Workshop I Advanced Air & NPDES Permits … Best Practices & Succeeding in the Process to Obtain the Best Possible Permit
Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Biographical Information
Larry S. Smith, P.E., Principal Consultant GT Environmental, Inc., 635 Park Meadow Rd, Suite 112, Westerville, OH 43081 Phone: (614) 794-3570 ext. 18 Fax: (614) 899-9255 [email protected]
Larry S. Smith, P.E., is a Principal Consultant with GT Environmental, Inc.’s Westerville, Ohio office. He has 30 years of experience working for clients in the areas of environmental compliance, brownfield and RCRA evaluations, and remediation. Larry has prepared individual and general NPDES permit applications for a variety of industries and clients for wastewater and storm water discharges. He has prepared storm water pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) for multiple industries, and has developed strategies for implementing best management practices as directed in a SWPPP. Larry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He is a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Ohio, a Certified Professional (CP133) under the Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program (VAP), and a Licensed Remediation Specialist (LRS) in West Virginia.
Ashley Ward, P.E., NPDES Supervisor Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water 50 West Town Street, Suite 700, Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: (614) 644-4852 [email protected]
Ashley is the NPDES Program Supervisor in the Division of Surface Water. She has two Bachelor of Science degrees from The Ohio State University; one in Environmental Science, water specialization and one in Chemical Engineering. Prior to her current position, Ashley worked for the Division of Surface Water Chief in several different programs including enforcement, rules, NPDES and pretreatment. Before working for Ohio EPA, Ashley worked as a Microbiologist in the Research and Development Department of Lexmark.
Katie Milk, CHMM, Environmental Scientist III GT Environmental, Inc., 778 McCauley Rd, Suite 120, Stow, OH 44224 Phone: (330) 687-3664 Fax: (614) 899-9255 [email protected]
Katie Milk is an Environmental Scientist III with GT Environmental, Inc.’s Northeast Ohio office, and has over ten years of environmental consulting experience. Katie’s primary focus is on Title V and minor source air permitting, air emissions inventories, synthetic minor demonstrations, air quality dispersion modeling, and state and federal rule applicability determinations, including MACT, NESHAP and NSPS. She also conducts multi-media environmental compliance audits, and provides compliance assistance for clients in a variety of industries in the areas of hazardous waste, EPCRA Sections 311/312/313, SPCC, waste water and storm water.
Katie is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science. Katie is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), and is a member of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA).
Biographical Information
Kevin J. Kilroy, Safety & Environmental Manager Smithers-Oasis Company, 919 Marvin Street, P.O. Box 790, Kent, OH 44240 Phone: (330) 676-4426 [email protected]
Kevin Kilroy has almost forty years of experience in environmental, health and safety programs in a manufacturing setting. He works for Smithers-Oasis Company, a privately held company headquartered in Kent, Ohio where it has manufacturing and distribution facilities. The company manufactures and markets water-absorbing floral foams, accessories and floral mechanics to the retail floral market worldwide. They manufacture and market a complete line of post-harvest flower care products for the floral industry through its Floralife Division. They also manufacture and market products for the grower/ greenhouse industry and insulating products for temperature- controlled packing products.
At Smithers-Oasis Company, Kevin has responsibility for the safety and environmental programs of the North American and Floralife Divisions in North America and provides consulting services to the other global operations of the company, particularly on product and safety related issues. Prior to joining Smithers-Oasis Company, Kevin worked nineteen years for an Ohio based Fortune 500 chemical and aerospace company, mostly at a chemical manufacturing facility where he was responsible for managing the plant’s environmental program. Over the course of seventeen years at the plant, he also worked on health and safety programs. Prior to this, he worked for two years in the chemical division environmental department conducting permit review and project environmental impact assessments.
Kevin received a B.S. in both Chemical Engineering and in Plastic Technology from Lowell Technological Institute and a M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Lowell. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE), and he was a past chairman of the Akron Section of AICHE.
ADVANCED AIR AND NPDES PERMITS
NPDES PERMITTING – STORM WATER JULY 26, 2018 LARRY S. SMITH, P.E. PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT TODAY’S DISCUSSION
NPDES Permitting Overview Ohio EPA General Permit Triggers to Permit Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) NPDES OVERVIEW – STORM WATER
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System - Clean Water Act, 1990 Storm Water Municipal storm sewer systems Construction activities Industrial activities, 11 Categories of Industrial Activity Storm Water Permit – Ohio Delegated Authority, Administrator Industrial Individual NPDES Permit Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial (OHR000006) June 2017
SIC Code
Notice of Intent (NOI) NO EXPOSURE (NOE)
All industrial materials and activities are protected by a storm resistant shelter to prevent exposure to precipitation and runoff. WHAT TRIGGERS NEED FOR A PERMIT?
