**Important Update**

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently published a final rule reclassifying the Missouri portion of the St. Louis ozone nonattainment area from Moderate to Serious nonattainment for the 2015 ozone standard. This action changed and added new permitting requirements that became effecting in the nonattainment area on Dec. 31, 2024

Construction permits, also called New Source Review permits, are required for the construction of a new air pollution source, or modification of an existing source. Construction and modifications refer to activities that will increase air emissions and include changes in operation, addition of equipment, changes in fuel or raw materials and the relocation of previously permitted sources. Certain activities have been determined by the state to be a source of insignificant emissions and are exempt from permitting requirements per 10 CSR 10-6.061.

Note: The following information is not meant to be a tool to determine applicable federal and state regulations for a specific situation. The method of choice should always be a thorough review of the state and federal rules and regulations.

Overview

Construction permits allow an installation to construct and operate an air emission source. Construction permits are required prior to commencing construction of an emission source. Construction may not begin until a construction permit has been issued. Therefore, it is recommended the applicant allow ample time for review and issuance of the permit in the planning stages of a project. In certain cases, an applicant may apply for a pre-construction prohibition waiver to begin construction prior to receipt of the approved permit.

A construction permit does not expire, although construction must begin, upon receipt of the construction permit, within 18 months for a major project and within two years for a minor project. Since construction permits have time requirements, a facility may need to obtain several construction permits if the sources of air emissions are installed at different times.

For information about a construction permit, contact department staff at CPAirApplications@dnr.mo.gov(link sends email). Stakeholders also may use this email address to submit permit applications and amendments. Applications for permits and amendments require a filing fee. For information on how to pay the fee, contact the accounting section of the department's air program at DNR.APCPCreditCards@dnr.mo.gov(link sends email).  Payment and hard copy construction applications may be submitted by mail to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Program, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or electronically at CPAirApplications@dnr.mo.gov(link sends email).

Introduction to Air Construction Permits

Discussion of Potential to Emit - Potential emissions are different from actual emissions.

Overview of the Permit Review Process

The existing potential emissions of the installation and the potential emissions of the project determine the type of permit required for the construction activity. 

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