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Regulatory Handbook -> Air Quality Permits -> General Order of Approval for Dairy Manure Anaerobic Digesters

General Order of Approval for Dairy Manure Anaerobic Digesters

What is the Purpose of this General Order?
To regulate dairy manure anaerobic digesters that operate in counties or industrial facilities regulated by Department of Ecology (Ecology). Department of Ecology Air Quality program issues the approval in areas in which Ecology has jurisdiction. These areas are: Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Grant, Adams, Whitman, Garfield, Columbia, Franklin, Walla Walla, Asotin and San Juan Counties. Ecology also has jurisdiction for the following facilities: chemical pulp and paper mills, aluminum smelters and the Hanford Reservation site.

A General Order is a tool air permitting agencies use to allow for the construction and operation of "Select" new and modified sources of air pollution. These select sources are sources that Ecology routinely permits. It is different from the Notice of Construction process because all of the work is done up front. Because the majority of the work has been done up front, the time necessary to gain approval from Ecology is greatly reduced.
Who Issues this General Order?
Department of Ecology
What Activities Require this General Order?
Your facility must meet the approval conditions as stated in the General Order Permit. A dairy manure anaerobic digester that meets the approval conditions as determined by Ecology may apply for coverage under this General Order.
How Much Will this General Order Cost?
The application fee is $500.
Where Can I Get the Application for this General Order?
The application which is called 'General Order Application: Dairy Anaerobic Digesters' is online and can be accessed at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/ECY070453.html.
Do I Need to Include Anything with my Application?
You must submit documentation of State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) compliance. If a SEPA determination has not been issued a SEPA checklist must be submitted to Ecology with an additional $285. The application includes additional information you will need to provide.
Is the Decision on my General Order Dependent on Anything Besides the Information in my Application?
No. However, depending upon the size or location of the facility, coverage may not be granted.
How Long Will it Take to Review my Application?
For those units that qualify for coverage, the applicant will receive a Coverage Order within 30 days after the complete application has been received.

For those units that do not qualify for coverage, the applicant will receive a letter from Ecology within 30 days after the application was received. The letter will state why the unit does not qualify for coverage under this General Order of Approval.
Where do I Submit my Application?
Department of Ecology Air Quality program issues the approval in areas in which Ecology has jurisdiction. These areas are: Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas and Klickitat, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Grant, Adams, Whitman, Garfield, Columbia, Franklin, Walla Walla, Asotin and San Juan Counties.

Ecology also has jurisdiction for the following facilities: chemical pulp and paper mills, aluminum smelters and the Hanford Reservation site.

Mail the complete application package to:

    Department of Ecology
    Cashiering Unit
    P.O. Box 47611
    Olympia, WA 98504-7611
How Long is my General Order Valid?
The General Order is valid until the source modifies its practices.
What is the Appeal Process for the General Order?
All permit decisions by the Department of Ecology are appealable to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
Notes / Comments:
Subject Matter Expert Phone: Sources of Information about Air Pollution in Washington State

Subject Matter Expert Email: Richard Hibbard
Legal Authority:
Links:
Permit Timeliness Results

This data was prepared in context for this report: www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2016-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

House Bill 2192 promotes economic development though enhancing transparency and predictability of the state agency permitting and review process. House Bill 2192 was incorporated into RCW 43.42A State Agency Business Permit Management Systems. RCW 43.42A states that by June 30, 2014, certain agencies shall prepare and submit an inventory of all business permits identified by the state auditor's December 30, 2013, performance audit report to the Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). All permits submitted were entered into this Regulatory Handbook, including these updates to the performance data for 2015:

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: No Data - No permits processed during reporting cycle
Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: No Data - No permits processed during reporting cycle

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: No Data - No permits processed during reporting cycle
Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: No Data - No permits processed during reporting cycle

For more information about permit timeliness, please see this report.

Where can I get permitting assistance?
Web page URL:http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/AOP_Permits/Boiler/GeneralOrders.htm
Subject matter expert phone: Review is conducted in the Department of Ecology Air Quality Program within the regional office that has authority. See notes/comments for contacts.
Subject matter expert email: See notes/comments for link to contacts.
Statewide Contact:
Department of Ecology
Headquarters
300 Desmond Drive
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Telephone: (360) 407-6000
Website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/
* Permit information last updated 8/17/2016
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