Agreement Will Reduce Odors from Asphalt Terminal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 7, 2010

VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) and Albina Asphalt have agreed to the terms and conditions of a Consent Order that will reduce emissions and odors from the Albina Asphalt terminal in downtown Vancouver, Washington. SWCAA has evaluated odor emissions, complaints, facility configuration, operating practices and facility equipment at Albina’s Vancouver terminal, and determined that nuisance odors are being generated by the facility. Under the terms of the Consent Order Albina Asphalt will install new control equipment and revise work practices to significantly improve control of process emissions and reduce odor impacts.

 “This agreement with Albina will be good for the downtown Vancouver community,” said Bob Elliott, executive director for the Southwest Clean Air Agency. “Emissions and odors from Albina Asphalt will be significantly reduced by these improvements, though it will not completely eliminate all odors from the facility,” cautioned Elliott. “We have worked closely with Albina to ensure that the improvements will significantly reduce odors, be implemented in a timely fashion and be cost effective for the company to implement,” said Elliott.  Close attention to routine maintenance and good operating practices is another feature of the agreement.

The terms and conditions of the Consent Order will require the following improvements to be completed by March 1, 2011:

• Install carbon filtration and make enhancements to the existing emission control unit that control emissions and odors from storage tank operations.
• Install a new filtration system with mist eliminator and fan plus activated carbon and redesign of the ducting and flexible hose and hoods to reduce odors during asphalt truck loading operations.
• Design and utilize activated carbon portable hatch caps to control odors during railcar heating and unloading operations.

The General Regulation for Air Pollution Sources codified under SWCAA 400-040 specifically regulates emissions that cause odors. This Consent Order holds Albina Asphalt accountable for meeting the above requirements in addition to all terms outlined in their air discharge permit. SWCAA issued the Consent Order, detailed Terms and Conditions identified as Appendix A that specify new control equipment monitoring and recordkeeping requirements for the facility, and Appendix B that is a lengthy Technical Review Report that reviews emission control technologies and a compliance assessment of the Albina Asphalt Terminal. To read the Consent Order, click here.

The mission of the Southwest Clean Air Agency, founded in 1968, is to preserve and enhance the air quality in southwest Washington. Serving the counties of Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum, SWCAA is responsible for protecting the public’s health through the enforcement of federal, state and local air quality standards and regulations.

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For more information contact:

Robert Elliott Executive Director Southwest Clean Air Agency 360-574-3058