DNREC Issues Order Approving Air Quality Construction
Permit for Conectiv Hay Road Facility
Coastal Zone Act Permit Approved
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary
Nicholas A. DiPasquale has ordered that a construction permit with appropriate
conditions be issued to Conectiv Energy for three combined cycle units.
Conectiv’s Coastal Zone Act Permit was approved by Secretary DiPasquale
Oct. 16 with the stipulation of implementing the offset proposal which
will result in a net reduction in the amount of air pollution in the
form of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide.
The combined cycle units will be constructed in phases on Conectiv’s
Hay Road property immediately north of its existing Hay Road and Edge
Moor power plants. The units will consist of three individual combustion
turbines and unfired heat recovery steam generators, one steam generator
and a mechanical-draft wet cooling tower.
The first phase of construction will consist of the three combustion
turbine units, which would operate in a simple cycle mode throughout
construction of the second phase of the project, which involves addition
of the steam cycle. The steam cycle is comprised of the heat recovery
steam generators, a steam turbine generator and a cooling tower to allow
steam condensation. When completed, each combustion turbine will have
the flexibility to operate in either simple or combined cycle mode.
The units will be used to provide 550 megawatts of new electrical power
for an additional supply of cost-effective and reliable energy. The
energy will be used to meet continued growth in demand for electricity
by Conectiv’s customers and to assist in stabilizing the power
pool grid during periods of peak electrical demand.
A public workshop on Conectiv’s applications included an explanation
of the project and a question and answer session; a public hearing was
held Sept. 6, 2000.
In his Order, Secretary DiPasquale finds and concludes: “The record
clearly shows that Conectiv has addressed all issues within the scope
of this permitting proceeding in a manner acceptable to AQM (Air Quality
Management), including those matters originally raised by AQM as well
as those generated by the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, Dick Fleming,
the State of New Jersey DEP, and EPA, as reflected in the summary of
the record.”
Secretary DiPasquale ordered that a permit be issued, “consistent
with the record,” and that the final proposed construction permit
be issued with appropriate changes, including:
- Specification in Condition 11 of periodic review and update of the
offset ratios on the basis of changes in any established Threshold
Limit Values (TLVs). The review must occur at a minimum before issuance
of the operating permit and prior to any renewals.
- Surrender of sulfur dioxide (SO2) allowances equal, in
tons, to those calculated offsets annually must be required in Condition
11 of the proposed permit.
Findings in the Order include:
- There are sufficient safeguards in the terms of fuel requirements,
emissions limitations and caps, and economic incentives to prevent
disproportionate use of fuels other than natural gas in a manner that
would jeopardize air quality or offset requirements.
- Questions regarding Particulate Matter 2.5 emissions are beyond
the scope of the hearing, because there are no regulatory requirements
at this point.
- The requirement for an oxidation catalyst to reduce emission of
hazardous air pollutants cannot be imposed by the Department in light
of the absence of Federal regulatory mandates or requirements.
- Although the Department was able to reach a permitting decision
without the manufacturer’s guarantees for this equipment, Conectiv
must make every effort to provide the Department with the information
before the unit’s start-up.
In view of all findings, Secretary DiPasquale ordered issuance of a
construction permit consistent with the record, agreements between the
Department and Conectiv, and with appropriate conditions to protect
the environment and satisfy all regulatory requirements, reasoning that,
“The record clearly shows that Conectiv has complied with all AQM
requirements in a manner that will ensure consistency with State and
Federal regulations while providing a net improvement in Air Quality.”
For more information, contact Ali Mirzakhalili, Air Quality Management,
302-323-4542, or Melinda Carl or Don White, Office of Information and
Education, 302-739-4506. (document no. 40-01/00/10/22)
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