PUBLIC NOTICE
Proposed Air Quality Permit 6866-SC-R1 – Source Category Permit to operate area source dry cleaning facilities using perchloroethylene as a solvent in the District of Columbia
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to 20 DCMR §210, the Air Quality Division (AQD) of the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), located at 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor, Washington DC, intends to issue a renewal source category permit covering a subset of dry cleaning facilities in the District of Columbia. This source category permit will be designated Permit No. 6866-SC-R1 and is a renewal and update of a previously issued permit for this source category.
This permit will cover only dry cleaners considered to be area sources of perchlorothylene (also known as tetrachloroethylene or perc) in the District of Columbia. This means that the covered sources will each emit less than 10 tons per year of perchloroethylene. This equates to usage of less than 2,100 gallons per year of this solvent in the permissible types of dry cleaning machines.
This source category permit does not cover major source dry cleaning establishments emitting more than 10 tons per year of perchloroethylene (those purchasing greater than 2,100 gallons of perchloroethylene yearly). Additionally, this source category permit covers only the equipment at the facility using perchloroethylene as a dry cleaning solvent. It does not cover other equipment regulated under 20 DCMR including boilers, generators and any other equipment at the facility capable of emitting air pollutants. If any entity owns, operates, or plans to install any equipment of this sort, they should consult with AQD to determine the applicability of any other permitting requirements pursuant to 20 DCMR 200.
The proposed emission limits are as follows:
a. Visible emissions shall not be emitted into the outdoor atmosphere from this equipment. [20 DCMR 201 and 606.1]
b. An emission into the atmosphere of odorous or other air pollutants from any source in any quantity and of any characteristic, and duration which is, or is likely to be injurious to the public health or welfare, or which interferes with the reasonable enjoyment of life or property is prohibited. [20 DCMR 903.1]
c. Emissions of perchloroethylene shall not exceed 10 tons in any given 12 month rolling period from any facility covered by this permit. Note that 10 tons of emissions equates to 2,100 gallons of perchloroethylene usage in dry-to-dry machines.
d. After December 21, 2020, the owner or operator shall eliminate any emission of perchloroethylene from any dry cleaning system that is located in a building with a residence. [40 C.F.R. § 63.322(o)(5)(i)]
The draft permit and supporting documentation are available for public inspection at AQD and copies may be made available between the hours of 8:15 A.M. and 4:45 P.M. Monday through Friday. Interested parties wishing to view these documents should provide their names, addresses, telephone numbers and affiliation, if any, to Stephen S. Ours at (202) 535-1747.
Interested persons may submit written comments or may request a public hearing on this subject within 30 days of publication of this notice. The written comments must also include the person’s name, telephone number, affiliation, if any, mailing address and a statement outlining the air quality issues in dispute and any facts underscoring those air quality issues. All relevant comments will be considered in issuing the final permit.
Comments on the proposed permit and any request for a public hearing should be addressed to:
Stephen S. Ours
Chief, Permitting Branch - Air Quality Division
Department of Energy and Environment
1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
No comments or hearing requests submitted after May 20, 2019 will be accepted.
For more information, please contact Stephen S. Ours at (202) 535-1747.
