Development of Federal Air Operating Permit Programs in Oregon and Washington, 1993 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Title V of the Federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 requires each state to develop and administer an air operating permit program. States must submit to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a permit program that meets the requirements of the Act and EPA’s 40 CFR Part 70 rules no later than November 1993. The States of Oregon and Washington are among the first states to pass legislation and begin development of federal operating permit programs. Sources in other states can learn from the experiences of industry in the Pacific Northwest.

While the interests of mills are common, the approaches in the two states differ. Key factors are the type and number of industrial sources and their emissions, existing regulatory programs, and politics. Industry in Oregon contributes only 6% of statewide emissions, whereas Washington’s is 25%. Washington has a very diverse industrial base, while wood products facilities predominate in Oregon. Oregon has had an operating permit program for 20 years, while Washington has relied on regulatory orders. The state of Washington relies more on local air pollution control authorities than does Oregon. and this complicates program development and funding issues. A key political issue is whether the state program will exceed federal requirements.