Proposed Renewal of SP Newsprint’s Air Quality Permit
The purpose of this notice is to invite you to provide written comments on this proposed air quality permit issuance.
DEQ’s Role:
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is responsible for protecting and enhancing Oregon’s water and air quality, for cleaning up spills and releases of hazardous materials, and for managing the proper disposal of hazardous and solid wastes. One way DEQ does this is by requiring permits for certain activities. DEQ issues permits to regulate the type and amount of air emissions at a regulated facility.
Comments due:
Written comments due: 5 p.m., January 31, 2008.
Where can I send my comments?
Patty Hamman, Permit Coordinator
(503) 378-5305 or (800) 349-7677
750 Front St. NE, #120
Salem, OR 97301-1039
Fax: (503) 378-4196
hamman.patricia@deq.state.or.us
Where can I get technical information?
Jim Boylan, Senior AQ Inspector
(503) 378-5034 or (800) 349-7677
750 Front St. NE, #120
Salem, OR 97301-1039
Fax: (503) 378-4196
boylan.jim@deq.state.or.us
How can I review documents?
You can review electronic versions of the draft permit and review report in the online version of this document located at:
http://www.deq.state.or.us/notices/
You can review hard copies of the draft permit and related documents at the Newberg Public Library located at 503 E. Hancock Rd., Newberg, Oregon and the nearest DEQ office in Salem. For a review appointment, call Patty Hamman at (503) 378-5305.
What is proposed?
DEQ is proposing to issue a renewed air permit for SP Newsprint and is inviting public comment on the proposed permitting action. During the comment period the public is invited to make comments related to specific conditions within the proposed permit.
The permittee is proposing changes to the emission limits in the renewed permit. The changes in the emission limits reflect operational changes that occurred during the prior permit term; such as the removal of the #2 Combustion Turbine Generator, and the use of updated emission factors in the renewed permit, in addition to an approximately 3% increase in paper production capacity.
Permit expiration
Oregon law requires facilities with a Title V Operating Permit to renew that permit every five years. Upon issuance, this permit will be effective for five years, expiring on 12/1/2012.
Who is the applicant?
SP Newsprint Co.
PO Box 70
Newberg, OR 97132
Where is the facility located?
1301 Wynooski
Newberg, OR 97132
Who might have an interest?
People who work, live, and recreate in the area.
What does SP Newsprint do that affects air quality?
The facility produces newsprint quality paper from raw wood chips and recycled waste paper. Heat, steam, and electricity used in pulping and paper making processes are generated by wood waste boilers, natural gas fired boilers, and a natural gas-fired combustion turbine generator. These activities release Particulate Matter (PM/PM10), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Sulfuric Acid Mist (H2SO4), Total Reduced Sulfur (TRS), Lead (Pb), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) to the air.
What legal requirements apply?
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 468A.040 and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 340 Division 218 give DEQ the authority to issue permits. OAR Chapter 340 Divisions 200 through 268 contains all pertinent rules that govern the air quality program.
How does DEQ determine what requirements go in the permit?
Various federal and state regulations apply to a facility depending on the type of industry, the type and amount of pollutants emitted, and the location of the facility. All applicable regulations must be contained in the permit, including the appropriate recordkeeping, monitoring, and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with these rules.
Meeting air quality standards
Air quality in the Newberg area meets the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect public health. DEQ has determined that the air emissions from SP Newsprint will not result in a violation of those standards. DEQ is responsible for establishing permit emissions limits that ensure air quality standards are not violated.
What pollutants are considered in determining permitted limits?
EPA and DEQ use six key pollutants as indicators of air quality. These are known as “criteria pollutants” and are compounds that, if inhaled, may lead to health effects that generally aggravate cardiovascular and respiratory disease. If the amount of criteria pollutants emitted is greater than a regulated minimum, then emission limits are established.
Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) are compounds that, if inhaled, may pose a threat of adverse human health or environmental effects, including, for example, acute or chronic toxicity, cancer, birth defects, or reproductive dysfunction. The mere presence of these pollutants in the air does not necessarily mean that a health risk exists. EPA has established a list of 187 compounds that are classified and regulated as HAPs. If the amount of HAPs released is greater than a regulated minimum level, then additional requirements may also apply.
For more information about criteria pollutants, go to:
www.deq.state.or.us/aq/forms/annrpt.htm
For more information about hazardous air pollutants, go to:
www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/hapindex.html
How are the permitted substances measured?
Pollutant emission rates are determined using on site test data, manufacturer's data sheets, production data, and standard emission factors
Emissions and permit limits
Table 1 below presents the maximum allowable emissions for the facility. The Proposed Emission Limit reflects the maximum amount of emissions the facility would be able to emit under the proposed permit. Typically, a facility’s actual emissions are less than the maximum limits established in a permit; however, actual emissions can increase up to the permitted limit. More detailed information regarding emissions may be found in the Review Report.
SP Newsprint is a major source of HAPs. Table 2 summarizes the significant HAPs which the source emits. More detailed information regarding HAPs can be found in the review report.
Compliance history:
During the prior permit term, SP Newsprint was inspected periodically and found to be in compliance will all permit conditions. The Department issued three compliance notices for minor violations that occurred and were reported by the company. More detailed information can be found in the review report.
What are the special conditions of this permit?
SP Newsprint is required to maintain a 24-hour compliant line and implement measures to inform the public of the line.
What other DEQ permits are required?
SP Newsprint is required to have an NPDES wastewater discharge permit, a storm water discharge permit, and is registered with DEQ as a conditionally exempt small quantity hazardous waste generator.
What other sources of air pollutants are in the vicinity of the facility?
Various sources emit similar air pollutants. EPA and DEQ split up the sources into 3 categories: point, area, and mobile sources. Point sources are primarily large industrial facilities. Area sources are smaller than point sources and include backyard burning, woodstoves, consumer products, gasoline stations, etc. Mobile sources include cars, trucks, airplanes, ships, railroads, and construction equipment.
What happens next?
DEQ will schedule a public hearing if one is requested by 10 or more people, or by an authorized person representing an organization of at least 10 people. An additional public notice will be published to advertise the public hearing.
If a public hearing is not requested, DEQ will consider and provide responses to all comments received at the close of the comment period. DEQ may modify provisions in the proposed permit, but the permit writers can only modify conditions of the permit in accordance with the rules and statutes under the authority of DEQ. Participation in the rulemaking or the legislative process is the only way to change the rules or statutes. Ultimately, if a facility meets all legal requirements, DEQ will issue the facility’s air quality permit following EPA review.
Accessibility information
DEQ is committed to accommodating people with disabilities. Please notify DEQ of any special physical or language accommodations or if you need information in large print, Braille or another format. To make these arrangements, contact DEQ Communications & Outreach (503) 229-5696 or toll free in Oregon at (800) 452-4011; fax to (503) 229-6762; or e-mail to deqinfo@deq.state.or.us .
People with hearing impairments may call DEQ’s TTY number, (503) 378-3684.