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 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
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REGION 8
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1595 Wynkoop Street
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Denver, CO   80202-1129
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Phone 800-227-8917
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www.epa.gov/region8


Ref: 8ARD-PM									

Ms. Beth Stimatz
Environmental Compliance Specialist
NorthWestern Energy Corporation
11 East Park Street
Butte, Montana  59701

Re:	NorthWestern Energy Corporation, Meriwether Compressor Station, 
	Permit # SMNSR-B-000005-2022.003, Proposed Synthetic Minor New Source Review Permit

Dear Ms. Stimatz:
      
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 has completed its review of NorthWestern Energy Corporation's application requesting a synthetic minor permit pursuant to the Tribal Minor New Source Review (MNSR) Permit Program at 40 CFR part 49 for the proposed modification of the existing Meriwether Compressor Station, located on Indian country lands within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, in Glacier County, Montana.

The regulations at 40 CFR 49.157 require that the affected community and the public have the opportunity to submit written comments on any proposed MNSR permit. All written comments submitted within 30 calendar days after the public notice is published will be considered by the EPA in making its final permit decision. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online electronic copies of the draft permit, technical support document, public notice and supporting materials may be viewed at: https://www.epa.gov/caa-permitting/caa-permit-public-comment-opportunities-region-8, on September 29, 2022. The public comment period will end at 5:00 p.m. MDT on October 31, 2022.  

The conditions contained in the proposed permit will become effective and enforceable by the EPA if the permit is issued final. If you are unable to accept any term or condition of the draft permit, please submit your written comments, along with the reason(s) for non-acceptance to Claudia Smith, of my staff, at smith.claudia@epa.gov. 
      
Comments may also be submitted via email to R8AirPermitting@epa.gov or through https://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID #EPA-R08-OAR-2022-0345).








If you have any questions concerning the proposed permit or technical support document, please contact Claudia Smith, of my staff, at (303) 312-6520 or at smith.claudia@epa.gov.   


						Sincerely,
                                    
						Monica Morales
                              Acting Director 
                                    Air and Radiation Division


cc: 	Gerald Wagner, Environmental Director, Blackfeet Indian Tribe
	Craig Smith, Compressor Engineer, NorthWestern Energy Corporation

