Diesel exhaust represents 78% of the potential cancer  risk from all air toxics in the Puget Sound area. It is also linked to  respiratory and cardiovascular problems and premature death. Children,  the elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems  or illnesses are especially vulnerable. Recent studies show people living near ports and roadways have higher exposures and health risk.

The majority of diesel exhaust in the Puget Sound region comes from four transportation sectors:

• Maritime vessels/ships and equipment generate 23% of our region’s diesel exhaust. This sector consists all ocean-going   and harbor vessels, as well as all marine/seaport-related activities,   such as drayage trucks, switchyard locomotives, and cargo-handling   equipment.
• Off-road equipment generates 39% of our region’s diesel exhaust. This sector includes construction  equipment, aircraft-support equipment, and cargo-handling equipment*  used at seaports and rail yards. Note: *For emissions  inventory purposes, our agency includes cargo-handling equipment as part  of the maritime sector and not the off-road sector.
• On-road vehicles generate 34% of our region’s diesel exhaust. This sector includes cars, trucks, vans, buses, waste haulers, and emergency-response vehicles.
• Rail generates 3% of our region’s diesel exhaust. This sector consists of locomotives  that transport goods and people, as well as those that sort cargo within  a rail yard.

A combination of regulatory and voluntary measures are underway to  reduce diesel emissions from the transportation sectors. This includes  our Diesel Solutions program, and working with regional, national and  international partners.

An “adequate source of heat” is a heating system that is designed to maintain a temperature of 70 degrees F at a point three feet above the floor in each normally inhabited room. We base our assessments on the adequacy of the whole system’s heating capacity, including any parts of the heating system that may have been disconnected, damaged or simply aren’t working. If your heating system is disconnected, damaged or simply not working, please still include this information otherwise your application will be incomplete and the Agency will not be able to process your application.  

Most homes in our counties have another adequate source of heat (furnace, electric baseboards etc).) beyond wood stoves, because of building code requirements.

In order to receive an exemption, you must apply for a "no other adequate source of heat" exemption from the Agency. To apply for an exemption, please download the application:or call (206) 716-1195, option 1 and request one to be sent to you. 

Please note, we will review and confirm the information that you have provided in your application with what is listed on your county assessor’s page.

Please apply for an exemption immediately, you can download the application or call (206) 716-1195, option 1, and request one to be sent to you. Please note, applying for the NOASH will not automatically guarantee that your NOV will be dismissed, you will still need to provide the Agency with a written response and information on your wood burning device as instructed on the NOV.  

On the few days we have air quality burn bans in place, the use of your primary, clean heating device (furnace, electric baseboard) is expected in order to keep air quality healthy for you, your family, and your neighbors. The exception is if your wood stove is your only adequate source of heat and you have applied and received an exemption from the Agency.  

This exemption was designed to identify those homes that have no other way, besides wood burning, to sufficiently heat their homes. As a regulatory agency, we are required to follow the law, which is quite clear: the “no other adequate source of heat” decision is based on the heating system(s) currently in your home.

We cannot take into consideration:

• Your income level.
• Ability to pay your heating bills.
• Whether your heating system is working.

We do, however, take income level into account to help identify possible assistance programs to help you with your home heating. A resource list can be found at the end. 

If you are renting the home and/or it is owned by a friend or family member, please fill out Question #5 with your contact information and Question #6 with your landlord’s contact information.

If you own the home, please fill out Question #5 with your contact information.

If you do not live at the home and you are filling this form out for a family member or friend, please fill out Question #7 with your contact information. 

Look for the main breaker handle (the biggest one) and see if the amps are listed on the handle or look for the amps on the toggle switch.

Look for the boiler tag on your heater; this will contain the BTU ratings.

Answer this question to the best of your knowledge.

You may continue to burn wood cleanly during air quality burn bans for the time period stated on your approval letter from the Clean Air Agency. Keep your eyes open for an application reminder that we will send to you before the next heating season. Also, regardless of your exemption status, we may contact you to see if you qualify for one of our incentive programs to improve your heating situation.

While you may not be eligible for this specific exemption, you may have extenuating circumstances that make it difficult for you to comply with burn bans. If you burn wood during an air quality burn ban, you may receive a notice of violation. Should you receive a notice of violation from our inspection staff, you’ll have an opportunity to respond with a detailed explanation of your situation which will be taken into consideration when determining how to resolve your case.

Depending on where you live and your individual circumstances, you may be able to take advantage of rebates and assistance offered by our partner organizations:

• Offers, rebates and assistance on insulation and heating.

If you have a certified device, you may use it during a stage 1 burn ban without needing an exemption. If you don’t have a certified device, it is illegal to burn during a stage 1 AND a stage 2 burn ban. 

If it has solid metal door(s) on the front, then it is uncertified.

• If it has two glass doors, then it is likely uncertified.
• If it has one glass door, then more information is needed.
• If there is a brand/manufacturer name and model type on the device, look for it on the list of EPA-certified wood stoves. Otherwise, you will need to take a picture of it and take it to your nearest hearth dealer for help in identifying.
• Look for an EPA label on the back or side. If you have a fireplace insert, you may need to remove the decorative facing (surround) to be able to see the manufacturer's label. Consult your owner's manual
• "UL Tested" or "UL Approved" is not the same as EPA certified”.

Certified stoves will have an EPA label that will look like this:

Or an Oregon DEQ label that looks like this:

No, you cannot buy, sell, exchange or give-away uncertified devices - it's illegal. 

Wood stoves, fireplaces, and other solid fuel burning devices sold in Washington must be certified to meet Washington state emission standards.

An air quality burn ban is a mandatory, yet temporary, order that restricts the use of wood stoves and fireplaces, as well as outdoor burning, when air quality is degraded and human health may be adversely impacted. Air quality burn bans typically occur during colder fall and winter months to address smoke from residential wood burning in wood stoves and fireplaces.  

For more information, visit our About Burn Bans page.

During a Stage 1 air quality burn ban:

• No burning is allowed in wood-burning fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves, or uncertified fireplace inserts unless this is your only adequate source of heat and you have an approved exemption.
• Even those using a certified device or those for whom this is their only adequate source of heat cannot generate visible smoke.
• All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes wood- and charcoal-fueled recreational fires.

During a Stage 2 air quality burn ban:

• No burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat and you have an approved exemption.
• Even those for whom this is their only adequate source of heat cannot generate visible smoke.
• All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes wood- and charcoal-fueled recreational fires.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has regulatory authority to issue air quality burn bans in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, in accordance with RCW 70A.15.3580.

