FSEC approves Grays Harbor Energy Center Title V and acid rain permits

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council voted on Feb. 18 to issue a renewed Title V Air Operating Permit, an acid rain permit and the associated technical support document for the Grays Harbor Energy Center. The documents were posted for public comment and then sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a required 45‑day review, which ended Feb. 2 with no EPA comments.

FSEC site specialist Sarah Randolph briefed the council that staff recommended issuance of the permit package and said the public comment period had concluded with no substantive comments to change the staff recommendation. Eric Pace of Grays Harbor Energy, on the call, confirmed there was nothing further to add.

Council members asked technical questions before the vote about quarterly reporting formats and how state excess emissions reporting is handled. Aaron Manley (acid rain reviewer) and Eric Pace explained the SO2 allowance line in the permit reflects an annually determined amount based on the previous year's emissions; Pace characterized the permit language as a changing value. Council member Bridal Rybarik suggested clarifying the permit text to state the value is "determined annually," noting that any wording change would likely require resubmittal to EPA for review.

After discussion, a council member moved and another seconded the motion to approve issuance. Members voted by voice and the chair declared the permits approved.

The council recording and packet materials list the Title V AOP, the acid rain permit and the technical support document as the approved items. The staff and facility representatives said they will follow up on language clarity if future edits prove necessary.