PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ALASKA

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

TDX North SlopE Generating, Inc.

 

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) is providing notice under the “Fast-track Procedures” of 18 AAC 50.542(b) of the following air quality control minor permit application.  A person who desires a 30-day public comment period for this permit application must make their request by 5:00 p.m. March 4, 2008 as described below.

 

Applicant:       TDX North Slope Generating, Inc. (TDX).

 

Location:        Latitude: 70° 14' 08'' North; Longitude: 148° 22' 60'' West, (Deadhorse, AK)  

 

Activity:          TDX is planning to install a Solar Taurus T-60 natural gas fired turbine (Solar turbine) on property leased from Norgasco in Deadhorse, AK.  The leased property is approximately 3 miles northeast of the existing TDX Deadhorse Power Plant.  This turbine is aggregated with the existing Deadhorse Power Plant.  The project requires a minor air quality control permit under 18 AAC 50.502(c)(3)(A) for oxides of nitrogen (NOX).  TDX submitted their application on January 22, 2008 and supplemental information on February 4, 2008 and February 7, 2008.

 

Emissions:      The increase in potential emissions for this project are:  48 tons per year (tpy) of NOX, 4.5 tpy of sulfur dioxide (SO2), and 1.8 tpy of particulate matter (PM-10).

 

TDX currently operates under an Owner Requested Limit (ORL) that limits the existing emission units to less than 250 tpy of NOX to prevent the Deadhorse Power Plant from being classified as a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) major stationary source for NOX.  Because the Deadhorse Power Plant is not currently classified as a PSD major stationary source, and the modification by itself is not PSD major, the addition of the Solar turbine is not a PSD major modification.  The source will be a PSD major source after the Solar turbine is added.  However, the actual NOX emissions at the Deadhorse Power Plant will decrease when TDX preferentially uses the gas-fired Solar turbine over existing diesel generators.  In addition, TDX has submitted a second application to remove the diesel generators from the permit.  Once that second permit is effective, the TDX Deadhorse power plant will have a NOX  potential to emit (PTE) of less than 250 tpy, with no ORL (i.e. it will be a “true” minor source).  

 

Opportunity for Public Participation:  Notice is given that any interested person may request a public comment period on a draft permit for this project.  If a comment period is requested, ADEC will develop a draft minor permit and issue a public notice announcing a separate comment period.  During the comment period, interested persons would have the opportunity to present written statements relevant to the draft permit.  Any person may request a public hearing in connection with the comment period and a hearing will be held if ADEC finds that good cause exists.  ADEC would consider all comments received and make any changes ADEC finds beneficial or necessary to assure compliance with 18 AAC 50 or State Law.  The final decision to issue or deny the permit would be made after the close of the public comment period. 

 

ADEC complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact Deborah Pock at (907) 269-0291 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 by March 4, 2008 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

 

If ADEC does not receive a request for a public comment period, we will issue or deny the permit by March 5, 2008.

 

A person may request a public comment period in writing by letter, fax, or email.  The request must be sent to Patrick Dunn at ADEC Air Permit Program, 619 E. Ship Creek Ave., Suite 249, Anchorage, AK  99501; FAX (907) 269-7508; or Patrick.Dunn@alaska.gov.  ADEC must receive the request by 5:00 p.m. March 4, 2008.

 

Publish:  Alaska Web February 18, 2008