Minnesota Air Permitting Issues
Written October 17, 2019
In Minnesota, you do NOT need to apply for an air emissions permit if your facility uses less than 200 gallons of VOCs per year, and the only sources of air pollution are from using materials that contain VOCs. To calculate the gallons of VOCs used per year, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency provides the following equation: %VOC by volume x gallons/year purchased or used = gallons/year of VOC used. VOC information can be found on the material safety data sheet for each material.
What If I Need A Permit?
If your facility does need a permit, then there are several options.
The Option B Registration Permit applies to sources of air pollution that exceed the permitting thresholds of 100 tons per year of VOCs; or 10 tons for one hazardous air pollutant; or 25 tons of a combination of hazardous air pollutants and if you purchase or use less than 2,000 gallons of any VOC containing materials in a 12 month period.
These emission thresholds are based on potential emissions. For facilities obtaining an Option B registration permit, simply keep a yearly total of your purchase or use of VOC-containing material to ensure you remain in compliance with the 2,000-gallon limit. There are two other options for larger facilities (Option C and D permits). The Option C Registration Permit is for print shops that also operate diesel generators and some types of large furnaces or boilers.
The Option D Registration Permit is for larger facilities. All these Options are registration permits that each come with their own set of instructions. SGIA Government Affairs staff is available to help you obtain all the necessary information you may need, or you may contact the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. It is recommended that all facilities perform their emission calculations every year to determine the type of permit required.
The Option B Registration Permit applies to sources of air pollution that exceed the permitting thresholds of 100 tons per year of VOCs; or 10 tons for one hazardous air pollutant; or 25 tons of a combination of hazardous air pollutants and if you purchase or use less than 2,000 gallons of any VOC containing materials in a 12 month period.
These emission thresholds are based on potential emissions. For facilities obtaining an Option B registration permit, simply keep a yearly total of your purchase or use of VOC-containing material to ensure you remain in compliance with the 2,000-gallon limit. There are two other options for larger facilities (Option C and D permits). The Option C Registration Permit is for print shops that also operate diesel generators and some types of large furnaces or boilers.
The Option D Registration Permit is for larger facilities. All these Options are registration permits that each come with their own set of instructions. SGIA Government Affairs staff is available to help you obtain all the necessary information you may need, or you may contact the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. It is recommended that all facilities perform their emission calculations every year to determine the type of permit required.