HomeMy WebLinkAboutAQ_GEN_PLNG_20200903_SIP_SO2-NAAQS_BRPPSIPNar
FINAL
State of North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality
Proposed Revision to State Implementation Plan
Source-Specific State Implementation Plan for
Evergreen Packaging/Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC,
Canton, Beaverdam Township, Haywood County, North
Carolina for the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide National
Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS)
Prepared by
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Air Quality
September 3, 2020
(This page intentionally left blank)
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC i
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Table of Contents
I. Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 1
1. Purpose ................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Organization of this Document ............................................................................................ 2
II. Overview ................................................................................................................................. 2
1. Background .......................................................................................................................... 2
2. Attainment of the SO2 Standard ........................................................................................... 7
3. Legal Authority .................................................................................................................... 7
4. SIP Development Process .................................................................................................... 8
III. SO2 Attainment Analysis – Technical Document ................................................................... 9
1. Annual SO2 Emissions and Emission Reductions (2017 – 2019)........................................ 9
2. Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (2017 – 2019) ............................................................... 15
3. Permit Requirements .......................................................................................................... 15
4. Air Quality Modeling Demonstration for Facility ............................................................. 17
a. Facility Site Location ..................................................................................................... 17
b. Facility Operations ......................................................................................................... 17
c. Emission Source Modeling – Onsite Sources ................................................................ 20
d. Emission Source Modeling – Offsite Sources................................................................ 31
e. Modeling Receptor Grid................................................................................................. 32
f. Modeling Results............................................................................................................ 33
5. Air Quality Transport Modeling Demonstration ............................................................... 36
6. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 37
IV. Materials Proposed to be Incorporated into the SIP .............................................................. 38
V. Materials Proposed to be Excluded from the SIP .................................................................. 42
VI. Response to 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix V, Criteria for Determining the Completeness of
Plan Submissions .......................................................................................................................... 45
1. Administrative Materials ................................................................................................... 45
2. Technical Support .............................................................................................................. 46
3. Exceptions .......................................................................................................................... 48
VII. Public Participation................................................................................................................ 49
1. Notice of Opportunity to Submit Comments and Participate in Public Hearing ............... 49
2. Pre-Hearing Draft Submittal Letter to EPA ....................................................................... 49
3. EPA No-Comment Letter .................................................................................................. 49
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC ii
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
List of Figures
Figure 1. Location of Blue Ridge Paper Products LLC, Canton Mill, Canton, NC ...................... 3
Figure 2. Location of Blue Ridge Paper Products LLC, Canton Mill, Canton, NC, and
Surrounding Topography .............................................................................................................. 18
Figure 3. Location of SO2 Emission Sources Included in Modeling Analysis for Blue Ridge
Paper Products LLC ...................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 4. Modeling Grid Cell Receptors used in Facility Modeling Analysis for Blue Ridge
Paper Products LLC ...................................................................................................................... 33
Figure 5. Modeling Grid Cell Receptors used in Transport Modeling Analysis for Blue Ridge
Paper Products LLC ...................................................................................................................... 37
List of Tables
Table 1. Trends in Actual Annual SO2 Emissions (2017 – 2019) and Comparison of 2019 Actual
Annual SO2 Emissions to Permitted Maximum Allowable Emissions for BRPP Canton Mill.... 11
Table 2. Chronology of SO2 Emission Reduction Actions at Canton Mill (2017 – 2019) .......... 13
Table 3. Certified Ambient Air SO2 Monitoring Data (2017 – 2019) ......................................... 15
Table 4. Allowable SO2 Emission Limitations Modeled and Included in the Title V Permit ..... 16
Table 5. Modeled Allowable SO2 Emission Limitations ............................................................. 21
Table 6. Model Inputs for Recovery Furnaces Burning Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)
Modeling Scenario ........................................................................................................................ 23
Table 7. Model Inputs for Recovery Furnaces Burning Black Liquor Solids (BLS) Modeling
Scenario......................................................................................................................................... 24
Table 8. Change in Allowable SO2 Emissions for Riley Coal, No. 4 Power, and Riley Bark
Boilers ........................................................................................................................................... 27
Table 9. Annual SO2 Emissions Associated with Other Facilities in Haywood County ............. 31
Table 10. Source-Specific Modeling Results............................................................................... 34
Table 11. Updated Modeling Results for the One-Hour SO2 NAAQS Analysis for Blue Ridge
Paper Canton, Haywood County, North Carolina ........................................................................ 35
Table 12. Materials Proposed to be Excluded from the SIP ........................................................ 42
Attachment 1 – Special Order by Consent (SOC 2017-002) Made and Entered into Pursuant to
North Carolina General Statute 143-215.110 by and between Blue Ridge Paper Products, Inc.,
and the Environmental Management Commission
Attachment 2 – Air Permit Application for Incorporation of SO2 Emission Limits into the Canton
Mill’s Permit February 2018, Updated March 2019
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC iii
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Attachment 3 – North Carolina Division of Air Quality Review of Air Permit Application for
Incorporation of SO2 Emission Limitations into the Canton Mill’s Permit (Revised February 5,
2020)
Attachment 4 – Blue Ridge Paper Products Air Permit (No. 08961T29)
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC iv
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
List of Acronyms
Acronym Definition
AERMAP American Meteorological Society / Environmental Protection Agency
Regulatory Model Terrain Pre-Processor
AERMOD American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency
Regulatory Model
AP-42 Compilation of Air Pollutant Emissions Factors
BLS Black Liquor Solids
BRPP Blue Ridge Paper Products LLC
CAA Clean Air Act
CAM Compliance Assurance Monitoring
CaO Calcium Oxide (Lime)
CaO3 Calcium Carbonate
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CMS Continuous Monitoring Systems
CY Calendar Year
DAQ North Carolina Division of Air Quality
DEP Duke Energy Progress
DEQ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
DRR Data Requirements Rule
EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
ESP Electrostatic Precipitator
gal Gallon
gpm Gallons Per Minute
HAP Hazardous Air Pollutant
hp Horsepower
hr Hour
ID Identification Code No.
km Kilometers
kW Kilowatt
lb Pound
LLC Limited Liability Company
m3 Cubic Meter
MACT Maximum Achievable Control Technology
MMBtu Million British thermal unit
MMscf Million Standard Cubic Feet
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standard
NAD83 North American Datum of 1983
NC North Carolina
NCAC North Carolina Administrative Code
NCASI National Council for Air and Stream Improvement
NCGS North Carolina General Statute
NED National Elevation Data
NSPS New Source Performance Standards
PM Particulate Matter
ppb Parts Per Billion
ppm Parts Per Million
PTE Potential-to-Emit
PSD Prevention of Significant Deterioration
RF Recovery Furnace
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC v
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Acronym Definition
RTO Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer
scf Standard Cubic Feet
SDT Smelt Dissolving Tank
SIP State Implementation Plan
SO2 Sulfur Dioxide
SOC Special Order by Consent
TPY Tons Per Year
TRS Total Reduced Sulfur
µg Micrograms
ULSD Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel
UTM Universal Transverse Mercator
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 1
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
I. Executive Summary
1. Purpose
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Division of Air Quality
(DAQ), is proposing to revise North Carolina’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) under Section
110(a) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to include a source-specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper
Products (BRPP) Limited Liability Company (LLC). North Carolina is requesting the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve into the SIP, through parallel
processing, the sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission limits and associated compliance parameters for
specific emission units in BRPP’s Title V operating permit (Permit No. 08961T29) to strengthen
the SIP for complying with the 2010 1-hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS) in Beaverdam Township.
On October 9, 2017, the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission and BRPP
entered into a Special Order by Consent (SOC 2017-002) to implement process modifications,
upgrade existing control equipment, and install new control equipment to control SO2 emissions
and associated ambient concentrations below the 2010 1-hour NAAQS. BRPP has complied
with the SOC and, as a result, reduced its annual emissions to 405 tons or by 93% (5,470 tons)
from 2017 to 2019. These emission reductions have led to corresponding reductions in ambient
SO2 concentrations near the facility. The annual 99th percentile of the SO2 1-hour daily
maximum concentrations measured by the ambient monitor near the facility decreased from a
high of 213.4 parts per billion (ppb) (285% of the NAAQS) in 2018 to 34.8 ppb in 2019 (46% of
the NAAQS).
As demonstrated through the permitting process, modeling of the emission limitations included
in the permit show attainment of the NAAQS, and the monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting
requirements included in the permit support compliance with the emission limitations. Once
EPA approves this proposed SIP revision, the SO2 emission limitations and associated
monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements will be permanent and federally
enforceable under Section 110(a) of the CAA to ensure that future ambient SO2 concentrations in
Beaverdam Township will remain below the NAAQS.
The EPA’s September 5, 2019, guidance to states for developing recommendations to EPA for
designating all remaining areas for the 2010 primary 1-hour SO2 NAAQS provides an option to
develop a source-specific SIP for a facility like BRPP to serve as a basis for designating an area
“Attainment/Unclassifiable”.0F
1 Therefore, the DAQ is also submitting this source-specific SIP
for EPA approval to not only strengthen the SIP for complying with the 1-hour SO2 standard in
Beaverdam Township but also to qualify the Beaverdam Township area for an
“Attainment/Unclassifiable” designation pursuant to EPA’s 2019 designation guidance. The SIP
also documents supplemental air quality modeling information the DAQ has previously
1 Area Designations for the 2010 Primary Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard – Round 4,
Memorandum from Peter Tsirigotis, Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S Environmental
Protection Agency, to Regional Air Division Directors, Regions 1 - 10, September 5, 2019.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 2
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
submitted to EPA to support approval of North Carolina's CAA Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) "Good
Neighbor" SIP for the SO2 NAAQS.1F
2
2. Organization of this Document
Section II provides background information on BRPP and a chronology of actions taken to
significantly reduce SO2 emissions at the facility, and subsequently reduced ambient air
concentrations near the facility below the NAAQS. Section III explains the SO2 attainment
analysis completed for the emission sources at the facility. The attainment analysis summarizes
changes to annual emissions and ambient concentrations from 2017 through 2019 and documents
the modeling methodology and results showing that the allowable emission limitations in the
permit will be protective of the NAAQS. For each emission source, this section also documents
the technical basis for the allowable SO2 emission limitations and associated monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting requirements proposed for inclusion in the SIP.
Section IV identifies the SO2 emission limitations for the Riley Coal, Riley Bark and No. 4
Power Boilers; No. 10 and No. 11 Recovery Furnaces (for normal operation and startup); and
No. 4 and No. 5 Lime Kilns and associated monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting
requirements proposed to be incorporated into the SIP. Section V identifies SO2 sources
included in BRPP’s permit but proposed for exclusion from the SIP because they are operated
intermittently or have very low SO2 emissions and have no or very low impacts on ambient SO2
concentrations modeled near the facility.
Section VI addresses criteria for determining the completeness of plan submissions as specified
in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 51, Appendix V. Section VII documents the
public participation process for this document and proposed SIP revision.
II. Overview
1. Background
Blue Ridge Paper Products LLC, a subsidiary of Evergreen Packaging, (Facility Identification
(ID) Code No. 4400159) is located at 175 Main Street in the City of Canton, Beaverdam
Township, Haywood County, North Carolina ("Facility") 25 kilometers (km) west of Asheville,
North Carolina (see Figure 1). The facility is situated on the Pigeon River on a 200-acre site in
downtown Canton. This facility is a vertically integrated pulp and paper mill that produces
specialty paperboard packaging products. The facility’s primary operations are classified under
North American Industry Classification System 322121 (Paper Except Newsprint Mills).
On June 22, 2010, EPA revised the primary SO2 NAAQS.2F
3 The EPA adopted a new 1-hour
standard of 75 ppb, measured as a three-year average of the annual 99th percentile of 1-hour daily
maximum concentrations (40 CFR 50.17). The primary annual and 24-hour SO2 NAAQS are
2 “Revision to North Carolina’s Clean Air Act Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) “Good Neighbor” State Implementation
Plan for the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide Standard,” June 16, 2016.
3 Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Sulfur Dioxide, Final Rule, 75 FR 35520, June 22, 2010.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 3
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
revoked in all townships of each county for which EPA has finalized a designation for the 1-hour
SO2 standard in accordance with 40 CFR 50.4(e).
Figure 1. Location of Blue Ridge Paper Products LLC, Canton Mill, Canton, NC
On August 5, 2013, EPA published a final rule establishing air quality designations for 29 areas
in the United States for the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS based on recorded air quality monitoring
data from 2009 through 2011 showing violations of the NAAQS (78 FR 47191). In that
rulemaking, EPA committed to address, in separate future actions, the designations for all other
areas for which EPA was not yet prepared to issue designations. At that time, North Carolina
monitors showed attainment with the 2010 SO2 NAAQS but EPA deferred designation of the
monitored areas for North Carolina until a later date.
Following the initial August 5, 2013, designations, three lawsuits were filed against EPA in
different U.S. District Courts, alleging EPA had failed to perform a nondiscretionary duty under
the CAA by not designating all portions of the country by the June 2, 2013 deadline. In an effort
intended to resolve the litigation in one of those cases, plaintiffs, Sierra Club and the Natural
Resources Defense Council, and EPA filed a proposed consent decree with the U.S. District
Court for the Northern District of California. On March 2, 2015, the court entered the consent
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 4
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
decree and issued an enforceable order for EPA to complete the area designations according to
the court-ordered schedule.3F
4
According to the court-ordered schedule, EPA was required to complete the remaining
designations by three specific deadlines. By no later than July 2, 2016 (16 months from the
court’s order), EPA must designate two groups of areas: (1) areas that have newly monitored
violations of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS and (2) areas that contain any stationary sources that had not
been announced as of March 2, 2015, for retirement and that, according to EPA’s Air Markets
Database, emitted in 2012 either (i) more than 16,000 tons of SO2, or (ii) more than 2,600 tons of
SO2 with an annual average emission rate of at least 0.45 pound of SO2 per one million British
thermal units (lb/MMBtu). North Carolina had one stationary source facility in Brunswick
County that met the second criterion, and, subsequently, EPA designated all townships in the
county “unclassifiable” on schedule (81 FR 45039, 40 CFR 81.334).
The last two deadlines for completing remaining designations are December 31, 2017, and
December 31, 2020. On August 21, 2015 (80 FR 51052), EPA promulgated the SO2 Data
Requirements Rule (DRR) (40 CFR Part 51, Subpart BB) that specified requirements for state
and local air agencies to provide additional monitoring or modeling information on a timetable
consistent with these designation deadlines.4F
5 The DRR required air agencies to characterize air
quality using either modeling of actual facility-wide emissions or using appropriately sited
ambient air quality monitors for facilities with annual SO2 emissions of 2,000 tons or more.
On January 15, 2016, North Carolina submitted to EPA a final list identifying facilities
(including BRPP) with greater than 2,000 tons per year (TPY) of SO2 emissions. On June 30,
2016, North Carolina submitted to EPA its proposed approach for evaluating air quality around
the facilities using modeling or monitoring. On January 13, 2017, North Carolina submitted to
EPA recommendations for designating all remaining areas in the state except for three townships
(Beaverdam Township (Haywood County), Cunningham Township (Person County), Limestone
Township (Buncombe County)) for which North Carolina identified for monitoring.5F
6 On
December 21, 2017, EPA designated all remaining areas in North Carolina as “attainment/
unclassifiable” except for the three townships (83 FR 1098; 40 CFR 81.334). For the three
townships, North Carolina began monitoring on or before January 1, 2017 to collect data to
establish a design value for calendar years (CY) 2017 through 2019 to determine compliance
with the NAAQS.
BRPP is the major SO2 emissions source in Beaverdam Township. The DAQ established a
monitoring site approximately 150 feet west of the facility's fence line following EPA
monitoring requirements and began operating the monitor on November 15, 2016.
Subsequently, the monitor recorded exceedances of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. To address this
issue, on October 9, 2017, the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission and
4 Northern District of California against U.S. EPA in Sierra Club v. McCarthy, Case No. 13-cv-03953-SI.
5 Data Requirements Rule for the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Primary National Ambient Air Quality
Standard (NAAQS), Final Rule, 80 FR 51052, August 21, 2015 (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2015-08-
21/pdf/2015-20367.pdf).
6 North Carolina’s Recommendation on Boundaries for the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air
Quality Standard, January 13, 2017.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 5
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
BRPP entered into SOC 2017-002 (see Attachment 1). The SOC required BRPP to submit a
permit application and modeling analysis by March 1, 2018, to characterize the facility’s
emission sources and develop allowable SO2 emission limitations based on modeled predictions
of ambient SO2 concentrations.
The SOC also contained a timeline for the facility to complete planned changes in order to
comply with the CAA Section 112(d) boiler maximum achievable control technology (MACT)
rule by May 20, 2019 per the CAA Section 112(j) requirements in its permit.6F
7 To comply with
the boiler MACT Section 112(d) rule, the facility invested approximately $50 million in planned
improvements to install two new natural gas-fired boilers, permanently shut down two coal-fired
boilers, and install new wet scrubbers and rebuild the electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) on two
additional coal-fired boilers. Although the MACT standards control hazardous air pollutants
(HAPs), these investments in controls for HAPs also significantly reduced SO2 emissions.
