Air

You need an air permit if:

• your potential air emissions are over a certain level, or
• you are subject to a federal New Source Performance Standard (NSPS).

Step 1a: Calculate emissions

Use the  SBEAP non-metallic mineral air emissions calculator to calculate your potential air emissions and compare them to the permitting thresholds listed in the calculator.

If you are over thresholds, you need an air permit. Go to Step 1b to determine if additional federal regulations apply.
If you are under thresholds, go to Step 1b to determine if federal regulations apply; if any do, you need an air permit.

Step 1b: Do any of these New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) apply to your facility?

OOO – Requirements for nonmetallic mineral processing. This standard applies if:

• your fixed plant is larger than 25 tons/hour or your portable plant is larger than 150 tons/hour, and
• your plant or equipment was constructed, reconstructed, or modified after August 31, 1983.

IIII – Requirements for stationary compression ignition engines. This standard applies if you use a stationary diesel engine that was purchased or modified after July 11, 2005. Portable engines are considered stationary if they are used at a single location for more than a year or, for seasonal operations, at a single location for an entire operating season. This rule does not apply to diesel engines that propel motor vehicles.

JJJJ – Requirements for stationary spark ignition engines. This standard applies if you use a stationary gasoline engine that was purchased or modified after June 12, 2006. Portable engines are considered stationary if they are used at a single location for more than a year or, for seasonal operations, at a single location for an entire operating season. This rule does not apply to gasoline engines that propel motor vehicles.

Kb– Requirements for certain storage vessels. This standard applies if you have a storage tank or container:

• storing volatile organic liquids (including petroleum products such as fuel),
• constructed, reconstructed, or modified after July 23, 1984, and
• capacity is about 19,800 gallons or more.

NSPS Kb does not apply to tanks or containers permanently attached to mobile vehicles such as trucks or railcars.

UUU – Requirements for calciners and dryers in mineral industries. This standard applies if you use a dryer or calciner that was purchased, modified, or reconstructed after April 23, 1986. Note that if this standard applies to you (ie, you are using a dryer or calciner), you must apply for an individual air permit.

Do any of the NSPS apply to your facility?

If yes, you need an air permit. Go to Step 2.

If no, but your potential emissions are over thresholds, you need an air permit. Go to Step 2.

If no, and your potential emissions are below thresholds, you don’t need an air permit. Go to Step 3.

Step 2: Which air permit?

Registration Option A Air Permit. Air quality fact sheet AQ3-01 has information about registration permits. Application forms are on the air permit and forms page – click on “Registration Permit Application Forms” on the right. Be sure to complete and include the following form with your application: SCP-01: Submittal Cover Page (aq-f1-scp01)

Go to Step 3.

Non-Metallic General Air Permit. Use MPCA form NM-00: Qualifications Review Checklist – Nonmetallic Mineral Processing General Permit (aq-f4-nm00) to see if you qualify. If you qualify, the application forms are on the air permit and forms page – click on “Non Metallic Mineral Processing” on the right. Be sure to complete and include the following form with your application: SCP-01: Submittal Cover Page (aq-f1-scp01)

Go to Step 3.

Registration Option D Air Permit. Use the SBEAP non-metallic mineral air emissions calculator (p-sbap5-30) to see if you qualify. Air quality fact sheet AQ3-01 (aq3-01) has information about registration permits. Application forms are on the air permit and forms page – click on “Registration Permit Application Forms” on the right. Be sure to complete and include the following form with your application: SCP-01: Submittal Cover Page (aq-f1-scp01)

Go to Step 3.

Individual Air Permit. All About Air Permits has more information about individual air permits. Application forms are on the air permit and forms page.

Go to Step 3.

Step 3: Are you subject to the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants – Engines (NESHAP ZZZZ)?

The links on MPCA’s engine page will help you determine whether this regulation applies (possibly in addition to the NSPS). This standard is independent from permit requirements and the four NSPS listed above; whether or not NESHAP ZZZZ applies to your facility does not affect whether you need a permit, and likewise whether or not you need a permit does not affect whether this rule applies.

Go to Step 4.

Step 4: Stay in compliance.

Follow the requirements of your permit and any of the NSPS or NESHAP that apply to your facility.

If you get the Registration Option A air permit, follow the requirements of the NSPS.

Aggregate Facility Compliance Calendar is a free tool to help you stay in compliance.

If you get the Registration Option D air permit, the MPCA fact sheet Your Option D Registration Permit summarizes your requirements.