PUBLIC NOTICE
N.C. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INTENT TO ISSUE:
NPDES WASTEWATER PERMIT #NC0004774 AND STORMWATER PERMITS #NCS000554 AND #NCS000578
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) proposes to issue National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, effective 90 days from the publish date of this notice. DEQ is inviting public comment on the draft permits and has also scheduled a public hearing to gather comments. All comments received in writing by June 20, 2018 or presented at the public hearing will be considered in the agency’s final determination regarding permit issuance and permit provisions.
PERMIT APPLICATIONS
Duke Energy Carolinas LLC, P.O. Box 1006, Charlotte, N.C., has applied for NPDES permits to discharge wastewater and stormwater from the Buck Combined Cycle Station, Dukeville Road, Rowan County, N.C., which comprises the Buck Steam Station and Buck Combustion Turbine Combined Cycle (CTCC) Station. The facilities discharge to the Yadkin River (High Rock Lake) in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin. Chlorides, total dissolved solids and certain metals in one or more discharges are water quality-limited. These discharges may affect future allocations in this portion of the receiving stream.
The thermal component of the wastewater discharge is subject to effluent limitations under the federal Clean Water Act sections 301/306 and 15A NCAC 2B.0211(3)(j), which prohibits an exceedance of 2.8 degrees C (5.04 degrees F) above the natural water temperature, and in no case to exceed 35 degrees C (95 degrees F). The permit holder has requested a continuance of a CWA 316(a) variance, which would impose less stringent temperature limitations on the discharge. The proposed variance imposes a monthly average limit of 35 degrees C (95 degrees F). On the basis of 15A NCAC 2B.0208(2)(b) and other lawful standards and regulations, DEQ proposes to continue the 316(a) variance with renewal of the permit.
The draft wastewater permit and related documents are available online at: https://bit.ly/2KSG7rm. The draft stormwater permits and related documents are available online at: https://bit.ly/2I91G58. Printed copies of the draft permits and related documents may also be reviewed at the department’s Mooresville Regional Office. To make an appointment to review the documents, please call 704-663-1699.
PUBLIC HEARING
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality will hold a public hearing to accept comments on the three draft permits at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at Rowan County Cooperative Extension, 2727 Old Concord Road, Salisbury, N.C. Speaker registration will begin at 5 p.m.