Helix Ravenswood, LLC - Ravenswood Generating Station, Queens NY
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Notice of Complete Application
Date: 01/24/2024Applicant: HELIX RAVENSWOOD LLC, 38-54 VERNON BLVD, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101
Facility: RAVENSWOOD GENERATING STATION, 38-54 VERNON BLVD, QUEENS, NY 11101
Application ID: 2-6304-00024/00035
Permits(s) Applied for: 1 - Article 19 Title IV (Phase II Acid Rain) 1 - Article 19 Air Title V Facility
Project is located: in QUEENS COUNTY
Project Description:
The Department has prepared a draft permit and has made a tentative determination, subject to public comment or other information, to approve an application by Helix Ravenswood LLC’s for the renewal and minor modification of an Air Title V (ATV) permit renewal 4 (ID# 2-6304-00024/00035) and an Air Title IV (AT4) permit renewal 4 (Phase II Acid Rain ID#2-6304-00024/00029) for their existing facility, Ravenswood Generating Station, (hereinafter referred to as “Facility”) located at 38-54 Vernon Blvd., Queens, NY 11101. The Facility is currently permitted to operate as an electric utility power generating plant.
ATV Renewal 4 reflects the Facility’s submittal of a 2020 compliance plan in accordance with 6 NYCRR Subpart 227-3 and incorporates the retirement of all existing seventeen (17) simple cycle combustion peaker turbines and their starter engines. All emission caps associated with the combustion turbines has been removed from the permit. In addition, processes associated with the combustion of waste fuel and non-hazardous boiler cleaning solutions in the boilers have also been removed from the permit. This renewal also incorporates condition for 6 NYCRR Part 251, CO2 Performance Standards for Major Electric Generating Facilities. These performance standards result in new carbon dioxide limits which the facility must abide by.
Pursuant to the requirements of Sections 7(3) of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the Department has requested and received information regarding the project’s consistency with the CLCPA.
The Facility consists of three (3) steam boiler turbine/generator sets with a combined nominal rating of 1818 MW and three (3) emergency generators. Natural gas is the primary fuel for all units, with residual oil fuel used on a limited basis. The Title IV permit renewal 4 is for Units 10, 20 and 30 (ID#2-6304-00024/00035) and Unit 40 of Ravenswood Generating Station Article X combined cycle plant (ATV #2=6304-000024/00039).
The proposed ATV renewal and AT4 renewal and Facility operation will not result in increases in emissions and will continue all other requirements of the existing ATV and AT4 Permit. No new emission sources to existing emission units are proposed in Title V renewal or the Title IV renewal. No other changes are proposed to the existing ATV Renewal 4 or AT4 Renewal 4 Permit.
The draft permit continues to include federal conditions: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Maximum Achievable Control; 40CFR 63 Subparts UUUUU; 40CFR 97 Subparts AAAAA and CCCCC. As per the terms of the draft permit, the Facility will remain subject to the provisions of 6 NYCRR 201-6 (Title V Facility Permits and Title IV Facility Permits) and among other state and federal laws, rules and regulations: 6NYCRR Subparts 225-1, 227-1 and 227-2. The draft Air Title V Renewal 4 and draft Air Title IV Renewal 4 permit contains a complete listing of the applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations, including emission limits, control requirements and compliance monitoring, testing, recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the Facility, its emission units and emission points.
In accordance with 6NYCRR Parts 621.7(d)(9) and 201-6.3(c), the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has the authority to bar issuance of any Title V Facility Permit if it is determined not to be in compliance with applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act or 6NYCRR Part 201.
Persons wishing to inspect the subject Title V files, including the application with all relevant supporting materials, the draft permit, and all other materials available to the DEC (the "permitting authority") that are relevant to this permitting decision should contact the DEC representative listed below. The Draft Permit and Permit Review Report may be viewed and printed from the Department web site at: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/air-quality/controlling-pollution-from-facilities/permits- registrations-fees.
DEC will evaluate the application and the comments received on it to determine whether to hold a public hearing. Comments and requests for a public hearing should be in writing and addressed to the Department representative listed below. A copy of the Department's permit hearing procedures is available upon request or on the Department web site at: https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/environmental-permits/guide-to- permit-hearings.
Availability of Application Documents:
Filed application documents, and Department draft permits where applicable, are available for inspection during normal business hours at the address of the contact person. To ensure timely service at the time of inspection, it is recommended that an appointment be made with the contact person.
State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Determination
Project is an Unlisted Action and will not have a significant impact on the environment. A Negative Declaration is on file. A coordinated review was performed.
SEQR Lead Agency
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination
The proposed activity is not subject to review in accordance with SHPA. The application type is exempt and/or the project involves the continuation of an existing operational activity.
Coastal Management
This project is located in a Coastal Management area and is subject to the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act.
DEC Commissioner Policy 29, Environmental Justice and Permitting (CP-29)
It has been determined that the proposed action is not subject to CP-29.
Availability For Public Comment
Comments on this project must be submitted in writing to the Contact Person no later than 03/01/2024 or 30 days after the publication date of this notice, whichever is later.
Contact Person
DENISE L GRATTAN
NYSDEC
47-40 21st St
Long Island City, NY 11101-5401