Once a construction permit has been obtained and construction completed, a facility must request an operating permit. Operating permits are a compilation of facility-wide equipment, emissions limitations, record keeping and reporting requirements, including specific requirements from construction permit(s). The operating permit is revised as facilities make changes such as equipment replacement, expansion or other operational changes. Additionally, operating permit revisions include incorporating any new construction permit activities.
The Bureau of Air Quality currently issues three types of operating permits:
The state minor source program regulates smaller sources of air pollution. A minor source facility potentially emits less than 100 tons per year (TPY) of any criteria pollutant (CO, PM10, PM2.5, NOX, SO2, Pb, VOCs) and less than 10 TPY of any single hazardous air pollutant (HAP) or less than 25 TPY of more than one HAP.
A Title V operating permit is a comprehensive and federally enforceable operating permit that requires U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review and a public comment period before issuance. This major source operating permit program regulates larger sources of air pollution. A major source facility potentially emits 100 tons per year (TPY) or more of any criteria pollutant (CO, PM10, PM2.5, NOX, SO2, Pb, VOCs) and/or 10 TPY or more of any single hazardous air pollutant (HAP) or 25 TPY of more than one HAP.
Facilities that meet the definition of a major source (see Title V section) may request a federally enforceable conditional major operating permit to limit potential emissions to minor source thresholds.
Requesting an Initial State Operating Permit
What Must I Submit to Request an Initial State Operating Permit?
Submit Application Form D-2574 Operating Permit Request.
You also need to officially notify DHEC of the Initial Start-up Date of all newly constructed or modified equipment, processes, or control devices.
When Must I Submit an Initial State Operating Permit Request?
The operating permit request application must be postmarked within 15 days after the actual date of initial startup of each new or altered source.
Is a Public Notice Period Required?
No.
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
Revising a State Minor Operating Permit
What Must I Submit to Request a Revision to a State Minor Operating Permit?
If a facility is planning to make modifications to any emissions unit(s), the facility may be required to notify and/or request approval from BAQ. Some modifications may require construction permits. Request a permit revision to incorporate a construction permit or other pre-approved changes.
Submit Application Form D-2574 Operating Permit Request.
When Should I Submit a Revision Request?
Your application must be postmarked within 15 days after the actual date of initial startup of each new or altered source.
Is a Public Notice Period Required?
No.
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
Operating Permit Renewals
If you hold a State Minor Operating Permit issued with an expiration date, you must request to have your permit renewed. You can continue to operate after the expiration date (if applicable) if a timely and complete renewal application has been submitted. Submit application form D-2955, State Operating and Conditional Major Permit Renewal Application or submit a written request to the Department to include all items listed in S.C. Regulation 61-62.1, Section II (H).
When Must I Submit a Renewal Request?
Submit operating permit request within 90 days prior to expiration date of the current permit.
Is a Public Notice Period Required?
No.
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
Title V Operating Permits
Initial Title V Operating Permit Requests
What Must I Submit to Request an Initial Title V Operating Permit?
Newly constructed major sources must submit initial start-up notification(s) Form D-2574 for each piece of equipment followed by a complete Title V Operating Permit application within 12 months of start-up.
Submit initial Operating Permit Request Form D-2574.
Submit complete Title V Operating Permit application.
When Should I Submit the Initial Startup Notice?
The Operating Permit Request Form must be postmarked within 15 days after the actual date of initial startup of each new or altered source (S.C. Regulation 62.1, Section II).
When Should I Submit a Complete Title V Application?
Submit a complete Title V Operating Permit Application within 12 months of the actual date of initial startup notification.
Is a Public Notice Period Required?
The BAQ notifies affected states and the EPA. EPA is allowed a 45-day review period and a 30-day public comment period is required.
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
Revising a Title V Operating Permit
What Must I Submit to Request a Revision to a Title V Operating Permit?
If the Title V facility is planning to make modifications to any emissions unit(s), the facility is required to notify and/or request approval from BAQ and/or EPA. Some modifications may require construction permits. Types of Title V permit revisions include:
Administrative Permit Amendments
What Must I Submit to Request an Administrative Permit Amendments (S.C. Regulation 61-62.70.7(d))?
Administrative Amendment (AA) permit modifications are typically requested for incorporating changes into the Title V Operating permit for typographical errors, more frequent monitoring or reporting, transfer of ownership, change of name or similar administrative change at the facility.
Submit Application Form D-2938, Title V Operating Permit Application Administrative Permit Amendment (AA).
Other forms may be used to satisfy the requirements of the AA for permit changes. (For Transfer of Ownership/Operation use form D-2954, to update facility information use form D-2959, and for Relocations Request use Form D-0662). See a complete list of Title V modification forms.
When Should I Submit the Administrative Amendment Request?
A facility may implement AA changes immediately upon submittal of the request, assuming it is compliant with SC Regulation 62.1, Section II.
Is a Public Comment Period Required?
The BAQ notifies the EPA of the proposed change. No public comment period is required.
