FOCUS: Source Registration

The purpose of the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) is to preserve, enhance, and protect the quality of our region's air resource, for the benefit of current and future generations. SWCAA carries out this purpose through the administration of regulations designed to control air pollution. The legal basis for these regulations can be found in the Washington Clean Air Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, and the Washington Environmental Policy Act. SWCAA may implement its own local regulations which are more stringent than the state or federal regulations if circumstances necessitate such action. There are also agreements with other governmental agencies, such as the Department of Ecology and the Department of Natural Resources regarding funding, program commitments, and outdoor burning control.

What is an air contaminant?

The term "air contaminant" refers to dust, fumes, mist, smoke, other particulate matter, vapor, gas, odorous substance, or any combination thereof as defined in SWCAA 400-030(3). The term includes any substance regulated as an air pollutant under WAC 173-460, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, Section 112 of the Federal Clean Air Act Amendments, a substance for which a primary or secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has been established, and volatile organic compounds. The term "air pollutant" is used interchangeably with the term "air contaminant".

Why does SWCAA regulate air contaminant emissions?

SWCAA regulates air contaminant emissions in order to keep our air clean and healthy. Prolonged exposure to certain air contaminants has been shown to adversely impact human health. In addition, high levels of air contaminants can cause crop damage and deterioration of natural resources. SWCAA's regulations, policies, and programs are designed to maintain air quality standards, protect human health, prevent injury to plant and animal life, and protect the area's panoramic views for future generations.

What authority does SWCAA have to regulate air contaminant emissions?

SWCAA's legal authority can be found in the Washington Clean Air Act (RCW 70.94). SWCAA's regulatory authority has been directly delegated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [U.S. Clean Air Act (42 USC 7401 et seq.)] and the Washington State Department of Ecology. SWCAA has adopted regulations for the control of air contaminant emissions, including toxic air contaminants, substances for which primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) have been established, and volatile organic compounds.

How are air contaminant sources regulated?

Air contaminant sources are regulated through a system of registration with SWCAA. All sources of air contaminants are required to register with SWCAA in accordance with the provisions of the Washington Clean Air Act (RCW 70.94.151) and SWCAA 400-100 "Registration Requirements and Operating Permit Fees". Registration of air contaminant sources makes it possible to maintain an accurate record of air contaminant emissions, and judge the effectiveness of air pollution control strategies. New source review of air contaminant sources, and modifications, also allows SWCAA to verify that air contaminant sources are in compliance with applicable air pollution control regulations.

What kinds of air contaminant sources are required to register?

Any stationary source of air contaminants with potential emissions greater than I ton per year (less if a toxic air pollutant), but less than 100 tons per year, is required to be in SWCAA's registration program. Source's emitting greater than 100 tons per year are required to be in a separate program called the Title V (Air Operating Permit) program.

Is there a fee for source registration?

There is an annual fee charged for maintaining the registration of an contaminant source. In order to offset the cost of inspections of the source and administration, SWCAA charges an annual fee of $100.00 per emission unit. An emission unit is defined as any part of a stationary source which emits or has the potential to emit any pollutant subject to regulation under the Federal Clean Air Act or the Washington Clean Air Act. A single source may have one emission unit, or many, depending on the type of operation. Sources participating in the Title V program have a separate fee which applies to them, and are not assessed a registration fee.

What information must be reported under the registration program?

Pursuant to the Washington Clean Air Act (RCW 70.94.151), registered sources are required to provide to SWCAA the location, size and height of contaminant emission points, processes employed, the nature of contaminant emissions, and other information which is relevant to air pollution emitted by the source. Through the process of new source review, registered sources
are also required to submit process information and annual levels of emissions generally by March 15th of each year.

What is an Order of Authorization to Operate?

An Order of Authorization to Operate is a document which summarizes the air contaminant emitting equipment, authorized operating parameters from construction application approvals (Orders of Approval), and operating restrictions necessary for an air contaminant source to operate in compliance with applicable air pollution control regulations. This document is issued
to a source in the registration program subsequent to a compliance inspection which confirms that the source is "in compliance" with all applicable regulations. Follow-up enforcement may be taken by SWCAA if a source is found to be in violation of terms and conditions listed in the Order of Authorization to Operate or other regulatory orders.

10/14/97