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.
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 July 17, 2026, and addressed to daq.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov (please type "DukeLCTS.25C" in the subject line) or mail written comments to: NC DEQ, Division of Air Quality, 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1641.
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 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
After weighing relevant comments received by July 17, 2026, and other available information on the project, the DAQ will act on the PSD application.