What fees are required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
Minor Permit Modifications
What Must I Submit to Request a Minor Permit Modifications (S.C. Regulation 61-62.70.7(e)(2))?
See Minor Permit Modification regulations.
Submit Application Form D-2949, Title V Operating Permit Minor Modification (MM) for modifications to an emission unit, incorporation of preconstruction review permit requirements in accordance with S.C. Regulation 61-62.70, Title V Operating Permit Program, Section 70.7(d)(1)(v). The MM procedure is used for public noticed synthetic minor construction permits that establish "applicable requirements" to be incorporated into a Title V Permit.
When Should I Submit the Minor Modification Request?
Submit Form d-2924 postmarked within 15 days after actual date of initial startup of each new or altered source.
Is a Public Comment Period Required?
The BAQ notifies affected states and the EPA of the proposed change. The EPA is allowed a 45-day review period of the proposed action.
No public comment period is required.
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
502(b) (10) Permit Changes
What Must I Submit to Request 502(b)(10) Permit Changes (S.C. Regulation 61-62.70.7(e)(5)))?
502(b)(10) changes allow a facility to make changes without making a permit revision if the changes are neither modifications under Title I nor changes that contravene an express permit term.
Submit Application Form D-2950, 502(b)(10) Permit Change.
When Should I Submit the 502(b)(10) notification?
The facility gives a 7-day advance notice to BAQ and the EPA prior to operating the change at the facility. No action is required by the BAQ or the EPA. The facility attaches a copy to the permit.
Is a Public Comment Period Required?
No public comment period is required for a 502(b)(10) change.
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
Significant Modifications
What Must I Submit to Request Significant Modifications (S.C. Regulation 61-62.70.7(e)(4))?
Significant modifications are changes that typically result in major changes in emission limits or permit conditions.
What Must I Include in My Submittal?
Submit a complete Title V Operating Permit Application.
When Should I Submit the Significant Modification Request?
The source cannot implement the requested change until the permit is revised, which can take up to 270 days after submittal of the Significant Modification request.
Is a Public Comment Period Required?
The BAQ notifies affected states and the EPA of the proposed change. The EPA is allowed a 45-day review period of the proposed action and 30-day public comment period is required.
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
Renewing Title V Operating Permits
What Must I Submit to Request a Title V Operating Permit Renewal?
Submit a complete Title V renewal application at least six months prior to the date of permit expiration. (See S.C. Regulation 61-62.70.5). To allow time for BAQ to review the application for completeness and obtain any additional information needed, it is strongly recommend that the complete application be submitted 90 days prior to this deadline.
Is a Public Comment Period Required?
The BAQ notifies affected states and the EPA. EPA is allowed a 45-day review period and a 30-day public comment period is required.
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
Conditional Major
Initial Conditional Major Operating Permit
What Must I Submit to Request an Initial Conditional Major Operating Permit?
Submit Application Form D-2574 Operating Permit Request. You also need to officially notify DHEC of the Initial Start-up Date of all newly constructed or modified equipment, processes, or control devices.
When Must I Submit an Initial Conditional Major Operating Permit Request?
Because your facility is taking federally enforceable limits to remain below Title V (Major Source) thresholds, these emission limits must be in a federally enforceable permit issued within 12 months of start of operation. If the enforceable permit has not been issued by the end of 12 months, the facility is required to submit a Title V application. This timing issue can be avoided by placing the federally enforceable limits up front in the construction permit, which requires public notice.
Is a Public Notice Period Required? Yes (see discussion on "when to submit")
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
Revise a Conditional Major Operating Permit
What Must I Submit to Request a Revision to a Conditional Major Operating Permit?
If a facility is planning to make modifications to any emissions unit(s), the facility may be required to notify and/or request approval from BAQ. Some modifications may require construction permits. Request a permit revision to incorporate a construction permit or other pre-approved changes. Submit Application Form D-2574 Operating Permit Request.
When Should I Submit a Revision Request?
Application must be postmarked within fifteen (15) days after the actual date of initial startup of each new or altered source. Is a Public Notice Period Required? No, unless specifically required by permit action.
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.
Renew a Conditional Major Operating Permit
What Must I Submit to Request a Conditional Major Operating Permit Renewal?
If you hold a Conditional Major Operating Permit issued with an expiration date, you must request to have your permit renewed. Facilities can continue to operate after the expiration date if a timely and complete renewal application has been submitted.
Submit application form D-2955, State Operating and Conditional Major Permit Renewal Application form, or submit a written request to the Department to include all items listed in S.C. Regulation 61-62.1, Section II (H).
When Must I Submit A Renewal Request?
Submit operating permit request within 90 days prior to expiration date of the current permit.
Is a Public Notice Period Required?
Public notice is not required unless a change is being made to a federally enforceable limit or one is being established.
What Fees are Required?
Application Fees: None Annual Emission
Annual Emissions Fees: Visit our Emissions Inventory section to see Emissions Fee Chart.