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/R Incorporated Providing Environmental Technical Support Since 1989

501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 250  Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514

Telephone: (919)484-0222  Fax: (919) 484-0122

MEMORANDUM

Date: May 28, 2010

Subject: Site visit report for the Transco Compressor Station in Reidsville, N.C.

From: Robert Vogt, EC/R Incorporated

Phil Norwood, EC/R Incorporated

To: Bruce Moore, EPA/OAQPS/SPPD/CCG

I. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this memorandum is to summarize the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) site visit to the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company L.L.C. (Transco) compressor 

station in Reidsville, North Carolina. 

II. LOCATION AND DATE

Williams Gas Pipeline – Transco Station 160

Reidsville, North Carolina 

February 23, 2010

III. ATTENDEES

Williams Companies, Incorporated/Transco

Mark G. Bisett

Michael Callegari

Rich Lutz

Jim McCarthy

Walter Romine

Mary Beth Whitfield

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Rachel Agnew

Jodi Howard

Alex MacPherson

Bruce Moore

Nick Parsons

David Salman
EC/R Incorporated

Heather Brown

Phil Norwood

Robert Vogt

IV. OVERVIEW OF SITE VISIT

The purpose of this visit was to gather information about the Transco facility and its 

processes, with a focus on the air emissions and equipment, practices and controls that reduce 

these emissions. Prior to the visit, EPA mailed Transco a letter1 which included an outline of 

information of interest for the site visit. 

Upon arrival, a brief meeting was held in the on-site offices. Following introductions and 

a brief safety orientation, Mr. Moore provided a summary of the purpose of the visit. This was 

followed by a tour of the facility. During this tour, photographs were taken of facility 

equipment. These photographs are included as Attachment 1.

V. SITE AND PROCESSES

Transco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams Companies, Incorporated. Transco 

Station 160 serves the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline, which originates in the Southern Texas and 

Gulf of Mexico regions and delivers natural gas to major downstream markets in the MidAtlantic, Atlanta, and New York City. The Transco Station 160 facility was first constructed in 

1950, and the first seven compressor engines were installed in December 1951. Since original 

construction, eight additional internal combustion engines were installed at the facility, and one 

natural gas-fired dry low NOx combustion turbine was installed in May 2003. The existing 

station consists of 15 engines totaling 55,100 horsepower. Size and horsepower of this facility is 

typical of a modern mainline compressor station. Transco participates in the EPA’s Natural Gas 

Star Program. 

VI. EMISSION SOURCES, PERMITS, AND REGULATIONS

Air pollutants generated by this facility include PM, NOx , VOC, CO, SO2, and HAPs. 

Detailed emissions data and permit conditions for this facility can be found in the attached North 

Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) Air Quality Permit (see 

Attachment 2), December 2009 Inspection Report (see Attachment 3), and Station 160 Emissions 

Report (see Attachment 4). The permitted emission sources include the internal combustion (IC) 

engines and the turbine.

All of the lean-fired combustion engines at the facility are subject to the requirements 

under 40 CFR 63, Subpart ZZZZ, National Emissions Standards For Hazardous Air Pollutants 

For Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE), or the “RICE Maximum 

Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standard.” Additionally, the natural gas-fired 

combustion turbine at the facility is subject to the requirements under 40 CFR 60, Subpart GG, 

Standards Of Performance For Stationary Gas Turbines, or the Turbine New Source 

Performance Standards (NSPS); and requirements of 40 CFR 63, subpart YYYY, National 

 

1 Letter from Hustvedt, Kent C., Coatings and Chemicals Group, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, 

United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, to Romine, Walter, Transcontinental 

Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC. Confirmation of Site Visit. February 17, 2010.
Emission Standards For Hazardous Air Pollutants For Stationary Combustion Turbines, or the 

Turbine MACT.

In addition, natural gas blowdown operations is a listed emission source on the permit 

(ES-BDO). At this facility, pipeline blowdowns are scheduled for system maintenance, and a 

40 tons per year Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) avoidance limit is maintained. 

Pipeline pigging operations are performed every 7-10 years for cleaning and pipeline integrity 

inspections.

Insignificant and unpermitted emissions sources at this facility are also documented in the 

permit. Those sources include hydraulic oil tanks, air compressor coolant tanks, surge tanks, 

natural gas condensate tanks, and ethylene/glycol water tanks. 

Note: Following the visit, Mr. Lutz confirmed that there was no information discussed during 

the visit that Williams/Transco considered confidential business information (CBI). A copy of 

this email confirmation is included as Attachment 5.