A program identified by the Clean Air Act to prevent air quality and visibility degradation and to remedy existing visibility problems. Areas of the country are grouped into 3 classes which are allowed certain degrees of pollution depending on their uses. National Parks and Wilderness Areas meeting certain criteria are "Class I" or "clean area" in that they have the smallest allowable increment of degradation.
an EPA program in which state and/or federal permits are required to restrict emissions in areas that meet federal standards for criteria pollutants
A permitting program to prevent significant increases in air pollution to maintain the area's air quality that is already better than National Ambient Air Quality Standards (attainment areas).
Refers to regulations requiring preconstruction review of major new sources and major modifications of sources located in attainment or unclassified areas. The requirements are outlined in 40 CFR 52.21, 40 CFR 51.24 and part D of the Clean Air Act. The objective of the PSD program is to ensure that areas of the country that are relatively free from air pollution remain that way.
EPA program in which state and/or federal permits are required in order to restrict emissions from new or modified sources in places where air quality already meets or exceeds primary and secondary ambient air quality standards.
A program used in development of permits for new or modified industrial facilities in an area that is already in attainment. The intent is to prevent an attainment area from becoming a non-attainment area. The program, like NSR, can require BACT and, if an AAQS is projected to be exceeded, Emission Offsets.
An air pollution-permitting program intended to ensure that air quality does not diminish in attainment areas.
A federal permit program for facilities defined as major sources under the New Source Review program. The intent of the program is to prevent the air quality in an attainment area from getting worse.
Prevention of Significant Deterioration program, as established in 40 CFR 52
a program established by the Clean Air Act that limits the amount of additional air pollution that is allowed in Class I and Class II areas.
A regulatory program under the Clean Air Act (Public Law 84-159, as amended) to limit air quality degradation in areas currently achieving the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The PSD program establishes air quality classes in which differing amounts of additional air pollution is allowed above a legally defined baseline level. Almost any additional air pollution would be considered significant in PSD Class I areas (certain large national parks and wilderness areas in existence on August 7, 1977, and specific Tribal lands re-designated since then.) PSD class II areas allow that deterioration associated with moderate, well-controlled growth (most of the country). Although Class III areas would allow greater incremental impacts planned individual growth, no Class III areas have been established.
A clause of the Clean Air Act that prevents degradation of existing clean air; opposed by industry as an unnecessary barrier to development.
EPA program in which state and/or federal permits are required that are intended to restrict emissions for new or modified sources in places where air quality is already better than required to meet primary and secondary ambient air quality standards.
