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Air Quality Division

Bill Rogers

(208) 373-0437

Air Quality Permitting Hotline: 1-877-5PERMIT


Air Quality: Tier II Operating Permit

Applicability Fees
Modeling Fee Exceptions
Applying for a Tier II Permit  
 
 Applicability: Who Qualifies for a Tier II Permit?
DEQ may require certain sources of air pollution to obtain Tier II permits. For example, DEQ might take this action as part of a State Implementation Plan designed to prevent further deterioration of air quality and to bring an area of the state back into compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Tier II permits also may be issued to authorize an alternative emission limit for a particular emissions unit or units within a facility.
 

 Synthetic Minor

Certain facilities that emit air pollution in Idaho may choose to obtain a Tier II instead of a Tier I permit. The fees for Tier II permits are lower and the reporting requirements less complex than those required for Tier I operating permits. To qualify for Tier II status, a facility would agree to limit production and/or hours of operation, thus lowering its potential to emit pollutants below Tier I permit thresholds. This type of Tier II permit is also known as a synthetic minor source permit.

Procedures and requirements for Tier II operating permits are found in Sections 400-410 of the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (pdf on Department of Administration Web site).
 
 Modeling

Air modeling is required for certain permitting actions—including Tier II operating permits—to demonstrate that all applicable ambient air quality standards will be met if a proposed construction or facility modification is completed or that an existing facility is complying with the standards.

A DEQ guidance document has been developed to help air permit applicants understand DEQ’s expectations for ambient air impact analysis and prevent unnecessary delays in the permit process. The guideline describes in detail when modeling is required; explains applicable standards, methodology and analysis; and provides checklists and templates for conducting modeling and reporting modeling results.

Link to DEQ's Air Modeling Web page.
 
 Applying for a Tier II Permit
Call DEQ's Air Quality Permit Hotline at 1-877-5permit for information about applying for a Tier II permit.
 
 Fees

No application fee is required for a Tier II permit application. A processing fee is assessed on the basis of emissions. DEQ calculates and assesses the fees according to the following schedule (fugitive emissions are excluded):


 Tier II Operating Permit
Fee
Fee Payment
General Permit1
$500
Must be paid in full within 45 days of receipt of DEQ assessment. Interest accrues if unpaid after 45 days.
Emissions < 1 ton per year
$1,250
Emissions = 1-10 tons per year
$2,500
Emissions = 10-100 tons per year
$5,000
Emissions > 100 tons per year
$10,000
Synthetic minor sources with emissions below major source threshold
$10,000

1 General permit facilities include portable concrete batch plants, hot mix asphalt plants, and rock crushing plants.
 
 Where to Send Payment:

Air Quality Permit Fees
Tier II Permit
Fiscal Office
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
1410 N. Hilton
Boise, ID 83706
 
 Fee Exceptions

So long as DEQ determines no other review or analysis is required, the Tier II operating permit processing fee is not required when:

  • A PTC that was issued within the last five years is rolled into a Tier II operating permit, or
  • A change to a Tier II permit is requested due to a typographical error, or
  • A change in the name or ownership of the holder of a Tier II operating permit is requested, or
  • A synthetic minor permit is issued and DEQ’s processing costs can be charged against the permittee’s Tier I fees.
 

Note: This is a summary of Tier II operating permit requirements and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Detailed requirements are outlined in the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.400-410).




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