Loading/Unloading Operations Outdoor Storage Outdoor Process Activities Dust or Particulate Generating Process Illicit Connections and Non-Storm water Discharges Waste Management NOE?
Separate from vehicle maintenance activities; good condition; secondary containment recommended. NOE?
Tanks, drums, barrels must be sealed with on operational valves, good condition, no transfer materials outside. NOE?
If cannot be mobilized by storm water runoff, and in compliance with other programs; or, if not tracked out on vehicle tires. NOE?
Loading dock – complete transfer inside. Storage of materials outside? NOE?
Final product allowed if the product is for outdoor use. Racks, wooden pallets allowed if pollutant free. REQUIREMENTS OF A STORM WATER PERMIT
Legal Control Measures Inspections Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Monitoring SWPPP DEVELOPMENT
Form SWPPP Team Make part of employee goals Assess potential storm water pollution sources Identify activities exposed to storm water Inventory materials and pollutants Potential areas of spills or leaks Non storm water discharges Salt storage Sampling data SWPPP DEVELOPMENT (CONT.)
Select appropriate control measures and best practices
Minimize Exposure (AT&T Stadium) MSGP Sector Specific non-numeric Good Housekeeping effluent limits Maintenance Employee Training Spill prevention and response Non-Storm water discharges Erosion and sediment control Waste Garbage and floatable debris Management of runoff Dust generation and vehicle training Salt storage piles GOOD HOUSEKEEPING GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MANAGEMENT OF RUNOFF
Proximity to storm sewer. Need for spill kit. SWPPP – DEVELOPMENT (CONT.)
Strong Site Map Locations of significant structures, impervious surfaces Direction of storm water flow Receiving streams and outfalls Potential pollutant sources Activities (types of activities discussed above) SWPPP SITE PLAN SWPPP DEVELOPMENT (CONT.)
Develop inspection/monitoring program/schedule Routine facility inspections, monthly Quarterly Visual Assessment, benchmark sampling Annual report certification Benchmark Effluent limitations guidelines monitoring Other monitoring as required QUARTERLY VISUAL SAMPLING
Color Settled Solids Odor Suspended Solids Clarity Foam Floating Solids Oil sheen BENCHMARK SAMPLING
Based on SIC 4 quarters within first 3-year period One from each quarter ROUTINE FACILITY INSPECTION REPORT QUARTERLY MONITORING REPORT ANNUAL REPORTING CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS
Larry S. Smith, P.E. Principal Consultant GT Environmental, Inc. (614)794-3570 x18 [email protected] NPDES Updates
Ashley Ward, P.E. NPDES Program Supervisor Presentation Outline
• NPDES Rule updates • WQS triennial review • 316(b) • Variances • General permits • Permitting tips NPDES Rule Updates
• OAC Chapter 3745-33 • Applications not considered complete unless all required quantitative data are collected in accordance with sufficiently sensitive methods. • Treatment Additives. http://www.epa.ohio.gov/dsw/permits/individuals • Two new minor modifications. • Group 5 parameters when using discretion. • Acute toxicity limits. Triennial Review - Selenium
• EPA published final chronic aquatic life criterion July 13, 2016. • Bioaccumulates • Can cause reproductive impairment, adversely impact juvenile growth and cause mortality. Triennial Review - Selenium Triennial Review - Selenium
Water Column Criteria (µg/L) Fish Tissue Criteria (mg/kg) Old New • Egg/ovary: 15.1 Streams 5 3.1 • Whole body: 8.5 Lakes 5 1.5 • Muscle: 11.3 • Egg/ovary overrides other criteria. Triennial Review - Ammonia
• EPA published revised aquatic life criteria for ammonia on August 22, 2013. • New toxicity data reflecting freshwater mussel and snail sensitivity. Triennial Review - Cadmium
• EPA published revised aquatic life criteria for cadmium in 2016. • New aquatic toxicity tests. • Hardness based. Triennial Review
• Copper • Fluoride • Strontium • Barium • Peracetic Acid 316(b)
• Rule background • Impingement • Entrainment • Facilities affected • *Key date has just passed: July 17, 2018 WQBEL Variances
• New federal rules • EPA encouraging use of variances • Individual variances must be adopted • Individual variances need reviewed every 5 years • Mercury GV General Permits
• Coal surface mining • Small sanitary • Geothermal • Temporary • HSTS • WTPs • Hydrostatic • Sand and gravel • Non-contact cooling quarries? • Pesticide application • Petroleum bulk storage • Petroleum related corrective actions Permitting tips
• Early meetings? • Look at form 2C data! PEQ Multipliers PEQ Example - Barium
• Two data points 158 ug/l, 130 ug/l • PEQmax = 158 x 3.8 = 600 ug/l • PEQavg = 600 ug/l x 0.73 = 438 ug/l
• WLAmax = 4000 ug/l • WLAavg = 420 ug/l PEQ Example - Barium
• Effluent data – 12 samples, 158 ug/l max • PEQmax = 158 x 1.6 = 253 ug/l • PEQavg = 253 x 0.73 = 185 ug/l
• WLAavg = 420 ug/l • 185/420 = 44%, No limits or monitoring Obtaining the Best Possible Air Permit Presented by: Katie Milk, CHMM
