Comment period extended on Vantage Data Center

QUINCY - The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has extended the comment period for the proposed air quality permit for building the new Vantage Data Center northeast of Quincy.

This new comment period is needed because the data center made changes to the proposed project. However, the analysis that recalculated emissions showed that the project proposal still complies with all air quality rules.

The due date for comments is now Jan. 11, 2013.

The draft permit would allow the company to install 17 backup generators for use during power failures to support the facility’s data servers. It places conditions on the operation to protect public health.

The generators are powered by diesel engines. The 17 new generators would be in addition to 141 generators already permitted at five other Quincy-area data centers.

You may submit comments and/or questions to Beth Mort, Department of Ecology, 4601 N. Monroe, Spokane, WA  99205-1295, or by email.

Documents about the permit and the health assessment are available for the public at Quincy City Hall or online.

Each of the generators will be capable of producing three megawatts of emergency backup electrical power for a total of 51 megawatts.

The Vantage Data Center will use the most current and effective air pollution control equipment for controlling both particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.