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Contact Guide to Federal Air Emission Regulations: Click here to view the Guide to Federal Regulations |
Latest News: States are constantly re-evaluating regulations affecting DG. |
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Basic air permitting and emission control requirements are outlined for each state. The outline used for each state divides the requirements into four categories that are typical for the structure of air regulations for small generators:
· De Minimis Exemptions
· State Minor Source Permitting
· Major Source Permitting
· Emergency Generators"De Minimis exemption" refers to the fact that most states have a threshold below which units are either too small or emit a small enough amount that they do not have to apply for a permit of any kind. The requirements and conditions for these exemptions vary by state, but most states allow some kind of de minimis exemption.
Sources that are not exempted must obtain a permit. An important factor in determining how a source will be permitted is its Potential to Emit, which is the measure of a source's maximum possible emissions if operated at full capacity for 8,760 hours per year. If a source's potential emissions exceed certain emissions thresholds the source is called a Major Source and is subject to the federal New Source Review permitting process. The New Source Review trigger threshold depends on the air quality status of the area that the unit is located in. Sources that fall in between the de minimis and the major thresholds are generally subject to state minor source permitting.
Both the minor source permit and the major source permit are likely to require some kind of emission limitations or controls. These control requirements could be anything from raising the stack height of a unit to installing the most stringent control technologies available. The permitting process also can range from a simple application to a complex cost-based technology evaluation. The requirements vary depending on the state and the type of unit proposed. We have tried to include any such requirements under the appropriate section in each state write-up; however, most state regulations have some degree of variability, and these summaries cannot capture all possibilities. Project developers should consult the listed state contacts regarding any specific project.
In addition, most states have special treatment for emergency backup generators. Most states adhere to an EPA recommendation that states calculate the potential to emit for emergency units based on 500 hours of operation per year. The treatment of these units has been addressed in a separate category on each page.
*Several states use the term "major source" to refer to a source that triggers Title V permitting requirements, however in order to prevent confusion this database will only use the term "major source" when addressing units that trigger the federal New Source Review program.
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