Michigan Air Permitting Issues

Written October 17, 2019

Screen printing operations, referred to as silk screen operations, are exempt from the Permit to install requirements. The state's renewable operating permit program for major sources impacts all facilities with the potential to emit 100 tons per year of VOCs; 10 tons per year of one hazardous air pollutant or 25 tons per year of any combination of hazardous air pollutants.

If your facility is a major source, then there are three options: Option A: use of existing exemptions; Option B: consideration as a non-major source based on actual emissions less than 50% of major source thresholds; and Option C: opt-out permits. This permit program is being administered through the Department's district offices, so you are encouraged to contact your local air district office for further information.

New sources which began operations after July 1, 1979 must comply with the state's air toxic regulations. Unless emissions of any air toxic are less than 1.0 pound per hour for a toxic chemical or 0.1 pounds per hour for a carcinogen, a facility must comply with the regulations. No facility can emit an air toxic in excess of the maximum allowable emissions. All new sources must apply best available control technology to control the emissions of air toxics. VOC emissions are considered air toxics.