Help/Assistance

For assistance information and materials please visit https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Air-Quality-permits/Air-quality-general-orders.

Other sources of help, information, and references:

Subject matter expert contact information:

See notes/comments for link to contacts.

See notes/comments for link to contacts.

General Order of Approval for Gas Fired Emergency Electrical Generators

Description/Purpose

To regulate Rich-Burn, Spark Ignition, Gaseous Fossil Fuel Powered Emergency Generators located in counties or industrial facilities regulated by Department of Ecology (Ecology). Department of Ecology Air Quality program issues the approval in areas in which Ecology has jurisdiction. These areas are: Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Grant, Adams, Whitman, Garfield, Columbia, Franklin, Walla Walla, Asotin and San Juan Counties. Ecology also has jurisdiction for the following facilities: chemical pulp and paper mills, aluminum smelters and the Hanford Reservation site.

A General Order is a tool air permitting agencies use to allow for the construction and operation of "Select" new and modified sources of air pollution. These select sources are sources that Ecology routinely permits. It is different from the typical Notice of construction process because all of the work has been done up front. Because the majority of the work has been done up front, the time necessary to gain approval from Ecology is greatly reduced.

Triggers and activities which would require this permit

Using a Rich-Burn, Spark Ignition, Gaseous Fossil Fuel Powered Emergency Generator in the counties or facilities that are regulated by Ecology. Your engine must meet the General Order conditions determined by Ecology

Costs/Fees
n/a
n/a

The application fee is $500.

Application Information

The application is called 'General Order Application: Gaseous Fossil Fuel-Powered Emergency Generator' is online and can be accessed at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/summarypages/ecy070233.html.

You must submit documentation of State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) compliance. If a SEPA determination has not been issued a SEPA checklist must be submitted to Ecology with an additional $285. The application describes additional information you will need to provide.

Your Gas Fired Emergency Electrical Generator must meet the conditions of approval as determined by Department of Ecology Air Quality program. If you cannot meet the requirements of the General Order, you can apply for a Notice of Construction for this emergency generator. See the Air Quality Permit sheet for Notice of Construction.

Review is conducted in the Department of Ecology Air Quality program within the regional office that has authority. To verify the areas where Ecology has authority and to find contact information use the following table and map.

The General Order is valid until the source modifies its practices.

All permit decisions by the Department of Ecology are appealable to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.

Permit Timeliness Results

Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average days from Receipt to Complete: 52
Maximum days from Receipt to Complete: 255

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average days from Complete Application to Decision: 40
Maximum days from Complete Application to Decision: 63

The general order permits are not tracked individually so the results are combined for General Order of Approval for: Asphalt Plants, Auto Body Shops, Concrete Batch Plants, Dairy Manure Anaerobic Digesters, Gas Fired Emergency Electrical Generators, Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaners, Small Boilers Using Natural Gas, Propane, or Diesel Fuel, and Stationary or Portable Rock Crushers.


(Summary results based on 12 submittals in 2024)

Published Decision Time
n/a

For those units that qualify for coverage, the applicant will receive a Coverage Order within 30 days after the complete application has been received. For those units that do not qualify for coverage, the applicant will receive a letter from Ecology within 30 days after the application was received. The letter will state why the unit does not qualify for coverage under this General Order of Approval.

Legal authority
Notes / Comments

Subject Matter Expert Phone & Email: Sources of Information about Air Pollution in Washington State

Related Entries
Contacts
Department of Ecology
Headquarters
300 Desmond Drive
PO Box 47600
Olympia WA 98504-7600
Website: http://www.ecology.wa.gov/
Telephone: (360) 407-6000
Triggering Questions
  • Will you be operating a Rich-Burn, Spark Ignition, Gaseous Fossil Fuel Powered Emergency Generator in counties or industrial facilities regulated by Department of Ecology (Ecology).
  • Will you have a commercial or industrial facility that emits air pollutants that Ecology has determined impact air quality and warrant regulation?
  • Do you emit criteria air pollutants below 100 tons/year, toxic air pollutants below 10 tons/year or 25 tons/year in aggregate to the outside air? (Criteria air pollutants include total particulate, PM10, CO, NOx, SOx, VOC, or Lead)
* Credential details last updated 4/4/2023
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