The South Coast
Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) initially adopted its New Source
Review (NSR) program in October, 1976. The current NSR
regulation is codified by SCAQMD Regulation XIII - New Source Review. NSR
is a preconstruction review required under both federal and state statutes
for new and modified sources located in areas that do not meet the Clean Air
Act standards for healthy air ("non-attainment" areas). NSR applies to both
individual permits and entire facilities. Any permit that has a net
increase in emissions is required to apply Best Available Control Technology
(equivalent to federal Lowest Achievable Emission Rate). Facilities with a
net increase in emissions are required to offset the emission increase by
use of Emission Reduction Credits (ERCs). The regulation provides for the
application, eligibility, registration, use and transfer of ERCs. For
low emitting facilities, the SCAQMD maintains an internal bank that can be
used to provide the required offsets. In addition, certain facilities are
subject to provisions that require public notice and modeling analysis to
determine the downwind impact prior to permit issuance.
The following
links are related to the current status of the NSR program, as well as
working groups and relevant announcements:
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