PRESENTATIONS & HANDOUTS PROVIDED BY NCDEQ, DIVISION OF AIR QUALITY
2022 Air Quality Compliance Workshop
Presentation Materials
Updated for the Online Workshop • March 14 & 15, 2022
Day 1: Monday, March 14, 2022 • 8:00am - 12:00pm
8:15 AM Air Permitting Fundamentals
Presented by
Dylan Wright, Permit Engineer and Compliance Inspector, Winston-Salem Regional Office
Rahul Thaker, Central Office Permitting Engineer
Permitting Fundamentals Presentation Slides
[cl-popup title="Dylan Wright
Permit Engineer and Compliance Inspector, Winston-Salem Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Dylan Wright's Bio" size="l"]Dylan Wright received a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University in the Spring of 2016.Since graduation he has been employed by the DAQ in the Winston Salem Regional Office where he holds positions as Permit Engineer and Compliance Inspector. He also serves as the Emission Inventory Coordinator for the region. Dylan can be reached at dylan.wright@ncdenr.govor (336) 776-9646.[/cl-popup]
[cl-popup title="Rahul Thaker
Central Office Permitting Engineer" show_on="text" btn_label="Rahul Thaker's Bio" size="l"]Rahul Thaker has more than 33 years of regulatory and consulting experience in air quality, wastewater, solid and hazardous wastes, and construction project management. He is a senior environmental engineer, working for the DAQ for more than 26 years. Currently he focuses on reviewing and drafting New Source Review and Title V permits for various categories of industrial sources and leads the Division’s Permitting Workgroup. Rahul is a licensed professional engineer (PE) in NC and a certified Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP). He is a member of Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He served in the A&WMA Board of Directors from 2018 through 2020. Rahul can be reached at rahul.thaker@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8740.[/cl-popup]
9:15 AM What to Expect from the Division in 2022
Insights from the Director/Deputy Director of NC DAQ.
Presented by
Mike Abraczinskas, Director, Division of Air Quality
Michael Pjetraj, Deputy Director, Division of Air Quality
What to Expect in 2021 Presentation Slides
[cl-popup title="Mike Abraczinskas
Director, Division of Air Quality" show_on="text" btn_label="Mike Abraczinskas's Bio" size="l"]
Mike Abraczinskas is currently the Director of the North Carolina Division of Air Quality (DAQ). Mike has 23 years of experience in air quality (over 21.5 with the DAQ). Mike worked in 7 different positions in the DAQ prior to being named Director in March of 2017. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Meteorology and a Minor in Environmental Science, is certified as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT), and is a graduate of the North Carolina Public Managers Program.
Mike is a leader in the air quality management field and is active in national and regional organizations comprised of State and Local Air Quality Agencies. In June 2021, Mike was selected to serve on a panel of experts for the Air & Waste Management Association’s (AWMA) Critical Review on the topic of PFAS. In September 2021, Mike was elected as vice-president of the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA). And, in October 2021, Mike was elected as vice-president of the Carolinas Air Pollution Control Association (CAPCA). Mike can be reached at michael.abraczinskas@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8447.
[/cl-popup][cl-popup title="Michael Pjetraj
Deputy Director, Division of Air Quality" show_on="text" btn_label="Michael Pjetraj's Bio" size="l"]
Michael Pjetraj is the Deputy Director for the DAQ. He has been with the DAQ since 1995 and has worked in the Raleigh Regional Office and the Central Office as an environmental engineer. He also served as the Stationary Source Compliance Branch Supervisor in the Central Office for eight years. Prior to joining the DAQ, he worked for a source testing / consulting company. Michael earned an engineering degree from North Carolina State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina and is also a NC Certified Public Manager. Michael serves on the Board of Directors for the Air and Waste Management Association RTP Chapter. Michael can be reached at michael.pjetraj@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8497.
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9:45 AM Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI)
A voluntary program designed to promote and encourage superior environmental performance by North Carolina's regulated community.