On February 28, 2018, BRPPs submitted to the DAQ a permit application for the significant
modification of its Title V permit for its Canton, North Carolina facility to fulfill the
requirements of the SOC. In response to this request, on September 12, 2019, the DAQ issued to
BRPP a modification to its Title V permit (Permit No. 08961T26). BRPP’s Title V permit
includes source specific SO2 emission limitations and associated monitoring, recordkeeping, and
reporting requirements based on applicable requirements for which EPA has previously
approved into North Carolina’s SIP. The applicable requirements are as follows:
The General Condition II of the facility's permit addresses exceedances of ambient
standards.
II. Ambient Air Quality Standards [15A NCAC 02D .0501 (c)]
In addition to any control or manner of operation necessary to meet emission standards
specified in this permit, any source of air pollution shall be operated with such control or
in such manner that the source shall not cause the ambient air quality standards in 15A
NCAC 02D. 0400 to be exceeded at any point beyond the premises on which the source is
located. When controls more stringent than named in the applicable emission standards
in this permit are required to prevent violation of the ambient air quality standards or
are required to create an offset, the permit shall contain a condition requiring these
controls.
The following North Carolina rules apply to the facility:
15A NCAC 02D .0401(c) states:
(c) No facility or source of air pollution shall cause any ambient air quality standard in
this Section to be exceeded or contribute to a violation of any ambient air quality
standard in this Section except as allowed by Rules .0531 or .0532 of this Subchapter.
15A NCAC 02D .0402(e) states:
(e) The one-hour primary standard is met at an ambient air quality monitoring site when
the three-year average of the annual (99th percentile) of the daily maximum one-hour
7 40 CFR Subpart DDDDD, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources:
Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters (Sections 63.7480 - 63.7575).
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 6
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
average concentrations is less than or equal to 75 ppb, as determined in accordance with
Appendix T of 40 CFR Part 50.
Based on 3 years of monitoring data, the 3-year design value is 152 ppb or 202% of the NAAQS.
However, the extensive modifications to and construction of processes and control equipment
completed by BRPP have significantly reduced SO2 emissions and ambient SO2 concentrations.
In CY 2019, the annual 99th percentile of the SO2 1-hour daily maximum concentrations
measured by the ambient monitor near the facility is 34.8 ppb or 46% of the NAAQS. It is
expected that ambient SO2 concentrations in Beaverdam Township will remain below the
NAAQS going forward.
On September 5, 2019, EPA issued guidance for states to follow in developing recommendations
to EPA for designating all remaining areas based on ambient air quality monitoring data. This
guidance provides an option for states to develop a source-specific SIP for a facility like BRPP to
serve as a basis for designating an area Attainment/Unclassifiable rather than nonattainment.
The guidance states:
In general, for the purpose of being used in the Round 4 designations process, one
common example to create a federally enforceable SO2 emissions limit is to establish a
limit by using a SIP-approved new source review permit program, under which a
permit’s limit is federally enforceable upon its issuance. Another less common example
could be to establish a limit in a title V permit followed by incorporating that limit into
the SIP, provided that establishment of the limit implements an “applicable requirement”
as defined under 40 CFR 70.2 that already applies to the source, such as a generally
applicable provision in an EPA-approved SIP that prohibits sources from causing
violations of NAAQS. The DRR would not be such an applicable requirement as defined
by EPA’s title V rules and should not serve as the authority for creating a title V permit
limit.7F
8
Therefore, the DAQ is proposing to revise North Carolina’s SIP under Section 110(a) of the
CAA to include a source-specific SIP for BRPP based on the “less common example” provided
in EPA’s guidance. The SIP for BRPP incorporates emission limitations and monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for sources of SO2 included in the Title V permit for
the facility (Permit Number 08961). As demonstrated through the permitting process, modeling
of the emission limitations and operating parameters included in the permit show attainment of
the NAAQS, and the monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements will assure
compliance with the emission limitations. Once approved by EPA, the SO2 emission limitations
will be permanent and federally enforceable under Section 110(a) of the CAA. The DAQ is
submitting this source-specific SIP for EPA approval to strengthen the SIP to support an
“Attainment/Unclassifiable” designation for Beaverdam Township. In addition, the SIP also
documents supplemental air quality modeling information the DAQ has previously submitted to
EPA to support approval of North Carolina's CAA Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) "Good Neighbor"
SIP for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS.
8 Area Designations for the 2010 Primary Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard – Round 4,
Memorandum from Peter Tsirigotis, Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S Environmental
Protection Agency, to Regional Air Division Directors, Regions 1 - 10, September 5, 2019.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 7
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
2. Attainment of the SO2 Standard
Based on modeling analyses and supported by monitoring data for CY 2019, the SO2 emissions
controls that BRPP implemented to comply with the SOC and that are included in its Title V
permit demonstrate attainment of the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. The emission limitations and
monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements that are incorporated into the permit
(Permit Number 08961), and proposed for partial inclusion in the SIP, provide reasonable
assurance that the entire Beaverdam Township area is now in attainment of the 2010 SO2
NAAQS and will continue to maintain compliance with the NAAQS in the future.
In addition, the DAQ conducted modeling of the emission limitations included in BRPP’s permit
to evaluate the SO2 impacts in the downwind states of South Carolina and Tennessee for the
purpose of determining compliance with the Good Neighbor provisions of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). The modeling results show a maximum 1-hour increase of 1 ppb and 8 ppb
for receptors located on the border of South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. Thus, North
Carolina believes that the emission limitations established in BRPP’s Title V permit will not
likely contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the NAAQS in South
Carolina and Tennessee.
3. Legal Authority
Chapter 143 of the North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) entitled, “State Departments,
Institutions, and Commissions” provides the legal framework for the DEQ’s authority. The most
recent version of the NCGS may be found online at
https://www.ncleg.gov/Laws/GeneralStatutesTOC. The principal citations granting the DEQ
authority to conduct actions with respect to this SIP are listed below. It is important to note that
it is not the intent of the DEQ to have the text of the referenced NCGS incorporated into the SIP.
The DEQ believes that North Carolina’s NCGS are not required to be adopted into the SIP based
upon the EPA Federal Register notice on May 19, 2010, regarding California’s legal authority
(75 FR 27938). In this final rule the EPA states, “We also noted that the actual statutory
provisions and other legal documents relied upon to support a State's assurance of adequate
legal authority need not be approved into the SIP under [Clean Air Act] section 110 or EPA's
SIP regulations in 40 [Code of Federal Regulations] part 51 (although such provisions are
required to be submitted with the plan). Thus, EPA could approve, consistent with [Clean Air
Act] and EPA requirements, and did so in this instance, a wholesale revision to the original legal
authority chapter without also approving the actual statutory provisions and other legal
documents cited therein.”
• NCGS 143-211. “Declaration of public policy.”
• NCGS 143-215.3. “General powers of Commission and Department; auxiliary powers.”
• NCGS 143-215.3A. “Water and Air Quality Account; use of application and permit fees;
Title V Account; I&M Air Pollution Control Account; reports.”
• NCGS 143-215.64. “Purpose.”
• NCGS 143-215.65. “Reports required.”
• NCGS 143-215.66. “Monitoring required.”
• NCGS 143-215.67. “Acceptance of waste to disposal systems and air-cleaning devices.”
• NCGS 143-215.69. “Enforcement procedures.”
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 8
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
• NCGS 143-215.105. “Declaration of policy; definitions.”
• NCGS 143-215.106. “Administration of air quality program.”
• NCGS 143-215.106A. “Assessments to establish Title V program.”
• NCGS 143-215.107. “Air quality standards and classifications.”
• NCGS 143-215.107D. “Emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2)
from certain coal-fired generating units.”
• NCGS 143-215.108. “Control of sources of air pollution; permits required.”
• NCGS 143-215.108A. “Control of sources of air pollution; construction of new
facilities; alteration or expansion of existing facilities.”
• NCGS 143-215.110. “Special Orders.”
• NCGS 143-215.111. “General powers of the Commission; auxiliary powers.”
• NCGS 143-215.114A. “Enforcement procedures: civil penalties.”
• NCGS 143-215.114B. “Enforcement procedures: criminal penalties.”
• NCGS 143-215.114C. “Enforcement procedures: injunctive relief.”
• NCGS 143B-279.2. “Department of Environmental Quality – duties.”
• NCGS 143B-279.3. “Department of Environmental Quality – structure.”
• NCGS 150B. “Administrative Procedure Act”.
North Carolina’s air quality rules are codified in the North Carolina Administrative Code, Title
15A, Chapter 02, Subchapters 02D and 02Q. The current version of the North Carolina
Administrative Code is located at http://reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac.asp. Likewise, North
Carolina’s federally approved rules under the CAA Section 110 SIP are located under 40 CFR
Part 52, Subpart II (§52.1770). The Sections of North Carolina’s rules containing relevant CAA
Section 110 SIP provisions for this submittal are as follows:
• 15A NCAC 02D .0100, Definitions and References
• 15A NCAC 02D .0200, Air Pollution Sources
• 15A NCAC 02D .0300, Air Pollution Emergencies
• 15A NCAC 02D .0400, Ambient Air Quality Standards
• 15A NCAC 02D .0500, Emission Control Standards
• 15A NCAC 02D .0600, Monitoring: Recordkeeping: Reporting
• 15A NCAC 02D .2600, Source Testing
• 15A NCAC 02Q .0100, General Provisions
• 15A NCAC 02Q .0200, Permit Fees
Other relevant air quality rules that are not included as part of North Carolina’s Section 110 SIP
include:
• 15A NCAC 02Q .0400, Acid Rain Procedures
• 15A NCAC 02Q .0500, Title V Procedures
4. SIP Development Process
North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 143B-279.2(1) and (3) authorizes the DEQ to provide
for the “protection of the environment;” and “management of the State’s natural resources.” As
part of this statutory obligation, the North Carolina General Assembly transferred and vested all
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 9
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
“functions, powers, duties, and obligations” of the Environmental Management Commission to
the DEQ by a Type II transfer pursuant to NCGS 143B-279.3(b)(10) and NCGS 143A-6,
respectively. Therefore, the DEQ is granted authority to “prepare and develop, after proper
study, a comprehensive plan or plans for the prevention, abatement and control of air pollution in
the State or in any designated area of the State” pursuant to NCGS 143-215.107(a)(1). This
statutory authority was used for the development and submission of the proposed source-specific
SIP.
On June 24, 2020, the DAQ issued a public notice announcement, in accordance with 40 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) 51.102, indicating that the “Source-Specific State Implementation
Plan for Evergreen Packaging/Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC, Canton, Beaverdam Township,
Haywood County, North Carolina for the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air
Quality Standard (NAAQS)” was available for public comment and posted on the DAQ’s website
for review. The public comment period for the proposed SIP was open from Wednesday, June
24, 2020 through Monday, July 27, 2020.
The public notice announcement also indicated that anyone may request a public hearing on the
source-specific SIP. Requests for a public hearing must be in writing and include a statement
supporting the need for such a hearing, an indication of the person’s interest in the subject, and a
brief summary of the information intended to be offered. To address current guidance to help
minimize the spread of COVID-19, a digital public hearing via Cisco’s WebEx teleconferencing
service was offered to be scheduled if a public hearing was requested. The public notice
specified that a separate notice would be announced for the hearing including the date, time, and
methods to access the WebEx meeting. The public notice requested that written requests for a
public hearing be postmarked or submitted electronically to the DAQ no later than Friday, July
10, 2020. The DAQ did not receive electronically or by mail any requests for a public hearing.
In addition to posting on the website, the public notice announcement for the source-specific SIP
was sent to a number of email distribution lists managed by the DAQ that includes numerous
stakeholders from industry and environmental groups. The DAQ has found that sending the
public notice announcements to these groups is more effective than publishing notices in a few
local newspapers and is consistent with the requirements described in the April 6, 2011,
memorandum, “Regional Consistency for the Administrative Requirements of the State
Implementation Plan Submittals and the Use of Letter Notices.” The public notice also indicated
that, based on the current guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19, all DAQ office
locations are limiting public access to appointments only. As such, the pre-hearing draft of the
source-specific SIP may only be reviewed in person after making an appointment at the DAQ’s
Central Office and Asheville Regional Office.
III. SO2 Attainment Analysis – Technical Document
1. Annual SO2 Emissions and Emission Reductions (2017 – 2019)
For each of the SO2 emission units included in the BRPP Title V permit, Table 1 shows annual
SO2 emissions for 2017-2019, maximum potential annual emissions, and annual emissions for
2019 as a percentage of maximum potential annual emissions. The actual emissions for 2019
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 10
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
provide the best representation (relative to 2017 and 2018 emissions) of the Canton Mill’s
operations after replacing two coal fired boilers with natural gas fired boilers and implementing
other controls to reduce SO2 emissions. The table also provides SO2 control information for each
of the emission units.
Maximum potential emissions were calculated by multiplying the pound per hour (lb/hr)
maximum allowable permit limit for each unit by the maximum hours of operation in a year.
Except for the generators, maximum potential emissions were calculated using 8,760 hours per
year. Maximum potential emissions for the generators were estimated assuming each generator
is operated 500 hours per year. It is important to note that the maximum potential emissions
represent worst-case emissions because processes cannot be operated at 100% capacity
continuously for a whole year and all the processes are not operated at maximum emission
limitations at the same time.
Over the past 3 years (2017 through 2019), BRPP has completed significant capital investments
in boilers and recovery furnaces (including new emissions controls) that have significantly
reduced SO2 emissions by 93% (5,470 tons). These emissions units were chosen for emissions
reductions because they had a more significant modeled impact on compliance with the SO2 NAAQS than other emission units at the mill. Much of the SO2 emission reductions has
occurred during the past 2 years where the facility reduced emissions by 86% (2,497 tons).
Table 2 provides a chronology of actions BRPP has completed since March 2015 that have
reduced SO2 emissions at the Canton Mill. BRPP initially undertook capital improvements to
comply with the boiler MACT which also reduced SO2 emissions. However, as required by the
SOC, the facility further implemented process changes and improved controls to reduce SO2
emissions and corresponding ambient SO2 concentrations to comply with the NAAQS.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 11
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Table 1. Trends in Actual Annual SO2 Emissions (2017 – 2019) and Comparison of 2019 Actual Annual SO2 Emissions to
Permitted Maximum Allowable Emissions for BRPP Canton Mill
Annual SO2 Emissions (Tons)
2019 Annual
Emissions as a
Percent of Max.
Allowable* SO2 Controls Permit ID Source Description 2017 2018 2019
Permitted
Max.
Allowable
Emissions
G08020
No. 10 Recovery Furnace – Black
Liquor Solids (BLS) - normal
operation
575.23 157.64 5.47 122.64 4 Furnace sodium salt fume provides SO2 control.
G08020
No. 10 and No. 11 Recovery Furnace
- Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) -
startup and shutdown
0.00 0.01 0.08 4.76 2 ULSD now used for startup and shutdown.
G08021 No. 11 Recovery Furnace - BLS -
normal operation 461.34 133.19 27.57 122.64 22 Furnace sodium salt fume provides SO2 control.
G08022 Black Liquor Oxidation - Regenerative
Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) 1.07 1.08 0.55 10.95 5 Wet scrubber.
G08023 No. 10 Smelt Dissolving Tank 1.21 1.18 1.16 1.84 63 Wet scrubber.
G08024 No. 11 Smelt Dissolving Tank 1.25 1.19 1.17 1.84 64 Wet scrubber.
G09028 No. 4 Lime Kiln 1.31 1.11 1.41 27.51 5 Calcium in the kiln provides SO2 control along
with the wet scrubber.
G09029 No. 5 Lime Kiln 0.38 0.36 0.50 45.84 1 Calcium in the kiln provides SO2 control along
with the wet scrubber.
G11039 Riley Coal Boiler 1,388.41 833.39 115.08 268.58 43
Commenced initial operation of the new wet
scrubbers on June 29, 2018. Adjusted reported
2018 emissions to account for scrubber SO2
control. The scrubber was operational when the
boiler commenced operation following the
shutdown required to install it. There was no
delay between completion of construction and
operation.
G11040 No. 4 Power Boiler 1,561.36 1,168.63 195.21 360.12 54
Commenced initial operation of the new wet
scrubbers on August 1, 2018. Adjusted reported
2018 emissions to account for scrubber SO2
control. The scrubber was operational when the
boiler commenced operation following the
shutdown required to install it. There was no
delay between completion of construction and
operation.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 12
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Annual SO2 Emissions (Tons)
2019 Annual
Emissions as a
Percent of Max.
Allowable* SO2 Controls Permit ID Source Description 2017 2018 2019
Permitted
Max.
Allowable
Emissions
G11042 Riley Bark Boiler 687.09 602.20 55.07 297.84 18
Commenced monitoring of wet scrubber pH for
SO2 control on September 10, 2018. Adjusted
reported 2018 emissions to account for
additional scrubber SO2 control.
G11050 No. 1 Natural Gas Package Boilers 0.01 0.37 0.40 0.58 69 Startup on May 23, 2017. Permitted to burn only
natural gas.
G11051 No. 2 Natural Gas Package Boilers 0.01 0.43 0.41 0.58 71 Startup on May 23, 2017. Permitted to burn only
natural gas.