The smoke from burning wood and wood-based products contains fine particles (soot) and a toxic mix of other carcinogens. This pollution is harmful to your health, particularly for young children, older adults and people with respiratory and heart disease. During stagnant weather conditions, concentrations of wood smoke can reach harmful levels, so we restrict wood smoke emissions to protect air quality in our neighborhoods and the health of those living there.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency calls air quality burn bans for King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Air quality burn bans for areas outside Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s jurisdiction are issued by other local air agencies, the Washington Department of Ecology, or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

We follow State Burn Ban Requirements:

We will issue Stage 1 air quality burn bans when weather conditions are predicted to create stagnant air and a build-up of fine particle pollution (PM_2.5) that:

• Exceeds a 24-hour average of 35 micrograms per cubic meter within 48 hours (King and Kitsap counties).
• Exceeds a 24-hour average of 30 micrograms per cubic meter within 72 hours (Pierce and Snohomish counties).

In some cases when PM_2.5 levels are rising rapidly, we may call a Stage 2 air quality burn ban without first calling a Stage 1 air quality burn ban.

Forecast weather conditions play a major role in determining when – or whether – to issue an air quality burn ban. For example, in certain circumstances when pollution levels have risen to the Stage 2 trigger, we may not issue an air quality burn ban if we expect that weather conditions over the next 24 hours will clean out our area’s air pollution.

We also issue these air quality bans based on the air quality conditions in the individual counties and in some cases sub-county areas within our jurisdiction. As a result, one or more counties or areas may have a Stage 1 burn ban in place while another county has advanced to a Stage 2 burn ban. Or one county may have a burn ban in effect while others have no restrictions in place.

The Agency issues air quality forecasts year-round to inform the public of expected conditions and health impacts based on EPA’s Air Quality Index.

We typically issue air quality burn bans on a county-wide basis, with some sub-areas for Pierce and Snohomish Counties. Our counties, however, have very diverse landscapes. Sometimes, one part of a county may experience stagnant weather conditions and elevated pollution levels, while in another part of the county, it’s windy and the air is somewhat cleaner.

We issue air quality burn bans when we expect air pollution to worsen. Sometimes the AQI may read “good” or “moderate” at the time we issue a ban; that means we anticipate that air pollution will build up soon. Pollution tends to build slowly during the day and is typically worst at night and early morning hours.

Air quality can indeed vary throughout our large counties. We typically issue air quality bans on a county-wide basis for clearly communicating it to the public and media, and to help maintain healthy air throughout the region. 

There are a few exceptions to this in Pierce and Snohomish Counties. To find out what air quality burn ban zone you are in check the Burn Ban Area Map.

We call bans in Pierce and Snohomish Counties more often due to lower thresholds for fine particle pollution (per state law). They also tend to have more burn bans than King or Kitsap because they reach higher pollution levels more frequently. This is in part because they have more wood burning communities in highly-populated areas. Meteorology also plays a key role; King and Kitsap Counties have windier weather and lower smoke levels, often making a burn ban unnecessary there.

We have identified the Pierce Peninsula and South Pierce zones of Pierce County as areas that may have levels of pollution different than the rest of the county. The Greater Pierce County zone experiences bans more often than the rest of our region. 

To find out which burn ban zone you are in, please check the Burn Ban Area Map.

Pierce County has three separate burn ban zones. These zones are referred to as Greater Pierce County, South Pierce, and Pierce Peninsula. 

To find out which burn ban zone you are in, please check the Burn Ban Area Map.

We offer many ways to learn about burn bans, including our front webpage, our email alerts, through social media, or our burn ban phone line (800-595-4341). Sign up to receive alerts about air quality burn bans.

If a fire is already lit, do not add more fuel and simply let it burn out. If using a wood stove or fireplace insert, increase or open the air flow to both improve the draft for a cleaner, hotter burn and to help the fire burn out faster.

See the rules about what devices can and cannot be used during a Stage 1 or a Stage 2 burn ban. Even if your device is allowed, do not produce excess smoke.

Where there is smoke, there is likely fire and non-compliance with the burn ban. Our agency inspectors are trained to read the density, or “opacity,” of smoke and to determine if visible smoke violates the state’s opacity laws. It is always illegal to generate excessive smoke, defined as 20% opacity or more for more than six consecutive minutes, even when a burn ban is not in effect.

If you have a device that is legal to use during a Stage 1 burn ban or if this is your only adequate source of heat and you have an approved exemption, you still must burn cleanly and not emit visible smoke. Remember, excessive smoke is illegal at any time, from any device.

If our inspectors observe an air quality burn ban violation, they will issue a Notice of Violation to the property owner. 

Air quality burn bans are issued and enforced by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency when air pollution levels rise to unhealthy levels. Air quality burn bans typically occur during colder fall and winter months to address smoke from residential wood burning in wood stoves and fireplaces.  

Fire safety burn bans are issued and enforced by the fire marshal or local fire departments when dry weather conditions heighten the risk of wildfires. Fire safety burn bans are generally called during the summer and can last for several months, even into the fall.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is not responsible for issuing or enforcing fire safety burn bans. For more on fire safety bans, contact your county fire marshal or local fire department.

A certified wood stove/fireplace insert would likely have a label indicating it complies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards. To the right is a sample label.

Here are a few other ways to determine whether you have a certified or uncertified device:

• If it has two solid, metal doors on the front, then it is uncertified.
• If it has two glass doors, then it is uncertified.
• If it has one glass door, then more information is needed. If there is a brand/manufacturer name on the device, look for it on the EPA’s current List of Certified Wood Stoves or the historical List of EPA-Certified Wood Stoves (PDF) that identifies certified wood stoves produced before April 2015. Otherwise, you will need to take a picture of it and take it to your nearest hearth dealer.

On the few days we have air quality burn bans in place, the use of your (primary) clean heating device is expected in order to keep air quality healthy for you, your family, and your neighbors. The exception is if your wood stove is your only adequate source of heat and you have an approved "no other adequate source of heat" exemption from the Agency.

An “adequate source of heat” is a heating system that is designed to maintain a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit at a point three feet above the floor in each normally inhabited room. We base our assessment on the adequacy of the whole system’s heating capacity, including any parts of the heating system that may have been disconnected, damaged or simply aren’t working.

Most homes in our area have another adequate source of heat beyond wood stoves, because of building code requirements.

In some cases, using a wood burning device may be the only way to adequately heat your home. If you believe this is true for your home, you may apply for “no other adequate source of heat” exemption through our agency.

You must apply and be approved for this exemption before using your wood burning device during an air quality burn ban.

Download the Application Form (PDF)

To learn more about these exemptions, read our No Other Adequate Source of Heat FAQs.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has been issuing wintertime air quality burn bans during episodes of poor air quality since the late 1980s. During these burn bans, the Agency has prohibited the use of primarily uncertified wood stoves and fireplaces in order to reduce pollution and lessen the impact on public health.

The air quality burn ban program has evolved over the years to reflect updates in health information and mandated air quality standards.

You can call us at 206-343-8800 or submit a web inquiry with your question.

An asbestos survey is performed by an AHERA Building Inspector. An AHERA inspector can be located in the Yellow pages under “Asbestos”. A single-family resident homeowner can perform an asbestos survey for their renovation project, but not for the demolition of their residence.

