Mission
Safeguarding and improving Utah’s air, land and water through balanced regulation
Vision
Clean air, land and water for a healthy and prosperous Utah
Structure
The Division of Air Quality is divided into three separate branches, Permitting, Planning, and Compliance.
Permitting Branch
The Permitting Branch is responsible for issuing two kinds of permits; Pre-construction, and Title V operating permits. Pre-construction permits, or approval orders, are issued to new or modified sources of air pollution through the New Source Review program. Operating permits, or Title V permits, are issued on an ongoing basis, through Title V of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Planning Branch
The Planning Branch is responsible for developing comprehensive plans (State Implementation Plans) to reduce air pollution. Emissions inventories are routinely compiled in order to understand the origins of the various contaminants detected in the air. Computer models (Technical Analysis) are used to evaluate the impacts of new and existing sources of air pollution, and to understand the relationship between the emissions, meteorology, and pollutant concentrations measured in the air. The branch is also involved in identifying the air quality impacts of transportation issues (Mobile Sources) which include vehicle inspection and maintenance, clean fuels, and highway construction. This information must be considered in the development of State Implementation Plans (SIPs) in order to ensure that Utah’s ambient air remains in compliance with the federal health standards, even as our population and our economy continue to grow. The planning Branch also includes the Air Monitoring Section that operates a network of air quality monitors throughout the state.
CARROT Grant Program
The Clean Air Retrofit, Replacement, and Off-Road Technology Grant Program is designed to incentivize individuals, businesses, and local government to reduce emissions from vehicles and equipment.
Compliance Branch
The Compliance Branch is responsible for ensuring that industries and residents are complying with all federal and state air quality requirements. The branch is divided into 3 sections: The Major Source Section is responsible for the largest sources of industrial pollution in the state, often called Title V major sources. Compliance inspections are performed at these sources annually using the operating permits issued by the permitting branch. The Minor Source Section is responsible for investigating air quality complaints, and inspecting industries that are not major sources. Compliance inspections are performed at these sources at least once every three years using the approval orders issued by the permitting branch. The ATLAS Section is responsible for regulating asbestos and lead based paint renovation and demolition projects. Compliance inspections are conducted using state and federal regulations for asbestos and lead based paint.
Small Business Assistance Program
The Small Business Assistance Program has been set up to help small businesses comply with the many state and federal regulations protecting air quality, including new regulations, pollution prevention, and potential permitting requirements.