Businesses without Required Air Quality Permits Can Get Them without Incurring Late Fees, Penalties

Starting July 1, the South Coast Air Quality Management District will offer businesses and government agencies a six-month opportunity to get required operating permits without incurring late fees or penalties as part of its Permit Application Penalty Holiday program.

The program also offers a 50 percent discount on permit fees for small businesses that take steps to reduce emissions from their operations. 

“As we continue on the path to clean air, we remain mindful that many businesses continue to feel the impact of the economic downturn of recent years,” said William A. Burke, chairman of AQMD’s Governing Board.  “I encourage businesses to take advantage of this opportunity to comply with air quality rules without facing additional fees or penalties.”

AQMD’s Rule 310.1 – Amnesty for Unpermitted Equipment and Small Business Discount for Control Equipment provides a six-month period for Southland businesses and government agencies that should have applied for and obtained air quality permits to get them without incurring late fees or violation penalties.

Facilities that take advantage of the temporary program must pay the regular permitting fee with their application and comply with all other applicable air quality rules and regulations, including the requirement that new facilities use the cleanest air pollution control technologies available.

Depending on the type of equipment a facility is permitting, the potential cost savings under the program could range from about $650 for smaller equipment such as a gasoline station fuel dispenser to about $5,300 for a spray booth equipped with air pollution controls.

Very large facilities known as federal Title V sources are eligible to participate only for small equipment operating without a permit.

This year, the program also offers a 50 percent small business discount on fees for new or modified permits for air pollution control equipment that results in additional emission reductions at a facility.  Changes in processes that will result in emission reductions through the use of super-compliant coatings with less than 25 grams per liter of VOC content will also qualify for the discount.  

The six-month voluntary amnesty program begins July 1 and will run through December 31.  For more information on the program, businesses should call (909) 396-3385 or visit www.aqmd.gov.

During similar programs held in 1995 and 2010, 700 and 500 permit applications were received, respectively.