Material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure or by the forces expected to act upon the material in the course of the demolition or disposal. Such material includes, but is not limited to, thermal system insulation, surfacing material, sheet-vinyl flooring with paper-like backing, and cement asbestos products.

Material that is not friable. This may include asbestos asphaltic roofing, vinyl asbestos tile, mastic, and caulking, depending upon their condition.

Only a few types of asbestos materials were banned: sprayed-on fireproofing, pipe insulation, and boiler insulation. Even then, existing inventories of asbestos containing materials could be used until they were gone. This is one reason why there is no set construction date which can be relied upon to determine that a building does not contain asbestos. Even some newly-manufactured building materials imported into the country have been found to contain asbestos.

Nearly every building material has historically contained asbestos. Asbestos was used in over 3000 building products. Most asbestos building material types are friable or have become so with deterioration due to age, weathering or wear and tear. A list of suspect asbestos containing materials can be found in Asbestos Survey Guidance (PDF).

Materials that contain asbestos must be taken to a disposal facility authorized to accept asbestos waste. View a list of these facilities within our jurisdiction.

After properly saturating or coating the item with water, carefully wrap the items to ensure they are in a leak tight container(s). Call the waste disposal site authorized to accept your asbestos waste for specific instructions. If plastic is used, it must be a minimum of 6-mil in thickness. A “burrito style” wrapping is often used. Be sure to seal all ends with duct tape and attach asbestos warning labels and other required markings.

Yes, advance notification is required on any structure with a roof area greater than 120 square feet. You must wait 10 days after submitting your notification to the Agency, unless you file for an emergency demolition.

If the roof area of the building was 120 square feet or less, no notification was needed. However, you must follow all other rules for handling and disposing of asbestos.

If the roof area was greater than 120 square feet, a notice was required even if no asbestos is present. The Agency will not accept a demolition notification after the demolition has occurred. You may receive a Notice of Violation from our Agency for failure to notify. Before further disturbing the debris, you must determine whether it contains asbestos material. Obtain the services of an AHERA Building Inspector (look in the yellow pages under “Asbestos”) to survey the demolition debris for the presence of asbestos.

It must be handled and disposed of in accordance with our asbestos regulations. Depending on the quantities involved, you may need to file an asbestos notification with our Agency. You may receive a Notice of Violation for not removing the friable asbestos containing waste material (ACWM) before conducting the demolition.

Our agency allows non-friable asbestos-containing roofing material to be left in place if the material remains non-friable during the demolition. Other government regulatory agencies, such as the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, may have different requirements.

You should not disturb any debris and immediately notify your property owner or landlord. Ask whether the ceiling material contains asbestos or whether it was ever tested for the presence of asbestos. If the crumbling popcorn ceiling material contains asbestos, we suggest that a certified asbestos abatement contractor remove, repair, or encapsulate the ceiling.

If low pressure is used without abrasives and the siding will not be disturbed, then pressure washing is allowable. If the washing abrades the surface, breaks, or otherwise disturbs the siding, then the project becomes subject to the asbestos regulatory requirements.

Information about vermiculite can be obtained at the EPA website.

You should consider obtaining the services of an asbestos professional (industrial hygienist or consultant) to assist you in determining the extent of any possible asbestos contamination and to work with you to develop a corrective action plan to address any potential hazard.

When filing online and your payment has been approved, you will be able to print your notification. If you come into the agency office to pay with cash and use a hard copy notification form, we will make a photocopy for you. Always keep copies of the notification along with the asbestos survey on site during the project.

Complete an Asbestos Waste Material Shipment Record (PDF) and keep it with you when transporting ACM to a disposal site authorized to accept asbestos waste. A list of asbestos waste disposal sites can also be found on our website.

Yes, on the completion date you specify on the submitted notification. The completion date must be commensurate with the amount of work being performed.

Yes, you can submit an emergency notification for a fee of $40 to waive the required 10-day waiting period. Single-family residences are exempt from the $40 emergency fee.

A notification submitted to the agency online or completed in our office on an approved notification form that provides the information requested and is accompanied with the appropriate fee by credit or debit card, or cash. No checks are accepted.

No. Please remember that asbestos-containing waste material must be deposited at a waste disposal site authorized to accept such waste within 10 days of removal.

The Agency can assess a monetary civil penalty up to $24,273.00 per day per violation. If an economic benefit is realized by non-compliance, the penalty can reflect this estimated cost which is often non negotiable. Criminal sanctions may occur for a knowing or willful violation.

To satisfy the requirement for a written report under the asbestos survey requirements, a written statement by the property owner identifying which suspect materials are presumed to be asbestos containing would suffice. Remember to post this written statement at the work site or communicate to all persons who may come into contact with the material.

Friable asbestos need not be removed prior to a demolition or renovation, if the property owner demonstrates to the Agency that it is not accessible because of hazardous conditions. The property owner must submit a written determination of the hazard to the Agency by an authorized government official or a licensed structural engineer, and must also submit procedures that will be followed for controlling asbestos emissions during the demolition or renovation and disposal of the asbestos. Work cannot proceed without an approval from the Agency.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) administers the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP). All asbestos samples collected in schools for AHERA-related purposes must be analyzed only by a NVLAP-accredited laboratory. The use of NVLAP-accredited laboratories for the analysis of samples collected in private homes and other non-school buildings is not required by current Agency or federal regulation, but is nevertheless strongly recommended to ensure dependable quality results.

Yes, see definition of friable asbestos containing material. Regardless of the condition of cement products containing asbestos, cement products are regulated material and must be handled and disposed of as asbestos containing material.

No. Pipe bursting is not allowed for friable ACM (see definition of friable asbestos containing material which includes cement products) because the process of pipe bursting damages asbestos containing materials not allowing the required work practice and disposal requirements to be followed.  

Watch the following video to learn more about how to file an asbestos project notification:

• How to Submit an Asbestos Project Notification Video

Watch the following video to learn more about asbestos survey requirements:

• Explaining Asbestos Survey Requirements Video

Gas station owners are required to develop and maintain an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) plan. These can be as simple as a checklist showing when inspections for gasoline leaks from hoses and nozzles are completed and any corrective action (repair) taken. The O&M plan should include a simple statement of how the station will complete the required  tests in a timely manner. Some stations set a regular testing schedule (e.g., every December and June).

Yes. We may inspect your station, but we are less likely to do so if we have your passing tests on file and your registration fees are paid on time.

• All stations need to have a pressure-decay test every six months.
• Stations with vapor-balance systems need to have a complete set of tests every year instead of every other year.
• A tank torque test must be included in the complete set of annual tests.
• The tank-tie test must be conducted at least once, or after any tank configuration changes to show the tanks are manifolded.
• All new or complete replacement of Stage One or Stage Two equipment must file a completed notification form with the Agency. Installations will need a specified set of tests prior to operation.

