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Wind Energy in North Carolina
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The use of wind energy in North Carolina has grown tremendously in recent years as renewed efforts have been made to incorporate clean, renewable energy resources into functioning systems. North Carolina is among a select few states in the U.S. that contain outstanding wind resources. Advances in technology associated with the capture of wind energy have made the process more affordable and efficient, resulting in more businesses, municipalities, educational institutions, and research stations utilizing wind energy. The most productive areas in North Carolina for the development of wind energy are near the coast and in the mountains of the western portion of the state.
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What are the benefits of wind energy?
Wind energy is a completely renewable, clean, and independent source of power that can be utilized across the world at virtually any location where wind speeds are sufficient enough to produce the required amount of power. Appalachian State University maintains a website that discusses wind energy in North Carolina (www.wind.appstate.edu). This website provides the following summary of the benefits of wind energy:
- Green Power: The electricity produced from wind power is said to be "clean" because its generation produces no pollution or greenhouse gases. As both health and environmental concerns are on the rise, clean energy sources are a growing demand.
- Sustainable: Wind is a renewable energy resource, it is inexhaustible and requires no "fuel" besides the wind that blows across the earth. This infinite energy supply is a security that many users view as a stable investment in our energy economy as well as in our children's' future.
- Affordable: Wind power is a cost-competitive source of electricity, largely due to technological advancements, as well as economies of scale as more of these machines are manufactured and put online around the world.
- Economic Development: As well as being affordable, wind power is a locally-produced source of electricity that enables communities to keep energy dollars in their economy. Job creation (manufacturing, service, construction, and operation) and tax base increase are other economic development benefits for communities utilizing wind energy.
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In addition to terrestrial wind power stations, the state of North Carolina is also pursuing the possibility of developing offshore wind stations. The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is collecting information from industry professionals to gauge the potential of three areas offshore of North Carolina to be developed for wind energy (Click HERE for a direct source of information). The three areas total 1,441 square nautical miles on the Outer Continental Shelf.
Efforts to find, utilize, and maintain renewable clean energy resources have become a global initiative. Developing these resources locally will help create jobs in North Carolina, reduce energy costs, and preserve the environment. Pyramid encourages you to find out more about the development of new energy resources in North Carolina, and we will keep you up to date on the most recent developments.
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In this issue:
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Wind Energy in North Carolina
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Air Permitting - The Basics
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Upcoming 2013 Conferences
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Stay Connected!
Pyramid is a GSA Contract Holder! Contact us to find out more about GSA contracts and our experience with government contract procurement. |
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Upcoming 2013 Conferences and Trade Shows
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North Carolina Affordable Housing Conference - September 10-11, Raleigh, NC (http://www.nchousingconference.com/)
North Carolina Association of Realtors - September 15-17, Asheville, NC (http://www.ncrealtors.org/eventdetails.cfm?eid=394)
American Society of Civil Engineers Annual Conference - October 9-12, Charlotte, NC (http://www.asce.org/Conferences/ASCE-143rd-Annual-Civil-Engineering-Conference/)
North Carolina Federal Construction, Infrastructure, and Environmental (FEDCON) Summit - October 16-17, Wilmington, NC
(http://www.ncmbc.us/2013NCFEDCON.php)
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Air Permitting - The Basics of What You Need to Know
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Larger commercial and industrial facilities that emit pollutants into the air are required by the state and federal government to obtain air permits for their activities. This permitting process originated from the establishment of the Clean Air Act by the federal government in 1970. The Clean Air Act was established along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in part, to regulate emissions from facilities and to control the type and amount of pollutants being released into the atmosphere. With the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, federal and state regulations became considerably more stringent and provided significantly more enforcement authority to the Environmental Protection Agency and state governments. In addition, new programs were designed to regulate air toxic emissions control, acid deposition control, permitting and stratospheric ozone protection. Under the Clean Air Act Amendments the EPA is required to establish national standards for common and wide-spread pollutants called "criteria pollutants," as well as regulate 189 listed hazardous air pollutants.
Click here for a link to the EPA Clean Air Act
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Air Permit Information
Operating permits include information on which pollutants are being released, how much may be released, and what kinds of steps the source's owner or operator is required to take to reduce the pollution. Permits must include plans to measure and report the air pollution emitted. States and tribes issue operating permits. If those governments do not do a satisfactory job of carrying out the Clean Air Act permitting requirements, EPA can take over issuing permits. There are a variety of fees that businesses must pay to obtain an operating air permit.
The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) provides information regarding air permitting on their website, including a search of public air permitting records, forms, and other information. Click Here to view the NCDENR Division of Air Quality Web Page (http://daq.state.nc.us/permits/)
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 Pyramid's Role in Air Permitting
Facilities are required to review their annual emission summaries to assure regulatory compliance. Pyramid's services include air monitoring for criteria and hazardous pollutants such as radioactive particles, toxic metals, organic compounds, halogens and particulate matter. Frequently, changes in equipment or usages and production can trigger additional air compliance reporting and possible permit changes.
At Pyramid we have experience with many types of industrial sources including boilers, medical waste incinerators, bakeries and food processing units, furnaces, dry cleaners, textile mills, concrete processing plants, agricultural chemical applicators, printing shops and much more.
Contact us today for answers to your air permitting questions!
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Need to know what's underground?
- Geologic Hazards
- Geotechnical Drilling
- Landfills
- USTs
- Geologic Mapping
- Groundwater
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Dear ,
Pyramid maintains the most up-to-date knowledge of the industry's regulations, changes, and events, and we will continue to pass this information along to YOU.
Once again, thank you to all our loyal customers, vendors, and employees for your continued support . Pyramid can't do it without you.
Sincerely,
DOUG CANAVELLO
Pyramid Environmental
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