After considering public feedback, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality has granted Columbia Plywood Corporation – Columbia Carolina Division its first Title V air quality permit. The facility, located in McDowell County, is a plywood manufacturer.
The transition from a synthetic minor permit to a Title V permit enables the company to install an air curtain incinerator for burning wood waste. This installation will increase the potential emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide above major-source thresholds.
The Division of Air Quality evaluated air dispersion modeling for the facility and found that toxic air pollutant emissions, as well as particulate matter from the incinerator, are not expected to exceed health-based limits. Restrictions on throughput and operational hours have been put in place to limit hazardous air pollution emissions.
The finalized Title V permit includes requirements ensuring that all pollutants released by the facility meet emission standards beyond its property boundary, including those based on health criteria. The company must also comply with recordkeeping, reporting obligations, and regular inspections.
According to DAQ, “Copies of the final permit, final permit review, permit application, and a one-page project fact sheet are available online.”
