The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) will conduct a public hearing (Docket # 2019-R-A-0029) on the proposed amendments to 7 DE Admin. Code 1124, Section 33.0 “Solvent Cleaning and Drying.” Due to the current State of Emergency, this public hearing will be virtual, unless otherwise by further notice.

The Division of Air Quality is proposing to update control requirements in 7 DE Admin. Code 1124 based upon a 2012 Ozone Transport Commission model rule. The proposed amendments are mainly related to cold cleaning machines and include: (1) eliminating the exemptions for cold cleaning machines containing less than one liter of solvent and five weight percent volatile organic compound (VOC), (2) allowing cold cleaning machines to be heated to below boiling, (3) reducing the solvent VOC concentration from 100 percent to 25 grams per liter for most applications, and (4) allowing higher VOC concentrations to be used in conjunction with a VOC capture and control device. These amendments will reduce emissions of VOC from solvent cleaning operations, thus reducing the formation of ground-level ozone. Delaware also will submit the amendments to EPA as a State Implementation Plan revision.

A virtual public hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 beginning at 6 p.m. The web link to the virtual hearing can be accessed through the DNREC Public Hearings site at de.gov/dnrechearings. If prompted for a password, please use: Solvent. To access the audio-only portion of the virtual hearing, dial 1-408-418-9388 and enter the event code 173 613 8246. Closed-captioning is available by request if made at least 7 days before the event.

Those wishing to offer verbal comments during DNREC public hearings must pre-register no later than noon of the date of the virtual hearing at de.gov/dnreccomments or by telephone at 302-739-9295.

The proposed amendments may be inspected online starting November 1, 2020 at regulations.delaware.gov/services/current_issue.shtml, or in-person, by appointment only, by contacting Renae Held by phone at 302-739-9402 or by email at renae.held@delaware.gov.

The Department will accept public comment through the close of business on Thursday, December 17, 2020. Comments will be accepted in written form via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, or by using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments, or by U.S. mail to the following address:

Theresa Smith, Hearing Officer
DNREC — Office of the Secretary
89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901

Related Topics:  air, air quality, cleaning, drying, permitting and regulation, public comment, public hearing, public notice, solvent