Presented by Angela Hall Barger, EIS Manager
ESI Overview Presentation Slides
[cl-popup title="Angela Barger
Manager, ESI
Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service" show_on="text" btn_label="Angela Barger's Bio" size="l"]Angela Barger is manager of the NC DEQ Environmental Stewardship Initiative. Angela has more than 20 years of experience working for NC DEQ, most recently with the Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS). Prior to working with DEACS, she worked with the DAQ in a regional office as a permit and compliance engineer and the region's emissions inventory coordinator. She has two B.S. degrees from North Carolina State University in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry and a B.S. degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College (now University) in General Studies with a concentration in Pre-engineering. In her spare time she supports the next generation of scientists and engineers by serving as the Sr. Volunteer Coordinator and Planning Committee member for the FIRST Robotics Competition in North Carolina. Angela can be reached at angela.barger@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8126. For more info about the ESI you can email esi@ncdenr.gov or visit www.ncesi.org.[/cl-popup]
10:15 AM BREAK
10:30 AM Title V/PSD Permitting Updates
Statistics/trends, new Title V permit format (why we made changes), Environmental Justice (application triggers), minor and off-permit changes (rules and procedures).
Presented by
Mark Cuilla, Permitting Section Chief
Booker Pullen, New Source Review Supervisor, Air Permitting Section
Heather Sands, Engineering Supervisor, Title V Branch, Permitting Section
Title V/PSD Permitting updates Presentation Slides
[cl-popup title="Mark Cuilla
Permitting Section Chief" show_on="text" btn_label="Mark Cuilla's Bio" size="l"]
Mark is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. His credentials include NC EIT (Engineer in Training) as well as NC Certified Public Manager. He is in his 30th year with the DAQ, having served in positions with both the Planning and Permitting Sections over his career. He serves as Chief of the Permitting Section where he oversees the engineering staff assigned the processing of Title V permit applications. Mark can be reached at mark.cuilla@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8738.
[/cl-popup][cl-popup title="Booker Pullen
New Source Review Supervisor, Air Permitting Section" show_on="text" btn_label="Booker Pullen's Bio" size="l"]
Booker Pullen, a native of Littleton, NC obtained his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1980. For 11 years, he worked in construction management as both a Field Engineer and Superintendent at the Anheuser Busch Plant in Newark, New Jersey and the Hoffman LaRoche Facility in Nutley, New Jersey. Over the last 29 years, Booker has worked as an Environmental Engineer with the DAQ. He currently serves as the New Source Review Supervisor in the Air Permitting Section. Additionally, he is a NC Certified Public Manager. Booker can be reached at booker.pullen@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8469.
[/cl-popup][cl-popup title="Heather Sands
Engineering Supervisor, Title V Branch, Permitting Section" show_on="text" btn_label="Heather Sands's Bio" size="l"]
Heather has more than 30 years of experience as an environmental engineer, specifically in Air Quality. She has been with the DAQ since 2013 and is currently the Engineering Supervisor for the Title V Branch of the Permitting Section. Prior to working for the DAQ, she was a consultant with experience in developing EPA regulations and writing Title V Permit applications for several facilities. Her experience covers the pulp and paper industry, the chemical manufacturing industry, and the oil and natural gas production industry. She is a proud graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering (Go Wolfpack!) and is a licensed PE in North Carolina. Heather can be reached at heather.sands@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8725. [/cl-popup]
11:00 AM Ambient Monitoring Update
A look at the Section’s organization, accomplishments, special studies, quality assurance documentation status, staffing changes and what’s on the horizon.
Presented by Patrick Butler, Ambient Monitoring Section Chief
Ambient Monitoring Update Presentation Slides
[cl-popup title="Patrick Butler
Ambient Monitoring Section Chief " show_on="text" btn_label="Patrick Butler's Bio" size="l"]
Patrick Butler graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering – Construction Option in 1991. Upon graduation, Patrick worked for the NC Department of Transportation until accepting an Environmental Technician position with the DAQ in the Raleigh Regional Office in the fall of 1992. Patrick was promoted through the ranks as an Environmental Engineer, Compliance Supervisor, and Regional Air Quality Supervisor. He also participated in the Division’s job rotation program serving as Assistant Chief of Planning (2006) and Supervisor of the Electronics and Calibration Branch in Monitoring (2016). He was promoted to Ambient Monitoring Section Chief on April 1, 2018. Patrick is a Certified Public Manager and a Licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina. Patrick can be reached at patrick.butler@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8719.
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11:30 AM Rules/Planning Update
Current actions and new rules that will affect North Carolina facilities in 2022 and a greenhouse gas inventory update.
