Capped Air Emission State Permit

This webpage contains information related to the state permit option, called "capped emission permit." A capped emission permit restricts a facility’s emissions below federal permitting thresholds and requires the facility to comply with all applicable requirements. The facility is allowed to make changes as long as emissions remain below the facility-wide thresholds and the facility can demonstrate continued compliance with all requirements.

The rule (Minn.R.7007.1140 to 7007.1148) creating this permit option was effective on December 6, 2004. The Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR) for the rulemaking provides explanation of the proposed rules:

• Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR)

As of January 24, 2011, greenhouse gas emissions are limited under the capped permits. For more information about this change, see the GHG Rulemaking web page.

Application forms are available on the Air Quality Forms web page. If you've previously submitted an application for a different type of permit or currently hold an air emissions permit, contact the MPCA at 651-296-6300 or 1-800-657-3864 prior to filling out the capped application forms to obtain information about your facility from the MPCA's database to simplify your application process

Ambient Air Quality Assessment Resources

Part 7007.1148 of the rule requires a facility to conduct an ambient air quality assessment when demonstrating initial eligibility for a capped permit or a state permit with environmental management system provision, or when required to do a pre-change analysis under part 7007.1146, subpart 3 of the rule. A facility is allowed to use the method in subpart 2 (CAPS spreadsheet) or subpart 3 (SCREEN3) of part 7007.1148 for each pollutant standard. The tools available for a facility to conduct this assessment are:

• CAPS Spreadsheet and guidance (links provided to locked version of CAPS)
• SCREEN3 model and guidance
• DISPERSE

Compliance Resources

• Sample Compliance Plans
• CAP-CR-04: Annual Compliance Certification Report for Capped Permits
• CAP-WS-01: Pre-Change Analysis for Capped Permits
• CAP-ADM: Administrative Changes for Capped Permits: Request for change of facility name, mailing address, ownership or control.

Public Participation

E-mail Sign Up

The MPCA Capped Permit Notice listserv sends e-mail notices when an application for a capped permit has been received by the agency. Visit the MPCA’s GovDelivery Capped Permit Notice subscription page to sign up to receive e-mail updates.

Public Comments

Listed below are capped permit applications received and capped permits issued by the MPCA.

• Capped Permit Applications Received and Permits Issued

The conditions for eligibility and compliance requirements for a capped state permit can be found in Minn. R. 7007.1140 to 7007.1148.

Persons interested in commenting have 30 days from the date the application is posted on this Web site. Comments are due by 4:00 p.m. on the comment period end date. During the comment period, an interested person may submit written comments on the eligibility of the applicant for the capped permit. A person who submits comments under this item shall include:

• a statement of the person’s interest in the permit application and any information related to a facility’s eligibility for the capped permit;
• a statement of the action the person wishes the agency to take; and
• the reasons supporting the person’s position, stated with sufficient specificity as to allow the commissioner to investigate the merits of the person’s positions.

Submit your comments to: Carolina Schutt, Permit Supervisor, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul , MN 55155. Or by e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The MPCA hopes to issue capped permits within 60 to 90 days after the application is received.

Actual emissions from existing facilities for prior years can be viewed on the MPCA Criteria Air Pollutants Web page, and the Hazardous Air Pollutants Web page.

Capped Permit Applications Received and Issued

Capped Permit Applications — Open for Comments

Capped Permits Issued

Questions/Information

• Capped Permit Fact Sheet
• Comparison of capped permit features with other permit types
• Presentation on capped permits and other flexible permits (file size = 1.2 MB)

Questions about capped permits can be addressed to the MPCA at 651-263-6300 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.