Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) invites the public to submit written comments on the draft Air Operating Permit (AOP) for the Aquatic Company located at 801 Northern Pacific Road SE, Yelm, WA 98597
Project Summary
The AOP for Aquatic was reopened and revised to add new applicable air limits and requirements and to remove inapplicable requirements. Drafts of the revised AOP and associated Technical Support Document (TSD) are available for review and comment from May 25, 2020, through Thursday, June 25, 2020.
Permitting Process Information
Copies of the draft AOP and associated TSD for Aquatic are available for review at the links below (PDF files), or by contacting ORCAA, (360) 539-7610.
Draft Air Operating Permit (AOP) | Draft Technical Support Documents (TSD)
How to Comment
Submit comments by mail, fax, or email to:
Olympic Region Clean Air Agency
Attn: Mark Goodin
2940 Limited Lane NW
Olympia, WA 98502
FAX: (360) 491-6308
Email: mark.goodin@orcaa.org
Comments should pertain to the adequacy of the draft AOP and TSD in assuring compliance with applicable air quality regulations and standards. Any concerned party may request a public hearing within the specified public comment period. The request should include information to justify the need for a public hearing. If the public raises significant interest, ORCAA will hold and will provide advanced notice of a public hearing.
All comments are due by 5 p.m., June 25, 2020.
Next Steps
ORCAA will consider and provide responses to all comments received during the comment period. If there is a significant public concern, ORCAA will schedule a public hearing and provide 30-days advanced notice. Notice of ORCAA’s final action on the Aquatic AOP will be provided to all persons and entities who submitted comments during the public comment period and, in conjunction with the public hearing if one is held.
About the facility
The Aquatic manufacturing facility is located at 801 Northern Pacific Road SE, Yelm, Washington, and has operated at this location since 1981. Aquatic manufacturers bathtubs, showers, spas and other fiberglass reinforced plastic products.
What air pollutants are emitted from Aquatic?
Aquatic is a major source for the compound Styrene, which is both a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) under federal air regulations and a Toxic Air Pollutant (TAP) under Washington’s regulations. Other air pollutants emitted by Aquatic include the compounds Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) and Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), which are both HAPs and TAPs, and particulate dust. Aquatic also emits criteria air pollutants from the combustion of natural gas.
Will air pollutant emissions increase as a result of approving this AOP?
No. AOPs take pre-existing air emissions limits and other air-related requirements from multiple origins such as state regulations, federal regulations, and construction permit approvals, and organize them under a single permit. AOPs must also establish sufficient monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements to assure continuous compliance with applicable limits and requirements.
How does Aquatic assure compliance?
Aquatic implements pollution prevention measures to prevent the release of Styrene, MMA, and MDI. In addition, Aquatic operates an air pollution control system consisting of a Rotary Concentrator and Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer to effectively reduce air emissions by over 90 percent. Periodic testing and continuous monitoring of the control system are the primary means Aquatic uses to assure compliance.
How does ORCAA monitor compliance?
ORCAA monitors compliance in many ways including, but not limited to, inspecting Aquatic at least annually, observing air emissions testing, reviewing semi-annual monitoring reports, and reviewing the performance of Aquatic’s control system by periodically reviewing operating data. ORCAA has regulatory authority to issue notices of violation and assess penalties.