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Construction Permitting Materials

Air construction permits are required prior to constructing or modifying equipment or control equipment. Applicants can submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. Starting January 1, 2023, only permit applications submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department.


Iowa EASY Air logo and link

 

 

Access information for first-time users and instructions can be found at eAirServices. Please direct any system-related comments or questions to easyair@dnr.iowa.gov, or by phone at 515-725-9569 or 515-204-3749.

 

 

Only permit applications submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit application so the Iowa Deparment of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).

Only aggregate processing plant permit templates submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).

Only asphalt plant permit templates submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).

Only concrete batch permit templates submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).

Only bulk gasoline permit templates submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).

Group 1 Registrations
Country grain elevators, country grain terminal elevators or grain terminal elevators are classified as Group 1 facilities in 567 IAC 22.10(455B) if the potential to emit of the facility is less than 15 tons of PM10 per year. Owners or operators of Group 1 grain elevators were required to submit a registration form by March 31, 2008 for existing equipment.

Group 2 Grain Elevator Construction Permits
Country grain elevators, country grain terminal elevators or grain terminal elevators are classified as Group 2 facilities in 567 IAC 22.10(455B) if the potential to emit of the grain elevator is greater than or equal to 15 tons of PM10 per year and is less than or equal to 50 tons of PM10 per year.

Only grain elevator registration and permit templates submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).

Miscellaneous

The following information includes instructions and resources for prepared feeds facilities that may need to obtain construction permits. The application forms specified in the guidance are available by scrolling up on this webpage and clicking on "Application Forms".  For the emissions calculations, requested on Form EC, please use the emissions calculator provided below.

Only permit by rule for spray booth notification letters submitted electronically in Iowa EASY Air will be accepted by the Department. Applicants should submit permit applications to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online application system, Iowa EASY Air. If you have questions, please call the Construction Permitting helpline toll-free at 1-877-AIR-IOWA (1-877-247-4692).

The efficient use of energy is one of the best ways to decrease human impact on the environment, and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects are a good way to fulfill this goal.  CHP is a method for a facility to generate power (electricity) and useful heat (steam) from one unit rather than using separate units.  This reduces capital investment and increases overall efficiency. Facilities that have excess electrical or steam generating capacity may find CHP an economical option.  If you are considering a CHP project, most likely you will need to apply for an air quality construction permit before you begin. Allow at least 65 days for construction permit application processing.  There are several things to consider.

Iowa’s Air Quality and Permission to Construct
The Ambient Air Monitoring conducted across the state shows that air quality is good in most areas of the state. Construction permits help ensure new facilities are designed and built in such a way that air quality remains high, despite adding a new source of air pollutant emissions.  Some common questions about permitting CHP facilities are answered in the following document:

Where to Locate
The location within a community chosen for a facility is important.  The DNR has compiled the Cleaner Air, Better Communities guide to assist in this key decision.

Ambient Air Analysis
In order to ensure that the Iowa’s air quality is maintained an ambient air analysis may be required for projects that are projected to emit a larger quantity of emissions, or for projects locating in areas with existing emissions of air pollutants. The construction permitting Form MD can be used to determine if an analysis will be needed for a particular project.

When an ambient air analysis is necessary, using dispersion modeling helps design the proposed facility so that it will comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The following information can be used to assist in this effort:

Depending on the pollutants that will be emitted by the project, there are certain areas of the state that may require special consideration. These include two areas of Iowa currently designated as non-attainment: a small area in Council Bluffs for lead, and approximately one third of Muscatine County for sulfur dioxide (SO2).

There are several other areas of the state that are classified as maintenance areas.  These areas include Buffalo for particulate matter (PM10), Cedar Rapids (SO2), Clinton (SO2), Mason City (PM10), and Muscatine (PM2.5). Locating in any of these areas will require special considerations to ensure that the proposed project will not cause or contribute to an exceedance of the national standards.

Additional Information
The Iowa Economic Development Authority has complied information to assist in the development of CHP projects in Iowa.