General permits

A general permit is intended for facilities that:
  • Perform the same or similar operations
  • Emit similar air contaminants
  • Use the same or similar emission control technologies
  • Are subject to the same limitations, standards, and requirements.

Current General Permits

Wisconsin has developed general construction permits and general operation permits for asphalt plants, rock crushing facilities and various types of printers. The general permits for printers are for natural minor sources, synthetic minor sources and major sources, and include Flexographic printing, Lithographic printing, Screen printing, and Digital printing. The general operation permits for the crushing facilities and hot mix asphalt plants do not expire.

Factsheets on General Permits

General Permits Under Consideration

The Department is developing general construction permits as well as expanding the number of general operation permits that will be available. Some of the additional categories of general permits under consideration include:

  • Grain handling operations
  • Generators
  • Natural gas compression station combustion turbines
  • Small heating units

Who will be eligible?

Each general permit will have specific eligibility criteria that will be spelled out in the permit application and the source-specific factsheets listed above.

What are the benefits of a general permit?

  • Easy to get. Permit applications will be written in language familiar to facilities within that category.
  • Fast. By statute, DNR must make a decision on a general permit application within 15 days of submittal.
  • No construction permits required. In most instances a facility operating under a general permit can install new equipment or modify existing equipment without a construction permit as long as the equipment meets the eligibility criteria of the existing general operation permit. Replacement of a primary crusher, or the drum and burner of an asphalt plant at the same time, require a construction permit. In these two instances, the facility should be eligible for a general construction permit.
  • Consistency. For similar sources in Wisconsin, the permits will look the same.

    • Are there any drawbacks?

    General permits are standard permits, so if a facility needs source-specific limitations, or cannot meet a requirement set in the general permit, they would need another type of permit.

    What should I do if I’m interested in a general permit?

    For more information contact Keith Pierce or Steve Dunn for information about Printers General Permits, or Joe Brehm for information about permits for Crushers and Hot Mix Asphalt Plants.


    Permits and Modeling
    Last Revised: Thursday January 10 2008