WSR 06-04-099

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY


[ Filed February 1, 2006, 10:51 a.m. ]


PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Comments on the Natural Gas Fired Boiler General Order



     The department of ecology's air quality program is proposing to issue a general order to cover new natural gas and liquefied natural gas fired boilers. The boilers covered are from four to fifty million British thermal units per hour in size. General orders are a new regulatory mechanism for the department of ecology. This is the first of what will eventually be many general orders covering different source categories. The applicant retains the ability to choose whether to be covered by the general order or to apply for a more traditional individual notice of construction approval order.

     The draft order and fact sheet are available for review and public comment from February 15, 2006, to March 17, 2006. The public is encouraged to give written comments during the public comment period.

Purpose of the General Order: The proposed general order covers emissions of air pollutants to the air of Washington state in those counties and at those sources regulated by ecology. Under federal and state air quality law (federal Clean Air Act and state Washington Clean Air Act), an order of approval is required for the emission of air pollutants above a de minimus threshold. The proposed general order addresses these legal requirements and controls the emission of pollutants to protect public health and the environment in Washington state.

     A general order is used instead of a series of individual notice of construction orders of approval when the permitted facilities are similar. Individual facilities that receive coverage under the general order are required to comply with the terms and conditions of the order.

     This order 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 counties. 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.

     Requesting Copies of the Order: You can request copies of the proposed order and fact sheet by contacting Tom Todd, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone (360) 407-7528, fax (360) 407-7534, 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/Todd_Notice.

     Submitting Written and Oral Comments: Ecology will accept written and oral comments on the draft natural gas fired boiler general order and fact sheet. Comments should reference specific text when possible. Comments may address the following:

• Technical issues,
• Accuracy and completeness of information,
• The scope of facilities proposed for coverage,
• Adequacy of environmental protection and order conditions, or
• Any other concern that would result from issuance of the revised order.
     Please submit written comments to Tom Todd, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone (360) 407-7528, fax (360) 407-7534, e-mail ttod461@ecy.wa.gov. Written, e-mailed and faxed comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., March 17, 2006.

     Issuing the Final Natural Gas Boiler General Order: Ecology will issue the final order after it considers all public comments. Ecology expects to issue the general order soon after the end of the public comment period. It will be effective thirty days later. When ecology issues the order, it will send a response to everyone who commented.

     Who would be covered by the order? The order covers all new natural gas boilers who propose to emit air pollutants to environment. The choice of whether to be covered by a more traditional individual notice of approval or this general order remains with the applicant.

     If you have special accommodation needs or require a copy of the order and fact sheet in an alternative format, please contact Tammy Dahlgren at (360) 407-6830. If you are a person with a speech or hearing impairment, call 711 or 800-833-6388 for TTY.