Proposed General Plan Approval and General Operating Permit for Feed Mills (BAQ-GPA/GP-15) [36 Pa.B. 2343] The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) proposes to issue the following General Plan Approval and/or General Operating Permit (General Permit), which contains predetermined Best Available Technology and other regulatory requirements:
BAQ-GPA/GP-15 (Feed Mills)
This proposed General Permit, authorized under sections 6.1(f) of the Air Pollution Control Act (35 P. S. § 4006.1(f)) and 25 Pa. Code § 127.611 (relating to general plan approvals and general operating permits), will apply to the construction, operation and modification of both new and existing feed mills.
The proposed General Permit contains conditions that prescribe applicability, compliance, permit modification, notification, prohibited use, emissions, sampling and testing, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
Prior to constructing and/or operating under this General Permit, the permittee must notify the Department using the General Permit application form provided by the Department and receive prior written approval from the Department before initiating construction and/or commencing operation of a feed mill. Existing permitted feed mills may either continue to operate under an existing operating permit or owners may elect to apply for authorization to operate under this General Permit. The application for authorization to operate under this General Permit must be submitted on the form provided by the Department. The owner or operator of any facility operating under this General Permit shall comply with the terms and conditions of this General Permit.
BAQ-GPA/GP-15: Feed Mills
As proposed, GP-15 is designed to serve as either plan approval and/or operating permit for feed mills.
The feed mills covered under this proposed General Permit are intended to produce processed food for animal or human consumption. The feed mills may include equipment such as storage silos, conveyors, bucket elevators, screening, sorting and batching machines, mixers, dryers, pelletizers and packaging machines. The General Permit is limited to feed mills that are not subjected to the Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources (NSPS); Subpart DD.
This proposed General Permit may not be used where the installation of a feed mill, individually or in conjunction with other source installations or modifications, would be subject to the requirements of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 127, Subchapter D or Subchapter E (relating to prevention of significant deterioration of air quality; and new source review).
This proposed General Permit establishes emission limits for particulate matter, sulfur oxides, visible and odor emissions. To comply with the particulate and visible emissions requirements, the feed mills will be fitted with such control devices as fabric collector and cyclone or multiclone.
The visible and odor emissions requirements shall be verified by conducting weekly inspections of these feed mills. The Department reserves the right to require an additional verification of particulate emission rates, which may include source testing in accordance with applicable provisions of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 139 (relating to sampling and testing).
The owner or operator of the feed mill shall maintain accurate records of dates, times and results of the weekly inspections conducted. These results shall be retained for a minimum of 5 years and shall be made available to the Department upon request.
Authorizations granted to use this General Permit will be for a term of 5 years. At least 30 days prior to the expiration date of the authorization to use this General Permit, the permittee must submit an application to renew the authorization if the facility intends to continue to operate under this General Permit.
The Department proposes to establish application and permit renewal fees for GP-15 of $375.
A plan approval application and fee is required each time the permittee installs or modifies a feed mill. The installation or modification of a feed mill must be conducted according to the terms and conditions of this proposed General Permit.
Interested parties are encouraged to obtain and review a complete copy of this proposed General Permit 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, (717) 787-4325. TDD users may telephone the Department through the AT&T Relay Service, (800) 654-5984. Internet users can access a copy of the General Permit at www.depweb.state.pa.us (DEP Keyword: Air Quality Home).
The Department invites written comments on the proposed General Permit. Notice and opportunity for comment will also be provided to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and 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, (717) 787-4325. The Department will also consider written requests that a public hearing be held concerning this proposed General Permit. Written public comments must be submitted to the Department by June 27, 2006. Comments received by facsimile will not be accepted.
Following the public comment period, the Department will review all submitted comments, prepare a written comments and response document and prepare a final documents package for this General Permit. An availability notice of the final General Permit documents will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 06-845. Filed for public inspection May 12, 2006, 9:00 a.m.]
