III.I.2. Air Pollution Control

Local governments are responsible for ensuring compliance with air program requirements. Air pollution control activities are conducted by a local government to reduce the environmental impacts from other entities. Air pollution control responsibilities for local governments typically include:

· Monitoring, including operating and overseeing maintenance of sampling stations

· Permitting, including issuing draft Title V permits, construction permits, and source registrations

· Conducting compliance and enforcement activities.

Local governments' responsibilities pertain primarily to stationary sources; states maintain control over mobile sources (e.g., conduct vehicle inspections).

Local agencies conduct ambient air quality monitoring, which consists of collecting air samples to evaluate compliance with, and/or progress toward, meeting ambient air quality standards. Air quality monitoring programs are implemented by using state and local air monitoring stations (SLAMS) and/or special purpose monitoring stations (SPMS) to measure the criteria pollutants. Criteria pollutants are those that have documented effects on public health and the environment. These pollutants include carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), particulate matter (PM₁₀), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Some states also monitor fine particulate matter (PM_2.5).

Local governments also are responsible for issuing permits and overseeing facility compliance with the permits. Title V and construction permits are the primary permits for which local governments are responsible. For example, a Title V permit is an operating permit required for individual facilities under Title V of the Clean Air Act. The Title V permit brings together all federal, state, and city air pollution control requirements for a given facility into one permit. This permit includes information on the types of pollutants being released, permissible emission levels, and methods for reducing or eliminating pollution, including plans for monitoring and reporting emissions. Construction permits indicate that construction-related equipment and facilities meet all applicable air quality standards or requirements. Permits for new or modified facilities must be obtained before construction starts. With both construction and Title V permits, local governments may also have the authority to assess

[Home] | [Search by Keyword] | [Search by Topic Area] | [LGEAN City]