PENNSYLVANIAAIRQUALITYPERMITSTREAMLINING25Pa.CodeChapter127,SubchapterB37Pa.B.1317(March24,2007)EnvironmentalQualityBoardRegulation#7-408(IRRC#2598)Comment/ResponseDocument1PennsylvaniaAirQualityPermitStreamliningOnMarch24,2007,theEnvironmentalQualityBoardpublishedanoticeofpublichearingandcommentperiodonaproposedrulemakingconcerningrevisionsto25Pa.CodeChapter127tostreamlinetheairqualitypermittingprocess.ThepubliccommentperiodclosedonMay25,2007.Threepublichearingswereheldontheproposedrulemakingasfollow:April24,2007DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionSouthwestRegionalOfficeWaterfrontA&BConferenceRoom400WaterfrontDrivePittsburgh,PA15222April24,2007DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionRachelCarsonStateOfficeBuildingRoom105400MarketStreetHarrisburg,PA17105April24,2007DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionSoutheastRegionalOfficeDelawareRoom2EastMainStreetNorristown,PA19401Thisdocumentsummarizesthetestimonyreceivedatthepublichearingsandthewrittencommentsreceivedfromthepublicduringthepubliccommentperiod.Eachpubliccommentisprovidedwiththeidentifyingcommentatornumberforeachcommentatorthatmadethatcomment.Alistofthecommentatorsincludingname,affiliation(ifany),andlocationcanbefoundatthebeginningofthisdocument.Inaddition,thecommentsreceivedfromtheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandtheIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommissionaresummarizedandresponsesprovided.TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardinvitedeachcommentatortoprepareaone-pagesummaryofhisorhercomments.Oneone-pagesummarywassubmittedforthisrulemaking.2TableofCommentatorsfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoardAirQualityPermitStreamliningRulemaking#7-408(IRRC#2598)RequestedSubmittedoneCopyofFinalpageSummaryRulemakingfordistributionProvidedfollowingEQBIDName/AddresstoEQBTestimonyAction1.MichaelGoldmanWatsontown,PA177772.PamelaF.FaggertDominionResourcesServicesIncGlenAllen,VA230603.JeffA.McNellyARIPPACampHill,PA170114.ElizabethH.McMeekinPPGIndustriesIncAllisonPark,PA15101-20095.CharlesMcPhedranCitizensforPennsylvania’sFuturePhiladelphia,PA191026.KevinM.StewartAmericanLungAssociationofPennsylvaniaLancaster,PA176037.MichaelA.ParkerGroupAgainstSmogandPollution,Inc.Pittsburgh,PA152178.JosephOtisMiottCleanAirCouncilPhiladelphia,PA191039.NathanWillcoxPennEnvironmentPhiladelphia,PA1910210.MichaelFiorentinoMid-AtlanticEnvironmentalLawCenterWilmington,DE198033RequestedSubmittedoneCopyofFinalpageSummaryRulemakingfordistributionProvidedfollowingEQBIDName/AddresstoEQBTestimonyAction11.NancyF.ParksSierraClubPennsylvaniaChapterAaronsburg,PA16820-012012.MyronArnowittCleanWaterActionPittsburgh,PA1522213.SenatorMaryJ0WhiteSenatorRaphaelJ.MustoSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeHarrisburg,PA17120-302114.IndependentRegulatoryReviewCommissionHarrisburg,PA17101GeneralSupport1.Comment:ThecommentatorsupportstheDepartment’seffortstostreamlinetheairqualitypermittingprocess.(2)Thecommentatorsupportstheproposedrevisionsto



