MassDEP Air Plan Applications

You need to obtain a MassDEP air quality plan approval before starting work on a project that adds a new emissions source, or changes or replaces an existing source, unless you qualify for an exemption or an alternative compliance pathway.

Table of Contents

Before You Apply

You will most likely need to obtain a MassDEP Air Plan Approval before beginning work on a:

  • Manufacturing process,
  • Fuel combustion unit, or
  • Crematory

Some projects are exempt from the Plan Approval requirement or qualify for an alternative compliance pathway, such as a permit-by-rule or compliance certification.

For example, many of the following types of installations require only one-time compliance certifications:

To learn more about facilities that require Air Plan Approvals, see the Overview & Applicability Tables in Additional Resources below.

Cumulative Impact Analysis Requirements

Cumulative Impact Analysis (CIA) requirements apply to certain comprehensive plan applications (CPAs) for projects located in or near environmental justice populations.  Check the requirements to see if your project is subject to the CIA regulations at the Cumulative Impact Analysis webpage.

Additional Resources   for Before You Apply

Best Available Control Technology

Your Limited Plan Application (LPA) or Comprehensive Plan Application (CPA) will need to propose best available air pollution control technology (BACT) for your project.

See the policy and guidance documents in Additional Resources below to learn more.

Additional Resources   for Best Available Control Technology

Air Quality Modeling

Based on pre-application discussions, MassDEP may require ambient air quality modeling for your project. If so, you will need to file an Air Quality Modeling Submittal (AQ MM).  

Prior to filing their AQ MM, applicants should review the Massaschusetts Air Quality Modeling Guidance to be sure they are familiar with current practices and procedures for estimating impacts from stationary sources of air pollution recommended by MassDEP (see Additional Resources below).  This guidance supplements the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Guideline on Air Quality Models in Appendix W to 40 CFR Part 51, which applicants should also review.

Refined modeling is the method of modeling emission sources preferred by MassDEP.  Refined modeling is an analytical technique that allows for a detailed treatment of physical and chemical atmospheric processes. It requires the use of 5 years of hourly meteorological data.   A link to the latest available 5 years of pre-processed meteorological data in AERMOD-ready format is in Additional Resources below.

Key Actions   for Air Quality Modeling

Additional Resources   for Air Quality Modeling

Environmental Justice Fact Sheet

If you are applying for a Major or Non-Major Comprehensive Plan Approval (CPA), you will need to prepare and upload as an attachment a draft two- to four-page Fact Sheet providing details about your proposed project and neighboring communities. This will help MassDEP ensure that Environmental Justice (EJ) populations are notified of your project's potential to affect them, and that they are meaningfully involved in the agency review process. 

Please follow the links in Additional Resources below to review examples of previously submitted Fact Sheets, and to learn more about completing this step.

Additional Resources   for Environmental Justice Fact Sheet

Prepare & Submit Your Application

Follow the Key Action links below for detailed information on how to apply via the EEA ePlace Portal for the category of MassDEP Air Plan Approval you need for your proposed project. 

Please Note:

  • The agency may require you to submit one or more Supplemental and/or Pollution Control Device forms forms along with your application. Most of these may be completed online.
  • If you are a new ePlace user, you will need to create an account first.

Supplemental Forms

Most of the supplemental forms that you might need to submit as part of an Air Plan Approval Application - including Pollution Control Device forms - may be completed online.

The supplemental forms in Additional Resources below, if required as part of your application, will need to be completed and uploaded as attachments.

  • Air Pollution Control Device Forms
  • AQ Coatings & Inks is required for spray painting, surface coating and printing operations.
  • AQ Sound is required when construction or alteration of electrical generating or process handling equipment, motors, fans or similar sources has the potential to cause noise or has been subject to MassDEP enforcement.

Additional Resources   for Supplemental Forms

Amend or Consolidate Plan Approvals

After obtaining a Plan Approval from MassDEP, you will need to submit an Administrative Amendment to:

  • Report changes in business or facility name, ownership, or contact information;
  • Revise the frequency of record keeping, monitoring, reporting or testing; or
  • Correct typographical errors.

If you have multiple Plan Approvals, you may voluntarily streamline their various applicable requirements into one enforceable document through a Consolidation.

Key Actions   for Amend or Consolidate Plan Approvals

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