DEQ - Potential to Emit

Potential to Emit

The applicability of some air quality requirements is based upon a facility's potential to emit (PTE) air pollutants. The greater your PTE, the more likely you are subject to the regulations. The links below provide information on how to calculate potential to emit.

Potential to Emit Workbook - A Practical Guide to Calculating and Evaluating Your Potential to Emit Air Contaminants. This workbook will help you understand why determining PTE is important and take you step-by-step through calculating your facility's PTE. It will also help you evaluate your PTE to determine if you are a major or minor source of air pollution and which options will best lead you to compliance with the regulations.

PTE Calculation Worksheets
Boiler (Natural Gas Fired) - (pdf or Word)
Space Heater (Natural Gas Fired) - (pdf or Word)
Spray Paint Line - (pdf or Word)
Oven (Natural Gas Fired) - (pdf or Word)
Degreaser - (pdf or Word)
Particulate Matter Sources - (pdf or Word)
How to Calculate the HAP and VOC content of a Multi-Part Coating (pdf)

U.S. EPA Guidance
Potential to Emit: A Guide for Small Business (October 1998)

Calculating Potential to Emit (PTE) for Emergency Generators (EPA Memorandum - September 6, 1995)

AP-42 Compilation of Air Pollution Emission Factors

The Factor Information REtrieval (FIRE) Data System 6.25 (database containing EPA's emission estimation factors for criteria and hazardous air pollutants)

TANKS Emission Estimation Software (software program that estimates volatile organic compound (VOC) and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from fixed- and floating-roof storage tanks.

Calculating PTE and Other Guidance for Grain Handling Facilities November 14, 1995, policy memorandum from J.S. Seitz, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

PTE Guidance for Specific Source Categories April 14, 1998 policy memorandum from J.S. Seitz, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, and E. Schaeffer, Office of Regulatory Enforcement.

Clarification of Methodology for Calculating PTE for Batch Chemical Production Operations August 29, 1996, policy memorandum from J.S. Seitz, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

Definition of Regulated Air Pollutant for the Purposes of Title V April 1993 policy memorandum from Lydia N. Wegman, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

PTE for MACT Standards - Guidance on Timing Issues May 16, 1995, policy memorandum from J.S. Seitz, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

Guidance on the Major Source Determination for Certain Hazardous Air Pollutants August 14, 2000, policy memorandum from J.S. Seitz, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

Preferred and Alternative Methods for Estimating Air Emissions from Equipment Leaks (November 1996).

Other Guidance
AQD Operational Memorandum #3: Procedure for Limiting Potential to Emit below Major Source Thresholds under the Renewable Operating Permit Program (pdf)

AQD Operational Memorandum #4 : Mechanisms for Limiting the Applicability of Michigan's Renewable Operating Permit Program (pdf)

List of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) (pdf)

Permit to Install Application Form

Rule 208(a) Registration (initial and renewals)

For More Information or Additional Assistance, contact the
Environmental Assistance Program at 800-662-9278

Do you have an outreach idea or suggestion for our Program? Please feel free to submit your requests to: James Ostrowski.