NC0081931_Draft Permit_20200616

STATE
jF „
ROY COOPER
y
Governor
MICHAEL S.REGAN
SecretaryS.DANIEL SMITH NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
June 16, 2020
Mr. Paul Tran, South East Regional Manager
Cube Yadkin Generation LLC
P.O.Box 575
Badin,NC 28009
Subject: Draft NPDES Permit Renewal
Permit NC0081931
High Rock Powerhouse
Davidson County
Grade I Physical-Chemical WPCS
SIC Code 4911
Dear Mr. Tran:
Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the Draft NPDES permit renewal for your facility. Please
review this draft carefully to ensure thorough understanding of the requirements and conditions it
contains. There are several changes from the existing permit, including the following:
• Some of the wording changed in Special Condition A. (5.), Electronic Reporting — Discharge
Monitoring Reports;please review each paragraph carefully.
The NPDES standard conditions(Parts II,III,and IV)that are a part of the permit are not included
in this draft document (cover, map, and Part I). The conditions are the same as in your current
permit except that agency and division names have been updated.The latest version is available at
https://bit.ly/2BZ4xxx and can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file.
Concurrent with this notification the Division is publishing a notice in a newspaper having
circulation in the general Davidson County area, soliciting public comments on this draft permit.
Please provide any written comments you may have to the following: NCDEQ/DWR,NPDES
Permitting Branch, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh,NC 27699-1617 no later than 30 days
after receipt of this draft permit.
Following the 30-day public comment period, the Division will review all pertinent comments
and take appropriate action prior to issuing a final permit. If you have questions concerning this
draft permit, please call me at(919) 707-3613 or by email at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
C44-ay Kurtz,
Cassidy Kurtz, Engineer
NPDES Complex Permitting Unit
-- North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
D EQ�� 512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
NORTH CAROLINA
EnoiroaremlaA /� 919.707.9000

Hardcopy: NPDES Files
Ecopy: DWR/Mooresville Regional Office/Water Quality/Cory Basinger
DWR/Operator Certification Program/Maureen Kinney
DWR/Public Water Supply/Clinton Cook
Page 2 of 2

Permit NC0081931
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
DRAF PERMIT
TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
(NPDES)
In compliance with the provision of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1,other lawful standards and
regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission,
and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended,
Cube Yadkin Generation LLC
is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the
High Rock Powerhouse
3344 Bringle Ferry Road, Denton
Davidson County
to receiving waters designated as the Yadkin River in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin in accordance
with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, and other applicable conditions set forth in Parts I, II,
III and IV hereof.
This permit shall become effective Month DD, 2020.
This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on January 31, 2025.
Signed this day Month DD, 2020.
DRAFT
S. Daniel Smith, Director
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission

Permit NC0081931
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility,whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked.As of this permit issuance,any previously issued permit bearing this number is no longer
effective.Therefore,the exclusive authority to operate and discharge from this facility arises under the
permit conditions,requirements,terms, and provisions included herein.
Cube Yadkin Generation LLC
is hereby authorized to:
1. continue to operate a once-through cooling water servicing High Rock Powerhouse, 3344
Bringle Ferry Road,Denton in Davidson County, and
2. to continue to operate a Stormwater Discharge System, including a stormwater conveyance
system servicing secondary containment for electric transformers,and
3. to construct and begin operating facilities classified as low-volume wastes including an oil/water
separator and treated conveyance system, and
Ar
4 �'�.•.
4. discharge cooling water from said treatment works via Outfalls 001,002 and 003;discharge
stormwater via Outfall 004; and discharge low-volume wastes including an oil/water separator
via Outfall 005,at locations specified on the attached map, into the Yadkin River[stream
segment 12-(136.3)], a waterbody currently classified WS-IV; B within subbasin 03-07-08
[HUC: 03040103]of the Yadkin River Basin.
Page 2 of 8

Permit NC0081931
Part I
A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 15A NCAC 02B.0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration,the Permittee
is authorized to discharge once-through cooling water from Outfalls 001,002 and 003. Such
discharges shall be limited,and monitored and reported t by the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETER EFFLUENT LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS Monthly Daily Maximum Measurement Sample Sample
PARAMETER CODE Average Frequency Type Location 2
Flow(MGD) 50050 Annual Estimate Effluent
Temperature 00010 Annual Grab Effluent
(°C)3
pH 00400 Between 6.0 and 9.0 standard units Annual Grab Effluent
Footnotes:
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports(DMRs)electronically using the Division's eDMR
reporting system[see section A.(5.)].Monitoring results obtained during the calendar year shall be recorded
and reported on the annual Discharge Monitoring Report(DMR)form,and postmarked no later than January
30th following the completed reporting period. Samples obtained for monitoring purposes may be collected
anytime during the calendar year.
2. The Permittee shall sample effluent, prior to mixing with other waters,at a point feasibly closest to
discharge where a representative sample can be obtained.
3. Effluent temperature shall not increase receiving-stream temperature by more than 2.8 °C above natural
ambient conditions. In no case shall facility operations cause the receiving stream temperature to
exceed 32°C. A representative effluent temperature shall be sampled anywhere downstream of the heat
exchanger.
Conditions:
• The Permittee shall discharge no floating solids or foam visible in other than trace amounts unless
documented ambient river conditions prevent compliance.
• See Biocide Condition A.(3.).
Page 3 of 8