G12077 Calendar natural gas and/or propane
hot oil heaters 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.05 20 Permitted to burn only natural gas or propane.
16-CU-001 One 1850 horsepower (hp), diesel-
fired emergency generator 5.6E-03 5.6E-03 5.6E-03 5.6E-03 See note
Permitted to burn only ULSD. Emissions
conservatively estimated based on 500 hours per
year of operation on 15 parts per million (ppm)
sulfur diesel. Actual operating hours are less
than 500.
I-
G23066.f-
ire, I-
G23066.f-
rec, I-
G23066.f-
gen
200 hp Fire Control Generator #1;
200 hp Fire Control Generator #2; 64
hp Lime Kiln Emergency Generator;
227 hp Lime Kiln Emergency
Generator; and 100-kilowatt (kW)
Recovery Furnace Emergency
Generator.
2.5E-03 2.5E-03 2.5E-03 2.5E-03 See note
Permitted to burn only ULSD. Emissions
conservatively estimated based on 500 hours per
year of operation on 15 ppm sulfur diesel.
Actual operating hours are less than 500.
G11037 Big Bill coal-fired utility boiler (tons
of bituminous coal/year) 538.11 0.00 0.00 0 0 Permanently shut down July 14, 2017. Removed
from Permit No. 08961T28 in April 2020.
G11038 Peter G-One Coal Fired utility boiler
(tons of bituminous coal per year) 657.51 0.00 0.00 0 0
Permanently shut down Nov. 30, 2017.
Removed from Permit No. 08961T28 in April
2020. Totals 5,875 2,901 405 1,266
Reduction (2018-2017) = 51% 2,973.51
Reduction (2019-2018) = 86% 2,496.70
Reduction (2019-2017) = 93% 5,470.21
* Represents maximum allowable emissions based on the maximum allowable permitted emission limitation x 8,760 hours per year divided by 2,000 lbs/ton (except for emergency
engines, which are based on 500 hours per year).
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 13
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Table 2. Chronology of SO2 Emission Reduction Actions at Canton Mill (2017 – 2019)
Date Action
3/28/2015
Mill begins operating under CAA Section 112(j) limits incorporated in Permit T16. Planning already in
progress for major capital project (~$50 million) to meet 2019 Boiler MACT (Subpart DDDDD)
compliance date.
8/21/2015 EPA promulgates Data Requirements Rule (DRR) for the 2010 1-Hour SO2 Primary NAAQS Standard
[80 FR 51052, 8/21/15]
3/29/2016 DAQ issues Permit T18, which is a Part 1 Construction Permit allowing the facility to proceed with work
planned to meet the Boiler MACT regulations
11/15/2016 Ambient SO2 monitor begins operation
1/1/2017 Ambient SO2 monitor - Start of data collection for 1-hour SO2 NAAQS
5/23/2017 Started Up No. 1 (East) Natural Gas Package Boiler
5/23/2017 Started Up No. 2 (West) Natural Gas Package Boiler
6/8/2017
The DAQ issued to BRPP an addendum to a previous notice of violation (dated 3/14/17, that was
unrelated to SO2 emissions) and notified BRPP that the DAQ was planning to pursue additional
enforcement action (civil penalty assessment) for the measured exceedances of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.
7/12/2017 Shut Down Big Bill Boiler (Coal-Fired) and removed from Permit No. 08961T28 in April 2020.
Reduction in SO2 Emissions: 1,175 tons per year (TPY)*
10/9/2017
BRPP requested to enter into a special order by consent (SOC) agreement with the Environmental
Management Commission to resolve SO2 NAAQS exceedances. SOC 2017-002 became effective
10/9/17 and required BRPP to take specific actions "…in order to memorialize (BRPP's) commitments to
complete Boiler MACT improvements and, thereafter, to limit the facility's emissions of SO2."
11/17/2017 Installed natural gas startup burners on No. 4 Boiler
11/30/2017 Shut Down Peter G Boiler (Coal-Fired) and removed from Permit No. 08961T28 in April 2020.
Reduction in SO2 emissions: 1,125 TPY*
6/29/2018
Started Operation of Riley Coal Wet Scrubber. The scrubber was operational when the boiler
commenced operation following the shutdown required to install it. There was no delay between
completion of construction and operation. Reduction in SO2 emissions: 2,050 TPY*
8/1/2018
Started Operation of No. 4 Boiler Wet Scrubber. The scrubber was operational when the boiler
commenced operation following the shutdown required to install it. There was no delay between
completion of construction and operation. Reduction in SO2 emissions: 1,775 TPY*
11/7/2018 Converted Recovery Furnace Auxiliary Fuel to ULSD from No. 6 Fuel Oil; Reduction in SO2 emissions:
1,050 TPY*
1/28/2019 Submitted SOC-Required Facility SO2 Emissions Report
5/20/2019 Mill begins operating under 40 CFR 63 Subpart DDDDD (Boiler MACT)
9/12/2019
NC DAQ issued Permit No. 08961T26 on 9/12/19 that incorporates NAAQS SO2 compliance language
into Section 2.2 J of the permit (public comment period began 7/23/19 and closed 8/22/19. No comments
were received on the permit).
12/31/2019 SOC 2017-002 Expires
1/10/2020
Permit No. 08961T27 modifications (Under NC 02Q .0516, this modification did not require public
review/comment because the modification did not contradict or contravene any existing Title V permit
conditions):
• Modified configuration of condensate treatment for collected black liquor oxidation - RTO (G08022)
system to hard pipe condensate to the biological treatment unit to reduce the amount of excess
condensate diverted to the mill sewer system to reduce odors from the facility.
• This permit revision did not affect SO2 emissions limits or monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, or
testing requirements specified in Section 2.2 J of the permit.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 14
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Date Action
5/22/2020
Permit No. 08961T28 modifications (public comment period began 2/29/20 and closed 3/15/20. EPAs
original comment period ended March 30, 2020. On 4/6/20, EPA restarted their 45-day review that
ended on 5/21/20.)
• For Riley Coal Boiler (G11039), No. 4 Power Boiler (G11040), and Riley Bark Boiler (G11042),
replaced CAA Section 112(j) Case-by-Case MACT requirements with 40 CFR Subpart MACT DDDDD
(National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial,
and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters) requirements.
• Remove Big Bill (G11037) and Peter G. (G11038) Coal Boilers from permit.
• Update language for 40 CFR Subpart MM (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
for Chemical Recovery Combustion Sources at Kraft, Soda, Sulfite, and Stand-Alone Semichemical Pulp
Mills).
• Move two natural gas/propane hot oil heaters to the insignificant activities list (potential emissions less
than 5 tons)
• Incorporate minor modification request (application 4400159.20A) to revise the “Minimum Scrubber
Liquid pH” parameter limit specified in Table 2.2 J.2 of the permit.
• Clarified BLOX scrubber averaging period to be a 3-hour block average in Section 2.2 J.
• Revised permit language regarding scrubber monitoring parameters for SO2 sources in Section 2.2 J to
accommodate incorporation of requirements into the SIP.
6/02/2020
Permit No. 08961T29 modifications (Per 15 NCAC 2Q .0501(b)(2) and 2Q .0504, this modification was
permitted using the two-step permitting process. Construction permit T29 was issued following the
procedures in 2Q .0300 and did not trigger public participation requirements under 2Q .0306. Within
twelve months of implementing the proposed change, the facility is required to apply for a revision of the
Title V operating permit following the procedures in 15A NCAC 2Q .0500.):
• Added two insignificant activities (these are not SO2 emissions sources): Causticizer (North) (ID No. I-
G10036.10-TK-026) and White Liquor Pressure Disc Filter (ID No. I-G10036.10a).
• Added footnotes indicating that the recausticizing area sources and the lime kiln scrubbers are modified
under 15A NCAC 02D .0501(b)(2) as the first step of a two-step modification as proposed in Permit
Application No. 4400159.20B.
• Added a requirement to condition 2.1 O.1.b to conduct a particulate matter (PM) performance test
within 180 days of normal operation after upgrades to lime kiln scrubbers as proposed in Permit
Application No. 4400159.20B.
• Added language to condition 2.1 O.1.e to specify that the No. 4 Lime Kiln Scrubber should be operated
as previously permitted prior to the upgrades and that after upgrading the scrubber, the manufacturer-
suggested operating parameters be used prior to the performance test and site-specific operating
parameters be confirmed or reestablished during the initial performance test.
• Added a footnote to the table in condition 2.1 O.5.d requiring that new minimum indicator ranges be
established following the initial performance tests following upgrades to the lime kiln scrubbers.
• Added recordkeeping and reporting condition 2.2 A.6 for projected actual emissions tracking
(allowable emissions of SO2 did not increase with this modification and the lime kilns’ emissions will
remain below the SO2 emissions limitations in condition 2.2 J.1).
• Added condition 2.2 B.6 requiring a permit application to be submitted within one year from the date
the upgraded No. 4 or No. 5 Lime Kiln Scrubbers resume normal operation or the completion of
upgrades to the recausticizing sources as proposed in Application No. 4400159.20B, whichever is earlier.
• Added condition 2.2 D.1.d.iv to require a performance test on the No. 5 Lime Kiln Scrubber within 180
days of resumption of normal operation after the scrubber upgrades. The upgraded No. 4 Lime Kiln
Scrubber will be tested no later than October 13, 2020, per federal Subpart MM requirements.
• Updated Table 2.2 D.2 to specify the operating parameter requirements before and after the scrubber
upgrades to the No. 4 or No. 5 Lime Kiln Scrubbers.
• Modified condition 2.2 J.1.c.iii to refer to the Federal Subpart MM lime kiln scrubber monitoring
requirements in Section 2.2 D.1 instead of the State regulation requirements in Section 2.1 O.1.
• Modified condition 2.2 J.1.d.i to add a requirement to conduct a performance test to demonstrate
compliance with the SO2 emission limit following the modifications to the lime kiln scrubbers.
* Estimated SO2 emission reduction calculated based on a review 2013-2016 reported actual emissions.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 15
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
2. Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (2017 – 2019)
On November 15, 2016, the DAQ began operating an ambient air monitor near the facility. The
monitoring site is located on Pace Street in Canton approximately 50 meters (164 feet) west of
the facility’s fence line. The monitoring site was established and operated following EPA
guidance and regulations for the purpose of establishing a 3-year design value to establish
compliance with the NAAQS.8F
9,
9F
10,
10F
11,
11F
12,
12F
13 Table 3 shows the certified 99th percentile ambient
SO2 concentrations recorded by the monitor for CY 2017, 2018, and 2019, and the 3-year design
value. The 3-year design value for the site is 152 ppb which is well above the NAAQS.
However, the 99th percentile value for CY 2019 reflects the significant SO2 emission reductions
that have occurred at the facility after implementing modifications to boilers and recovery
furnaces, construction of new gas-fired boilers, and installation of new control equipment on two
boilers. Going forward, ambient SO2 concentrations are expected to remain below the NAAQS
as shown by the monitoring results for CY 2019.
Table 3. Certified Ambient Air SO2 Monitoring Data (2017 – 2019)
99th Percentile (ppb)
Monitoring
Site ID
Monitor
Name
County /
Township 2017 2018 2019
3-Year
Design
Value
(2017-2019)
Percent
of the
NAAQS
(75 ppb)
370870013 Canton
DRR
Haywood /
Beaverdam 206.8 213.4 34.8 152 202%
3. Permit Requirements
BRPP’s Title V permit has been modified (Permit No. 08961T26 was issued September 12,
2019) to add Section 2.2 J to address requirements specified in the SOC and place the facility on
track to meet the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS on a 3-year design value basis. The legal basis for
the permit requirements is rooted in North Carolina’s Rule 15A NCAC 02D .0501(c)
(Compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards). As stated in Section 2.2 J of the
permit, pursuant to 15A NCAC 02D .0501(c), when controls more stringent than named in the
9 Data Requirements Rule for the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Primary National Ambient Air Quality
Standard (NAAQS), Final Rule, 80 FR 51052, August 21, 2015 (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2015-08-
21/pdf/2015-20367.pdf).
10 40 CFR 58, Ambient Air Quality Surveillance (https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-
idx?SID=3167f9654633153ed439d0264f9fdb66&mc=true&node=pt40.6.58&rgn=div5).
11 Quality Assurance Project Plan for the North Carolina Division of Air Quality SO2 Data Requirements Rule
Monitoring Program, December 20, 2016
(https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Air%20Quality/monitor/QAPlans/SO2_DRR_QAPP.pdf).
12 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 2016-2017 Final Network Monitoring Plan, Appendix E.
Evergreen Packaging Canton Siting Analysis and Additional Site Information, July 1, 2016, available at
http://xapps.ncdenr.org/aq/documents/DocsSearch.do?dispatch=download&documentId=13137.
13 SO2 NAAQS Designations Source-Oriented Monitoring Technical Assistance Document, U.S. EPA, Office of Air
and Radiation, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Air Quality Assessment Division, February 2016,
Draft, available at https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/so2implementation/SO2MonitoringTAD.pdf.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 16
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
applicable emission standards in Section .0500 are required to prevent violation of the ambient
air quality standards or are required to create an offset, the permit shall contain a condition
requiring these controls.
On February 28, 2018, BRPP submitted a permit application (No. 4400159.18E) to the DAQ
detailing plans for complying with the SOC. The application included proposed emission
limitations and a modeling analysis to demonstrate compliance with the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.
The SOC also required emissions testing for the No. 4 Coal Boiler, Riley Bark Boiler, Riley Coal
Boiler, and the No. 10 and No. 11 Recovery Furnaces after improvements to these sources were
completed. Therefore, the DAQ waited for the source test results and BRPP provided a revised
modeling analysis on February 12, 2019, incorporating revised emission limitations based on the
test results. The test results were also used as the basis for developing monitoring requirements
to verify the emission limitations for the five sources tested. The DAQ approved the modeling
analysis on April 2, 2019 and submitted a draft permit to BRPP for review and comment. The
DAQ addressed BRPP’s comments and proceeded to take the draft permit to public comment
from July 23, 2019 through August 22, 2019. No public comments or comments from EPA were
received. The final permit was issued on September 12, 2019. Table 4 lists the emission sources
and allowable SO2 emission limitations included in the final permit. Table 4 also identifies the
emission sources proposed for inclusion in the SIP.
Table 4. Allowable SO2 Emission Limitations Modeled and Included in the Title V Permit
Permit ID Emission Source Description
Allowable SO2
Emission
Limitation,
Pound per
Hour (lb/hr)
Proposed
for
Inclusion
in SIP
G08020 No. 10 Recovery Furnace - BLS - normal operation 28.0 Yes
G08020 No. 10 Recovery Furnace - ULSD - startup and shutdown 0.54 Yes
G08021 No. 11 Recovery Furnace - BLS - normal operation 28.0 Yes
G08021 No. 11 Recovery Furnace - ULSD - startup and shutdown. 0.54 Yes
G08023 No. 10 Smelt Dissolving Tank 0.42 No
G08024 No. 11 Smelt Dissolving Tank 0.42 No
G09028 No. 4 Lime Kiln 6.28 Yes
G09029 No. 5 Lime Kiln 10.47 Yes
G11039 Riley Coal Boiler 61.32 Yes
G11040 No. 4 Power Boiler 82.22 Yes
G11042 Riley Bark Boiler 68.00 Yes
G12077 Calendar natural gas and/or propane hot oil heaters 0.012 No
16-CU-001 1850 hp Backup Diesel Generator (Engine) 0.022 No
I-G23066.f-ire 200 hp Fire Control Generator #1 (Engine) 2.43E-03 No
I-G23066.f-ire 200 hp Fire Control Generator #2 (Engine) 2.43E-03 No
I-G23066.f-gen 64 hp Lime Kiln Emergency Generator (Engine) 7.77E-04 No
I-G23066.f-gen 227 hp Lime Kiln Emergency Generator (Engine) 2.75E-03 No
I-G23066.f-rec 100 kW Recovery Furnace Emergency Generator (Engine) 1.42E-03 No
G08022 Black Liquor Oxidation - RTO 2.50 No
G11050 No. 1 Natural Gas Package Boiler 0.13 No
G11051 No. 2 Natural Gas Package Boiler 0.13 No
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 17
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
4. Air Quality Modeling Demonstration for Facility
This section summarizes air quality modeling completed to demonstrate that the SO2 emission
limitations in the permit will be protective of the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in North Carolina and the
downwind neighboring states of South Carolina and Tennessee. BRPP contracted with AECOM
to perform emissions modeling to characterize the facility’s emission sources and develop
allowable SO2 emission limitations based on modeled predictions of ambient SO2 concentrations
for inclusion in its permit application. The DAQ and EPA reviewed the modeling analysis
conducted by AECOM. AECOM addressed DAQ’s and EPA’s comments and a revised
modeling analysis was submitted to DAQ. The DAQ subsequently approved the modeling
analysis of allowable SO2 emission limitations for inclusion in the facility’s Title V permit. The
following discussion is based on information provided in AECOM’s report and the DAQ’s
review of the AECOM’s report (see Attachments 2 and 3).
a. Facility Site Location
The facility is located at 175 Main Street in the City of Canton, Beaverdam Township, Haywood
County, North Carolina ("Facility") about 25 km (15.5 miles) west of Asheville, North Carolina
(see Figure 1). The facility is situated on the Pigeon River on a 200-acre site in downtown
Canton. The facility is surrounded by complex terrain with elevations of 1,220 meters (4,000
feet) within 5 km (3.1 miles) of the facility. Figure 2 shows the surrounding topography. Figure
3 shows the location of the SO2 emission sources at the facility included in the modeling
analysis.
b. Facility Operations
The Canton Mill produces a mix of hardwood and softwood pulp from wood furnished by off-
site chip mills. The Kraft cooking process is used to separate the lignin and wood fiber to
produce brown pulp from wood chips. Chips are cooked in batch digesters and discharged into
two blow tanks common to hardwood and pine digesters, respectively. The Hardwood Fiberline
is also referred to as the No. 1 Fiberline and the Softwood or Pine Fiberline is also referred to as
the No. 2 Fiberline. The brown pulp is separated from wood knots and washed. The softwood
and hardwood pulps are delignified in oxygen reactors. After oxygen delignification, the pulps
are screened, washed, and bleached.
