Environmental Compliance Services for Wood Pellets Manufacturer
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Project Objective

The purchase of a Cottondale, Florida wood pellet manufacturing plant resulted in the need for new compliance documentation associated with the ownership transfer. The facility is also subject to ongoing compliance obligations under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. .

Geosyntec’s Scope of Services

Geosyntec’s scope of services included a wide array of support to the new owner and its predecessor. With regard to the Clean Air Act, the project team prepared more than 20 Air Construction and Title V Air Operation Permit applications, developed compliance management systems, negotiated flexible permit conditions with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), prepared Annual Operating Reports, Title V Fee Forms, Title V Compliance Statements, and Compliance Assurance Monitoring semiannual reports; coordinated and provided oversight of compliance testing; etc.

In support of compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, Geosyntec’s project team prepared erosion control plans, stormwater pollution prevention plans, and spill prevention control and countermeasure plans, completed and submitted Tier II annual chemical inventory under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and performed inspections and certification of tank containment structures and stormwater impoundments.

In addition, Geosyntec’s project team has characterized waste streams and evaluated disposal options, been involved in the selection of sites for new facilities, prepared an application for and obtained an Air Construction Permit for a new facility in Mississippi, and performed multimedia compliance audits. The client also relied on Geosyntec’s project team during the ownership change including the transfer of permits, historic compliance documents, and identification of open issues.

Notable Accomplishments

This facility was one of the first, and is still one of the largest, wood pelleting facilities in the United States. Geosyntec’s project team was relied on heavily to educate FDEP and USEPA with regard to the production process, potential impacts to the environment, and applicable regulations. During the tenure of this project, many new issues were identified and overcome with the assistance of Geosyntec’s project team. The depth of the project team’s knowledge and the quality of the support provided went a long way in Geosyntec being retained by the new owner after the change of ownership.