On May 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued guidance clarifying its review procedures for Clean Air Act Title V operating permits. The guidance is intended to reduce permitting delays by allowing state, local, and Tribal permitting authorities to conduct public comment periods concurrently with EPA’s review, rather than sequentially. The guidance also affirms that EPA is not required to use the full 45-day review window and encourages its regional offices to expedite reviews upon request. This follows a separate Title V guidance EPA issued in April addressing the permit renewal process specifically.
Title V of the Clean Air Act requires major industrial sources to consolidate all applicable air pollution requirements into a single, federally enforceable permit, renewed every five years. The new guidance does not alter existing law or regulations but clarifies administrative procedures. Find the press release HERE.
For more information, contact Staci Heaton, RCRC Senior Policy Advocate.