In Pennsylvania, responsibility for issuing air quality permits generally falls to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). DEP oversees air quality regulation and enforcement for most areas of the state, ensuring that businesses and facilities comply with the federal Clean Air Act and state-level environmental laws. However, there are two notable exceptions: Allegheny County and Philadelphia County. These areas maintain their own local air quality agencies, which are authorized to implement and enforce air permitting programs within their respective jurisdictions.

In Allegheny County, the agency responsible for managing air quality is the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD). ACHD’s Air Quality Program administers local air permits, enforces emission regulations, monitors ambient air conditions, and works to ensure that industrial and commercial operations do not degrade the region’s air quality. Historically, ACHD has offered air permits in the form of separate installation permits (required for the construction or modification of equipment or facilities that emit air pollutants) and operating permits (which authorize the continued operation of such sources under specified conditions).

However, on October 9, 2025, the ACHD announced a significant step forward in streamlining air permitting. The Department proposed the issuance of a General Installation/Operating Permit for Concrete Batch and Ready-Mix Facilities. This marks the first time ACHD has proposed a combined, general permit, designed to simplify and expedite the permitting process for eligible operations while maintaining environmental protections and regulatory oversight. The proposed permit would cover concrete batch plants with associated fabric filter controls, as well as storage piles and roadways controlled via sweeping and watering.

This proposed General Permit is intended to function as both an installation and operating permit. It is aimed at “true minor sources”, meaning facilities whose potential emissions fall below the thresholds for classification as a major source under federal New Source Review (NSR) regulations. The goal of this general permit is to save time and reduce costs for eligible facility owners and operators by eliminating the need to apply for separate permits and go through multiple review processes. To qualify, facilities must meet all of the following criteria:

Eligibility Criteria for the Proposed General Permit

• Construction of a new, true minor source concrete batch plant OR modification to an existing, true minor source concrete batch plant.
• The new or modified true minor source concrete batch plant is located within Allegheny County.
• The potential to emit (PTE) is less than the New Source Review (NSR) major source thresholds.
• The maximum hourly production rate for truck ready-mix facilities does not exceed 200 cubic yards of concrete (400 tons) per hour or 250,000 cubic yards of concrete (500,000 tons) per rolling 12-month period, after the proposed construction or modification project is completed.
• The maximum hourly production rate for central mix facilities does not exceed 300 cubic yards of concrete (600 tons) per hour or 300,000 cubic yards of concrete (600,000 tons) per rolling 12-month period.
• The concrete batch plant has particulate emission controls in place that consist of a fabric filter or baghouse rated at a maximum of 0.01 gr/dscf for control of emissions from silos, weigh hoppers, and mixers.
• Fugitive emissions from storage piles and roadways are controlled with wetting, dust suppressants, or sweeping.
• Cement and cement supplement are transferred pneumatically to the cement and cement supplement silos.

It is important to note that the proposed permit does not apply to facilities that manufacture dry concrete or cement products or those that use dry concrete or Portland cement in a manufacturing process.

Public Participation and Comment Opportunities

ACHD is encouraging stakeholders and members of the public to participate in the review of the proposed General Installation/Operating Permit. Written comments are being accepted through November 25, 2025 and can be submitted to the Department at 836 Fulton Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Additionally, a public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 6:00 pm. Persons wishing to speak at the hearing must register using ACHD’s Public Hearing Participation Form.

Why This Matters

The creation of a general permit for concrete batch plants represents a milestone in ACHD’s regulatory approach. It aligns with broader trends in environmental permitting aimed at streamlining processes, reducing administrative burdens, and facilitating compliance without compromising environmental protection.If you would like to discuss this proposed General Installation/Operating Permit and how it may impact your facility or any upcoming projects you may have, please contact Trinity’s Pittsburgh office at 724.935.2611.