See Also
Environmental
Assistance for Portable Rock Crushing Facilities
How
to Control Fugitive Dust
Air
Quality Guidance Documents and Reports
Air
Quality Forms, Checklists, and Worksheets
Contact DEQ
Regional
Office
Air Quality Managers
State
Office
Air Quality Division
Bill
Rogers
(208)
373-0437
Dan
Pitman
(208)
373-0500
Air Quality Permitting Hotline: 1-877-5PERMIT
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Air Quality: Permit by Rule for Rock Crushers
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| A permit by rule (PBR) enables
the owner or operator of a facility that meets specific requirements
to register with DEQ rather than obtain a permit to construct
(PTC). Only facilities in certain industries (currently, rock crushers and certain dairies) may use a PBR instead of a PTC. Once registered,
the facility is deemed to have a permit, thereby authorizing
construction without the need to obtain a PTC before beginning
operations.
The idea behind the PBR is to simplify the
permitting process, minimize paperwork, and save time and
money. The PBR registration fee is lower than the PTC application
fee. |
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| Rock Crushers PBR |
| Currently, DEQ offers PBRs for portable rock
crushers and certain dairies. Procedures and requirements for the portable rock crushers PBR are found
in Sections
795-799 of the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho
(pdf on Department of Administration Web
site). PBRs for other industries are being considered.
The PBR for portable rock crushers took effect March 15, 2002.
The rule applies to any combination of portable equipment used
to crush or grind nonmetallic minerals, provided operations
do not exceed 12 months at any single site. |
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| PBR Benefits |
| A PBR can save you time and money. If you
choose to meet the requirements of the PBR, you will have less
paperwork to fill out than if you have a PTC or Tier II operating
permit. You will pay lower fees, depending upon when you register,
and perhaps most importantly, you can get to work a lot quicker
since processing takes only 15 days instead of months. |
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| Eligibility |
| Your
operation is eligible for a PBR if:
- Your rock crushing equipment is portable,
and
- Your equipment operates no longer than
12 consecutive months in a single location or site of operations,
and
- You meet all the requirements of the rule.
If you do not qualify
for a PBR, you must apply for an air quality permit. |
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| Requirements |
Electrical
Generator |
| The
electrical generator used to provide electrical power to a
nonmetallic mineral processing plant
must meet the following requirements at each site of operations:
- Use ASTM fuel oil grade 1 and 2 only.
The sulfur content for grade 1 fuel oil cannot exceed 0.3%
by weight; the sulfur content for grade 2 fuel oil cannot
exceed 0.5% by weight.
- Not exceed the allowable hours of operation
based on rated output capacity. Hours of operation must
be limited in areas that do not meet air quality standards.
- Not generate visible
emissions from generator stacks that exceed 20% opacity
for a specified period of time.
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Fugitive
Dust Control |
| Fugitive
dust emissions must be reasonably controlled at each site
of operations, based upon best management practices outlined
in the Rules
for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (pdf on Department
of Administration Web site). Five areas where fugitive dust
must be controlled are:
- Paved public roadways
- Unpaved haul roads
- Transfer points, screening operations,
and stacks and vents
- Crushers and grinding mills
- Stockpiles
A
progressive control strategy must be used. If the initial
control strategy does not work, successive strategies
must be employed until the fugitive dust is adequately controlled.
For example, the operator may first be required to remove
mud, dirt or debris from a paved public roadway. If that action
fails to reduce the dust, the operator may have to flush or
vacuum the street, or even apply gravel to the surface of
an adjacent unpaved haul road.
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Monitoring
and Recordkeeping |
| Operators are required to maintain receipts
for fuel oil purchased and to monitor and maintain records of
generator output and operating hours. In addition, records must
be maintained when fugitive dust emissions control strategies
are required to be implemented. |
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| If You Already Have a PTC or Tier II
Operating Permit |
| If you already have a valid PTC or Tier II
operating permit and now find you qualify or want to operate
under a PBR, you may opt to terminate your current permit and
comply with the PBR. Simply submit a PBR registration form and
any required fee and notify DEQ in writing that you would like
to terminate your current permit. |
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| Fee |
| The
fee for the rock crusher PBR is $250, payable with registration.
Send payment to:
Air
Quality Permit Fees
Permit by Rule
Fiscal
Office
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
1410 N. Hilton
Boise, ID 83706
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| Term |
| Once registered, you will be able to operate
under the PBR indefinitely, as long as all provisions of the
PBR are met. If you modify your facility and/or add equipment,
you will need to re-register or apply for an air quality permit.
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| Application Procedures |
| Step
1:
|
Evaluate your eligibility.
Do your equipment and operations meet the requirements
established in the rule? |
| Step 2: |
Gather your information. If your operation
meets the eligibility requirements, gather information
on your rock crushing equipment (crusher, grinding mill,
screen deck, electrical generator, etc.) |
| Step 3:
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Register your facility. Complete the
form and submit it to DEQ. Keep a copy for your records.
Allow 15 days for processing before starting operation
or modification. Include the $250 fee with registration.
Link to PBR registration
and other forms. |
| Step
4: |
Go to work. DEQ will acknowledge your
registration in writing within 15 days, at which time
you may begin operating under the PBR. |
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| For More Information |
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Note:
This is a summary of PBR requirements and is not intended
to be all-inclusive. Detailed requirements are outlined
in DEQ's Rules
for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.795).
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