45 Plan Ahead!
Be proactive: Establish internal procedures for installing/modifying sources, using new processes, chemicals, raw materials, etc. Keep the lines of communication open within your organization Determine the scope of your project: What new emissions units will be installed or modified? Will production changes cause the need for additional modifications upstream and/or downstream? Will your project trigger additional regulatory requirements, such as BAT/BACT/LAER, PSD, NNSR, NSPS, MACT/GACT, or air quality modeling requirements? If project triggers burdensome regulations, are you prepared to comply with those, or is there flexibility to make changes to avoid them?
46 Timing A Permit-to-Install (PTI) or Permit-to-Install and Operate (PTIO) must be obtained prior to the installation of a new source or modification of an existing source Ensure all involved with project are aware of application and processing timing Agency review/processing times: Minor source permits: up to 6 months (2-3 month average) Synthetic minor source permits: up to 6 months (3-6 month average) PSD/NNSR: variable, 5-18+ months Public comment period can add 30+ days Additional information requests from the permit writer and Ohio EPA can increase the processing time Ohio EPA’s Rush List Mike Hopkins, Ohio EPA, DAPC Lazarus Government Center PO Box 1049 Columbus, Ohio 43216 Phone: (614) 644-3611 Email: [email protected]
47 Timing
Be familiar with site preparation activities allowed prior to issuance of permit – at your own risk (OAC Rule 3745-31-33) All new sources are permitted to complete certain site preparation activities:
Grading, clearing and excavating (existing vegetation, old buildings, equipment, footers, pilings, foundations)
Temporary installations to prepare for future construction activities (access roads, parking areas, signage or traffic control signs, equipment storage areas, utilities for construction, dust control systems, erosion control, stockpiles of stone, soil, etc.)
Utility poles
Landscaping and landscape fencing
Installing concrete forms and rebar for concrete footers, pilings, foundations, etc.
Cannot pour concrete
48 Timing
Additional site preparation activities
Allowed for projects that are not a major modification, major stationary source, synthetic minor, or netting permit to avoid major NSR.
Permit application must be filed and determined to be administratively complete (usually within 14 days of submittal).
Must provide notification of activities to Ohio EPA.
Allowable activities include essentially everything up to the point of connection:
Installation of emission unit and control equipment
Electrical service, piping, sewers, ductwork
Concrete footers, foundations, pads and platforms for the buildings or equipment
Permanent roadways and parking areas that are not required to obtain permits
Construction of new or expanded buildings, or renovation or upgrading of existing buildings
49 Determine Permit Type
New Source or Modification?
