• What if I need a Major Permit for one pollutant, and a Minor permit for another?
• Can I request a permit action listed in 18 AAC 50.508 if I only need a Major permit?
The Road to Electronic Permit Actions for Minor Sources Starts on the DEC MAINAIR WEB PAGE.
To begin the electronic application and permit action process for Minor Sources, go to http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/ap/mainair.htm . Then scroll down the OF INTEREST column on the MainAir Page and click the Minor Permits link. From there you will be taken to the Organizational Home Page in which you can begin your intended permit action.
How do I gain access to the Department's Electronic "On-Line" Minor Source application system ?
Gaining access to the Department's "On-Line" system is quite simple. Companies must complete "Administrator and Electronic Signature Validation Request Forms." These two forms can be accessed through the department's Main Air Web Page by first clicking http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/ap/mainair.htm . T hen click the link named "Electronic Permitting Notice" http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/ap/docs/elcpmtg.htm . In this notice, you can access the "administrator" and "electronic signature validation" forms by clicking the links provided within the notice. The designated "administrator" you choose will manage access to a company's permit information in the department's electronic system. The "responsible" official you choose will be THE ONLY person authorized to electronically sign permit applications and/or permit actions for your Minor Sources. Company owner's must print hardcopies of these two request forms, provide the requested information, and mail the completed originals to the department address provided in the request forms. Owner/operators will receive confirmation that your request forms have been received and that the information has been loaded in the electronic system. Remember you cannot apply "on-line" using the department's electronic system and participate in the 30-day "Fast Track" program until these forms are completed and provided to the department.
After you have been authorized by your Company "Administrator" to access your company's permit information stored in the electronic system, you will login using your myAlaska USERNAME and PASSWORD. If you do not already have a myAlaska USERNAME and PASSWORD, click on the myAlaska Link. A change has been made to allow "non-resident" Alaskans obtain a myAlaska USERID and PASSWORD. MyAlaska is a system for Secure Single Sign-on and Signature for Citizens, or, an authentication and electronic signature system allowing citizens to interact with multiple State of Alaska services through a single user name and password. myAlaska is the necessary first step towards a consistent and coherent eGovernment strategy for Alaska . myAlaska will enable Alaskans (and out of state source owner/operators) to conduct business with the state in a secure and efficient manner and will be the foundation for a wide array of personalized government-on-demand services that will usher in the next stage of eGovernment evolution in our state.
Go to the DEC On-Line Air Services Page and Click on "Forgot your password?" or "Forgot your user name?" You will be linked back to the myAlaska Logon page Home Page.
If after you have traveled to the Minor Permit Action link and you are unable to Logon to the Department's electronic system, you should contact your Company Administrator to ensure you have permissions to access your Company's permit information. If you have verified you have permissions and still cannot Login, you should verify your USERNAME and PASSWORD is correct by accessing myAlaska. If you are unable to access myAlaska, you must re-establish your myAlaska USERNAME and PASSWORD. If you have any questions, comments or problems using myAlaska, please Email: myalaska.help@alaska.gov or phone: myAlaska HelpDesk 1-800-582-5111 (Alaska) or 907-465-5211 outside Alaska.
If your are able to login to myAlaska and still are unable to login into the Department's electronic system, click the 24-hour HELP DESK link at the bottom of the of the Minor Permit Action Page and provide a short description of login difficulties you are experiencing in an email which will be automatically forwarded to the help desk. If you do not receive a reply from the HELP DESK confirming receipt of your problem, please call the Department at 907-269-7579.
To meet permit application review times, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) developed an "on-line" permit application and permit action system. "On-Line" electronic applications for Minor Sources is a "new" air permitting option offered by ADEC to streamline and expedite permit approval after an application is submitted. An owner/operator requesting a permit or permit action will log onto the electronic system and will be prompted to answer questions related to their source and identify the type of permit or permit action requested. Based on the answers provided by the applicant, the system will automatically progress through the permit application package, also referred to "continuous screens." To the fullest extend possible, this system is designed to ensure that permit application and requests are administratively complete when submitted.
In general, the new Minor Source permitting regulations reduce the number of sources required to obtain permits. The department has prepared a "Transition Plan" designed specifically to assist you in determining exactly how the new regulations affect you. [link to Transition Plan]
"Fast Track" is available to stationary sources classified under 18 AAC 502 with some exceptions. This expedited review process includes an initial screening performed by the applicant and a second level screening by the department designed to reduce the review time and costs for both. For "on-line" applicants who qualify for "Fast Track", a permit will be issued within 30 days of submittal of a complete application.
NOTE: If a member of the public requests a comment period within 15-days after acceptance of a complete permit application; the permit action cannot be processed within 30 days under the "Fast Track" program. Only applicants who apply electronically "on-line" using the "Electronic "On-Line" Minor Source application system are eligible for "Fast Track."
The department has developed a "Fast Track" permitting system designed to issue permits within thirty (30) days of the date a complete application is submitted, provided no member of the public requests a comment period. Fast Track is currently only available for applicants using the "on-line" application system. For applicants who do not qualify for "Fast Track" permitting, the best way to ensure expeditious processing is to be sure your application is complete upon submittal. The department's goal is to process "non-Fast Track" Minor Source applications within 90 days of receipt.
