In-Person Public Hearing – Vineland Municipal Electric Utility

Notice is hereby given that the Vineland Municipal Electric Utility (VMEU) submitted an application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for a permit renewal with a significant modification of its Title V Air Permit for the following facility:

Facility Name: Howard M. Down Generating Station
Facility Location: 211 N. West Avenue, Vineland, NJ
Program Interest (PI) No: 75507
Permit Activity No: BOP190002

This facility’s location has been identified as part of an overburdened community pursuant to the NJ Environmental Justice Law, NJSA 13:1D-157 et seq. In accordance with NJ Administrative Order No. 2021-25, VMEU intends to hold a Public Information Session at the following time and location:

Date: April 20, 2023
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: City Council Chambers Vineland City Hall 640 E. Wood Street, Vineland, NJ

For additional information regarding the information session, or to obtain a copy of the pending permit application, please contact Jeff Davis via e-mail at jdavis@vinelandcity.org. The only significant source of emissions at the Howard M. Down facility is Unit 11. Unit 11 comprises a 64 megawatt electric generator powered by a simple cycle combustion turbine, and supplies electrical power to the regional electric power grid. Unit 11 has been in operation since 2011, and is a major source for NOx emissions only. With this permit renewal with significant modification, VMEU is seeking a slight increase in the maximum hourly heat input limits for Unit 11. The limits have been adjusted to correct a previous error from the prior authorization (August 31, 2005 – BOP100003)

VMEU encourages public participation from interested parties either through attendance at the public information session, or by submitting written comments to Jeff Davis via e-mail at jdavis@vinelandcity.org. VMEU encourages those submitting comments to include information regarding existing environmental and public health stressors that could result in adverse impacts on the affected community. This notice opens the initial minimum 60-day comment period for this permit application. The comment period begins on March 17, 2023 and concludes on May 20, 2023. Each written comment must contain the following:

• Commenter’s name, address, telephone number and email address
• Facility PI No. (75507) or facility name (Howard M. Down Generating Station)