Understanding Air Permitting and Compliance

There are two aspects to managing air emissions: permitting and compliance. Air permitting requires gathering usage rates of pollutant-emitting equipment and then calculating the emissions from those units to uncover the total emissions from your facility. That information is then given to IDEM and an air permit is generated. Compliance comes after the permitting process and requires keeping up with the quarterly and annual record keeping and reporting requirements. While most organizations understand that they need to undertake both parts, many misunderstand key points that allow them to implement an effective and efficient process.

Understanding the Timing of an Air Permitting Process

Most manufacturing facilities must evaluate whether or not they need an air permit. However, they may underestimate the time it will take to collect the necessary data and work through the application process. It is important to know if your plans will cause your plant to cross the threshold for the criteria air pollutants set by the Clean Air Act, or to emit hazardous air pollutants designated by the EPA. If you are building a new facility, an air emissions audit must be determined before the build to ensure you will be able to obtain the necessary permits. If you already have an air permit but have a need for more manufacturing capacity, that permit will need to be modified. Numbers off the top of your head or best guesses are not recognized by the regulating authorities. A thorough and accurate evaluation is necessary before your plans are enacted.

What It Takes to Gather Information for Air Permitting

To ensure you are able to attain an air permit and remain in compliance, you must have a comprehensive understanding of your emission units, as well as how to measure and track them. Environmental consultants like DECA Environmental have the experience and the tools to make this process manageable. Summarizing the total emissions from a facility for an air emissions permit or audit is complex and time-consuming. Hiring a knowledgeable and objective expert to guide you through the process ends up saving time and money, and helps ensure you provide accurate data to the regulating body.

Understanding the Air Permit Itself

Obtaining an air permit is just the beginning. Most permits are on a 5-year term—what do you need to do to keep it? Allowable emission limits have been set and there are daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly recordkeeping and reporting requirements to prove that you are not surpassing them. To retain your air permit, you must understand what is expected of your organization so you do not get into trouble.

Maintaining Compliance

An accurate and efficient process for tracking, measuring and reporting are the key to staying in compliance. Tools like DECA’s online SDS system and integrated environmental reporting system support fulfilling the requirements of an air permit, as well as other regulations. Better record keeping and emissions tracking allow your organization to effectively respond to changes in processes and facilities as well as environmental audits. It also streamlines the process of reapplying for an air permit.

There is no need to be behind the eight ball when it comes to air permitting and compliance. Reach out to DECA Environmental for more information on how we can help you streamline the process. Send us an email, or give us a call at 317.575.0095.