Washington Air Pollution Control Regulations
Written October 17, 2019
Facilities are regulated based on where they operate. All facilities operating in the state must register with their respective air agency. The following provides information based on the Clean Air Agencies operating in the state.
Business operations that create or have the potential to create air pollution within King, Kitsap, Pierce or Snohomish counties are regulated by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
Air pollution sources must register annually with the agency. Also, facilities operating within these counties must file an annual Emissions Report if emissions are greater than or equal to 2.50 tons of any single hazardous air pollutant (HAP); greater than or equal to 6.25 tons of total hazardous air pollutants (HAP); or (C) greater than or equal to 25.0 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM2.5 or PM10), sulfur oxides (SOx), or volatile organic compounds (VOC).
The Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA) is responsible for regulating air pollution sources in Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. If you operate in these counties, then you should register with this Air Agency. If you have a facility that has emissions exhausting to the ambient air, then you need to be registered with the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA). If you are not registered, then you need to submit a Permit Application and SEPA checklist to SWCAA.
The Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) is responsible for enforcing federal, state and local outdoor air quality standards and regulations in Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties of southwest Washington state. The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency, has regulatory and enforcement authority in and for Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties. All facilities operating in these counties should register with this air agency. Washington does have a Title V permit program in place.
The state refers to its program as a Part 70 permitting program. Sources with the potential to emit more than 100 tons of VOC per year, or 10 tons of one hazardous air pollutant (HAP) or 25 tons of a combination of HAPs are required to apply for a Title V permit. The state's program does contain provisions for a synthetic minor designation. Synthetic minors are those facilities that agree to federally enforceable limits that restrict their potential to emit to less than the major source threshold.
Air pollution sources must register annually with the agency. Also, facilities operating within these counties must file an annual Emissions Report if emissions are greater than or equal to 2.50 tons of any single hazardous air pollutant (HAP); greater than or equal to 6.25 tons of total hazardous air pollutants (HAP); or (C) greater than or equal to 25.0 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM2.5 or PM10), sulfur oxides (SOx), or volatile organic compounds (VOC).
The Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA) is responsible for regulating air pollution sources in Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. If you operate in these counties, then you should register with this Air Agency. If you have a facility that has emissions exhausting to the ambient air, then you need to be registered with the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA). If you are not registered, then you need to submit a Permit Application and SEPA checklist to SWCAA.
The Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) is responsible for enforcing federal, state and local outdoor air quality standards and regulations in Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties of southwest Washington state. The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency, has regulatory and enforcement authority in and for Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties. All facilities operating in these counties should register with this air agency. Washington does have a Title V permit program in place.
The state refers to its program as a Part 70 permitting program. Sources with the potential to emit more than 100 tons of VOC per year, or 10 tons of one hazardous air pollutant (HAP) or 25 tons of a combination of HAPs are required to apply for a Title V permit. The state's program does contain provisions for a synthetic minor designation. Synthetic minors are those facilities that agree to federally enforceable limits that restrict their potential to emit to less than the major source threshold.