Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

ADEQ Seeking Comments

Natural gas gathering stations that emit relatively low levels of pollution would be permitted through a streamlined, general permit as proposed by the State Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). ADEQ is seeking public comment to the plan and had schedule a public hearing to receive comments at its headquarters in Little Rock on September 13.

Until recently gathering stations were not permitted for air emissions, but changes in environmental regulations require that ADEQ write individual permits for larger stations. The department proposes that smaller stations be regulated under the one draft general permit.

Gathering compressor stations are used between the wellhead and transmission line to raise the pressure on natural gas. At the gathering station the gas may be dehydrated prior to being sent to a main transmission line, or it may be sent down the pipeline, where the gas would be additionally compressed to a higher pressure and treated at another compressor station. Most gathering stations are located in the gas producing areas in northwest and south Arkansas.

Facilities emitting less than 100 tons per year of a single regulated pollutant would be eligible for regulation under the general permit. Gathering stations, which are fueled with field natural gas containing high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, may be ineligible for permitting by the general permit process. The application process for a general permit is shorter and simpler than for individual permits, but the facility still is required to comply with environmental laws and regulations.

ADEQ will conduct an open house and public hearing on its Building D Training Room at 8001 National Drive in Little Rock on September 13.

Individuals may arrive anytime from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to discuss the draft general permit with ADEQ staff and to offer comment. Written comments will be accepted if postmarked or received by 4:30 p.m. September 23, addressed to Rhonda Sharp, ADEQ, P.O. Box 8913, Little Rock, AR 72219-8913.

A copy of the draft general permit is available by contacting ADEQ's customer service division at 501-682-0923.

Individuals seeking technical information about the proposal may contact Steve Patrick, engineering supervisor in the department's air division at 501-682-0744.

Following review of comments received, the ADEQ will make a final decision on issuing the general permit.