Duke Energy Corporation LCTS has applied to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality (DAQ), Permitting Section, to make changes to the existing air quality permit issued to the facility. The proposed change is to allow excess emissions of NOx from the turbine ES-19 during periods of startup and shutdown, provided such periods last less than two hours per 24-hour block period.
The project is subject to review and processing under North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Subchapter 02D .0530, "Prevention of Significant Deterioration", and Subchapter 02Q, Section .0500 “Title V Procedures”. The facility is defined as a "major stationary source." The proposed change is not expected to increase emissions of any pollutant.
The PSD application has been reviewed by the DAQ, Air Quality Permitting Section in Raleigh, North Carolina to determine compliance with the requirements of the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission air pollution regulations. A preliminary review, including analysis of the impact of the facility emissions on local air quality, has led to the determination that the project can be approved, and the DAQ air permit issued, if certain permit conditions are met.
Lincoln County is classified as an attainment area for all pollutants. Compliance with all ambient air quality standards and the PSD increments is projected.
EPA comment period begins June 17, 2026, and ends Aug. 3, 2026.
A copy of all data and the application submitted by Duke Energy Corporation LCTS, and other material used by the DAQ in making this preliminary determination are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the following locations:
NC DEQ
Division of Air Quality
Air Quality Permitting Section
217 West Jones Street, Suite 4000
Raleigh, NC 27603
OR
NC DEQ
Division of Air Quality
Mooresville Regional Office
610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115
Information on the proposed permit, the permit application, and the staff review is available on the DAQ website (https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/events) or by writing or calling:
Mark J. Cuilla, EIT, CPM
Chief, Permitting Section
North Carolina Division of Air Quality
1641 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1641
Telephone: (919) 707-8400