Request for Voluntary Emissions Limit
Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) invites the public to submit written comments on ORCAA’s Preliminary Recommendation to limit Murphy Company (Murphy) to a volatile organic compound (VOC) limit of 99 tons per year to establish the facility as a minor source with respect to Washington State’s Air Operating Permit Program, Chapter 173-401 WAC.
Summary of Facility Operations:
Murphy is located at 505 Elma McCleary Road in Elma, Washington. The facility processes Douglas fir logs into veneer by removing the bark, moistening the logs so they can be sliced into thin sheets, and then drying those sheets. Air pollution from the facility includes particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, toxic air pollutants, and hazardous air pollutants.
Summary of ORCAA’s Preliminary Recommendation
What is Murphy proposing?
Murphy is not proposing to make any changes to existing equipment or processes, and emissions from the facility will not change. ORCAA plans to set an emissions limit that would allow Murphy to be classified as a minor source under Washington’s Air Operating Permit Regulation (Chapter 173‑401 WAC).
What emission limit would Murphy have to meet?
If ORCAA’s preliminary recommendation is finalized, Murphy would need to keep VOC emissions below 99 tons per year.
Why is the limit being set?
Facilities with potential emissions greater than certain thresholds are required to get an Air Operating Permit. Facilities can request a legally binding limit to keep emissions below these thresholds and avoid the requirement to obtain an Air Operating Permit. Murphy conducted emissions testing showing that their actual emissions are low enough that the facility would be able to comply with a 99-ton-per-year VOC limit and thereby be classified as a minor source.
How will Murphy show it stays under the emission limit?
Each month, Murphy will calculate total VOC emissions from the previous twelve months for all equipment that emits VOCs – the veneer dryer, the log steaming vats, and the natural‑gas boiler that heats the water for the log steaming vats. They will compare that value to the 99-ton-per-year limit. If actual VOC emissions ever exceed 80 tons per year, Murphy is required to notify ORCAA and conduct air emissions testing on the veneer dryer to get updated, site‑specific emission factors.
What are Murphy’s current emissions?
Murphy reported 39 tons of VOC in 2025, which is well below the proposed 99-ton limit,
How do I comment on this proposal?
The public comment period opens at 8:00 a.m. on August 14, 2026, and closes at 4:30 p.m. on September 14, 2026. Comments on ORCAA’s Preliminary Recommendation must be submitted in writing during this timeframe. You may mail comments to ORCAA (2940 Limited Lane NW, Olympia, WA 98502) or email them to lauren.whybrew@orcaa.org. Mailed comments must be postmarked no later than September 14, 2026. ORCAA can only consider comments related to air quality and within the scope of this Preliminary Recommendation.
A copy of ORCAA’s Preliminary Recommendation is available at the link below, and hard copies are available at the Elma Timberland Library located at 118 N 1st St, Elma, WA 98541. If you need assistance, please contact our office at (360) 539-7610.
Murphy Company Application | Emissions Calculations | Preliminary Recommendation | Public Notice
