Permitting Update
South Coast AQMD has completed the review of the permit applications for Quemetco’s proposed process weight increase at the facility (also known as the Quemetco Capacity Upgrade Project (proposed Project) in the Draft EIR). More information regarding the proposed Project can be found below in the section “Pending Permit Applications and Compliance Plans – Throughput/Process Weight Increase.” A draft copy of the permit can be accessed here: Quemetco Permit Draft Copy. Information regarding the CEQA review for the proposed Project may be found in the Quemetco CEQA page. The permitting action also includes other equipment and modifications that are not related to the proposed Project and can be found in the section “Other Permits Applications."
Existing Permits
Permit applications are required whenever any facility installs new equipment that causes or controls a source of air pollution. Additionally, permit applications are required to modify equipment or to propose permit condition changes.
Numerous Permits to Construct and Permits to Operate have been issued to Quemetco since 1970. Prior to 1970, the facility operated as Western Lead. An initial Title V permit was issued to the facility on May 9, 2000 and renewals (which occur every 5 years) for Quemetco’s Title V permit have been issued in 2006, 2012, and 2018. In between the renewals, several revisions of the Title V permit have occurred. Most often, these permit revisions have not been for the addition of new process equipment, but for the addition and/or enhancement of air pollution control equipment and techniques. These pollution control upgrades have included high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that effectively reduce particulate matter, a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) that reduces volatile organic compounds (including the toxic species of benzene and 1,3-butadiene), and a wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) which is a final reduction scheme for minimizing the toxic metal emissions of lead and arsenic. The WESP and the RTO were initially permitted to be constructed in 2007. The facility is currently restricted by permit condition to a process throughput of 600 tons per day.
Pending Permit Applications and Compliance Plans
Quemetco has submitted permit applications for various projects that are undergoing review by South Coast AQMD. Details on the permit applications listed below can be found by entering Facility ID 8547 or the application number on F.I.N.D.
Throughput/Process Weight Increase
In 2013, Quemetco applied for a 25 percent facility process weight increase from the current permitted limit of 600 tons per day to 750 tons per day. The proposed process weight increase does not involve any new equipment but would increase the hours that the Rotary Dryer and furnaces are allowed to receive feed each day, essentially increasing 4-6 hours per day for a 24/7 operation for the Rotary Dryer and furnaces. The remainder of the facility already operates 24/7. Additionally, Quemetco is requesting to allow the use of petroleum coke (pet coke) in addition to the use of calcined coke.
Since the proposed process weight increase covers all permitted equipment associated with the production process, separate applications were required for each piece of equipment. The following application numbers are being evaluated as part of the proposed process weight increase.
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Application Number
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Proposed Permit
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550912
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Process Weight Increase application for Rotary Dryer and Reverberatory Furnace
Received: May 2013
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550914
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Process Weight Increase application for Rotary Dryer Baghouse
Received: May 2013
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550916
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Process Weight Increase application for Reverberatory Furnace Baghouse
Received: May 2013
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550918
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Process Weight Increase application for Slag Furnace
Received: May 2013
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550919
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Process Weight Increase application for Slag Furnace SOx (Oxides of Sulfur) Scrubber
Received: May 2013
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550921
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Process Weight Increase application for Thermal Oxidizer venting Rotary Dryer
Received: May 2013
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550922
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Process Weight Increase application for WESP
Received: May 2013
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572319
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Title V Amendment application for Process Weight Increase Project
Received: February 2015
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619901
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Request to modify for Rotary Dryer Exhaust Temperature
Received: March 2020
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620477
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Title V Amendment application for Rotary Dryer Exhaust Temperature Increase
Received: March 2020
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Other Permit Applications
Quemetco also has ongoing projects associated with their current operations that are not associated with their proposed process weight increase. Below are the more recent permit applications for projects that are currently being reviewed.
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Application Number
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Proposed Permit
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629632
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Compression Auger and Centrifuge in the Battery Wrecker Area
Received: June 2021
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The following permit applications have been submitted by Quemetco (Ecobat) and are currently undergoing evaluation.
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Application Number
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Proposed Permit
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635822
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Title V Amendment application for Refinery Modification Project
Received: March 2022
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635823
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Refinery Modification Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: March 2022
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635825
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Refinery Modification Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: March 2022
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635826
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Refinery Modification Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: March 2022
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635827
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Refinery Modification Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: March 2022
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635828
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Refinery Modification Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: March 2022
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635829
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Refinery Modification Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: March 2022
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635830
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Refinery Modification Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: March 2022
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635831
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Refinery Modification Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: March 2022
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635832
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Refinery Modification Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: March 2022
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635833
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Refinery Modification Project application for Refinery Baghouse
Received: March 2022
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635834
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Refinery Modification Project application for Thermal Oxidizer venting Refinery Kettles/Pots
Received: March 2022
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635835
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Refinery Modification Project application for WESP
Received: March 2022
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637904
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Plastic Pelletizing Project application for Carbon Adsorber
Received: June 2022
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637905
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Plastic Pelletizing Project application for Cyclone Separator
Received: June 2022
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637906
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Plastic Pelletizing Project application for Dry Material Storage Tank
Received: June 2022
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637907
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Plastic Pelletizing Project application for Dry Material Storage Tank
Received: June 2022
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637908
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Plastic Pelletizing Project application for Plastic Size Reducing Granulator
Received: June 2022
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637909
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Title V Amendment application for Plastic Pelletizing Project
Received: June 2022
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640478
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Title V Renewal application for facility
Received: October 2022
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645115
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Rule 1147.2 Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: June 2023
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645116
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Rule 1147.2 Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: June 2023
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645117
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Rule 1147.2 Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: June 2023
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645118
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Rule 1147.2 Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: June 2023
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645119
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Rule 1147.2 Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: June 2023
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645120
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Rule 1147.2 Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: June 2023
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645121
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Rule 1147.2 Project application for Refinery Kettle/Pot Furnace
Received: June 2023
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645122
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Title V Amendment application for Rule 1147.2 Project
Received: June 2023
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645687
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Title V Amendment application for Rule 1147.2 Project
Received: June 2023
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645688
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Rule 1147.2 Project application for Thermal Oxidizer venting Rotary Dryer
Received: June 2023
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645689
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Rule 1147.2 Project application for Rotary Dryer and Reverberatory Furnace
Received: June 2023
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