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Questions or Comments: airperm@tceq.texas.gov

New Source Review (Chemical Section): Miscellaneous Maintenance Startup and Shutdown

A resource linking to guidance documents and tools to aid in preparing applications and to Chemical Section documents discussing terminals and boilerplate conditions and to calculation spreadsheets for typical chemical sources.

The following information is intended strictly as a preliminary recommendation to assist with issues regarding permitting of emissions from MSS activities. Final determinations on any specific submissions will be based on review by the Air Permits Division and could differ from the information provided below. Information on this page could change as the division continues to develop procedures for processing applications.

Emissions from planned maintenance, startup, or shutdown (MSS) have an affirmative defense to all claims in enforcement actions brought for those emissions if the owner or operator of the facility files an application for the authorization of MSS emissions. The deadlines for submitting applications are based on standard industrial classification (SIC) code according to the schedule in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Section 101.222(h) .

Affected sources that may be reviewed by the Chemical Section include, but are not limited to:

  • Bulk Terminals and Terminals-for-Hire
  • Industrial gas facilities
  • Chemical support facilities that do not belong to SIC group 28

Guidance for MSS applications:

Tools for MSS application development:

Boilerplate Conditions:

Best Available Control Technology (BACT) for MSS applications

BACT Guidelines for Chemical Sources

  • Absorbers
  • Adsorption Systems
  • Bulk Gasoline Terminals
  • Drum Filling
  • Equipment Leak Fugitives
  • Flares and Vapor Combustors
  • Loading Operations
  • Storage Tanks
  • Truck or Rail Car Cleaning
  • Vapor Oxidizers
  • Wastewater Facilities

The information provided on this website is subject to change. If you have any questions or if you have not applied for authorization of MSS emissions, please contact the TCEQ Air Permits Division as soon as possible at 512-239-1250.