The organic or lignin laden filtrates (black liquor) from the pulping, brown stock washing, and
oxygen delignification processes are concentrated in multiple-effect evaporators to produce black
liquor solids (BLS). The concentrated black liquor is burned in recovery furnaces (No. 10 and
No. 11) to produce smelt for chemical regeneration and steam for energy generation and heat for
the pulp and paper processes. Smelt from each recovery boiler is dissolved in weak wash in a
downstream smelt dissolving tank (SDT) forming raw green liquor. Each recovery boiler has a
dedicated downstream SDT. In the causticizing and lime recovery area, the raw green liquor is
clarified and mixed with lime (CaO) in the slaker to form white liquor and lime mud. This white
liquor/lime mud slurry is then clarified to separate the white liquor from the lime mud. The
white liquor is sent to the digester, and the lime mud is conditioned, thickened, and burned in the
lime kiln to produce reusable lime.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 18
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
The mill utilizes multiple boilers to produce steam for energy generation and provide heat for the
pulping and paper making processes. The power boilers include two natural gas-fired package
boilers, two coal-fired boilers, and one coal/biomass fired boiler. The mill also operates two
recovery boilers. Through cogeneration by utilization of steam-driven turbines, the mill
produces most of the electricity and steam required to run internal operations.
Product paper is produced from the pulp on four paper machines. Paper produced on three of the
paper machines is packaged in a converting area and is shipped in roll form to final customers.
Paperboard produced on the fourth machine is trucked to BRPP’s Waynesville, North Carolina
facility where it is coated and shipped to BRPP-owned converting facilities or sold directly to
customers.
Figure 2. Location of Blue Ridge Paper Products LLC, Canton Mill, Canton, NC, and
Surrounding Topography
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 19
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Figure 3. Location of SO2 Emission Sources Included in Modeling Analysis for Blue Ridge
Paper Products LLC
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 20
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
c. Emission Source Modeling – Onsite Sources
American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model
(AERMOD) (v.18081) was used to assess air quality impacts following EPA guidance.13F
14 The
AERMOD model uses a steady state Gaussian plume equation to model emissions from point
sources such as stacks and vents. The Canton Mill is located in an area of complex terrain.
AERMOD-ready meteorological data was created by processing surface data from the Asheville
Regional Airport, upper air data from the Peachtree City, Georgia National Weather Service
(NWS) site, and on-site meteorological data for the years 2012-2016.
The 1-hour SO2 emission limitations were modeled for each source using 5 years of
meteorological data. For each receptor, the 99th percentile of the max daily 1-hour concentration
for each year was averaged over 5 years to estimate the maximum concentration for each
receptor. To ensure the worst-case emissions and source parameterization, based on fuel type,
was modeled, the model was run for all sources together under two scenarios: (1) the recovery
furnaces burning ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) during start-up and shut down, and (2) burning
BLS during normal operation. These two scenarios were modeled because the different fuels for
the recovery furnaces led to different stack exhaust temperatures and exit velocities. Table 5
shows the basis for developing the modeled emission limitations for each source. Further details
documenting the emission factors are provided in the modeling memo (see Attachment 2). The
SOC required emissions source testing of the No. 10 and No. 11 Recovery Furnaces burning
BLS, Riley Coal Boiler, No. 4 Coal Boiler, and Riley Bark Boiler. The source test results were
used to develop the emission limitations and establish parametric monitoring parameters to be
used to verify compliance with the limitations for these five processes. Table 5 shows the
allowable emission limitations and the relative contribution of each source to the total 1-hour
maximum emission limitation for all SO2 sources.
Tables 6 and 7 show the coordinates, stack parameters, and emission limitations modeled for the
recovery furnaces burning ULSD and BLS, respectively. All sources were modeled as point
sources using actual stack exhaust parameters. In accordance with modeling protocol, the actual
stack heights modeled were all below the calculated Good Engineering Practice stack heights.
The following provides information on each SO2 emission source; controls; and basis for the
maximum allowable emission limitations modeled for the attainment demonstration; and
monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, and testing requirements.
Emergency Generators
These emergency generators burn 15 parts per million (ppm) sulfur diesel and are operated
intermittently throughout the year. The units are not capable of burning any fuel other than
diesel and there are no plans to burn anything other than 15 ppm sulfur diesel in these units in the
future.
14 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix W, Guideline on Air Quality Models.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 21
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Table 5. Modeled Allowable SO2 Emission Limitations
Permit
ID
Modeling
Source
ID
Source
Description
SO2 Control
Method
Limit or
Emission
Factor, Pre-
control
Emissions
Basis
Activity
Factor
Control
Efficiency
for Pre-
Control
Emission
Factors
Highest
Actual One
Hour
Emission
Rate During
Test, lb/hr
3-hour
Average
Emission
Rate
During
Test, lb/hr
Modeled
Emissio
n Rate,
lb/hr
% of Total
Modeled
Emission
Limitation
G08020 10REC No. 10 Recovery Furnace - BLS
Furnace sodium salt fume provides SO2 control N/A 27.9 21.4 28.0 9.7
G08020 10REC No. 10 Recovery Furnace - ULSD
ULSD now used for startup and shutdown
0.2 pound (lb)/1000 gallons (gal)
AP-42 Table 1.3-1 (15 ppm S ULSD)
382 MMBtu/hr N/A N/A N/A 0.54 0.2
G08021 11REC No. 11 Recovery Furnace - BLS
Furnace sodium salt fume provides SO2 control N/A 2.3 1.9 28.0 9.7
G08021 11REC No. 11 Recovery
Furnace - ULSD
ULSD now used for startup and
shutdown
0.2 lb/1000
gal
AP-42 Table 1.3-1 (15 ppm
S ULSD)
382 MMBtu/
hr
N/A N/A N/A 0.54 0.2
G08023 10SDT No. 10 Smelt Dissolving Tank Wet scrubber 0.006 lb/Total BLS
NCASI TB 1020, Table
4.15 Median
70 Total BLS/hr N/A N/A N/A 0.42 0.1
G08024 11SDT No. 11 Smelt Dissolving Tank Wet scrubber 0.006 lb/Total BLS
NCASI TB 1020, Table 4.15 Median
70 Total BLS/hr N/A N/A N/A 0.42 0.1
G09028 4LIME No. 4 Lime Kiln
Calcium in the kiln provides SO2 control along with the wet scrubber
314.0 lb/1000 gal
AP-42 Table 1.3-1 (2.0%S #6 oil)
60 MMBtu/hr 95% 0.40 0.31 6.28 2.2
G09029 5LIME No. 5 Lime Kiln
Calcium in the kiln provides SO2 control along with the wet scrubber
314.0 lb/1000 gal
AP-42 Table 1.3-1 (2.0%S #6 oil)
100 MMBtu/hr 95% 0.13 0.10 10.47 3.6
G11039 RLCOAL Riley Coal Boiler Wet scrubber N/A 56.4 54.5 61.32 21.2
G11040 NO4BOIL No. 4 Power Boiler Wet scrubber N/A 71.4 69.3 82.22 28.4
G11042 RLBARK Riley Bark Boiler Wet scrubber N/A 68.0 59.8 68.00 23.5
G12077 PM19NIP
No. 19 Paper
Machine including Nip heaters (natural gas fired) Wet
Fire natural gas or propane only
6.00E-07 pound per standard cubic feet (lb/scf)
AP-42 Table 1.4-2
20,000
standard cubic feet per hour (scf/hr)
N/A N/A N/A 0.012 0.004
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 22
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Permit
ID
Modeling
Source
ID
Source
Description
SO2 Control
Method
Limit or
Emission
Factor, Pre-
control
Emissions
Basis
Activity
Factor
Control
Efficiency
for Pre-
Control
Emission
Factors
Highest
Actual One
Hour
Emission
Rate During
Test, lb/hr
3-hour
Average
Emission
Rate
During
Test, lb/hr
Modeled
Emissio
n Rate,
lb/hr
% of Total
Modeled
Emission
Limitation
16-CU-
001
1850GE
N
1850 hp Backup
Diesel
Generator
Fire ultralow sulfur
diesel only
1.21E-05
pound per
horsepower-
hour (lb/hp-
hr)
AP-42 Table
3.4-1 (15 ppm
S ULSD)
1850 hp N/A N/A N/A 0.022 0.008
I-
G23066
.f-ire
FP200#1
200 hp Fire
Control
Generator #1
Fire ultralow sulfur
diesel only
1.21E-05
lb/hp-hr
AP-42 Table
3.4-1 (15 ppm
S ULSD)
200 hp N/A N/A N/A 0.00243 0.001
I-
G23066
.f-ire
FP200#2
200 hp Fire
Control
Generator #2
Fire ultralow sulfur
diesel only
1.21E-05
lb/hp-hr
AP-42 Table
3.4-1 (15 ppm
S ULSD)
200 hp N/A N/A N/A 0.00243 0.001
I-
G23066
.f-gen
LKGEN
64
64 hp Lime Kiln
Emergency
Generator
Fire ultralow sulfur
diesel only
1.21E-05
lb/hp-hr
AP-42 Table
3.4-1 (15 ppm
S ULSD)
64 hp N/A N/A N/A 0.000777 0.0003
I-
G23066
.f-gen
LKGEN
227
227 hp Lime
Kiln Emergency
Generator
Fire ultralow sulfur
diesel only
1.21E-05
lb/hp-hr
AP-42 Table
3.4-1 (15 ppm
S ULSD)
227 hp N/A N/A N/A 0.00275 0.001
I-
G23066
.f-rec
RFGEN
SET100
100 kW
Recovery
Furnace
Emergency
Generator
Fire ultralow sulfur
diesel only
0.0015
pound per
million
standard
cubic feet
(lb/MMscf)
AP-42 Table
3.4-1 (15 ppm
S ULSD)
0.94
MMBtu/
hr
N/A N/A N/A 0.00142 0.0005
G08022 BLOXR
TO
Black Liquor
Oxidation -
RTO
Wet scrubber
0.25 pound
per hour
(lb/hr)
2007 RTO
NOCS Stack
Testing
10
multiplie
r
N/A N/A N/A 2.5 0.9
G11050 225NGB
LS
No. 1 Natural
Gas Package
Boiler
Fire natural gas only 0.6
lb/MMscf
AP-42 Table
1.4-2
225
MMBtu/
hr
N/A N/A N/A 0.13 0.05
G11051 225NGB
LS
No. 2 Natural
Gas Package
Boiler
Fire natural gas only 0.6
lb/MMscf
AP-42 Table
1.4-2
225
MMBtu/
hr
N/A N/A N/A 0.13 0.05
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 23
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Table 6. Model Inputs for Recovery Furnaces Burning Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) Modeling Scenario
Permit ID
Modeling
Source ID Source Description
Easting
(X)
(meters)
Northing
(Y)
(meters)
Base
Elevation
(meters)
Stack
Height
(feet)
Temp.
(°F)
Exit
Velocity
(feet/sec.)
Stack
Diameter
(feet)
SO2
Emission
Rate
(lb/hr)
G08020 10REC No. 10 Recovery Furnace 332,859 3,934,015 787 203 185 52.9 12.0 0.54
G08021 11REC No. 11 Recovery Furnace 332,854 3,934,026 787 203 185 54.0 12.0 0.54
G08023 10SDT No. 10 Smelt Dissolving Tank 332,853 3,934,005 787 203 155 28.9 4.0 0.42
G08024 11SDT No. 11 Smelt Dissolving Tank 332,855 3,934,028 787 203 156 30.0 4.0 0.42
G09028 4LIME No. 4 Lime Kiln 332,849 3,934,005 787 190 154 36.8 4.0 6.28
G09029 5LIME No. 5 Lime Kiln 332,837 3,934,028 787 204 149 27.6 5.0 10.47
G11039 RLCOAL Riley Coal Boiler 333,058 3,933,937 787 260 130 61.4 7.9 61.32
G11040 NO4BOIL No. 4 Boiler-Coal 333,004 3,933,967 787 260 130 61.8 7.9 82.22
G11042 RLBARK Riley Bark Boiler 332,980 3,934,079 792 145 120 48.6 7.9 68.00
G12077 PM19NIP No. 19 Paper Machine including
Nip heaters (natural gas fired)
Wet
333,362 3,933,924 790 63 181 48.8 2.9 0.012
16-CU-001 1850GEN 1850 hp Backup Diesel Generator 332,541 3,933,621 792 30 900 0.03 1.0 0.022
I-G23066.f-ire FP200#1 200 hp Fire Control Generator #1 333,176 3,934,072 792 11 900 0.03 0.5 0.00243
I-G23066.f-ire FP200#2 200 hp Fire Control Generator #2 333,072 3,934,366 819 8 900 0.03 0.3 0.00243
I-G23066.f-gen LKGEN64 Diesel emergency generators for
lime kilns
332,853 3,933,977 787 10 900 98.4 0.2 0.000777
I-G23066.f-gen LKGEN227 Diesel emergency generators for
lime kilns
332,853 3,933,977 787 20 900 0.03 0.5 0.00275
I-G23066.f-rec RFGENSET100 100 kW recovery furnace
emergency generator
332,821 3,934,084 787 9 900 0.03 0.3 0.00142
G08022 BLOXRTO Black Liquor Oxidizer RTO 332,821 3,934,087 788 100 125 28.0 4.0 2.50
G11050/
G11051
225NGBLS 225 MMBtu/hr Natural Gas
Package Boilers 1 and 2 Common
Stack w/ economizer
333,125 3,934,017 787 165 325 52.9 7.9 0.26
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 24
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Table 7. Model Inputs for Recovery Furnaces Burning Black Liquor Solids (BLS) Modeling Scenario
Permit ID
Modeling
Source ID Source Description
Easting
(X)
(meters)
Northing
(Y)
(meters)
Base
Elevation
(meters)
Stack
Heig
ht
(feet)
Temp.
(°F)
Exit
Velocity
(feet/sec.)
Stack
Diameter
(feet)
SO2
Emission
Rate
(lb/hr)
G08020 10REC No. 10 Recovery Furnace 332,859 3,934,015 787 203 245 52.3 12.0 28.0
G08021 11REC No. 11 Recovery Furnace 332,854 3,934,026 787 203 258 58.2 12.0 28.0
G08023 10SDT No. 10 Smelt Dissolving Tank 332,853 3,934,005 787 203 155 28.9 4.0 0.42
G08024 11SDT No. 11 Smelt Dissolving Tank 332,855 3,934,028 787 203 156 30.0 4.0 0.42
G09028 4LIME No. 4 Lime Kiln 332,849 3,934,005 787 190 154 36.8 4.0 6.28
G09029 5LIME No. 5 Lime Kiln 332,837 3,934,028 787 204 149 27.6 5.0 10.47
G11039 RLCOAL Riley Coal Boiler 333,058 3,933,937 787 260 130 61.4 7.9 61.32
G11040 NO4BOIL No. 4 Boiler-Coal 333,004 3,933,967 787 260 130 61.8 7.9 82.22
G11042 RLBARK Riley Bark Boiler 332,980 3,934,079 792 145 120 48.6 7.9 68.00
G12077 PM19NIP No. 19 Paper Machine including
Nip heaters (natural gas fired)
Wet
333,362 3,933,924 790 63 181 48.8 2.9 0.012
16-CU-001 1850GEN 1850 hp Backup Diesel Generator 332,541 3,933,621 792 30 900 0.03 1.0 0.022
I-G23066.f-ire FP200#1 200 hp Fire Control Generator #1 333,176 3,934,072 792 11 900 0.03 0.5 0.00243
I-G23066.f-ire FP200#2 200 hp Fire Control Generator #2 333,072 3,934,366 819 8 900 0.03 0.3 0.00243
I-G23066.f-gen LKGEN64 Diesel emergency generators for
lime kilns
332,853 3,933,977 787 10 900 98.4 0.2 0.000777
I-G23066.f-gen LKGEN227 Diesel emergency generators for
lime kilns
332,853 3,933,977 787 20 900 0.03 0.5 0.00275
I-G23066.f-rec RFGENSET100 100kW RF Emergency Generator 332,821 3,934,084 787 9 900 0.03 0.3 0.00142
G08022 BLOXRTO Black Liquor Oxidizer RTO 332,821 3,934,087 788 100 125 28.0 4.0 2.50
G11050/
G11051
225NGBLS 225 MMBtu/hr Natural Gas
Package Boilers 1 and 2 Common
Stack w/ economizer
333,125 3,934,017 787 165 325 52.9 7.9 0.26
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 25
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Nos. 10 and 11 Recovery Furnaces
The Nos. 10 and 11 recovery furnaces serve to recover pulping chemicals from spent pulping
liquor (black liquor). In order to start the units up, fuel oil is burned for a period of time to warm
up the furnace. The exhaust parameters during startup differ from that of normal operation - the
exhaust flow and temperature are lower when only startup fuel is being fired. Therefore, two
operating scenarios were modeled. As the furnace warms up, black liquor is introduced into the
furnace and fuel oil is reduced, until the furnace meets full load firing black liquor. During
startup, the sulfur in the fuel oil is oxidized to SO2 and emitted. During normal operation, after
startup is completed, the sodium salt fume in the top of the furnace provides capture of SO2
produced from combustion of sulfur compounds in the black liquor. Some of the sulfur is
captured as sodium sulfide in the smelt bed in the bottom of the furnace. Sodium sulfate
particles generated from the reaction of SO2 and sodium in the furnace salt fume are captured in
the ESP.
