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EPA: comment period ends August 22 for Grand Casino Mille Lacs draft air permit

Release Date: 7/20/2005
Contact Information:

CONTACT: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254

For Immediate Release
No. 05-OPA120

CHICAGO (July 20, 2005) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 said today it has issued for public comment a draft air permit that would allow three diesel-fired electric generating units to be put into the local utility peaking program as well as provide emergency power at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs, 777 Grand Ave., Highway 169, Onamia, Minn. The comment period ends August 22.

The permit would limit operation of the electric generating units to 300 hours a year. Electricity generated by Grand Casino Mille Lacs would not be sold for distribution, but would be used by the facility during times of peak power demand.

During the comment period, interested persons may submit written comments on the draft permit, request a public hearing or do both. The draft permit and administrative record for the facility may be viewed at the Mille Lacs Tribal Government Center, 43408 Oodena Drive, Onamia, Minn., during normal business hours.

Written comments should include the reason for interest in the draft permit, requested actions for EPA to take and the justification for such actions. Comments should be specific and contain regulatory references to allow EPA to investigate the merits of the position.

A request for a public hearing must be in writing and state the nature of the issues proposed to be raised during the hearing. EPA will hold a public hearing if it decides there is a significant degree of public interest in the draft permit, or if a comment raises an issue that EPA believes is important.

Comments, requests for a public hearing and requests to receive notices of any future actions should be sent to Stephen Rothblatt, Director, Air and Radiation Division (A-18J), EPA Region 5, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Ill. 60604.

For copies of the administrative record, contact Richard Angelbeck at EPA's Chicago address, by telephone at (312) 886-9698, or by e-mail at [email protected].
A copy of the draft permit is at www.epa.gov/region5/air/permits/const/r5permits.htm.