EPA Approves DC Synthetic Minor Air Permit Program
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This rule lets Washington, DC create federally enforceable permit limits for facilities that emit air pollutants but can stay below major-source thresholds by accepting binding restrictions. Businesses with air emissions in DC may be able to use this synthetic minor permit path to avoid stricter major-source permitting, but they must comply with enforceable emissions limits and permit conditions. The rule takes effect on July 27, 2026.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Approves DC’s new synthetic minor permit program under the Clean Air Act
- Allows DC to set federally enforceable emissions limits for certain pollution sources
- Aligns DC air quality rules with previously approved state implementation plan provisions
Obligations
What this law requires
Facilities in the District of Columbia that use the synthetic minor permit program must comply with federally enforceable permit conditions limiting emissions of criteria pollutants below major-source thresholds.
Facilities seeking to avoid major-source permitting status in the District of Columbia must accept binding emissions restrictions through a synthetic minor permit.