Department of Environmental Quality
Department of Environmental Quality
Meeting:
Public Notice- Public Hearing and Informational briefing on draft permit to limit air pollution from a facility in Charlottesville, Virginia
| Meeting Details | |
|---|---|
| Date / Time | 12/1/2026 5:30 pm |
| Type | Physical Location Only |
| Location | Ridley Hall, Room 139, 405 Emmet St S, Charlottesville VA 22903, on December 1, 2026, starting at 5:30 PM. |
| Board Website | http://www.deq.virginia.gov |
| Agenda document | agency has not posted |
| Purpose of the meeting PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To seek public comment and announce a public hearing and an information briefing on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to limit air pollution from a facility in Charlottesville, Virginia. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: October 29, 2026, to December 16, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING AND INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING: Ridley Hall, Room 139, 405 Emmet St S, Charlottesville VA 22903, on December 1, 2026, starting at 5:30 PM. PERMIT NAME: Significant Amendment to the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit issued by DEQ pursuant to applicable air laws and regulations APPLICANT NAME AND ADDRESS: University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400726, Charlottesville, VA 22904 FACILITY NAME, ADDRESS AND REGISTRATION NUMBER: University of the Virginia - Main Heat Plant, Jefferson Park Avenue between University Avenue and Lee Street, Charlottesville, Virginia; Registration Number 40200 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The University of Virginia has applied for a Significant Amendment to the PSD Permit to modify monitoring requirements at the Main Heat Plant. The facility currently operates three boilers that combust natural gas and coal (Boilers 1R, 2R, and 5), and two boilers that combust natural gas and distillate oil (Boilers 3R and 4R). The boilers at the Main Heat Plant provide steam and hot water to buildings at the University and the University Hospital. The facility proposes removal of coal as an approved fuel and the addition of distillate oil for the three boilers (Boilers 1R, 2R, and 5). As a result of the proposed changes in fuel the facility proposes changes to the monitoring requirements associated with the five boilers at the Main Heat Plant. The facility proposes to replace the Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) for the three boilers (Boilers 1R, 2R, and 5) with periodic performance testing after the discontinuation of coal. The facility proposes replacing the NOx CEMS for the distillate oil and natural gas boilers (Boilers 3R and 4R) with Predictive Emissions Monitoring Systems (PEMS) for NOx and periodic performance testing. The change in the proposed monitoring constitutes a significant amendment to the PSD permit and requires public participation in accordance with 9VAC5-80-1775. The facility is classified as a major source of air pollution. PROJECT EMISSIONS: The proposed project results in a decrease in permitted emissions of all criteria pollutants, except for carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. The annual changes in emissions of air pollutants from the Main Heat Plant as compared to the existing permit are expected to be: Nitrogen Oxides: -85.28 tons/year Sulfur Dioxide: -74.63 tons/year Carbon Monoxide: +27.46 tons/year Volatile Organic Compounds: +0.47 tons/year Particulate Matter: -5.37 tons/year Particulate Matter <10 microns: -20.88 tons/year Particulate Matter <2.5 microns: - -23.11 tons/year Sulfuric Acid Mist: -1.95 tons/year The five boilers combined will utilize a maximum of: 3,240 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per year; 5.95 million gallons of distillate oil per year; and 284 gallons of propane per year. AIR QUALITY ANALYSIS: DEQ determined that air quality modeling is not required. The expected effect on local air quality will be negligible. HOW TO COMMENT: DEQ accepts written comments by hand-delivery, e-mail, or postal mail. Written comments must be received by DEQ during the comment period and include the names, mailing addresses or email addresses of the commenter and of all persons represented by the commenter. DEQ also accepts written and oral comments at public hearings. Contact for public comments, document requests and additional information: Jeremy Funkhouser; Valley Regional Office, 4411 Early Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801; Phone: 540-217-7486; E-mail: jeremy.funkhouser@deq.virginia.gov. The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named above or may request copies of the documents from the contact person listed above. | |
| 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: | Jeremy Funkhouser / Valley Regional Office |
| Address: |
4411 Early Road Harrisonburg, 22801 |
| Email Address: | jeremy.funkhouser@deq.virginia.gov |
| Telephone: | (540)217-7486 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. | |