The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is currently seeking public input on a proposed modification to the air quality permit for Columbia Plywood Corporation – Columbia Carolina Division, a plywood manufacturing facility located in McDowell County.
The draft permit would allow the facility to install an air curtain incinerator (ACI) unit, which would be used to burn wood waste generated by the plant. The addition of this unit is expected to increase the facility’s potential emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide above major-source thresholds. As a result, Columbia Plywood will require a Title V air quality permit from the state.
According to DAQ, air dispersion modeling reviewed by the agency found that emissions of toxic air pollutants and particulate matter from the ACI are not expected to exceed health-based limits. To further control emissions, restrictions will be placed on the facility’s throughput and hours of operation.
The draft permit includes several conditions designed to ensure compliance with emission standards outside the facility’s property line. These include adherence to applicable health-based standards, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, as well as regular inspections.
“The Division will consider all public comments before making a final decision on the proposed permit,” according to DAQ. Comments or requests for a public hearing will be accepted until Sept. 11, 2025. Comments can be emailed to daq.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov with “ColumbiaPlywood.24B” in the subject line, left via voicemail at 919-707-8728, or mailed to NCDEQ Division of Air Quality at 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1641.
Copies of related documents including the public notice, draft permit, review materials, application details, and a project fact sheet are available online.
