NC0058301_Draft Permit_20250318

JOSH STEIN
Governor
D. REID WILSON
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Dw6wwwddQmawy
March 18, 2025
Gerald L. Campbell, Owner
NC Agra Energy Center (NCAEC)
PO Box 1063, Lumberton 28359
Subject: Review of Renewal DRAFT'
NPDES Permit NCO058301 for
NC Renewable Power, Lumberton LLC
WWTP Class WPCS PC-1
EPA ID # NCR000165803
Robeson County
Mr. Campbell:
The Division of Water Resources (DWR or the Division) received your application to renew the
subject permit signed by David B. Shaffer, Chief Technical Officer (September 18.2024). Mr.
Shaffer also signed a Change of Ownership received October 16, 2024. D WR hereby transmits a
permit draft for your review and comment.
Please review this draft carefully to assure your understanding of revised permit limits and
monitoring conditions. Concurrent with this notification, the Division will solicit public comment
on this draft by publishing a notice in newspapers having circulation in the general Robeson County
area, as required by the NPDES program. Please provide your written comments, if any, to me
[e-mail]] or write to my attention at DEQ/D WR/NPDES no later than June 6,
2025, approximately 30 days after receiving this document. We welcome your written comments,
but they are not mandatory.
Your renewal application indicates that you have not significantly revised your treatment facilities
since conversion to a biomass fuel source at startup. We have therefore made only minor changes to
your permit since last renewal.
Renewal Summary:
Renewal adds new Flow Limit based on reported: MAX MA Flow 0.056 + 15%= 0.081 MGD
Total Mercury -- effluent database continues to show reasonable potential to exceed its surface
water -quality standard. Mercury was detected on three (3) occasions at concentrations of 2.15
ng/L. [Jan2022] and 4.67 ng/L [Feb2022], and again at 22.8 ng/L [February of 2023], this last
event is above the Annual Average permit limit of 12.ng/L. Per RPA guidelines, Total Mercury
monitoring continues semi-annually with a permit limit of 12 ng/L, monitoring to be reported as
"Annual Average." No changes from previous.
--_\� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 7 Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 — 919.707.9000

Gerald L. Campbell
March 18, 2025
Permit Renewal - Draft Review
Page 2 of 2
It follows that, a Mercury Reopener Special Condition remains in the permit [see section A. (4.)].
Other than Mercury, effluent monitoring data (Jan2022-Jan2O24) do not show reasonable
potential to exceed each analyte's respective surface water -quality standard.
Compliance issues recorded as Reporting Violations have been resolved as "No action, [best
professional judgment (BPJ)]," because this facility was in cold shutdown (no discharge), as
documented on eDMRs.
The NPDES standard conditions (Parts II, III, and IV), are part of this permit but are not included
in this draft document (cover, map, and Part 1). The latest version of Parts II, III, and IV are
available at httns://bit.ly/2BZ4xxx and can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file.
Following the 30-day public comment period, the Division will review all pertinent comments and
take appropriate action prior to issuing an NPDES permit final. If you have questions concerning
this draft, please e-mail me [e-mail]] or call my direct line [phone].
and Expedited Permitting Unit
Enclosure: NPDES Permit NCO058301 (renewal DRAFT)
ec: NPDES Program Files [Laserfiche]
DWR/FRO, Mark Brantley [[e-mail]]
DWR/OCU, Jeffery Talbott [[e-mail]]
DWR/ATB Molly Nicholson [[e-mail]]
NCAEC David B. Shaffer, Chief Technical Officer [[e-mail]]
NCAEC Cary Davis, Executive Vice President
NCAEC Steven Coats, ORC [[e-mail]]

Permit NC0058301
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
lug a _ n
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
CNPDES)
In compliance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful
standards and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North C rolina Environmental
Management Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Vntro Act, as amended,
NC Agra Energy Center
is hereby authorized to discharge
NC Agra
1866 Hes
to receiving waters designated
accordance with efflue t-hm4-
Parts I, II, III and Iwaf--,
This permit shall
This permit and
Signed this day ................
L
\�...., 2025.
an outfall lacated at the
hirl-tR Lumber River Basin in
and other conditions set forth in
shall expire at midnight on JUIy 3 I, 2029.
Caroline Robinson, Supervisor
Compliance and Expedited Permitting Unit
Division of Water Resources
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Page 1 of 7

Permit NC0058301
SUPPLEMENT TO PERMIT COVER SHEET
All previous NPDES Permits issued to this facility, whether for operation or discharge are hereby
revoked, and as of this 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 described herein.
NC Agra Energy Center (NCAEC)
is hereby authorized to:
1. continue operating wastewater treatment consisting of a
limited to
0
Turbine Room Sump [receiving]
o turbine drains
o boiler drain A
o boiler drain B
o blowdown flash tank \
o chemical lab drain
Conveyor Sump Cv �'
all the above KintrWi
m dual c'
dischar e
these facilities located at
Lumberton, Robeson Cc
utilizing, but not
basins [in parallel]
(NCAEC), 1866 Hestertown Road,
2. discharge from said treatment works via Outfall 003, a location specified on the attached map,
into the Lumber River [Stream Segment 14-(13)], a waterbody currently classified C; SW
within subbasin 03-07-51 [hydrological unit RUC: 03040203] of the Lumber River Basin.
Page 2 of 7

