Domtar Paper Company, LLC, has applied to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality (DAQ), Permitting Section, to make modifications to the facility located at Plymouth, in Martin County. The proposed project includes, but is not limited to, the approval to request relaxation of the PSD avoidance limit for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the woodyard operations.
The project is subject to review and processing under North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Subchapter 02D .0530, "Prevention of Significant Deterioration". The facility is defined as a "major stationary source." The proposed project will result in a significant emissions increase of VOC.
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.
Martin County is classified as an attainment area for all pollutants. Compliance with all ambient air quality standards and the PSD increments is projected.
Persons wishing to submit written comments or request a public hearing regarding the Air Quality Permit are invited to do so. Requests for a public hearing must be in writing and include a statement supporting the need for such a hearing, an indication of your interest in the facility, and a summary of the information intended to be offered at such hearing.
Written comment or requests for a public hearing should be postmarked no later than November 24, 2025 and addressed to daq.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov (please type "Domtar.25A" in the subject line) or mail written comments to: NC DEQ, Division of Air Quality, 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1641. Comments may also be left via voicemail by calling (919) 707-8728.
All comments received or postmarked by this date will be considered in the final determination regarding the Air Quality Permit. A public hearing may be held if the Director of the DAQ determines that significant public interest exists or that the public interest will be served.
A copy of all data and the application submitted by Domtar, 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
Washington Regional Office
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27889
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
After weighing relevant comments received by November 24, 2025 and other available information on the project, the DAQ will act on the PSD application.