NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

July 31, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 327

Contact:  Joanna French or Tom Lilly, Division of Air and Waste Management, 302-739-9402; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Hearing set for August 12 on Indian River Power LLC/NRG Energy Inc. applications to construct pollution control equipment at power plant

DNREC’s Air Quality Management Section will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 on permit applications filed by Indian River Power LLC/NRG Energy Inc., owner and operator of the Indian River power plant, to construct pollution control equipment at their facility near Millsboro that complies with the department’s air quality regulations and Consent Decree. The hearing will be held at the Millsboro Fire Company, 109 E. State Street, Millsboro.

The permit applications are for installation of two circulating dry scrubbers, two selective catalytic reduction units, one aqueous ammonia storage tank, five lime storage silos with baghouses, and one byproduct storage silo with a baghouse for Generating Units 3 and 4 to control sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions.

According to the applications, the project will result in significant reduction of acid gas emissions, greater than 80 percent, as well as estimated decreases in maximum allowable emissions of: nitrogen oxide from 12,452 tons to 3,064 tons; sulfur dioxide from 41,720 tons to 6,128 tons; particulate matter from 4,730 tons to 2,298 tons; and ammonia from 372 to 250 tons.

The applications and the fact sheet can be viewed online at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/whs/awm/Pages/default.aspx or inspected at DNREC Division of Air and Waste Management offices, 156 S. State Street, Dover and 715 Grantham Lane, New Castle.

Statements and testimony can be presented orally or in writing at the hearing. Written statements can also be submitted prior to the hearing by email to Tom.Lilly@state.de.us or mailed to DNREC, Air Quality Management Section, Division of Air and Waste Management, 156 S. State Street, Dover, DE 19901. The public comment period will end on Aug. 12, unless extended by the hearing officer at the public hearing.

To view the DNREC Consent Decree for reducing air pollution at the Indian River Power Plant, visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/whs/awm/AQM/Pages/AirPermits.aspx

For more information contact, Joanna French or Tom Lilly at 302-739-9402.