The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has made a preliminary decision to approve Golden Valley Electric Association’s (GVEA’s) application for Air Quality Control Minor Permit AQ0110MSS01 for the North Pole Power Plant (NPPP). ADEC also proposes to issue Air Quality Control Operating Permit AQ0110TVP04 Rev. 1 for the NPPP, under Alaska Statutes 46.14 and regulation 18 AAC 50.
Applicant: Golden Valley Electric Association
PO Box 71249
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707-1249
Location: 1150 H & H Lane, North Pole, Alaska 99705
Latitude: 64.7344° North; Longitude: 147.3453° West
Activity: The application for Minor Permit AQ0110MSS01 is classified under AS 46.14.130(c)(2) because the Department finds that public health or air quality effects provide a reasonable basis to regulate the stationary source. This finding is contained in the State Air Quality Control Plan adopted on November 19, 2019.
As required by 18 AAC 50, GVEA applied for a significant modification to Operating Permit AQ0110TVP04 for the NPPP. Only conditions that have been newly established, revised, or rescinded in the significant modification are open to public comment. These conditions are noted in Table G of the statement of basis (SOB) for Operating Permit AQ0110TVP04 Rev. 1. ADEC received the minor permit application on June 9, 2020, and the operating permit application on October 29, 2020.
Emissions: The permit authorizes a change in emissions, however there is no actual change in the initial potential emissions upon permit issuance. Due to differences in potential emissions calculations discussed in the Table 2 footnotes of the Technical Analysis Report (TAR) to Minor Permit AQ0110MSS01, the permit shows a potential emissions decrease of 79 tons per year (tpy) for CO and a potential emissions increase of 182 tons for SO2. There will then be SO2 potential emissions decreases of 172 tpy on June 9, 2021 and 781 tpy on October 1, 2023 when fuel sulfur conditions take effect.
ADEC Preliminary Review: Based on review of the application, ADEC drafted a preliminary permit decision for this project under AS 46.14 and 18 AAC 50.
Available Information: Copies of the permit applications, ADEC’s preliminary minor permit and TAR, and draft operating permit and SOB are available at the following offices:
ADEC Air Permits Program, 410 Willoughby Avenue, 2nd floor, Juneau, AK 99801
ADEC Air Permits Program, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
The permit applications, preliminary and draft permits, and TAR and SOB, are also available at ADEC’s website at: http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/AirPermitsApprovalsAndPublicNotices/
Opportunity for Public Participation: Any interested person may present written statements relevant to the preliminary decision within 30 days after the first publication date. ADEC will consider all comments received and make any changes ADEC finds beneficial or necessary to assure compliance with 18 AAC 50 or state law. ADEC will issue a final decision to issue or deny the permit after the close of the public comment period. Any person may request a public hearing and that hearing will be held if ADEC finds that good cause exists.
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 Brian Blessington at (907) 269-6272 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 by the 15th day of this public comment period to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
Please direct written statements or requests relevant to the preliminary permit through the Department Environmental Conservation’s electronic comment submission web page at: http://aq.alaskadec.commentinput.com/?id=VDKaB.
Comments or additional written requests relevant to the preliminary permit may also be submitted to Dave Jones at ADEC’s office, by mail to PO Box 111800, Juneau, AK 99811, or send e-mail to dave.jones2@alaska.gov. Comments must be received by close of public comments period at 11:59 p.m. on February 19, 2021.
Publish: Alaska Web
Close of Public Comment Period: 11:59 P.M., February 19, 2021.