Costs may vary. Contact a certified technician for test costs.

No. If the defective equipment cannot be repaired by the close of the next business day following the failed compliance test, you must stop receiving and/or dispensing gasoline from the defective equipment until it is repaired and retested, and passes all required compliance tests.

The station owner or operator is required to keep copies of test reports on-site for two years from the dates of the tests.

The tester is required to submit a pass/fail test to the agency within five days after the test.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has reviewed the EPA guidance and conducted our own analysis. View the Analysis Results (PDF).

Only technicians who have passed the certification exams are permitted to conduct equipment tests and do new equipment installations in our jurisdiction. Highly-skilled, certified technicians help ensure that testing and repairs are done correctly, saving station owners and operators staff time and training costs and reducing equipment failures.

View our List of Certified Testers and Installers.

A tester who claims to be certified but is not may be fined by the Clean Air Agency. Ultimately, you, the gas station owner/operator, are responsible for hiring a certified technician. Always ask a technician for his or her certification card to ensure it is valid.

Odors from producing and processing plants must be controlled and not cause a nuisance to your neighbors.

The main requirements are the Notice of Construction (NOC) or permitting program and the Registration program. The NOC program is a pre-construction application and review program that, when approved, result in permits to businesses with site-specific conditions to achieve compliance with air quality laws and regulations. The NOC applications  rely on case-by-case decisions which reflect the specifics of the application and the emission control technology options and projected impacts for that specific proposal.

The Registration program includes on-site inspections, compliance reviews, and annual fees to the Agency. The inspections review compliance with specific permit conditions (obtained through the NOC approval process) along with general agency regulations.

We are charged with preventing, reducing and controlling emissions and exposure from significant sources of air pollution. If facilities need meaningful emission controls to prevent them from being a nuisance to the public, we take that responsibility seriously and want to work with producers and processors to identify the methods and means to achieve the common goal of “no nuisance impacts.”

We care about the actual or potential emissions that may come from these facilities for producers and processors. Our current understanding is that the producer (i.e. grower) and processor operations produce a significant amount of odorous emissions which may cause nuisance impacts off site if they are not properly controlled and managed. Colorado is working through similar issues to those faced in Washington and has shared some guidance regarding some odor control practices.

We have coordinated with other local government agency representatives and visited some early licensee sites to understand what types of activities are involved in these operations. This has confirmed the potential for odorous emissions.

Our focus is on the producers and processors for this industry, not retail facilities.

We take odor complaints very seriously and follow the protocols established through our regulations which state that it is against the law to emit any air contaminant that unreasonably interferes with enjoyment of life and property.

We prioritize our response based on the number of complaints and likelihood of the smell still being present. You must be willing to provide a written statement describing how the smell is impacting your life and or property (at this moment) and agree to testify under oath later if any enforcement action taken by the agency is appealed.

Once on site, our inspector must be able to detect an odor that is distinct, definite and unpleasant, and be able to trace the odor back to its source.

When you detect an odor that interferes with your enjoyment of life and/ or property, please register your complaint with us as soon as possible. Our inspectors will evaluate the information and will respond if resources are available. It is important to submit a complaint while the odor is actually occurring. Please visit the Complaint Section of our website for instructions.  Our online complaint process is the most efficient way to file a complaint.

Yes. We have issued several civil penalties to Cedar Grove for nuisance odor violations at both of its facilities.

The study is complete. View the Report Summary (PDF) or full Final Report (PDF) for details.

No, but the agency does take interest in organizations that communicate odor related information to the public. The Facts on Composting (FOC) website was funded by a public participation grant from the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE), but is not necessarily endorsed by DOE. According to FOC, the goal of the grant is to provide community outreach to address potential health threats from emissions from large scale composting facilities in Western Washington.

Yes, although we do not respond to anonymous complaints for wood smoke, dust or odor complaints. Due to the number of complaints we receive, we focus our resources on complaints where the person complaining is willing to provide their contact information for any follow-up questions.

Important: If you provide your contact information, we cannot keep it anonymous. Your complaint will become a public record. Being a public agency, we are required by our regulations (PDF) and state law to provide access to your complaint (and contact information) if someone submits a request. For more information please call 800-552-3565.

We need your contact information for complaints about odor, dust or wood smoke if we decide to take enforcement action against the offending party and need you as a witness.

However, you may anonymously report a burn ban violation. This is because we receive so many wood smoke complaints during a burn ban that we cannot respond to each individual complaint. Rather, we collect all complaints and use that information to help identify neighborhoods that are being most impacted by wood smoke during a burn ban and focus our enforcement activity. For more information please call 800-552-3565.

Fire departments are the main contact for outdoor burning because they know where outdoor burning is allowed and banned. Where it is allowed, they issue burning permits with requirements that certain conditions be met. One of these conditions is that the fire not impact one's neighbors. Therefore, contact your local fire department if your neighbor's outdoor fire, permitted or not, is impacting you. For more information please call 800-552-3565.

We do not regulate the emissions from trains, so we do not respond to complaints about idling trains. We recommend that you report your complaint to the railroad company.

To identify the owner of the idling train, review a map of Washington's rail system. 

Board meetings are usually held at the Agency's office at 1904 3rd Avenue, Suite 105, Seattle, Washington. (http://wa-pugetsoundcleanair.civicplus.com/270/Get-Directions)

Occasionally meetings are held at a different location; in that event, location and directions will be published in advance of the meeting.

Meetings typically begin around 8:45 a.m. and end around noon.

All Board meetings are open to the public; only Executive and Closed Sessions are closed. If you would like to speak to the Board about an air quality issue that is not on the agenda, there is a comment portion for the public at the beginning of every meeting (depending on how many people present would like to address the Board, you usually have approximately 3-5 minutes to speak).

When there are regulation changes being proposed during a public hearing, there will be an opportunity during that portion of the agenda to speak to the Board specifically about the proposed regulation changes. You will be advised at that time how much time you will be allotted to make your comments.

PSCAA’s Code of Conduct is applicable to all who wish to provide comment or testimony to PSCAA’s Board of Directors.

Advisory meetings are usually held at the Agency's office at 1904 3rd Avenue, Suite 105, Seattle, Washington. (http://wa-pugetsoundcleanair.civicplus.com/270/Get-Directions)

Occasionally  meetings are held at a different location; in that event, location and  directions will be published in advance of the meeting.

Meetings typically begin around 9 a.m. and end around noon.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District in California thoroughly evaluates air sensors available for purchase through their Sensor Performance Evaluation Center (AQ-SPEC). AQ-SPEC compares air sensors to regulatory monitors both in a laboratory test chamber and in the field on a long term basis. This is the most comprehensive air sensor testing program that we know of and we use it to select sensors for our own evaluation.

If you’re looking for more of a DIY solution, the World Air Quality Index project reviews sensors that require some hands-on experience.

It’s not always clear what your air sensors data means, especially if you’re trying to compare them to the air quality data found on our website.