Modification
OAC Rule 3745-31-01(SSS): Physical change or change in the method of operation of any air contaminant source that does one or more of the following:
Results in increase in the allowable emissions
Results in increase in emissions greater than de minimis levels of an air contaminant not previously emitted
Relocation of source to a new facility
Is a major modification for NSR (PSD or NNSR)
Is a major modification under NSPS or NESHAP regulations
50 Determining Permit Type
Identify possible exemptions: Trivial Sources
< 1 pound per day
Ohio EPA’s Engineering Guide 62
Appendix A of US EPA’s July 10, 1995 “White Paper” De minimis Sources
OAC Rule 3745-15-05
Less than 10 pounds of any criteria pollutant per day and less than one ton per year of any Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)
Sources can be de minimis on an “actual” or “potential” basis
Recordkeeping requirements for sources that are de minimis on an “actual” basis Categorically Exempt Sources
OAC Rule 3745-31-03(B)(1)
Specific types and sizes of sources 51 Determine Permit Type
Permit-by-Rule OAC Rule 3745-31-03(C) Rule-based requirements for specific types and sizes of common sources Must meet qualifying criteria, emissions limits, conditions for operation and recordkeeping/reporting requirements in rule (no actual permit is issued) Requires only a notification and is approved when submitted Functions as both an installation and operating “permit” for the source General Permit OAC Rule 3745-31-29 More than 50 air pollution source types are eligible “Boiler plate” requirements – pre-defined terms and conditions, similar to requirements that would be included in a traditional permit Processing goal of 45 days after application submittal, usually takes less
52 Determine Permit Type
Minor Sources:
Permit-to-Install and Operate (PTIO)
Non-Title V (minor) sources
Title V Synthetic Minor sources
Federally Enforceable Permit-to-Install and Operate (FEPTIO)
Major Sources:
Permit-to-Install (PTI)
Title V Permit-to-Operate (PTO)
Must apply for an “Off-Permit Change” within 12 months of startup of a new source
Must modify Title V permit (Minor or Significant Modification) before the startup of a modified existing source
53 Application Process
Synthetic Minor Sources and Title V facilities must use Ohio EPA’s e-Business Air Services online application system
Minor sources can use Air Services or submit hard copy applications
Take into consideration:
Hiring consultant or attorney
Reaching out to Ohio EPA, permit writer
54 Application Process
Gather information
Calculations/Synthetic Minor Strategy
AP-42
WebFIRE
Industry or facility-specific emission factors, mass balances, or stack testing
Process Flow Diagrams
Emissions Activity Category Forms
Facility Profile Information
SCC codes
Control device information – control efficiency, type, manufacturer/model, operating ranges
Stack information and locations
55 Application Process
Identify state and federal rule applicability
New Source Performance Standards (NSPS): 40 CFR Part 60
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): 40 CFR Part 61
Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) and Generally Available Control Technology (GACT): 40 CFR Part 63
OAC Rules Air Quality Modeling
Required for emission increases above certain thresholds
Table 3 of Engineering Guide #69
Air Toxics Policy “Option A”
All PSD & NNSR projects “Best Available Technology” Requirements
Sources that emit >10 tons per year
Ohio EPA’s “BAT Requirements for Permits Issued On or After February 7, 2014” dated February 7, 2014 BACT/LAER Study Additional Impacts Analysis (PSD only) Offset Demonstration (NNSR only) 56 Application Process
Provide more information than is required Provide suggested monitoring and recordkeeping Synthetic minor strategies
Provide preference for operational restrictions
Build in flexibility for future changes Include project descriptions Redline strikeouts for permit modifications Use Ohio EPA’s “Permit Terms and Conditions Library” http://www.epa.ohio.gov/dapc/terms/termsintro Use Ohio EPA’s website to review issued permits for similar facilities and operations http://www.epa.ohio.gov/dapc/newpermits/issued
57 After Application is Submitted…
Work with permit writers and Ohio EPA to answer questions and obtain additional information in a timely manner. Check in with Ohio EPA to monitor progress, schedule status calls. Request draft versions of permits, and review carefully Confirm information is consistent with application Communicate proposed requirements with facility personnel Ensure terms and conditions are within your capabilities and are not overly burdensome Maximize operational flexibility, minimize monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements
58 After Your Permit is Issued…
Review final permit Submit notifications (NSPS, MACT/GACT, OAC rules, etc.) Schedule any required testing Prepare a compliance checklist Include all reporting and notification due dates, testing dates, expiration dates Break down required monitoring, recordkeeping, testing Identify frequency/averaging time and method of compliance for each requirement Identify responsible personnel for each term and condition Communicate requirements to affected facility personnel Management practices and operational restrictions (closed containers, VOC content, production or usage limits) Monitoring (pressure drop, temperature, pH, filter inspections, etc.) Recordkeeping (Safety Data Sheets, material usage, operating hours, maintenance records, calculations, etc.)
