Biomass emissions permit public hearing
Several local residents attended a public hearing hosted by the state DEQ regarding an air discharge permit for a proposed biomass cogeneration power plant facility.
A public hearing held at the Lake County Senior Center on Monday, Aug. 23, provided local residents an opportunity to comment on a proposed permit application by developers of a biomass power plant.
The evening hearing, hosted by state Department of Environmental Quality senior permit writer Mark Fisher, began with a question-and-answer session. A variety of issues were raised by local residents who came to share their concerns about the potential impacts of the biomass facility on local air quality.
Emissions by the plant would include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide, according to the public notice describing the permit request.
Fisher informed those present that a modeling process was utilized by Iberdrola Renewables to simulate the actual emissions of the plant, as well as demonstrate how such emissions would be mitigated.
Some residents present at the meeting questioned how accurately the modeling process could mimic the process.
Fisher indicated that nitrogen oxide levels, despite being the most prominent impact of the plant, would be well below what the DEQ defines as ‘significant levels.’
Public comments on the permit application were due by Friday, Aug. 27. Fisher said that the permit might be modified based on the public comments received.
The permit, if issued, would be valid for up to one year after the plant’s construction, Fisher said.
Many of those in attendance expressed concern that the plant would create additional issues with local air quality. Fisher said that the plant would not contribute significantly to Lakeview’s air quality.
“We use the best available information available to us for a baseline concentration (level),” he said. “It’s a very effective tool, and it’s used nationally throughout the whole program.”
The state defines the ‘level of significance’ for particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns in size as 10 tons per year output. The plant will be well below this figure, Fisher said.
The level for particulate matter measuring 10 microns in size is 15 tons per year. While the permit allows up to 15 tons per year, the projections indicate that the plant’s output will be at a level below the threshold at 12 tons per year.
Other concerns included how the DEQ monitors air emissions. A single monitor unit is currently in place in the Lakeview community, which Fisher said is common practice.
The DEQ does not install individual monitors at individual industrial sites, he said in response to residents’ claims that industrial emissions are the prime cause of Lakeview’s air quality issues.
Fisher also said that such sites as the biomass facility are permitted on the basis of the area in town in which they are zoned by the local land use committee.
The DEQ would also perform inspections every two years along with reviewing submitted reports by Iberdrola Renewables, who would be operating the plant under the name Lakeview Cogeneration, LLC.
Other concerns shared included the potential for hindrance of future economic development due to reduced airshed capacity. Fisher said that the plant’s operation would not have any such impact locally.