For normal operation burning black liquor, the modeled emission limitations are conservative
estimates based on source testing conducted in November 2018. The 28 lb/hr maximum
allowable emission limitation modeled was derived from the highest one-hour emission rate test
that was conducted on the No. 10 Recovery Furnace when the smelt bed in the bottom of the
furnace was building back up after a period of ULSD firing during start-up. Thus, the emission
limitation modeled is based on conditions that yield the highest SO2 emissions that would occur
during a 1-hour period. Emissions would be lower after the smelt bed in the bottom of the
furnace was fully established. This modeled emission limitation was also modeled for the No.
11 Recovery Furnace. It is expected that for the majority of operating time the furnaces will emit
closer to 2.3 lb/hr as evidenced by the No. 11 recovery boiler test results.
The Title V permit requires that the furnaces burn only ULSD during start-up and shutdown.
The modeled emission limitation during start-up and shutdown was calculated using 15 ppm
sulfur in ULSD from Compilation of Air Pollutant Emissions Factors (AP-42), Table 1.3-1.
BRPP’s Title V permit requires the facility to conduct source tests annually to determine
compliance with the emission limitations.
Riley Coal Boiler, No. 4 Power Boiler, and Riley Bark Boiler
These boilers are operated to produce steam for energy generation and provide heat for the
pulping and paper making processes. The Riley Coal and No. 4 Power Boilers are controlled
with caustic wet scrubbers while the Riley Bark Boiler is controlled with a venturi scrubber with
caustic addition. The modeled emission limitation for each of the boilers is based on emission
rates established by source testing after the wet scrubber. The wet scrubber on each boiler is
required to be operated continuously and is considered a part of the physical and operational
design of the boiler.
Testing was conducted downstream of the scrubber while each boiler was burning coal to
develop emission rates reflecting worst-case SO2 emissions after control. For the Riley Coal
Boiler, the maximum emission limitation modeled and included in the permit is 8% higher than
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 26
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
the highest emission rate recorded during three separate 1-hour test runs, or 11% higher than the
average emission rate for the three 1-hour test runs. For the No. 4 Power Boiler, the maximum
emission limitation modeled and included in the permit is 13% higher than the highest emission
rate recorded during three separate 1-hour test runs, or 16% higher than the average emission rate
for the three 1-hour test runs. For the Riley Bark Boiler, the maximum emission limitation
modeled and included in the permit is equal to the highest emission rate recorded during three
separate 1-hour test runs, or 12% higher than the average emission rate for the three 1-hour test
runs. The maximum emission limitation modeled for each boiler provides a margin of safety to
ensure that each boiler will comply with the emission limitation and be protective of the
NAAQS.
Each scrubber is subject to monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, testing, and compliance
certification requirements specified in the Title V permit. The facility is required to continuously
monitor the scrubber water pH and flow rate calculated as 3-hour block averages established
based on three 1-hour source test runs to determine continuous compliance with the SO2 permit
limit. As long as the 3-hour block averages for the pH and scrubber liquid flow are maintained,
compliance with a 3-hour block average emission limitation will be maintained.
For the Riley Coal and No. 4 Power Boilers, testing is required on an annual basis or, once a test
is conducted such that the results of the test are less than 80% of the SO2 emission limitation,
BRPP will be required to stack test only once every five years. This reduction in testing
frequency for sources with control devices, monitored operating parameter limits, and large
margins of compliance is consistent with the federal rules applicable to the facility (i.e., New
Source Performance Standards (NSPS), MACT, Compliance Assurance Monitoring (CAM), and
Title V).
The scrubbers for the Riley Coal, Riley Bark, and No. 4 Power Boilers are also used to comply
with the Boiler MACT. For consistency and quality data, the continuous monitoring system
(CMS) used to measure pH and scrubber flow for purposes of determining compliance with the
SO2 limits in the Title V permit are the same as the Boiler MACT CMS requirements for
installation, operation, and maintenance.
Table 8 shows the change in allowable SO2 emissions before and after installing and operating
the wet scrubbers on the Riley Coal and No. 4 Power Boilers, and before and after requiring pH
monitoring on the Riley Bark Boiler scrubber for SO2 control. The Riley Coal Boiler Potential-
to-Emit (PTE) decreased from 4,019.5 TPY to 268.6 TPY (93.3%). The No. 4 Power Boiler
PTE decreased from 2,812 TPY to 360.1 TPY (87.2%). The Riley Bark Boiler PTE decreased
from 3,828.1 TPY to 297.8 TPY (92.2%). These calculations are based on the previous SO2
lb/MMBtu permit limits and boiler capacities versus the lb/hr SO2 emissions limits specified in
Section 2.2 J of the Title V permit equivalent TPY based on 8,760 hours.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 27
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Table 8. Change in Allowable SO2 Emissions for Riley Coal, No. 4 Power, and Riley Bark
Boilers
Boiler
Allowable SO2 Emissions
per Permit Condition 2.2 J1
Allowable SO2 Emissions in Permit
prior to Permit Condition 2.2 J Percent
Reduction
in
Potential-
to-Emit
(PTE)
SO2 Limit
(lb/hr)
Equivalent
Annual
Limit (TPY)2
Boiler
Capacity
(MMBtu/hr)
SO2 Limit
(lb/MMBt
u heat
input)
Equivalent
Annual
Emissions
(TPY)3
Riley Coal 61.32 268.6 399 2.3 4,019.5 93.3%
No. 4 Power 82.22 360.1 535 1.2 2,812.0 87.2%
Riley Bark 68 297.8 380 2.3 3,828.1 92.2%
1 Allowable SO limits added to the permit (No. 08961T26) to comply with the SOC.
2 ((SO2 limit (lb/hr)) x (8,760 hrs/year)) / (2,000 lb/ton).
3 ((Boiler capacity (MMBtu/hr)) * (SO2 limit (lb/MMBtu)) x (8,760 hrs/year)) / (2,000 lb/ton).
Nos. 4 and 5 Lime Kilns
The Nos. 4 and 5 lime kilns are part of the Kraft pulp mill chemical recovery cycle and following
startup, they calcine lime mud (CaCO3) to produce lime product (CaO). During normal
operation, the kilns emit very little SO2 because the calcium in the lime mud absorbs sulfur and
the wet scrubbers that control kiln emissions also absorb sulfur. The wet scrubbers are primarily
in place to control emissions of particulate matter (PM) and total reduced sulfur (TRS) but also
control emissions of SO2 during startup and can provide some control of SO2 during normal
operation. The kilns are equipped with TRS continuous emissions monitoring system and
scrubber parameter monitors that ensure proper scrubber operation. The lime kilns burn a
combination of No. 6 fuel oil and natural gas during both startup and normal operation, with the
majority of the heat input coming from natural gas.
The modeled emission limitation from the lime kilns represents worst-case hourly emissions
during startup on No. 6 fuel oil (with the scrubbers operational), prior to introduction of lime
mud into the kilns. The kilns go through startup approximately once per month for Kiln No. 4
and every other month for Kiln No. 5. If it is a warm startup (11 out of 12 months), startup takes
less than 12 hours. Startup after the annual cold outage can take 24 to 30 hours with intermittent
heat input so that the kiln does not warm up too quickly.
The modeled emission limitation for each lime kiln was calculated using the SO2 emission factor
for #6 fuel oil (314.0 pounds (lb)/1000 gallons (gal) using 2.0% sulfur) from AP-42, Table 1.3-1,
the burner rating for each kiln, and 95% scrubber control. The modeled emission limitations are
based on startup of the kilns on No. 6 fuel oil (while the scrubbers are in operation) that represent
short-term, worst case emissions only achieved during startup. Source testing was conducted on
each lime kiln during normal operation and the source test results showed that the emission rate
for each kiln was many times lower than the emission rate calculated using the emission factor.
Average values for No. 4 and No. 5 Lime Kilns during the most recent stack test were an order
of magnitude lower than the permit limits, at 0.31 and 0.10 lb/hr SO2, respectively. For the
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 28
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
permitted emission limitation, it was decided to use the higher emission rate based on the
emission factor to be conservative in the modeling. Normal emission rates are expected to be
quite low, based on stack test results, and contribute little to the mill's ambient SO2 impact.
For the scrubbers, BRPP’s Title V permit requires the facility to continuously operate and
monitor scrubbing liquid flow rate and pressure drop established during source testing to comply
with requirements under 15A NCAC 02D .0508 (Particulates From Pulp And Paper Mills); 02D
.0614 (CAM); and 02D .1111 (MACT - 40 CFR 63 Subpart MM). As such, the facility is
required to operate the scrubbers for PM control (which also results in SO2 control) by
regulations that are in addition to the SO2 control requirements specified in Section 2.2 J of the
Title V permit and also ensure compliance with the modeled SO2 emission limitations. The
Subpart MM requirements are cross referenced in Section 2.2 J.1 of the permit.
To verify the modeled emission limitations in Section 2.2 J of the permit, the facility is required
to perform annual testing or, once a test is conducted such that the results of the test are less than
50% of the emission limitation, the facility is required to stack test only once every five years.
This reduction in testing frequency for sources with control devices, monitored operating
parameter limits, and large margins of compliance is consistent with the federal rules applicable
to the facility (i.e., NSPS, MACT, CAM, and Title V).
The upgrades to the Nos. 4 and 5 Lime Kilns scrubbers authorized by permit revision 08961T29
will not increase SO2 emissions above the allowable emissions rates. The scrubber upgrades do
not increase the permitted capacity of the Nos. 4 and 5 Lime Kilns and therefore the allowable
SO2 emissions rates remain unchanged as a result of the scrubber upgrades. As noted above, the
actual Nos. 4 and 5 Lime Kilns SO2 emissions rates measured during the most recent compliance
test in December 2019 were less than 5% of the allowable emissions rate.
Nos. 10 and 11 Smelt Dissolving Tank
These processes dissolve smelt from the recovery furnaces; they do not burn any fuel. A small
amount of sulfur is formed as a result of chemical reactions in the tanks. The smelt dissolving
tanks are controlled with wet scrubbers. Although the scrubbers are installed primarily for
control of PM and TRS emissions, they also control SO2 emissions. Each smelt tank was
modeled with a maximum allowable SO2 emissions of 0.42 lb/hr based on NCASI emissions
data that ranges from non-detect to low, and these emissions are likely a result of either
carryover from the recovery furnace or smelt/water interactions.
The scrubbers are subject to monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, testing, and compliance
certification requirements specified in the Title V permit per North Carolina’s rules 15A NCAC
02D .0524 (NSPS Subpart BB); 02D .0614 (CAM); and 02D .1111 (MACT - 40 CFR 63 Subpart
MM). To comply with these requirements, the permit requires continuous monitoring of the
scrubbing liquid flow rate and pressure drop. Since it is expected that their operation will
contribute to the reduction of SO2 emissions, the facility is required to operate these scrubbers
for PM control (which also results in SO2 control) by regulations that are in addition to Section
2.2 J.1 that also ensure compliance with the modeled SO2 emission limitations. These
requirements are cross referenced in Section 2.2 J.1 of the permit. No emission testing of the
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 29
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
scrubbers for SO2 is included in the permit because the maximum allowable emission limitation
is very low.
Calendar Natural Gas and/or Propane Hot Oil Heaters
Two small natural gas heaters (3.9 MMBtu/hr each) are used to warm oil for the calendar that is
used to roll paper. The heaters heat tubes through which oil is circulated; therefore, the oil does
not come into direct contact with any flames from the heaters. The heaters are permitted to burn
(and are only capable of burning) only natural gas and propane. The sulfur content of propane is
over 70% lower than the sulfur content of natural gas. Therefore, potential maximum emissions
were calculated assuming that the two heaters burn natural gas. The emission rates represent the
maximum SO2 emissions that the sources could potentially emit based on their operational and
physical design. There are no plans to modify these sources to burn any fuel other than gas due
to requirements for operating the calendar (i.e., consistent, and clean heat).
These small natural gas heaters, which have inherently low SO2 emissions, are not subject to any
monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. These sources are required to burn only
natural gas or propane thus ensuring compliance with the emission limitations for these units. In
addition, these units cannot burn fuels other than natural gas or propane because of their
operational and physical design.
Black Liquor Oxidation – Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO)
The black liquor oxidation system is vented to an RTO and a caustic wet scrubber. Combustion
of TRS compounds in the RTO creates SO2. The black liquor oxidation system itself does not
combust any fuel; however, the RTO combusts a small amount of natural gas. The Title V
permit requires the RTO to be controlled by a wet scrubber as part of a Prevention of Significant
Deterioration (PSD) avoidance condition to limit SO2 emissions to less than 40 TPY. The wet
scrubber is required to be operated continuously and is considered as a part of the physical and
operational design of the black liquor oxidation system – RTO. Source testing downstream of
the scrubber measured controlled emissions at approximately 0.25 lb/hr (all runs were less than
0.5 lb/hr). For attainment demonstration purposes, BRPP chose to model an emission rate of 2.5
lb/hr which is 10 times higher than the rate measured during source testing to be conservative.
The scrubber is subject to monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, testing, and compliance
certification requirements specified in the Title V permit. The facility is required to continuously
monitor the scrubber water pH and flow rate calculated as 3-hour block averages established
based on three 1-hour source test runs to determine continuous compliance with the permit limit.
As long as the 3-hour block average for the pH and scrubber liquid flow are maintained,
compliance with a 3-hour block average emission limitation of 0.25 lb/hr will be maintained.
Nos. 1 and 2 Natural Gas Package Boilers
The two natural gas boilers each are rated at 225 MMBtu/hr maximum heat input rate. They
were installed in May 2017 to replace two old coal fired boilers to reduce SO2 emissions. The
two boilers are only permitted to burn natural gas and are not capable of firing oil, coal, or
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 30
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
biomass. The emission rates represent the maximum SO2 emissions that the sources could
potentially emit based on their operational and physical design.
Natural gas fired only combustion sources, which have inherently low SO2 emissions, are not
subject to any monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. These sources are
required to burn only natural gas thus ensuring compliance with the emission limitations for
these units. In addition, these units cannot burn fuels other than natural gas or propane because
of their operational and physical design.
Wet Scrubber Emissions Control and Parametric Monitoring
The air emissions from the No. 4 and No. 5 lime kilns, and the Riley Bark, Riley Coal, and No. 4
Power boilers are all controlled by wet scrubber-type air emission control devices. The Riley
Coal and No. 4 Power Boilers have recently installed (2018) caustic spray chambers for SO2
control. In this case, a caustic spray is injected by four spray bars into an empty chamber
counter-current to the boiler gas stream to react with and remove the SO2 emissions. The spray
injection rate, pH of the scrubbing solution, as well as other operating parameters are monitored
to ensure proper operation the scrubber. The lime kilns and the Riley Bark boiler are equipped
with a different type of wet scrubber called venturi-type scrubbers which differ in operating
principle from spray chambers. These venturi devices were installed historically for the control
of PM but do reduce SO2 emissions. In a venturi-type scrubber, a “throat” section in the duct
forces the exhaust gas steam to accelerate as the duct constricts then expands. The scrubbing
liquid is injected into the gas stream before the throat and is then atomized into small droplets by
the turbulence of the throat. Through this turbulence the droplet/particle/gas stream interaction,
and thereby air emissions control, is increased. In both scrubber types, the caustic scrubbing
solution reacts with the SO2 for subsequent removal of the pollutant from the gas stream.
Scrubbing solutions are generally recirculated but with some portion of the spent solution being
removed from the system.
A common method to ensure continuous compliance with an emissions limit in lieu of
continuous direct sampling/monitoring of the subject pollutant, in this case SO2, is to conduct
what is called “parametric monitoring.” This is a common regulatory approach used in various
Federal Regulations such as the MACT and NSPS and Title V air permits for SIP regulations. In
parametric monitoring, certain performance parameters that are critical to the proper operation of
the emission control device are continuously monitored. For the boilers, for SO2 control, these
parameters can include scrubber recirculation flow and pH. The compliance parameter
minimum levels are typically established during emission source testing to ensure operating at
those parameter levels meets the underlying emission control requirement.
