Public Comment Period: Preliminary Determination of Air Quality Permit Application for International Paper – Riegelwood Mill

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Public Notice Of Preliminary Determination Regarding Approval Of An Application Submitted Under The Regulations For The Prevention Of Significant Deterioration And Title V Procedures

International Paper – Riegelwood Mill has applied to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality (DAQ), Permitting Section, to make modifications to the facility located at 865 John L. Riegel Road, Riegelwood in Columbus County. The proposed modification revises a previously established BACT for CO for the No. 5 Power Boiler (ID No. ES-PB5), in addition to shutting down a number of permitted emission sources as part of the Mill Reconfiguration Project as described in Air Permit Application No. 2400036.24B. 

The modification is subject to review and processing under North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC), Title 15A, Subchapter 02D, Section .0530 “Prevention of Significant Deterioration”, and Subchapter 02Q, Section .0500 “Title V procedures”. The facility is an existing "major stationary source" for at least one regulated NSR pollutant The proposed modification will not result in a significant net emissions increase of CO, but PSD review is required due to the revision of an existing BACT. 

The International Paper – Riegelwood Mill application has been reviewed by the DAQ, Air Quality Permitting Section in Raleigh, North Carolina to determine compliance with the requirements of the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission air pollution regulations. 

A preliminary review, including analysis of the impact of the facility emissions on local air quality, has led to the determination that the facility can be approved, and the DAQ air permit issued, if certain permit conditions are met. 

Columbus County is classified as an attainment area for all pollutants. Compliance with all ambient air quality standards and the PSD increments is projected. 

Persons wishing to submit comments or request a public hearing regarding the Air Quality Permit are invited to do so. Requests for a public hearing must include a statement supporting the need for such a hearing, an indication of your interest in the facility, and a summary of the information intended to be offered at such hearing. 

Written comment or requests for a public hearing should be postmarked no later than February 3, 2025 and addressed to daq.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov (please type "IP Riegelwood.24B" in the subject line) or mail written comments to: NC DEQ, Division of Air Quality, 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1641. Alternatively, you may submit comments and requests via voicemail by calling 919-707-8714. 

All comments received or postmarked by this date will be considered in the final determination regarding the Air Quality Permit. A public hearing may be held if the Director of the DAQ determines that significant public interest exists or that the public interest will be served. 

A copy of all data and the application submitted by International Paper – Riegelwood Mill, and other material used by the DAQ in making this preliminary determination are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the following locations:

NC DEQ
Division of Air Quality
Air Quality Permitting Section 
217 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603

OR

NC DEQ
 Wilmington Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Ext.
Wilmington, NC 28405

Information on the proposed permit, the permit application, and the staff review is available on the DAQ website (https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/events) or by writing or calling:

NC DEQ
Mark J. Cuilla, EIT, CPM
Chief, Permitting Section
North Carolina Division of Air Quality
1641 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1641
Telephone: 919-707-8400

After weighing relevant comments received by February 3, 2025 and other available information on the facility, the DAQ will act on the PSD application.