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Department of Ecology News Release - February 16, 2006
06-026
OLYMPIA - The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) is inviting comments on a general permit regulating air emissions from small natural gas fired boilers.
The new permit provides an alternative to the individual permits required for small natural gas and liquefied natural gas fired boilers. These boilers are used in facilities that need steam for heating or industrial processes, including schools, business parks and manufacturing facilities. The primary pollutants of concern produced by these boilers are nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The permit sets limits on these harmful emissions.
A general permit or order is used instead of a series of individual orders when the permitted facilities are similar. The choice of whether to be covered by a more traditional individual notice of approval or this general order remains with the applicant. This is the first general permit issued by the air quality program at Ecology.
"This type of permit simplifies the permitting process while providing the same level of environmental protection," said Stu Clark, Ecology's air quality program manager. "For sources that meet the criteria, the general order can provide a simpler and faster permit."
This permit will be available to applicants in the counties that are regulated directly by Ecology's Air Quality Program. These counties are San Juan, Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Kittitas, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin, Grant, Lincoln, Adams, Whitman, Franklin, and Klickitat. Applicants in other areas are regulated by a local air agency and are subject to their notice of construction rules and procedures. This order is also available to those sources of statewide importance that are directly regulated by Ecology.
For a copy of the proposed order and fact sheet or to make comments, contact Tom Todd, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600; phone, (360) 407-7528; e-mail, ttod461@ecy.wa.gov . The proposed order and fact sheet are also available online at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/experts/Boiler/Todd_Notice.htm .
The comment period on these permits will run until March 17, 2006. Written, e-mailed and faxed comments must be received no later than 5 p.m.
After considering all public comments, Ecology expects to issue the final permits within a few months. A response will be sent to all people who provide comments.
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Contact: Glenn Kuper, public information manager, (360) 407-6848
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
