The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Project Doc Type: Public Notice
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Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Project Doc Type: Public Notice Public Comment Information EAW Public comment period begins: October 27, 2014 EAW Public comment period ends: 4:30 p.m. on November 26, 2014 Notice published in the EQB Monitor: October 27, 2014 Permit public comment period begins sometime during the week of October 27th or November 3rd. Permit public comment period ends 30 days after comment period begins. Facility Specific Information Facility name and location: Facility contact: Old Main Steam Plant University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 1180 Main Street SE Roger Wegner Minneapolis, MN 55455 Project Manager SW ¼, SE ¼, Section 24, T29N, R24W 319 15th Avenue SE Minneapolis Township Minneapolis, MN 55455 Hennepin County, MN Phone: 612-626-4646 Fax: 612-625-0770 Email: [email protected] MPCA Contact Information MPCA EAW contact person: MPCA Permit contact person: Kim Grosenheider Bruce Braaten Resource Management and Assistance Division Industrial Division Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Road North 18 Wood Lake Drive SE St. Paul, MN 55155 Rochester, MN 55904 Phone: 651-757-2170 Phone: 507-206-2607 Fax: 651-297-2343 Fax: 507-280-5513 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Admin staff phone: 651-757-2100 General Information The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is distributing this Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for a 30-day review and comment period pursuant to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) rules. The MPCA uses the EAW and any comments received to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and decide on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). An electronic version of the EAW is available on the MPCA Environmental Review webpage at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oxpg691. If you would like a copy of the EAW or air emissions permit or have any questions on the EAW or air emissions permit, contact the appropriate person(s) listed above. p-ear2-61a www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 • Available in alternative formats i-admin12-08 • 10/2/14 Page 1 of 2 Description of Proposed Project The University of Minnesota intends to construct a new combined heat and power (CHP) facility at the existing Main Plant, located on the west side of the Minneapolis campus. The Main CHP Project will consist of a 22.8 megawatt (MW) combustion turbine generator and 270,000 lb/hr of steam capacity. Natural gas will be the primary fuel used to operate the system. Two existing coal- fired boilers located at the nearby Southeast Plant will be retired upon commencement of commercial operation of the CHP system. An air emissions permit was prepared and will be posted for public notice during the week of October 27th or November 3rd. To Submit Written Comments on the EAW and Air Emissions Permit Written comments on the EAW must be received by the MPCA EAW contact person within the comment period listed above. For information on how to comment on the Air Emissions Permit, contact the MPCA Permit contact person listed above. NOTE: All comment letters are public documents and will be part of the official public record for this project. Need for an EIS (1) A final decision on the need for an EIS will be made after the end of the comment period. (2) If a request for an EIS is received during the comment period, or if the MPCA Commissioner (Commissioner) recommends the preparation of an EIS, the MPCA Citizens’ Board (Board) will make the final decision. (3) If a request for an EIS is not received, the final decision will be made by the Commissioner. The Board meets once a month, usually the fourth Tuesday of each month, at the MPCA office in St. Paul. Meetings are open to the public and interested persons may offer testimony on Board agenda items. Information on the Board is available at: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/nwqh406. www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 • Available in alternative formats i-admin12-08 • 10/2/14 Page 2 of 2 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET Note to reviewers: Comments must be submitted to the MPCA during the 30-day comment period following notice of the EAW in the EQB Monitor. Comments should address the accuracy and completeness of information, potential impacts that warrant further investigation and the need for an EIS. 1. Project Title: The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Project 2. Proposer: Regents of the University of Minnesota 3. RGU: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Contact person: Roger Wegner Contact person: Kim Grosenheider Title: Project Manager Title: EAW Project Manager Address: 300 Donhowe Building Address: 520 Lafayette Road North 319 15th Avenue SE City, State, ZIP: St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 City, State, ZIP: