Help/Assistance

For assistance information and materials please visit https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Air-Quality-permits/Prevention-of-Significant-Deterioration-PSD.

Other sources of help, information, and references:

Subject matter expert contact information:

Christopher Hanlon-Meyer: (360) 407-6115

Christopher Hanlon-Meyer: christopher.hanlon-meyer@ecy.wa.gov

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Air Quality Permit

Description/Purpose

The Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit was developed to prevent significant environmental impacts on air quality from large industrial sources of air pollution. The permit applies to new or modified air pollution sources that are classified as “major” relative to air pollution emissions potential, and that are proposing construction projects that may “significantly” increase their air pollutant emissions.

Under the PSD program, the projects demonstrate that they are designed in a way to ensure compliance with air quality regulations that protect human health and the environment. The PSD application process is complex and requires applicants to conduct engineering evaluations and computer modeling to demonstrate the proposed project will meet air quality standards.

Triggers and activities which would require this permit

A facility with a new major source of air pollution with the potential to emit a pollutant regulated under the Federal Clean Air Act at 100 tons/year for 28 specific emission source types, or 250 tons/year or more for all other emission source types.

A modification of an existing major source of air pollution that increases emissions of a pollutant regulated under the Federal Clean Air Act at or above PSD Significant Emission Rates (SER).

If you are not sure if your activity requires this permit you can request a PSD program applicability review. An applicability determination has a $500 fee.

Costs/Fees
see details
see details

The initial fee for new or modified permits for new major stationary source or major modification is $18.80 and covers 158 hours of review.

The initial fee for an administrative permit amendment is $2,380 for 20 hours of review. Please contact PSD section for eligibility prior to submittal.

The initial fee for all other PSD permit revision is $4,760 for 40 hours of review.

Permit extension is a flat fee of $625.

The initial fee for Plant-wide applicability emission limit: emission limit is $18.80 and covers 158 hours of review.

The initial fee for Plant-wide applicability emission limit: all other requests. Other requests may include increasing a limit, renewing a limit, or processing an expired limit is $9,401 for 79 hours of review. Please contact Ecology before submittal.

Ecology will bill you $119 per hour for each hour worked beyond the initial hours. You must pay the bill before we will issue your permit or finalize an action or decision.

The annual fee for the source is captured in the annual Air Operating Permit fee.

Statutory Details: WAC 173-455-120 Table 4

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Application Information

The application is called 'Application for a Prevention of Significant Deterioration Applicability Determination' is online and can be accessed at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/ECY070413.html.

A PSD application typically contains the following information:

  • Process description.
  • Operational limits.
  • Best Available Control Technology (BACT).
  • Allowable emission rates.
  • Results of on-site measurements.
  • Results of air quality impact modeling.
  • Results of air-quality-related values (AQRV) assessment, such as impacts on national parks and wildlife areas.
  • All emissions calculations.

Ecology recommends the source schedule a pre-application meeting to provide guidance on what specifically needs to be included in the PSD application for the proposed project.

The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and EPA consultation on impacts related to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Historical Preservation Acts (HPA) must be complete before the permit can be issued. These processes occur outside of the PSD process.

The application is submitted to:

   Washington State Department of Ecology
   Air Quality Program
   Science and Engineering Section
   P.O. Box 47600
   Olympia, Washington 98504-7600

Once issued the permit does not expire unless cancelled by the applicant.

You have a right to appeal this PSD permit to the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) within 30 days of the date of receipt of the permit. The appeal process is governed by Chapter 43.21B RCW and Chapter 371-08 WAC. “Date of receipt” is defined in RCW 43.21B.001(2).

You must also comply with other applicable requirements in Chapter 43.21B RCW and Chapter 371-08 WAC.

Agency Analysis
3
n/a
n/a
130
n/a
384
n/a
0
0

N/A

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Permit Timeliness Results

Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average days from Receipt to Complete: 262
Maximum days from Receipt to Complete: 496

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average days from Complete Application to Decision: 130
Maximum days from Complete Application to Decision: 147


(Summary results based on 2 submittals in 2024)

Published Decision Time
n/a

The minimum time period is 120 days:

  • 30 days for completeness determination.
  • 60 days for permit writing.
  • 30 days for public comment.

Ecology will inform permit applicants in writing whether their application is complete within 30 calendar days of receipt.

After receiving a complete application, Ecology issues a draft PSD permit and Technical Support Document (TSD). These are distributed and Ecology holds a 30-day public comment period. All interested parties may submit written comments on the draft PSD permit. Ecology will review the comments and determine if a public hearing is necessary. If a hearing is held, Ecology will hear testimony from the interested parties before issuing a decision. An administrative PSD amendment does not require a public comment period.

Final PSD permit determinations will be issued as promptly as possible after the public comment period is closed.

Statutory Details: WAC 173-400-730 (30 days to determine complete; within one year of the date of complete application and expeditiously as possible after close of the public comment period to issue the final determination).
WAC 173-400-740 (publication in a newspaper; 15 day internet posting; 30 day comment period; if hearing requested notice must be 30 days prior to the hearing; EPA region 10 comment period).

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Legal authority
Schematic
View the schematic
Contacts
Department of Ecology
Air Quality Program
Headquarters
300 Desmond Drive
PO Box 47600
Olympia WA 98504-7600
Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Air-Quality-permits/Air-operating-permits
Telephone: (360) 407-6800
Fax: (360) 407-7534
Department of Ecology
Headquarters
300 Desmond Drive
PO Box 47600
Olympia WA 98504-7600
Website: http://www.ecology.wa.gov/
Telephone: (360) 407-6000
Triggering Questions
  • Are you a Major Source with a project that significantly increases air pollutant emissions?
* Credential details last updated 8/13/2019
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