59 After Your Permit is Issued…
Keep renewal timelines in mind:
General PTIO – Every 5 or 10 years
True Minor PTIO – 10 years
Synthetic Minor PTIO – 5 years
PTI – never expires, however…
Source must be installed within 18 months of permit issuance
Can be extended for an additional 12 months with permission from Ohio EPA
Title V PTO – 5 years
Application must be submitted no earlier than 18 months and no later than 6 months prior to expiration
60 Potential Roadblocks
Incomplete/incorrect information in permit application Not responding to information requests from permit writer/Ohio EPA Making significant changes to applications after the application is submitted Not reviewing draft permits thoroughly Failure to take into account future growth Failure to take all operating scenarios into consideration Source that is already in operation does not have a permit, or is subject to regulation
Voluntary disclosure
Attorney involvement
61 Keep an eye out for…
Increases in production Added shifts New chemicals and raw materials Like-kind replacements Control device replacement/removal or even installation Changes in stack location, height, flow rate, temperature, etc. Certain small sources may not require permits but are subject to regulation/applicable requirements Area Source MACT standards – minor sources may not have any permitted sources but may still be required to comply with notification requirements, management practices, monitoring, recordkeeping, etc.
62 Limited Budget
Permit Assistance
http://www.epa.ohio.gov/dir/permit_assistance.aspx#113 484684-additional-permitting-resources
Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention (OCAPP)
http://www.epa.ohio.gov/ocapp/ComplianceAssistancean dPollutionPrevention.aspx
Ohio EPA Permit Wizard
http://ohioepa.custhelp.com/app/opa
Ohio EPA’s Answer Place
http://ohioepa.custhelp.com/
63 Recent Policy Changes
NSR Aggregation
“Once In Always In” policy withdrawal
Project Emissions Accounting under NSR Preconstruction Permitting Program
Enforceability and Use of the Actual-to-Projected-Actual Applicability Test in Determining Major Modification Applicability
Engineering Guide 69
64 Obtaining a Timely Air Permit
Presented by
Kevin Kilroy Safety & Environmental Manager Smithers-Oasis Company
Smithers-Oasis North America
1 Obtaining a Timely Air Permit
Current Actions - What you should be doing now
Handling the Future - Project Management Review System
Permit Background Work
Obtaining Flexibility & Operational Uptime
Permitting - What Has Worked
2 Current Actions What You Should Be Doing Now Permitting - Not just another activity- “its your legal basis to operate” Understand current permitting status and any restrictions that apply
. Impacts future project options . Communicate current situation internally Pay attention to agency proposals and be prepared to comment on any rules which may impact your company’s operations
3 Current Actions What You Should Be Doing Now Become familiar with a more complicated permitting system
This system ranges from permit exemptions to permits-by-rule to general, synthetic minor and/ or major permits
Understand what constitutes a “permit modification”
Communicate internally with examples
A very useful exemption is the Deminimis exemption at OAC 3745-15-05
Summary: Potential or actual emissions < 10 lbs/day with HAP emissions < 1 tpy, and potential emissions from this and similar emission units < 25 tpy. If you use it, remember to keep records of daily and annual emissions 68 Handling the Future Project Management Review System Need early-on compliance review for projects
. Impact on scope, costs and ultimately compliance
Critical to conduct project scope review and analyze permit options . Constraints with project scope and options/alternatives . Impacts of “wants vs. needs” . Communicate in writing – “no surprises” . Be simple, but address key questions on impact to project, such as timing, costs, restrictions, etc.
Target key internal functions (i.e., Technical, R&D, Maintenance, etc.) – both to educate and to track projects early on
69 Permit Background Work
Work with project manager to collect basic project data: . Purpose, scope, and timing . Simple process diagram . Emission estimates – looking at actual and potential . Discuss emission reduction methods, costs, and the emissions
Develop with project manager a schedule that includes permitting . Establish key data required and timetable to receive it
Understand proposed project(s) to be able to describe in general terms in the permit application
70 Permit Background Work
During permit strategy brainstorming sessions, keep in mind: . That some regulated chemicals or source categories have emission reduction and/or monitoring requirements . If possible, restructure emission units for best permitting scenario:
Separate out operations – by source categories or chemicals If a regulated chemical emission is minor and grouping applies a control requirement to much larger source
Maximize in the permit application emissions by regulated pollutant classes up to level of permitting selected keeping in mind BAT and/ or Toxic Modeling requirements 71 Permit Background Work
Participate proactively in permit data development:
. “You are the company representative who is ultimately responsible for data being complete and accurate.” Pay attention to key permitting details associated with each project, including data collection; permit strategy and possible terms and conditions Question all emission data and assumptions:
. Add unit emissions together and compare to overall operations mass balance . Document and scrutinize emission assumptions – are they realistic and defendable? . Note raw material impurities and/or by-product chemistry – which may change emission/ compliance basis! . Check over any emission calculation spreadsheet(s) used - looking carefully for errors
72 Obtaining Flexibility & Operational Uptime
Explore all emission reduction approaches in place of installing expensive controls, including pollution prevention alternatives:
. Expand existing in-process recovery at facility
. Change handling/ work practices
. Set limitations on mixture’s content, material substitution (of HAPs or OEPA Air Toxics), etc.
