ENB Region 7 Completed Applications 08/16/2006

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has prepared a Draft Permit and has made a tentative determination to approve this application for renewal of an existing Title V permit for Binghamton University.  The primary sources of emissions are four high temperature hot water generators.  

Binghamton University’s hot water generators can fire either coal, natural gas or propane.  The hot water generators are subject to the opacity and particulate emission limits of 6 NYCRR Part 227 and the fuel sulfur limit of 6 NYCRR Part 225.  Facilitywide emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are capped below 100 tons to avoid applicability to NOx Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT).  The amount of coal that can be burned is restricted, so that annual emissions of hydrogen chloride (HCl), a hazardous air pollutant, is limited to less than ten tons per year.

The DEC previously published a notice of intent to issue a Title V permit to Binghamton University.  No comments were received.  This notice is being republished because the DEC is now proposing to allow Binghamton University to co-fire wood and coal.  The DEC has added a condition to the permit that requires emissions testing while co-firing wood and coal.

In accordance with 6NYCRR Parts 621.5(d)(9) and 2016.4(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.  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 wed site at: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ohms/gudph1.htm