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§127.44,127.45,and127.48.(4)WearewritingtoexpressoursupportfortheproposedAirQualityPermitStreamliningrulemaking.ThesedraftrevisionswereapprovedforpubliccommentattheEnvironmentalQualityBoard’sJanuary2007meeting.WecommendtheDepartmentforexploringopportunitiestostreamlinepermitreviewandapprovalswhileensuringthatthepublic’sabilitytosubmitsubstantivecommentsonpermitapplicationsisnotnegativelyimpacted.Theproposedrevisionswillreducecoststotheregulatedcommunity,enhancecoordinationbetweentheDepartmentandpermitapplicantsandensurethetimelyreviewofminorsourcepermitactions.Theregulationwillcontinuetoensurethatthepublicreceivestimelynoticeandinformationregardingmajorplanapprovalsorpermits.(13)Response:TheDepartmentappreciatesthecommentators’supportofthisrulemaking.TheDepartmentagreesthattheproposedchangeswillimprovetheoverallpermittingprocessbyreducingboththeplanapprovalapplicationprocessingtimeandunnecessarycoststotheapplicantsandtheDepartment,whilestillprovidingtimelynoticetothepublicforcommentonallcompleteplanapprovalapplicationssubmittedtotheDepartment.42.Comment:ThecommentatorwouldliketoexpressitsgeneralsupportfortheproposedamendmentstoChapter127.Theserevisions,withtheincorporationofourrecommendedchanges,willprovidesomeadditionaloperationalflexibilitytoindustryandwillhelpensurethetimelinessofpermitapplicationprocessing.(4)WeencouragetheDepartmenttocarefullyconsiderthecommentsitreceivesfromthepublicandregulatedcommunityontheserevisions.SeveralcommentssharedwiththeSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeonthisproposedrulemakinghaveofferedconstructivesuggestionsonhowtofurtherrefinetheplannoticeandreviewprocess,andwearehopefulthattheserevisionswillbeincludedinthefinalrulemaking.(13)Response:TheDepartmentappreciatesthecommentators’supportofthisrulemaking.TheDepartmentagreesthattheproposedchangeswillimprovetheoverallpermittingprocessbyreducingboththeplanapprovalapplicationprocessingtimeandunnecessarycoststotheapplicantsandtheDepartment,whilestillprovidingtimelynoticetothepublicforcommentonallcompleteplanapprovalapplicationssubmittedtotheDepartment.TheDepartmenthascarefullyreviewedallofthecommentsandsuggestionsthatweresubmitted.Eachrecommendedchangewasconsideredforitsimpactontheprogramandincorporatedwhenappropriate.127.12b.Planapprovaltermsandconditions.3.Comment:Thecommentatorssupporttheproposedchangeto§127.12bthatextendsthetemporaryshakedownperiodforafacilityforadditionallimitedperiodsfrom120daysto180days.Thiswillprovideaffectedentitiesmoretimetoensurethatequipmentcanbeoperatedinaccordancewiththetermsandconditionsofapennit.(2,3,4)Response:TheDepartmentappreciatesthecommentators’supportofthisrevision.Currentstacktestrequirementsaremorecomplicatedthaninthepast,requiringmoretimebothfortheapplicanttoconductthestacktestandfortheDepartmenttoreviewthetestprotocols.TheDepartmentbelievesthatextendingthetemporaryshakedownperiodfrom120daysto180dayswillallowcompaniesadequatetimetotestnewlypermittedsourcesinaccordancewiththemorecomplicatedstacktestrequirements.Thisstreamlinestheplanapprovalapplicationprocessbyeliminatingthetimethatwouldbeusedtoapplyforanextensionwhentheoriginal120dayshasexpired.127.12d.Completenessdetermination.4.Commentson§127.12d(a):ThecommentatorstatesthatindustrialfacilitiesseekingPlanApprovalsfortheiroperationsdevelopdetailedplansandtimelinesforimplementingtheseoperations.Inordertofacilitatethisplanning,companiesscheduleengineering,permitting,equipment5procurement,contractormobilization,constructionandmanyotheractivitiesmonths,evenyears,inadvance.ThecommentatorstatesthatitwouldthereforegreatlyenhancethisschedulingprocessiftherewerecertaintyintheamountoftimeittakestoprocessaPlanApproval.ThecommentatorrecommendsthattheDepartmentadoptadeadlineforissuanceoftheCompletenessdeterminationunder§127.12d.Thiscouldeasilybeaccomplishedbyaddingthelanguagethatfollowsinboldto§127.12d(a):“TheDepartmentwilldeterminefanapplicationforplanapprovalisadministrativelycompleteandwillprovidewrittennoticeofthecompletenessdeterminationtotheapplicantwithin15calendardaysofreceipt.”(2)Thecommentatorgenerallysupportstheproposedadditionof127.12dasameanstoformalizethepermitapplicationreviewprocess.However,thecommentatorrecommendsthatadeadlinefortheDepartmenttomakethecompletenessdeterminationbespecifiedintheregulation.SpecifyingatimeframebywhichtheDepartmentmustissuethecompletenessdeterminationwillensurethatplanapprovalapplicationprocessingtimesarekepttoaminimum.Forexample,theTexasCommissiononEnvironmentalQuality(TCEQ),at30TAC116.114(a)(1)[SubchapterB,NewSourceReviewPermits],specifies:“Theexecutivedirectorshallmailwrittennotificationinformingtheapplicantthattheapplicationiscompleteorthatitisdeficientwithin90daysofreceiptoftheapplicationforanewpermit,oramendmenttoapermitorspecialpermit.(A)Iftheapplicationisdeficient,thenotificationmuststate:(i)theadditionalinformationrequired;and(ii)theintentoftheexecutivedirectortovoidtheapplicationiftheinformationforacompleteapplicationisnotsubmitted.”TheTCEQcompletenessreviewisforbothadministrativeandtechnicalcompletenessoftheapplication.Sincethecompletenessreviewproposedin§127.12disforadministrativecompletenessonly,thecommentatorrecommendsthata30-daydeadlinefortheDepartmenttoissueitscompletenessdeterminationbeadoptedintothefinalrulelanguage.