Air sensors give readings every minute, or even instantaneously; our regulatory monitoring is reported hourly or daily. We use these longer time scales because there is a proven link between daily air quality levels and health effects. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is based on daily values. There currently is no equivalent for air sensors.

However, the EPA has launched a new tool to make instantaneous outdoor air quality data useful for the public. Their new “sensor scale” is designed to be used with air quality sensors that provide data in short time increments – often as little as one minute. EPA developed the scale to help people understand the one-minute data the sensors provide and how to use sensor data as an additional tool for planning outdoor activities.

Check out EPA’s Air Sensor Toolbox for more info.

The easiest and most reliable way is to compare your air sensor to your nearest regulatory monitoring site. If your data isn’t matching up there could be a number of reasons why, including: your air sensor is not working properly or isn’t in a good location for sampling.

There are a couple ways to sign up for updates when wildfire smoke impacts our region's air quality. 

Email Alerts:

• Subscribe to our email list 

• Prepare For Fire Season  – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• How Smoke From Fires Can Affect Your Health – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Smoke Ready Toolbox – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Air Pollution & School Activities – Washington State Department of Health
• Washington Smoke Blog – Washington State Department of Ecology Blog
• How Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Body – Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• Smoke From Fires – Washington State Department of Health
• Indoor Air Quality – Washington State Department of Health

The size of pollution particles, called particulate matter or PM, are directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. PM is measured in micrometers (µm)

When a wildfire smoke event is taking place, there could be many different particles in the air. Larger PM like ash (PM with a diameter greater than 10µm) can be seen with the naked eye and may be concerning, but our bodies have natural defenses to keep these larger particles from entering our lungs, though they can be an irritant to the eyes, nose, and throat.

Other particles from wood, or wildfire smoke, can be much smaller (PM with a diameter of 2.5µm or less, than 2.5µm, about 3% the diameter of a human hair) and are more dangerous to our health. These smaller particles cannot be seen with the naked eye and can be inhaled into the deepest part of the lungs. There these particles may cause greater health concerns, like breathing and heart problems.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency does not fight or manage wildfires directly. Our role is to monitor air quality and notify frontline organizations when smoke levels reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category. Wildfire response and management are handled by other agencies, including:

• WA Department of Natural Resources
• US Forest Service
• Local, County, and State Fire Departments

There may be a fire safety burn ban in effect, even in rural areas. Always check with your local fire department or county fire marshal before burning. You can also find current burn ban restrictions through these resources:

• DNR land (Text: Washington State Department of Natural Resources Burn Restriction Map)
• Tribal land (Text: EPA Burn Bans on Tribal Land in WA, OR, and ID)

When wildfire smoke pushes air quality to reach UNHEALTHY levels, it makes up the vast majority of pollution. Other pollution sources, like transportation or industry, contribute relatively little by comparison (less than 10%), so restricting them would have minimal impact. Additionally, unhealthy levels alone do not trigger limited provisions in the Washington Clean Air Act related to source operations. That said, we still encourage everyone to avoid creating additional smoke when wildfire risk is high. 

Converting air quality data into health information is complex, and different websites or apps may display the data in different ways. We recommend using our Sensor Map or the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map, which use well-established health-based categories and provide timely information.

Some tools—like the PurpleAir map—show raw, real-time data that must be calibrated to be useful. If you’re using the PurpleAir map, click the settings icon in the top left and select U.S. EPA under “Apply Conversion” to view health-based readings. 

It’s also important to know whether you’re viewing real-time data or averaged data: 

• Average values (used on the EPA map and the “Health View” of our sensor map) help estimate potential health impacts. Real-time values (like those shown on PurpleAir and the “Instant View” of our map) are helpful for tracking smoke movement and making quick decisions to protect your health.

To understand what the numbers mean, find the color of the nearest sensor and match it to the health category shown. And for broader context, check our daily air quality Forecast or visit the WA Smoke Blog for the latest information.

From 2009 to 2015, Tacoma and much of Pierce County was one of only 32 areas in the country that didn’t meet federal health standards for air quality. Despite now meeting the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard for fine particulate matter pollution (PM2.5), wood smoke continues to play a large part of this pollution problem in our region.  

The fine particle pollution in the Smoke Reduction Zone comes mainly from smoke due to burning in wood stoves and fireplaces. Pollution is worse during the winter months when more households are burning wood for heat. In addition, stagnant weather conditions trap the smoke from these fires close to the ground and cause air pollution to build up rapidly. 

Uncertified wood burning stoves can produce 50-60% more pollution than certified stoves. The removal of old wood stoves will continue to help the region meet air quality standards and help solve the Zone’s fine particle air pollution problem for good. 

No. The legislature only gave us the authority to do this in the area that was not meeting federal standards – the Smoke Reduction Zone. The rest of Pierce County is not affected.

A certified wood stove/fireplace insert would likely have a label on the back or side indicating it complies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emission standards. Here are label examples:

US EPA Certified

Oregon DEQ Certified

There are a few other ways to help determine whether you have a certified or uncertified device:

• If it has solid metal door(s) on the front, then it is likely uncertified.
• If it has two glass doors, then it is likely uncertified.
• If it has one glass door, then more information is needed.
• If there is a brand/manufacturer name and model type on the device, look for it on the historical list of EPA-certified wood stoves located. Otherwise, you will need to take a picture of it and take it to your nearest hearth dealer for help in identifying.
• Look for an EPA label on the back or side. If you have a fireplace insert, you may need to remove the decorative facing (surround) to be able to see the manufacturer's label.
• Consult your owner's manual.

Please note that "UL Tested" or "UL Approved" is not the same as EPA certified.

If you are still not sure your device is uncertified, you can take a picture of the front and back of your stove, along with the manufacturer's label, and take it to your nearest hearth dealer. You may also email us at woodstove@pscleanair.org with the photos and any identifying information you have about your stove.

The rule went into effect on October 1, 2015. It is now illegal to purchase or operate an uncertified wood stove in the Tacoma-Pierce County Smoke Reduction Zone. All wood stoves not EPA certified must be removed and recycled, or rendered inoperable, except for in a small number of homes that qualify for and have an approved exemption because they do not have another adequate source of heat.

The rule applies only in the Tacoma-Pierce County Smoke Reduction Zone.

You can sign up to take advantage of our Wood Stove Program and receive a cash reward for recycling your old wood stove.

Hearth industry (wood stove) contractors can help you by either breaking off doors of a stove so they can't be reattached or by punching holes in the firebox so the stove can't be used again.

It's up to you. You can render the stove inoperable and take the stove to a local scrapyard. You can also sign up to take advantage of our Wood Stove Program and receive a cash reward for recycling your old wood stove.

No, it's illegal to buy, sell, exchange, give-away, or reinstall an uncertified wood-burning device. Wood stoves, fireplaces, and other solid fuel burning devices sold in Washington must be certified to meet both EPA and Washington state emission standards.

