The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is seeking written comments from the public on the conditions of renewal of Hermiston Generating Co.’s air quality permit. The comments are due by 5 p.m. June 26.
The DEQ issued the permit on April 10, 2017, and it expired April 1, 2022. However, according to the announcement from DEQ, the facility submitted a timely renewal application, so the permit remains in effect until DEQ takes action on the permit renewal. The renewal will extend the expiration date five years from the date of issuance.
Hermiston Generating Co. is at 78145 Westland Road in Hermiston. The facility operates combined cycle cogeneration combustion turbines fueled by natural gas, two heat recovery steam generators and two steam turbines. The facility generates emissions associated with the combustion of natural gas. These are mostly in the form of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and greenhouse gases.
The permit regulates emissions of a number of air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. This permit would require the facility to monitor pollutants using federally approved monitoring practices and standards. Formulas to calculate emissions are contained in the permit, which requires Hermiston Generating Co. to calculate facility-wide emissions monthly and submit an emissions report to DEQ semi-annually. DEQ also will conduct onsite inspections to ensure compliance with emission limitations.
To read the DEQ’s full notice about the permit, visit shorturl.at/GXsgx.
The public can email comments to eraqpermits@deq.oregon.gov or mail comments to:
Eastern Region Air Quality Permit, Coordinator, Oregon DEQ, 475 NE Bellevue Drive, Suite 110, Bend, OR 97701.
Find out more at the DEQ’s public notices webpage at shorturl.at/0gvn8 or contact the Eastern Region Air Quality Permit Coordinator at 541-633-2021 or 866-863-6668, or email eraqpermits@deq.oregon.gov.
The public can view the application and related documents in person at the DEQ office in Pendleton. For a review appointment, call Fawn Sharlow at 541-276-4063.
