Air Permits - The Basics

摘要

There are basically two types of permitting programs for air pollution sources under the Clean Air Act. The first program, known as the new source review program or the pre-construction permit program, is a long-standing program that was added to the Act in 1977. The second program, the operating permits program, was added to the Act in 1990. This paper consists of a general discussion of both programs. The new source review program requires source owners or operators to apply for permits to construct prior to beginning construction of new facilities or additions to existing facilities which emit air pollutants. The State air agency assesses the impact of the new construction on the ambient air and determines the appropriate air pollution controls the new construction will have to incorporate. A permit to construct is then issued with the determined requirements. The program is divided into two components; one to address construction in clean air areas, the other to address construction in areas that have air pollution problems. Requirements that sources must meet in the problem areas are more stringent than for the clean air areas. The operating permits program addresses the operation, as opposed to construction, of sources. Unlike the new source review program, however, this program does not create air pollution control requirements. The operating permit is a document that includes all the air pollution requirements on a source that are imposed by the Act. The process of issuing the operating permit includes determining all the various Act requirements applicable to the source and documenting them in the permit. After issuance of the permit, the source owner or operator must monitor compliance with the requirements and annually certify that it is in compliance with the requirements in the permit. Both programs have EPA oversight and include public participation during the permitting process.