JAS Environmental Jeff Stofferahn - Illinois Environmental Consultant
Air Permitting and Reporting
The installation of a new process or unit that emits pollutants to the atmosphere (air emission source) will often require a permit or registration with the states environmental agency/department. Modifications to exsiting sources will often require permitting as well. Permitting is often a two step process, in which a permit to install or to construct is issued prior to installing the source (note, installation can be defined in very broad terms, a piece of equipment does not have to be in an operationally-ready condition to be considered installed) and then a permit to operate is issued. The type of permit needed can be dependent on your Potential to Emit, not necessarily your actual emissions. PTE is almost always calculated under the assumption that all of your sources are operating at maximum capacity 24/7, 365 days per year.
The lack of proper permitting and/or registration of air emission sources is a commonly seen compliance deficiency.
Often facility managers are simply unaware that a particular operation or unit constitutes an emission source that
requires permitting. For facilities that are permitted, changes in plant operations may not accurately be reflected in their
permit. Inadequate record keeping as mandated by the permit, or to support annual emission reporting, is another
often seen deficiency.
JAS Environmental can perform a review of operations and inventory emission sources, as well as calculate emission rates
and the Potential to Emit in order to evaluate the need for permitting or registration, or to assess the adequacy of an
existing permit. For facilities requiring registration or a Minor Source or FESOP permit, JAS Environmental can prepare the requisite notifications, permit applications or applications for permit modifications (also, please see or page on the Illinois ROSS Program).
The following links may be of help in determining if you need an air permit for your business: