DDOE: Air quality permitting

Air Quality Permitting

The District reviews designs for new pollution sources and design modifications for existing sources. Permits are issued to allow sources to emit limited and specified amounts of pollution as allowed by air quality laws and regulations.

Permit Applications and Forms for District Facilities

For more Air Quality Permitting inquiries, please contacts us.

Major Source Permits

Major sources in the District include power plants, heating plants and large printing facilities.

The District issues three types of permits to major sources:

Pre-construction review permits issued under the authority of Chapter 2*. – For new construction of new air contaminant emitting equipment or modifications of equipment at existing major sources;
"New Source Review” permits issued under the authority of Section 204 of Chapter 2* of this regulation. – For construction of new major sources or modifications resulting in increased emissions at existing major sources
Operating permits issued under the authority of “Chapter 3*” (“Title V” of the Clean Air Act) – For all sources that have the potential to emit pollutants exceeding the major source pollutant threshold;
Acid rain permits (Title IV of the Clean Air Act) – For power plants that participate in the Acid Rain Program; and

These permits include conditions intended to minimize emissions of air pollutants and ensure proper operation of the regulated sources.

Minor Source Permits

Minor sources of air pollution are those that have the potential to emit air pollutants at rates below defined major source thresholds. These sources generally require a “Chapter 2*” pre-construction review permit prior to commencement of construction and a “Chapter 2*” operating permit following completion of construction. In the District, minor sources include gas stations, dry cleaners, auto body shops, sites using generators, and small printing facilities.

Certain categories of minor sources that emit hazardous air pollutants must comply with special federal regulations governing “area sources.” Information about these standards can be found at EPA’s Air Toxics Web Site. You may also want to view Air Permit Programs, EPA.