Minneapolis, MN 55455 Phone: 651-757-2170 Phone: 612-626-4646 Fax: 651-297-2243 Fax: 612-625-0770 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 4. Reason for EAW Preparation: (check one) Required: Discretionary: o EIS Scoping o Citizen Petition X Mandatory EAW oRGU Discretion o Proposer Initiated Minn. R. 4410.4300 subp. 15(B) Air Pollution (Greenhouse Gases) 5. Project Location: County: Hennepin City/Township: Minneapolis PLS Location (¼, ¼, Section, Township, Range): SW ¼, SE ¼, Section 24, Township 29N, Range 24W Watershed (81 major watershed scale): Twin Cities (#20) GPS Coordinates: N: 4980971, W: 4980676; (NAD_1983_UTM_Zone_15N) Tax Parcel Number: 2402924430001 Attached to the EAW: Figure 1. Hennepin County Map of the Project General Location Figure 2. U.S. Geological Survey Map Figure 3. Site Plan Figure 4. 100-year Flood Map Figure 5. Current and Proposed Site Images Figure 6. Draft Stormwater Plan Map The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – Combined Heat and Power Project Environmental Assessment Minneapolis, Minnesota 1 Worksheet Appendix A. State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) Letter (1 of 2) Appendix B. State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) Letter (2 of 2) Appendix C. Natural Heritage Review Minnesota DNR Letter 6. Project Description: a. Provide the brief project summary to be published in the EQB Monitor, (approximately 50 words). The University of Minnesota intends to construct a new combined heat and power (CHP) facility at the existing Main Plant, located on the west side of the Minneapolis campus. The Main CHP Project will consist of a 22.8 megawatt (MW) combustion turbine generator and 270,000 lb/hr of steam capacity. Natural gas will be the primary fuel used to operate the system. Two existing coal-fired boilers located at the nearby Southeast Plant will be retired upon commencement of commercial operation of the CHP system. b. Give a complete description of the proposed project and related new construction, including infrastructure needs. If the project is an expansion include a description of the existing facility. Emphasize: 1) construction, operation methods and features that will cause physical manipulation of the environment or will produce wastes, 2) modifications to existing equipment or industrial processes, 3) significant demolition, removal or remodeling of existing structures, and 4) timing and duration of construction activities. Overview: The University of Minnesota intends to construct a new CHP facility. The emission units will be installed in the existing Main Plant Building located on the west side of the Minneapolis campus. Originally constructed in 1912, the Main Plant provided steam to the campus until completion of the Southeast Plant Renovation Project in 2000. The plant will now be rehabilitated as a modern, energy-efficient facility. The Main CHP Project source emission and air pollution control units will consist of the following equipment: • A 22.8 MW combustion turbine generator (CTG, gross power output) • A 210 MMbtu/hr duct burner system • A 270,000 lb steam/hr heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) • A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to control nitrogen oxides • An oxidation catalyst to control carbon monoxide emissions Natural gas will be the primary fuel used to operate the CHP system. Ultra low-sulfur distillate fuel (ULSD) will be used during periods of natural gas curtailment. ULSD contains no more than 15 parts per million (ppm) sulfur, which will minimize both sulfur dioxide and particulate emissions from the units. In addition, Southeast Boilers 3 and 4 (EU004 and EU005) will be retired upon commencement of commercial operation of the CHP system. These coal-fired boilers are more than 60 years old and no longer meet the University’s reliability requirements or sustainability goals. The University of Minnesota will continue operating the remaining three boilers at the Southeast Plant. The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – Combined Heat and Power Project Environmental Assessment Minneapolis, Minnesota 2 Worksheet Construction Methods: The University will use the existing Main Building to house the CHP system. The building interior will be demolished and bracing will be used to maintain structural integrity while new superstructure and equipment is put in place. The building shell will be retained but a new roof will be installed. The new facility will therefore have the same footprint as currently exists at the site. Equipment and construction materials will be delivered to the site by truck, using access roads from the west and north. Construction specifications require a solid waste management plan for all waste materials, including demolition debris. University policy requires waste minimization/pollution prevention as well as the recycling of all materials that have an existing market. It is expected that some asbestos and/or mercury or lead-containing materials may be discovered during demolition.