Illinois EPA Registration of Smaller Sources Program Hits Program Landmark
3,000 Illinois Small Businesses Benefit from Permit Streamlining
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Illinois EPA announced the Agency has met its target of registering 3,000 small sources since the 2012 inception of the Registration of Smaller Sources (ROSS) program. The ROSS program is part of a major regulatory streamlining effort designed to reduce the burden and costs on Illinois small businesses.
The Registration of Smaller Sources program was created in response to legislation which streamlined the environmental permitting process in Illinois, making the process easier for small businesses to open and expand business in Illinois. Through the legislation, the Agency established the ROSS program, which allowed low-polluting small businesses to register with the Illinois EPA instead of completing the permitting process. The program was developed through a collaborative effort of members of the General Assembly, Illinois industry, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Small Business Environmental Assistance Program and the Illinois EPA.
"ROSS allows the Agency to dedicate resources to the largest sources of emissions in order to better serve businesses concurrent with economic growth and enhanced environmental protection," said Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett.
Among several benefits to small businesses is the need to simply register instead of being required to apply for and obtain a permit prior to constructing and operating. Under ROSS, small businesses no longer need to wait for the Illinois EPA to complete an application review and issue a permit before opening for business. ROSS sources are still required to maintain records for inspection by the Agency including descriptions of emission units, associated control devices, control efficiency or emission rates, documentation of actual emissions and calculations demonstrating eligibility for ROSS. The ROSS program applies to sources whose combined emissions account for less than one percent of the total air emissions in Illinois. Prior to the ROSS program, more than 3,000 Illinois small sources represented just 1 percent of the air emissions in Illinois. The larger sources, more than 2,750, represented the remaining 99 percent of emissions.
Illinois EPA projected an estimated 3,000 sources would be eligible to register through the ROSS program. Illinois EPA continues to maintain a robust database of these small emission sources. The Agency also continues to track and oversee these sources, who must still comply with all applicable air pollution control requirements. The Agency retains the ability to inspect and enforce against a source to ensure compliance with all applicable statues and regulations.
For more information or questions regarding the ROSS program contact the Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity at 800-252-3998 or visit the program website at: ILDCEO.net/enviro .
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Are You a City of Chicago Business Owner?
Frequently Asked Questions for Obtaining City of Chicago Air Pollution Control Permits
In addition to state and federal environmental requirements, local municipalities, such as the City of Chicago, may also regulate emissions from your small business. It is important to remember that these requirements are in addition to any permits required at the state or federal level. Municipalities may be more strict than the state or federal regulations but they cannot be less stringent. Receiving a permit from the City of Chicago does not take the place of necessary permits from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. EPA.
1. Who needs an Air Pollution Control (APC) Permit?
You need an APC permit if your facility has regulated equipment or a regulated area
as defined in the Chicago Municipal Code, Section 11-4-610. Regulated equipment or
area means "any combustion equipment, pollution control device, process equipment,
or process area." In general, this refers to equipment and areas that have a potential
to emit any air contaminant into the atmosphere. Neither the size of the facility nor the
amount of the air contaminant has any bearing on whether or not you need a permit.
2. When must I apply for an APC permit?
You are required to obtain an APC permit prior to installation and operation.
(See Section 11-4-620 of the Municipal Code.) However, if your equipment is
already installed, then you should apply for a permit as soon as you become aware
of the permit requirement. In most cases, you will not be penalized for failing to
apply sooner, unless you fail to respond to a 30-day warning notice, known as a
Defect Notice.
3. Does the APC Permit need to be renewed?
The APC permit is valid for the life of the equipment at its current location.
However, if you replace the equipment, relocate it to another facility, or modify it
such that the quantity or nature of air contaminants changes, you must obtain a
new APC permit. In addition, Certificates of Operation must be renewed
annually.
4. What is a Certificate of Operation?
A Certificate of Operation is an annual certificate for facilities that have equipment
or areas subject to an APC permit. A single certificate covers all the regulated
equipment/areas at the facility. See Sections 11-4-660 through 11-4-690 for more
information about Certificates of Operation.
5. How do I apply for an APC Permit or Certificate of Operation?
To begin the application process, go to the City of Chicago's Permit, License and
Registration Portal at https://ipi.cityofchicago.org/Profile/ . If you have never used
the online system, click "Create New Account." Once you are signed in, you will
see a list of all the regulated equipment and areas at your facility that are currently
registered with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Simply review
A Guide to Obtaining Air Pollution Control Permits the list and make any necessary changes to accurately reflect the equipment and areas at your facility.
6. When will I receive my APC permit or Certificate of Operation?
After you have made any necessary corrections or updates in the permitting
website, please proceed to checkout to securely pay the appropriate fee. If you
applied for a Certificate of Operation, you will be able to print a copy of the
Certificate as soon as you complete the checkout process. (Be sure to post the
Certificate in a conspicuous place at your facility as required under Section 11-4-
660.) If you applied for a new APC permit, you will receive an email from CDPH as
soon as your permit is ready to be printed.
7. What are the fees?
The one-time fee for an APC permit is $150.00 per piece of equipment or area.
The annual Certificate of Operation fee ranges from $50 to $1,250 per facility,
depending on your facility category. See Section 11-4-680 for a definition of the
four categories of facilities requiring an APC permit. Please note that it may be
possible to reduce permit fees by grouping similar equipment, if applicable. For
assistance with grouping, or to inquire about payment plans if needed, see
Question 8 below.
