PUBLIC NOTICE
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
Air Quality Division
Notice is given to the public, according to Chapter 14 of Title 129 - Nebraska Air Quality Regulations, that the Department is proposing to issue an Acid Rain permit to the Hastings Department of Utilities – Whelan Energy Center Unit 1 (FID# 58048) to include sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission requirements for the operation of boiler Unit 1 located at 4520 East South Street, Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska, 68901.
Although USEPA has allocated 1,722 tons of SO2 allowances to the Whelan Energy Center Unit 1, the number of allowances actually held by an affected source in a unit account may differ from the number allocated because they can be bought, sold or traded. This does not necessitate a revision to the unit SO2 allowance allocations identified in this permit.
Adams County meets the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for those pollutants subject to a NAAQS and is expected to continue in that status. Adams County is unclassifiable in regard to the state Total Reduced Sulfur (TRS) standards and no TRS emissions are expected from this project. No impact is anticipated on habitat for any rare or threatened species.
The NDEQ proposes to issue an Acid Rain permit with specific conditions, which states standard requirements that apply to the boiler and the compliance option chosen by the Hastings Department of Utilities, which is to hold allowances equal to or greater than the total amount of SO2 emitted in tons, and an average NOx emission limitation of 0.46 lb/MMBtu. An allowance in the Acid Rain Program is equal to one ton of SO2 emitted. The term of the proposed permit renewal is five years.
The proposed permit and supporting materials are available for inspection by the public {Beginning Date-Admin Asst will add}July 6, 2018 through {Ending Date-Admin Asst will add}August 6, 2018 at the office of the NDEQ, Suite 400, 1200 "N" Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, and electronically at http://deq.ne.gov. Comments received during this period will be considered prior to the final decision. During this period the applicant, or any interested person or group of persons, may request or petition the Director for a public hearing, the request must state the nature of the issues to be raised and all arguments and factual grounds supporting their position. If a public hearing is granted by the Director, the hearing will be advertised by public notice at least 30 days prior to the hearing.
Inquiries may be made at (402) 471-2186 or ndeq.airquality@nebraska.gov. Individuals requiring special accommodations or alternate formats of materials should notify the NDEQ by calling (402) 471-2186. TDD users should call (800) 833-7352 and ask the relay operator to call the NDEQ at (402) 471-2186. For further information, to submit comments, or request a hearing you may contact the NDEQ by email “ndeq.airquality@nebraska.gov” or by mail submitted to the attention of David Christensen, Air Quality Division, P.O. Box 98922, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-8922.