Ecology accepting comment for Microsoft permits

SPOKANE - The state Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on two draft air permits for projects at Microsoft's Quincy campus.

Microsoft officials announced in December they would be expanding their Quincy footprint. At the time, they said construction on a new data center would begin this spring.

The first phase of the expansion should be completed by early 2015, according to a previous Columbia Basin Herald article. The data center expansion will create nearly 100 full-time jobs once it is open.

According to a recent Ecology statement, the company also has plans to upgrade an existing facility. Both the expansion and upgrades require air permits from the agency to ensure human health and the environment are protected.

The new facility will include 37 diesel generators, 32 cooling towers and air pollution control equipment. Microsoft is proposing to install advanced equipment to reduce air pollutants beyond clean air requirements, according to Ecology.

The draft permit for the new facility includes conditions that protect the public from air pollution, including limits on fuel and specified hours of operation for the generators.

There will be a public meeting and hearing at the Quincy Community Center July 24. Residents can get more details and information about the permit during the meeting, which begins at 5 p.m.

The formal hearing begins at 6:30 p.m. The Quincy Community Center is located at 115 F St. SW.

Microsoft currently has an Ecology air permit to operate 37 diesel generators and 12 cooling towers at its existing Columbia Data Center. They want to change cooling tower operations to decrease water use, according to Ecology.

The change will increase particles into the air while still meeting clean air requirements. Diesel generator operations under the current permit will not change.

Comments and questions for both draft permits can be addressed to Beth Mort at the Department of Ecology's Air Quality Program at 4601 N. Monroe in Spokane, WA 99205.

Comments on both permits will be accepted through July 29. The public can review permits at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/quincydatacenter or at Ecology's Eastern Regional Office, 4601 N. Monroe in Spokane.

They can also be reviewed at Quincy City Hall, 104 B St., and the Quincy Library, 208 Central Ave S.