EMAIL: Ms. Michelle W. Owenby, Director, Division of Air Pollution Control, air.pollution.control@TN.gov
Make your concerns heard! You are encouraged to write a letter or email. Volunteer Regional Landfill is seeking permission to increase the capacity of their current leachate evaporator to 72,000 gallons per day. This is emitting pollutants into the air. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE POSSIBLE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS TO POSE IN YOUR EMAIL.
Look HERE on the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) Dataviewer for all letters, applications, and items related to this application. Click on PDF symbol to view.
Notice given on August 11, 2025 [emails accepted until TUESDAY, SEPT 9]:
The Tennessee Division of Air Pollution Control (TDAPC) has received requests for construction and/or modification of air contaminant sources as noted below. The proposed construction and/or modification is subject to part 1200-03-09-.01(1)(h) of the Tennessee Air Pollution Control Regulations, which requires a public notification and 30-day public comment period. Interested parties may express their comments and concerns in writing to air.pollution.control@TN.gov or Ms. Michelle W. Owenby, Director, Division of Air Pollution Control. Questions concerning a source may be addressed to the assigned Division personnel at the same address or by calling 615-532-0554.
Construction permits issued by TDAPC do not grant any authority to operate, construct, or maintain any installation in violation of any law, statute, code, ordinance, rule, or regulation of the State of Tennessee or any of its political subdivisions.
Individuals with disabilities who wish to participate should contact the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to discuss any auxiliary aids or services needed to facilitate such participation. Such contact may be in person, by writing, telephone, or other means, and should be made no less than ten days prior to the end of the public comment period to allow time to provide such aid or services. Contact the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation ADA Coordinator, Davy Crockett Tower, 6th Floor, 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243, (615) 532-0200. Hearing impaired callers may use the Tennessee Relay Service (1-800-848- 0298).
The applicant is Scott Solid Waste Disposal Company dba Volunteer Regional Landfill with a mailing address of 300 Roberta Lane, Oneida, TN 37841. The applicant seeks to obtain an air contaminant permit (Division identification number: 76-0071 and 983571) for construction at the following address: 300 Roberta Lane, Oneida. The permit request is for the modification of the following: The capacities for leachate throughput and heat input shall be increased for the express purpose of optimizing water removal efficiency from leachate. A Demister is used to control emissions. There would be physical construction. Regulated air contaminants are emitted by this source. Information regarding this source can be found in the Division of Air Pollution Control Dataviewer link which can be found at the bottom of the Division of Air Pollution Control webpage.
Eric King is the assigned Division person.
SOME QUESTIONS TO POSE IN YOUR EMAIL
Request a public hearing.
Do not pose ALL the questions, but please pick a few that speak to you and your concerns.
Request for ADDITIONAL time after the public hearing/answer period to ask further questions.
Leachate characterization.
What are the concentrations of key constituents, such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and ammonia?
What is the range of pH and temperature of the leachate?
What is the concentration of specific inorganic and organic contaminants, including heavy metals and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)?
How variable is the leachate composition over time, and can the system handle these fluctuations?
System design and performance. These questions focus on the technical capabilities of the evaporation system.
What is the required evaporation capacity (e.g., gallons or cubic meters per day)?
What is the volume reduction percentage or target concentration level for the residual?
What is the desired quality of the condensate (evaporated water) for discharge or reuse?
What type of evaporator is being proposed (e.g., thermal, mechanical vapor compression)?
How is the system heated (e.g., landfill gas, waste heat, electricity)?
What are the required pretreatment steps for the leachate before it enters the evaporator?
How will the system handle scaling and fouling from dissolved solids?
What is the total footprint of the evaporation system, including any pretreatment and post-treatment components?
Operational and maintenance. Evaporators require consistent monitoring and maintenance. These questions address reliability and long-term upkeep.
What are the routine maintenance requirements and schedule (e.g., cleaning, inspection)?
What are the energy consumption and other operational costs per gallon or cubic meter of leachate treated?
What are the system's operational parameters, and what is the plan for monitoring and controlling them?
What are the troubleshooting procedures for common issues, such as vacuum leaks or poor performance?
Is training for operators included, and what level of certification is required?
What kind of long-term technical support and service contracts are available?
Residuals and emissions. Leachate evaporation produces a concentrated residue and air emissions that must be managed.
What is the final composition and volume of the concentrated residue?
What are the approved disposal methods for the residual? (e.g., returning to the landfill, off-site disposal)
How will PFAS and other contaminants of concern be concentrated in the residue, and what are the implications?
What are the potential air emissions from the evaporator (e.g., VOCs, PM, greenhouse gases)?
What emission control technologies (e.g., demisters, scrubbers) are integrated into the design?
How will air emissions be monitored and reported to regulatory agencies?