Business Assistance Program

SWCAA provides free, non-regulatory assistance to businesses seeking to comply with clean air requirements. The program helps companies understand air regulations and complete permit applications, works to keep companies informed through local building departments, participates in business fairs and arranges helpful workshops. Other information offered includes:


Facts

Consultants and Contractors

Boiler/Combustion Units Test-Tune Guidance

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permitting
  • All PSD permits issued in the State of Washington are issued by the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE). The PSD program is currently a delegated program. A link to the delegation agreement is found below. This means that the EPA PSD program as codified at 40 CFR 52.21 is the basis for the program and as a delegated program all guidance and interpretations are performed via the EPA documentation and protocols. Only the pollutants emitted in significant quantities are permitted under the PSD program. Pollutants that are emitted at less than significant quantities are permitted by SWCAA under its Air Discharge Permit program contained in SWCAA 400-110.

    The DOE PSD Program is committed to issuing permits that are consistent with the latest laws, regulations, and guidance. At the same time, DOE works with every willing applicant in an attempt to draft a permit that allows the proposed project to remain feasible. Of course, the applicant makes the final judgment on the project's feasibility. Some applicants withdraw from the PSD process in the belief that their proposed project is not feasible within PSD requirements. However, as of the date of this web site posting, the DOE Air Quality Program has never denied a PSD permit. Most PSD permitting activities involve PSD and non-PSD pollutants. Projects should be coordinated with both DOE and SWCAA to ensure timely permit development for all pollutants.

    PSD permit development is based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) regulatory code, 40 CFR 52.21. The New Source Review Workshop Manual, 1990 (United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina) is generally accepted as the basis for permit application development. You can download a copy at https://www.epa.gov/sites/produciton/files/2015-07/documents/1990wman.pdf. In addition, there is a library of guidance intended to interpret the application of the regulatory code. It is beyond the scope of this link to re-publish it. The full compilation of EPA guidance is available from the EPA Region VII data base at https://www.epa.gov/nsr/new-source-review-policy-and-guidance-document-index.

    Click for PSD Delegation Agreement from EPA November 17, 2011

    Click for DOE PSD Web Page

MACT Guidance for:
  • Metal fabrication and finishing facilities - The Southwest Clean Air Agency is providing this information because your facility may be subject to a new EPA regulation, 40 CFR 63 Subpart XXXXXX National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Area Source Standards for Nine Metal Fabrication and Finishing Source Categories.
     
  • Surface coating and paint stripping facilities - The Southwest Clean Air Agency is providing this information because your facility may be subject to a new EPA regulation, Subpart HHHHHH National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources. New sources must be in compliance immediately, and existing sources (those in existence before September 17, 2007) must be in compliance by January 10, 2011.
     
  • Gasoline dispensing facilities - The Southwest Clean Air Agency is providing this information because your facility may be subject to a new EPA regulation, Subpart CCCCCC National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): Gasoline Dispensing Facilities at Area Sources. New sources must be in compliance immediately, and existing sources (those in existence before January 10, 2008) must be in compliance by January 10, 2011.

Emission Inventory Guidance

Facilities that are subject to the Title V Air Operating Permit (AOP) program are required by SWCAA under SWCAA 400-105 to submit emissions inventory information on forms provided by SWCAA. The following files only apply to the emission inventory forms for those facilities.

Other Facilities should refer to the Technical Support Document (TSD) for their most recent Air Discharge Permit (ADP) to determine what information to submit to SWCAA. You can find your permit under e-Info and Facility Information Details Selectable, in the navigation menu above.


Engine Emissions

EPA Source Test Methods and Audit Samples
  • Air Discharge Permits (ADPs) issued by SWCAA may contain source test requirements for criteria and/or toxic air pollutants. Methods for performing these tests are specified in the permits. The following links are to EPA documents that help identify the most appropriate test methods for pollutants or processes. There are times when the test methods identified in the ADP are not optimal for a given operational condition at a facility. When this occurs the facility or the test contractor should request performance of a more appropriate test method as part of the test plan. In addition, testing that is performed to demonstrate compliance with a federal standard (NSPS, NESHAP, MACT, etc.) are required by the underlying federal standards to use audit samples for methods where audit samples are available. The Stationary Audit Sample Program is now operated under the direction of the NELAC Institute. EPA reference test methods can be found in 40 CFR 60 Appendix A.

SWCAA Source Test Report Format Guidance
  • Preferred Content/Format of Stack Test Reports (PDF) - Test plans are required to be submitted to SWCAA prior to testing. Generally the plans must be submitted 2 weeks prior to testing but may be different based on individual facility permit conditions. Generally, source test reports are to be submitted to SWCAA not more than 45 days from the end of the testing. This is a permit condition and is enforceable. Tune up test reports are generally to be submitted to SWCAA no later than 10 working days after completion.
  • Guidance for selecting Tune-Up Calibration Gases (PDF) - Vendors that provide services to sources of combustion devices that are required to perform periodic combustion monitoring should consider maintaining calibration gases consistent with this guidance.

Toxic Air Pollution Guidance

EPS's Collision Repair Campaign - Auto Body Shops

Other Important Resources

As SWCAA has been successful in working with large emitters to reduce permitted pollution rates throughout southwest Washington, it has found a need to redesign its business outreach and assistance efforts to increase efficiency and cohesiveness with other agency programs. The businesses assistance web pages have been integrated into a coherent SWCAA website. In addition, outreach also includes a regular agency newsletter. Of course, free information and assistance remains available; simply call us at 360-574-3058 or e-mail us. As always, your suggestions for what you'd like to see in a continuously improving business assistance program are welcome.


EPA Information

Small Business Gateway
The EPA's Small Business Gateway offers a centralized location from which to access a wide range of environmental information and technical assistance resources. The Frequently Answered Questions page covers such questions as obtaining permits, registering pesticides, and what do in the event of an environmental emergency. This site also provides links to contacts for compliance and technical assistance, to the laws and regulations affecting your business, and to environmental programs that can help you save money and improve profits

The Small Business Ombudsman Program
The Office of the Small Business Ombudsman serves as an effective conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitates communications between the small business community and the Agency. The Office reviews and resolves disputes with EPA and works with EPA personnel to increase their understanding of small businesses in the development and enforcement of environmental regulations. The home page links to publications, frequently asked questions, and the small business environmental home page.


Government Information

Energy Saving Tips for Small Busineses
This informative site, offered by the U.S. Department of Energy, walks small businesses through the energy efficient steps they can take to save money. In addition to quick tips, they have provided detailed information about how to implement your own long-term energy conservation efforts, where to turn for expert assistance, numerous creative financing options, and a list of further references and sources. They also ask for stories of energy savings, so as to share them with other small businesses.

California Air Resources Board Business Assistance Program
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has developed a business assistance program to help all businesses understand air pollution requirements. The site offers business assistance materials as well as information on pollution prevention, information on their air pollution training courses, and compliance materials. Not only does this site aid California businesses, but it also provides a thorough listing of many other state Small Business Assistance Programs available on the Internet.


Business/Corporate/Non-Profit Information

Small Business Environmental Home Page
This site is sponsored by the US EPA and maintained by Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), a nonprofit organization committed to assisting industry and government improve the quality of their products and services. They designed this site to act as a clearinghouse for information on achieving environmental regulatory compliance and for obtaining funding assistance for eligible businesses. They also offer a comprehensive inventory of online publications and fact sheets and a catalog of guidance and demonstration videos for an array of industries