News Releases

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UPDATE: Here’s the latest on the area’s fire safety burn bans

Beginning Friday, July 17, Whatcom County’s fire safety burn ban will increase to Stage 2…

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NWCAA Adopts New Strategic Vision

VISION Our region’s air sustains healthy people, vibrant communities, and a thriving environment. MISSION Protecting…

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Wildfire smoke still impacting local air quality, report says

Harmful fine particles in wildfire smoke continue to show impacts on air quality in northwest…

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In the News

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Climate change and air pollution impacts on children’s health

Researchers: Air pollution and impacts from a changing climate are constant threats.

August 17, 2022

UN report: Risk of uncontrollable wildfires will rise and spread globally

Extreme wildfires may increase 14 percent by 2030, even with deep cuts to greenhouse gas…

February 23, 2022

Debunking 3 myths about air pollution

Watch environmental journalist Beth Gardiner debunk three myths about air pollution.

April 11, 2021

People more likely to die on smoky days, new UW research says

Local scientists are beginning to understand how smoke exposure affects mortality in the Northwest.

January 21, 2020

Study: Minorities breathe more pollution than they make

Authors looked at pollution from highways, coal-fired power plants, hog farms, other sources.

March 13, 2019

Coast Guard seeks comments on establishing ship anchorages

Comment period continues through Aug. 9; Samish Island residents concerned.

August 3, 2017

Public Notices

Your participation in the public process is essential. To keep you informed about where and when you can provide input on our work, we are committed to posting these types of public notices with information about how you can engage in the public process:

Types of Public Notices

NOTICE OF PERMIT APPLICATION RECEIVED

All proposed sources of air pollutants must submit a permit application to us for review prior to the construction of a new facility or the expansion or modification of an existing operation. The application is called a notice of construction (NOC) application or construction permit application. We are required to post a public notice for a minimum of 15 days when we receive a construction permit application. You can request a public comment period or a public hearing during this 15-day period.

SEPA NOTICES

Review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) identifies possible adverse environmental effects of a proposed activity. We can be the lead agency for SEPA review of local projects that may affect air quality. Projects that are likely to significantly degrade environmental quality are required to perform an analysis called an environmental impact statement (EIS). The EIS evaluates ways to eliminate or reduce the effects of a project. If a project is unlikely to adversely affect air quality, we will issue a determination of non-significance (DNS). For projects where we are the SEPA lead agency, we will post notices about SEPA actions, comment periods and determinations here.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS

We post notices inviting public comment on documents and actions such as draft air operating permits, certain construction permit applications, rules and fee schedule changes.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

We schedule public hearings when they are required or when we are taking an action that we know is of significant public interest.

How to comment or request a hearing

Submit public comments or request public hearings, in writing, by the deadline in the public notice. Each public notice contains specific contact information for requesting a hearing. In addition, you can comment or request hearings by:

Mail: 1600 S. 2nd Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Fax: 360-428-1620
Email: [email protected]
Questions? Please call our front desk at 360-428-1617.

Notice Type

Permit Applications Received

Name

HPC Industrial Clean Harbors

Date

July 22, 2026

Address

NWCAA Jurisdiction, Portable

Description

Operate portable vapor combustion units ranging in size from 5 MMBtu/hr to 20 MMBtu/hr to degas tanks that hold hydrocarbons prior to maintenance and other activities that require the tanks be opened. Vapor combustion units will move throughout Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties.

What You Can Do

Request public comment period by Aug. 03, 2026 on permit application 1443

Contact

Crystal Rau

Documents

Zoom Links

Notice Expires

Aug. 06, 2026

Notice Type

Permit Applications Received

Name

PSE Sumas Generating Station

Date

July 17, 2026

Address

1340 Thompson Lane

Description

Clarification of the operating hours limit for the emergency generator.

What You Can Do

Request public comment period by Aug. 03, 2026 on permit application 304i.

Contact

Christos Christoforou

Documents

Zoom Links

Notice Expires

Aug. 03, 2026

Notice Type

Permit Applications Received

Name

Raedwood

Date

July 10, 2026

Address

803 Everson Road, Everson

Description

Sanders, planers, CNC equipment for custom cabinetry. Dust controlled by a dust collector. Automated paint sprayer and paint spray booth. Overspray from spray coating controlled by filters.

What You Can Do

Request public comment period by Jul. 27, 2026 on permit application 1442.

Contact

Christos Christoforou

Documents

Zoom Links

Notice Expires

Jul. 27, 2026

UPDATE: Here’s the latest on the area’s fire safety burn bans

NWCAA Adopts New Strategic Vision

Wildfire smoke still impacting local air quality, report says

News Releases

In the News

Climate change and air pollution impacts on children’s health

UN report: Risk of uncontrollable wildfires will rise and spread globally

Debunking 3 myths about air pollution

People more likely to die on smoky days, new UW research says

Study: Minorities breathe more pollution than they make

Coast Guard seeks comments on establishing ship anchorages

Public Notices

Types of Public Notices

How to comment or request a hearing

Board Meetings, Hearings, and Other Events

Upcoming Events

Board of Directors Meeting

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