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. |
