Innovative Environmental Innovative Environmental PolicyPolicy

Air PermitsAir PermitsDavid Neleigh

Chief, Air Permits SectionEPA Region 6

May 10, 2006

AgendaAgenda

CenSARA Air Permitting Initiative

Electronic Permitting Project

Flexible Permitting Rule

Central States Air Resource Agencies/USEPACentral States Air Resource Agencies/USEPAAir Permits Streamlining InitiativeAir Permits Streamlining Initiative

CenSARA CenSARA Air Permits Streamlining InitiativeAir Permits Streamlining Initiative

AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TXAR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX

Mission Statement:

“What can we do to improve the identification & information sharing of air permitting tools and streamlining strategies among the CenSARA

states?”

Process:

2005: Provide one-year joint assignment to respond to CenSARA:

Benchmark and profile the nine CenSARA states’ air permitting processes and streamlining strategies.

Conduct CenSARA Air Permits Streamlining Workshop for CenSARA states.

Implement opportunities with CenSARA and EPA (Office of Air & Radiation, Office of Policy, Economics, & Innovation, R5, R6, and R7).

CenSARA CenSARA Air Permits Streamlining InitiativeAir Permits Streamlining Initiative

AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TXAR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX

Initial Benchmark: State timelines for permit processing vary – in some

cases dramatically.

CenSARA CenSARA Air Permits Streamlining InitiativeAir Permits Streamlining Initiative

AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TXAR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX

290

1200

355

300

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Days

Modified Title V

New Title V

Modified NSR

New NSR

Approximate Permit Processing Time (2003-2005)

Three Major Streamlining Strategies Found:

1. General Permits/Permits By Rule

2. Electronic Permitting Tools

3. Process Improvement Models (Six Sigma, Kaizen)

CenSARA CenSARA Air Permits Streamlining InitiativeAir Permits Streamlining Initiative

AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TXAR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX

General Permits/Permits By Rule:

Aligns state resources with more complex major source permits (facilities with higher potential for environmental impact).

Reduce mandatory reporting and paperwork for lower emitting sources.

Prioritize air permit program expenditures with air quality protection and timeliness of responses.

CenSARA CenSARA Air Permits Streamlining InitiativeAir Permits Streamlining Initiative

AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TXAR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX

Electronic Permitting Tools:

Electronic forms and submittals for faster and more consistent data exchange.

Online permit decision support systems to improve applicable requirement determinations for both applicant and reviewer.

GIS applications on permitted facility and area for faster permit reviews and verification.

Online and searchable permit databases to improve information sharing with the public.

CenSARA CenSARA Air Permits Streamlining InitiativeAir Permits Streamlining Initiative

AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TXAR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX

Process Improvement Models – LEAN Permitting (Six Sigma, Kaizen):

Enhancement of permits assistance information (pre-application meetings, online forms and instructions, permit issuance commitments, training, site visits).

Program workload analysis & reduction in permit processing idle time (modeling/enforcement coordination, transparent tracking systems on application receipt to issuance).

CenSARA CenSARA Air Permits Streamlining InitiativeAir Permits Streamlining Initiative

AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TXAR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX

Future Actions:

Collaboration with Industry, States, and EPA on tools for General Permits/Permits By Rule, Electronic Permitting, and Process Improvement Models (Six Sigma, Kaizen) for future enhancements to the CenSARA states.

CenSARA CenSARA Air Permits Streamlining InitiativeAir Permits Streamlining Initiative

AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TXAR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX

Electronic Permitting ProjectElectronic Permitting Project

Oil and Gas Permits:

Over 43,000 facilities

70% of all facilities which are permitted or otherwise regulated

Combined web-based notice of coverage for both air and water permits

Web-based self-certification of compliance

Electronic Permitting ProjectElectronic Permitting Project

Targeted Improvements:

Reduced processing time

Greatly improved record

Reduction in air emissions and threat of releases by aggressive outreach and compliance assistance

What is Flexible Air Permitting?What is Flexible Air Permitting?

Enables a facility to make certain types of changes without requiring additional case-by-case permitting or approval, provided the change meets criteria outlined in the permit.

Changes can include: Changes to a source’s method of operation Addition or modification of equipment Changes in raw materials Changes to pollution control equipment Changes to emission factors or monitoring parameters.

Flexible Air PermittingFlexible Air PermittingHistory and ContextHistory and Context

Major EPA Evaluation of Implementation Experience with 6 Pilot Permits in 2001-2002

EPA continuing to pursue pilot projects with focus on Performance Track facilities. 3M Nevada, MO 3M Brownwood, TX Baxter Mountain Home, AR

Flexible Air PermittingFlexible Air PermittingWhat is EPA Planning to Do Next?What is EPA Planning to Do Next?

Pursue modifications to Parts 70/71 and 51/52 through rulemaking to support flexible permitting concepts developed through pilots.

Draft flexible permitting rule undergoing internal EPA review, to be followed by OMB review and proposal.

Release of proposed flexible permitting rule targeted for Summer or Fall 2006.

EPA is soliciting State input.

Air Permitting InnovationsAir Permitting InnovationsConclusionsConclusions

Innovation done right

Strong accountability while providing operational flexibility

Encourages pollution prevention and emissions reduction

Reduced administrative burden over the long term for permitting authorities and regulated entities

Fulfills Congressional mandate