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Step-by-Step Guide for Facilities

The Cleaner Air Oregon program evaluates facility risk based on toxic air contaminant emissions and proximity to exposure locations. This step-by-step guide includes instructions and recommended procedures for facilities going through the Cleaner Air Oregon program. A video tutorial is available to provide an overview of the resources and risk assessment process.

To be transparent with neighboring communities, the status of a facility's risk assessment, submitted documents, and DEQ responses can be found on individual facility web pages. At any point in the process, you can email us at cleanerair@deq.oregon.gov or contact your permit writer for assistance.

Our form numbers have changed: See our Quick Guide for more information.
​The first step is to submit a pre-application form and either the existing source call-in or new source consulting fee.
Additional information can be found on the FAQ page.

​The Emissions Inventory Submittal (AQ520) identifies all toxic emission units, process activity levels, toxic air contaminants, appropriate emission factors, material balance, and emissions calculations (including assumptions, references and methodologies). At this stage, DEQ or the facility determines if source testing will be conducted to complete the Emissions Inventory.

The following information should be provided:

  • Identification of Toxic Emission Units (TEUs) (Quick Guide)

  • Activity by TEU (e.g., actual, requested potential, capacity, maximum daily)

  • Identification of Toxic Air Contaminants (TACs) by TEU

  • Identification of control devices and efficiencies by TEU

  • Identification of emission factors by TEU

  • Identification of material balance emission approach by TEU

  • Approvable emission factors with references (if applicable)

  • Appropriate documentation of material balance approach (if applicable)

  • Source testing data (if applicable)

  • Reporting of emissions

Resources available to assist facilities in the Emissions Inventory process include:  

Additional information, including emission factor resources and source testing can be found on the FAQ page.

​The modeling protocol specifies the risk assessment level selected, facility and source characteristics, modeling assumptions, and receptor placement. The risk assessment level selected is based on the complexity of the facility and the toxic air contaminants released.  If conducting a level 1 or level 2 risk assessment, the modeling protocol will include stack height, building information, and the distance to residential, worker, child, and acute exposure locations. For level 3 or level 4 risk assessments, some of this information will be included in the risk assessment work plan. A risk assessment work plan and modeling protocol can be submitted as a single document to reduce redundancy.

Resources available to assist facilities include:

More information can be found on the FAQ page.

​A risk assessment work plan is required for a level 3 or a level 4 risk assessment. The work plan outlines how exposure locations will be assigned, and how risk will be calculated from modeling results. The risk assessment work plan and modeling protocol can be submitted as a single document to reduce duplication.

Resources available to assist facilities include:

More information can be found on the FAQ page

​Risk is calculated following the procedures outlined in the DEQ approved modeling protocol and risk assessment work plan. Please refer to the Health Risk Assessment Recommended Procedures for example risk calculations and information on the following report elements to include.

More information can be found on the FAQ page.

​​While community engagement may take place throughout the risk assessment process, the results of the approved risk assessment indicate whether a facility has triggered the community engagement risk action level [OAR 340-245-8010 Tab​le 1]. If the risk action level is triggered, the facility must participate in and fund community engagement to inform the public of its potential risk. DEQ will work with the facility to implement community engagement.

Community Engagement Protocol: In development

​If the results of the approved risk assessment indicate risk above the TBACT or TLAER risk action level an analysis of all significant TEUs is required and may lead to the implementation of emission controls. See OAR 340-245-0220 for more details.

If the results of the approved risk assessment indicate risk above the mandatory risk reduction level, in addition to TBACT analyses, a risk reduction plan must be approved and implemented – there are different timelines for chronic or acute risk reductions. See OAR 340-245-0130 for more details.

​A facility may choose to conduct monitoring based on the results of the risk assessment. Monitoring data may be used to update the risk assessment. For assistance on monitoring, contact cleanerair@deq.state.or.us or your permit writer.

​Once DEQ has approved the facility risk assessment and any subsequent submittals (e.g., risk reduction plan, ambient monitoring plan, etc.), the CAO Permit Application Form AQ501 must be submitted with all applicable fees.

Specific activity fee tables (Activities 4 through 25, as applicable)

​Once the results of the risk assessment are complete, DEQ will develop permit conditions that ensure continued compliance to maintain health protective risk levels. These conditions may vary by facility. Some common permit conditions include limits on emissions, operational parameters, production activities, or fuel/raw material usage. Source testing may also be required to demonstrate compliance with these conditions.