What is the purpose of this general order?
To regulate Rich-Burn, Spark Ignition, Gaseous Fossil Fuel Powered Emergency Generators located in counties or industrial facilities regulated by Department of Ecology (Ecology). Department of Ecology Air Quality program issues the approval in areas in which Ecology has jurisdiction. These areas are: Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Grant, Adams, Whitman, Garfield, Columbia, Franklin, Walla Walla, Asotin and San Juan Counties. Ecology also has jurisdiction for the following facilities: chemical pulp and paper mills, aluminum smelters and the Hanford Reservation site.
A General Order is a tool air permitting agencies use to allow for the construction and operation of "Select" new and modified sources of air pollution. These select sources are sources that Ecology routinely permits. It is different from the typical Notice of construction process because all of the work has been done up front. Because the majority of the work has been done up front, the time necessary to gain approval from Ecology is greatly reduced.
What activities require this general order?
Using a Rich-Burn, Spark Ignition, Gaseous Fossil Fuel Powered Emergency Generator in the counties or facilities that are regulated by Ecology. Your engine must meet the General Order conditions determined by Ecology.
How much will this general order cost?
The application fee is $500.
Where can I get the application for this general order?
The application is called '
General Order Application: Gaseous Fossil Fuel-Powered Emergency Generator' is online and can be accessed at
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/summarypages/ecy070233.html.
Do I need to include anything with my application?
You must submit documentation of State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) compliance. If a SEPA determination has not been issued a
SEPA checklist must be submitted to Ecology with an additional $285. The application describes additional information you will need to provide.
Is the decision on my general order dependent on anything besides the information in my application?
Your Gas Fired Emergency Electrical Generator must meet the
conditions of approval as determined by Department of Ecology Air Quality program.
If you cannot meet the requirements of the General Order, you can apply for a Notice of Construction for this emergency generator. See the Air Quality Permit sheet for Notice of Construction.
How long will it take to review my application?
For those units that qualify for coverage, the applicant will receive a Coverage Order within 30 days after the complete application has been received.
For those units that do not qualify for coverage, the applicant will receive a letter from Ecology within 30 days after the application was received. The letter will state why the unit does not qualify for coverage under this General Order of Approval.
Where do I submit my application?
Review is conducted in the Department of Ecology Air Quality program within the regional office that has authority. To verify the areas where Ecology has authority and to find contact information use the following
table and map.
How long is my general order valid?
The General Order is valid until the source modifies its practices.
What is the appeal process for the general order?
All permit decisions by the Department of Ecology are appealable to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
Permit Timeliness Results
Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.
All permits submitted for reporting were entered into this Regulatory Handbook. Here are the results of the performance data:
Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: 42Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: 226Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 41Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 54The general order permits are not tracked individually so the results are combined for General Order of Approval for: Asphalt Plants, Auto Body Shops, Concrete Batch Plants, Dairy Manure Anaerobic Digesters, Gas Fired Emergency Electrical Generators, Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaners, Small Boilers Using Natural Gas, Propane, or Diesel Fuel, and Stationary or Portable Rock Crushers.
(Summary results based on 6 submittals in 2023)
Where can I get permitting assistance?
Web page URL:
https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Air-Quality-permits/Air-quality-general-ordersSubject matter expert phone: See notes/comments for link to contacts.
Subject matter expert email: See notes/comments for link to contacts.