX Electronic Reporting — Policy Update & New Task
Confidence
88%
Needs ReviewSPCC Plan Annual Review — Overdue 52 Days ⚠ Escalated to VP
Confidence
96%
Overdue — EscalatedUpdated LDAR Monitoring Frequency — EPA Proposed Rule (Not Yet Final)
Confidence
71%
Proposed — MonitorOnboarding
Discussion Point How a new facility gets into the system · Two paths · For discussion with Ashish and Paul
This section is a discussion prompt, not a built feature. The two onboarding paths below represent the key design decision — how does the knowledge layer get seeded for a new client? The answer determines implementation complexity and time-to-value.
Path A — Greenfield
No existing analysis
Company has no structured applicability analysis. Compliance Agent builds determinations from the facility profile + regulatory corpus.
1
Input facility profile
2
Upload existing permits (PDF)
3
Compliance Agent runs all determinations
4
Human reviews + approves batch
Path B — Import Existing
Excel / JSON / consultant matrix
Company already has an applicability matrix (Excel), compliance tracking spreadsheet, or structured permit data. System ingests and validates — does not redo the work.
1
Upload existing Excel / JSON matrix
2
System validates against current regs
3
System identifies gaps
4
Human reviews only changed + gap items
Data Integration Options — Discussion
What live data feeds into the system and when
| Data Source | What It Provides | Integration Method | V1 or V2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPA eCFR API | Live regulatory text — 40 CFR parts | Public REST API, polled daily | V1 | Tractable today. Federal Register API similar. |
| PDF permit documents | Existing permit conditions → knowledge layer seed | Upload + AI parsing on onboarding | V1 | One-time. Most clients have these already. |
| Excel / CSV exports | Existing applicability matrix, CEMS data exports, compliance reports | Structured upload → validation | V1 | Companies already produce quarterly CSV exports for reporting. Low friction. |
| State agency portals | State SIP rules, permit amendments | Web scraping + PDF monitoring | V1 partial | Messier than federal. Coverage builds over time by state. |
| CEMS live feed | Real-time stack emissions data — continuous evidence | OPC-UA / Modbus / historian API (OSIsoft PI) | V2 | Requires OT security review at client site. Long pole. V1 uses CSV uploads instead. |
| SCADA / plant historian | Throughput, operating hours, process parameters | OSIsoft PI / Ignition / Wonderware API | V2 | Unlocks real-time compliance monitoring and operational change alerts. |
| EPA ECHO / ICIS | Historical compliance record, permit history | EPA REST API | V1 | Public data. Useful for onboarding and gap detection. |
Key discussion point: V1 does not require live SCADA/CEMS integration. Quarterly CSV exports (which facilities already produce for regulatory reporting) cover 80% of the evidence value. Live historian integration is the V2 unlock that makes evidence collection truly frictionless — but the knowledge layer, determinations, and audit readiness value all work without it.