WOPrking with federal land managers to evaluate prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) applications, a moving target

摘要

Air perimitting for new of modifed sources rquires a comprehensive evaluation air quality impacts as defined by the Federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations (40 CFR 52.21). Facilities planning modifications which are subject to the PSD requirements must estimate impacts for comparison to ambient air quality standards and PSD increments. In addition, an estimate of impacts to air quality related values (AQRV), typically impacts to soils, vegetation, and visibility is also required. As required by the Clean Air Act (as amended in 1977), the federal land managers are obligated to review the evaluations to AQRV impacts in Class I argeas (Primarily National Parks and Wilderness Areas). The permitting authority is obligated to consider comments from the federal land managers before issuing the PSD permit. Because of a lack of consistent methodologies, comments from the federal land managers can sometimes be inconsistent and pose problems to applicants attempting to evaluate impacts in a comprehensive and reasonable manner.