Permitting Section Home Page
Permit Programs Section
Permitting News:
NEW PUBLICATION
New Mexico Environment Department Announcement
Oil and Gas Guidance for COVID-19
NEW PUBLICATION
How Ozone Trends at New Mexico’s Ozone Monitoring Stations are Being Addressed
This document discusses how ozone is regulated, the recent trends in monitored ozone values in New Mexico, and the steps that the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED or Department) is taking to address this issue.
Looking for a permit or a permitted facility? Use the APMAP!
Electronic GIS mapping tool of permitted sources in New Mexico. APMAP click on the link to access the tool and explore mapped permitted facilities along with their permit documents. If you have questions about the tool please contact Arianna Espinoza at 505-476-4367.
Visit the Permitting Section Procedures and Guidance page for information on new permitting projects.
Permit Programs Overview:
The AQB Permitting Section processes permit applications for industries that emit pollutants to ambient air. The Permitting Section consists of three units:
- The Minor Source Unit
- The Major Source Unit
- The Technical Services Unit
Industries that wish to build or modify facilities that emit air pollutants (emissions) into the air must obtain an air quality permit prior to constructing. Thus, these permits are called construction permits. These facilities are subject to and the associated construction permits are issued pursuant to the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) regulation 20.2.72 NMAC and 20.2.74 NMAC.
The Minor Source Unit
Rhonda Romero, Minor Source Manager – 505-476-4354
Kathy Primm, Minor Source Supervisor – 505-476-5561
The Minor Source Unit is responsible for the issuing the following types of minor source construction permits:
NSR Minor Source Construction Permits
Construction Permits are required for all sources with the potential emission rate greater than 10 pounds per hour, or 25 tons per year, of criteria pollutants (such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide). Air quality construction permits must be obtained for new or modified sources prior beginning construction. This program also issues modifications and revisions to minor source construction permits.
Streamline Permits
The Minor Source Unit also issues industry specific permits such as Streamline Permits (oil & gas compressor stations).
General Construction Permits
Instead of a regular construction permit or a streamline permit, facilities may optionally apply to register to operate under a General Construction Permit (GCP), which is a permit written to handle the needs of a specific industry. The Department has two GCPs for the oil and gas industry. GCP-Oil and Gas may be obtained for a variety of oil and gas facilities, and GCP-6 authorizes voluntary controls for storage vessels.
No Permit Required (NPR)
Facilities that emit less than 10 tons per year of any criteria pollutant do not need an air quality permit nor do they need a Notice of Intent. No permitting action is required of these facilities If for their own purposes, these facilities would like a letter from the Department confirming their determination, they may request a No Permit Required (NPR) externalization from the Department
The Major Source Unit
Kirby Olson, Major Source Program Manager – 505-476-4322
The Major Source Unit is responsible for both construction permits and operating permits for both Title V major sources and PSD major sources, each of which has it own dedicated permitting program:
1. The Title V Operating Permits Program
Melinda Owens, Title V Program Supervisor- 505-476-4341
Title V Operating Permits (under the Title V program) are required for major sources that have a potential to emit more than 100 tons per year for criteria pollutants, or for landfills greater than 2.5 million cubic meters (2.5 million-mg). In addition, TV major sources also include facilities that have the potential to emit greater than ten tons per year of a single Hazardous Air Pollutant, or 25 tons per year of any combination of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP). These facilities are subject to and the associated operating permits are issued pursuant to the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) regulation 20.2.70 NMAC.
2. The Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Program
Jim Nellessen, Acting PSD Program Supervisor- 505-476-4315
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permits (subject to 20.2.74 NMAC) are required prior to construction or modification of sources subject to 20.2.74 NMAC. PSD permit applications may require pre-construction air monitoring before submittal of the application.
- Any stationary source listed in table 1 (20.2.74.501 NMAC) which emits, or has the potential to emit, emissions equal to or greater than one hundred (100) tons per year of any regulated new source review pollutant.
- Any stationary source not listed in table 1 (20.2.74.501 NMAC) and which emits or has the potential to emit two hundred fifty (250) tons per year or more of any regulated new source review pollutant.
The Technical Services Unit
Tasha Burns, Technical Services Manager – 505-476-4349
The Technical Services Unit is responsible for providing technical support for the entire Permit Programs Section and issuing the following types of minor source construction permits:
General Construction Permits
Instead of a regular construction permit or a streamline permit, facilities may optionally apply to register to operate under a General Construction Permit, which is a permit written to handle the needs of a specific industry. GCP numbers 2, 3 and 5 (for the Aggregate Crushers, Asphalt Plants and Concrete Batch Plants, respectively) are processed by this Unit.
Relocations for NSR permits & GCPs 2, 3 and 5
Equipment Substitutions for GCPs 2, 3, and 5
Notice of Intent (NOI)
Any owner or operator intending to construct a new stationary source which has a potential emission rate greater than 10 tons per year of any regulated air contaminant or 1 ton per year of lead shall file a notice of intent with the department.
Other
Administrative Permit Revisions
Notice of Exemptions
Technical Support Responsibilities:
Information Technology Project Management
Annual Permit Fees
AQB Permitting Web Site Management
Permit Assignments and Tracking
Do I Need a Permit?
Refer to “Do I Need a Permit?” for a more complete discussion on permitting requirements, types of permits, and general permitting guidance.