564 Proposed general plan approval and/or general operating permit for landfill gas-fired simple cycle turbines; BAQ-GPA/GP-22

Proposed General Plan Approval and/or General Operating Permit for Landfill Gas-Fired Simple Cycle Turbines; BAQ-GPA/GP-22

[35 Pa.B. 1937]

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) proposes to issue the landfill gas-fired simple cycle turbines general plan approval and/or operating permit (General Permit or BAQ-GPA/GP-22) containing predetermined Best Available Technology (BAT) and other regulatory requirements.

   This General Permit authorized under section 6.1(f) of the Air Pollution Control Act (35 P. S. § 4006.1(f)) and implementing regulations in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 127, Subchapter H (relating to general plan approvals and operating permits) will apply to the construction, operation and modification of landfill gas-fired turbines using landfill gas produced as a result of anaerobic decomposition of organic wastes. This new General Permit will also include an abbreviated authorization schedule for installation of a new turbine core (combustor with, or without, compressor and turbine section) where there is no increase in capacity of the landfill gas-fired turbines and there has been no change in the BAT requirements for landfill gas-fired turbines since issuance of this General Permit.

   The proposed general plan approval and/or operating permit, BAQ-GPA/GP-22, contains conditions that prescribe applicable emission limits, compliance demonstration, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

   Prior to operating under this General Permit, the owner or operator of the source must notify the Department and receive prior written approval from the Department before commencing to operate the affected facility. Notification of the facility's intent to use the General Permit and/or plan approval must be submitted on a form provided by the Department. Permittees operating under this General Permit shall comply with the terms and conditions of the general plan approval and/or general operating permit.

   This landfill gas-fired turbine General Permit has been established in accordance with 25 Pa. Code Chapter 127, Subchapter H. If the landfill gas-fired turbines at the facility cannot be regulated by the requirements of this General Permit, a plan approval and/or an operating permit issued in accordance with 25 Pa.  Code Chapter 127, Subchapter B or Subchapter F (relating to plan approval requirements; and operating permit requirements) will be required, or if the facility is a Title V facility, a Title V operating permit issued under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 127, Subchapter F and Subchapter G (relating to Title V operating permits) will be required.

   The General Permit includes emission standards for particulate matter, SO₂, NOx, CO and nonmethane organic compounds. These requirements shall be verified through stack testing.

   The Department also reserves the right to require an additional verification of emission rates, which may include source testing in accordance with applicable provisions of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 139 (relating to sampling and testing) or portable exhaust gas analyzers approved by the Department.

   The permittee must maintain comprehensive accurate records of hours, fuel used and emissions test results. These records must be retained for a minimum of 5 years and made available to the Department upon request.

   The Department proposes to establish application and permit renewal fees for this General Permit.

   The landfill gas-fired turbines General Permit establishes a $1,000 application fee and renewal fee payable every 5 years if no equipment changes occur.

   Authorization to operate the sources under this General Permit will be issued for a term of 5 years. Within 30 days of the expiration date of the authorization to operate under the general plan approval and/or general operating permit, the permittee must renew the authorization if the facility intends to continue to operate under this General Permit.

   A complete copy of this proposed General Permit may be obtained by contacting Jeanette Van Skike, Division of Permits, Bureau of Air Quality, 12th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, [phone]. TDD users should telephone the Department through the AT&T Relay Service, [phone]. Internet users can access a copy of the General Permit at www.dep.state.pa.us, (DEP Keyword:  Air Quality).

   The Department requests written comments on the proposed General Permit. Notice and opportunity for comment will also be provided to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the States of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and West Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Interested persons may submit written comments, suggestions or objections to John Slade, Chief, Division of Permits, Bureau of Air Quality, 12th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, [phone]. The Department will also consider written requests that a public hearing be held concerning this proposed general plan approval and operating permit. Public comments must be submitted to the Department within 45 days of the date of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Comments received by facsimile will not be accepted.

KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-564. Filed for public inspection March 25, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]