By Michelle Bliss
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/whqr/local-whqr-980806.mp3
08-05-11 – After an extended review process by the state Division of Air Quality, Titan America received its new draft air permit today. WHQR's Michelle Bliss reports that division officials will hold public hearings in Wilmington next month along with a public comment period.
The draft permit sets limits for air quality standards for the company's proposed cement plant in Castle Hayne.
Officials note that the project still needs environmental permits from other state and federal agencies and that issuing an air quality permit does not represent any state committment to issuing the remaining permits.
The division held public hearings back in 2009 regarding a previous draft permit for Titan's proposed cement plant in Castle Hayne.
That draft permit was put on hold because of a court decision requiring Titan to conduct a full environmental impact study before receiving any permits if the company accepted state and local economic incentives. Titan later declined $4.2 million in incentives, so that application processing could resume in January.
Since the previous draft permit, the Environmental Protection Agency has adopted stricter limits on air pollutants that Titan would be subject to.
The company first announced its plans to build the facility in New Hanover County back in 2008. The topic has been a controversial issue among community members ever since.
Read Titan America's new draft air permit .
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