Presented by
Patrick Knowlson, Rules Development Branch Supervisor, Planning Section
Randy Strait, Planning Section Chief
Rules/Planning Update Presentation Slides
[cl-popup title="Patrick Knowlson
Rules Development Branch Supervisor, Planning Section" show_on="text" btn_label="Patrick Knowlson's Bio" size="l"]
Patrick Knowlson currently serves as the Rules Development Branch Supervisor in the DAQ’s Planning Section. Patrick started with the DAQ in 1992 as an Environmental Engineer I in the Rule Development Branch and was promoted to Engineer II in 1995. Patrick has a chemical engineering degree from Penn State University. Patrick can be reached at patrick.knowlson@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8711.
[/cl-popup][cl-popup title="Randy Strait
Planning Section Chief" show_on="text" btn_label="Randy Strait's Bio" size="l"]
Randy Strait is Chief of the Planning Section of the DAQ. His responsibilities include managing the Division’s work related to developing emissions inventories, control strategies, air quality rules, State Implementation Plans, air quality forecasting and photochemical grid modeling, and education and outreach for the state of North Carolina. He is co- chair of the VISTAS Technical Analysis Work Group for regional haze planning and co-chair of the AAPCA Energy Committee. He holds a M.S. degree in Environmental Management from Duke University and B.S. degree in Biology from Northland College in Wisconsin. Randy can be reached at randy.strait@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8721.
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Day 2: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 • 8:00am - 12:00pm
8:15 AM Air Quality Compliance Fundamentals
Presented by
Blair Palmer, Environmental Specialist, Winston-Salem Regional Office
Robert Bright, Compliance Coordinator, Washington Regional Office
Air Quality Compliance Fundamentals Presentation Slides Revised!
[cl-popup title="Blair Palmer
Environmental Specialist, Winston-Salem Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Blair Palmer's Bio" size="l"]
Blair Palmer has been with the DAQ in the Winston-Salem Regional Office for over 24 years as an Environmental Specialist performing various compliance tasks and ambient monitoring. In 2015, Blair participated in the Division’s rotation program serving as a support meteorologist with the DAQ Air Quality Forecast team as part of the Attainment Planning Branch. Before joining the DAQ, Blair has worked in various industries, including working as a Geographic Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau. Blair has B.S. degree in Meteorology with a minor in Geography from the State University of New York (SUNY). Blair can be reached at blair.palmer@ncdenr.gov or (336) 776-9645.
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[cl-popup title="Robert Bright
Compliance Coordinator, Washington Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Robert Bright's Bio" size="l"]
Robert Bright is 1995 graduate from North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering. He has been with the DAQ since June 2001 and currently serves as the Compliance Coordinator for Washington Regional Office. When not in the office, Robert enjoys spending family time with his wife, two kids, and his cat. Robert can be reached at robert.bright@ncdenr.gov or (252) 946-6481.
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9:15 AM Compliance and Enforcement Updates
Presented by Steve Hall, Technical Services Section Chief
Compliance and Enforcement Updates Presentation Slides Revised!
[cl-popup title="Steve Hall
Technical Services Section Chief" show_on="text" btn_label="Steve Hall's Bio" size="l"]
Steve Hall is the DAQ’s Technical Services Section Chief. During his 27 years with the Division, Steve has primarily worked as a Compliance Engineer/Manager in the Technical Services Section and as a Compliance Engineer/Inspector/Supervisor in the Raleigh Regional Office. Prior to joining the DAQ, Steve worked for three years with a private air quality testing and consulting company in Raleigh. He has an engineering degree from North Carolina State University and is a NC Certified Public Manager. Steve can be reached at steve.hall@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8404.
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9:40 AM Lessons Learned in Source Testing
Presented by
Gary Saunders, Stationary Source Compliance Branch Supervisor
Steve Hall, Technical Services Section Chief
Lessons Learned in Source Testing Presentation Slides
[cl-popup title="Gary Saunders
Stationary Source Compliance Branch Supervisor" show_on="text" btn_label="Gary Saunders's Bio" size="l"]
Gary Saunders has 45 years of experience in the environmental, energy, and air quality field. He spent the first 22 years of his career working for three different engineering consulting firms. During that time, he managed projects on emissions testing, regional EPA oversight/audit inspections, State Assistance projects, and permit reviews. He also developed and presented workshops on the inspection, operation, maintenance, and permitting of various industries, including pulp and paper, cement, utility, commercial, and industrial boilers as well as control equipment, including ESPs and fabric filters. He spent several years working in the RCRA/Superfund programs and evaluating air quality issues and impacts associated site assessment and remediation. In addition, he worked on DOE projects associated air quality issues and radionuclides at several DOE sites including an experimental breeder reactor in Idaho and was the Technical Director of a two-year air emissions inventory project at the Savannah River Nuclear Site in South Carolina.