In the case of the Riley Coal, Riley Bark, and No. 4 Power Boiler scrubbers, the compliance
parameters values for the wet scrubbers have been established during SO2 performance stack
testing and are specifically written into the Title V air permit (Permit Table 2.2 J.2). These
parameters are minimum recirculation flow in gallons per minute (gpm) and minimum pH of the
scrubber solution. The parameters are continuously monitored, recorded, and reduced to 3-hour
block averages for comparison to the established compliance values. Parameters must be
maintained above the minimum established values. The CMS for recirculation flow and pH are
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 31
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
required to be properly installed, calibrated, and maintained per referenced regulations.
Deviations from the established parameters must be reported to the DAQ. Periodic stack testing
for SO2 is also required to confirm or re-establish these compliance parameters.
In the case of the lime kilns, the parametric monitoring requirements for SO2 in the Title V air
permit refer to pre-existing air permit and regulatory requirements for proper scrubber operation
and air emissions control. The primary permit reference (Condition 2.2 D.1.) is the Federal
MACT Standard 40 CFR 63 Subpart MM “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants (NESHAP) for Chemical Recovery Combustion Sources.” This regulation has been in
effect for well over a decade and already requires continuous compliance parameter monitoring
for the wet scrubbers installed on the No. 4 and No. 5 lime kilns. In the case of this regulation
and permit condition, the company must install, calibrate, maintain, and operate a CMS that can
be used to determine and record the pressure drop across each scrubber and the scrubbing liquid
flow rates. These parameters are continuously monitored, recorded, and reduced to 3-hour
averages for comparison to the established minimum compliance values. Parameters must be
maintained above the minimum established values. Deviations from the established parameters
must be reported to the DAQ. Periodic stack testing is also required to confirm or re-establish
these compliance parameters.
d. Emission Source Modeling – Offsite Sources
Nearby, offsite, sources of SO2 emissions were evaluated for inclusion in the modeling. The
DAQ reviewed the emission inventory data for Haywood County and identified five facilities
with SO2 emissions during the period 2013 – 2018 (see Table 9). Four of the facilities are
located outside of Beaverdam Township and one facility is located inside Beaverdam Township.
The annual emissions for the four facilities located outside of Beaverdam Township were less
than 3.34 tons. The annual emissions for the facility located inside Beaverdam Township were
0.10 ton. Based on this evaluation, no additional SO2 sources were identified in Haywood
County that, in combination with SO2 emissions from BRPP, would change the modeling results
for BRPP.
Table 9. Annual SO2 Emissions Associated with Other Facilities in Haywood County
Facility
ID Facility Name Permit Class
Annual
Emissions
(Tons) Year1
Located in
Beaverdam
Township
4400020 Harrison Construction Synthetic Minor 3.34 2013 No
4400163 Holston Environmental Services Synthetic Minor 0.39 2014 No
4400802 Giles Chemical Small 0.01 2014 No
4400819 Blue Ridge Paper Products -
Waynesville Small 0.04 2014 No
4400181 Americarb, Inc. Synthetic Minor 0.10 2015 Yes
1 Low-emitting facilities such as the facilities in this table are required to report emissions when they renew their
permit, and permit renewals are required once every 8 years under North Carolina’s Rule 15 NCAC 02Q .0308(c)
(Final Action On Permit Applications).
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 32
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
The largest source of SO2 emissions anywhere near BRPP is Duke Energy Progress’ (DEP)
Asheville Steam Electric Plant located in Buncombe County, Arden, North Carolina. This
facility is located approximately 27.8 km (17.3 miles) southeast of BRPP’s Canton Mill with
complex terrain (ridges) located between the two facilities. From 2017 – 2019, the facility
operated two coal-fired boilers with emissions ranging from about 792 tons in 2017 to 710 tons
in 2019. However, it was determined that SO2 emissions from this facility are unlikely to impact
the airshed in the Canton area for the following reasons:
• DEP has been monitoring SO2 emissions near its facility since January 1, 2017. Based on
certified SO2 monitoring data for 2017 – 2019, the design value is 11 ppb or 15% of the 2010
1-hour SO2 NAAQS.
• The Canton Mill is located in the Pigeon River Valley at an elevation of approximately 793
meters (2,600 feet) above mean sea level (MSL) and the Asheville Steam Electric Plant is
located in the French Broad River Valley at approximately 671 meters (2,200 feet) above
MSL. These two valleys are separated by approximately 19.3 km (12 miles) of complex
terrain, including two ridge lines exceeding 914 meters (3,000 feet) and 1,219 meters (4,000
feet) above MSL. It unlikely that a plume from the Asheville Steam Electric Plant would rise
above the French Broad River Valley, cross two ridge lines, then descend into the Pigeon
River Valley.
• On January 29, 2020, DEP permanently shut down the two coal-fired boilers at the Asheville
Steam Electric Plant in accordance with Session Law 2015-110, Section 2.(c), of Senate Bill
716, enacted by the 2015 session of the North Carolina General Assembly. The two boilers
have been replaced with natural gas combined-cycle units which will ensure that the SO2
emissions at the facility will remain low in the future. On February 6, 2020, DEP notified the
Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency that the two coal-fired units (Unit Nos.
1 and 2) have been officially retired with respect to the two referenced programs effective
January 29, 2020, and submitted Retired Unit Exemption Forms in accordance with EPA’s
Acid Rain and Cross State Air Pollution Rule Programs. DEP is in the process of
dismantling the stack and the two coal fired boilers. The Title V permit will be revised to
remove the coal fired boilers during the fall of 2020.
e. Modeling Receptor Grid
The dispersion modeling receptor grid was developed following procedures outlined in the North
Carolina PSD Modeling Guidance (January 2012). A Cartesian receptor grid system was created
to adequately assess air quality impacts in all directions up to 10 km (6.2 miles) from the facility.
The grid included ambient air boundary receptors with a receptor spacing of 50 meters (164 feet)
along the fence line, and extended outward from the boundary to 1.5 km (0.93 mile) at 100-meter
(328-foot) spacing, from 1.5 km (0.93 mile) to 3 km (1.86 miles) at 250-meter (820-foot)
spacing, from 3 km (1.86 miles) to 6 km (3.73 miles) at 500-meter (1,640-foot spacing, and from
6 km (3.73 miles) to 10 km (6.2 miles) from the plant at 1-km (0.62-mile) spacing. An
additional grid of receptors was added and spaced at 100-meter (328-foot) intervals centered on
the previously modeled maximum impacts and extending out to 500 meters (1,640 feet). The
grid systems were created using the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 33
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
(Zone 17) using the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) (Figure 4). Receptor elevations
and critical hill heights were determined using the current version of the American
Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model Terrain Pre-
Processor (AERMAP) processor (version 11103). National Elevation Data (NED) was
downloaded from the National Map Seamless Server for an area of approximately 25 km (15.5
miles) from the facility.
Figure 4. Modeling Grid Cell Receptors used in Facility Modeling Analysis for Blue Ridge
Paper Products LLC
f. Modeling Results
Table 9 shows the impact of each source at the receptor with the maximum impact and at the
receptor located at the site of the ambient monitor. The impacts are reported as the 99th
percentile of 1-hour daily maximum modeled concentrations averaged over the 5-year period
(2012-2016). The table also shows the percent contribution of each source to the total impact
modeled for the receptor with the maximum impact and the receptor located at the site of the
ambient monitor. The results are presented for both the recovery furnaces burning BLS during
normal operation and burning ULSD during start-up and shutdown. Note that for some of the
small emitting sources (e.g., smelt tanks, calendar heaters, gas-fired boilers, generators, and
black liquor oxidation) the modeling analysis shows little to no impact for the modeled receptor
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 34
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
with the maximum impact. The permit limits are based on the modeled receptor with the
maximum impact, not on the impact at the monitor.
Representative background concentrations were obtained from the EPA’s Design Value website.
There are three active SO2 monitors within 100 km (62 miles) of the Canton Mill. Of these, the
Seneca and Greenville, SC have valid 2014-2016 design values. Of these two, the Greenville
monitor has more sources in close proximity to it and, therefore, was selected as the more
conservative option. The 1-hour design value for the Greenville ESC monitor (45-045-0015) for
the years 2014-2016 was used and is 8 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) (3 ppb) as the
background SO2 concentration for the modeling analysis.
Table 10. Source-Specific Modeling Results
Permit
ID
Modeling
Source ID Source Description
Impact per Source at Receptor Contribution per Source at Receptor
Maximum (ppb) Monitor (ppb) Maximum (%) Monitor (%)
BLS ULSD BLS ULSD BLS ULSD BLS ULSD
G08020 10REC No. 10 Recovery Furnace 4.09 0.09 4.09 0.05 5.75 0.14 8.97 0.12
G08021 11REC No. 11 Recovery Furnace 3.31 0.09 3.27 0.05 4.65 0.13 7.18 0.11
G08023 10SDT No. 10 Smelt Dissolving
Tank 0.02 0.02 0.21 0.24 0.03 0.03 0.46 0.60
G08024 11SDT No. 11 Smelt Dissolving
Tank 0.02 0.02 0.20 0.25 0.03 0.04 0.44 0.62
G09028 4LIME No. 4 Lime Kiln 0.36 0.42 3.23 4.09 0.50 0.65 7.08 10.06
G09029 5LIME No. 5 Lime Kiln 0.48 0.88 5.19 6.46 0.67 1.39 11.39 15.90
G11039 RLCOAL Riley Coal Boiler 23.88 20.99 4.79 3.97 33.57 32.93 10.51 9.77
G11040 NO4BOIL No. 4 Power Boiler 31.58 27.69 8.48 6.34 44.39 43.40 18.62 15.59
G11042 RLBARK Riley Bark Boiler 7.34 13.52 15.10 18.06 10.32 21.21 33.14 44.44
G12077 PM19NIP
No. 19 Paper Machine
including Nip heaters
(natural gas fired) Wet
0 0 0.001 0.002 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
16-CU-
001 1850GEN 1850 hp Backup Diesel
Generator 0 0 0.000 0.000 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
I-G23066.
f-ire FP200#1 200 hp Fire Control
Generator #1 0 0 0.000 0.001 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
I-G23066.
f-ire FP200#2 200 hp Fire Control
Generator #2 0 0 0.000 0.000 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
I-G23066.
f- en LKGEN64 64 hp Lime Kiln
Emergency Generator 0 0 0.001 0.002 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
I-
G23066.f-
en
LKGEN22
7
227 hp Lime Kiln
Emergency Generator 0 0 0.003 0.004 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01
I-G23066.
f-rec
RFGENSE
T
100 kW Recovery Furnace
Emergency Generator 0 0 0.002 0.002 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01
G08022 BLOXRTO Black Liquor Oxidation -
RTO 0 0.00 0.96 1.09 0.00 0.00 2.11 2.69
G11050
and
G11051
225NGBLS No. 1 and No. 2 Natural
Gas Package Boiler 0.06 0.05 0.03 0.03 0.09 0.08 0.08 0.06
Totals 71.14 63.77 45.57 40.63 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 35
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
The 99th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum modeled concentrations averaged over the 5-year
period was added to the background value of 3 ppb. This total concentration was then compared
to the NAAQS to determine compliance. Table 10 shows the maximum ambient SO2
concentration modeled outside of the facility fence line associated with the maximum allowable
emission limitations included in the facility’s Title V permit. The modeling results show
compliance with the NAAQS. A review of the data suggests that the results at the location of the
ambient monitor on Pace Street to be on the order of 60% of the maximum impacts shown
above.
Table 11. Updated Modeling Results for the One-Hour SO2 NAAQS Analysis for Blue
Ridge Paper Canton, Haywood County, North Carolina
Pollutant/
Averaging
Period Years
Recovery
Furnace
Scenario*
Modeled
Conc.
(ppb)
Background
Conc.
(ppb)
Max.
Conc.
(ppb)
NAAQS
(ppb)
% of
NAAQS
(75 ppb)
SO2
(1-hour)
2012-
2016
ULSD 64 3 67 75 89%
BLS 71 74 99%
* Recovery furnaces burning ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and burning black liquor solids (BLS).
The receptor at which the maximum modeled impact occurred is located about 3.2 km (1.98
miles) southeast of the facility’s fence line. Although BRPP has implemented significant process
and control equipment changes at the facility that may affect dispersion characteristics, this does
not mean that the ambient monitor is no longer sited in the correct location. As noted previously,
the ambient monitor was sited following EPA guidance and regulations for the purpose of
establishing a design value based on a 3-year average of the 99th percentile of 1-hour daily
maximum concentrations. The monitor records SO2 concentrations based on actual operating
conditions at the facility. The modeling is performed on emissions reflecting maximum
allowable operating conditions (instead of actual emissions) using the 5-year average of the
highest modeled value for each receptor. The modeling is conducted in this way to determine if
the maximum allowable emission limitations will be protective of the NAAQS given a wide
range of meteorological conductions that have occurred in the area from 2012-2016. Thus, the
modeling analysis and the ambient monitor serve different purposes. The important conclusion
is that the modeling demonstrates that the maximum allowable emission limitations will be
protective of the NAAQS.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 36
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
5. Air Quality Transport Modeling Demonstration
[Note: The DAQ previously submitted to EPA the following information to supplement North
Carolina's CAA Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) "Good Neighbor" SIP for the 2010 1-hour SO2
NAAQS. This supplementary information is provided here because the information was not
included in North Carolina’s original CAA Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) submittal to EPA.14F
15]
The DAQ ran the model used for the facility attainment analysis for the SO2 emission limitations
included in BRPP’s Title V permit to evaluate maximum 1-hour SO2 concentration at the borders
of South Carolina and Tennessee. The modeling scenario includes all SO2 sources including the
emission limitations for the recovery furnaces using BLS (because the emission limitations are
higher than those associated with using ULSD during start-up and shutdown of the furnaces).
For Tennessee, the modeling grid was modified to add receptors along the Tennessee state line
and over the area of Tennessee that is within 50 km (31 miles) of the facility. Receptors were
placed at one-degree radial increments, spaced at 2.5-km (1.55-mile) intervals, at distances
between 30 km (18.6 miles) and 50 km (31 miles) from the center of the facility. Receptors were
also placed along the boundary between North Carolina and Tennessee at 1 km (0.62 mile) or
less intervals and at any significant terrain features between the state boundary and 50 km (31
miles) at any significant terrain features near the state boundary.
For South Carolina, the modeling grid was an arc of receptors positioned along the South
Carolina state line where the border is within is 50 km (31 miles) of the facility.
Figure 5 shows the location of the receptors and maximum SO2 concentrations modeled for
Tennessee and South Carolina. The maximum impact at any receptor was 8 ppb in neighboring
Tennessee and 1 ppb in neighboring South Carolina. For context, 3 ppb is the nearest 2014-2016
one-hour design value for the Greenville ESC monitor (45-045-0015), the most representative
monitor for background near Blue Ridge. Based on these modeling results, the DAQ concludes
that the facility will not likely contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the
2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in either of North Carolina’s neighboring states of Tennessee or South
Carolina.
15 Revision to North Carolina's Clean Air Act Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) "Good Neighbor" State Implementation
Plan for the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide Standard, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division
of Air Quality, June 16, 2016, available at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/air-quality-planning/state-
implementation-plans/110a-infrastructure-certifications/2010-so2-110a-infrastructure-certification.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 37
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Figure 5. Modeling Grid Cell Receptors used in Transport Modeling Analysis for Blue
Ridge Paper Products LLC
6. Conclusion
BRPP has significantly reduced SO2 emissions at its Canton Mill in recent years as required by
an SOC between BRPP and the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission. From
2017 through 2019, the facility reduced annual emissions to 405 tons or by 93% (5,470 tons).
These emission reductions have led to corresponding reductions in ambient SO2 concentrations
near the facility. The annual 99th percentile of the SO2 1-hour daily maximum concentrations
measured by the ambient monitor near the facility decreased from a high of 213.4 ppb (285% of
the NAAQS) in 2018 to 34.8 ppb in 2019 (46% of the NAAQS).
Based on modeling analyses and supported by monitoring data for CY 2019, the SO2 emissions
controls that BRPP implemented to comply with the SOC and are included in its permit
demonstrate attainment of the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. The emission limitations and
monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements that are incorporated into the permit, and
those proposed for inclusion in the SIP, provide reasonable assurance that the entire Beaverdam
Township area is now in attainment of the 2010 SO2 NAAQS and will continue to maintain
compliance with the NAAQS in the future.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 38
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
In addition, the DAQ conducted modeling of the emission limitations included in BRPP’s permit
to evaluate the SO2 impacts in the downwind states of South Carolina and Tennessee for the
purpose of determining compliance with the Good Neighbor provisions of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I). The modeling results show a maximum 1-hour increase of 1 ppb and 8 ppb
for receptors located on the border of South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. Thus, North
Carolina believes that the emission limitations established in BRPP’s Title V permit are
protective of the NAAQS in South Carolina and Tennessee.
