DEC Issues Albany County Sewer District Air Permits

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently issued two air Title V facility permits to the Albany County Sewer District to continue to operate its two existing sewage sludge incineration facilities and associated emergency stationary internal combustion engines at its north and south plants located in Menands and Albany, respectively.

Prior to the issuance of the Title V federal air permits, the two plants were operating under state air pollution control permits. New federal regulations now require these types of incinerators to have federal air Title V permits, subjecting them to more stringent emission, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

The issuance of these new permits are the result of a multi-year effort that began with the EPA revising and strengthening its requirements for sewage sludge incinerators in 2011 to ensure that all sewage sludge incinerators meet new, stricter federal permit conditions. On January 14, 2015, DEC commenced a 30-day public comment period on the draft permits to provide the public with an opportunity to review application documents and submit comments.

The new air Title V permits for the facilities do not authorize any material changes in plant operations. No new emission sources are permitted and there will be not be any increase in allowed air emissions at either plant.