Notice is hereby given that Aearo Technologies LLC having a facility at 650 Dawson Drive, Newark, Delaware, has submitted a request for a significant permit modification pursuant to 7 DE Admin. Code 1130, Section 7 for operating permit: AQM-003/00073 – Renewal (5) Revision (2). Based on the data and certifications contained in the application, the Division of Air Quality concludes that the applicant meets all applicable requirements promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Therefore a “draft/proposed” significant permit modification has been prepared. This “draft/proposed” significant permit modification allows the facility to use a new water-based coating which will have a higher solids content than the currently used solvent-based coating. The significant permit modification increases the allowable solids content in the permit for Spray Booths 1-4 from 5 lb/gal to 5.5 lb/gal, and increases Particulate Matter (PM) emissions from 0.45 pounds per hour and 0.78 tons per twelve-month rolling period to 1.26 pounds per hour and 2.16 tons per twelve-month rolling period. Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions from the spray booths will also increase from 9.75 pounds per hour and 16.72 tons per twelve-month rolling period to 9.8 pounds per hour and 16.96 tons per twelve-month rolling period to account for usage of both coatings during the shakedown period. Additionally, the significant permit modification removes non-applicable startup and shutdown recordkeeping requirements from the permit.

The facility’s associated 7 DE Admin. Code 1102 permit (Permit: APC-1989/0190-OPERATION (Amendment 5)) will also be modified to reflect these changes. Spray Booths 1-4 will be permitted to emit 16.96 tons per year of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 2.16 tons per year of total particulate matter.

The application, the “draft/proposed” significant permit modification AQM-003/00073 – Renewal (5) Revision (2), all materials that the applicant has submitted (other than those granted confidential treatment under DNREC rules), and a copy of summary of other materials, if any, considered in preparing the “draft/proposed” significant permit modification may be reviewed upon request. The materials are posted at de.gov/dnrecnotices. To submit comments, for additional information, or for information regarding how you can inspect the application materials, please contact Jennifer Childears at (302) 739‑9402.

The “draft/proposed” permit renewal is being submitted to EPA for concurrent processing. If there are no significant comments, the “draft/proposed” permit renewal will be issued as a final permit after expiration of the EPA review period.

A public hearing concerning the permitting action will not be held unless the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control receives a request for such hearing within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice, ending July 4, 2023. A request for a hearing shall be in writing and must show a familiarity with the application and a reasoned statement of the permit renewal’s probable impact.

Division of Air Quality
State Street Commons, Suite 6A
100 W. Water Street, Dover 19904
302-739-9402

Related Topics:  air quality, coating, permit modification, permitting and regulation, public notice, title v