Notice of Construction: Pacific Northwest Renewable Energy

Description:

PROPOSAL: Pacific Northwest Renewable Energy (PNWRE) seeks approval from ORCAA to construct a new wood pellet manufacturing facility at 411 Moon Island Road, Hoquiam, WA 98550. If approved, the proposed facility will emit air pollution from combustion of woody biomass in an industrial furnace, from the drying of biomass feedstock, and from other wood processing activities. The facility will be a “Major Source” of air pollution because emissions of several air pollutants, including Oxides of Nitrogen (NO_x), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Particulate Matter (PM), may exceed 100 tons per year or more.

PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION: ORCAA staff reviewed PNWRE’s application and concluded that the proposed facility will not jeopardize ambient air quality and meets criteria for approving new air pollution sources in Washington. Based on these conclusions, ORCAA’s preliminary determination is to conditionally approve PNWRE’s air permit application. Recommended conditions of approval are detailed in ORCAA’s Preliminary Determination (see availability details below).

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE: Notice is hereby given of ORCAA’s Preliminary Determination to approve PNWRE’s NOC application for a new wood pellet manufacturing facility. ORCAA will conduct a Public Hearing on January 16, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to gather testimony regarding air quality issues associated with PNWRE’s proposal. The hearing will be conducted at Hoquiam City Hall, Municipal Courtroom, 2^nd Floor, 609 8^th St., Hoquiam, WA 98550.

DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY: Copies of ORCAA’s Preliminary Determination, PNWRE’s NOC application and other related documents are on file and available for review at the Hoquiam Timberland Library, 420 7^th Street, Hoquiam, WA 98550, and at ORCAA’s Olympia office. The documents are also available below.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Comments on this case should pertain to air quality concerns with the proposed facility and may be submitted to ORCAA in writing during the public comment period. Comments may be mailed to ORCAA at the address (below) or emailed to lauren.whybrew@orcaa.org. Oral and written comments will also be accepted during the public hearing. The deadline for submitting comments is 4:30 p.m. on January 18, 2024. All comments and testimony received during the public comment period will be considered in making a Final Determination. ORCAA’s Final Determination and responses to all comments will be forwarded to all persons and entities who submitted comments during the public comment period.