Norman J. Friedman, MS

Course Outline

This three-hour course discusses the types of air permits that will be needed to comply with state and federal regulations. Requirements for filing air permit applications will be required for new facilities at new sites, new installations at existing sites, and changes that include modifications, reactivations, or relocations of existing emission sources. Since 1990, the EPA has been proposing and promulgating maximum achievable control technology (MACT) rules for the title V facilities that will result in changes to existing facilities just to comply. The MACT rule changes pioneered the concept of process changes as well as air pollution control equipment changes for compliance. The current requirements for air permitting now include existing facilities that will need to change processes or add-on air pollution control equipment. Permits are categorized as major, medium, and minor depending upon the category of the facility and the quantities of air pollutant emissions generated annually. This course will enable the student to comprehend the types of permits necessary when changing existing facility emission sources or adding new emission sources. Understanding these air permits will also enable the student to select the permit type for the facility.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

• Understand the types of air permits that will be required when making changes to air emission sources at existing facilities, installing new emission sources at existing facilities, or constructing new facilities.
• Learn the key terms generally accepted for permitting processes.
• Develop the knowledge to determine the best permit type for the facility.
  

Course Introduction

Each state in the United States requires air permits for any type of change in air emissions from either existing or new sources. Most states have been delegated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to have their own permitting programs. The EPA has the authority to review any state permit draft to make changes, ensure uniform requirements, provide technical guidance, and exercise veto power.

Course Content

Course Summary

Facilities are required to prepare and file air permit applications for changes to existing emission sources and the installation of new emission sources. Current rules also require compliance of maximum achievable control technology (MACT) rules resulting in the need for air permits to comply with the regulations. Depending upon the type of facility and the estimated emissions on an annual basis, this course will provide the information to determine if a major, medium, or minor permit will be required. The types of environmental permits described include PSD or NSR, Title V Operating, Construction or "Permit-to-Install", and Synthetic Minor permits as representative of the types of requirements to obtain permission for changing air pollution emission levels at a facility.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following website:

Search of permits and specific permit types at www.epa.gov.

References

Table A United States Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 51.166(b)(23)(i)
Table B United States Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 51.166(b)(a)(c)(iii)
Table C United States Clean Air Act Amendments, Title I, Part A, Section 112(a)(1), 1990
Table D United States Clean Air Act Amendments, Title III, 1990
Table E United States Clean Air Act Amendments, Title I, Part D, 1990


Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.