February 3, 2005

In September 2004, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced that it had re-engineered its air quality Permit to Install (PTI) application review process. This process, done using a brainstorming technique called “value stream mapping”, brought industry representatives together with the DEQ’s Air Quality Division staff to work toward a goal of streamlining and simplifying the PTI application process.

The new process emphasizes earlier face-to-face meetings between permit applicants and DEQ staff, clear communication of application requirements, early identification of any outstanding permit-related issues, and will allow the DEQ to encourage early public involvement. The new process enables applicants to submit high-quality permit applications, which in turn allows the DEQ’s Air Quality Division to perform technical analyses quickly and efficiently, eliminating unnecessary delays and wasted efforts.

“I am extremely pleased with and impressed by the collaborative effort between DEQ and industry staff to redefine the air permit process,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “The DEQ is committed to working with Michigan businesses to make our agency more open, our processes more streamlined, and our state’s economy strong, all while upholding our responsibility to protect the health of our citizens and the integrity of Michigan’s environment.”

The goal of the re-engineering process was to ensure that all PTI applications were reviewed and decided upon within six months. To date, the process has far exceeded that goal by having decisions made, on average, in less than six weeks, many in less than thirty days, with all permit actions being in full compliance with applicable state and federal air standards.

“We truly appreciate Director Chester's leadership in adopting industry style efficiency analysis to reinvent the air permit process,” said Mike Johnston, Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Michigan Manufacturers Association. “Intense global competition requires that state government become more efficient and the DEQ has taken a very positive step to meet that challenge.”

The DEQ’s Land & Water Management Division recently underwent the same value stream mapping process and will be applying those principles to their permitting programs. Director Chester added that the process could be rolled out wider in the Department in the coming months.

“The DEQ's approach to improving the efficiency of their system is commendable,” said Steven M. Tomaszewski, Manager, Air Quality for General Motors. “GM is committed to working with government agencies on the development of sound environmental practices, and our participation in the streamlining efforts of the DEQ’s air permit system is an example of this commitment.”

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq

Revised February 3, 2005 by Alice Stimpson