Two key ways EPA can fast track air permitting reforms to advance cleaner, low-carbon technologies

The Clean Air Task Force proposes two specific regulatory changes to EPA air permitting to advance cleaner industrial technologies. First, it urges the EPA to end the "redefining the source" policy, which currently allows permitting authorities to exclude zero-emission technologies from Best Available Control Technology (BACT) evaluations if they are deemed to change the project's fundamental nature. Second, it calls for a formal rulemaking process to ensure that "alternatives" presented during public hearings are fully evaluated, providing a mechanism for community engagement and the consideration of cleaner options outside the BACT analysis.

• The EPA's "redefining the source" policy, derived from a 1990 manual and case law rather than statute, restricts the range of pollution control options evaluated during permitting. This practice often excludes innovations such as hybrid designs, integrated renewables, and zero-emissions technologies from being considered as Best Available Control Technology (BACT) because they might be seen as redefining the project's intent.
• The statutory requirement to present "alternatives" during air permit reviews and public hearings is currently largely ignored. Formalizing a requirement for permitting authorities to evaluate these alternatives would create a secondary check on the BACT process and enhance environmental justice by giving more weight to proposals from affected communities and advocacy groups.

APA

Blair, K., & Masinter, A. (2024). Two key ways EPA can fast track air permitting reforms to advance cleaner, low-carbon technologies. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2024/07/two-key-ways-epa-can-fast-track-air-permitting-reforms-advance-cleaner-low-carbon-technologies/

Chicago

Blair, Katie, and Alan Masinter. Two key ways EPA can fast track air permitting reforms to advance cleaner, low-carbon technologies. Clean Air Task Force, 2024. https://www.catf.us/2024/07/two-key-ways-epa-can-fast-track-air-permitting-reforms-advance-cleaner-low-carbon-technologies/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Blair |first1=Katie |last2=Masinter |first2=Alan |title=Two key ways EPA can fast track air permitting reforms to advance cleaner, low-carbon technologies |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=29 July 2024 |url=https://www.catf.us/2024/07/two-key-ways-epa-can-fast-track-air-permitting-reforms-advance-cleaner-low-carbon-technologies/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{blair2024two, author = {Blair, Katie and Masinter, Alan}, title = {{Two key ways EPA can fast track air permitting reforms to advance cleaner, low-carbon technologies}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2024}, month = jul, url = {https://www.catf.us/2024/07/two-key-ways-epa-can-fast-track-air-permitting-reforms-advance-cleaner-low-carbon-technologies/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }