The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing on February 17, to accept comments on an operating permit for a natural gas liquids pump station in West Cornwall Township, Lebanon County.

The 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. hearing will be at the Quentin Volunteer Fire Company Hall, 20 South Lebanon St., Lebanon.

“This hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to make comments about the operations and proposed permit conditions at this particular pump station,” DEP Southcentral Regional Director Lynn Langer said. “All written and oral comments received will be considered with the final review of the permit application.”

Sunoco has proposed to construct and operate a pump station along an existing pipeline that the company operates. A pump station monitors the flow, adjusts the pressure and pumps the liquid gas along the pipeline.

The potential emissions from the facility, including emissions from equipment leaks and operation of an enclosed flare, are estimated at 0.25 tons per year of Volatile Organic Compounds, 0.01 tons per year of Nitrogen Oxide and 0.2 tons per year of Carbon Monoxide.

The low level of emissions qualified the pump station for a Request for Determination (RFD) approval which allowed for the installation of equipment without a DEP air quality construction permit.

Nevertheless, at the time of the RFD approval, DEP determined that the facility should also obtain a State Only Operating Permit (SOOP) to cover the ongoing operation of the equipment.

The purpose of the SOOP is to ensure emission limits, work practice standards, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements are followed at the pump station in accordance with air quality regulations.

The RFD for the installation was approved on April 3, 2014. Sunoco submitted its SOOP application on May 22, 2014, and DEP released a draft permit for public comment on Sept. 20, 2014.

At the public hearing, attendees will have an opportunity to present oral testimony, up to five minutes per person. To ensure that all speakers have a fair and equal opportunity to present their testimony, relinquishing of time to other speakers will be prohibited, and groups are asked to designate one speaker. All presenters should bring two copies of their comments and exhibits for submission to DEP.

Those who wish to present testimony during the hearing are asked to register in advance by contacting Eileen Bitting in DEP’s Southcentral Regional Office at 717-705-4703. Individuals who register in advance will be given priority on the agenda. If time permits at the hearing, those who did not register in advance will be given the opportunity to testify.

Individuals who are in need of an accommodation for the hearing as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact Bitting at the number provided above or make accommodations through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 (TDD).

Those who prefer to present their comments in writing or are unable to attend the hearing may submit written testimony by 4 p.m. on February 24 to Thomas J. Hanlon, DEP South-central Regional Office, Air Quality Program, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

DEP will provide a written response to all relevant testimony and comments provided during the public hearing and public comment period, and will consider relevant comments in its review of the application.

The permit application, DEP review memo and draft permit are available for review on DEP’s Southcentral Regional Office webpage.

2/9/2015