IV. Materials Proposed to be Incorporated into the SIP
This section identifies the materials the DAQ requests EPA include in the North Carolina SIP.
These materials identify the emission sources; SO2 emission limitations and associated
monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements specified in Section 2.2 J of Permit
Number 08961T29 for BRPP’s Canton Mill for the coal-fired boilers, recovery furnaces, and
lime kilns.
North Carolina requests that EPA incorporate a portion of Table 2.2 J.1 from Permit 08961T29
to include the SO2 allowable emission rate limitations for seven SO2 emission units at BRPP.
• Section 2.2 J.1.b - Emission Limitations - The following emission sources and emission
limitations from Table 2.2 J.1:
Table 2.2 J.1
Emission
Source
Permit
No. Emission Source Description
Allowable
Emission
Rate,
lb/hr
G08020 No. 10 Recovery Furnace - Black Liquor Solids (BLS)
- Normal Operation 28.0
G08020 No. 10 Recovery Furnace - Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel
(ULSD) - Startup and Shutdown 0.54
G08021 No. 11 Recovery Furnace - BLS - Normal Operation 28.0
G08021 No. 11 Recovery Furnace - ULSD - Startup and
Shutdown 0.54
G09028 No. 4 Lime Kiln 6.28
G09029 No. 5 Lime Kiln 10.47
G11039 Riley Coal Boiler 61.32
G11040 No. 4 Power Boiler 82.22
G11042 Riley Bark Boiler 68.00
Section 2.2 J.1.c - Operating Restrictions - To ensure the emission limitations in Table 2.2 J.1
will not be exceeded, the Permittee shall be subject to the following requirements:
Section 2.2 J.1.c.i
Section 2.2 J.1.c.iii
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 39
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
• Section 2.2 D.1 [Note: Only pertains to the No. 4 and No. 5 lime
kilns and excludes any reference to the No. 10 and No. 11 Smelt
Dissolving Tank Scrubbers (ID No. 08-CD-011-01 and ID No. 08-
CD-012-01) and No. 10 or No. 11 Recovery Boilers (ID Nos.
G08020 and G08021)]
Table 2.2 D-2 provides interim minimum scrubber monitoring parameters associated with the
No. 4 and No. 5 lime kilns based on the manufacturer’s recommendations, and requires BRPP to
establish scrubber-specific minimum monitoring parameters for Liquid Flow and Pressure Drop
through performance testing required under conditions 2.2 D.1.c, d, and h. The DAQ interprets
condition 2.2 J.1.c.iii to require BRPP to meet the operating limits in Table 2.2 D-2, including
any operating limits established under 2.2 D.1.h, in accordance with the monitoring exceedance
provision 2.2.D.1.j., to ensure the SO2 emission limitations in Table 2.2 J.1 will not be exceeded
for these lime kilns. The scrubber-specific minimum monitoring parameters from performance
tests approved by the DAQ will supersede the manufacturer’s recommended limits without
requiring a SIP revision.
Table 2.2 D-2
Source
Description Parameter Values
No. 4 Lime
Kiln
Prior to upgrades to the scrubber (ID No. 09-CD-009-01):
1. Scrubber recirculation liquid flow shall be no less than 289 gpm (3-hour average), and
2. Scrubber differential pressure shall be no less than 20 in. H2O (3-hour average).
After upgrades to the scrubber (ID No. 09-CD-009-01):
1. Scrubber recirculation liquid flow rate shall be no less than the minimum value
recommended by the manufacturer. The Permittee shall establish site-specific minimum
scrubber recirculation liquid flow during the performance test required in Section 2.2
D.1.d, above.
2. Scrubber differential pressure shall be no less than the minimum value recommended
by the scrubber manufacturer. The Permittee shall establish site-specific minimum
scrubber differential pressure during the performance test require in Section 2.2 D.1.d,
above.
No. 5 Lime
Kiln
Prior to upgrades to the scrubber (ID No. 09-CD-010-01):
1. Scrubber venturi liquid flow shall be no less than 224 gpm (3-hour average),
2. Scrubber quench liquid flow shall be no less than 152 gpm (3-hour average), and
3. Scrubber differential pressure shall be no less than 19.2 in. H2O (3-hour average).
After upgrades to the scrubber (ID No. 09-CD-010-01):
1. Scrubber venturi liquid flow rate shall be no less than the minimum value
recommended by the manufacturer. The Permittee shall establish a site-specific
minimum venturi liquid flow rate during the performance test required in Section 2.2
D.1.d, above.
2. Scrubber quench liquid flow rate shall be no less than the minimum value
recommended by the manufacturer. The Permittee shall establish a site-specific
minimum quench liquid flow rated during the performance test required in Section 2.2
D.1.d, above.
3. Scrubber differential pressure shall be no less than the minimum value recommended
by the manufacturer. The Permittee shall establish a site-specific minimum scrubber
differential pressure during the performance test require in Section 2.2 D.1.d, above.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 40
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
o Section 2.2 D.1.f
Section 2.2 D.1.f.ii
• Section 2.2 D.1.f.ii.A
• Section 2.2 D.1.f.ii.B
Section 2.2 D.1.h
• Section 2.2 D.1.h.i
• Section 2.2 D.1.h.ii
• Section 2.2 D.1.h.iii
• Section 2.2 D.1.h.iv
• Section 2.2 D.1.h.v
Section 2.2 D.1.i
• Section 2.2 D.1.i.ii
Section 2.2 D.1.j
• Section 2.2 D.1.j.ii
Section 2.2 D.1.l
• Section 2.2 D.1.l.ii
• Section 2.2 D.1.l.iii
• Section 2.2 D.1.l.iv
• Section 2.2 D.1.l.v
• Section 2.2 D.1.l.vii
• Section 2.2 D.1.l.viii
Section 2.2 D.1.m
• Section 2.2 D.1.m.i
• Section 2.2 D.1.m.ii
o Section 2.2 D.1.m.ii.A
o Section 2.2 D.1.m.ii.B
• Section 2.2 D.1.m.iii
Section 2.2 D.1.n
Section 2.2 D.1.o
Section 2.2 D.1.p
• Section 2.2 D.1.p.iii
Section 2.2 J.1.c.vii
• Section 2.2 J.1.c.vii.A
• Section 2.2 J.1.c.vii.B
• Section 2.2 J.1.c.vii.C
• Section 2.2 J.1.c.vii.D
• Section 2.2 J.1.c.vii.E
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 41
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Table 2.2 J.2 is included in the SIP as a reference point only. As provided in Section 2.2
J.1.c.vii.E of the permit, BRPP may revise the Minimum Scrubber Recirculation Flow and/or
Minimum Scrubber Liquid pH values in Table 2.2 J.2 based on the most recently conducted
performance test approved by the DAQ at the time of permit issuance without requiring a SIP
revision.
Table 2.2 J.2
Source
ID No.
Source
Description
Control
Device
ID No. Description
Minimum
Scrubber
Recirculation
Flow, gpm
Minimum
Scrubber
Liquid
pH
Date of
Performance
Test*
G11039 Riley Coal
Boiler
11-CD-
005-02
wet caustic
scrubber 3,819 5.7 11/20/2018
G11040
No. 4
Power
Boiler
11-CD-
006-03
wet caustic
scrubber 4,395 6 12/18/2018
G11042 Riley Bark
Boiler
11-CD-
016-02
venturi-type
wet
scrubber
1,084 6.1
12/19/2018
flow
11/1/2019 pH
* Date upon which the operating parameter values are based, is the most recently conducted performance test
approved by DAQ at the time of permit issuance.
• Section 2.2 J.1.d - Testing Requirements - To ensure the emission limitations in Table
2.2 J.1 will not be exceeded, the Permittee shall be subject to the following requirements:
Section 2.2 J.1.d
Section 2.2 J.1.d.i
Section 2.2 J.1.d.ii
Table 2.2 J.3 (see below)
Table 2.2 J.3
ID No. Source Description
G08020 No. 10 Recovery Furnace - BLS - normal operation
G08021 No. 11 Recovery Furnace - BLS - normal operation
G09028 No. 4 Lime Kiln
G09029 No. 5 Lime Kiln
G11039 Riley Coal Boiler
G11040 No. 4 Power Boiler
G11042 Riley Bark Boiler
Section 2.2 J.1.e
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 42
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
• Section 2.2 J.1.g - Recordkeeping - To ensure the emission limitations in Table 2.2 J.1
will not be exceeded, the Permittee shall be subject to the following requirements:
• Section 2.2 J.1.g
• Section 2.2 J.1.g.i
o Section 2.2 J.1.g.i.A
o Section 2.2 J.1.g.i.B
o Section 2.2 J.1.g.i.C
o Section 2.2.J.1.g.i.D
• Section 2.2 J.1.g.ii
• Section 2.2 J.1.g.iii
o Section 2.2 J.1.g.iii.A
o Section 2.2 J.1.g.iii.B
• Sections 2.2 J.1.h and 2.2 J.1.i - Reporting
V. Materials Proposed to be Excluded from the SIP
Table 12 identifies the SO2 emission sources for which the DAQ requests that EPA exclude from
the North Carolina SIP.
Table 12. Materials Proposed to be Excluded from the SIP
Permit ID Emission Source Description
Allowable Emission
Rate, lb/hr
16-CU-001 1850 hp Backup Diesel Generator (Engine) 0.022
I-G23066.f-ire 200 hp Fire Control Generator #1 (Engine) 2.43E-03
I-G23066.f-ire 200 hp Fire Control Generator #2 (Engine) 2.43E-03
I-G23066.f-gen 64 hp Lime Kiln Emergency Generator (Engine) 7.77E-04
I-G23066.f-gen 227 hp Lime Kiln Emergency Generator (Engine) 2.75E-03
I-G23066.f-rec 100 kW Recovery Furnace Emergency Generator (Engine) 1.42E-03
G08023 No. 10 Smelt Dissolving Tank 0.42
G08024 No. 11 Smelt Dissolving Tank 0.42
G12077 Calendar natural gas and/or propane (Nip) hot oil heaters 0.012
G08022 Black Liquor Oxidation - RTO 2.50
G11050 No. 1 Natural Gas Package Boiler 0.13
G11051 No. 2 Natural Gas Package Boiler 0.13
The DAQ recommends that the emission sources in Table 12 be excluded from adoption into the
SIP for the following reasons:
1. Actual and potential SO2 emissions from these sources are relatively minor;
2. Modeled impacts from these sources are minor to negligible; and
3. These sources are not anticipated to be modified or to change operation in any manner to
increase actual or potential emissions.
These small SO2 emission sources will be operated per the requirements in the Title V permit to
ensure that they will not be allowed to operate in such a way that results in a violation of the
2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS. At the maximum impact receptor, modeling of the maximum
allowable emissions for these sources combined showed that they contributed up to only 0.10
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 43
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
ppb or 0.14% of the total impact. For the receptor located at the monitor, together the sources
contributed up to 1.62 ppb or up to 4% of the total impact modeled for all SO2 sources. For each
emission source, the following provides a comparison of actual versus maximum allowable
emissions and the contribution of each source to the maximum impact receptor and the receptor
located at the ambient air quality monitor.
Emergency Generators (16-CU-001, I-G23066.f-ire, I-G23066.f-gen, and I-G23066.f-rec)
For modeling, emissions for the six generators were conservatively estimated based on 500 hours
per year of operation on 15 ppm sulfur diesel. Actual operating hours are less than 500. At the
maximum impact receptor, these six emission sources combined were estimated to have no
contribution to the total modeled concentration for all SO2 sources. For the receptor located at
the monitor, together the two sources were estimated to contribute from 0.006 ppb to 0.009 ppb
or 0.01% to 0.02% of the total modeled concentration for all SO2 sources. These sources will not
cause a violation of the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.
The DAQ proposes to exclude these generators from the SIP because they have very low
emissions and modeling shows that they contribute little to no impact to ambient concentrations
at the receptor for the monitor and the receptor of maximum impact. This proposal is consistent
with EPA’s policy regarding modeling of intermittent sources15F
16 and EPA’s 2016 SO2 NAAQS
Designations Modeling Technical Assistance Document.16F
17 Modeling of the maximum potential
emissions for the generators combined showed no impacts at the maximum impact receptor and
very minimal impacts on the receptor located at the monitor. Furthermore, these units are not
capable of burning any fuel other than diesel and there are no plans to burn anything other than
15 ppm sulfur diesel in these units in the future. These sources will not cause a violation of the
2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.
No. 10 and 11 Smelt Dissolving Tank (G08023 and G08024)
The smelt dissolving tanks dissolve smelt from the recovery furnaces; they do not burn any fuel.
Actual emissions in 2019 for the smelt dissolving tanks were 63% to 64% of maximum potential
emissions estimated for these two emission units. At the maximum impact receptor, these two
emission sources combined were estimated to contribute about 0.04 ppb or up to 0.07% of the
total modeled concentration for all SO2 sources. For the receptor located at the monitor, together
the two sources were estimated to contribute from 0.41 ppb to 0.49 ppb or 0.9% to 1.22% of the
total modeled concentration for all SO2 sources. These sources will not cause a violation of the
2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.
16 EPA’s policy on modeling of intermittent sources is discussed in a March 1, 2011, Memorandum titled:
“Additional Clarification Regarding Application of Appendix W Modeling Guidance for the 1-hour N02 National
Ambient Air Quality Standard.”
https://www3.epa.gov/scram001/guidance/clarification/Additional_Clarifications_AppendixW_Hourly-NO2-
NAAQS_FINAL_03-01-2011.pdf.
17 SO2 NAAQS Designations Modeling Technical Assistance Document, U.S. EPA, Office of Air and Radiation,
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Air Quality Assessment Division, Draft, August 2016,
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-06/documents/so2modelingtad.pdf.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 44
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
Calendar natural gas and/or propane hot oil heaters (G12077)
Actual emissions in 2019 for the two small natural gas heaters were 20% of maximum potential
emissions estimated for the two heaters combined. At the maximum impact receptor, maximum
potential emissions for the two heaters were modeled to have no contribution to ambient SO2
concentrations. For the receptor located at the monitor, maximum potential emissions for the
two heaters were estimated to have negligible impact with modeled contributions of 0.001 to
0.002 ppb. These sources are required to burn only natural gas or propane thus ensuring
compliance with the emission limitations for these units. In addition, these units cannot burn
fuels other than natural gas or propane because of their operational and physical design. These
sources will not cause a violation of the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.
Black Liquor Oxidation – RTO (G08022)
Actual emissions for the black liquor oxidation system – RTO in 2019 were only 5% of
maximum potential emissions estimated for the black liquor oxidation system RTO. The wet
scrubber is required to be operated continuously and is considered as a part of the physical and
operational design of the black liquor oxidation system – RTO. At the maximum impact
receptor, maximum potential emissions were modeled to have no contribution to ambient SO2
concentrations. For the receptor located at the monitor, maximum potential emissions were
modeled to contribute from 0.96 to 1.09 ppb or 2.11% to 2.69% of the total modeled
concentration for all SO2 sources. This source will not cause a violation of the 2010 1-hour SO2
NAAQS.
No. 1 and 2 Natural Gas Package Boilers (G11050 and G11051)
Actual emissions for 2019 were 71% of maximum potential emissions estimated for the two
natural gas boilers combined. At the maximum impact receptor, these two boilers combined
were estimated to contribute about 0.05 ppb to 0.06 ppb or up to 0.09% of the total modeled
concentration for all SO2 sources. For the receptor located at the monitor, together the two
boilers were estimated to contribute 0.03 ppb or up to 0.08% of the total modeled concentration
for all SO2 sources. These sources are required to burn only natural gas thus ensuring
compliance with the emission limitations for these units. In addition, these units cannot burn
fuels other than natural gas or propane because of their operational and physical design. These
sources will not cause a violation of the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 45
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
VI. Response to 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix V, Criteria for Determining
the Completeness of Plan Submissions
Pursuant to 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix V, the following shall be included in SIP submissions for
review by EPA:
1. Administrative Materials
a. A formal letter of submittal from the Governor or his designee, requesting EPA approval
of the plan or revision thereof (hereafter “the plan”).
A copy of the SIP submittal letter, signed by the Director of the DAQ/DEQ on behalf of
the Governor of the State of North Carolina, is located at the front of this document.
b. Evidence that the State has adopted the plan in the State code or body of regulations; or
issued the permit, order, consent agreement (hereafter “document”) in final form. That
evidence shall include the date of adoption or final issuance as well as the effective date
of the plan, if different from the adoption/issuance date.
See SO2 emission limitations and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements
for significant emission sources from the BRPP Title V Permit (Permit Number 08961)
detailed under the “Materials Proposed to be Incorporated into the SIP” section of this
submittal.
c. Evidence that the State has the necessary legal authority under State law to adopt and
implement the plan.
DEQ has the necessary legal authority to adopt and implement this proposed revision to
North Carolina’s SIP. References to the pertinent NCGS may be found in the “Legal
Authority” section of this document.
d. A copy of the actual regulation, or document submitted for approval and incorporation by
reference into the plan, including indication of the changes made (such as,
redline/strikethrough) to the existing approved plan, where applicable. The submittal
shall be a copy of the official State regulation/document signed, stamped, and dated by
the appropriate State official indicating that it is fully enforceable by the State. The
effective date of the regulation/document shall, whenever possible, be indicated in the
document itself. If the State submits an electronic copy, it must be an exact duplicate of
the hard copy with changes indicated, signed documents need to be in portable document
format, rules need to be in text format and files need to be submitted in manageable
amounts (e.g., a file for each section or chapter, depending on size, and separate files for
each distinct document) unless otherwise agreed to by the State and Regional Office.
