Pros And Cons Of The Nsr Process

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There has been an ongoing controversy for over a decade regarding several amendments to the Clean Air Act that identify a permitting process to ensure environmental control. These amendments, referred to as the New Source Review (NSR) process, apply to the construction of new air source emissions and to any major changes in existing facilities. The NSR process requires a review by the Environmental Protection Agency prior to new facility construction or current facility modifications in a case where there is a significant increase of a regulated pollutant. Routine scheduled maintenance does not require the NSR process. The controversial issue regarding the NSR process revolves around the inability to clearly define what is considered a significant increase to pollutants and what is considered routine maintenance. Therefore, the ability to determine if a new process or a change to existing …show more content…

The New Source Review, is a permitting process created by the US Congress in 1977 as part of a series of amendments to the Clean Air Act. EPA's New Source Review (NSR) permitting program protects air quality when factories, industrial boilers and power plants are newly built or modified. There are three different types of permits in the NSR program. 1. Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits are required for new major sources or a major source making a major modification in areas that meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. 2. Nonattainment NSR permits which are required for new major sources or major sources making a major modification in areas that do not meet one or more of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and 3. Minor source permits. Although the NSR permitting program seemed to be doing the right thing, it left industries confused and