(4)Adequate,StreamlinedandReasonableProcedures:InitsPreamble,theEQBcites35P.S.§4006.1(b.3),whichstates:Theboardshallbyregulationestablishadequate,streamlinedandreasonableproceduresforexpeditiouslydeterminingwhenapplicationsarecompleteandforexpeditiousreviewofapplications....(Emphasisadded.)TheproceduresinSubsection(a)oftheregulationrequiretheDepartmenttoevaluateapplicationsforcompleteness,butdonotaddresswhentheDepartmentmusttakeaction.Tobeconsistentwith35P.S.§4006.1(b.3),theEQBshouldconsideraddingatimelimitforDepartmentactiontoSubsection(a).(14)6Response:Subsection(a)of§127.12dofthefinal-formrulemakingwillberevisedtostatethattheDepartmentwillprovidewrittennoticeofthecompletenessdeterminationtotheapplicantwithin30daysofreceiptofanapplication.Oncetheplanapprovalapplicationisdeemedadministrativelycomplete,theapplicationmustundergoathoroughtechnicalreview.Moreinformationmayberequiredfromtheapplicantduringthetechnicalreviewperiod.Ifaregulatorytimelimitisplacedonthetechnicalreviewphase,theDepartmentmaybeforcedtodenyorrejectaplanapprovalapplicationifrequestedinformationisnotmadeavailabletotheDepartmentinatimelymanner.Furthermore,theDepartmenthasamoneybackguaranteeprogramforcertainclassesofsourcestomitigatethecoststotheapplicantofnotreceivingaplanapprovalapplicationdeterminationinatimelymanner.5.Commentson127.12d(b):Thecommentatorrequeststhattheterm“otherdocuments”in§127.12d(b)beexpandedtobemorespecific.ThecommentatorrequeststhattheDepartmentestablishminimumguidelinesonwhatneedstobesubmittedinapermitapplication.Forexample,otherdocumentscouldbedefinedtobeallrequiredapplicationforms,compliancehistory,applicationfee,maps,proofofpermitnotificationtolocal/township,emissionsinventoryandBestAvailableTechnology(BAT)review(ifneeded).Increasingthespecificityofrequirementsallowsaffectedfacilitiestosubmitcompleteapplicationsthatcanthenbereviewedforsubstanceratherthancompleteness.(2)VagueLanguage:Subsection(b)includesvaguerequirementsfor“necessaryinformation”and“otherdocuments.”Thesesubjectivephrasesdonotgivetheregulatedcommunitythespecificinformationneededtofileacompleteapplication.Forclarity,werecommendthatthephrases“necessaryinformation”and“otherdocuments”bereplacedwiththespecificinformationneededtofileanadministrativelycompleteapplication.(14)Response:Subsection(b)of§127.12dofthefinal-formrulemakingwillberevisedtoclarifythattheminimumrequirementsfordocumentationtobesubmittedwithaplanapprovalapplicationincludethe“otherdocumentsrequestedintheplanapprovalapplication.”Eachplanapprovalapplicationisunique,however,anditisnotpossibletostipulate,aspartofthisrulemaking,alloftheinformationthatwillberequiredtoconductathoroughtechnicalreviewforeachplanapprovalapplicationthatmaybesubmittedtotheDepartment.6.Commenton127.12d(c)-Adequate,StreamlinedandReasonableProcedures:InitsPreamble,theEQBcites35P.S.§4006.1(b.3),whichstates:Theboardshallbyregulationestablishadequate,streamlinedandreasonableproceduresforexpeditiouslydeterminingwhenapplicationsarecompleteandforexpeditiousreviewofapplications....(Emphasisadded.)7TheproceduresinSubsection(c)oftheregulationrequiretheDepartmenttoevaluateapplicationsforcompleteness,butdonotaddresswhentheDepartmentmusttakeaction.Tobeconsistentwith35P.S.§4006.1(b.3),theEQBshouldconsideraddingatimelimitforDepartmentactiontoSubsection(c).(14)Response:Subsection(a)of§127.12dofthefinal-formrulemakingwillberevisedtostatethattheDepartmentwillprovidewrittennoticeofthecompletenessdeterminationtotheapplicantwithin30daysofreceiptofaplanapprovalapplication.Subsection(c)of§127.12dwillberevisedtoclarifythatiftheDepartmentdeterminesthattheapplicationisnotadministrativelycomplete,theDepartmentwillsendtheapplicantawrittenstatementofthespecificinformation,maps,feesanddocumentsthatarerequiredtomaketheapplicationadministrativelycomplete.IftheapplicantdoesnotprovidetherequestedinformationtotheDepartmentwithin10workingdaysofreceiptoftherequest,theDepartmentwillreturntheapplicationandfeestotheapplicant.7.Commentson§127.12d(c):Thecommentatorrequeststhatthelanguagethatfollowsinboldbeaddedto§127.12d(c):“iftheDepartmentdeterminesthattheapplicationisnotadministrativelycomplete,theDepartmentwillsubmitawrittenrequesttothePermitteetoprovidetherequireddocumentsbeforedeemingtheapplicationcomplete.”Additionofthislanguagecanreducethetimeneededtoprocessanapplicationifonlyafewminordocumentsaremissingfromtheapplicationpackage.TheapplicantcanquicklyprovidethosedocumentstotheDepartmentwithoutneedingtoresubmitthewholeapplicationpackage.Thecommentatordoesnotsupportlanguageallowingforthereturnoftheapplicationandfeestotheapplicant,alongwithawrittenstatementofthespecificinformation,maps,feesanddocumentsthatarerequiredtomaketheapplicationadministrativelycomplete.(2)AdministrativelyIncompleteApplications:UnderSubsection(c),iftheDepartmentfindsthatanapplicationisincomplete,theDepartmentwill“returntheapplicationandfeestotheapplicant,alongwithawrittenstatementofthespecificinformation...requiredtomaketheapplicationadministrativelycomplete.”Thiscommentatoragreeswithanothercommentatorthattheprocedurewouldbelessburdensomebyallowingtheopportunitytorectifythedeficiencyratherthanessentiallyrestartingtheprocessbyreturningtheapplicationandfees.Whyisitnecessarytoreturntheapplicationandfees?