Permit NC0058301
Part I
A. (L) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
[15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.; 15A NCAC 08G .0302] W WTP Class PCNC
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the
Permittee is authorized to discharge from Outfall 003. Such discharges shall be limited,
monitored, and reported 1 by the Permittee as specified below:
u
MONITORING AND REPORTING 1
EFFLUENT
LIMITS
CHARACTERISTICS
REQUIREMENTS
Monthly
Daily
I
Measurement
Sample
Sample
[PARAMETERCODEJ
Average
Maximum
Frequency
Type
Location
Flow (MGD)
50050
0.081
Continu sly
Recorder
Effluent
BOD 5-day (20°C)
C0310
30.0 mg/L
45.0 mg/L
e y
Grab
Effluent
pH [Standard Units]
00400
Not <6.0 nor> 9.0
eekly
'ZSab
Effluent
Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) Z
50060
17 µg/L I
Weekly
Zara
Effluent
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
00530
30.0 mg/L
.0 mg/L
INM7161110
Grab
Effluent
Oil and Grease
00556
15.0 mg/L
0.
o thly
Grab
Effluent
Chronic Toxicity 3
TGP3B
Qu r
Grab
Effluent
Total Mercury 4
CO R
12 n ( nual v
emt
Grab
Effluent.
Footnotes:
1. Beginning on the petmt a ective date;
electronically using NCD 's eDMR
2. TRC limit and monitoring ap'N
Division will consider complia
to report all values detected by
values are below 50 µg/L.
shall submit discharge Monitoring Reports
in [See A. (3)].
or chlorine derivatives are used to disinfect. The
ted below 50µg/L. However, the Permittee shall continue
ertified test methods (including field -certified), even if
3. Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing - Chronic Toxicity using Ceriodaphnia, Pass/Fail @ 90% effluent
concentration during the months of February, May, August, November [See A. (2)].
4. Total Mercury — This permit is subject to conditions regulating mercury in the Lumber River [See
MERCURY REOPENER A. (4)].
Conditions:
Y The Permittee shall. discharge no floating solids or foam visible in other than trace amounts.
m All effluent samples and analyses shall accurately represent the physical and/or
chemical characteristics of the discharge.
Page 3 of 7

Permit NC0058301
A. (2.) CHRONIC TOXICITY PASS/FAIL PERMIT LIMIT (QUARTERLY)
[15A NCAC 02B .0200 et seq.]
The effluent discharge shall at no time exhibit observable inhibition of reproduction or significant mortality
to Ceriodaphnia dubia at an effluent concentration of 90%.
The permit holder shall perform at a minimum, terl monitoring using test procedures outlined in the
"North Carolina Ceriodaphnia Chronic Effluent Bioassay Procedure," revised December 2010, or
subsequent versions or "North Carolina Phase II Chronic Whole Ejj'iuent Toxicity Test Procedure"
(Revised- December 2010) or subsequent versions. The tests will be performed during the months of
February, May, August, and November. These months signify the first month of each three-month
toxicity -testing quarter assigned to the facility. Effluent sampling for this testing must be obtained during
representative effluent discharge and shall be performed at the NPDES permitted final effluent discharge
below all treatment processes.
If the test procedure performed as the first test of any single quarter res in a failure or ChV below
the permit limit, then multiple -concentration testing shall be perform at minimum, in each of the
two following months as described in "North Carolina Phase II C nic hole Effluent ToAcity Test
Procedure" (Revised -December 2010) or subsequent versions.
All toxicity testing results required as part of this permit cond' ' n i 1 be enter the Effluent Discharge
Monitoring Form (MR-1) for the months in which tests w pe rated, using the eter code TGP3B
for the pass/fail results and THP3B for the Chronic Value. it.onally, WR Fo -3 (original) is to
be sent to the following address:
Attention: olina 'vrsi of Water Reso
W ee 1 es Se 'o Aquatic Toxicology Branch
1621
Or, results can be
Completed Aquatic Toxici est F shall f ed with h Water Sciences Section no later than 30 days
after the end of the re in en fo w ' re is . Test data shall be complete, accurate,
include all supporti c is s al e eme an c ncentration/response data, and be certified
by laboratory supery and ORC o ro esignate ure. Total residual chlorine of the effluent
toxicity sample must b ured and rte i hlorine is employed for disinfection of the waste stream.
Should there be no dischar flow fro a fac' i during a month in which toxicity monitoring is
required, the Permittee will c ete the i f ation located at the top of the aquatic toxicity (AT) test form
indicating the facility name, pe r um r, ipe number, county, and the month/year of the report with the
notation of "No Flow" in the com a are f the form. The report shall be submitted to the Water Sciences
Section at the address cited above.
Should the Permittee fail to monitor during a month in which toxicity monitoring is required, monitoring will
be required during the following month. Assessment of toxicity compliance is based on the toxicity testing
quarter, which is the three-month time interval that begins on the first day of the month in which toxicity
testing is required by this permit and continues until the final day of the third month.
Should any test data from this monitoring requirement or tests performed by the North Carolina Division of
Water Resources indicate potential impacts to the receiving stream, this permit may be re -opened and
modified to include alternate monitoring requirements or limits.
NOTE: Failure to achieve test conditions as specified in the cited document, such as minimum control
organism survival, minimum control organism reproduction, and appropriate environmental controls, shall
constitute an invalid test and will require immediate follow-up testing to be completed no later than the last
day of the month following the month of the initial monitoring.
Page 4 of 7

