The Waste and Hazardous Materials Division (WHMD), within the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), has the responsibility of regulating the installation of new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicular Fuel Systems. The WHMD also maintains the certification of all CNG systems that operate in this state.

A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL:

The owner/operator plan review/certification of Compressed Natural Gas Facilities

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

Part 29.3c, Fire Prevention Code, Public Act 207 of 1941, as amended

Executive Reorganization Order No. 2 of 1997

Executive Reorganization Order No. 2 of 1998

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:

Michigan Administrative Code, Rules Administered by MDEQ, WHMD

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicular Fuel Systems (R 29.4601 - 29.4652)

D. MICHIGAN BUSINESS ONE STOP:

The Michigan Business One Stop (One Stop) www.michigan.gov/business is a tool designed to allow businesses to interact with the State of Michigan. The tool offers:

• a set of screening questions based upon your business sector to identify permits, licenses and registrations that may be required to do business in Michigan.
• an option to pay fees online. For many programs, you can pay your business license fee in One Stop through use of an online form and shopping cart.
• many online permit applications and renewals. When starting a new business and registering in One Stop, you will need to identify a business sector (also known as a NAICS Code). You can find your code at www.naics.com, select "Code Search."  After entering this code in One Stop and answering some screening questions, links to relevant permit applications will automatically be available in your newly created workspace. One benefit of accessing applications through One Stop is that you will receive status messages throughout the application process.

Using the One Stop provides many benefits to businesses in Michigan. By conducting your business through One Stop you can organize your State of Michigan transactions in one place. If you ever need assistance with One Stop, then you can contact the Customer Assistance Center at 877-766-1779; they are open from 7 am to 6 pm. One Stop is a valuable tool that offers many benefits to business. We hope you give it a try.

E. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS:

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the permit)

Compressed Natural Gas Vehicular Fuel Facilities are any site that takes natural gas and compresses it for use as a fuel in a natural gas powered vehicle

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements

The applicant is required to submit a completed Application for Installation of a Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Facility Form (EQP 3860), a check for $203 per tank to be reviewed based on the volume of storage, measured in standard cubic feet (SCF), along with a site plan and installation information for review and approval by the WHMD.

 3.  Application Submission Requirements

All data and information requested on the Application of Installation of a Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Facility Form(s)

New CNG Installations:

• A plot plan providing the relevant information such as location of buildings and public roadways, railroads, power lines, storm and sanitary sewers, property lines, manholes, underground storage tanks, aboveground storage tanks, and liquefied petroleum gases, from both the tank and the point of transfer.

• A diagram of the proposed CNG system, the working pressure and material of construction of the tank, piping, flow control devices, compressor size, the capacity and dimensions of the tank, shear valve, breakaway device, dispenser, nozzle, tank valves and supports, gages, pressure relief devices, fire protection, and crash protection.

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining Permit or Approval

New CNG Installations:

• Applicant submits to the WHMD central office a completed Application for Installation of a Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Facility Form #3860, a fee of $203 for each tank to be plan reviewed based on the volume of storage capacity, measured in SCF, and provides the additional information required for new CNG installation plans.

• Storage Tank Unit staff will review new installation plans submitted and issue a plan review report within 30 days from receipt of the submittal. A copy of the plan review report is transmitted with the approved plans to the applicant and appropriate district office for their review in preparation for the field inspection.

• Upon receipt of the plan review report, the applicant will notify the inspector who will schedule a pre-system installation inspection and a final inspection. Pursuant to the final inspection, the inspector will certify the new CNG system if it is in compliance with the CNG Vehicle Fuel System Rules.

Existing CNG Installations:

• Applicant must follow the same steps as outlined in the Procedure for Obtaining a Permit or Approval for a new CNG system

 5.  Operational Requirements

The facility must comply with Fire Safety Rules for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicular Fuel Systems.

 6.  Fees

The annual certificate fee is $61.50 per tank, based on the volume of storage capacity, measured in SCF.

 7.  Appeal Process

If a person wishes to appeal the denial of a variance request under these rules, then they must complete and forward a petition for contested case hearings within 60 days of the receipt of the denial. In these cases, the Administrative Law Judge in the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules makes a Recommendation for Decision for consideration by the Director of MDEQ.

 8.  Public Input Opportunities

The decision makers in the approval process are the Review Engineers in the Storage Tank Unit of WHMD. Complaints or comments related to a facility may be filed with the MDEQ at any time. The complaints are investigated and if they were validated through a finding of a violation then this would be considered in the decision-making process for approval.

F. ADMINISTERING AGENCY:

Waste and Hazardous Materials Division Storage Tank and Solid Waste Section Michigan Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 30157 Lansing, Michigan 48909-7657

• Program Phone: 517-335-7211

• Program Webpage: www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4115_4237-17366--,00.html

• Environmental Assistance Center: 1-800-662-9278, e-mail: deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov

 

Creation/Revision Date:

October 2010