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Air Permitting

eTech Environmental & Safety Solutions, Inc assists both large and small businesses with air permitting by delivering innovative, cost-effective solutions that are as efficient as possible.


Our air permitting services include the following:


  • Applicability Analysis
  • Emissions Quantification
  • Permit Application Development
  • Control Technology Evaluations

Permit by Rule (PBR)

  • PBR is authorized for facilities that will not release a significant amount of air contaminants into the atmosphere if used or built with certain restrictions.
  • PBR is used for activities that produce emissions at a level between de minimis and that which is required by other NSR permitting options. PBRs can be used to allow emissions for changes to a facility as well as for an entire facility in certain instances.
  • PBR authorization includes emissions quantification, control technology evaluations, air quality analyses (including dispersion modeling), emission standards applicability, and compliance assurance.

Standard Permit

  • A standard permit uses a streamlined permitting process to authorize specific, well-defined classes of facilities.
  • A standard permit may be used to authorize oil and gas handling and production facilities, pollution control projects, anhydrous ammonia storage and distribution facilities, boilers, electric generating units, municipal solid waste landfills, permanent hot-mix asphalt plants, concrete batch plants, and other similar facilities.
Desert scene with a saguaro cactus silhouetted against a setting sun, small hills in the background.

New Source Review (NSR) Permit

  • An NSR permit is required when emissions exceed the limits authorized under a Permit by Rule (PBR) or when a standard permit is not applicable. New or modified emission sources typically require an NSR permit.
  • An NSR permit helps ensure that:
  • New and modified industrial sources are designed and operated to minimize emissions.
  • Pollution control technologies advance alongside industrial growth and development.
  • When construction or modification at an existing facility introduces a new source of air emissions, three NSR permitting requirements may apply and should be evaluated:
  1. Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permits: These are required for new major sources and existing major sources undergoing a major modification in areas that meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
  2. Nonattainment NSR (NNSR) Permits: These are required for new major sources and existing major sources undergoing a major modification in areas where the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are not met.
  3. Minor Source Permits: These are required for emissions from stationary sources that are not subject to Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) or Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) permitting requirements.

Title V Operating Permit

  • This is a federally enforceable permit with a 10-year term that consolidates all applicable air permitting requirements into a single permit.
  • This federally enforceable permit is designed to improve compliance by consolidating and clearly identifying all applicable air pollution control requirements.
  • It is required for:
  • any stationary source with actual or potential emissions at or above the applicable major source threshold for a regulated air pollutant.
  • any source that requires a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) or Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) permit.
  • any source affected by the Acid Rain Program requirements.
  • any solid waste incineration unit regulated under Section 129 of the Clean Air Act.
  • certain non-major sources that are subject to applicable NSPS, NESHAP, MACT, or GACT requirements.