This notice is to inform you that the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is proposing to require, as best available control technology (BACT), that emissions from combined-cycle/cogeneration combustion gas turbines be limited to 2.0 ppmv of oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and 3.0 ppmv of carbon monoxide (CO), 1-hour average, corrected to 15% exhaust oxygen level, dry basis, excluding startups and shutdowns.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County, Riverside County (excluding the easternmost portion located in the Mojave Desert APCD) and the non-desert portions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Anyone wishing to install or modify equipment that could control or be a source of air pollution within this region must first obtain a permit from AQMD.
Pursuant to AQMD Regulation XIII - "New Source Review", the Executive Officer shall deny the Permit to Construct for any new or modified sources which result in an emission increase of any non-attainment air contaminant, any ozone depleting compound or ammonia, unless BACT is employed. BACT is the most stringent emission limit or control technology that is found in a state implementation plan or achieved in practice
Previously, BACT for a combined-cycle or a cogeneration combustion gas turbine has been 2.5 ppmv of NOX and 6 ppmv of CO, 1-hour average, corrected to 15% exhaust oxygen level, dry basis.
The proposed BACT has become achieved-in-practice at the ANP Blackstone power plant located in Massachusetts. It is comprised of two combined-cycle combustion gas turbines which are equipped with oxidation catalysts and selective catalytic reduction control technology and limited by their permits to 2.0 ppmv NOx and 3.0 ppmv CO, 1-hour average, corrected to 15% exhaust oxygen level, dry basis, except for startups and shutdowns. The plant has been operating since June 2001 and has demonstrated its compliance with the permitted emission levels.
Under the BACT Guidelines approved by the AQMD Governing Board in October 2000, the AQMD must distribute a public notice with a 30-day public comment period when a new, more stringent BACT is required in a permit. This document serves as a notice of the AQMD’s intent to establish the more stringent BACT for all combined-cycle and cogeneration combustion gas turbines.
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed BACT determination for combined-cycle and cogeneration combustion gas turbines should submit the comments in writing within 30 days of the distribution date shown below. Submit written comments to Martin Kay, Technology Advancement Office, South Coast Air Quality Management District, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765-4182 or by email to mkay@aqmd.gov.
Distribution date: January 16, 2003