3004381 - BACT and Air Permit Modeling Implementation Issues

Thursday, June 12, 2025

10:10am – 11:50am ET

Location: 302A

Panel Chair(s)

GS

Gurinder Saini

Sr Environmental Engineer
RTP Environmental Associates, Inc., NC

Panel Co-Chair(s)

Colin Campbell

Principal
RTP Environmental Associates, Inc., NC

Panelist(s)

BC

Brandon Curtis

Partner
Hiser Joy PLC
Peter Keller, PE

Environmental Protection Specialist
U.S. EPA OAQPS, North Carolina
RM

Ralph E. Morris (he/him/his)

Principal
Ramboll, CA
Clara Poffenberger (she/her/hers)

Attorney, Clara Poffenberger Environmental Law and Policy (CPELP), VA
GS

Gurinder Saini

Sr Environmental Engineer
RTP Environmental Associates, Inc., NC
Colin Campbell

Principal
RTP Environmental Associates, Inc., NC

Significant challenges remain regarding the best available control technology (BACT) for a prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit for PM2.5 emissions. Over the years, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State agencies have issued several BACT determinations for both PM2.5 and precursors. PM2.5 air quality modeling for PM2.5 direct emissions is complex. In addition, EPA has further lowered the PM2.5 annual National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Impacts from wildfires and exceptional events continue to create challenges for PM2.5 annual modeling. This panel will provide an overview of the recent PM2.5 and ozone precursors BACT developments and modeling challenges especially when dealing with wildfires and exceptional events.