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Applying for a Portable Source Permit (PSP)
An owner/operator wishing to install and operate a portable/temporary source in Spokane County must first receive approval by Spokane Clean Air. The first step is to file an application for a Portable Source Permit (PSP) prior to installing and operating the source. Source-specific PSP application forms.
A portable source is portable or transportable (excluding non-road engines) and installed and operated at a specific site for a brief period, not to exceed 364 days (i.e. less than 12 consecutive months) and then is expected to be moved to another site and operated for another brief period. Portable sources may include but are not limited to portable rock crushers, portable asphalt plants, and portable concrete batch plants.
If the portable source is not expected to operate again in the foreseeable future, it is considered temporary. Temporary, portable sources include but are not limited to temporary boilers while permanent boilers are undergoing maintenance, nonstationary stump grinders, and fugitive dust emissions associated with the construction of a new building.
Things to know when applying for a PSP:
How long is the review and approval process and what is involved?
The PSP review and approval process typically takes 15-30 days after the receipt of the complete application, depending on complexity.
Public involvement rules require a 15-day public notice/comment period for all PSP applications received. These are posted SRCAA’s webpage. A 30-day public comment period may be required in some circumstances.
PSP applications are reviewed to ensure the source meets all applicable local, state and federal air pollution regulations
Once the application has been determined to be complete, we have 60 days to make a final determination.
After review, we’ll send a preliminary Permission to Operate letter detailing the Conditions of Approval and a deadline to contact the agency with any questions or comments.
After the deadline for input has passed, we will issue a final PSP/Conditions of Approval. Requested changes after the final permit has been issued may incur an additional fee.
When installation is complete, SRCAA must be notified that the equipment is ready and schedule an initial compliance inspection.
What information must be submitted?
If your project requires a PSP, you will need to submit a PSP application. Permit application forms are available for specific types of operations, otherwise use the general PSP form. PSP applications and guidance materials.
In addition to the information in the application, the following information is required for your application to be considered complete:
Detailed schematics of the equipment and layout, including but not limited to:
- source dimension(s), including stack height(s) and diameter (if applicable)
- building(s) dimensions, including height(s) that are within 200 feet of your source property lines
Emissions information, including but not limited to:
- manufacturer emissions rates
- emissions guarantees
- representative source tests (including operational data)
- information on any proposed control equipment/control strategies for your source
- the base fee for the project
- a SEPA Checklist, if applicable (see next section to determine if applicable)
SRCAA may require additional information to demonstrate that the proposed source will meet regulatory requirements.
How much will the PSP review/approval cost?
The PSP fee has two parts:
1) A base fee of $1,788 that must be submitted with the PSP application. The base fee covers 16 hours of review time. If any additional hours are needed, the applicant will be notified and the additional hours are billed at $108 per hour.
2) Additional fees, if applicable, are invoiced when the review is complete. Additional fees may include any hours exceeding the 16 hours of review time included in the base fee. If applicable, a SEPA review fee of $500 will be invoiced.
Ways to keep costs down on for the PSP review
- Submit a complete PSP application with all of the requested information, including manufacturer information and SDS sheets, if required.
- Submit a site plan that shows the location of the proposed equipment in relation to the building(s) on the property and the distance from the stack(s) to the nearest property line.
- Finalize the project and/or equipment design prior to submitting the PSP application to minimize changes during the permit review process.
- Check with other government agencies (e.g., fire dept) prior to submitting the PSP application to ensure all other requirements have been met.
- Ensure requirements of SEPA have already been met for the project location or submit an Environmental Checklist to SRCAA as part of the PSP application.
- As a general rule, PSP applications submitted for used equipment and/or equipment that has already been installed takes significantly more time to review and process than applications submitted for new equipment that has not yet been installed.
We offer free business assistance services and staff are available to review a project or draft PSP application prior to submission. Schedule a call or meeting to review your project prior to submission by contacting Engineer John Conklin, 509-477-4727, x 107 or JConklin@spokanecleanair.org
What is a SEPA checklist and will I need to submit one?
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requires that an environmental determination be made any time certain types of permits are issued. This includes PSPs issued by SRCAA.
If no other permitting authority for your project has required that a SEPA checklist be submitted as part of an application, SRCAA will require the submittal of a checklist as part of your PSP application.
Please remember to fill out the whole checklist. Many times, “not applicable” is an appropriate answer. The applicant should review all documents for previous projects at the site as SRCAA may be able to issue an addendum to an existing SEPA determination. If no previous determination can be found for your site and no other permitting agency issues a determination for your project SRCAA will review the submitted checklist.
If SRCAA determines there are no discernable impacts from your project, SRCAA will issue a Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) for your project. If SRCAA issues a DNS, a SEPA fee ($500) will be invoiced when your PSP is issued.
It should be noted that as part of issuance of a DNS, a 14-day public notice in the legal section of a local paper may be required and is paid by the applicant. Your SRCAA permitting engineer will notify you if this is a necessary step for your project.