Most environmental laws require a license or a permit before a business can emit pollutants into the air, discharge pollutants into public water resources, dispose of hazardous wastes, or engage in other activities that may cause environmental harm. Some permits are issued by federal agencies, but the majority of environmental permits are issued by state or local government agencies.
In evaluating permit requirements, JGP Consulting first considers the nature of the business operation, its size, and its location. Working with the client, JGP Consulting identifies waste streams, emission sources, and potential pollutant discharges. Common environmental permits and other approvals that JGP Consulting assists clients in obtaining include:
• Air quality permits for individual industrial sources
• Air quality permits for categories of general sources
• Greenhouse gas emissions reporting requirements
• Industrial discharges to municipal wastewater systems
• Point source discharges to surface water
• Industrial activities subject to stormwater pollution prevention planning
• Construction activities subject to stormwater pollution prevention planning
• Discharge of dredge or fill material to surface waters (Section 404 permits)
• Aquifer protection permits for potential discharges to groundwater
• Spill prevention control and countermeasure (SPCC) plans
• Solid waste notices, self-certification, and facility plans
• Hazardous waste generators and transporters
• Hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal sites
• Underground storage tanks - new construction and closure
• Mining plan of operations
• Mining reclamation plans
Some permits require little more than notice or an application. Typically permit applications require extensive information about the facility and operational processes. The application goes through an administrative completeness review which is followed by a technical review for adequacy. In some cases public notice and a public hearing may be held to allow nearby stakeholders to provide input on the application and permit conditions. JGP Consulting works the permit through the entire process of application, review, and licensing.