Summary
EPA Region 9 is issuing a final decision to grant conditional approval, in accordance with the Clean Air Act, for the construction of a natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant known as the Palmdale Energy Project (Project). The EPA is issuing a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit that grants conditional approval to Palmdale Energy LLC (Applicant), in accordance with the PSD regulations (40 CFR 52.21). The permit authorizes the Applicant to construct and operate the Project, which includes two natural gas-fired combustion turbines, an auxiliary boiler, two emergency engines, circuit breakers, and fugitive equipment leaks.
The proposed location for the Project is at 950 East Avenue M, Palmdale, California 93440.
During the public comment period and public hearing that the EPA held to receive public comment on the EPA’s proposed decision to approve the PSD permit application for the Project, the EPA received written and oral comments. The EPA has carefully reviewed the public hearing testimony and each of the written comments submitted and, after consideration of the expressed views of all commenters, the pertinent Federal statutes and regulations, and additional material relevant to the application and contained in our Administrative Record, the EPA has made a decision, in accordance with 40 CFR 52.21, to issue a final PSD permit to the Applicant.
The Administrative Record for this decision (including the final permit, all public comments, the EPA’s responses to the public comments, and additional supporting information) are available through a link at our website, www.epa.gov/caa-permitting/palmdale-energy-project-prevention-significant-deterioration-psd-permit.
Hard copies of the final permit and the EPA’s responses to the public comments are also available upon request at the following:
Lisa Beckham (R9airpermits@epa.gov)
(AIR-3) U.S. EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-3901
(415) 972-3811
The contact information above may also be used to request copies of other portions of the Administrative Record for this action. Lisa Beckham can also be reached through the EPA Region 9’s toll-free general information line at (866) 372-9378.
Within 30 days after the service of notice announcing this final permit decision, any person who filed comments on the proposed permit for the Project or participated in the public hearing for the Project may petition the EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) to review any condition of the final permit. Persons who did not file comments or participate in the public hearings may petition for administrative review only to the extent of changes from the proposed to the final permit decision. The petition must include a statement of the reason(s) for requesting review by the EAB, including a demonstration that any issues being raised were raised during the public comment period to the extent required by the regulations at 40 CFR Part 124 and when appropriate, a showing that the conditions in question are based on 1) a finding of fact or conclusion of law which is erroneous, or 2) an exercise of discretion or an important policy consideration which the EAB should, in its discretion, review. Please see 40 CFR 124.19 and visit www.epa.gov/eab/ for important information regarding the procedures for appeal of a PSD permit decision to the EAB.
The EPA’s permit for the Project shall become effective 30 days after the service of notice of the final permit decision, unless a petition for review is properly and timely filed with the EAB per 40 CFR 124.19. If a petition for review is filed with the EAB, construction of the facility is not authorized under this permit until resolution of the EAB petition(s). See CAA section 165(a); 40 CFR 124.15(b), 124.19(l)(1)-(2).