GASP Appeals Two Compressor Station Permits In PA

GASP Appeals Two Compressor Station Permits

Source: GASP Alert, Group Against Smog & Pollution, June 3, 2013

GASP has filed two related appeals before the PA Environmental Hearing Board seeking review of air permits issued by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the Forward Compressor Station and the Jefferson Compressor Station, both located in Butler County. These facilities will be operated by XTO Energy, d/b/a Mountain Gathering, LLC, and each includes eight natural gas compressor engines and associated equipment. 
 
The PA-DEP issued these permits even though XTO failed to demonstrate that emissions would be minimized as much as possible through the use of the best available technology, as required by law. Additionally, without these more effective controls, these sources should have been permitted as major sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde, but were instead permitted as minor sources.

Numerical emission limits were included in the plan approval in an attempt to keep emissions of these pollutants below the major source thresholds. However, there are no physical or operational limits to ensure that the emission limits are met, so these numerical limits are unenforceable. Copies of the Notices of Appeal can be found on our web site.
 
For several years now, GASP has worked hard to evaluate Marcellus operations in our area. Our legal work keeps air pollution from this industry lower than it would otherwise be. See what others have to say about our work, and please consider making a financial gift today to ensure this important work continues.

Visit our website at www.gasp-pgh.org or call us at (412) 924-0604 for more information.  Thank you!

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WV AIR QUALITY PERMIT NOTICE, WV – DEP, June 5, 2013

On April 15, 2013, Williams Ohio Valley Midstream, LLC applied to the WV Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Air Quality (DAQ) for a permit to construct and operate a natural gas processing facility located off of County Highway 17 (Fork Ridge Road), Moundsville, Marshall County, WV at latitude 39.875742 and longitude 80.695886. The DAQ is providing notice to the public of its preliminary determination to issue the permit as R13-3070.

The following potential emissions will be authorized by this permit action:  Particulate Matter less than 10 microns, 5.58 tons per year (TPY); Particulate Matter, 5.58 TPY; Sulfur Dioxide, 0.46 TPY; Oxides of Nitrogen, 41.64 TPY; Carbon Monoxide, 72.27 TPY; Volatile Organic Compounds, 71.04 TPY; Total Hazardous Air Pollutants, 15.65 TPY; Carbon Dioxide Equivalents, 98,732 TPY.

Written comments or requests for a public meeting must be received by the DAQ before 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2013.  A public meeting may be held if the Director of the DAQ determines that significant public interest has been expressed, in writing, or when the Director deems it appropriate.

The draft permit and engineering evaluation can be downloaded at:
www.dep.wv.gov/daq/Pages/NSRPermitsforReview.aspx

Jerry Williams, P.E., WV – DEP, Division of Air Quality, 601 57th Street, SE, Charleston, WV  25304. Telephone:  304/926-0499, ext. 1223