John Nicholson Chief Deputy Secretary | North Carolina Department Of Environmental Quality
John Nicholson Chief Deputy Secretary | North Carolina Department Of Environmental Quality
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Air Quality is seeking public comments on a draft Title V air quality permit. This is for the Laurinburg Saw Mill #2, operated by Edwards Wood Products, Inc., located in Scotland County.
The sawmill currently holds a synthetic minor air quality permit, which caps its volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions at under 100 tons per year. The facility has requested to alter this permit to remove the cap, thereby classifying it as a major source requiring a Title V air quality permit. This category subjects the facility to more stringent regulations and increased inspection frequency.
Despite this change, the mill will continue to be classified as a minor source for hazardous air pollutants. The proposed modification retains an operational limit intended to mitigate toxic air pollution emissions from Edwards Wood Products. The Division of Air Quality's air dispersion modeling indicates that maintaining this limit should not lead to exceeding health-based air quality thresholds.
The draft permit outlines conditions to ensure the facility's emissions align with ambient air quality standards, including those based on health, beyond its property boundaries. Compliance will be monitored through recordkeeping, reporting requirements, and regular inspections.
Public feedback will play a vital role in the final decision regarding the proposed permit. Comments or requests for a public hearing will be accepted until April 30, 2025. Responses can be emailed to daq.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov with "LaurinburgSawMill.24B" as the subject. Alternatively, comments can be left via voicemail or mailed to the Division of Air Quality.
Relevant documents, including the draft permit and permit application, are accessible online.
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