Permit NC0081931
A. (2.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 15A NCAC 02B.0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration,the Permittee
is authorized to discharge stormwater from Outfall 004. Such discharges shall be limited and
monitored by the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETER EFFLUENT LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS Monthly Daily Maximum Measurement Sample Sample
PARAMETER CODE Average Frequency Type Location
BMPs
Best Management Practices (BMPs)--The Division authorizes the Permittee to use Best
Management Practices for stormwater discharge from secondary containment around transformers
under the following conditions:
1. Sumps shall be designed with underflow weirs/devices to prevent discharge of oily stormwater.
2. The Permittee shall perform at minimum weekly transformer inspections as routine maintenance
procedures to preventive and detect oil leaks and drips.
3. Inspection of the sump for the presence of oil, as indicated by a visible sheen, shall be
conducted prior to any discharge.
4. For each discharge event,the Permittee shall maintain logs documenting time, date, and volume
of stormwater discharge.
5. All stormwater discharge events shall be reported/included with the annual Discharge
Monitoring Report(DMR).
6. The Permittee shall discharge no floating solids or foam visible in other than trace amounts
unless ambient river conditions prevent compliance.
A. (3.) BIOCIDE CONDITION
[G.S. 143-215, 143-215.1]
The Permittee shall add no chromium, zinc or copper to the treatment system except as a
DWR pre-approved additive to biocidal compounds.
The permittee shall obtain approval from the Division's Aquatic Toxicology Unit prior to the use of any
biocide(not previously approved by the Division) in the effluent discharged under this permit. The
Permittee shall apply for approval and use of any biocide not previously approved at minimum 90 days
in advance of any planned usage.
For detailed instructions on requesting approval of biocides,contact the Aquatic Toxicology Unit:
NC DEQ/DWR/Aquatic Toxicology Unit
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1621
Page 4 of 8

Permit NC0081931
A. (4.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B.0400 et seq., 15A NCAC 02B.0500 et seq.]
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration,the Permittee
is authorized to discharge low-volume waste [including an oil/water separator] via Outfall 005. Such
discharges shall be limited, monitored, and reported t by the Permittee as specified below:
PARAMETER EFFLUENT LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS Monthly Daily Maximum Measurement Sample Sample
PARAMETER CODE Average Frequency Type Location 2
Flow(MGD) 50050 Annual Estimate Effluent
Total C0530 30.0 mg/L 100.0 mg/L Annual Grab Effluent
Suspended
Solids 3
Oil and Grease 3 00552 15.0 mg/L 20.0 mglL Annual Grab Effluent
[EPA 1664 SGT-
HEM]
pH 4 00400 Between 6.0 and 9.0 S.U. Annual Grab Effluent
1. The permittee shall submit discharge monitoring reports(DMRs)electronically using the Division's
eDMR reporting system [see section A. (5.)]. Monitoring results obtained during the calendar year shall
be recorded and reported on the annual Discharge Monitoring Report(DMR)form and postmarked no
later than January 30th following the completed reporting period. Samples obtained for monitoring
purposes may be collected anytime during the calendar year.
2. The Permittee shall sample effluent at the point closest to discharge where a representative
sample can feasibly be obtained.
3. Limits and monitoring defined as low volume wastes [40 CFR 423.11] in accord with 40
CFR 423.15 (c),New source performance standards(NSPS).
4. Effluent pH shall not fall below 6.0 nor exceed 9.0 standard units, unless documented
ambient river conditions prevent compliance.
Page 5 of 8

