Tennessee Air Permitting Issues
Written October 17, 2019
In Tennessee, air permitting regulations depend on your location within the state. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation directly serves 91 counties within the state and oversees and assists in the actions of Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Shelby counties, which have their own local air pollution control programs. If you operate in these counties, check with your nearest Environmental Assistance Center to get the most up to date local-specific information.
The state Division of Air Pollution Control does have a Title V permit program in place.
The state program does also contain provisions for a synthetic minor program. Synthetic minors are those facilities that agree to federally enforceable limits that restrict their potential to emit to less than the major source threshold. In some areas, air permits are not required if solvent usage is less than 30 gallons per month and emissions of hazardous air pollutants is less than 1,000 pounds per year.
Facilities located in Davidson, Rutherford, Shelby, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson Counties whose actual emissions of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are 25 tons per year or more must report to the respective air agency. It is important that you check with your nearest Environmental Assistance Center to determine the appropriate air quality office for your location to determine your specific requirements.
The state program does also contain provisions for a synthetic minor program. Synthetic minors are those facilities that agree to federally enforceable limits that restrict their potential to emit to less than the major source threshold. In some areas, air permits are not required if solvent usage is less than 30 gallons per month and emissions of hazardous air pollutants is less than 1,000 pounds per year.
Facilities located in Davidson, Rutherford, Shelby, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson Counties whose actual emissions of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are 25 tons per year or more must report to the respective air agency. It is important that you check with your nearest Environmental Assistance Center to determine the appropriate air quality office for your location to determine your specific requirements.