Issuance of Temporary Permit for Installation of Equipment to Control Air Emissions of PFAS – Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Merrimack, NH
On February 11, 2020, the NHDES Air Resources Division issued a Temporary Permit (i.e. Permit to Construct) to Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (SGPP) in Merrimack. The permit authorizes SGPP to install air pollution control equipment for the purposes of removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As part of this decision, NHDES determined that the proposed control equipment (a regenerative thermal oxidizer) meets “Best Available Control Technology," as specified under NH RSA 125-C:10-e Requirements for Air Emissions of Perfluorinated Compounds Impacting Soil and Water.
The issuance of this permit concludes a lengthy public process. On October 4, 2019, the NHDES Air Resources Division issued a public notice proposing to issue the Temporary Permit to Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation. A public hearing was held on November 5, 2019, in Merrimack, NH, and December 31, 2019, was the deadline to submit written comments.
The issuance of this permit initiates a 30-day period in which any aggrieved party may file an appeal with the NH Air Resources Council.
The final permit and supporting documents related to this action can be accessed below and electronically through the OneStop Data and Information portal at the following links:
- Letter to Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation: Cover letter to Findings of Fact
- Findings of Fact and Director’s Decision
- Attachment 1 of the Findings of Fact and Director’s Decision: Review of Hydrogen Flouride Health Risks
- Final Air Permit
- Final Permit Application Review Summary
- Final Calculations: Attachment 1 – Combustion Emissions Summary