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In this issue:
Apply now for grant funding to install or repair stage 1 vapor recovery systems at gasoline dispensing facilities across Minnesota.
The maximum award is $24,000 with a 50% minimum match. The most cost-effective projects located in areas of concern for environmental justice and health effects related to air pollution will score highest.
Eligible applicants:
- Businesses under 500 employees
- Governmental agencies or tribal nations
- Educational institutions
- Non-governmental organizations (e.g., nonprofits, trade groups, industry associations)
Two weeks left! Deadline: February 21, 2019.
Stage 1 vapor recovery systems are required for many gasoline dispensing facilities in Minnesota. This grant funding can assist facilities in meeting or exceeding requirements. All retail locations selling gasoline in the Twin Cities 7-county metro area are required to have a functioning vapor recovery system. A federal rule requires stage 1 vapor recovery on systems with more than 100,000 gallons of gasoline throughput a month. State rules allow Minnesota gas dispensing facilities with a throughput of more than 380,000 gallons a month to operate without an air permit - if they properly install, operate, and maintain a stage 1 vapor recovery system.
Vapor recovery systems capture up to 95 percent of the volatile organic compound emissions (VOCs) released during gasoline transfer from delivery vehicles into underground storage tanks.Through more efficient transfer, they may also reduce moisture buildup in the tank system, preventing potential water management costs.
Review grant materials, application, and Q&A on the MPCA grants for vapor recovery webpage. During evaluation, the MPCA will determine each applicant’s emissions reductions and cost-effectiveness, using the MPCA Underground storage tank emissions reduction calculator.
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New MPCA rule amendments clarify permit requirements for small sources of air emissions and update rules governing the treatment of small air pollution emitting facilities and activities.
New conditionally exempt source categories
The rule amendments include four new categories of conditionally exempt sources: auto-body refinishing, coating, woodworking, and "insignificant" facilities. Conditionally exempt source categories establish general requirements for facilities in certain industries with low overall air emissions that make it unnecessary for them to hold an air permit. If your facility qualifies for one of these new conditionally exempt source categories and has been operating without a permit, the MPCA encourages you to comply with the new standards and submit the notification form to the agency. New facilities that qualify as a conditionally exempt source can choose to either follow the standards or apply for an air permit. Facilities that already have an air permit can keep their permit or switch to comply with the exempt source standard if they qualify and will follow the requirements.
There are deadlines to submit a notification of intent to follow one of the new standards for the auto-body refinishing, coating, and woodworking facility categories:
- Notifications for facilities that have been operating without a permit are due by May 14, 2019.
- Notifications for new facilities that qualify are due within 120 days from when they begin operating.
- There is no deadline for a facility that is currently operating with an issued air permit. However, to be eligible to operate under these standards a facility must first request that their air permit be voided.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency‘s (MPCA) Notice of Adopted Permanent Rules Relating to Air Quality (Exempt Source/Conditionally Insignificant Activities Rules) was published in the January 7, 2019, State Register, and became effective on January 14, 2019. Find notification forms and specific rule information on MPCA’s Conditionally exempt facilities webpage and Insignificant facility webpage. Small businesses can receive help understanding the new rule at 800-657-3938 or 651-282-6143, smallbizhelp.pca@state.mn.us.
Insignificant activity changes
The rule amendments revise the insignificant activity lists in Minn. R. 7007.1300, subparts 2 and 3, and the requirements for conditionally insignificant activities identified in Minn. R. ch. 7008. If your air permit currently identifies insignificant activities or conditionally insignificant activities, you should evaluate the activities listed to confirm that they continue to qualify as insignificant (either under Minn. R. 7007.1300 or Minn. R. ch. 7008).
If your activities no longer qualify as insignificant or conditionally insignificant, an application must be submitted by May 14, 2019 to incorporate those activities into the facility’s permit (see Minn. R. 7007.1450, subp. 2).
Additional information on these rules is available on the MPCA’s Exempt Source/Conditionally Insignificant Activities Rule webpage. If you have questions, contact Hassan Bouchareb, 651-757-2653, hassan.bouchareb@state.mn.us.
All facilities that have an air quality permit from the MN Pollution Control Agency need to report their annual regulated air emissions from calendar year 2018 by April 1, 2019.
Large inventory type permit holders and facilities with registration Option C or Option D permits must submit an air emission inventory using the MPCA’s e-Services electronic reporting website. Instructions and additional information on electronic reporting are available on the Air emissions inventory – Electronic reporting webpage.
The MPCA will use this emission data to calculate air fees payable in 2020.
All facilities should have received reminders and instructions on how to report these emissions. More information can be found on the MPCA Emissions Reporting page. Call our Business Assistance Helpline 651-282-6143 if you need help calculating your 2018 emissions.
Administrative Changes
Administrative Change Request forms are used to notify the MPCA of changes in facility name, ownership, contact person, location and termination. Specific changes that can be made depend on the type of permit or license — see specific permit forms for details. Fees may apply.
2019 compliance calendars are still available for aggregate, aboveground storage tanks, and dry cleaners. These calendars help small businesses with the record-keeping needed to comply with environmental regulations, provide multimedia assistance tools, helpful hints, and contacts for additional information. If you know a drycleaner, aggregate facility, or aboveground storage tank owner, let them know about this online tool. Paper copies are available upon request from the MPCA Business Assistance Program helpline at (651) 282-6143 or smallbizhelp.pca@state.mn.us.
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MPCA is seeking a Minnesota-based company to host one green chemistry & engineering intern this summer.
The maximum grant funding is $10,000. Company applications are due March 13, 2019.
The host company and intern gain experience advancing green chemistry and engineering practices to one or more of the company’s products or components in any way that supports improved product safety.
Example grant projects include:
- Life cycle comparison of candidate materials
- Support safety and/or performance testing of alternative materials or designs
- Work with design, manufacturing, and cross-functional teams to assess the supply and cost of new materials
- Catalog supplier safety data sheets and certifications as part of green/sustainable purchasing initiatives
- Update inventories of chemical regulations and support audits of internal and supply chain compliance
- Learn and perform hazard and alternatives assessment processes
- Support sales and marketing of reformulated products
Previous grantees included remoodle, Ecolab, and Connect Ecology.
For more details, visit the MPCA Green and Safer Chemistry webpage. Submit questions to grants.pca@state.mn.us, with the subject line “Green Chemistry & Engineering Internship Q&A”.
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