(415 ILCS 5/39.9)

Sec. 39.9. Thermochemical conversion technology demonstration permit.

(a) The purpose of this Section is to provide for the permitting and testing of thermochemical conversion technology ("TCT") on a pilot-scale basis.

(b) For purposes of this Section:

"Thermochemical conversion" means the application of heat to woody biomass, collected as landscape waste within the boundaries of the host unit of local government, in order to convert that material to a synthetic gas ("syngas") that can be processed for use as a fuel for the production of electricity and process heat, for the production of ethanol or hydrogen to be used as transportation fuel, or for both of those purposes. To qualify as thermochemical conversion, the thermochemical conversion technology must not continuously operate at temperatures exceeding an hourly average of 2,000°F, must operate at or near atmospheric pressure with no intentional or forced addition of air or oxygen, must use electricity for the source of heat, and must be designed to produce more energy than it consumes.

"Thermochemical conversion technology demonstration permit" or "TCTDP" means a demonstration permit issued by the Agency's Bureau of Air Permit Section under this Section. The TCT will be considered a process emission unit.

"Thermochemical conversion technology processing facility" means a facility constructed and operated for the purpose of conducting thermochemical conversion under this Section.

"Woody biomass" means the fibrous cellular substance consisting largely of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin from trees and shrubs collected as landscape waste. "Woody biomass" also includes bark and leaves from trees and shrubs, but does not include other wastes or foreign materials.

(c) The Agency may, under the authority of subsection (b) of Section 9 and subsection (a) of Section 39 of the Act, issue a TCTDP to an applicant for field testing of a thermochemical conversion technology processing facility to demonstrate that the thermochemical conversion technology can reliably produce syngas that can be processed for use as a fuel for the production of electricity and process heat, for the production of ethanol or hydrogen to be used as transportation fuel, or for both purposes. The TCTDP shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1) The application for a TCTDP must demonstrate that the thermochemical conversion technology processing facility is not a major source of air pollutants but is eligible for an air permit issued pursuant to 35 Ill. Adm. Code 201.169. The application must demonstrate that the potential to emit carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM, PM10) individually for each pollutant does not exceed 79.9 tons per year; that the potential to emit volatile organic material (VOM) does not exceed 24.9 tons per year; that the potential to emit individual hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) does not exceed 7.9 tons per year; and that the potential to emit combined total HAPs does not exceed 19.9 tons per year.

(2) The applicant for a TCTDP must perform emissions testing during the permit period, as required by the Agency, and submit the results of that testing to the Agency, as specified in the TCTDP, within 60 days after the completion of testing.

(3) During the permit period the applicant for a TCTDP may not convert more than 4 tons per day of woody biomass in the thermochemical conversion technology processing facility.

(4) The applicant for a TCTDP must demonstrate that the proposed project meets the criteria defining thermochemical conversion in subsection (b) of this Section.

(5) The applicant for a TCTDP must submit application fees in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 9.12 of this Act, excluding the fees under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of that Section.

(6) A complete application for a TCTDP must be filed in accordance with this Section and submitted to the Agency within one year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

(7) In addition to the TCTDP, the applicant for a TCTDP must obtain applicable water pollution control permits before constructing or operating the thermochemical conversion technology processing facility and applicable waste management permits before the facility receives woody biomass collected as landscape waste. In addition to authorizing receipt and treatment by thermochemical conversion of woody biomass, waste management permits may authorize, and establish limits for, storage and pre-processing of woody biomass for the exclusive use of the thermochemical conversion technology processing facility. Woody biomass received at the facility and all mineral ash and other residuals from the thermochemical conversion process must be managed in accordance with applicable provisions of this Act and rules and permit conditions adopted under the authority of this Act. The facility must be closed in accordance with applicable permit conditions.

(Source: P.A. 96-1314, eff. 7-27-10.)