North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality officials are asking for public comment on proposed rulemaking for oil refinery facility permits as part of the state-required rules review process.
There are no active oil refinery facilities in the state and NCDEQ has not received any applications for proposed oil refinery facilities at this time, officials said. The proposed rulemaking satisfies a general statute requiring state agencies to review existing rules every 10 years.
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Send written comments by 5 p.m. Oct. 31 to publiccomments@ncdenr.gov, include “Oil Refinery Rules” in the subject line, or by mail to Alyssa Wright, NCDEQ – OGC, 1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601.
The public can speak to representatives during a hearing scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at DEQ’s Green Square Building, 217 W. Jones St., Raleigh.
Based on the regulatory impact analysis, the proposed changes would have a minimal impact on the state or local governments and applicants if a permit application is submitted.
Of the 15 rules in the proposed rulemaking for oil refinery facility permits, 11 are proposed for readoption with changes — mostly clarify existing language and update rules to reflect statutory changes — and one is proposed for readoption with no changes.
The rule proposed for adoption would require the operator to report in writing to DEQ any unauthorized discharge of 500 gallons or more of oil no later than 24 hours after the becoming aware of the discharge.
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The two rules proposed for repeal are either unnecessary based on current department practice or other state laws.
These are departmental rules that do not need to be approved by the Environmental Management Commission or any other commission.
