Enforcement - Permits

A permit system is the most common method of compliance monitoring for air pollution laws and regulations. Permit systems are developed and implemented by state and local agencies. The purpose of permit systems is to track information about air pollution sources, to determine the success of control programs, and to evaluate future management strategies. In a permit system, the air pollution source must obtain permits to construct and operate a source. Through the information contained in permits, control agencies know the location of all air pollution sources, the type of sources, and the types and quantities of emissions.

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 call for a dramatic change in the existing permit system. Title V of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments requires all major sources and some minor sources of air pollution to obtain an operating permit. A Title V permit grants a source permission to operate. The permit includes all air pollution requirements that apply to the source, including emissions limits and monitoring, record keeping, and reporting requirements. It also requires that the source report its compliance status with respect to permit conditions to the permitting authority.

Federal Operating Permits require existing industrial sources to obtain an operating permit. The operating permit program is a national permitting system that consolidates all of the air pollution control requirements into a single, comprehensive operating permit that covers all aspects of a source's year-to-year air pollution activities. Federal New Source Construction Permits are also required for businesses that build new pollution sources or make significant changes to existing pollution sources. These are sometimes referred to as "preconstruction" or "new source review" permits. These permits are required to ensure that large new emissions do not cause significant health or environmental threats and that new pollution sources are well-controlled.

More information on EPA operating permit program can be found at http://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/permjmp.html