For release: August 14, 2008

Contacts:
Andy Ginsburg, DEQ Air Quality Division, Portland, 503-229-5397
Linda Hayes-Gorman, DEQ Air Quality Bend Office, 541-388-6146, ext. 274
Joanie Stevens-Schwenger, Communications and Outreach, 503-229-6585

DEQ’s draft proposal targets haze-producing pollutants

            DEQ is taking the first step in a public conversation about reducing pollution from PGE’s coal-fueled power plant in Boardman. The proposal – a regulatory concept calling for stringent emission controls - would cut haze-producing pollution from the plant by over 65 percent in five years and 80 percent within10. To encourage a public dialogue, DEQ will hold several public comment sessions before the agency begins the rule-writing process to solicit public review and comment.

            The PGE Boardman facility is one of the most significant single sources of air pollution contributing to the degradation of scenic vistas in Oregon’s wilderness areas and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. DEQ’s proposal, if implemented, would eliminate about 21,000 tons of combined sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) pollution per year. Both pollutants contribute to haze, acid rain and acid deposition.

            The agency’s draft proposal goes beyond minimum federal Clean Air Act requirements to significantly reduce haze in wilderness areas in Oregon and Washington, as well as help protect cultural and natural resources in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This measure would be one of the strongest actions taken in western states to reduce haze in national parks and scenic areas.

            DEQ currently estimates that the proposed emission controls will cost more than $400 million dollars when fully implemented. The cost could result in a two to three percent increase in electricity rates to PGE’s residential and business consumers, depending on future action by the Public Utility Commission. DEQ will convene an advisory committee to assess the financial impact.

Next steps

            The public will have an opportunity to address this issue at an upcoming Environmental Quality Commission meeting in Hermiston during the “public forum” period on August 21 or at a Town Hall meeting the commission is sponsoring that evening from 7-9 at the Hermiston Conference Center.

            DEQ will convene the fiscal advisory committee in September to help evaluate and describe the financial consequences of the draft proposal.

            In late October DEQ will hold a public workshop to describe the concept, answer questions, and receive comments. Agency staff will also give an informational report to the commission that month.

            DEQ could modify the draft proposal based on information provided by its fiscal advisory committee and the public before it makes a formal rule proposal in November. The agency anticipates a formal public comment period on proposed rules to extend from December through January, with final rules forwarded to the commission in April 2009.

            More information about DEQ’s draft proposal, and an opportunity to comment, is available on the website at www.oregon.gov/DEQ, under ‘Hot Topics” on the homepage.

Background

            DEQ is currently preparing to update the state’s regional haze plan and its air quality strategy for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

            The federal Clean Air Act requires regional haze plans to reduce air pollution that degrades scenic vistas in federal wilderness areas and national parks. DEQ’s air quality analysis shows that SO₂ and NOx emissions from the Boardman facility are significant and degrade visibility in 14 wilderness areas across Oregon and Washington.

            The 2008 regional haze plan update includes federal requirements for certain older industrial sources, like PGE Boardman, that began operation before Clean Air Act requirements for visibility protection were in place. Under the federal regional haze requirements, PGE must install emission controls, called Best Available Retrofit Technology or simply “BART,” to reduce haze-producing air pollution impact from its Boardman facility.

            While the Columbia River Gorge scenic area is not covered by the regional haze plan, DEQ is working with the tribes and Washington State on a strategic plan to reduce haze, acid rain and acid deposition in the Columbia Gorge. DEQ’s regulatory proposal would not only result in stronger environmental protection of Oregon and Washington wilderness areas, but also the scenic, cultural, and natural resources of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

            Many other sources, such as transportation, urban emissions, forest and open burning, also generate haze pollution and degrade visibility in wilderness areas. These are also are being evaluated by DEQ under the federal regional haze program. More information on DEQ’s 2008 Regional Haze Plan update is available on the agency’s Website at www.oregon.gov/DEQ , then go to “Divisions,” “Air Quality.” Regional Haze is listed under “Special Topics.”