Any new construction or modifications to existing facilities in a nonattainment area is potentially subject to the requirements of nonattainment new source review (NSR) specified in S.C. Regulation 61-62.5, Standard No. 7.1 . "Nonattainment areas" are areas designated by the EPA for not meeting one or more of the national primary or secondary ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) or other areas that contribute to ambient air quality in a nearby area that does not meet the standards. Nonattainment NSR requirements are customized for the nonattainment area. If your facility is located in an area designated as nonattainment under 40 CFR 81.341, any proposed new construction or modification at your facility may be required to reduce emissions or to install more efficient control devices in accordance with S.C. Regulation 61-62.5, Standard 7.1.
When NSR is triggered by a facility S.C. Regulation 61-62.5, Standard 7.1 requires:
- Installation of the lowest achievable emission rate (LAER)
- Emission offsets - The purpose for requiring offsetting emissions decreases is to allow an area to move towards attainment of the NAAQS while still allowing some industrial growth. Offsets are emission reductions, generally obtained from existing sources located in the vicinity of a proposed source which must:
- offset the emissions increase from the new source or modification and
- provide a net air quality benefit.
Your facility will be required to secure "Emission Offsets" if emissions from your proposed new source or modification will cause or contribute to concentrations of a regulated NSR pollutant for which an affected area was designated as nonattainment.
- Opportunity for public involvement