October 11, 2008
DEQ to hold meeting on air-quality permit By Tribune Staff
The state Department of Environmental Quality will conduct a public meeting to discuss a modified air-quality permit it issued Monday for a proposed coal-fired power plant east of Great Falls.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Missouri Room at the Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts in the Civic Center.
At the meeting, DEQ officials will explain the outline of the public participation process and cover the details of the Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative's permit modification request.
The meeting will conclude with a public question-and-answer period.
The Highwood Generating Station is a proposed coal-fired steam-electric power plant that would be located about eight miles east of Great Falls.
On Sept. 29, the DEQ received a revised application from SME asking to modify its state air-quality permit. The application included proposed additional analysis for emissions controls for particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers for the power plant's boiler.
The additional PM2.5 work was ordered by the state Board of Environmental Review.
Written comments regarding the preliminary determination are due to the DEQ by Nov. 5.
Comments should be sent to the Department of Environmental Quality, Air Resources Management Bureau, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620.