Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Allnex USA Inc, Wallingford

Notice of Tentative Determination of Intent to Renew a Discharge Permit for Discharges into the Waters of the State of Connecticut

1.0 TENTATIVE DECISION
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection hereby gives notice of a tentative determination to renew a permit based on an application and administrative record submitted by Allnex USA Inc.  ("the applicant") under Section 22a 430 of the Connecticut General Statutes ("CGS") for a permit to discharge into the waters of the state. The tentative decision to renew this permit also includes a tentative decision regarding best technology available under section 316(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1326(b).

In accordance with applicable federal and state law, the Commissioner has made a tentative determination that continuance of the existing discharge would not cause pollution of the waters of the state and the Commissioner proposes to renew a permit for the discharge to Connecticut River.

The proposed permit, if issued by the Commissioner, will require that wastewater meet applicable effluent limitations and periodic monitoring to demonstrate that the discharge will not cause pollution.

2.0 APPLICANT'S PROPOSAL
Allnex USA. Inc. proposes to discharge a maximum daily flow of 2,809,000 gallons per day of non-contact cooling water, cooling tower blowdown, cooling tower system maintenance drains, incidental system leakage, maintenance drains from cooling tower, condenser condensate, steam condensate, filtrates, laboratory wastewater, still bottoms, steam jet ejector condensates, steam jet ejector intercooler water, produced water, seal water, patty box drainage, sluice pelletizer, decant water, wash water, wet scrubber, building roof and containment structure water, sampling sink or valve drainage, maintenance sinks, eye wash and safety shower, boiler blowdown, water treatment wastewater, air compressor condensates, air conditioner condensate, activated carbon regeneration, boiler system drains, fire training water, sanitary sewage, fire suppression test water, fire water storage tank overflow, and engine cooling water for emergency diesel pump to the Quinnipiac River from operations at a chemical manufacturing facility in Wallingford.

The name and mailing address of the permit applicant are: 
Allnex USA Inc. 
528 South cherry Street
Wallingford, CT 06492  

The activity takes place at: 
Allnex USA Inc. 
528 South cherry Street
Wallingford, CT 06492  

3.0 REGULATORY CONDITIONS

3.1 Type of Treatment

DSN 001-1: Equalization, neutralization, biological treatment, and settling.

3.2 Effluent Limitations

This permit contains effluent limitations applicable to the external outfall consistent with new source categorical standards for organic chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibers wastewaters and a case-by-case determination using the criteria of Best Professional Judgement and which will protect the water quality standards when the permittee complies with all permit requirements. 

In accordance with Section 22a 430 4(l) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (“RCSA”), the permit contains effluent limitations for the following types of toxic substances: heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, nutrients, and pH. Refer to the fact sheet for additional information.

3.3 Compliance Schedule

This permit contains enforceable compliance schedules which require the applicant to:

1)  Create and implement a sampling plan for a minimum of two separate and distinct samples to monitor for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and review inventory for any materials that may contain PFAS; and

2) Review its discharge and processes to characterize and reduce the toxicity of the discharge.

4.0 COMMISSIONER’S AUTHORITY
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is authorized to approve or deny such permits pursuant to Section 402(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 USC 1251, et. seq. and Section 22a 430 of the CGS and the Water Discharge Permit Regulations (Section 22a 430 3 and 4 of the RCSA).
                            
 5.0 INFORMATION REQUESTS
The application has been assigned the following numbers by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Please use these numbers when corresponding with this office regarding this application.

APPLICATION NO. 201508943                 PERMIT ID NO. CT0000086   

Interested persons may obtain copies of the application from 
Virginia Ryan, 
Allnex USA. Inc. 
528 South Cherry Street, 
Wallingford CT 06492
Email: virginia.ryan@allnex.com
Phone: (203) 233-7967

The application is available for inspection by contacting Patrick Bieger at (860) 424-3805 or Patrick.bieger@ct.gov, at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 061065127 from 8:30-4:30, Monday through Friday.

Any interested person may request in writing that his or her name be put on a mailing list to receive notice of intent to issue any permit to discharge to the surface waters of the state.  Such request may be for the entire state or any geographic area of the state and shall clearly state in writing the name and mailing address of the interested person and the area for which notices are requested.

6.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
Prior to making a final decision to approve or deny any application, the Commissioner shall consider written comments on the application from interested persons that are received within 30 days of this public notice.  Written comments should be directed to Patrick Bieger, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 061065127 or patrick.bieger@ct.gov. The Commissioner may hold a public hearing prior to approving or denying an application if in the Commissioner's discretion the public interest will be best served thereby and shall hold
a hearing upon receipt of a petition signed by at least twenty-five persons. Notice of any public hearing shall be published at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing.

7.0 PETITIONS FOR HEARING
Petitions for a hearing shall be submitted within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this public notice and should include the application number noted above and also identify a contact person to receive notifications.  Petitions may also identify a person who is authorized to engage in discussions regarding the application and, if resolution is reached, withdraw the petition. The Office of Adjudications will accept electronically filed petitions for hearing in addition to those submitted by mail or hand delivered. Petitions with required signatures may be sent to deep.adjudications@ct.gov or may be mailed or delivered to DEEP Office of Adjudications, 79 Elm Street, 3rd floor, Hartford, 06106-5127. If the signed original petition is only in an electronic format, the petition must be submitted with a statement signed by the petitioner that the petition exists only in that form. Original petitions that were filed electronically must also be mailed or delivered to the Office of Adjudications within thirty (30) days of electronic submittal. Additional information can be found at www.ct.gov/deep/adjudications
                                     
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program, or event.

/s/Audra Dickson, Director
Water Permitting and Enforcement Division
Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Published in the Record-Journal on October 4, 2024. 

Draft Permit
Fact Sheet