In 1998, Gary joined the DAQ at the Central Office in Raleigh. He is currently the Supervisor of the Stationary Source Compliance Branch (SSCB) in the Technical Service Section. Prior to becoming supervisor, he was the SSCB Special Projects Engineer where he worked on issues concerning implementation and enforcement of Federal Rules such as the Boiler MACT/GACT and RICE Rules, and state rules dealing with odor from certain animal operations in NC.
Gary graduated with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University. Gary can be reached at gary.saunders@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8413.
[/cl-popup][cl-popup title="Steve Hall
Technical Services Section Chief" show_on="text" btn_label="Steve Hall's Bio" size="l"]
Steve Hall is the DAQ’s Technical Services Section Chief. During his 27 years with the Division, Steve has primarily worked as a Compliance Engineer/Manager in the Technical Services Section and as a Compliance Engineer/Inspector/Supervisor in the Raleigh Regional Office. Prior to joining the DAQ, Steve worked for three years with a private air quality testing and consulting company in Raleigh. He has an engineering degree from North Carolina State University and is a NC Certified Public Manager. Steve can be reached at steve.hall@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8404.
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10:00 AM BREAK
10:15 AM Compliance Panel Discussion
Q&A with expert staff.
Panelists Include:
- Chris Scott, Compliance Coordinator, Asheville Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Chris Scott
Asheville Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Chris Scott's Bio" size="l"]Chris Scott is currently serving as the Compliance Coordinator for the Asheville Regional Office. Prior to this role, he worked in the Asheville office as a permit engineer and compliance inspector. Before joining North Carolina's DAQ in 2004, Chris worked as an inspector for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Air Protection Branch. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. Chris can be reached at chris.scott@ncdenr.gov or (828) 296-4542.[/cl-popup] - Heather Carter, Regional Supervisor, Fayetteville Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Heather Carter
Regional Supervisor, Fayetteville Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Heather Carter's Bio" size="l"]Heather Carter received a B.S. degree in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill. She has been employed with the DEQ for over 20 years and currently serves as the Regional Supervisor for the Fayetteville Regional Office. She is also a North Carolina Certified Public Manager. Heather describes her job at the DAQ as consistently and fairly implementing and enforcing state and federal air quality rules and regulations and educating and assisting industry and the public in air quality matters when possible. Heather can be reached at heather.carter@ncdenr.gov or (910) 433-3361.
[/cl-popup] - Denise Hayes, Compliance Supervisor, Mooresville Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Denise Hayes
Compliance Supervisor, Mooresville Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Denise Hayes's Bio" size="l"]Denise Hayes is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering. Denise has been with the DAQ for almost 26 years, serving in the Mooresville Regional Office her entire career. She is currently the Compliance Supervisor for MRO. Denise can be reached at denise.hayes@ncdenr.gov or (704) 235-2216.
[/cl-popup] - Will Wike, Compliance Supervisor, Raleigh Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Will Wike
Compliance Supervisor, Raleigh Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Will Wike's Bio" size="l"]Will Wike is a 1989 graduate from Clarkson University with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering. He has been with DAQ since November 1998 and currently serves as the Compliance Supervisor for the Raleigh Regional Office. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer in New York. Will can be reached at will.wike@ncdenr.gov or (919) 791 4286.[/cl-popup] - Robert Bright, Compliance Coordinator, Washington Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Robert Bright
Compliance Coordinator, Washington Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Robert Bright's Bio" size="l"]Robert Bright is 1995 graduate from North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering. He has been with DAQ since June 2001 and currently serves as the Compliance Coordinator for Washington Regional Office. When not in the office, Robert enjoys spending family time with his wife, two kids, and his cat. Robert can be reached at robert.bright@ncdenr.gov or (252) 946-6481.[/cl-popup] - Ashby Armistead, Compliance Coordinator, Wilmington Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Ashby Armistead
Compliance Coordinator, Wilmington Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Ashby Armistead's Bio" size="l"]Ashby Armistead graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering. He started with the DAQ in the Washington Regional Office in 1998 and moved to the Wilmington Regional Office (WiRO) in 2001. He currently serves as the Compliance Coordinator / Environmental Engineer II for WiRO. Ashby can be reached at ashby.armistead@ncdenr.gov or (910) 796-7215.[/cl-popup] - Davis Murphy, Compliance Supervisor, Winston-Salem Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Davis Murphy
Compliance Supervisor, Winston-Salem Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Davis Murphy's Bio" size="l"]Davis Murphy began his work with the DAQ as an intern in the Mobile Sources Compliance Branch while completing an Environmental Technology degree at North Carolina State University. Since graduation he has worked for the Division for 11 years in many roles including Mobile Sources Technician, Compliance Inspector, and Regional Permitting Coordinator. He currently serves as the Compliance Supervisor in the Winston-Salem Regional Office. When not in the office, Davis enjoys outdoor activities, especially those in and around the water. Davis can be reached at davis.murphy@ncdenr.gov or (336) 776-9644.