(14)Response:Subsection(a)of§127.12dofthefinal-formrulemakingwillberevisedtostatethattheDepartmentwillprovidewrittennoticeofthecompletenessdeterminationtotheapplicantwithin30daysofreceiptofaplanapprovalapplication.Subsection(c)of§127.12dwillberevisedtoclarifythatiftheDepartmentdeterminesthattheapplicationisnotadministrativelycomplete,theDepartmentwillsendtheapplicantawrittenstatementofthespecificinformation,maps,feesanddocumentsthatarerequiredtomaketheapplicationadministrativelycomplete.IftheapplicantdoesnotprovidetherequestedinformationtotheDepartmentwithin10workingdaysofreceiptoftherequest,theDepartmentwillreturntheapplicationandfeestotheapplicant.8127.44.Publicnoticeand127.45.Contentsofnotice.8.Comment:RegardingexistingSubsection(a).Whynotsimplifythiswholesectionandmerelyretainitems(5)and(6),sinceitem(5)couldberewrittentostate“Sourcesrequiredtoobtainplanapproval”?Thiswouldincludeitems(1—4).(1)Response:Theproposedrulemakingrevisedsubsection(a)of§127.44tonewsubsection(b)of§127.44andaddedanewsubsection(a).Thepublicnoticerequirementsofnewsubsection(a)applytoallplanapprovalapplicationsexceptplanapprovalapplicationssubjecttothenoticerequirementsofsubsection(b).Thenoticeofproposedplanapprovalissuanceforplanapprovalapplicationssubjecttothenoticerequirementsofsubsection(b)of§127.44shallincludetheinformationlistedinnewsubsection(b)of§127.45.Thesourcessubjecttofinal-formrulemakingparagraphs(b)(1)-(4)of§127.44aremajorsources.Thesourcessubjecttofinal-formrulemakingsubsection(a)andparagraph(b)(5)of§127.44areminorsources.Planapprovalapplicationsforthemajorsourcessubjecttoparagraphs(b)(1)-(4)of§127.44aresubjecttopublicnoticerequirementsbeyondthoserequiredfortheplanapprovalapplicationsforminorsources.Theseadditionalnoticerequirementsarespecifiedinfinal-formsubsection(c)of§127.44andincludethatthenoticewillbecompletedandsentbytheDepartmenttotheapplicant,theEPA,anystatewithin50milesofthefacilityandanystatewhoseairqualitymaybeaffectedandthatiscontiguoustothisCommonwealth.Additionally,theapplicantshall,within10daysofreceiptofnoticefromtheDepartment,publishthenoticeonatleast3separatedaysinaprominentplaceandsizeinanewspaperofgeneralcirculationinthecountyinwhichthesourceistobelocated.ProofofthepublicationofthisnewspapernoticeshallbefiledwiththeDepartmentwithin1weekthereafter.Minorsourcesarenotincludedinfinal-formparagraphs(b)(1)-(4)of127.44.Planapprovalapplicationsforminorsourcesaresubjecttothepublicnoticerequirementsofeithersubsection(a)orparagraph(b)(5)of§127.44.Minorsourcessubjecttothenoticerequirementsofparagraph(b)(5)of§127.44aresourcesforwhichtheDepartmenthasdeterminedthereissubstantialpublicinterest.Thenoticesfortheseminorsourcesshallincludetheinformationlistedinnewsubsection(b)of§127.45.PlanapprovalapplicationsforcertainminorsourcesforwhichthereistypicallylittlepublicinterestandforwhichtheDepartmentusuallydoesnotreceivecommentwillbesubjecttothepublicnoticerequirementsofnewsubsection(a)of§127.44.Thenoticeofreceiptandintenttoissuefortheseplanapprovalsshallbepreparedinaccordancewiththerequirementsofnewsubsection(a)of§127.45.Combiningmajorsourceswithminorsourceswouldrequirethatplanapprovalapplicationsfromownersoroperatorsofcertainminorsourceswouldbesubjecttotheadditionalnewspapernoticerequirementsoffinal-formparagraph(c)of§127.44.Thiswouldplaceanunnecessaryburdenontheownersandoperatorsoftheseminorsources9withnoenvironmentalbenefit.IssuinganoticeofreceiptandintenttoissueforcertainminorsourcesallowstheDepartmenttostreamlinethepermittingprocessandfocusscarceresourcesonthoseplanapprovalapplicationsforwhichthereisgreatpublicinterestandenvironmentalimpact.9.Comment:ThecommentatorsurgetheBoardtorejecttheproposedrevisionsbecauseseveralaspectsoftheproposedrulemakingwillseverelycurtailopportunitiesforeffectivecitizenparticipationinairpermitting.Thecommentatorsstatethatunderthenewproposal,manysourcesrequiredtoobtainaplanapprovalwillnolongerbepublishedinthePennsylvaniaBulletin.Seeproposed25Pa.Code§127.44.Thisisafundamentalchangethatwillmakeitharderforcitizenstofindoutwhensourcesareseekingpermissionforplantchangesorevennewconstruction.Anewplantoranairemissionchangeneednotbesubjecttonewsourcereviewtobeamatterofconcerntoitsneighbors,andthePennsylvaniaBulletinistheprimarysourceforcitizenstofindoutaboutsuchmatters.Therequirementtopublishanoticeinanewspaperinthecountywherethesourceislocateddoeslittletonotifycitizensofaneighboringcountythatwillalsobeaffectedbypollutionfromthesource.TheBoardshouldrejecttheDepartment’sattempttoremoveplanapprovalsfromtheBulletinandtherebyrestrictcitizenaccesstoinformation.Thecommentatorsfurtherstatethatsomeplanapprovals,includingsyntheticminorpermitapplications,willbepublishedintheBulletinonlyiftheDepartmentdetermines“thereissubstantialpublicinterest”or“invitespubliccomment.”Seeproposed25Pa.Code§127.44(b)(6)[sic].WithallduerespecttotheDepartment,itishardtodeterminesubstantialpublicinterestwithoutpublishinganactionforpublicreview.Ifthepublicisnotawareofaproposal,theDepartmentwillhardlybeabletodeterminewhetheritwillprovoke“substantialpublicinterest.”TheDepartmentshouldcontinuepublishingallplanapprovalsintheBulletin,andtheBoardshouldrejectthisproposal.ThecommentatorsalsostatethattheDepartmentproposestostoppublishingtheplanapprovalconditionsintheBulletin.Seeproposed25Pa.Code§127.45(5).Theseconditionstypicallyincludeemissionlimits,controltechnology,applicablestandards,andotherinformationessentialtocitizenevaluationofplanapprovals.RemovingthisinformationfromtheBulletinwithdrawskeyinformationfrompublicviewandhamperscitizeninvolvement.Thealternative,makinganappointmentforafilereviewataregionaloffice,involvesconsiderableresourcesthatarenotavailabletomanycitizens,andmaynotbepossibleinthetimeallowedforcommentonaplanapproval.TheBoardshouldrejectthisproposalandensurethatplanapprovalconditionscontinuetobepublishedintheBulletin.TheprimaryobjectiveoftheAirPollutionControlAct(APCA)istheprotectionofpublichealth,safety,andwell-beingofthecitizensofPennsylvania.35P.S.§4002(a)(i).ThecommentatorssubmitthatthisobjectiveisfurtheredbycontinuingtoprovideCommonwealthcitizenswithinformationaboutallplanapprovals,includingallpermitconditions,bypublicationinthePennsylvaniaBulletin.Thecommentatorsurgethe10BoardtorejecttheDepartment’sproposalinderogationofthisfundamentalobjectiveoftheAPCA.(5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12)Response:TheDepartmentdisagreeswiththecommentatorsthatpublicparticipationintheplanapprovalapplicationprocesswillbeseverelycurtailedbytheproposedchangestotheplanapprovalrequirements.Rather,theproposedchangestotheplanapprovalapplicationnoticerequirementsspecifythattheDepartmentwillcontinuetopublishnoticeinthePennsylvaniaBulletinforallplanapprovalapplicationsthatitreceives.Theproposedrulemakingrevisedtheexistingsubsection(a)of§127.44(relatingtopublicnotice)tonewsubsection(b)of§127.44.Theproposedrulemakingaddedanewsubsection(a)tO§127.44.Sourcesthatweresubjecttoexistingparagraph(a)(5)of§127.44arenowsubjecttonewsubsection(a)of§127.44.ThesearesourcesforwhichthereistypicallylittlepublicinterestandforwhichtheDepartmentdoesnotusuallyreceivecomments.Thenewsubsection(a)specifiesthattheDepartmentwillpublishinthePennsylvaniaBulletinacombinednoticeofreceiptandintenttoissueforeachplanapprovalapplicationthattheDepartmentreceives,exceptplanapprovalapplicationssubjecttothenoticeofactionrequirementsofnewsubsection(b).Thecontentsofthecombinednoticeofreceiptandintenttoissuerequiredforplanapprovalapplicationssubjecttothenewsubsection(a)of§127.44werespecifiedinproposedparagraphs(a)(1)-(5)of§127.44.Proposedparagraphs(a)(1)-(5)of§127.44willbedeletedinthefinal-fonurulemaking.Thecontentsofthecombinednoticeofreceiptandintenttoissuewillbeaddedatfinalinnewsubsection(a)of§127.45(relatingtocontentsofnotice).Thenoticeofreceiptandintenttoissuemustincludethefollowing:(1)Thenameandaddressoftheapplicant.(2)Thelocationandnameofthesourceorfacilityatwhichtheconstruction,modification,reactivationorinstallationisproposed.(3)Abriefdescriptionoftheproposedaction,includingabriefdescriptionofthe:(i)Aircontaminationsourcetobeconstructed,modified,reactivatedorinstalled.(ii)Aircleaningdeviceorcontroltechnologyrequiredincludingbestavailabletechnology.(iii)TypeofconditionsbeingplacedintheplanapprovalwithreferencetoapplicableStateandFederalrequirements.(4)Thetypeandquantityofaircontaminantsbeingemitted.11(5)ThenameandtelephonenumberofapersontocontactattheDepartmentforadditionalinformation.(6)AstatementthatapersonmayopposetheproposedplanapprovalbyfilingawrittenprotestwiththeDepartment,attheappropriateregionalofficedescribedin§121.4(relatingtoregionalorganizationoftheDepartment).Inadditiontotherequirementsofnewparagraphs(a)(1)-(6)of§127.45,thenoticeofreceiptandintenttoissuewillstate,ataminimum,inaccordancewiththerequirementsofproposedsubsection(f)of§127.44,thefollowing:(1)Thelocationatwhichtheapplicationmaybereviewed.Thislocationshallbeintheregionaffectedbytheapplication.(2)A30-daycommentperiod,fromthedateofpublication,willexistforthesubmissionofcomments.Aplanapprovalapplicationfromtheowneroroperatorofasourcethatisinthecategoriesspecifiedbynewparagraphs(b)(1)-(5)of§127.44shallbesubjecttothepublicnoticerequirementsofproposednewsubsection(b)of§127.45.Thesourcesspecifiedinnewparagraphs(b)(1)-(5)of§127.44include:(1)SourcessubjecttoSubchapterD(relatingtopreventionofsignificantdeteriorationofairquality).(2)SourcessubjecttoSubchapterE(relatingtonewsourcereview).(3)SourcesofVOCsthatsubmitplanapprovalapplicationsdemonstratingcompliancewithChapter129(relatingtostandardsforsources)using§129.51(a)(relatingtogeneral).(4)SourceslocatedwithinaTitleVfacility.(5)OthersourcesforwhichtheDepartmenthasdeterminedthereissubstantialpublicinterestorforwhichtheDepartmentinvitespubliccomment.Thepublicnoticerequirementsforthesesourcesareprovidedinnewsubsection(b)of§127.45andincludethefollowing:(1)Thenameandaddressofapplicant.(2)Thelocationandnameofthesourceorfacilityatwhichconstruction,modification,reactivationorinstallationisproposed.