Get a Handle on Your Air Permitting Needs Before Your Construction Timeline Floats Away

When going through a pre-construction checklist, there can be a lot of uncertainty about the air permitting process. These three things are for certain:

• It’s the company’s responsibility to know if an air permit is required.
• Air permits must be in place before starting construction.
• Starting the permitting process early is the best way to avoid potential project delays.

Getting ahead of the air permit approval process and having a clear understanding of the timeline can help avoid delaying the start of construction. In the last three years, we’ve consulted on more than 1,400 projects with air permits. We can identify the most effective path to permitting approval, and partner with you on future air permitting updates as needed.

There’s No Such Thing as Too Early

Air permitting might not be the first pre-construction requirement to check off, but it should be near the top of the list. Why? Receiving an air permit can be one of the longest processes in your construction timeline. Early in the planning process, it is crucial to evaluate whether an air permit is required. If it is, the timing for applying for an air permit depends on whether the facility will be a major or minor source of air emissions.

Facilities that are minor sources of air emissions should begin the air permitting process six to eight months before construction. Major sources of air emissions can expect a longer timeline, possibly up to a year or more. Lead time can be influenced by several factors, including manufacturing process information, facility location, and the length of backlog due to the number of applications that have been submitted to the approving agency.

Terracon’s network of air permitting professionals across the country can partner with clients to calculate potential and expected air emissions and identify applicable regulations even before a site is selected and a design has been finalized.

Setting Up for Long-Term Air Permitting Compliance

Manufacturing processes can evolve over the life of a facility, and so do air permit compliance requirements. Ongoing compliance requirements, such as calculating monthly emissions, coordinating stack testing, and submitting various air permit compliance reports, can be managed more smoothly with the help of a trusted partner. Additionally, any change to the process, equipment, raw materials, or operational parameters – even seemingly minor changes – could require an update to the air permit. The successful completion and continued operation of a production facility requires several teams working in harmony to meet revolving deadlines, foresee issues, and maintain compliance. Let’s partner to create a plan that ensures you meet your air permitting goals.