[/cl-popup] - Gary Saunders, Stationary Source Compliance Branch Supervisor
[cl-popup title="Gary Saunders
Stationary Source Compliance Branch Supervisor" show_on="text" btn_label="Gary Saunders's Bio" size="l"]Gary Saunders has 45 years of experience in the environmental, energy, and air quality field. He spent the first 22 years of his career working for three different engineering consulting firms. During that time, he managed projects on emissions testing, regional EPA oversight/audit inspections, State Assistance projects, and permit reviews. He also developed and presented workshops on the inspection, operation, maintenance, and permitting of various industries, including pulp and paper, cement, utility, commercial, and industrial boilers as well as control equipment, including ESPs and fabric filters. He spent several years working in the RCRA/Superfund programs and evaluating air quality issues and impacts associated site assessment and remediation. In addition, he worked on DOE projects associated air quality issues and radionuclides at several DOE sites including an experimental breeder reactor in Idaho and was the Technical Director of a two-year air emissions inventory project at the Savannah River Nuclear Site in South Carolina.In 1998, Gary joined the DAQ at the Central Office in Raleigh. He is currently the Supervisor of the Stationary Source Compliance Branch (SSCB) in the Technical Service Section. Prior to becoming supervisor, he was the SSCB Special Projects Engineer where he worked on issues concerning implementation and enforcement of Federal Rules such as the Boiler MACT/GACT and RICE Rules, and state rules dealing with odor from certain animal operations in NC.
Gary graduated with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University. Gary can be reached at gary.saunders@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8413.[/cl-popup]
10:55 AM Transition to Zoom Breakout Rooms
11:00 AM Q&A with Expert Staff
Title V / PSD Permitting Panel Discussion
Panelists Include:
- Mark Cuilla, Permitting Section Chief (Session Facilitator)[cl-popup title="Mark Cuilla
Permitting Section Chief" show_on="text" btn_label="Mark Cuilla's Bio" size="l"]Mark is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. His credentials include NC EIT (Engineer in Training) as well as NC Certified Public Manager. He is in his 30th year with the DAQ, having served in positions with both the Planning and Permitting Sections over his career. He serves as Chief of the Permitting Section where he oversees the engineering staff assigned the processing of Title V permit applications. Mark can be reached at mark.cuilla@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8738.[/cl-popup] - Booker Pullen, New Source Review Supervisor[cl-popup title="Booker Pullen
New Source Review Supervisor, Air Permitting Section" show_on="text" btn_label="Booker Pullen's Bio" size="l"]Booker Pullen, a native of Littleton, NC obtained his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1980. For 11 years, he worked in construction management as both a Field Engineer and Superintendent at the Anheuser Busch Plant in Newark, New Jersey and the Hoffman LaRoche Facility in Nutley, New Jersey. Over the last 29 years, Booker has worked as an Environmental Engineer with the DAQ. He currently serves as the New Source Review Supervisor in the Air Permitting Section. Additionally, he is a NC Certified Public Manager. Booker can be reached at booker.pullen@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8469.[/cl-popup] - Heather Sands, Engineering Supervisor, Title V Branch, Permitting Section[cl-popup title="Heather Sands
Engineering Supervisor, Title V Branch, Permitting Section" show_on="text" btn_label="Heather Sands's Bio" size="l"]Heather has more than 30 years of experience as an environmental engineer, specifically in Air Quality. She has been with the DAQ since 2013 and is currently the Engineering Supervisor for the Title V Branch of the Permitting Section. Prior to working for the DAQ, she was a consultant with experience in developing EPA regulations and writing Title V Permit applications for several facilities. Her experience covers the pulp and paper industry, the chemical manufacturing industry, and the oil and natural gas production industry. She is a proud graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering (Go Wolfpack!) and is a licensed PE in North Carolina. Heather can be reached at heather.sands@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8725. [/cl-popup] - Betty Gatano, TV Permitting Engineer, Raleigh Central Office[cl-popup title="Betty Gatano
