New Categories For Air Permit Exemptions Proposed

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is proposing to adopt amended air quality rules within “exempt source/conditionally insignificant activities rules” to clarify permit requirements for small sources of air emissions and update rules governing the treatment of small air pollution emitting activities (“insignificant activities” and “conditionally insignificant activities”). Written comments on the proposed rules are being accepted until May 29, 2018.

Permitted Dust Control System

Changes create four new categories of conditionally exempt stationary sources where emissions primarily come from one type of activity; auto-body refinishing facilities, coating facilities, woodworking facilities, and insignificant facilities that meet applicable technical standard would be exempt from obtaining an air emissions permit. Changes to the existing categories of conditionally exempt sources, gasoline service stations and concrete manufacturing, are made to align with the rule structure for the new categories.

Caltha LLP | Your Air Permitting Partner

REACH, ROHS, Prop 65 and Other Chemical Compliance Certifications

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Certification of REACH, ROHS, Prop 65, Conflict Minerals, Biocidal Products Compliance
Client: Component Manufacturer 
Location(s): Minnesota

Key Elements: EU Chemical Regulations, California Proposition 65 Labeling, Conflict Minerals Compliance Certifiaction

Overview: Caltha LLP was retained by this component manufacturer to compile compliance documentation and to prepare Certification of Compliance. Certification of compliance was required by customers who purchased manufactured components and incorporated them into their final products which were exported to the European Union and other areas.

Caltha prepared a certification form and background information to be completed by raw material suppliers that allowed each supplier to provide an informed certification statement regarding presence/absence of regulated chemical substances, and if present, documentation that concentrations are below regulatory thresholds.

Comments On Repeal Of Carbon Pollution Rule Due April 28

The public comment period on the EPA Proposed Rule "Repeal of Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" is scheduled to close on April 28, 2018.

As background, on October 16, 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency published an announcement of its intention to repeal the Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, commonly referred to as the Clean Power Plan, as promulgated on October 23, 2015. The proposal also requested public comment on the proposed rule. The EPA held public hearings on November 28 and 29, 2017, in Charleston, West Virginia, and extended the public comment period until January 16, 2018.

In response to numerous requests for additional opportunities for the public to provide oral testimony on the proposed rule in more than one location, EPA announced that three listening sessions will be held:

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 - Kansas City, Missouri;
Wednesday, February 28, 2018 - San Francisco, California;
Tuesday, March 27, 2018 - Gillette, Wyoming.

EPA also reopened the public comment period until April 26, 2018.


Caltha LLP | Your Air Permit, Wastewater Permit,
Storm Water Permit Partner