(3)Thetypeandquantityofaircontaminantsbeingemitted.12(4)ForsourcessubjecttoSubchapterD(relatingtopreventionofsignificantdeteriorationofairquality),thedegreeofincrementconsumptionexpectedtoresultfromtheoperationofthesourceorfacility.(5)AbriefdescriptionoftheconditionsbeingplacedintheplanapprovalwithreferencetoapplicableStateandFederalrequirements.(6)Adescriptionoftheproceduresforreachingafinaldecisionontheproposedplanapprovalactionincluding:(i)Theendingdateforthereceiptofwrittencommentsorwrittenprotests.(ii)Proceduresforrequestingahearingandthenatureofthathearing.(iii)Anyotherprocedurebywhichthepublicmayparticipateinthefinaldecision.(7)ThenameandtelephonenumberofapersontocontactattheDepartmentforadditionalinformation.(8)AstatementthatapersonmayopposetheproposedplanapprovalbyfilingawrittenprotestwiththeDepartment,attheappropriateregionalofficedescribedin§121.4(relatingtoregionalorganizationoftheDepartment).Whiletherequirementsofexistingparagraph(5)of§127.45couldbeinterpretedasrequiringthattheentireplanapprovalconditionsneedtobepublishedinthenoticeofactiontobetaken,todosopresentssignificantcoststotheDepartmentaswellastheapplicant.Consequently,newparagraph(b)(5)of§127.45hasbeenclarifiedtorequireabriefdescriptionoftheconditionsbeingplacedintheplanapprovalwithreferencetoapplicableStateandFederalrequirements.Thecompleteplanapprovalconditionswillbeavailableforreviewatthelocationlistedinthenotice.Furthermore,planapprovalapplicationsfromtheownersoroperatorsofsourcesspecifiedinparagraphs(b)(1)-(4)of§127.44haveadditionalpublicnoticerequirementsbeyondthosespecifiedinproposednewsubsection(b)of§127.45.Theadditionalnoticerequirementsforplanapprovalapplicationsforthesesourcesarespecifiedinrevisedsubsection(c)of§127.44andincludethatthenoticewillbesentbytheDepartmenttotheapplicant,theEPA,anystatewithin50milesofthefacilityandanystatewhoseairqualitymaybeaffectedandthatiscontiguoustothisCommonwealth.Additionally,theapplicantshall,within10daysofreceiptofnoticefromtheDepartment,publishthenoticeonatleast3separatedaysinaprominentplaceandsizeinanewspaperofgeneralcirculationinthecountyinwhichthesourceistobelocated.ProofofthepublicationofthisnewspapernoticeshallbefiledwiththeDepartmentwithin1weekthereafter.Therefore,contrarytothecommentators’assertions,theDepartmentisrequiredtopublishnoticeinthePennsylvaniaBulletinforallplanapprovalapplicationsthatarereceived.Theadditionofnewsubsection(a)of§127.44establishesproceduresforthe13DepartmenttopublishinthePennsylvaniaBulletinacombinednoticeofreceiptandintenttoissueforplanapprovalapplicationsthatareforsourcesnotsubjecttonewsubsection(b)of§127.44.TheDepartmentwillcontinuetopublishinthePennsylvaniaBulletinanoticeofactiontobetakenforplanapprovalapplicationsforsourcessubjecttonewsubsection(b)of§127.44,consistentwithcurrentandpastpractice.Allnoticeswillcontinuetoprovidea30-daycommentperiodforthepublictocommentontheplanapprovalapplications.Inaddition,theapplicantsubmittingaplanapprovalapplicationforcertainsourcesisrequiredtopublishanoticeofplanapprovalapplicationonatleast3separatedaysinaprominentplaceandsizeinanewspaperofgeneralcirculationinthecountyinwhichthesourceistobelocated,consistentwiththerequirementsofproposedsubsection(c)of§127.44.10.Comment—AdequatePublicNotice—Reasonableness;Need:ThePreamblestatesthattheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(Department),aspartofanefforttostreamlinethepermittingprocess,investigatedwaysto“reducetheplanapprovalapplicationtime,reduceunnecessarycoststoindustryandcontinuetoensurethatcitizensreceiveadequatenoticeofallpotentialplanapproval/permittingactionstoenabletimelycommentonissuesofpublicconcern.”(Emphasisadded.)Wereceivedtwopubliccommentsinsupportoftheamendments.However,ajointcommentfromeightorganizations,datedMay25,2007,wassenttotheEQBurgingrejectionoftheamendments.Specifically,thejointcommentatorsciteconcernswiththeamendmentsinSections127.44,127.44(b)(6)[sic]and127.45(5),astheyrelatetopublicnoticeinthePennsylvaniaBulletin.Werecognizethat,asamended,Section127.45(5)wouldrequire“abriefdescriptionoftheconditionsbeingplacedintheplanapprovalwithreferencetoapplicableStateandFederalrequirements.”WealsonotethatproposedSection127.44(b)(5)isessentiallythesameastheexistingrequirementunderSection127.44(a)(6).Nonetheless,theEQBshouldexplainfurtherwhytheseamendmentsareneededandhowtheamendedregulationwillprovideadequatenoticetothepublic.(14)Response:Thefinal-formrulemakingrevisesexistingparagraphs(a)(5)and(6)of§127.44toparagraph(b)(5)of127.44toreadasfollows:“OthersourcesforwhichtheDepartmenthasdeterminedthereissubstantialpublicinterestorforwhichtheDepartmentinvitespubliccomment.”Thesourcesthataresubjecttonewparagraph(b)(5)of§127.44arecertainminorsourcesforwhichtheDepartmenthasdeterminedthatthereissubstantialpublicinterestincommentingorforwhichtheDepartmentinvitespubliccomment.TheDepartmentisrequiredtopublishinthePennsylvaniaBulletinanoticeofactiontobetakenfortheseplanapprovalapplications,inaccordancewiththerequirementsofnewsubsection(e)of§127.44.Thecontentsofthisnoticeofactiontobetakenshallmeettherequirementsof14newsubsection(f)of127.44andsubsection(b)of127.45.Theapplicantssubmittingtheseplanapprovalapplicationsarenotsubjecttotheadditionalnewspapernoticerequirementsofnewsubsection(c)of§127.44.Thisreducesthecostsoftheplanapprovalapplicationprocessfortheseapplicants,withoutreducingtheabilityofthegeneralpublictobenotifiedaboutandcommentontheplanapprovalapplicationforthesesources.Whiletherequirementsofexistingparagraph(5)of§127.45couldbeinterpretedasrequiringthattheentireplanapprovalconditionsneedtobepublishedinthenoticeofactiontobetaken,todosopresentssignificantcoststotheDepartmentaswellastheapplicant.Consequently,newparagraph(b)(5)of§127.45hasbeenclarifiedtorequireabriefdescriptionoftheconditionsbeingplacedintheplanapprovalwithreferencetoapplicableStateandFederalrequirements.Thecompleteplanapprovalconditionswillbeavailableforreviewatthelocationlistedinthenotice.Thesechangestothepublicnoticeprovisionswillresultinexpeditedpermittingfornewandmodifiedstationaryaircontaminationsources,especiallythosewithminimalpotentialforadverseenvironmentalimpact,whileassuringthatthepublichasanopportunitytothoroughlyreviewandcommentontheproposals.Thisexpeditedpermittingwillenablemanufacturerstorespondmorequicklytochangingproductiondemandsandimproveproductivityandprofitability.11.Comment—PublicNotice—Reasonableness;Need;Clarity-127.44(b):Therearethreeconcerns.First,theEQBshouldexplainwhyitneedstodeleteexistingParagraph(5),whichrequiresnoticefor“othersourcesrequiredtoobtainplanapproval.”Whatsourceswouldthisamendmentaffect?Second,asamended,newParagraph(5)discusses“othersources,includingsyntheticminorpermitapplications.”Inconjunctionwiththedeletionoftherequirementfornoticeof“othersourcesrequiredtoobtainplanapproval,”theEQBshouldprovidemoredetailonthe“othersources”thatwouldbeincluded.Finally,itisnotclearwhatthephrase“includingsyntheticminorpermitapplications”encompasses.TheEQBshoulddefinethisphrase.(14)Response:Sourcesthatweresubjecttoexistingparagraph(a)(5)of§127.44arenowsubjecttonewsubsection(a)of§127.44.ThesearesourcesforwhichthereistypicallylittlepublicinterestandforwhichtheDepartmentdoesnotreceivecomments.Thefinalformrulemakingrevisesexistingparagraphs(a)(5)and(6)of127.44toparagraph(b)(5)of§127.44toreadasfollows:“OthersourcesforwhichtheDepartmenthasdeterminedthereissubstantialpublicinterestorforwhichtheDepartmentinvitespubliccomment.”Thewords“includingsyntheticminorpermitapplications,”aredeletedinthefinal-formrulemaking.Thesourcesthataresubjecttonewparagraph(b)(5)of§127.44arecertainminorsourcesforwhichtheDepartmenthasdeterminedthatthereissubstantialpublicinterestincommentingorforwhichtheDepartmentinvitespubliccomment.15a12.Comment-§127.44(c):Thecommentatorstatesthatitissometimesverydifficulttoquicklyplaceanadvertisementinapublicationandobtainproofofpublication.ThecommentatorsuggeststhattheDepartmentconsiderslightlyincreasingtheamountoftimegiventoapplicantsfortheseactivitiesbyaddingthelanguagethatfollowsinboldto§127.44(c):“thenoticerequiredbysubsection(b)(1)—(4)willbecompletedandsentbytheDepartmenttotheapplicant,theEPA,andanystatewithin50milesofthefacilityandanystatewhoseairqualitymaybeaffectedandthatiscontiguoustothisCommonwealth.Theapplicantshall,within10workingdaysofreceiptofnotice,publishthenoticeonatleast3separatedaysinaprominentplaceandsizeinanewspaperofgeneralcirculationinthecountyinwhichthesourceistobelocated;proofofthepublicationshallbefiledwiththeDepartmentwithin[1week]10workingdaysthereafter.AplanapprovalwillnotbeissuedbytheDepartmentintheeventoffailurebytheapplicanttosubmittheproofofpublication.”(2)Response:TheDepartmenthasretainedtheexistingrequirementsof10daysand1week.TheseexistingrequirementshavenotbeenaprobleminthepastandtheDepartmentdoesnotforeseetheserequirementstobeaprobleminthefuture.13.Comment-§127.45—Contentsofnotice—Reasonableness;Need:Asamended,Paragraph(5)wouldnolongerrequirea“descriptionofthereasons”forincludingconditions.Whyisthedescriptionofthereasonsnolongerneeded?(14)Response:Whiletherequirementsofexistingparagraph(5)of§127.45couldbeinterpretedasrequiringthattheentireplanapprovalconditionsneedtobepublishedinthenoticeofactiontobetaken,todosopresentssignificantcoststotheDepartmentaswellastheapplicant.Consequently,newparagraph(b)(5)of§127.45hasbeenclarifiedtorequireabriefdescriptionoftheconditionsbeingplacedintheplanapprovalwithreferencetoapplicableStateandFederalrequirements.Thecompleteplanapprovalconditionswillbeavailableforreviewatthelocationlistedinthenotice.Other14.Comment:IndustrialfacilitiesseekingPlanApprovalsfortheiroperationsdevelopdetailedplansandtimelinesforimplementingtheseoperations.Inordertofacilitatethisplanning,companiesscheduleengineering,permitting,equipmentprocurement,contractormobilization,constructionandmanyotheractivitiesmonths,evenyears,inadvance.ItwouldthereforegreatlyenhancethisschedulingprocessiftherewerecertaintyintheamountoftimeittakestoprocessaPlanApproval.ThecommentatorrecommendsthattheDepartmentadoptadeadlineforissuance(ordenial)ofaPlanApprovaloncetheCompletenessDeterminationunder§127.12dhasbeenestablished.Thiscouldeasilybeaccomplishedbyaddinganewsectionasfollowsinbold:“127.12e.PermitIssuance.TheDepartmentshall,withinareasonableamountoftimenottoexceedsixtycalendardaysafterreceiptofacompleteapplication,issueordenyaPlanApprovalforsourcessubjecttotheserules.“(2)16Response:

Once

the plan approval application

is deemed administratively

complete,

the application

must undergo

a thorough

technical

review.

More information

may

be required

from

the applicant

during

the technical

review

period.

If

a regulatory

time

limit is placed

on

the technical

review

phase,

the Department

may

be forced

to deny

or reject

a plan approval application

if the requested information

is not available.

This would

then require

the applicant

to start

the plan approval application

process

all over again. Furthermore,

the Department

has

the money

back guarantee

program

for certain

classes of sources

to mitigate

the costs

to the applicant

of not receiving

a plan approval application determination

in

a timely manner. 15. Comment:

The commentator

requests

that

the members

of the Board consider

the unique

nature

of circulating

fluidized

bed (CFB) technology

employed

by

the commentator’s

facilities,

and

the environmental

benefit

that these companies

provide

to the Commonwealth

by combusting

waste

coal,

while considering

the commentator’s other comments.

(3) Response:

The requirements

of the proposed rulemaking

will apply equally

to

all facilities

and technologies

without

regard

for

the applicant’s

perceived

level

of environmental

benefit

to the Commonwealth. 16. Comment:

The commentator

requests

that

the Department

amend

the regulations

to allow

for

a reasonable

time period

for approval

of trial burns

of “opportunity

fuels”

of previously

known characteristics.

A facility

that experiences

‘opportunity

fuel’ availability

(like Bio-waste,

a fuel

that

is not

a steady ongoing

stream

of fuel

or source) doesn’t normally

have

a window

of 120-

or

1 80-days

in length

to take action

on same.

In many situations,

previous combustion

of such “opportunity

fuel”

has occurred

at some other

plant

or facility, accordingly,

combustion characteristics

may

be known

by

the Department,

and review

should

be fairly simple.

The commentator

concurs

that

‘first time’ efforts

may require additional

review,

but previous

approved

alternate “opportunity fuels”

should

not

be relegated

to that category.

Current Department administration

of alternate

fuel

use requests,

even under

the proposed

changes,

may actually

inhibit

use

of any

fuel source

not currently

in

a facility’s

Title

V permit,

and

may

not enhance

energy efficiency

or reduction

of solid waste through

common

sense

use

in CFB combustors. Accordingly,

the commentator

asks

the Department

to consider modifying

the proposed regulations

to allow

for

a reasonable

time period

for approval

of trial burns

of “opportunity

fuels”

of previously

known characteristics.

Such ‘inclusion’

may

be based on

the results

of other

unit testing

when available.

(3) Response:

The Department

is taking

a number

of steps

to provide operational flexibilities

for approval

of trial burns

of “opportunity

fuels.”

Section

127.14 (relating

to exemptions)

provides

an exemption

from

the permit requirements

for approval

of certain trial burns

of “opportunity

fuels.” Exemptions

can

be determined

from

the existing

list

of sources

or through

the

use

of

a request

for determination

form.

Many

de minimis

and trivial sources

will

be exempted

through

these provisions.

If

an exemption

cannot

be granted,

then

the Department

has available,

as described

in

§ 127.611

(relating

to general 17planapprovalsandgeneraloperatingpermits),anumberofgeneralplanapprovalsandoperatingpermitswhichareissuedwithin30days.17.Cornment—MiscellaneousClarity:Thereisinconsistentlanguageintheregulation.Paragraph127.44(a)(2)referstotheplantorfacility“atwhichtheconstruction,modification,reactivationorinstallationisproposed,”butParagraph(a)(3)onlymentionsequipment“tobeinstalledormodified.??Inaddition,Paragraph127.45(2)onlyreferstotheplantorfacilityatwhich“construction,modificationorinstallationisproposed.”Whydothewords“reactivation”and“construction”appearinsomeprovisions,butnotothers?(14)Response:Newparagraphs(a)(2),(a)(3)(i)and(b)(2)of



# §127.45havebeenrevisedtoincludeconstruction,modification,reactivationorinstallationtoassureconsistencythroughouttheregulation.18.Cornment—MiscellaneousClarity:Paragraph127.44(a)(4)requires“aperson”tocontactforadditionalinformation.ThisprovisionshouldspecifywhetherthepersontocontactwouldbearepresentativeoftheapplicantorwouldbesomeonefromtheDepartment’sregionaloffice.(14)Response:Newparagraphs(a)(5)and(b)(7)of



# §127.45havebeenrevisedtostatethatthepersontocontactisattheDepartment.18