TV Permitting Engineer, Raleigh Central Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Betty Gatano's Bio" size="l"]Betty Gatano is a 1990 graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering. She also holds a M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering from UNC-Chapel Hill. She has been with the DAQ since 1997, with the last ten years serving as a TV permitting engineer in the Raleigh Central Office. She is also a licensed Professional Engineer in NC. Betty can be reached at betty.gatano@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8736.[/cl-popup] - Rahul Thaker, Central Office Permitting Engineer[cl-popup title="Rahul Thaker
Central Office Permitting Engineer" show_on="text" btn_label="Rahul Thaker's Bio" size="l"]Rahul Thaker has more than 33 years of regulatory and consulting experience in air quality, wastewater, solid and hazardous wastes, and construction project management. He is a senior environmental engineer, working for the DAQ for more than 26 years. Currently he focuses on reviewing and drafting New Source Review and Title V permits for various categories of industrial sources and leads the Division’s Permitting Workgroup. Rahul is a licensed professional engineer (PE) in NC and a certified Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP). He is a member of Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He served in the A&WMA Board of Directors from 2018 through 2020. Rahul can be reached at rahul.thaker@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8740.[/cl-popup] - Matt Porter, Air Pollution Meteorologist, Permitting Section[cl-popup title="Matt Porter
Air Pollution Meteorologist, Permitting Section" show_on="text" btn_label="Matt Porter's Bio" size="l"]Matthew Porter is an air pollution meteorologist with the DAQ in the Permitting Section, Air Quality Analysis Branch (AQAB). He has been with the DAQ for 5 years performing PSD and air toxics modeling reviews and multiple air quality studies using a variety of dispersion modeling systems including AERMOD, SCICHEM, and CALPUFF. Before joining the DAQ, Mr. Porter was an environmental consultant for 9 years working on projects in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Innermountain West, Southeast U.S., and Canada. His environmental consulting experience includes air quality permitting, dispersion modeling, monitoring, noise modeling, water quality modeling, spill planning, stormwater planning, discharge permitting, TRI reporting, and multi-media compliance management for a variety of industrial sectors including wood products, oil and gas, baseload and peaking power generation, pulp and paper, petroleum refineries, and mining activities. Mr. Porter earned a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, cum laude (2006) and a M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering (2007) from Washington State University. Matthew can be reached at matthew.porter@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8268.[/cl-popup]
Small / Synthetic Minor Permitting Panel
Panelists Include:
- Jeffrey Cole, Acting Permits Coordinator, Fayetteville Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Jeffrey Cole
Acting Permits Coordinator, Fayetteville Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Jeffrey Cole's Bio" size="l"]Jeffrey Cole has a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla. After graduation he worked as a Research Environmental Engineer for RTI International for 21 years, supporting EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) rule development. He has worked for the DAQ for 7 years in many roles including Compliance Inspector, Permit Engineer, and Acting Compliance Coordinator. He currently serves as the Acting Permits Coordinator in the Fayetteville Regional Office. Jeff can be reached at Jeffrey.cole@ncdenr.gov or (910) 433-3374.[/cl-popup] - Jennifer Manning, Permits Coordinator, Mooresville Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Jennifer Manning
Permits Coordinator, Mooresville Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Jennifer Manning's Bio" size="l"]Jennifer Manning graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. She started her career with the Department of Transportation, but almost seventeen years ago, she accepted a position in DAQ and now serves as the Permits Coordinator for the Mooresville Regional Office. Outside of work, she enjoys all types of "nerdy" games and being with her three young children. Jennifer can be reached at jennifer.manning@ncdenr.gov or (704)-663-1699.[/cl-popup] - Dena Pittman, Permits Coordinator, Raleigh Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Dena Pittman
Permits Coordinator, Raleigh Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Dena Pittman's Bio" size="l"]Dena Pittman currently serves as the Permits Coordinator in the DAQ’s Raleigh Regional Office. During her 16 years with the DAQ, Dena has worked as a Permit Engineer in the Raleigh Regional Office. Recently, Dena also worked as Compliance Supervisor for a cross-training opportunity and served as the Acting Regional Supervisor while that position was vacant. Prior to joining the DAQ, Dena worked for 10 years as an environmental consultant in Raleigh. Dena can be reached at dena.pittman@ncdenr.gov or (919) 791-4274.[/cl-popup] - Yongcheng Chen, Permit Engineer, Washington Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Yongcheng Chen
