The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality said Tuesday that it is seeking comment on a revised air quality permit for the Idaho National Laboratory.
The proposed air quality permit to construct (PTC) will govern emissions from the sprawling national laboratory overseen by the Department of Energy. Chiefly, this permit consolidates some existing air permits for INL, Air Quality Permitting Senior Engineer Dan Pitman said by phone.
INL and Battelle Energy Alliance are seeking a “facility emission cap” for INL, Pitman noted. INL supports DOE’s missions in nuclear and energy research, science, and national defense.
The permit would slightly increase potential hours of operation for a boiler at the INL Naval Reactor Facility that can use diesel and fuel oil, Pitman said. The 1940s vintage NRF is operated for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program by a Bechtel affiliate, according to a regulatory document that accompanies the filing.
The Idaho DEQ has vetted the application and concluded that the proposed changes will not cause a violation of any ambient air quality standard. It should not injure humans, animals or vegetation, according to a DEQ news release.
The permit application will have no impact at all on radiation issues at INL, Pitman said.
The deadline for written or email comments is at 5 p.m. MST on Dec. 28. For more information, contact Tessa Stevens of the DEQ Air Quality Division, [email protected].
