Has your Pennsylvania company recently invested in a new boiler, furnace, production line, or other machinery? You should look into investing in air permitting.
Many business owners assume this is a simple equipment swap, especially if they’re just replacing one machine for another.
However, any equipment installation or modification that could potentially affect how much pollutants your business emits can void your existing air permits. Even if the emissions increase slightly, it can trigger a mandatory New Source Review (NSR). For this reason, it’s crucial to report on these changes before you start construction.
At Impact Compliance & Testing, we can help you with emission source certification and compliance with air quality permitting in Pennsylvania. Contact us today to learn more.
When Does New Equipment Require an Air Permitting Modification?
The reality of the regulatory environment is that even a slight increase in emissions can void your existing air permitting. When this happens, it can potentially lead to massive fines and or even a shutdown of your business operations until the issue is resolved.
To avoid these consequences, you’ll need to hire proactive environmental consulting and emissions permitting experts.
Air permitting is the mandatory process that requires you to reach out to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or state agencies. These organizations give you the proper authorization needed to construct and operate any equipment that emits air pollutants.
The permits you receive outline your business’ specific operational limits and mandatory monitoring rules you need to follow.
What is Considered a Major Modification?
The difference between a minor and major source of air pollutants depends on whether your business emits pollutants above a specific regulatory limit. Generally, this can be 100 tons per year. However, the amount depends on which pollutants you emit and what the guidelines are in your state.
If you’re modifying or installing new equipment that emits over the limit in your state, you’ll need to comply with air permitting processes for new construction and operation.
These processes can be lengthy and costly. The operational changes that usually warrant atmospheric permitting include:
Capacity Increase
Air permitting is typically required if you replace old, outdated equipment with new, efficient equipment. If the new equipment allows you to increase your maximum potential operating hours or output, it’s considered an increase in potential emissions.
The air permitting review focuses on the equipment’s Maximum Potential to Emit (PTE). If the PTE pushes your business across the emissions limit, it counts as a major modification that needs new permits and testing. This is the case even if you don’t intend to use the new machine’s full capacity right away.
Fuel or Material Change
Changing the type of fuel or raw material in an industrial process can change the type or amount of pollutants you emit. For example, switching your boiler from low-sulfer fuel oil to a fuel with higher sulfur. Or, changing the type of solvent used in a paint booth.
Switching fuel like this automatically invalidates your existing air permitting because your business’ fuel emissions profile has now changed. You’ll have to create and submit a new air permitting application to get the change approved.
New Source or System Addition
Adding seemingly small pieces of equipment might seem harmless, but they still require proper review to make sure you’re still below the emissions limit.
This is because while each piece might be exempt from air permitting individually, as a whole their cumulative emissions add on to your business’ current total. This can easily push you past a minor emissions source limit and give you a non-complaint status.
Contact Impact Compliance & Testing for Help with Air Permitting Today
Need help with air permitting for your business? Impact Compliance and Testing serves businesses across Pennsylvania, helping them comply with local, state, and federal emissions regulations.
Our expert staff has 70+ years of combined environmental consulting and air permitting experience. We’ll work closely with you to develop proactive strategies that address your air compliance regulatory needs and help you get your new equipment approved for use.
Want to learn more about working with us? Call (734) 464-3880 or contact us online today to learn more about our air permitting services.