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The EPA announced Wednesday it is finalizing changes and
clarifications to air quality permitting rules to encourage greater use of
flexible air permits.
This final action affects both the EPA's operating permits and New Source Review programs, the agency said. A facility with a flexible permit would explain its anticipated operational and construction changes for the duration of the permit term.
Essentially, the rule change would move control of public health to the state or local governments. The state, local or tribal air quality permitting authority would be able to determine permit conditions. However, the flexible permits do not provide approval for changes not within the scope of conditions considered at the time of the permit application. Facilities must still meet their requirements under the Clean Air Act.
The agency said its assessment of flexible air permits demonstrated that they can enable significant environmental and economic benefits, while reducing administrative workload for permitting authorities and facilities, according to an EPA release.
This final action affects both the EPA's operating permits and New Source Review programs, the agency said. A facility with a flexible permit would explain its anticipated operational and construction changes for the duration of the permit term.
Essentially, the rule change would move control of public health to the state or local governments. The state, local or tribal air quality permitting authority would be able to determine permit conditions. However, the flexible permits do not provide approval for changes not within the scope of conditions considered at the time of the permit application. Facilities must still meet their requirements under the Clean Air Act.
The agency said its assessment of flexible air permits demonstrated that they can enable significant environmental and economic benefits, while reducing administrative workload for permitting authorities and facilities, according to an EPA release.
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