xvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air Permits Proposed for Public Comment:
* Shell Kulluk Oil and Gas Exploration, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
* ConocoPhillips Oil and Gas Exploration, Chukchi Sea, Alaska
EPA Region 10 seeks public comment from July 22 to September 6, 2011 on draft Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Title V Clean Air
Act permits for Shell Offshore Inc., 3601C St., Ste. 1000, Anchorage, AK 99503 and ConocoPhillips Co., 700 G Street, Anchorage, AK 99510.
The draft permits authorize air emissions from Shell oil and gas exploration drilling operations in the Beaufort Sea and ConocoPhillips oil and
gas exploration drilling operations in the Chukchi Sea. Shell plans to operate the Ka//ak drill rig and support fleet for exploration drilling
beginning in 2012 on the Beaufort Sea OCS. ConocoPhillips plans to operate a jackup drill rig and support fleet for exploration drilling
beginning in 2013 on the Chukchi Sea OCS. A Tide V air quality operating permit (40 CFR Parts 70 and 71) is an enforceable compilation of
all air pollution requirements that are applicable to an air emissions source. Tide V permits set forth enforceable terms, conditions, and
limitations, and are valid for five years but may be renewed. In their permit applications, Shell and ConocoPhillips each requested that their
Tide V permits contain federally enforceable restrictions that would limit their emission of regulated air pollutants to avoid the need for
Prevention of Significant Deterioration program air permits. In addition, for Shell Ka//ak operations within 25 miles of the Alaska seaward
boundary, which are subject to Alaska corresponding onshore area requirements, Shell requested that the minor source air permit required
under 18 Alaska Administrative Code 50.502 be incorporated into its Tide V permit. The Shell Ka//ak draft air permit is based on the Coupled
Ocean Atmosphere Response Experiment Meteorological Modeling Algorithm and the Plume Volume Molar Ratio Method Nitrogen Dioxide
Modeling Algorithm to predict air pollutant concentrations. These models have not been approved by EPA for general use, but have been
approved under EPA guidelines case by case alternative modeling provisions. EPA Region 10 requests public comment on the suitability of
these models for the Shell Kulluk permit. The ConocoPhillips draft air permit uses an EPA Guideline model. EPA air permits do not provide
authorization to drill they audiorize air pollutant emissions, when and if drilling commences. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Regulation and Enforcement is die federal agency that provides authorization to drill.
COMMENT BY SEPTEMBER 6
Email: r10ocsairpermits@epa.gov
Re: Shell Kulluk
"or* ConocoPhillips
Mail: Shell Kulluk Air Permit
*or* ConocoPhillips Air Permit
EPA Region 10
1 200 6th Ave
Ste. 900, AWT 107
Seattle, WA 981 01
Fax: 206-553-0110
PUBLIC HEARINGS
August 23, 2011
Shell Kulluk Air Permit
Informational Meeting
5:00pm to 6:30pm
Public Hearing
7: 00pm to 9: 00pm
Inupiat Heritage Center
Barrow, Alaska
Telephone participation available at
NS Borough teleconference centers
August 24, 2011
ConocoPhillips Air Permit
Informational Meeting
5:00pm to 6:30pm
Public Hearing
7:00pm to 9:00pm
Ilisagvik College
Barrow, Alaska
Telephone participation available at
NS Borough teleconference centers
August 26, 2011
Shell Kulluk Air Permit
Public Hearing
6: 00pm to 7: 30pm
ConocoPhillips Air Permit
Public Hearing
8: 00pm to 9: 30pm
Loussac Public Library
Anchorage, Alaska
PUBLIC COMMENT The purpose of the public comment periods and public hearings are to receive comments on the draft air permits.
Written and oral comments can be submitted at the public hearings in Barrow or Anchorage, Alaska and by mail or email. Oral comments can
also be recorded on tape, disk, or digital audio and submitted by mail or email. North Slope communities outside of Barrow can participate in
the Barrow public hearings by telephone at North Slope Borough teleconference centers. You may comment on the permits and must raise and
submit all reasonably ascertainable issues and arguments supporting your position by the end of the comment period. Supporting documents
must be included in full, not by reference, unless they are already in the permit records, or are state or federal statutes or regulations, EPA
documents of general applicability, or other generally available referenced materials. Please identify if your comments relate to the Shell Kulluk
permit, the ConocoPhillips permit, or both. Comments must be postmarked or emailed to EPA Region 10 by September 6, 2011.
PERMIT DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE The administrative record for each permit includes die permit application and supplemental
application materials, the draft permit and statement of basis, and all other materials relied on by EPA. The administrative records are available
for public review at EPA Region 10, 1200 6th Ave, Suite 900, Seatde, Washington, 9am to 5pm Mon. through Fri (206 553 1200). The draft
permits, statements of basis, and application materials are available at: http://yosernite.epa.gov/R10/AIRPAGE.NSF/Permits/ocsap/
and will be available at these locations in Alaska: EPA Alaska Office, Federal Building, 222 West 7fh Ave, Anchorage (907 271 5083); Barrow
City Office, 2022 Ahkovak Street, Barrow (907 852 4050); Nuiqsut City Office, 2230 2nd Avenue, Nuiqsut (907 480 6727); Kaktovik City
Office, 2051 Barter Avenue, Kaktovik (907 640 6313); Wainwright City Office, 1217 Airport Road, Wainwright (907 763 2815); Kali School
Library, 1029 Ugrak Ave, Point Lay (907 833 2312); Point Hope City Office, 530 Natchiq Street, Point Hope (907 368 2537); Atqasuk City
Office, 5010 Ekosik Street, Atqasuk (907 633 6811); Anaktuvuk Pass City Office, 3031 Main St, Anaktuvuk Pass (907 661 3612).
For more information about the public meetings and hearings, or to request copies of the permit documents, or to join the EPA
arctic permits mailing list, please contact Suzanne Skadowski, 206 553 6689, skadowski. suzanne(5)epa. gov.
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