Permit Engineer, Washington Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Yongcheng Chen's Bio" size="l"]Yongcheng Chen is a Permit Engineer in the Washington Regional Office, where he serves at the Permits Coordinator. He has been with the DAQ for 23 years. Yongcheng can be reached at Yongcheng.chen@ncdenr.gov or (252) 948-3831.[/cl-popup] - Jim Hafner, Acting Permits Coordinator, Winston-Salem Regional Office
[cl-popup title="Jim Hafner
Acting Permits Coordinator, Winston-Salem Regional Office" show_on="text" btn_label="Jim Hafner's Bio" size="l"]Jim Hafner is the current Acting Permits Coordinator for the Winston Salem Regional Office. In over 23 years with the Division, Jim has primarily worked as Permit Engineer/Compliance Engineer in both the Winston Salem Regional Office and Mooresville Regional Office. He has a chemical engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Jim can be reached at jim.hafner@ncdenr.gov or (336) 776-9634.[/cl-popup]
Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) Handouts
Handout 1 - Overview of NC Department of Environmental Assistance and Customer Services
- Technical Assistance - Handouts 2, 4, 5 & 6,
- Recycling and Material Management - Handout 4,
- Resources and Energy Efficiency - Handout 5,
- Recognition Programs: NC Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) - Handout 2
& NC GreenTravel - Handout 3, - Recycling Outreach Programs (Recycle Guys, Recycle Right NC & Recycle More NC), Handout 4 and
- NCDEQ Regional Office presence, Handout 6
Handout 2 - NC Department of Environmental Quality's Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI)
ESI promotes and encourages superior environmental performance in North Carolina. This voluntary program is available at no cost. ESI seeks to reduce the impact on the environment beyond measures required by any permit or rule, producing a better environment, conserving natural resources and resulting in long-term economic benefits. As part of the ESI program, DEACS staff provide technical assistance and advise on strategies to reduce their water and energy usage. ESI members, including businesses and others, are required to institute a performance-based system to achieve their environmental goals
Handout 3 - North Carolina Green Travel Initiative Version 2
The NC GreenTravel program recognizes tourism-oriented businesses for their accomplishments in environmental stewardship, including energy and water conservation, waste reduction, recycling and other practices that help protect the environment.
Handout 4 - Recycling and Materials Management
The Recycling and Materials Management Section (RMMS) promotes recycling programs and helps expand recycling infrastructure. RMMS works closely with Waste Reduction partners (WRP) to identify and implement waste reduction and recycling efforts by commercial, institutional and industrial generators providing critical material supply to manufacturers, reducing dependence on landfills and saving natural resources.
Handout 5 - Resource and Energy Efficiency
The Waste Reduction Partners (WRP) team helps organizations (Manufacturers, Businesses, Agriculture, Local governments, K-12 schools & institutions, Non-profits) to improve environmental and energy management through efficiency techniques that save money. The WRP team conducts on-site assessments and provides consulting services to businesses and public facilities throughout North Carolina. Consulting services are confidential and most are provided at no cost to the client. These services are supported through government and utility-sponsored grants
WRP team performs the following onsite assessments
- Energy Efficiency
- Water Use Efficiency
- Soil Waste Reduction Assessments (Zero Waste)
- Agricultural Plastics Recycling
Handout 6 - NCDEQ Regional Office Presence
Environmental Assistance Coordinators are closer to our customers in the department’s seven regional offices and can provide on-site consultation and coordinated permit reviews for proposed projects. Their primary responsibility is to assist businesses, industries, local governments, other institutions, consultants and residents as they seek to identify, understand and comply with the state’s environmental requirements.
DISCLAIMER: All materials posted on this page are intended for use by those who attended the NCMA co-sponsored Online North Carolina Air Quality Compliance Workshop in March 2022. Any errors in the information found on this page cannot be used as a defense for noncompliance with air quality rules. Regulated entities are responsible for compliance regardless the information found here or interpretation of the meaning of these materials. All information is subject to change and correction prior or subsequent to user access.