Permit NCO058301
A. (3.) ELECTRONIC REPORTING - DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS
[G.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 suppiements or supersedes the following sections within Part II of
this permit (Standard Conditions for NPDES Permits):
• Section B. (11.) Signatory Requirements
• Section D. (2.)
• Section D. (6.)
• Section E. (5.)
Reporting
Records Retention
Monitoring Reports
1. Reportin¢ Reauirements [Supersedes Secti
The permittee shall report discharge monitoring data
Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) internet applii
Monitoring results obtained during the prev
submitted electronically using eDMR. The
monitoring data and submit DMRs electron
accessed at: httDs://deci.nc.gov/aboutt&visi(
If a permittee is unable to use
facility being physically locat
broadband acce#aroved
be granted and
or alternative fo
following addre
NC DEQ / Division of W,
e%Ri
ATTENTION: Central File
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-
DWR's Electronic
Ornarized f w Bach month and
miffed facilitt enter
The eDMR system may be
1R s du t" d eiI kardship or due to the
area h e less h 10 per of the households have
iv fr the S electronic reporting requirements may
to s i e on paper DMR forms (MR 1, 1. 1, 2, 3)
or. Dup ' t 'gned copies shall be submitted to the
Permitting Section
See "How to Request a Waiver from Electronic Reporting" section below.
Regardless of the submission method, the fast 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, 2025, 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 5 of 7

Permit NCO058301
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 el ronic reporting tool for
each type of electronic submission and for each state. Instructions o 0 o access and use the
appropriate electronic reporting tool will be available as well. In rma on on EPA's NPDES
Electronic Reporting Rule is found at: ^
Electronic submissions must start by the dates
above.
3. How to Request a W
The permittee may seek a ten
electronic reporting waiver, a
the Division. Requests for tei
the Division for written Apprc
required under this
temporary waiver harhotdata and reports sha
and is granted a new t ,ra
reporting waivers are no�t
may submit monitoring daQ�a
reporting waiver request is e
Information on eDMR and the
the following web page:
in tK ^RenoaihXRequirerisetlts" section
e Division. To obtain an
;porting waiver request to
be submitted in writing to
(ty 60) daSojr to thedate the facility would be
0 ota and reports. The duration of a
d sh thn expire. At such time, monitoring
ally to the- ivision unless the permittee re -applies for
apb�ing waiver by the Division. Approved electronic
ly a ittees with an approved reporting waiver request
paper to the Division for the period that the approved
for a temporary electronic reporting waiver are found on
http:// ig.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr
4. Signatory Requirements [Supplements Section B. (11.) (b) and Supersedes Section B.
(11.) (d)1
All eDMRs submitted to the permit issuing authority shall be signed by a person described in Part
II, Section B. (I I.)(a) or by a duly authorized representative of that person as described in Part II,
Section B. (1 I .)(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
Page 6 of 7

Permit NC0058301
Carolina's eDMR system, registering for eDMR and obtaining an eDMR user account, please visit
the following web page:
http://dea.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:
7 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 assur at qualifted personnel
properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on in iry of the person or
persons who manage the system, or those persons directly res o ibl r gathering the
information, the information submitted is, to the best of my ge n belief, true, accurate,
and complete. lam aware that there are significant penal 'es f submitt' aIse information,
including the possibility offtnes and imprisonment for o ng violations.
11
The permittee shall retain records of all Disch,
submissions. These records or copies shall be
date of the report. This period may e e ndc
122.41].
A. (4.)
The Division may re -op s permit
plans, and/or source water acteriz
Lumber and Waccamaw Riv tern
rin�orts, including eyearR
fora a 'od of at least 3 years from the
bekthe ctor at any time [40 CFR
mercury load limitations, mercury minimization
Qetion of the Phase 2 Mercury TMDLs for the
Page 7 of 7

NC Agra Energy Center (NCAEC)
1866 Hestertown Road, Lumberton
Latitude:
34' 35' 35" N
Loneitude:
79' 00' 31" W
Stream Class:
C -sw
Receivine Stream:
Lumber River
Drainage Basin:
Lumber River
SO cam Seement:
14-(13)
Sub -Basin:
03-07-51
Smte Grid:
123 SW / 123 SE
HuC:
03040203
L'SGS Ouads:
SE Lumberton! Bladenboro,
NC
Facility
Location A4w-1
� not to scale
NPDES Permit NCO058301
�OYtl2 Robeson County