“I recommend that the DAQ in conjunction with legal counsel evaluate whether proceeding with the air permitting process prior to the completion of an environmental review under NEPA is valid,” wrote Patrick Butler, supervisor of the Raleigh regional office and author of the report.
He outlined eight other recommendations that address a range of public concern over the environmental and health impacts of the proposed Portland cement plant, before a permit is issued.
DAQ staff will decide to either issue the air quality permit or issue it with modifications, Mather said. But, they are under no requirement to respond by a certain date, he said.
“There’s a lot of issues that still need to be addressed,” Mather said.