73 Obtaining Flexibility & Operational Uptime
During project review and early permit work, make judgment on most likely agency permit requirements
Keep in mind that “you as the source must live with any permit Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) and not the agency”
Provide your own permit T&Cs to minimize restrictive or poor fitting ones:
To expedite permit processing, and Gives the agency an idea of your approach for demonstrating compliance, for example monthly averaging versus daily
74 Obtaining Flexibility & Operational Uptime
Controls: . When controls are required, keep in mind both source economics and operational uptime are variables in agency negotiations. . “Only agree to a level of control which can be met all the time and not most of the time”
Design capture and collection system(s) to minimize expenditures while maximizing result
. Combine vents to minimize monitoring and control costs . Separate vents with low flow or pollutant concentration . Develop cost analysis for agency discussion
Maintain source operation by providing equipment to: . Collect . Monitor (i.e., LEL), and . Regulate process discharge surges
75 Obtaining Flexibility & Operational Uptime
Monitoring:
. If options exist, propose monitoring scheme(s), which are simple, reliable and fit your situation
Agency personnel tend to think everything can be measured but that may not be true for your circumstances
. Where possible, propose a surrogate monitoring scheme:
For example, propose operational data as appropriate, such as:
Equipment hours of operation, or
Emissions from material usage, for example: Track hours worked daily, Inventory solvent usage monthly, and Back calculate daily solvent emissions
76 Obtaining Flexibility & Operational Uptime
Monitoring:
. Propose monitoring schemes, which make sense for your operation using proven, cost effective and reliable technology
To monitor compliance all the time the source is operating
For example, propose monitor exit gas temperature instead of VOC concentration
. For compliance demonstration establish period of compliance demonstration which are practical and repeatable:
Tie compliance monitoring to periods of discharge within process cycle
Usually, longer time periods are better, particularly for variable or non-routine operations
13 Permitting – What Has Worked? Submit complete and accurate application:
. Provide written process/ project description and simplified process flow diagram . Answer all standard PTI application questions as applies . Provide emission activity category form(s) . Provide emission calculations . Make sure numbers are consistent even for different averaging times . Be specific – leave no open-ended points . Provide listing of applicable requirements from good faith review . Propose T&Cs on monitoring and emission reduction . Answer key questions from your point of view . Have authorized company representative sign application
78 Permitting – What Has Worked? Make permit reviewer’s job easy:
. Useful to provide narrative describing project and key points . Provide summary of applicable regulatory classification of raw materials
Meet permit reviewer:
. To submit application . Explain project scope and timing . Review any key points . Request fast track handling if needed . Determine how application will be handled
How familiar is permit reviewer with facility? Offer tour
79 Permitting – What Has Worked? Determine extent of permit writer’s discretion and try for best terms . Content of many T&Cs is often negotiable . Keep making your point(s) and you may persuade agency
Permits are public information and if you claim trade secrets, provide two versions (one “sanitized”) for agency processing
Keep in contact with District Office or Local Air Agency during processing . Ask for a copy of the draft permit to review and comment
Be ready for agency questions when they come . Develop backup materials during preparation of the permit application
80 Permitting – What Has Worked? Review agency draft or final permit(s) carefully for accuracy and agency written terms and conditions
. Immediately report errors in draft to agency for revision . After permit is issued, it is difficult to get changes made . Simple errors may end up being more than little annoyances
Provide written comments to unacceptable parts of draft permit within allotted timeframe; establishing possibility of later appeal Involve legal counsel on permit comments or to appeal permit to the Environmental Review Appeals Commission
Be courteous and professional in all dealings with agency personnel
81 of 57 Permitting – What Has Worked?
Utilize Consultants and/or Legal Counsel as resources:
. Assist in permitting needs assessment . Assist in permit strategy development and consider possible ways to obtain Deminimis or Minor Permit status . Assist in permit data collection and preparing the application . Usually several options exist on permit T&Cs, so some research may be needed . Define data needed and critical questions to be answered
Talk with agency (directly or indirectly)
If Consultant hired, track and assist with permit data collection by internal personnel
82