Attainment Area - sdmp-00330119

DOE-HDBK-XXXX-2005

06/30/2005

14.

ATTAINMENT AREA. An area that the Environmental Protection Agency has designated as

being in compliance with one or more of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards

(NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, and particulate

matter. An area may be in attainment for some pollutants but not for others. (See National

Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), nonattainment area, and particulate matter.)

[Derived from EPA Terms]

15.

AVERAGE (50%) METEOROLOGY. Meteorological conditions that, for a particular area,

correspond to the median amount of mixing of pollutants with the less contaminated

surrounding air. The term indicates conditions during which more favorable mixing conditions

occur 50% of the time and less favorable mixing conditions occur 50% of the time. The term

"average meteorology" is often used without further definition; it corresponds to a median

value. [See conservative (95%) meteorology.] [Derived from DOE 6430.1A]

16.

BACKGROUND RADIATION. Radiation from (1) cosmic sources, (2) naturally occurring

radioactive materials, including radon (except as a decay product of source or special nuclear

material), and (3) global fallout as it exists in the environment (e.g., from the testing of nuclear

explosive devices). [Derived from 10 CFR 20.1003, NRC Glossary]

17.

BASELINE. The existing environmental conditions against which impacts of the proposed

action and its alternatives can be compared.

For a specific NEPA document, a further statement can be included about the date or

conditions that are considered the baseline. For example: "For this Environmental Impact

Statement the environmental baseline is the environmental condition of the site as it exists in

1999."

18.

BEST AVAILABLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY (BACT). Available devices, systems, or

techniques for achieving the maximum reduction of air-pollutant emissions while considering

energy, environmental, and economic impacts. BACT is determined on a case-by-case basis

for new sources or major modifications to existing sources in areas that are in attainment of

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). BACT does not permit emissions in

excess of those allowed under any Clean Air Act provisions. [See lowest achievable emissions

rate (LAER), maximum achievable control technology (MACT), reasonably achievable control

technology (RACT), and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).] [Derived from

EPA Terms, 40 CFR 51.166(b)(12)]

BEST AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY (BAT). Under the Clean Water Act:

19.

Economically achievable pollution control methods that will allow point sources to comply

with the effluent limitations required by the Clean Water Act. Factors to be taken into account

in assessing what is the best available technology include the age of equipment and facilities

involved, the process employed, the engineering aspects of the application of various types of

control techniques, process changes, the cost of achieving such effluent reduction, non-water

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