The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has approved a Title V air quality permit for Edwards Wood Products, Inc. at Laurinburg Saw Mill #2 in Scotland County.
Previously, the sawmill operated under a synthetic minor air quality permit which capped emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at less than 100 tons per year. The facility sought to modify this permit to remove the emission cap, thereby reclassifying itself as a major source which necessitates a Title V air quality permit. Major sources are subject to more stringent regulations and more frequent inspections.
Despite the modification, the mill will continue to be classified as a minor source for hazardous air pollution. The operational limit meant to control Edwards Wood Products’ emissions of toxic air pollution remains in effect. DAQ reviewed air dispersion modeling, concluding that operations under this limit are not expected to surpass health-based limits.
The final permit incorporates conditions ensuring the facility’s emissions comply with all ambient pollutant level standards, including health-based standards, beyond the facility’s boundaries. The facility must also adhere to recordkeeping and reporting requirements and will be subject to regular inspections.
Interested parties can access copies of the final permit, final permit review, permit application, final environmental justice report, and a one-page project fact sheet online.
