Knox County Tennessee

Title V Operating Permit

Persons planning to operate an air contaminant source that is a Title V source require a Title V operating permit from Air Quality. In Knox County, a Title V source is any facility that:

  • has the potential to emit 10 tons per year (tpy) or more of any hazardous air pollutant (HAP);
  • has the potential to emit less than 25 tpy or more of any combination of HAPs;
  • has the potential to emit less than 100 tpy or more of any regulated air pollutant; or
  • is subject to acid rain requirements under Title IV of the Clean Air Act.

Knox County Air Quality Management Regulations (KCAQMR) Section 25.70 contains the general requirements for Title V operating permits. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding Title V operating permits.

  • For initial startup of an air contaminant source constructed or modified in accordance with a construction permit, submit the application within the time specified on its construction permit.
  • For the renewal of a Title V operating permit, submit the application at least 6 months prior to the expiration date of the existing Title V operating permit.

For modifications to an issued Title V operating permit (e.g., changing monitoring or recordkeeping requirements, correcting typographical errors, etc.), submit the application requesting the modification as soon as practicable. See below for the different types of Title V permit modifications and the timeframes for when the change can be implemented.

  • An administrative amendment of a Title V operating permit can be implemented immediately upon submittal of the application. An administrative amendment of a Title V operating permit is a revision that:
    • corrects typographical errors;
    • identifies a change in the name, address, or phone number of any person identified in the permit, or provides a similar administrative change at the source;
    • requires more frequent monitoring or reporting by the permittee;
    • allows for a change in ownership or operational control of a source where Air Quality determines that no other change in the permit is necessary, provided that a written agreement containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between the current and new permittee has been submitted to Air Quality; or
    • incorporates any other type of change which the EPA Administrator has determined to be similar to those above.
  • A minor modification of a Title V operating permit can be implemented upon submittal of the application and with approval from Air Quality. If Air Quality does not provide approval upon the application submittal, the change cannot be implemented until the modified Title V operating permit is issued. A minor modification of a Title V operating permit are modifications that:
    • do not violate an applicable requirement;
    • do not involve significant changes to existing monitoring, reporting, or recordkeeping requirements in the permit;
    • do not require or change a case-by-case determination of an emission limitation or other standard, or a source-specific determination for temporary sources of ambient impacts, or a visibility or increment analysis;
    • do not seek to establish or change a permit term or condition for which there is no corresponding underlying applicable requirement and that the source has assumed to avoid an applicable requirement to which the source would otherwise be subject;
    • are not modifications under any provision of Title I of the Clean Air Act; and
    • are not required by Air Quality to be processed as a significant modification.
  • A significant modification of a Title V operating permit cannot be implemented until the modified Title V operating permit is issued. A significant modification of a Title V operating permit is any change to the Title V operating permit that does not qualify as a minor modification or administrative amendment.

At a minimum, fill out Title V permit application forms APCV-INDEX, APCV-01, and APCV-02 along with the applicable emission source forms (APCV-03 through APCV-10 and APCV-33), control equipment forms (APCV-11 through APCV-18) and compliance demonstration forms (APCV-19 through APCV-32) for Title V operating permit actions. During the processing of the Title V operating permit action, Air Quality may request additional Title V permit application forms be filled out. Please call 865-215-5900 or email airquality@knoxcounty.org if you have any questions or need assistance.

Below are the fees for processing an initial Title V operating permit, modifying a Title V operating permit and operating an air contaminant source under a Title V operating permit.

Initial Title V operating permit fees

An operating permit fee of $250.00 must be included with an initial Title V operating permit application. This filing fee is not refundable if a permit is denied or if the application is withdrawn, and it cannot be applied to any subsequent application. No fee is required for the renewal of an existing Title V operating permit.

Modification of a Non-Title V operating permit fees

A permit modification fee of $150.00 must be included with a Title V operating permit minor or significant modification application. This filing fee is not refundable if a permit is denied or if the application is withdrawn, and it cannot be applied to any subsequent application. No fee is required for modifications of permits that incorporates into an existing Title V operating permit the requirements from a construction permit.

Title V source annual emission fees

Each Title V source operating under a Title V operating permit must pay an annual emission fee by January 31 of each year. The annual emission fee is based on the actual emission of regulated air contaminants and the current EPA part 70 presumptive minimum fee rate. The fee rate for the period of September 2020 through August 2021 is $52.79/ton. Please call 865-215-5900 or email airquality@knoxcounty.org if you have any questions or need assistance determining the fee.

The air contaminant source must be operated in accordance with the conditions of the Title V operating permit and any other applicable requirements from Knox County Air Quality Management Regulations, including annual emission fees. This includes recordkeeping, monitoring, submitting semi-annual reports, and annual certifications of compliance with the conditions listed in the Title V operating permit.

Any modification to the air contaminant source requires either a construction permit (click here for more information on construction permits) or modification to the Title V operating permit (see above questions). For Title V operating permit modifications or renewals, a Title V permit application must be submitted to Air Quality (see above questions).

Please call 865-215-5900 or email airquality@knoxcounty.org if you have any questions or need assistance.

Click here for the Knox County Department of Air Quality Management Regulations.