Permits and Engineering
Title V Operating Permits

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources in Santa Barbara County with Title V/Part 70 federal permits

Permits in Progress

Renewal Schedule for Fiscal Year 2006-2007

Renewal Schedule for Fiscal Year 2007-2008

For more information

Permit Forms

See recent listings on the public notices page on this site to check if there are any draft Title V/Part 70 permits currently out for public review. 

What are Title V permits?

Title V permits are federal operating permits for facilities in our county that can produce large amounts of air pollution. These are issued locally by APCD, under Title V of the federal Clean Air Act amendments, passed in 1970. APCD has completed the process of issuing final Part 70 Federal Operating Permits, as these Title V permits are called, to a number of sources, (listed here) including all the facilities in our county that were initially required to have these permits. Most of our Title V permits have been renewed more than once.

Don't these facilities already have local permits from APCD?

Yes. APCD has streamlined its permitting process to integrate the programs, instituting a three-year cycle for permit renewals, so companies can meet local and federal requirements as part of the same permit process. This avoids duplicated documents, and reduces costs for applicants.

What are the benefits of the Title V/Part 70  Program?

There are three principal benefits:

• Increased accountability to the public. The public is invited to comment on these permits, and all public comments are considered before permits are issued. Once issued, the permits are considered to be enforceable by the public.
  
• Enhanced monitoring, record-keeping and reporting requirements. These requirements promote ongoing internal vigilance by industry operators, and ensure that facilities are subject to consistent oversight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  
• Emission reductions. Some potential Title V sources have reduced emissions to get below the threshold pollution levels so they will not be required to obtain these federal permits.

How do we determine which facilities have to obtain these permits?

Facilities fall under this federal program based on their potential to produce certain threshold levels of air pollution, given their equipment and processes. Our County is classified as a federal ozone attainment area, and therefore the threshold for a Part 70 permit in Santa Barbara County is 100 tons per year potential to emit of any single pollutant. If companies are able to make equipment or process changes that reduce permitted pollutant levels below 100 tons/year, they can avoid the federal Part 70 permitting process. 

What kinds of things do permits require?

Permits describe how a facility must comply with air pollution rules. For example, a permit might require that a facility install certain kinds of pollution control devices, or might impose limits on a facility's operating times or total emissions. Monitoring and recordkeeping requirements are important components of Title V permits. Permits usually require facilities to keep track of their emissions and make regular reports.

Can the public participate in the process?

Yes. Public participation is one of the most important features of the Title V process.

During the official public comment period, any member of the public may review a proposed Title V permit, and comment on it. Comments should be made in writing to APCD. Members of the public may also request that APCD hold a public hearing for discussion of the permitting issues. At the public hearing, comments may be made verbally.

Comments are most effective when they make specific suggestions for changes to the permit, explain why these changes are needed, and, if appropriate, refer to applicable APCD rules and regulations.

Can the public be involved after the permit is issued?

Yes. Facilities are required to fill out a compliance certification every year, and a compliance verification report every six months. The public may review these to make sure facilities are meeting their permit requirements.

If citizens are concerned that the source is not complying with the Title V permit, their first option is to call on the APCD to enforce the permit. If they?re still not satisfied, then they can call the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the permit. Title V permits can be enforced by citizens in federal court.

For more information, contact Brian Shafritz at 805-961-8823.

Sources are divided into facilities, and permits are issued on a facility level. Sources with multiple facilities have multiple permits. Sources include offshore oil and gas platforms, onshore processing plants, landfills, and a mineral processing plant.

Permits in Progress

• Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc. (initial issuance)

Renewal Schedule for Fiscal Year 2006-2007

• Dos Cuadros - South County Offshore Platforms (second renewal)

Renewal Schedule for Fiscal Year 2007-2008

• E & B - South Cuyama (third renewal)
• Pacific Operators - Carpinteria (second renewal)
• City of Santa Maria Landfill (first renewal)
• Point Arguello Project (second renewal)

For more information . . .

• Download a copy of Regulation XIII: Part 70 Operating Permit Program in Adobe PDF or MS Word DOC format
• Download Title V Application Forms 
• Go to the California Air Resources Board web site for an Overview of Title V Permit Program Requirements
• Go the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) website for general background on Title V.
• Go the the USEPA Region IX website for frequently asked questions about air permits, including Title V permits.
• Contact Brian Shafritz,  (805) 961-8823.