Click the following link for emission standards for various wood-burning devices:

WA Ecology – Wood stoves & other home heating

Click to learn more about the laws on wood-burning devices:

Regulation I, Section 13.03 (PDF), Washington Administrative Code: 173-433.

No. This rule pertains to uncertified wood-burning stoves and inserts (which is basically a wood stove made to be inserted into a fireplace opening). You are still prohibited from burning in your fireplace during an air quality burn ban.

In some cases, using a wood-burning device may be the only way to adequately heat your home. If you believe this is true for your home, you may apply for a No Other Adequate Source of Heat (NOASH) exemption through the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. You must apply and be approved for this exemption before using your wood-burning device. To download the application and apply, please visit our NOASH page or call (206) 716-1195, option 2, and request that one to be mailed to you.

We will enforce the rule the way we’ve enforced our air quality burn ban and excess smoke rules for years: by looking for smoke. Uncertified wood stoves produce a lot more smoke than a certified stove. If you have illegal smoke, we’ll be checking in with you to find out more about your stove. We are hoping most people take advantage of our funding assistance as long as it is available and remove their older uncertified stove. As of October 1, 2015, if we determine that you have an uncertified device, you’ll need to remove and recycle it, or render it inoperable.

No. We do not go into homes. We look for smoke coming from chimneys outdoors.

The Washington State legislature has given local air pollution control agencies and the Washington Department of Ecology the authority to prohibit the use of uncertified wood burning devices in an area that is designated as a "nonattainment area" as of January 1, 2015, or if required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This state law referenced above gives the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency the legal authority to prohibit uncertified wood-burning devices in the Tacoma-Pierce County Wood Smoke Reduction Zone.

You can see this law in its entirety here:

RCW 70.94.47 - LIMITATIONS ON USE OF SOLID FUEL BURNING DEVICES
(Scroll down to Section 7 of this page for specific language describing the prohibition of uncertified wood burning devices)

You can find the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's specific regulations pertaining to the Tacoma-Pierce County Smoke Reduction Zone within the Solid Fuel Burning Device Standards.
(Scroll down to Section 13.07 to see language specific to Tacoma-Pierce County Smoke Reduction Zone)

Carbon intensity is the total amount of carbon dioxide (or equivalent) generated from a type of fuel. It includes the complete lifecycle of the fuel pathway (often called “wells to wheels”) from production to transportation to consumption. Carbon intensity is used to measure and compare different fuels’ impact on climate change, and set targets for reductions.

Transportation is the primary source of climate pollution in the Puget Sound region. Without addressing transportation fuels, we simply can’t achieve our region’s long-term goals for limiting climate change. A Clean Fuel Standard is a major step towards taking responsibility for our share of the problem.

The Agency analyzed several possible transportation actions that could move the region toward our greenhouse gas reduction target. A Clean Fuel Standard showed the greatest potential to decrease transportation pollution.

Other strategies, like carbon pricing, are effective in addressing climate change, but do not create significant changes within the transportation sector as quickly as necessary to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. 

We strongly support the state adopting a Clean Fuel Standard. Unfortunately, the state has not chosen to do so even though climate change needs to be urgently addressed. 

We are proposing a standard for the Clean Air Agency’s jurisdiction of King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, which represents about half of the population of Washington and half of the state’s transportation pollution.

Yes. Multiple independent studies have reached the same conclusion – there are enough clean fuels for the Puget Sound region to meet a Clean Fuel Standard.

We expect a small increase. Based on what we are seeing in California and Oregon, as well as a Washington State study, we anticipate a maximum increase of approximately 1-2 cents per gallon each year of the program for gasoline and diesel.

Fuel costs typically fluctuate significantly based on the market cost of crude oil. For instance, in a one-year period from October 2017 to October 2018, gas prices in Washington increased over 40 cents per gallon because of the increase in the price of crude on the international market. This cost increase did not provide any added benefits to citizens of our region and does not reflect the costs that petroleum consumption imposes on society in the form of health impacts and climate change. The potential added cost at the gas pump from a Clean Fuel Standard is significantly less and provides meaningful benefits for our citizens, including improving air quality and public health and mitigating climate change.

Like the rest of the U.S., fossil fuel prices in Oregon and California fluctuate up and down based largely on crude oil prices (for example, they have ranged from about $2.00 to more than $4.00 per gallon in the last 10 years). An increase due solely to the Clean Fuel policies is hard to see in the “noise” of gasoline and diesel pump price fluctuations, but does appear to be small.   

The estimated maximum increase of gas cost per gallon attributable to the Clean Fuel Standard in Oregon for 2017, based on carbon intensity reduction and credit price, was less than a penny. This is a maximum estimate that assumes fuel providers must buy all of their credits (rather than make improvements) and pass 100% of their cost on to consumers. Oregon’s program was established in 2016 and has decreased transportation fuel carbon intensity by approximately 1%.

California’s maximum estimated pass-through cost for gasoline attributable to their Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), based on carbon intensity reduction and credit price, was 13 cents per gallon total in 2018 or about a penny and a half increase for each year of the program. Again, this is a maximum estimate that assumes high-carbon fuel providers must buy all of their credits (rather than make improvements) and pass 100% of their cost on to consumers.  This maximum estimate also doesn’t incorporate the flexibility of the program to bank credits over time, which helps fuel providers to plan for and minimize their costs.   California’s LCFS was established in 2011 and has achieved an estimated 5% reduction in carbon intensity.

The Clean Fuel Standard is not a tax on fossil fuel. It is a regulatory program that reduces the carbon intensity of fuel over time, and does so in a flexible, market-driven way that encourages innovation.

Yes – this program will reduce both air and climate pollution in our communities.

Air pollution from transportation increases heart and lung problems, like heart attacks, strokes, asthma, and lung cancer, and even death. Communities next to major roadways and those who spend significant amounts of time near roadways currently have the greatest public health burden from traffic-related air pollution, and have the most to gain from a Clean Fuel Standard.  We believe that no one should bear disproportional burdens and exposure from air pollution.

Yes, electricity and biofuels work just as well as conventional gas or diesel vehicles.

For example, renewable diesel can replace conventional diesel up to 100% in light- to heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Biodiesel is frequently blended with conventional diesel usually up to 20%. Many public and private fleets currently utilize alternative fuels in our region, including Waste Management Northwest, Recology Cleanscapes, King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, Kitsap County, the City of Tacoma, the City of Everett, the City of Seattle, and the Washington Department of Transportation to name a few.  

All vehicles emit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at one or more life stages during manufacturing, operation, and end-of-life and the amounts differ significantly between gas-powered cars and electric cars. During the manufacturing phase electric vehicles usually emit more GHG emissions than gas vehicles however this reverses shortly after the cars hit the road. At about 6 months, gas vehicle GHG emissions surpass electric vehicle GHG emissions, and from then on electric vehicle GHG emissions are significantly lower. 

Electric vehicles do not have tailpipes and do not directly produce GHGs. However the source of electricity powering the vehicle matters. Washington State, with a predominantly renewable and clean electricity grid, is one of the best states in the country to reduce GHG emissions by transitioning to electric transportation.

No. Over the lifetime of the vehicle, it is less expensive to drive an electric car. Fuel and maintenance costs of an electric vehicle are significantly less (reduced by at least 50%) than a gas vehicle, especially in Washington State.

The upfront costs of an electric vehicle can be a little higher, depending on the model. Currently the federal government offers a tax credit of up to $7,500 for purchases of eligible electric cars, which can help even out the difference. Washington State also recently reinstated and expanded the sales tax exemption for new and used electric vehicles, up to $2,500.

Electricity as a transportation fuel is increasing in popularity as new models with extended battery range come onto the market and new charging stations are installed. Currently, over three percent of all new vehicles sold in Washington State are electric and used electric vehicles are increasingly available, often at lower upfront prices than new electric vehicles. 

If you live in a single-family home, you can easily charge your vehicle from any standard outdoor electrical outlet, or an outlet in your garage. You can also install a charger for faster charging, although it is not required.

If you live in an apartment or condominium, or do not have a garage or carport, it can be less convenient to charge. However Washington has nearly 1,000 public charging stations and more are being installed at workplaces, retail shopping areas, and along major transportation corridors. Some apartment building owners and condo associations have also installed one or more electric vehicle chargers.

We are currently conducting an analysis of a regional Clean Fuel Standard’s high-level impacts. We do not anticipate any significant negative impacts on neighboring counties, although they will enjoy air quality benefits from cleaner fuels used in vehicles that pass through.

Air, rail, and maritime fuels are exempt in existing Clean Fuel Standards in Oregon and California. However, with recent updates to their rule, lower-carbon aviation fuels will be able to opt-in to California’s program. We will also consider them for a standard in the Puget Sound region.

The sensor could be experiencing pollution from a nearby source, such as a fire pit or chimney. The sensor could also be malfunctioning. While we try to remove data from malfunctioning sensors through our QC process, it is not perfect. Occasionally some low quality data will get through. One thing you can do to check is to look at the minute data on the “Instant” view. If you see a lot of spikes or really high values for a long time, then that sensor is probably malfunctioning. If that is your sensor, try to clean it out with some canned air.

The Health view is an estimate using averaged particle levels. This gives a better estimate of your health impact that instant air quality levels.  The Health view is updated once an hour. The Instant view is minute data and is updated once a minute, though it may be up to 10 minutes behind the current time. Sites can experience much higher or lower particle levels for a few minutes than the level shown for their average in the Health view. Use the Health view to determine the effect of the pollution on your health and what actions you should take to protect your health. Use the Instant view to see what the particle level is right now. The Instant view can be very useful when conditions are changing rapidly, such as during a wildfire smoke event.  However, for other events, the Instant view may be short-term in nature, and you should check back to see if levels have improved.

The color scale is the Air Quality Index (AQI) developed by the US EPA. You can learn more about it here. The AQI reflects health studies that show that your pollution exposure over an entire day matters most.  However, the AQI colors are used for both the Health and Instant views. This was chosen due to the familiarity with the AQI. The minute data shown in the Instant view does not have a health effect or recommendation associated with its AQI colors. This is because exposure to moderate pollution (yellow AQI) for a whole day is worse than being exposed for just one minute. If you want to know about how the pollution can be affecting your health, use the Health view.

Use the Health view to determine the effect of air pollution on your health. Click a circle (Purple Air) or star (Agency monitor) to see a graph of pollution levels at that location. Then click on Impact and scroll over the thumbs to see what actions you should take to protect your health.

Use the Instant view to see what the particle level is right now. Click a circle (Purple Air) or star (Agency monitor) to see a graph of pollution levels at that location. The Instant view can be very useful when conditions are changing rapidly, such as during a wildfire smoke event.  If you see high levels for an unknown reason, you may want to check back again and see if it was just a short-term spike in pollution (for example someone smoking a cigarette near the monitor).

Sensors on purpleair.com are not calibrated by default. There is a drop down menu to apply a limited number of calibration equations, however they are not specific to our region. The Agency sensor map calibrates all of the sensors to nearby agency monitors, which is a more accurate way to do calibration.

Sure! Any Purple Air that has its data set to Public will be automatically added to the sensor map.

A permit is required for any new or modified air pollution source before construction begins or modifications are made. This includes equipment, process, or design changes that impact the level of air contaminants emitted. Air permits are issued through the Notice of Construction program. You can start a permit application on our website here: Apply for Notice of Construction Permit.

The regulations adopted by the agency to support these programs are available here: PSCAA Regulations.

The permitting process begins with an application. Follow the steps in the flow charts below to see how the process unfolds from the Agency’s perspective.

This flowchart outlines the steps involved in the application process from start to finish.

This flowchart illustrates the permitting process from the applicant’s perspective, covering each step from submitting the application and fees to receiving the draft permit and final approval.

A draft permit is made available for public comment if it meets specific criteria set by Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-400-171(3). This includes, but is not limited to, projects with emission levels above certain thresholds, projects with synthetic minor limits, or projects with significant public interest. If there is substantial public interest, the Agency may also hold a public hearing during the comment period. For a full list of criteria and thresholds, please refer to the Washington Administrative Code here: WAC 173-400-171

A list of new Notice of Construction applications submitted to the Agency can be found on our website here: List of New Construction Projects. New applications appear on this list for 15 days.

When the Agency opens a draft permit for public comment, the comment period lasts at least 30 days. During this time, the Agency posts notices in a local newspaper within the applicant’s county, the Daily Journal of Commerce, on the Agency’s website, and sends an email notification to those subscribed to our “Permit Actions” list.

During the comment period, the public is invited to submit comments on the draft permit. Additionally, anyone may request a hearing by submitting a written request to the Agency. The request should state the requester’s interest and a description of why a hearing is warranted.

If a hearing is scheduled, notice of the hearing will be posted on our website, shared through our social media channels, and published to a local newspaper at least 30 days before the hearing date.

A public hearing an opportunity to verbally share your comments. Hearings may be held in person or online, and the location and time will be proved in the public comment announcement. All hearings are recorded.  After the hearing, a transcript and the Agency’s written responses to comments are posted on our website. It is important to note that comments made during a hearing are treated the same as those submitted in writing.

How you choose to comment is entirely up to you. The Agency does not guide people on what to say about any issue. However, a substantive comment questions the accuracy of the information provided in the draft permit or introduces new information that may not have been previously considered.

When a draft Notice of Construction permit is open for public comment, it means we believe the project meets all necessary criteria. Substantive comments for the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency typically relate to the four criteria the Agency reviews for every application (See “What is the Agency Reviewing”). The information below can be found in the PSCAA regulations and is also cited in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

                PSCAA Regulations: PSCAA Regulations

                Washington Administrative Code: Chapter 173-400 WAC

There are several useful guidelines of how to post a substantive public comment.

