Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit

We issue Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits for industrial sources of air pollution, except for projects that are regulated by Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, EPA, or tribes. Once issued, final PSD permits remain active unless they are rescinded.

About PSD permits & public comments

A PSD permit applies to new, large facilities or major changes at existing large facilities that could increase air pollution in an area.

PSD permits are for projects that significantly increase air pollution. A PSD permit is a "pre-construction permit" because the business owner must get the permit before starting construction of the proposed project. Any major modification of existing equipment also requires a PSD permit. 

Public comment periods on draft permits are updated regularly on this page.

Determine if you need a PSD permit

If you're not sure you need a PSD permit, we can help determine if you need to apply for one. We can review the project emissions and determine whether it is subject to the PSD program.

The first step to get assistance is to complete and submit the Application for a PSD Applicability Determination. Use this application if you are considering a project or if it is an existing project with an air permit.

For projects involving the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) or EPA Region 10 on tribal lands, contact those agencies.

Apply for a PSD permit

Because each PSD permit is unique, we recommend that applicants set up a pre-application meeting before preparing a PSD application.

At a pre-application meeting, we can coordinate all the state and federal agencies involved in the project and determine the most efficient way to proceed. These meetings have proven to be valuable to applicants and projects tend to progress more quickly. We provide a basic PSD application to accompany the fee, and can further assist you during a pre-application meeting. For guidance about the permitting process, review the Guidance on Washington State's Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permitting Program document.

Permitting process

1. The applicant meets with us and federal land managers for a pre-application meeting to discuss what should be included in the application. To request a pre-application meeting, please email Marc Crooks.
2. The applicant submits the fee and application with all the necessary technical information.
3. If all the necessary technical information is included, we consider the application complete. If the application is incomplete, we notify the applicant that additional materials are needed.
4. Once the application is complete, we draft a permit satisfying all regulatory requirements.
5. We open a public comment period and, depending on public interest, may hold a public hearing.
6. We respond to public comments and make changes to the permit as necessary.
7. If significant changes are made to the permit, we open another public comment period.
8. If no significant changes are made to the permit, we issue the final permit.

About Washington rule for PSD permits

We follow the permitting process for a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit according to General Regulations for Air Pollution Sources.