Air Quality Comprehensive Rules Overhaul - Stakeholder Meetings

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing revisions to air quality rules in the following areas:

•  Changes to make rules easier to use

•  Updates to particulate matter standards (grain loading/opacity)

•  Permits for small sources previously categorized as insignificant

•  Splitting businesses

•  New Source Review (NSR)

•  Net Air Quality Benefit for businesses requesting significant emission increases

•  Extensions for NSR permits

DEQ is inviting people who are interested in these topics to attend stakeholder meetings. We will be providing information and welcoming feedback. More information about the topics can be found on the DEQ website at: _________

Background  

•  Changes to make rules easier to use by:

◦  Reorganizing rules that are in definitions when they should be procedures

◦  Providing clarification when needed

◦  Deleting unused/redundant definitions

◦  Correcting spelling, rule references, etc.

◦  Updating Continuous Monitoring and Source Sampling Manual

•  Updates to particulate matter standards - DEQ is proposing to change the particulate emissions concentration standards in divisions 226 and 228 from 0.2 grains/dry standard cubic foot (gr/dscf) and 0.1 gr/dscf to 0.10 gr/dscf with a phased in schedule. DEQ is also proposing to lower the 40% opacity standard in division 208 that applies to pre-1970 units to 20%, except the 40% limit will continue to apply during grate cleaning and soot blowing operations. DEQ is also proposing to base the opacity standards on a 6-minute average, consistent with the compliance test method (EPA Method 9), instead of the current 3 minute aggregate period. The new particulate matter standards will help to maintain and protect the PM_2.5 ambient air quality standards.

•  Permits for small sources previously categorized as insignificant – There are new NESHAP standards for emergency generators, which are currently included in the list of insignificant sources. There are also some businesses that have multiple small emergency generators and boilers that in aggregate could potentially have significant emissions. DEQ is proposing changes to regulate these types of sources that were previously thought to be insignificant.

•  Splitting businesses – DEQ is clarifying that when one source splits up into 2 or more businesses, permitted emissions transfer to the new businesses with the same primary 2-digit SIC as the original source with the exception that emissions could transfer to a combined heat and power facility (aka co-gen) that supported the primary SIC.

•  New Source Review – DEQ is proposing changes to the New Source Review program to better address ambient air quality problems in an area.

•  Net Air Quality Benefit – DEQ is proposing revisions to the criteria for demonstrating that emissions offsets required for new or modified businesses in nonattainment and sensitive areas will provide a net air quality benefit to the area. Current rules are overly focused on the impacts from individual businesses and do not adequately consider the overall benefits of a project, including emission offsets obtained from other businesses in the area.

•  Extensions for New Source Review permits – DEQ is clarifying the requirements for granting a extension to construct for businesses that obtained approval to construct under the New Source Review program if construction is delayed.

Stakeholder Membership

The proposed rule changes affect a broad range of businesses and probably have varied levels of interest to different groups of people. Because of the diversity in topics, DEQ felt that stakeholder meetings would be more effective than advisory committee meetings.

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Public Participation

The public comment period for these rules will begin in October, 2013 for proposed adoption at the March, 2014 EQC meeting. DEQ would like to receive input before the public comment period. Even if you do not participate in any stakeholder meetings, you may sign up as an interested person to receive updates and meeting agendas by e-mail. Additionally, citizens who wish to discuss proposals are encouraged to communicate directly with project staff, or to attend stakeholder meetings, which are open to the public and include a public comment period.

Meeting Dates and Information

August 8, 2013
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
DEQ Northwest Region
2020 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 400

Conference Room A/B
Portland, OR 97201

503-229-5263

August 9, 2013
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Pendleton State Office Building

700 SE Emigrant Avenue

Blue Mountain Conference Room

Pendleton, OR 97801

541-276-7290

August 12, 2013
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
DEQ Eugene Office

165 East 7th Avenue, Suite 100

Willamette Conference Room

Eugene, OR 97401

541-686-7838

August 13, 2013

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
DEQ Medford Office

221 Stewart Avenue, Suite 201

Large Conference Room

Medford, OR 97501

541-776-6010

August 14, 2013

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lake County Courthouse

513 Center Street

Memorial Hall (basement)

Lakeview, OR 97630

541-947-6003

Contact Information

For more information about DEQ’s proposed air quality rulemaking, contact Jill Inahara at 503-229-5001 or inahara.jill@deq.state.or.us.