Wolverine asks for stricter standards on measuring particulates

by Richard Lamb, Advance Editor

A public hearing on the Wolverine Clean Energy Venture (WCEV) has a different kind of twist. While previous public hearings on the utility?s plans to construct a 600-megawatt power plant in Rogers Township have been mandated by the state, this one comes after a change requested by Wolverine.

The September 17 hearing at Rogers City High School (RCHS) will be to hear comments on Wolverine?s plans to use a smaller unit to measure emissions from the power plant. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new rules to use the PM2.5 measurement as part of the Clean Air Act.

WOLVERINE HAS taken a proactive position, according to a company spokesman. ?There are two schools of thought on this. One is that because our application predated those rules we wouldn?t need to hold ourselves to that standard,? said Ken Bradstreet, spokesman for Wolverine.

?We took the approach that because we want to make sure that there is no question about not just the safety of the project for our members and the members of the community, but also the voracity of the permit, that we are willing to subject ourselves to that higher standard.?

With the regulations likely coming, Wolverine chose to use the PM2.5 measurement, as further explained by Melissa Byrnes, an environmental engineer in the permit section of the MDEQ. ?On July 15, 2008 the EPA promulgated (meaning they are) not final yet, regulations for PM2.5 emissions. Michigan has three years, from the July 15, 2008 date to amend its state regulations to incorporate the EPA regulations. Michigan has not done so, yet,? Brynes said.

?In the meantime, EPA has stated that Michigan may use the PM10 regulations as a surrogate for PM2.5. Eventually, Wolverine would be required to meet the PM2.5 regulations, however they have voluntarily decided to demonstrate that they can meet these additional regulations ahead of time.?

According to documents filed at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), ?the proposed power plant is subject to Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) rules and regulations for a major source. It has been preliminarily determined that the installation of the power plant will not violate any of the department?s rules nor the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.?

?The pressure to comply with PM2.5 standards is motivated by Wolverine?s own pressure to ensure that the WCEV project meets and exceeds current and future environmental standards. Our members and their families live in this community. Demonstrating the WCEV meets an existing PM2.5 air quality standard, although not necessarily required under current rules, is consistent with Wolverine?s commitment to the long term benefit of the communities we serve,? Bradstreet said.

THOSE STANDARDS are using the measurement of PM10, or 10 microns. Wolverine proposes to use a smaller measuring unit that is four times smaller than that required by law, 2.5 microns in documents filed last month. ?The public comment period and hearing are to allow all interested parties the opportunity to comment on the department?s proposed conditional approval of emission limits added to the draft permit conditions for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 microns (PM2.5),? the document reads. Bradstreet says he does not expect this ?amendment? to the permit filed last Septe

mber to cause any delay in the deliberations now underway in Lansing and DEQ officials agree with that assessment. ?We don’t feel that it will stall any decision that will be made on the draft air permit,? Byrnes said Tuesday. ?We are hopeful that a decision will be made by the end of the year, though there is nothing definite.?

THE SEPTEMBER 17 public hearing, required under the Clean Air Act, begins at 7:00 p.m. in the RCHS gymnasium. Prior to the hearing, an informational session will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium where MDEQ staff will be available to answer questions.

The sole purpose of the hearing will be to take formal testimony on the record pertaining only to emission limits proposed for PM2.5 and the Air Quality Analysis for PM2.5. During testimony, questions will not be answered; however, staff will be available to answer questions outside the hearing room.

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