The Bureau of Land Management Guideline: Commenting_Guide.pdf (blm.gov)

Advice from the Public Comment Project: How To — Public Comment Project

Our Agency reviews each application to ensure it meets all relevant laws and regulations under our jurisdiction. These requirements are grouped into four main categories (shown in the graphic below). Each category covers a unique part of the permitting process, which we’ve summarized below with links to guidance for further details. This information can help you better understand the permitting process and prepare any comments you might want to submit for a draft permit.

1. Controlling Emissions using Best Available Control Technology (BACT) Review:   

As the Agency reviews a project, we will examine federal and other regulatory requirements for similar processes and consider permits previously issued by us or other entities to determine Best Available Control Technology (BACT) on a case-by-case basis.

In Washington, this is defined in WAC 173-400-030: and “means an emission limitation based on the maximum degree of reduction for each air pollutant subject to regulation under chapter 70.94 RCW emitted from or which results from any new or modified stationary source, which the permitting authority, on a case-by-case basis, taking into account energy, environmental, and economic impacts and other costs, determines is achievable for such source or modification through application of production processes and available methods, systems, and techniques, including fuel cleaning, clean fuels, or treatment or innovative fuel combustion techniques for control of each such pollutant. In no event shall application of the "best available control technology" result in emissions of any pollutants which will exceed the emissions allowed by any applicable standard under 40 C.F.R. Part 60 and Part 61. Emissions from any source utilizing clean fuels, or any other means, to comply with this paragraph shall not be allowed to increase above levels that would have been required under the definition of BACT in the federal Clean Air Act as it existed prior to enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.”  

2. Best Available Control Technology for Toxics (tBACT):

Similar to BACT, but specifically applied to air toxics as defined by the state of Washington. A list of these chemicals can be found here WAC 173-460-150

3. State Environmental Policy ACT (SEPA): 

SEPA is required for all projects. “The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process identifies and analyzes environmental impacts associated with governmental decisions. These decisions may be related to issuing permits for private projects, constructing public facilities, or adopting regulations, policies, and plans.” Learn more about SEPA here: State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) - Washington State Department of Ecology.  This determination may not come from our Agency; it could be provided by the city, county, state or federal agencies. An additional FAQ for SEPA is available here: SEPA FAQ - Washington State Department of Ecology. Our Agency also provides a checklist to assist with the review process, which can be found here: PSCAA SEPA Environmental Checklist.

4. Project Emission Estimates:

Project emissions are an extremely important part of the review process, focusing on two key questions: What pollutants will be emitted, and in what amounts? For this analysis it’s helpful to categorize pollutants into three groups: criteria pollutants, hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and Toxic Air Pollutants (TAPs).

There are six Criteria pollutants. Particulate Matter (PM), Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulfur Oxides (SO_x), Lead and Ozone (O₃).  More information about these criteria pollutants can be found on the EPA website: Criteria Air Pollutants | US EPA.  

The quantity of pollutants a facility emits determines its categorization. A small facility is considered a “natural minor,” while a large facility qualifies as a Title V “air operating permit source” (AOP). Title V is a federal program, which you can learn more about here: Who Has to Obtain a Title V Permit? | US EPA.  Some industries are automatically included in this program, regardless of size. For other facilities, the thresholds for Title V classification are emissions of 100 tons/year of any air pollutant, 10 tons/year of a single hazardous air pollutant (HAP), or 25 tons/year of any combination of HAPs.  There is also a category between natural minor and Title V, known as a “synthetic minor.”  These sources agree to federally enforceable limits to stay below the thresholds mentioned.

We also review projects to determine if they fall under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Program.  You can find a description of the program on the EPA’s website here: Prevention of Significant Deterioration Basic Information | US EPA.

Additionally, we ensure that each project will cause or contribute to an exceedance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). More information is available from the EPA here: NAAQS Table | US EPA and from the Washington Department of Ecology here: Air quality standards - Washington State Department of Ecology.

Toxic Air Pollutants (TAPs) undergo a similar review.  First, we verify that all TAP emissions are below the Small Quantity Emission Rate (SQER) specified in WAC 173-460-150. If a TAP exceeds the SQER, we model the emissions to assess them against the Acceptable Source Impact Level (ASIL), which is determined to be safe by the state of Washington. If a pollutant exceeds the ASIL, we work with the applicant to reduce the project’s impact. This may involve agreeing to production limits, using alternative air pollution controls, or substituting materials used in the project. 

Yes! The Agency can receive and process requests in languages other than English. To submit a request visit our portal here, complete the form in your preferred language and the Agency will be in contact with you. 

Some examples of records available: 

• Notice of Construction application materials and Orders of Approval
• Compliance information related to facilities registered as emission sources
• Enforcement records, e.g.: Notices of Violation, Written Warning, Civil Penalties
• Asbestos Abatement and Demolition Notifications
• Complaints submitted online, by voicemail, or by postal mail 
• Agricultural Burning applications and associated approvals
• List of vendors PSCAA does business with
• Finance records including Annual Budgets and Grant management
• Minutes of Board and Advisory Council meetings

 Please note, this is not an exhaustive list. 

Many records are on the Agency’s website. Here a few examples: 

• Meeting Materials and Minutes for the Board of Directors and Advisory Council, 
• Approved Title V Air Operating Permits, 
• PSCAA Regulations 
• Forms
• Interlocal Agreements. 

A public record request is a request for a specific and identifiable Agency public document. An information request is a general inquiry seeking answers or details about a specific topic.  

An example of an information request could be: Is the permit approved for the ________? or, What is the current data for air quality in my neighborhood? 

No. The Records department is not able to discuss or explain records produced. In some circumstances, other Agency departments, such as Compliance or Engineering may have the ability to discuss the content of records, and we can help requesters determine who they can speak with. 

It depends on what records are requested. Generally speaking, within five-business days, the Agency will do at least one of the following: provide the records, claim an exemption from disclosure, seek clarification of a request and/or provide a reasonable estimate of the time it will take to respond to the request.

The Agency may produce records in installments depending on the estimated volume of records involved and the Agency’s other requests.  

The Agency provides up to 50 pages of scans or photocopies at no cost. After the first 50 pages, the Agency charges $0.10 per scan and $0.15 per photocopy. There is no cost to receive native copies of the records the Agency has electronically. Please see our fee section for more information. 

No. The Agency can only provide records which exist today, not records possibly created in the future. The Agency’s obligation is confined to existing records. If you anticipate there will be more records forthcoming, then you would need to make a new request at a later date. 

No. The Agency cannot search for any undefinable geographic area. The Agency is able to search for addresses that include a street number. The Agency is also able to gather information for larger geographical areas, e.g.: all asbestos abatement notifications submitted during a specific time frame for a specific zip code.