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By the Numbers: Team of staffers at EGLE’s Air Quality Division focused on processing permit applications

It takes a team of staffers at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Air Quality Division to process permit applications.

Air Quality Division permit section staff gathered around a table looking at documents.

Air Quality Division permit section staff reviewing documents.

 

Here’s a summary of their work in 2002:

Permits: Evaluating requests for air permits from companies is a big part of AQD’s work with industry stakeholders. 

  • AQD’s 15 Permit engineers evaluate hundreds of applications a year, tens of which go out for public comment.
  • Technical evaluation of the rules and regulations that apply, as well as assuring any permit issued is protective of public health and the environment, can take time.
  • Permit engineers don’t do this work alone, many other AQD staff work to provide robust and protective air permits.

Dispersion Modeling:  AQD’s three air dispersion modelers use computer models to predict impacts of requested emissions as well as help review air models submitted by permit applicants.

  • Provided modeling support for more than 88 permit actions.

Air Monitoring: AQD’s air monitoring staff help to provide information on ambient air quality around proposed facilities.

  • Assist with approximately 20 permit actions a year.

Toxicologists: AQD’s four toxicologists also have a vital role in looking and requested emissions of toxic air contaminants.

  • Toxicologists served as panelist in 18 permitting actions out for public comment.
  • Toxicologist completed more than 357 screening level chemical reviews as requested by permit engineers for approximately 48 permit applications. 
  • Toxicologists conducted one multi-pathway risk assessment and three 226(d) site specific risk assessments.

Air inspectors: At least one of AQDs 64 inspectors provides feedback and information on every permit action.