Clean Air Act

Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for ensuring the University’s compliance with federal and state clean air regulations as summarized in the Clean Air Act

Stationary sources of air pollution at the University campuses include:

  • Boilers at the Central Utilities Plant
  • Emergency generators
  • Small boilers located throughout campus buildings
  • Laboratory hoods
  • Farm waste incinerators
  • Printing operations
  • Cold solvent cleaners

Air emission permits are issued by the state of Delaware. These permits identify or establish operating and emission conditions for a source and notes required monitoring and record keeping needed to demonstrate compliance with the permit conditions. Air emission permits are classified according to the emission limitations of the permit:

  • Registration- total emissions are less than 10 pounds in any day
  • Natural Minor- total uncontrolled emissions cannot exceed Major Source levels. Major Source levels vary for each type of air emission
  • Synthetic Minor- operating limits, enforceable in federal courts, are established to avoid exceeding Major Source levels
  • Major Source (Title V)- one or more air emissions exceed Major Source levels

Although the equipment users are ultimately responsible for compliance with air emission regulations, Environmental Health and Safety helps the University community manage the permit applications, record keeping, and monitoring requirements of the Clean Air Act.

Regulations

Questions about the Clean Air Act, applying for an operating permit, and record keeping and monitoring requirements can be addressed to the Bill Harris at (302)-831-8274.