8. What if I need help with the application process?
CDPH staff are available to assist businesses throughout the permitting process. If
you have any questions or need assistance, please send an email to
[email protected]. You may also call CDPH's Chief Air Engineer at
(312) 745-7206.
For more information on the permitting process, please visit CDPH's website at
www.cityofchicago.org/health. Click on "Environmental Permits & Regulation," then
"View All Services," and then "Apply for an Air Pollution Control Permit." For more information regarding state or federal permitting requirements, contact the Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 800-252-3998.
Illinois Recycling Grants Program Applications Due December 8th
Traditional Recyclables: Paper Fiber of all Grades, Plastic, Metal, and Glass
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Bureau of Energy and Recycling is pleased to announce grant opportunities in recycling. The Department is seeking applications from qualified entities for traditional recycling (paper fiber, plastic, metal, and glass) projects. The purpose of the program is to divert recyclable commodities from Illinois landfills by increasing the quantity of materials recycled in Illinois and increasing the self-sufficiency of the recycling industry. Projects that demonstrate public economic benefits, such as job creation, will be given priority.
Grants are available to assist local governments, for-profit, and not-for-profit businesses or organizations and colleges and universities with their recycling efforts (K-12 schools are not eligible). Grant funds may be used to purchase project-related capital equipment such as collection, processing or handling equipment (bins, trucks, balers, etc.) and project-related expansion and modernization costs (electrical upgrades, concrete work, fencing, etc.). Project examples: Curbside recycling and/or drop-off recycling projects at municipalities, colleges, park districts, office buildings, sports facilities, etc.
Grant funds are made available from the Illinois Solid Waste Management Fund. The maximum grant amounts for the grant program are $150,000 for collection projects and $245,000 for primary processing projects.
Notes:
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Minimum ten percent of grant amount requested must be cash only match by applicant.
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Grant funds can only be requested for equipment and/or expansion/modernization expenditures.
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Cash match by applicant for project-related equipment and expansion/modernization only.
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Potential applicants should obtain project consultations by contacting the DCEO regional representative (see attached map).
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Estimated project budget includes only equipment and expansion/modernization costs, (e.g., no personnel costs; no direct costs including, but not limited to, rent, utilities, insurance; no promotional/advertising costs). Eligible project expenses must account for 100% of the total budget. Should your project be funded, you will be responsible for providing all proof of payment documentation for entire budget - this includes applicant's match and grant funds.
- Site improvements are limited to $50,000 or 50% of the total project cost--whichever is LESS.
- An applicant that has not complied with any requirement under a previous grant agreement with DCEO may be declared ineligible for future DCEO funding opportunities.
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Prior Incurred Costs- This program allows prior incurred costs for eligible project related expenses purchased on or after July 1, 2014. Prior incurred costs associated with such purchases may be eligible provided that the project meets all other eligibility requirements described in these guidelines and meets the minimum scoring threshold for funding available in this grant cycle. The Department reserves the right to evaluate the timing of prior incurred costs on an individual basis and deem those costs eligible or ineligible on the basis of that evaluation.
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Projects involving removing recyclables from garbage (such as at a waste transfer station or "dirty" material recovery facilities or "dumpster diving"), special waste, hazardous waste, and industrial process waste, as those terms are defined in the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, as well as landscape waste, food scraps, wood waste, textiles, electronic scrap, white goods (large appliances), used/waste tires, lead acid batteries, materials banned from Illinois municipal landfills, and construction and demolition debris, are not eligible for funding under this RF A.
Entities interested in submitting an application are encouraged to schedule an individual consultation with their regional DCEO representative listed in the RFA. The RFAs can be downloaded at www.illinoisrecycles.com
Illinois Sustainable Technology Center's PCB's and Their Impact on Illinois Workshop Videos Available Online
Videos are now available from the one-day workshop on "PCBs and Their Impact in Illinois" that was held at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus on Wednesday, Sept. 17. This workshop brought together expert perspectives representing industry, law, public health, and environmental science in a public forum on best practices and trends in the management of PCBs. ISTC organized this event as part of its outreach work focused on important environmental/societal/economic issues in the state. The videos cover four specific topics: background on PCBs and their impact on Illinois; managing PCBs with the use of landfills; other means of managing PCBs; and PCB clean-up and redevelopment success stories.
ISTC is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois, which provides research and service to build the Illinois economy, promote public health and safety, and steward Illinois' abundant resources.
Seminar Series Offers Blueprints for Sustainability Planning
On December 4th, The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center will host a webinar on "Sustainability Planning and Climate Change Considerations." Presented by Donald Fournier - BEAP, CEM, LEED AP; Energy Consultant for Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners
Planning for climate change - mitigation and adaptation are both necessary for our future. A broader context for sustainability planning is now required. This presentation addresses these issues providing ideas and concepts that need to be incorporated into our sustainability plans, ensuring our efforts are effective, persistent, and adaptable to future surprises.
Previous presentations in the series are now available on-line at: http://www.istc.illinois.edu/about/sustainability_seminars.cfm and include "Starting a Sustainability Program - Where to Begin"; "Facilitating Employee Engagement in Sustainability Initiatives"; "Trends in Waste and Resource Management"; "The Greenest Region Compact: A Consensus Sustainability Plan for Municipalities"; and "L&C Sustainability: Strategies for a Carbon Neutral Campus" (forthcoming).
To Register for the December 4th Webinar visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/300000000010225622