The Department has received an application from PSEG POWER NEW YORK Inc. to establish Emission Reduction Credits (ERC's) resulting from the future shutdown of the four existing units at its Albany Steam Station located at Rt 144, Glenmont, NY 12077 in the County of Albany. This notice establishes a 30-day public comment period for this proposed permit modification.

Albany Steam Station is a fossil fuel-fired steam generating station consisting of four oil/gas 100 MW steam generators (boilers) and four steam turbines. Each steam generator is equipped with a cyclone device for particulate capture. Albany Steam Station also operates a natural gas fired, 64 mmBTU/hr package boiler for comfort heating.

The Albany Steam Station is a USEPA, Acid Rain Program source subject to 40 CFR Parts 72 and 75. Albany Steam Station in accordance with the requirements of Part 75 operates continuous emission monitors for the pollutants SO2, NO2 and CO2. Additionally, Albany Steam Station operates a continuous opacity monitor in accordance with 6 NYCRR 227 and 40 CFR Part 75.

The existing steam generators will be shutdown as the proposed new gas turbines for the proposed Bethlehem Energy Center (BEC) project are brought on-line. The BEC project will replace the Albany Steam Station's existing four operating units with three new combustion turbine generators and supplementary-fired heat recovery steam generators, and one new steam turbine to establish a combined-cycle power plant with an output of 750 MW. This future shutdown will result in gross emission reductions for NOx and VOC as follows; NOx = 838.9 tons per year, VOC = 23.7 tons per year. The quantity of ERC's resulting from the shutdown are 838.9 tons per year NOx and 23.7 tons per year VOC. The full amount of ERC's are available to the applicant for netting purposes. These ERCs will be used for 6 NYCRR Part 231 netting purposes to demonstrate that the net changes in NOx and VOC emissions after shutdown of the existing steam generators and startup of the new turbines for the BEC 750 MW project, are less than the significant net emission increase thresholds listed in 6 NYCRR Subpart 231-2, Table 2.

The application and draft permit are available for review at the NYSDEC Region 4 Office, 1130 North Westcott Road, Schenectady, NY 12306.

The applicant proposes to conduct a stream restoration project on the upper reaches of Downs Brook (Gregory Hollow). The project involves regrading eroding stream banks, increasing the flood prone area, and revegetation of stream banks with willow plantings, white pine and other native species. In addition, three Newbury weirs will be constructed to reconfigure longitudinal roughness and raise the elevation of the stream bed in two entrenched reaches. The section of restoration is approximately 0.75 miles in length. Project is located on Gregory Hollow Road upstrean of the Bull Run Road intersection.

Applicant proposes to replace 2350 LF of corroded water line, approximately 430LF of which will be within the wetland and buffer of NYS Regulated Wetland HN-105. The width of the disturbed area within the wetland and buffer area will be approximately 30', which includes the temporary soil deposition area and the vehicle access. Work area will be restored to original grade following completion of the project.

The Department has prepared an Air State Facility permit for the application that was received for the modification of the existing Air State Facility permit for Fiber Glass Industries, on Edson Street in the City of Amsterdam, New York. The facility produces fiberglass for use in the manufacture of various products. The facility includes a glass melting furnace fired with natural gas and a heat recovery boiler. The modification is being proposed by the applicant for the purpose of establishing certified Emission Reduction Credits. The emission reduction, which occurred on September 16, 1999, was the result of the over-control of the emissions from the glass furnace at the facility.

The applicant will be establishing emission reduction credits of 62.20 tons per year of Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) in accordance with 6 NYCRR Part 231 "New Source Review in Nonattainment Areas and Ozone Transport Regions" with this permit modification. In addition, the applicant has agreed to permit conditions which will limit NOx emissions from Emission Unit U-00001 to 155,314.8 pounds per year and 17.73 pounds per hour. The applicant will be required to maintain records and report this data to verify compliance with permit conditions and limits.

The applicant proposes to modify an existing mining permit to increase the affected acreage during the next permit term from 13.8 acres to 25 acres, to allow adequate operating areas while conducting concurrent reclamation of the site and managing stormwater runoff. The previously approved life of mine area will not change from the approved 37.7 acres. The applicant has proposed a phased mining plan, which requires the reclamation be completed as mining progresses. The site is located on Saddleback Ridge Road, in the Town of Stephentown, Rensselaer County. MLF #407-3-30-0273.

The Department is proposing a Title V permit pursuant to Article 19 (Air Pollution Control) of the NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and Title V of the Federal Clean Air Act Amendments, in response to an application that was received for the General Electric Power Systems facility located at 1 River Road, City of Schenectady, owned by General Electric Company of Fairfield, CT. This facility is primarily engaged in the manufacture of steam turbines and generators, the testing of gas turbine combustor units, and research and development to support steam turbine generator manufacturing. The draft permit combines previously issued permit modifications and individual certificates to operate into one facility permit. Operations at the facility are included in 11 emission units with associated sources, processes, and emission points. The facility has numerous sources including paint booths, sanders, curing ovens, autoclaves, combustion test stands, air preheaters, and boilers. Source emissions are controlled in accordance with multiple State and Federal regulations. Emission controls include a direct flame afterburner with heat exchanger, fabric filters, and mist eliminators. The applicant has agreed to permit conditions so that emissions from the facility meet regulatory requirements. The permit conditions include permit limitations, emission caps, approved coatings, daily and other periodic monitoring activities, the tracking of emissions with record keeping procedures to meet regulatory requirements, and the maintenance of records and the reporting of data to verify compliance. The emission caps avoid thresholds which would trigger requirements of New Source Review (6NYCRR 231-2.2), Prevention of Significant Deterioration (40CFR 52-A.21), and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (40CFR 63-B.40). The draft permit and application are available for public review at the DEC Region 4 Office. In accordance with 6NYCRR Parts 621.5(d)(9) and 201-6.4(c), the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has the authority to bar issuance of any Title V Facility Permit if it is determined not to be in compliance with applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act or 6NYCRR Part 201.