navigation bar
njdep
Air Quality Permitting Program (AQPP)
dep online njdep home contact aqpp radius faq radius aqpp home
njdep home about dep index by topic programs and units dep online
General Information
Air Applications & Forms
Air Regulations
AP-42 Emission Factors
Air Quality Forecast for Emergency Generators
Air Quality Permitting E-mail Updates
Contact AQPP
Contact Information
General Permits

MACT
On-line Permits, Renewals & ERR's
NJDEP Online How-To's
Public Notices
Risk Screening Tools
State of the Art (SOTA)
Technical Manuals
RADIUS Information
RADIUS
RADIUS Coach
RADIUS FAQ
RADIUS NEWS
RADIUS Reference Tables
Division of Air Quality's Program Overviews

AIR QUALITY PERMITTING ELEMENT

Bureau of Preconstruction Permits

The Bureau of Preconstruction permits (BPP) reviews preconstruction applications for new and modified sources of air pollution at over 17,000 non‑major facilities. Approximately 2000 air permit applications are received annually. Some examples of preconstruction air permit applications include, but are not limited to: asphalt pavement production, pharmaceutical manufacturing, surface coating operations, wastewater treatment, site remediation equipment, boat manufacturing and quarry operations. In addition to source specific preconstruction air permit applications, the bureau has developed general permits that offer a registration type of approval via the internet for about 20 categories of emission sources such as boilers, emergency generators, storage tanks, dry cleaners and gasoline dispensing facilities.  BPP assesses administrative service fees, which are used to fund minor facility regulation.

 

Bureau of Operating Permits

The Bureau of Operating Permits (BOP) implements the federally mandated operating permit program for major facilities.  Over 300 of the largest emitting facilities in NJ are required to have operating permits, which cover every stack, as well as fugitive emissions, at the facility.  Over 25,000 significant source operations are included in these permits.  These facility wide permits contain all the relevant information for the existing significant source operations at the facility.  A compliance plan is developed for each source (or source category) and includes all the applicable requirements, and related monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the facility.  Facilities must annually certify compliance with the applicable requirements.  The Bureau processes modification applications, along with five-year renewals of these permits. This bureau works closely with the enforcement program, which uses these permits to audit compliance.  BOP assesses major facility emission fees, which are used to fund major facility regulation.

 

Bureau of Technical Services

The Bureau of Technical Services (BTS) has two operational units.  The Emission Measurement Section (EMS), located in a field office, oversees the testing of stationary source emissions in NJ.  Testing is done in two principle ways.  Periodic testing involves consultant firms taking discrete samples (once per quarter to once per lifetime) to determine the amount of air contaminants being emitted.  Continuous emission monitoring is conducted by having the analytical and recording equipment on the stacks, continuously obtaining emissions concentration information.  This group evaluates test protocols, observes testing, and reviews test reports to ensure the data submitted to the Department is valid.  They work closely with the permitting bureaus by providing technical analytical advice and also with the enforcement program by interpreting the data from testing.  Test data is also used for planning and rulemaking.

The other section, Air Quality Evaluation (AQE), uses computer models, stack emission limits, air monitoring data, and meteorological data to predict ground level concentrations of air contaminants from sources (mostly new and some existing sources).  The group also evaluates air quality modeling submitted by consultants as part of major permit applications for new and modified sources.  These assessments are used to insure the public is protected from increased long term cancer risk and acute health risks from air toxics.  The predicted ambient concentrations for federal criteria air containments are compared to National Ambient Air Quality Standards to insure no violations would occur.  They work closely with the two permit bureaus on determining the acceptability of proposed new and modified sources, as well as enforcement and other DEP programs on determining the air quality effects of sources in NJ.  Additionally, they coordinate the DAQ’s air toxics regulatory activities and maintain the inventory of air toxics emissions.

 

AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT ELEMENT

Bureau of Air Monitoring

The Bureau of Air Monitoring (BAM) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the State’s ambient air monitoring network for federal criteria air containments and some air toxics.  The primary use of the data from the network is to determine the levels of air pollution to which the public is being exposed, and to notify the public when unhealthy conditions exist.  Data is provided to news outlets and is also available at www.nj.gov/dep/airmon/index.html.  Data are also used to assess the need for, and the effectiveness of, air pollution control strategies. Air quality data is the basis for determining which areas of the state are in compliance with national and state ambient air quality standards and for determining overall trends in air pollution levels.

 

Bureau of Air Quality Planning

The Bureau of Air Quality Planning (BAQP) is responsible for developing air quality management plans to reduce air pollution in New Jersey to acceptable levels and to maintain air pollution levels below those levels.  The federal Clean Air Act requires the states in which the ambient air quality does not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs).  The entire State is designed nonattainment for ozone and thirteen (13) counties for the annual Fine Particulate NAAQS.  Also, this group develops the plan for improving visibility at the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge.  Emission Statements from about 600 facilities are collected and reviewed by the Bureau.  This data is used for planning and for the emission fee for the major facilities in the Operating Permit program.  BAQP also reviews plans for federally funded projects, including roads and other major projects, to ensure conformity with New Jersey’s air quality plans.

 

Bureau of Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance

The Bureau of Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (BMVIM) and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) administers and oversee the operation of the State’s motor vehicle  inspection and maintenance program. Broad areas of oversight within BMVIM include the Enhanced Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program for gasoline fueled motor vehicles and the Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP). The Bureau also conducts field audits of emission inspection equipment that is used for conducting the emissions and Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) tests. 

 

 Adobe Acrobat Pdf Reader     Some files on this site require Adobe Acrobat Pdf Reader to view. Download the free reader here 
bottom footer contact dep privacy notice legal statement accessibility statement nj home nj home citizen business government services a to z departments dep home

air quality permitting program: aqpp home | radius | radius faq | contact aqpp
department: njdep home | about dep | index by topic | programs/units | dep online
statewide: njhome | citizen | business | government | services A to Z | departments | search

Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2004
Department of Environmental Protection
P. O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

Last Updated: September 22, 2008