Inspections

NHDES conducts periodic inspections at facilities that emit air pollutants.

Under state statutory authority of RSA 125-C:6, VII, NHDES staff conduct periodic inspections of facilities that emit air pollutants. Many of those facilities have been issued a permit to operate by the air permitting program. The Air Resources Division’s Compliance Assessment Section has the responsibility of ensuring that a company which holds air permits remains compliant with the requirements set forth in the permit. The inspection may be an on-site visit at a facility or an off-site review of facility records. The purpose of an inspection is to determine if a facility is complying with applicable federal and state statutes, rules and permit requirements. In addition, changes to the facility or new or replacement equipment could initiate the need for changes to the permit and the need for an inspection.

How often does NHDES conduct inspections?

LandfillIn accordance with the EPA’s Clean Air Act Stationary Source Compliance Monitoring Strategy, NHDES conducts an On-Site Full Compliance Evaluation (FCE) for permitted sources as follows:

  • Title V Permitted Sources - at least once every two years
  • Title V Permitted Mega-Sites - at least once every three years
  • Synthetic Minor 80 Source (SM-80) - at least once every five years

Title V Permitted Mega-Sites are extremely large, complex facilities subject to the Title V permitting program. Synthetic Minor 80 Sources (SM-80) are facilities that either have the potential to emit or actually emit pollutants close to the major source thresholds.

Inspector looking at an engineWhat does an On-Site Full Compliance Evaluation include?

A review of all required reports or other documents, and to the extent necessary, the underlying records. This includes all monitored data reported to the regulatory agency (e.g., continuous emissions monitoring system (CEM) and continuous parameter monitoring reports, malfunction reports, excess emission reports). It also includes a review of Title V self-certifications, semiannual monitoring and periodic monitoring reports, and any other reports required by permit.

  • An assessment of control device and process operating conditions as appropriate.
  • A visible emission observation as needed.
  • A review of facility records and operating logs.
  • An assessment of process parameters such as feed rates, raw material compositions, and process rates.
  • An assessment of control equipment performance parameters (e.g., water flow rates, pressure drop, temperature, and electrostatic precipitator power levels).

During the FCE, the inspector confirms compliance with permit conditions, identifies any deficiencies and provides assistance to help the company understand permit conditions and if needed, correct deficiencies.  In addition, during a tour of the facility, the inspector will identify any new equipment or processes which may also be subject to permitting requirements. 
 

Where can you find an inspection report?

NHDES inspectors document the FCE findings in an FCE Report no more than 30 days after the inspection occurs, sends it to the company and publishes it on OneStop.

an inspector visually inspecting a boilerIn addition to scheduled inspections, NHDES investigates sources when a permit deviation or complaint is reported. Based on a source’s compliance status, NHDES may initiate a FCE in advance of the proposed schedule. Further, a site visit may be scheduled during the permitting process of a new source or permit renewal to ensure accuracy of the permit application.

Compliance Assistance and Enforcement

If there are any deficiencies found during the inspection, NHDES will provide compliance assistance to help the facility return to compliance. This may include assisting the facility to understand the permit language, rule interpretation and assistance with calculations. If a facility fails to cooperate with NHDES or the deficiency is serious in nature, an enforcement action may be issued.

Informational Icon

Did you know?

Did you know?

NHDES completed 114 inspections in 2019.