The MPCA has rolled out its new online service for solid waste permits and approvals. Content on this page is tied to that service.
Transfer stations and source-separated organic material (SSOM) compost facilities may apply for an extension to their permit after operating under an existing solid waste permit. These facilities are not required to submit a complete permit reissuance application. Instead, they must submit a permit extension notification prior to the expiration date of their existing permit.
Notification contents
Upon the anniversary of the expiration date of the permit, and every ten years thereafter, a notification must be submitted to the MPCA through the Solid Waste Permitting & Approvals Online Service. The following information or plans may be necessary when submitting the notification:
- any minor modifications that have been made at the facility since permit issuance or the date of last notification
- any plans updated since last the permit extension/issuance (these plans are shown at the bottom of this page)
Extended permit eligibility criteria
To qualify for a permit extension, the solid waste facility must meet the following criteria:
- The permitted facility is a solid waste transfer facility or a SSOM compost facility. This is intended to exclude other permitted facilities that have a transfer station area or a yard waste or solid waste compost operation at their facility from eligibility to operate under an extended permit. For example, a refuse derived fuel processing plant with a permitted transfer station area is not eligible to operate the facility under an extended permit.
- The permittee is not proposing major modifications to the facility. The permittee must either apply for a permit reissuance or major permit modification if a major modification is necessary. If the permittee is not sure if a change is considered a minor modification or a major modification, the permittee may seek a written determination from the MPCA. (Refer to guidance on major vs minor modifications)
- The facility has been operated in compliance with its permit for a minimum of one year. The facility must have been operated for at least one year during the most recent ten-year term of the permit. Operated means to accept waste or SSOM at a level that constitutes normal expected volume. Fulfillment of this requirement will afford the MPCA the opportunity to establish a compliance history for the facility.
Termination of extended permit status
The MPCA shall notify the facility operating under an extended permit that the facility is no longer eligible to operate under an extended permit and must be permitted using the normal permitting procedures. This can occur with any of the following instances:
- the facility has unresolved noncompliance or has not been operated substantially in accordance with applicable standards
- the owner or operator has made changes to the facility that require a major modification without filing a permit application fo those changes
- the owner or operator has failed to update required plans or schedules or has submitted reports that contain material deficiencies and has not corrected those deficiencies
- the owner or operator has failed to submit the extended permit notification or the annual report
Facility plans
The list below lays out the required plans for a permit extension notification. Resubmittal of plans may be required if there have been minor modifications or changes made to the plans. All required facility plans must be attached in the online service before an application can be submitted.
- Closure Plan, with Cost Estimates*
- Contingency Action Plan, with Cost Estimates*
- Emergency Response Plan*
- Industrial Solid Waste Management Plan*
- Inspection Schedule*
- Operations Plan*
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (if required)
*Checklists must be submitted with this plan, or a supplemental form exists for this attachment. Checklists and forms can be found on the individual permits page.