BHP Smelter at San Manuel

The public notice says that "the smelter, currently owned and operated by BHP Billition (BHP), has been temporarily shut down and is now considering resuming operations.  In order to begin operating again, BHP was required to demonstrate that renewed operation will not violate the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide (SO₂)."
The hearing will be held by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) on at 1:30 p.m. October 16, 2001 at the BHP Conference Center, 111 5th Avenue, San Manuel.

A transcript of the public notice follows.

   The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) will hold a public hearing to receive comments on its proposal to amend state regulations for copper smelters by incorporating source-requested reductions in emission limits for the smelter located near San Manuel, Arizona.  The smelter, currently owned and operated by BHP Billition (BHP), has been temporarily shut down and is now considering resuming operations.  In order to begin operating again, BHP was required to demonstrate that renewed operation will not violate the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide (SO₂).  As part of the demonstration, BHP requested more stringent emissions limits.  The new limits required changes to AAC  R-18-2-715 AND R18-2-715.2
 

   Additional amendments are proposed to update references to current federal quality assurance procedures and to remove outdated requirements for submittal of compliance schedules by subject sources.  ADEQ anticipates submitting the revised rules to the U.s. [sic] Environmental Protection Agency as a State Implementation Plan revision for the San Manuel SO₂, nonattainment area.
 

   A public hearing on the proposed amendments to Arizona's rules will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 1:30 p.M., BHP Conference Center, 111 5th Avenue, San Manuel, AZ 85831.  All interested parties will be given an opportunity at the public hearing to submit relevant comments, data, and views, orally and in writing.  Written comments must be received at ADEQ by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2001.
   All written comments should be addressed, faxed, or emailed to
   Mark Lewandowski, Air Quality Planning Secretary
   Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
   3033 N. Central Ave., TS109, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2905
   FAX: (602) 207-2366
   E-MAIL: lewandowski.mark@ev.state.az.us
   Information regarding the proposed rule changes can be found in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at Volume 7 of the September 14, 2001, Arizona Administrative Register.  Copies of the proposal are also available for review beginning September 14, 2001 at the following locations:
   Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Library, First Floor
   3033 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012
   Lorraine Akay, (602) 207-4335