About Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Permits in EPA's Pacific Southwest (Region 9)

EPA’s Pacific Southwest (Region 9) implements and enforces federal environmental laws in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and 148 Tribal Nations.

EPA's Pacific Southwest (Region 9) is the agency responsible for implementing and enforcing Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sources offshore the state seaward boundary of the State of California (see CAA section 328). Applicants located within 25 nautical miles of a state seaward boundary are required to comply with the air quality requirements of the nearest onshore area, including applicable permitting requirements.

Applicants locating beyond 25 nautical miles from the state seaward boundary, are subject to federal air quality requirements and will likely need an OCS permit complying with the EPA’s Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) preconstruction permit program (see 40 CFR 52.21), and/or Title V operating permit program requirements (see 40 CFR 71). EPA strongly recommends that potential applicants review the OCS Permitting Process below and contact EPA Region 9 to determine what requirements apply.

There are no OCS permits issued by EPA Region 9 at this time.

Delegated Authority

Region 9 has delegated authority to the following California agencies for implementation of the OCS permitting program within the 25 nautical miles of the state seaward boundary:

• San Luis Obispo County APCD OCS Delegation Agreement (pdf) (236.39 KB, January 18, 1994)
  For Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sources located or proposing to locate within 25 nautical miles of the California State seaward boundary, San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has been delegated the authority to issue OCS permits under CAA section 328.
• Santa Barbara County APCD OCS Delegation Agreement (pdf) (224.14 KB, November 8, 1993)
  For Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sources located or proposing to locate within 25 nautical miles of the California State seaward boundary, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD) has been delegated the authority to issue OCS permits under CAA section 328.
  • Federal Register Notice of Delegated Authority to Santa Barbara APCD (March 14, 1994)
• South Coast AQMD OCS Delegation Agreement (pdf) (300.52 KB, May 9, 1994)
  For Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sources located or proposing to locate within 25 nautical miles of the California State seaward boundary, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has been delegated the authority to issue OCS permits under CAA section 328.
  • Federal Register Notice of Delegated Authority to South Coast AQMD (March 14, 1994)
• Ventura County APCD OCS Delegation Agreement (pdf) (213.36 KB, January 27, 1994)
  For Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sources located or proposing to locate within 25 nautical miles of the California State seaward boundary, Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) has been delegated the authority to issue OCS permits under CAA section 328.