Air operating permit for large sources of air pollution
Commercial and industrial businesses that emit large amounts of air pollution must get an air operating permit. An air operating permit is a master document that lists all of the air pollution requirements that apply to a business or industry. We and other clean air agencies in Washington issue these permits.
Apply for an air operating permit
Use this application to apply for an air operating permit:
- Air operating permit application
- Air operating permit renewal application
- Application to establish a voluntary emissions limit
A business must complete an air operating permit application 12 months before the business has the potential to emit:
- More than 100 tons per year of any air pollutant.
- More than 10 tons per year of any hazardous air pollutant.
- More than 25 tons per year of a combination of hazardous air pollutants.
Even if a business emits less than these amounts, EPA may decide that it still needs an air operating permit. The federal rules that might apply include:
- Title V Permits
- New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)
- National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
An air operating permit is valid for 5 years. A business must apply for renewal 6–18 months before the current permit expires.
Agencies that issue air operating permits
Agencies that issue air operating permits include:
- Ecology Air Quality Program in Central Regional Office (Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan counties)
- Ecology Air Quality Program in Eastern Regional Office (Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman counties)
- Ecology Industrial Section (chemical plants, energy facilities, metal smelters, oil refineries, pulp and paper mills)
- Ecology Nuclear Waste Program (Hanford)
- Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) (major energy facilities)
- EPA (tribal lands)
- Local clean air agencies
Comment on a draft air operating permit
Check for a public comment period and review a draft air operating permit.
Permit Register
Twice a month, we publish a Permit Register that lists milestones for air operating permits. All agencies who issue air operating permits make sure the information in the Permit Register is up to date.
Budget and fees
Workload analysis and budget report
Every two years, we prepare a draft workload model and a budget projection that evaluates the cost of reviewing, tracking, and overseeing air operating permits. After a public comment period, we post the final workload analysis and budget for two fiscal years. The state fiscal year is July 1 – June 30.
Fee schedule
The fee schedule for air operating permits shows what a business pays each year to keep their permit current. The fee is based on how much a business emits and which permit category it falls under. We collect fees when we issue or renew a permit. This money goes toward reviewing applications, conducting inspections, and running the program.
Annual report
At the end of each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30), we prepare an annual report summarizing financial details, results, and activities of the air operating permit program.
Audits
We and outside agencies regularly audit the air operating permit program.
- Fiscal audit — Every two years, the Washington State Auditor’s Office conducts a fiscal audit of our and each local clean air agency’s air operating permit program.
- Performance audit — Every three years, we and local clean air agencies conduct a routine overview performance audit.
- EPA audit — Periodically, EPA also reviews the air operating permit program (which EPA calls Title V) and enforcement program.
Related links
Contact information
Shauna Abbenhaus
Air Operating Permit Coordinator
shauna.abbenhaus@ecy.wa.gov
564-233-8692