Massachusetts Air Permitting Issues
Written October 17, 2019
Massachusetts has implemented a new permitting program for all screen-printing facilities. Under the Environmental Results Program all printers are required to submit to the state agency a signed self-certification form. The purpose of this program is to fold three regulatory areas into one permit: air emissions, wastewater and hazardous waste.
The Environmental Results Program streamlines existing pollution control requirements for printing shops by replacing individual air quality, industrial wastewater and hazardous waste permits with industry-wide standards. It will no longer be required to obtain approval for a new press or process change in advance of putting it into operation. In exchange, shops will submit an annual certification of its compliance with the standards. This is required of ALL printers with printing operations with a primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 323111 “Commercial Printing” (except Screen and Books), 323113 Commercial Screen Printing, “323117 “Books Printing;” and one or more screen, lithographic, gravure, flexographic, or letterpress printing presses.
There are two exceptions. If it is a manufacturer or other business where printing is an ancillary operation. Massachusetts does have a Title V permit program in place. Sources with the potential to emit more than 100 tons of VOC per year, or 10 tons of one hazardous air pollutant (HAP) or 25 tons of a combination of Hazardous air pollutants are required to apply for a Title V permit.
The Environmental Results Program streamlines existing pollution control requirements for printing shops by replacing individual air quality, industrial wastewater and hazardous waste permits with industry-wide standards. It will no longer be required to obtain approval for a new press or process change in advance of putting it into operation. In exchange, shops will submit an annual certification of its compliance with the standards. This is required of ALL printers with printing operations with a primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 323111 “Commercial Printing” (except Screen and Books), 323113 Commercial Screen Printing, “323117 “Books Printing;” and one or more screen, lithographic, gravure, flexographic, or letterpress printing presses.
There are two exceptions. If it is a manufacturer or other business where printing is an ancillary operation. Massachusetts does have a Title V permit program in place. Sources with the potential to emit more than 100 tons of VOC per year, or 10 tons of one hazardous air pollutant (HAP) or 25 tons of a combination of Hazardous air pollutants are required to apply for a Title V permit.