DAQ Home > About DAQ
Greenhouse Gases
On May 13, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule that addresses greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act permitting programs. This final rule sets thresholds for GHG emissions that define when permits under the New Source Review Prevention of Significant Deterioration and title V Operating Permit programs are required for new and existing industrial facilities. To see EPA rule go to:
Additional background on the GHG Tailoring Rule can be found on the attached fact sheet or at:
Implementation date for the rule is January 2, 2011.
Utah’s options regarding implementation appear to be limited to the following actions:
- Adopt minimal changes to Utah air quality rules to maintain consistency with EPA Rules. This will allow Utah to issue Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Title V permits for GHG. This is the Department of Environmental Quality’s preference.
- Do nothing. EPA will conduct the PSD and Title V permitting for GHG for Utah industry. A significant potential problem with doing nothing is that the current thresholds for permitting, which are not suited for GHG, may apply and could impact numerous small businesses and buildings that have never needed permits in the past.
There is a stakeholder process already underway for this issue. Briefings with the legislative and executive branches of Utah government are also being planned. The proposed rule changes are available by linking to:
Utah Title V Draft Rule Changes
There is no proposal to increase fees. Our analysis indicates less than a dozen new sources will enter the permitting process in Utah as a result of the proposed changes. However, with the significance and controversy of GHG regulation, we anticipate additional efforts will be made to keep up with the issues and ensure Utah has adequate input at the national level.
In addition, in the next five years, it is anticipated that the thresholds established by the EPA will be lowered, thus bringing additional sources into the permitting program. The effort to follow developments in the GHG program and provide an expertise on the technological aspects of permitting GHG may require one or two additional positions.
Tailoring Rule August, 2010 (Powerpoint Presentation)
To provide input on the rule development or for more information, please contact Regg Olsen at 801-536-4165 or rdolsen@utah.gov
