Environmental Services > Air > Air Permits

Air Permits

Since 1985, Aires' staff of qualified environmental and professional engineers has been obtaining both federal and state air permits for a variety of facilities.

The process of obtaining an air permit encompasses permitting programs including New Source Review and Title V operating permits as well as state air permits. Typical requirements under each permit may include:

• Control technology evaluations,
• Air quality analysis,
• Ambient air quality monitoring,
• Emissions trading and inventory
• Permit negotiations
• Simplify required recordkeeping and reporting procedures

Aires is knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of air permitting and that enables us to provide clients with valuable and professional services. Aires will assist in preventing unnecessary permit paperwork; expedition of the permit application and approval processes, and prevent disruptions to facility operations.

New Source Review & Title V Permit Program

The EPA Clean Air Act (CAA), commonly referred to as Title V, requires all industrial sites to determine their status with regard to maximum regulated emission levels. Emission limits of 100 TPY have been determined for particulates, volatile compounds, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide. Emission limits of 10 TPY have also been established for HAP. If a facility uses more than one HAP, a combination HAP limit of 25 TPY also applies. Click here to view a list of HAPs.

Some areas of the country are classified as "non-attainment areas". This classification means that national standards for air pollutants are exceeded and, consequently, the CAA emission limits are lowered. Facilities that are in a nonattainment area that are proposing a new source and/or major modifications to an existing source is federally required to undergo a New Source Review to obtain a preconstruction permit.

The maximum emission levels are not just based on actual emission but the Potential to Emit (PTE). For example, if an operation is run at maximum output for one, eight- hour shift per day, the PTE would be three times the actual emission. It is important for all facilities to compile and maintain an emissions inventory that calculates actual emissions and PTE. If CAA limits are exceeded, there are requirements to file for Title V permits or to apply to the state for voluntary restrictions (Federally Enforceable State Operating Permits) to keep PTE emissions below maximums.

Federally Enforceable State Operating Permit (FESOP):

A Facility that has a source with the potential to emit above major source thresholds can apply for a FESOP. This is possible if the maximum actual emission from the facility's source can be capped at levels that are below major source thresholds. A FESOP is a voluntary restriction on emission to avoid the CAAPP applicability. Facilities that opt to apply for a FESOP must undergo public and federal review similar to a major source operating permit.

State Air Permit

Each state is responsible for establishing its regulations to enforce the CAA. Many states require facilities to obtain both a construction and an operation air permit. Aires has provided assistance to many facilities in all states in acquiring their state air permits.

Contact Aires today for help with obtaining your state air permit!

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