See SO2 emission limitations and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements
for significant emission sources from the BRPP Title V Permit (Permit Number 08961)
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 46
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
detailed under the “Materials Proposed to be Incorporated into the SIP” section of this
submittal.
e. Evidence that the State followed all of the procedural requirements of the State's laws and
constitution in conducting and completing the adoption/issuance of the plan.
The DAQ has complied with the requirements of NCGS 143-215.107(a)(3). Evidence of
“proper study” may be found in the “SO2 Attainment Analysis – Technical Document”
section of this submittal.
f. Evidence that public notice was given of the proposed change consistent with procedures
approved by EPA, including the date of publication of such notice.
DEQ/DAQ has complied with all public notice requirements of 40 CFR 51.102. A copy
of the public notice and the pre-hearing draft submittal letter to EPA is provided in
Section VII (Public Participation) of this document.
g. Certification that public hearing(s) were held in accordance with the information
provided in the public notice and the State's laws and constitution, if applicable and
consistent with the public hearing requirements in 40 CFR 51.102.
Certification of compliance with all applicable public notice and hearing requirements is
provided in the SIP submittal letter.
h. Compilation of public comments and the State's response thereto.
The DAQ did not receive any written comments during the public notice period. The
EPA provided a no-comment letter that is included in Section VII (Public Participation)
of this document.
2. Technical Support
a. Identification of all regulated pollutants affected by the plan.
This SIP revision addresses only the air pollutant SO2.
b. Identification of the locations of affected sources including the EPA
attainment/nonattainment designation of the locations and the status of the attainment
plan for the affected areas(s).
This SIP revision is to support EPA in completing the designation status for the 2010 1-
hour SO2 NAAQS for Beaverdam Township located in Haywood County, North
Carolina. BRPP is the only major source facility of SO2 emissions located within
Beaverdam Township. The facility is located at 175 Main Street in the City of Canton,
Beaverdam Township, Haywood County, North Carolina ("Facility") about 25 km (15.5
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 47
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
miles) west of Asheville, North Carolina. The facility is situated on the Pigeon River on
a 200-acre site in downtown Canton.
c. Quantification of the changes in plan allowable emissions from the affected sources;
estimates of changes in current actual emissions from affected sources or, where
appropriate, quantification of changes in actual emissions from affected sources through
calculations of the differences between certain baseline levels and allowable emissions
anticipated as a result of the revision.
See SO2 emission limitations and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements
for significant emission sources from the BRPP Title V Permit (Permit Number 08961)
detailed under the “Materials Proposed to be Incorporated into the SIP” section of this
submittal.
d. The State's demonstration that the national ambient air quality standards, prevention of
significant deterioration increments, reasonable further progress demonstration, and
visibility, as applicable, are protected if the plan is approved and implemented. For all
requests to redesignate an area to attainment for a national primary ambient air quality
standard, under section 107 of the Act, a revision must be submitted to provide for the
maintenance of the national primary ambient air quality standards for at least 10 years as
required by section 175A of the Act.
Because Beaverdam Township has yet to be designated by EPA with respect to the 2010
1-hour SO2 NAAQS, the CAA Section 107 requirements do not apply. However, the
monitoring data provided in this document show that since CY 2017 BRPP has controlled
its SO2 emissions to the extent that for CY 2019 the 99th percentile for the ambient
monitoring site near the facility is 34.8 ppb, or 46% of the NAAQS. The modeling
analysis of the SO2 emission limitations proposed for including in the SIP demonstrates
compliance with the SO2 NAAQS. In addition, the modeling analysis also shows that
BRPP will not contribute to a violation of the NAAQS in North Carolina’s neighboring
states of Tennessee and South Carolina. Thus, the DAQ believes that the emission
limitations and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements proposed for
inclusion in the SIP revision will be protective of the SO2 NAAQS.
The EPA’s September 5, 2019, guidance to states for developing recommendations for
designating all remaining areas for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS provides an option to develop a
source-specific SIP for a facility like BRPP to serve as a basis for designating an area
“Attainment/Unclassifiable.” The DAQ is submitting this source-specific SIP for EPA
approval to strengthen the SIP to support an “Attainment/Unclassifiable” designation for
Beaverdam Township. In addition, the SIP also documents supplemental air quality
modeling information the DAQ has previously submitted to EPA to support approval of
North Carolina's CAA Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) "Good Neighbor" SIP for the 2010 SO2
NAAQS.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 48
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
e. Modeling information required to support the proposed revision, including input data,
output data, models used, justification of model selections, ambient monitoring data used,
meteorological data used, justification for use of offsite data (where used), modes of
models used, assumptions, and other information relevant to the determination of
adequacy of the modeling analysis.
See Section III.4 (Air Quality Modeling Demonstration for Facility), Section III.5 (Air
Quality Transport Modeling Demonstration), and Attachments 2 and 3 of this submittal.
f. Evidence, where necessary, that emission limitations are based on continuous emission
reduction technology.
See the “Sulfur Dioxide Attainment Analysis – Technical Document” section of this
submittal.
g. Evidence that the plan contains emission limitations, work practice standards and
recordkeeping/reporting requirements, where necessary, to ensure emission levels.
See SO2 emission limitations and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements
for significant emission sources from the BRPP Title V Permit (Permit Number 08961)
detailed under the “Materials Proposed to be Incorporated into the SIP” section of this
submittal.
h. Compliance/enforcement strategies, including how compliance will be determined in
practice.
See SO2 emission limitations and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements
for significant emission sources from the BRPP Title V Permit (Permit Number 08961)
detailed under the “Materials Proposed to be Incorporated into the SIP” section of this
submittal.
i. Special economic and technological justifications required by any applicable EPA
policies, or an explanation of why such justifications are not necessary.
Not applicable.
3. Exceptions
Not applicable.
Final
Source-Specific SIP for Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC 49
for 2010 1-Hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 3, 2020
VII. Public Participation
This section provides copies of the following items:
1. Notice of Opportunity to Submit Comments and Participate in Public Hearing
2. Pre-Hearing Draft Submittal Letter to EPA
3. EPA No-Comment Letter
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PURPOSE:
COMMENT
PROCEDURES:
REQUESTS
FORA PUBLIC
HEARING:
PUBLIC NOTICE
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality (DAQ), hereby
gives notice regarding its pre-hearing draft of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision for the
Source-Specific State Implementation Plan for Evergreen Packaging/Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC,
Canton, Beaverdam Township, Haywood County, North Carolina/or the 20101-Hour Su/far Dioxide
National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). By complying with a Special Order by Consent
(SOC 2017-002) between the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission and Blue Ridge
Paper Products, LLC, (BRPP), the facility has reduced its annual sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions to 405
tons or by 93% (5,470 tons) from 2017 to 2019. These emission reductions have led to corresponding
reductions in ambient SO2 concentrations near the facility. The annual 99th percentile of the SO2 1-hour
daily maximum concentrations measured by the ambient monitor near the facility decreased from a
high of 213.4 parts per billion (ppb) (285% of the NAAQS) in 2018 to 34.8 ppb in 2019 (46% of the
NAAQS). Modeling of the emission limitations show attainment of the NAAQS. Once finalized, the
DAQ will submit this source-specific SIP to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
requesting EPA approval into the North Carolina SIP the SO2 emission limits and associated
compliance parameters for specific emission units in BRPP's Title V operating permit (Permit No.
08961 T29) to strengthen the SIP for complying with the 2010 1-hour SO2 NAAQS in Beaverdam
Township. The DAQ will also request EPA approval of this source-specific SIP to qualify the
Beaverdam Township area for an "Attainment/Unclassifiable" designation pursuant to EPA's
September 5, 2019, designation guidance. The SIP also documents supplemental air quality modeling
information the DAQ has previously submitted to EPA to support approval of North Carolina's Clean
Air Act Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) "Good Neighbor" SIP for the SO2 NAAQS.
Any person wishing to comment may submit a written statement for inclusion in the record of
proceedings regarding the pre-hearing draft of the Source-Specific State Implementation Plan for
Evergreen Packaging/Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC, Canton, Beaverdam Township, Haywood
County, North Carolina for the 2010 I-Hour Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS). Written comments should be submitted electronically or postmarked no later than July 27,
2020.
Requests for a public hearing must be in writing and include a statement supporting the
need for such a hearing, an indication of your interest in the subject, and a brief summary of the
information intended to be offered. In order to address current guidance to help minimize the spread of
COVID-19, a digital public hearing via Cisco's WebEx teleconferencing service will be scheduled if a
public hearing is requested. A separate notice will be announced for the hearing including the date,
time, and methods to access the W ebEx meeting. Written requests for a public hearing should be
postmarked or submitted electronically no later than July I 0, 2020.
INFORMATION: Copies of the pre-hearing draft of the Source-Specific State Implementation Plan for Evergreen
Packaging/Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC, Canton, Beaverdam Township, Haywood County, North
Carolina for the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) may be
downloaded from the DAQ website at https://deg.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/air-quality-
planning/state-implementation-plans-sips/sulfur-dioxide-so2. Comments or requests for a public
hearing can be submitted to: dag.publiccomments(a),ncdenr.gov (Please type "BRPP SIP" in the subject
line).
Alternatively, comments or requests for a public hearing can be mailed or faxed to:
Randy Strait Fax: (919) 715-0718
NC Division of Air Quality
1641 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1641
Based on the current guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19, all DAQ office locations are
limiting public access to appointments only. As such, the pre-hearing draft of the SIP may only be
reviewed in person after making an appointment at the following DAQ offices:
Raleigh Central Office, Planning Section (919) 707-8403
Asheville Regional Office (828) 296-4500
Date: ~/J '-{ /)o <~ ~ ~A ~ A~czinskas, DAQ Director
(This page intentionally left blank)
ROYCOOPER NORTH CAROLINA
Envfronmental Qua/tty Gcwemor
MICHAELS. REGAN
S!'cretary
MICHAEL ABRACZINSKAS
Director
Mary S. Walker, Regional Administrator
USEP A Region 4
Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303-8960
June 24, 2020
Subject: Pre-Hearing Draft of Source-Specific State Implementation Plan Revision for
Sources of Sulfur Dioxide Included in Evergreen Packaging/Blue Ridge Paper
Products, LLC, Title V Operating Pennit (Permit No. 08961 T29)
Dear Ms. Walker:
I am pleased to submit the pre-hearing draft of the Source-Specific State Implementation Plan for
Evergreen Packaging/Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC, Canton, Beaverdam Township,
Haywood County, North Carolina for the 20 IO ]-Hour Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air
Quality Standard (NAAQS). Enclosed is the complete package containing the proposed State
Implementation Plan (SIP) revision uploaded into the State Planning Electronic Collaboration
System (SPeCS) for SIPs interface for your staff to review. I would like the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider this submission for parallel processing for
approval.
On October 9, 2017, the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission and Evergreen
Packaging/Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC (BRPP) entered into a Special Order by Consent
(SOC 2017-002) to implement process modifications, upgrade existing control equipment, and
install new control equipment to reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions and keep associated
ambient concentrations below the 2010 I-hour NAAQS. BRPP has complied with the SOC and,
as a result, reduced its annual S02 emissions to 405 tons or by 93% (5,470 tons) from 2017 to
2019. These emission reductions have led to corresponding reductions in ambient SO2
concentrations near the facility. The annual 991b percentile of the S 02 1-hour daily maximum
concentrations measured by the ambient monitor near the facility decreased from a high of 213.4
parts per billion (ppb) (285% of the NAAQS) in 2018 to 34.8 ppb in 2019 (46% of the NAAQS).
North Carolina is requesting EPA approve into the SIP, through parallel processing, the SO2
emission limits and associated compliance parameters for specific emission units in BRPP's Title
V operating permit (Permit No. 08961 T29) to strengthen the SIP for complying with the 2010
1-hour S02 NAAQS in Beaverdam Township.
North Carolina Departml!!nt of Envlronmental Quality I DMslon of Air Ql.lallty
217 Wt!stjonl!!s Street I 1641 Mall Service Ct-nter I RalC!'lgh, North Caroltna 27699-1641
91<1.707.8400
Mary S. Walker
June 24, 2020
Page2
As demonstrated through the State's Title V permitting process, modeling of the emission
limitations included in the permit show attainment of the NAAQS, and the monitoring,
recordkeeping, and reporting requirements included in the permit support compliance with the
emission limitations. Once EPA approves this proposed SIP revision, the S02 emission limits
and associated monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements will be permanent and
federally enforceable under Section 1 l0(a) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to ensure that future
ambient SO2 concentrations in Beaverdam Township will remain below the NAAQS.
The EPA's September 5, 2019, guidance to states for developing recommendations for
designating all remaining areas for the 2010 SO2 NAAQS provides an option to develop a
source-specific SIP for a facility like BRPP to serve as a basis for designating an area
"Attainment/Unclassifiable." Therefore, the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is also submitting
this source-specific SIP for EPA's approval to not only strengthen the SIP for complying with
the 1-hour SO2 standard in Beaverdam Township, but also to qualify the Beaverdam Township
area for an "Attainment/ Unclassifiable" designation pursuant to EPA's 2019 designation
guidance. The SIP also documents supplemental air quality modeling information the DAQ has
previously submitted to EPA to support approval of North Carolina's CAA Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) "Good Neighbor" SIP for the SOz NAAQS.
The DAQ will issue a public notice announcement, in accordance with 40 CFR 51.102,
indicating that the Source-Specific State Implementation Plan for Evergreen Packaging/Blue
Ridge Paper Products, LLC, Canton, Beaverdam Township, Haywood County, North Carolina
for the 20101-Hour Sulfar Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) is
available for public comment and posted on the DAQ website for review. The public notice
announcement will indicate that anyone may request a public hearing. The public hearing
location, date, and time will be established and properly noticed if a public hearing is requested.
The public comment period will be open from Wednesday, June 24 through Monday, July 27,
2020. The DAQ intends to submit the final version of this pre-hearing draft by Friday, August
14, 2020, after considering relevant public comments.
In addition to posting on the website, the public notice announcement will be sent to a number of
email distribution lists managed by the DAQ, which will include numerous stakeholders from
industry and environmental groups. The DAQ has found that sending the public notice
announcements to these groups is more effective than publishing the notices in a few local
newspapers and is consistent with the requirements described in the April 6, 2011, memorandum,
"Regional Consistency for the Administrative Requirements of the State Implementation Plan
Submittals and the Use of Letter Notices. "
The document will also be made available for in person review during normal business hours at
the DAQ Central Office in Raleigh and the Asheville Regional Office. Based on the current
guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19, all DAQ office locations are limiting public
access to appointments only. As such, the Pre-Hearing Draft of the demonstration may only be
reviewed in person after making an appointment at the DAQ Central Office in Ra]eigh or the
Asheville Regional Office.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Air Ql.lality
217 West Jones Street I 1641 Mall Servlce Center I Raleigh, North Carollna 27699-1641
919.707.8400
Mary S. Walker
June 24, 2020
Page3
If you should have any questions, please contact Randy Strait of my staff at (919) 707-8721 or
randy.strait@,ncdenr.gov.
MAA/mfd
Enclosures
cc: Michael Pjetraj, DAQ
Brendan Davey, DAQ
Randy Strait, DAQ
Evan Adams, USEP A
Lynorae Benjamin, USEPA
Jane Spann, USEP A
Twunjala Bradley, USEP A·
Sincerely,
Michael A. Abraczinskas, Director
Division of Air Quality, NCDEQ
North Carolina DepartlllE'nt of Environmental Quality I Division of Air Quality
217 West Jones Street I 1641 Mail St-rvlce Cent<"r I Raleigh, North Carol!na 271,qq-lt,4 I
':ll';l.707.8400
(This page intentionally left blank)
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 4
ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER
61 FORSYTH STREET, SW
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-3104
July 23, 2020
Mr. Michael Abraszinskas, Director
Division of Air Quality
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
1641 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1641
Dear Mr. Abraszinskas:
Thank you for your letter dated June 24, 2020, transmitting a prehearing package regarding the Source-
Specific State Implementation Plan (SIP) Revision for Sources of Sulfur Dioxide Included in Evergreen
Packaging/Blue Ridge Paper Products, LLC, Title V Operating Permit (Permit No. 08961T29). No
public hearing was requested at this time and written comments are due by the close of business on
July 27, 2020. We have completed our review of the package and offer no comments at this time.
We appreciate North Carolina working with us so proactively on this SIP revision, and we look forward
to continuing to work with you and your staff. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Jane Spann,
Acting Chief, Air Regulatory Management Section at (404) 562-9029, or your staff contact Mr. Evan
Adams at (404) 562-9009.
Sincerely,
Lynorae Benjamin
Acting Chief
Air Planning and Implementation Branch
cc: Randy Strait, DAQ
Patrick Knowlson, DAQ
Joelle Burleson, DAQ