ENB Region 7 Completed Applications 05/19/2004

Nucor Steel Auburn Inc., located at 25 Quarry Road, Auburn, New York, has submitted an application for a major modification to their  existing Title V Air Facility Permit.  The Nucor Steel facility primarily consists of an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and a steel rolling mill which is used to manufacture steel billets bars and stock for the construction trades.  The modification request is for an increase in production for the EAF meltshop from 600,000 tons per year to 665,000 tons per year and for the replacement of the existing natural gas fired reheat furnace located in the rolling mill.  The annual rolling mill production limit of 575,000 tons per year will not change.

The project is subject to New Source Review in non attainment areas (6 NYCRR Part 231-2) for Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions since the project's increase in potential Nox emissions exceed deminimus levels and since the facility is located in the Ozone Transport Region.  As such, the facility must reduce NOx emissions to the Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) and must obtain NOx emission offsets at a 1.15:1 ratio which equates to 67 tons for this project.  The project is also subject to the Federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations.  On May 9, 2004, the US EPA issued a Notice of Complete Application and draft PSD permit for public review and comment for this project.

 

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.

Persons wishing to inspect the subject Title V files, including the application with all relevant supporting materials, the draft permit, and all other materials available to the DEC (the "permitting authority") that are relevant to this permitting decision should contact the DEC representative listed below.  Public comment on the draft permit is invited for the next 30 days immediately following publication of this Notice. It is recommended that an appointment be made to confirm the availability of the subject files.  The DEC will endeavor to make the files available within 2 business days of contact, during normal business hours (8:30 am through 4:45 pm), unless the requestor wishes to inspect the files at a later date.

DEC will evaluate the application and the comments received on it to determine whether to hold a public hearing.  A public hearing may be legislative or adjudicatory. A legislative public hearing is a proceeding which provides an additional opportunity for public comment. DEC's determination to hold a legislative public hearing will be based on whether a significant degree of public interest exists. If a legislative public hearing is to be held, a Notice of Hearing will be published which will include the time and place of the hearing and submitting comments. The applicant and all persons who have filed comments on the permit will be notified by mail of the public hearing.  Comments and requests for a legislative hearing should be in writing and addressed to the Department representative listed below.

An adjudicatory public hearing is a trial type proceeding which provides the opportunity for adjudication on the basis of evidence, including direct testimony and cross examination. An adjudicatory hearing is held only if substantive and significant issues relating to any findings or determinations the Department is required to make pursuant to the Environmental Conservation Law exist. A copy of the Department's permit hearing procedures is available upon request or on the Department's web site at: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ohms/gudph1.htm

Applicant proposes to place fill material into state wetland RF-17 for purposes of creating a driveway to an upland cabin.  The two crossings are located where impacts are minimized to the most practicle extent possible.  Fill material would be placed over 5200 SF.  The site is located off the west side of Route 17 in the Maple Ridge Subdivision.