SCDES bases annual air quality fees on the tons of air emissions generated by a facility. Note that fees are not assessed for air permit applications, renewals, or revisions, except for fees assessed for the voluntary expedited permitting program.
To determine a facility's annual fee, SCDES multiplies the billable emissions generated by a facility by the yearly fee rate (see the table below). As specified in Federal and State regulations, the fee rate is adjusted each year based on the Consumer Price Index. Facilities with emissions less than one ton are assessed a minimum fee based on one ton of emissions.
| Air Fee Rate | |
|---|---|
| Fiscal Year | Fee Rate (cost/ ton billable emissions) |
| 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026) | $63.69 |
| 2025 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025) | $61.73 |
| 2024 (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024) | $58.55 |
| 2023 (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023) | $54.37 |
Any facility that holds a valid air permit on July 1 is subject to annual fees. If a facility is permanently closed (ceased all operations) and no longer requires an air permit, the facility must inform SCDES of the closure prior to July 1. Otherwise, the facility will be assessed air quality fees for the entire fiscal year period (July 1 - June 30). A facility that has idled but chooses to maintain its permit is still subject to fees.
Annual Fees for Title V Sources
For Title V sources, annual fees are based on actual emissions of billable pollutants from the facility’s emissions inventory report.
All regulated pollutants, except carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide equivalents, are included in this billing determination. Pollutants that are Federal Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) or State Toxic Air Pollutants (TAPs) and also VOCs or particulate matter are only billed once, even though these pollutants may be tracked separately in the inventory.
In addition to the cost per ton rate described on the main fee page, Title V facilities are required to pay a maintenance fee per the following table. The total annual fee for each Title V facility is the sum of the billable emissions at the cost per ton rate and the maintenance fee.
| Total Billable Emissions | Maintenance Fee |
|---|---|
| < 10 tons | $500.00 |
| 10-50 tons | $1,000.00 |
| 50-100 tons | $2,000.00 |
| 100-250 tons | $3,500.00 |
| 250-1,000 tons | $6,500.00 |
| >1,000 tons | $10,000.00 |
Beginning with the FY2022 billing cycle, invoices will be available electronically through ePermitting in January following the start of the fiscal year. For example, invoices for FY2026 (which begins July 1, 2025), will be available in January 2026.
Other than shifting the timing of the invoices, no other changes are being made. Invoices are still based on twelve months of emissions from the latest emissions inventory. Invoices are also due upon receipt and subject to late fees for unpaid balances. This time schedule only applies to Title V sources.
Annual Fees for Minor Sources
Conditional Major Sources
Conditional Major and General Conditional Major sources are not required to provide emissions inventory data. Emissions for these sources are based on the facility’s Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) categories. The SIC code is used to assign the average ton of emissions for each facility based on a review of the permit. The assigned tons of emissions are multiplied by the yearly fee rate to determine the annual fee.
Minor Sources
Like Conditional Major sources, Minor and State Major sources are not required to provide emission inventory data. Emissions from these sources are based on industry averages. Based on a review of the permit, industry average emissions are identified and assigned for each facility. The assigned tons of emissions are multiplied by the yearly fee rate to determine the annual fee.
Fees for New Sources
New sources are subject to fees for the Fiscal Year in which they began operating. Emissions Inventory staff will contact new sources to explain the fee determination based on facility type, start date, and the timing of the fee being billed. New source fees are used for billing until the annual air quality fees described above are applicable.