Align RNG secures air permit for proposed biogas facility in North Carolina

Environmental regulators released an air permit to Align RNG LLC for its planned biogas gathering and processing facility located in Duplin County, N.C., according to a Jan. 6 news release.

The air permit issued Jan. 6 by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Air Quality allows Align RNG to construct and operate air emissions sources or air-cleaning devices and accessories, and to release air contaminants into the atmosphere. The permit classified the biogas facility as a synthetic minor facility, which means the proposed plant's SO2 actual emissions should be less than 100 tons per year per a consecutive 12-month period.

In order to address community concerns, the permit also covered additional conditions, which include the daily listing of SO2 emissions from flares and the submission of an inspection, maintenance and calibration plan for the biogas facility's air pollution control equipment and monitors, among other requirements.

The permit is effective from Jan. 6, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2028.

The proposed facility is required to first secure permits for the biogas producing animal operations before it can start processing, the release said.

Dominion Energy Inc. and Smithfield Foods Inc. announced the formation of Align RNG in November 2018. The joint venture previously said it anticipates its projects across the U.S. to slash annual hog farm emissions by 2.5 million tonnes. Most recently, Align RNG said it started producing renewable natural gas in Utah as part of Dominion Energy's and Smithfield Foods' 10-year plan to invest $500 million in the natural gas alternative.