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Meeting Details
Date / Time	5/15/2026  1:00 pm
Type	Physical Location Only
Location	DEQ Blue Ridge Regional Office, 901 Russell Drive, Salem, VA 24153
Board Website	http://www.deq.virginia.gov
Agenda document	agency has not posted
Purpose of the meeting Purpose of notice: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is announcing an opportunity for public comments on two proposed permits to reduce air pollution emitted by a facility in Alleghany County, Virginia. The Commonwealth intends to submit the permits as revisions to its State Implementation Plan (SIP) in accordance with the requirements of §110(a) of the federal Clean Air Act. The SIP is the plan developed by the Commonwealth to fulfill its responsibilities under the federal Clean Air Act to attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Act. Public comment period: April 20, 2026, to May 20, 2026. Public hearing: A public hearing will be conducted at the DEQ Blue Ridge Regional Office, 901 Russell Drive, Salem, VA 24153, at 1:00 p.m. on May 15, 2026. Permits name: State operating permits issued by DEQ. Name, address and registration number: WestRock Virginia LLC - Covington, 104 East Riverside Street, Covington, VA 24426, Registration No. 20328. Description of proposal: The two proposed permits and SIP revisions consist of updates to strengthen permits already issued by DEQ that limit sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from the above-listed facility. The permits to be revised implemented best available retrofit technology and reasonable progress determinations supporting the regional haze program, which has as a national goal the improvement of visibility at Class I areas such as James River Face Wilderness Area and Shenandoah National Park. The proposed permits and SIP revisions contain reduced SO2 limitations on certain units commensurate with the exclusive use of natural gas in Power Boiler PWR006. No emissions increases are anticipated because of this project. Amendments to existing state operating permits are the administrative mechanism to ensure compliance with best available retrofit technology and reasonable progress requirements. The permits are being issued pursuant to Article 5 (9VAC5-80-800 et seq.) of 9VAC5-80 (Permits for Stationary Sources) of state regulations and are federally enforceable upon issuance. The proposed permits reduce SO2 emission limits and make other changes facilitating the exclusive use of natural gas in Power Boiler PWR006. Federal information: This notice is being given to satisfy the public participation requirements of federal regulations (40 CFR 51.102). The permits will be submitted as revisions to the Commonwealth of Virginia SIP under § 110(a) of the federal Clean Air Act in accordance with 40 CFR 51.104. How to comment: DEQ accepts written comments by email and postal mail. To be considered, comments must include the full name, address, and telephone number of the person commenting and be received by DEQ on the last day of the comment period. All materials received are part of the public record. To review proposals: The proposals are available on the DEQ Air Public Notices web site: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/permits/public-notices/air. The proposals may also be obtained by contacting the DEQ representative named below. The public may make an appointment to review the proposals between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm of each business day until the close of the comment period at the following DEQ locations: 1) Main Street Office, Suite 1400, 1111 E. Main St, Richmond VA, 804-698-4000 and 2) Blue Ridge Regional Office, 901 Russell Drive, Salem, Virginia 24153, 540-562-6700. Contact for public comments, document requests, and additional information: Erin Rau, Air Permit Writer, DEQ Blue Ridge Regional Office, 901 Russell Drive, Salem, VA 24153 (phone 540-759-9501, email erin.rau@deq.virginia.gov).
Meeting Scope	Public hearing to receive comment on a proposed stage X General business of the board   Discuss particular regulations / chapters

Contact Information
Name / Title:	Erin Rau  / Air Permit Writer
Address:	DEQ Blue Ridge Regional Office 901 Russell Drive Salem, 24153
Email Address:	erin.rau@deq.virginia.gov
Telephone:	(540)759-9501    FAX: ()-    TDD: ()-
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, such as sign language interpreters and/or real-time captioning services, are available upon request. Please send accommodation requests to the meeting contact as early as possible but no later than seven business days before the date of the meeting.