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.
Who Needs a Permit?
Individual permits will be required for each of the following:
Permit Fees
All permit fees are based on District Rule 301.
When applying for a permit through Online Services, the appropriate Permit Fee schedule will be automatically determined based upon the selection of the General Equipment Description. If you wish to see what the fees are for new equipment prior to applying, please use the following schedules in the Permit Fee Schedule to determine the initial application fee:
Compressors or other Internal Combustion Engines – Please use Schedule 7 to determine the initial application fee. The application fee is based upon the rated horsepower of the engine.
Glycol Dehydration Units – Please use Schedule 5 to determine the initial application fee. The application fee is based upon the capacity of the unit in gallons.
Flare or Thermal Oxidizer – Please use Schedule 2 to determine the initial application fee. The application fee is based upon the maximum rated heat input expressed in BTUs per hour.
Boilers / Heaters – Please use Schedule 2 in the Permit Fee Schedule to determine the initial application fee. The application fee is based upon the maximum rated heat input expressed in BTUs per hour.
For questions regarding the application fee, please email permitting@airquality.org or call 279-207-1122.
How to Apply for a Permit
All permit applications must be completed and submitted electronically through the Online Services customer portal.
When applying for a permit through Online Services, the equipment must be categorized by both a General and Specific description. The following General Equipment Descriptions may be applicable when applying for equipment associated with Oil and Gas Operations:
APC - Carbon Adsorption
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APC - Oxidizer
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APC - Scrubber
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Boiler
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Heater
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Flare
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IC Engine Compression - Prime
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IC Engine Compression - Standby
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IC Engine Spark - Prime
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IC Engine Spark - Standby
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Miscellaneous
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Organic Liquid - Handling
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Organic Liquid - Storage
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Permit applications must be completed and submitted electronically through the Online Services portal. All applications must be submitted with the appropriate fee in order to be processed. Application fees may be paid directly through the Online Services portal. Pay the application fee when you submit your application for fastest processing time. Applications submitted without payment will be cancelled if payment is not received within two weeks of submitting the application.
To contact Permitting staff please call 279-207-1122 or email permitting@airquality.org.
