Project Overview
Buckeye Albany Terminal LLC, located at 301 Normanskill Street, Albany, New York, is proposing changes to its existing facility, in addition to the renewal of its existing Air Title V permit. To implement the proposed project, the applicant has submitted an application to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) for a Permit Modification to the Air Title V permit.
Nature of Proposed Project/Action and Purpose
The Buckeye Albany Terminal is a bulk liquid storage terminal that is permitted to handle various petroleum products, including gasoline, crude oil, ethanol, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, biodiesel, heating oil, and asphalt. Incoming shipments of product arrive via truck, rail, and marine vessel (barge or ship). Outgoing shipments of product leave the facility via truck and marine vessel (barge or ship). The following changes at the Terminal are requested:
- Install a Vapor Recovery Unit (VRU) at the truck loading rack to replace the existing Vapor Combustion Unit (VCU) (this was completed as a minor modification and is being incorporated into the Title V Permit)
- Increase the maximum allowable throughput for the truck loading rack from 380 million gallons to 600 million gallons
- Install a vacuum assist system at the truck rack, which eliminates fugitive emissions from gasoline and ethanol loading (this was completed as a minor modification and is being incorporated into the Title V Permit)
- Construct a new loading lane at the truck loading rack to reduce truck waiting time during peak hours
- Increase operational flexibility by permitting all floating roof tanks to store gasoline or ethanol
- Reduce the permitted crude oil throughput limit by 50%
Potential Impacts
The direct potential impacts of this project are anticipated to be limited. No new acreage or waterbodies beyond the existing facility will be disturbed, so there will not be direct physical impact on the surrounding environment. No solid or liquid waste is expected to be generated by this project.
Temporary Impacts:
Construction is expected to last approximately three months, and could result in a temporary increase in noise, dust, and vehicular traffic. The construction is limited to the truck rack internal to the property. The Terminal is located within the Port of Albany, which is an industrial and commercial area. There are no residential areas adjoining the property; therefore, construction activities are not expected to impact local neighborhoods and are not expected to adversely impact the surrounding commercial properties.
Direct Impacts:
The proposed modifications will have a direct benefit on emissions from the facility. Specifically, the installation of a vacuum assist system, which operates in conjunction with a VCU[KO1.1], as well as a decrease in crude oil throughput, will have the largest effects. While Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions are increased from the potential throughput increase at the loading rack, actual emissions are reduced with the use of the vacuum assist system during loading. In addition, Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) will be decreased since the VCU is being replaced with a VRU, which does not emit GHG combustion emissions.
Indirect Impacts:
While the throughput at the truck loading rack will be increasing, and a new loading lane will be constructed, there is not expected to be an increase in truck traffic, as there is not an increase in the local market demand. Rather, these changes will help more efficiently move trucks through the rack during peak periods.