In an effort to improve the air permitting process, DEQ's Air Quality Division recently undertook an initiative to streamline the air permitting process. The division revised and updated application forms for permits to construct, as well as developed several documents designed to help the regulated community during the development of permit applications.

DEQ’s goal is to assist applicants in submitting complete applications. This will enable DEQ to process applications more efficiently.

One way the division is assisting applicants is by establishing an air quality permitting hotline. This hotline is staffed by air quality permit engineers who are ready to assist callers with the permitting process.

Air Quality Permitting Hotline:  1-877-5PERMIT

In addition to the hotline, the division also strongly encourages applicants to request a meeting with DEQ permitting staff prior to submitting an application. Topics that should be covered include scope of the project, list of equipment being permitted, summary of potential to emit (both uncontrolled and controlled), applicable state and federal regulations, and a proposed schedule for application submittal. 

The division also strongly encourages applicants to submit a detailed dispersion modeling protocol to DEQ prior to submittal of the application. The modeling protocol allows applicants to present how they are going to conduct the air quality analysis. A DEQ modeler will review and approve the protocol. The approval may be accompanied by specific items that must be included in the application.  

Conducting air quality analyses according to an approved protocol substantially reduces the risk of a permit application being declared incomplete and helps promote timely permitting of new sources/modifications. Following are key advantages of using a modeling protocol:

• DEQ may provide guidance on site-specific modeling methodologies through the protocol review process that could increase efficiency and/or accuracy of the air quality analyses.
• The protocol effectively locks into place the methods and data that DEQ will consider acceptable.
• Agency interaction during the protocol review process identifies any changes in regulation, DEQ policy, and/or guidance that may be applicable to the specific project.