Revised Permitting Deadline
Sac Metro Air District recently released an advisory stating permit applications for existing oil and gas equipment are due by July 1, 2018. This permitting deadline is being delayed pending further assessment of processes and operations found within Sacramento County. Please contact Ali Othman at 279-207-1142 or Brian Krebs at 279-207-1135 with any questions.
The Sac Metro Air District requires permits for combustion equipment associated with the oil and gas industry. Significant amounts of regulated pollutants can be emitted directly from combustion-type equipment such as compressors, dehydrators and flares. Non-combustion equipment such as pneumatic controllers and storage vessels, as well as fugitive emissions (leaks) from components at well sites and compressor stations can also be a significant source of VOC emissions in the Sacramento region and are subject to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Facilities (https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/oil-gas/oil-gas_final_regulation.pdf ).
In addition to local permit requirements, these sources may also be subject to federal New Source Performance Standards (40 CFR part 60, subpart KKK, 40 CFR part 60, subpart LLL, and 40 CFR part 60 subpart OOOO), and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (40 CFR, Part 63, Subpart HHH).
All unpermitted compressors/engines, glycol dehydration units, and flare/oxidizers are required to submit complete permit applications for existing and new equipment and processes.
What Equipment Needs a Permit?
Individual permits will be required for each of the following:
- Compressors Other Internal Combustion Engines rated greater than 50 HP
- Glycol Dehydration Units
- Flare or Thermal Oxidizer
- Boilers/Heaters greater than or equal to 1 million BTU/hr
New and modified equipment is subject to District New
Source Review (NSR) and CEQA. Operators of new and modified
equipment must receive an Authority to Construct prior to commencing
construction.
Submittal of Permit Applications
For new and modified equipment, Sac Metro Air District Rule 201 requires any business or person to obtain an Authority to Construct and Permit to Operate before installing or operating new or modified equipment. Following this requirement will enable business owners to make any required design changes early in the planning stage and stay in compliance. Failure to do so may result in civil or criminal penalties, as well as lost time and money in design and/or the purchase of equipment that can't be permitted. We highly recommend you contact the Sac Metro Air District before purchasing or installing any new equipment. Permit applications and permit fees should be submitted together for new or modified equipment.
Permit Fees
Initial Permit Fees are based on the Initial Permit Fee column of the applicable fee schedule under Rule 301:
- Compressors or Other Internal combustion engines – Initial Permit Fee based on HP of the unit (Rule 301, Section 308.8)
- Glycol Dehydration Units – Initial Permit Fee based on gallon capacity of the unit (Rule 301, Section 308.6)
- Flare or Thermal Oxidizer – Initial Permit Fee based on the heat input rating in million BTU's per hour (Rule 301, Section 308.3)
- Boilers/Heaters Units – Permit Renewal Fee based on heat input rating in million BTU/hr (Rule 301, Section 308.3)
Permit renewal fees are based on the fee schedule for specific equipment under Rule 301:
Permit Application Completeness Determination
A complete permit application constitutes the submittal of all applicable permit application forms as described above and submittal of the appropriate application fee.
For assistance, please contact:
Ali Othman
aothman@airquality.org
279-207-1142
Brian Krebs
bkrebs@airquality.org
279-207-1135
