REDFIELD — A public hearing regarding a permit renewal at White Bluff will be held in Redfield.
At 6 p.m. Jan. 10 in Redfield Junior High School’s auditorium, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality will hold a hearing on a proposed draft air permit renewal at Entergy Arkansas’ White Bluff coal-powered electric generating plant.
The proposed renewal is on a Title 5 air permit at the White Bluff facility.
“The renewal is for a period of five years,” said Julie Munsell, an Entergy Arkansas communications specialist.
Munsell noted that there are no proposed physical changes to the White Bluff facility, except for replacement of a fire pump.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Emission changes are due to utilizing new emission calculation methods, addition of equipment previously listed as insignificant, and corrections in a previously-submitted emissions table,” she added.
The draft permit was first announced in a legal notice published in October 2011 and replaced a previously-issued draft version that included controls within existing regulations but was never issued. A variance was imposed, extending permit compliance pending U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval.
To examine the permit application and staff findings and recommendations, call Thomas Rheaume of the ADEQ Air Permits Branch at 501-682-0730. The draft permit and documentation may also be found online at http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/air/branch_permits/0263-AOP-R7_draft.htm.
ADEQ technical staff will be available at the public hearing to informally discuss the draft permit. Also, a hearing officer will accept formal public comments. Verbal comments will be received, but written comments are preferred in the interest of accuracy.
No comments will be received after the hearing adjourns.