The Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) issues permits limiting the amount of regulated air contaminants emitted at a facility. The BAQ issues construction permit, operating permits, general permits, and registration permits.

Construction Permit*

A construction permit is an air permit required for any person who plans to construct, alter, or add to a source of air pollution, including the installation of any air pollution control device. The construction permit must be issued before any construction-related activities occur at the site. The construction permit allows for installation, modification, and start of operation of equipment.

Operating Permit

Once construction has been completed, a facility must request an operating permit to operate. The operating permit contains all of the specific record keeping and reporting requirements, emissions limitations and compliance status, and conditions necessary as mandated in state and federal air pollution control regulations.

General and Registration Permits*

General and Registration permits are issued to sources that have similar operations.

Advantages of General Permits
•    Simplified application and permit issuance process
•    Standardized permit conditions providing consistency across industry sectors
•    Additional individual public notice and comment period not required
•    Pre-determined eligibility criteria

Advantages of Registration Permits
•    Simplified application and permit issuance process
•    Standardized permit conditions providing consistency across industry sectors
•    Dual permitting process - construction and operating permit combined
•    No professional engineer (P.E.) signature required
•    Flexibility to construct or modify equipment without a construction permit
•    Pre-determined eligibility criteria
•    Sources are considered to be true minor source facilities

Exemptions

There are several kinds of construction permit exemptions available, source-specific exemptions and emission-level exemptions.

*If operations, covered by construction permits, are located in one of the eight coastal counties of the Coastal Zone under SCDES Bureau of Coastal Management's jurisdiction (Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry, and Jasper), then a coastal zone consistency certification may be required.