Permit NC0081931
A. (5.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING-DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
IG.S. 143-215.1 (b)]
Federal regulations require electronic submittal of all discharge monitoring reports(DMRs) and program
reports. The final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule was adopted and became effective on December
21, 2015.
NOTE: This special condition supplements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of this
permit(Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements
• Section D. (2.) Reporting
• Section D. (6.) Records Retention
• Section E. (5.) Monitoring Reports
1. Reporting Requirements [Supersedes Section D. (2.)and Section E. (5.) (a)1
The permittee shall report discharge monitoring data electronically using the NC DWR's Electronic
Discharge Monitoring Report(eDMR) internet application.
Monitoring results obtained during the previous month(s) shall be summarized for each month and
submitted electronically using eDMR. The eDMR system allows permitted facilities to enter monitoring
data and submit DMRs electronically using the internet. The eDMR system may be accessed at:
https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr.
If a permittee is unable to use the eDMR system due to a demonstrated hardship or due to the facility
being physically located in an area where less than 10 percent of the households have broadband access,
then a temporary waiver from the NPDES electronic reporting requirements may be granted and
discharge monitoring data may be submitted on paper DMR forms(MR 1, 1.1,2, 3)or alternative forms
approved by the Director. Duplicate signed copies shall be submitted to the following address:
NC DEQ/Division of Water Resources/Water Quality Permitting Section
ATTENTION: Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
See "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting"section below.
Regardless of the submission method, the first DMR is due on the last day of the month following the
issuance of the permit or in the case of a new facility, on the last day of the month following the
commencement of discharge.
Starting on December 21,2020,the permittee must electronically report the following compliance
monitoring data and reports,when applicable:
• Sewer Overflow/Bypass Event Reports;
• Pretreatment Program Annual Reports;and
• Clean Water Act(CWA) Section 316(b) Annual Reports.
Page 6 of 8

Permit NC0081931
The permittee may seek an electronic reporting waiver from the Division (see"How to Request a
Waiver from Electronic Reporting"section below).
2. Electronic Submissions
In accordance with 40 CFR 122.41(1)(9),the permittee must identify the initial recipient at the time of
each electronic submission. The permittee should use the EPA's website resources to identify the initial
recipient for the electronic submission.
Initial recipient of electronic NPDES information from NPDES-regulated facilities means the entity
(EPA or the state authorized by EPA to implement the NPDES program)that is the designated entity for
receiving electronic NPDES data [see 40 CFR 127.2(b)].
EPA plans to establish a website that will also link to the appropriate electronic reporting tool for each
type of electronic submission and for each state. Instructions on how to access and use the appropriate
electronic reporting tool will be available as well. Information on EPA's NPDES Electronic Reporting
Rule is found at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/22/2015-24954/national-pollutant-
discharge-el im ination-system-npdes-electronic-reporting-rule
Electronic submissions must start by the dates listed in the"Reporting Requirements" section above.
3. How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting
q
The permittee may seek a temporary electronic reporting waiver from the Division. To obtain an
electronic reporting waiver, a permittee must first submit an electronic reporting waiver request to the
Division. Requests for temporary electronic reporting waivers must be submitted in writing to the
Division for written approval at least sixty(60) days prior to the date the facility would be required
under this permit to begin submitting monitoring data and reports. The duration of a temporary waiver
shall not exceed 5 years and shall thereupon expire. At such time, monitoring data and reports shall be
submitted electronically to the Division unless the permittee re-applies for and is granted a new
temporary electronic reporting waiver by the Division. Approved electronic reporting waivers are not
transferrable. Only permittees with an approved reporting waiver request may submit monitoring data
and reports on paper to the Division for the period that the approved reporting waiver request is
effective.
Information on eDMR and the application for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on the
PP P rY P g
following web page:
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B. (11.)
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part II,
Section B. (11.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II, Section
B. (11.)(b). A person, and not a position, must be delegated signatory authority for eDMR reporting
purposes.
For eDMR submissions,the person signing and submitting the DMR must obtain an eDMR user account
and login credentials to access the eDMR system. For more information on North Carolina's eDMR
system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit the following web
page:
Page 7 of 8

Permit NC0081931
http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
Certification. Any person submitting an electronic DMR using the state's eDMR system shall make the
following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF CERTIFICATION WILL
BE ACCEPTED:
"1 certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my
direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel
properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons
who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the
information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am
aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of
fines and imprisonment for knowing violations."
5. Records Retention [Supplements Section D. (6.)1
The permittee shall retain records of all Discharge Monitoring Reports, including eDMR submissions. These
records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the report. This period may
be extended by request of the Director at any time [40 CFR 122.41].
Page 8 of 8

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Cube Yadkin Generating LLC Facility *
High Rock Powerhouse Location ;,,.
Latitude: 35°36'03" Sub-Basin: 03-07-08 (not to scale)
Longitude: 80°14'03" Receiving Stream: Yadkin River
Ouad#: El 8SW Stream Class: WS-IV&B North NPDES Permit NC0081931
Stream Segment: 12-(136.3) HUC: 03040103 . V orth
Davidson County