To be considered complete, you must include all of the necessary information required in either the "on-line" system, or in the "hardcopy" application required in for the various Minor Sources found in 18 AAC 50 Article 5.
If you have an existing permit and have determined you are no longer required to have a permit under provisions in the New Minor Source Program, you must request to rescind the permit. This permit action can be completed by logging on to the electronic system and following prompts from the Organizational Home Page. This will lead you to the "Rescission" option on the Stationary Home Page; for those without internet access, your rescission request can be forwarded to the department using U.S. Mail.
NOTE: Until your permit is formally rescinded by the department, you must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of your current permit.
After logging on to the electronic system, go to the Organizational Home Page and select "New Stationary Source." New sources will be prompted with what type of permit or permit action they wish to apply for. The system will automatically provide the screens needed to complete each request.
After logging on, go to the Organizational Home Page and select "Modify an Existing Permit" and then indicate which permit you are requesting to modify. The system will automatically provide the screens needed to complete the request.
After logging on, go to the Organizational Home Page. You will be prompted to answer questions in regards to your existing source which will guide you through Stationary Source Home Page which has the option; "Convert an Existing Permit." This user/friendly system will provide the screens needed to complete your conversion request. As per 18 AAC 50.502(d)(1) & (2), existing sources may continue to operate under their existing Title V permit or they can apply for a new permit under the Minor Source program at any time.
NOTE: Until your permit is formally converted by the department, you must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of your current permit.
Yes; however, all conditions in your existing permit must be complied with i.e., monitoring, record keeping, reporting etc. If you wish to continue to operate under your existing permit, it will not expire.
A source requiring a Minor permit can either apply for a source specific permit, or for categories for which they have been developed, General Permits or Permit-by-rule.
An enforceable limit is a request made by owner/operators with sources having the Potential to Emit which exceeds Title V thresholds but agree to limit operations below those limits established for various operations.
An owner or operator must notify the department before operating under the PBR at any location. Drill rigs at oil and gas operations previously permitted using PBRs are now regulated by General Permits.
A Clean Unit Designation (CUD) is an option available for New Source Review (NSR) major stationary sources. If you have an emission unit designated as a Clean Unit for a particular pollutant, your application for a permit to establish a Clean Unit designation consistent with 40 C.F.R. 52.21(y) must include a demonstration that the unit meets the criteria for a Clean Unit in 40 C.F.R. 52.21(y)(3) Qualifying air pollution control technologies and (4) Demonstrating control effectiveness comparable to BACT .
A Pollution Control Project (PCP) is a project that is overall environmentally beneficial, despite a possible increase in emissions. It is an activity, set of work practices or project undertaken at an existing emissions unit that reduces emissions of air pollutants from such unit. It may include the replacement or upgrade of an existing emissions control technology with a more effective unit (C.F.R. 52.21(b)(39). Permit applications must include information listed in 40 C.F.R.52.21 (z)(3)(1)-(v). If the department concludes that a project is a PCP, the project will not be required to undergo major New Source Review.
A PAL is an emission limitation expressed in tons per year, for a pollutant at a major stationary source, that is enforceable as a practical matter and established source-wide in accordance with C.F. R. 52.21 (aa)(1)-(15). Prior to the adoption of this PAL provision, the department had a regulation known as a Pre-Approved Limit PAL specific to diesel engines and gasoline distribution facilities categorized as bulk plants. To avoid confusion, these have been renamed Pre-approved Emission Limits (PAELs).
A PAEL is and Enforceable Limit request an owner/operator can make to limit the amount of fuel oil consumed in diesel generators to regulate NOx emissions below 100 tons or gallons of gasoline throughput at bulk plant loading racks to regulate VOC emissions. These limits for certain stationary sources become effective the day after the department receives a complete request.
If you need a major permit such as a PSD permit for one or more pollutants, and a minor permit for any other pollutant, you should submit one application. The information you need to include for each pollutant depends on what kind of permit you need for that pollutant.
The department will process the application using the administrative procedures for major permits. We will evaluate the application for each pollutant according to the criteria of the major or minor permit program, as appropriate.
See 18 AAC 50.502(a)(1).
Yes. 18 AAC 50.508 allows an owner or operator to request a variety of new or revised enforceable conditions. The application information, evaluation criteria, and permit conditions would be consistent with 18 AAC 50.540 - 544. You could request
Before an applicant can submit an application "on-line," an "Electronic Signature Validation" must be on file with the department. The "Electronic Signature Validation" authorizes the Responsible Official to sign for the stationary source for permit requests. During the transition to the Minor Source program, the department used mass mailings to provide this form to existing sources. If you submitted a signature validation and received confirmation from the department, your electronic signature should appear automatically in the box below the Certification statement. If you have not submitted a signature validation, click here to obtain the form that needs to be filled out and notarized to allow "on-line" signatures.
If you have any further questions that cannot be resolved, please contact Tom Turner at extension 907 269-8123 in our Anchorage Office.