Air Operating Permits

Overview

The Air Operating Permit (Title V) is a federally mandated document established by the Clean Air Act (CAA). Think of it as an “all-in-one” air quality license. It consolidates all air pollution requirements, limits, and monitoring tasks that a facility must comply with into a single comprehensive document.

Objectives

These permits must be renewed every five years, and their purpose is to:

• Facilitate organizations in managing and demonstrating their adherence to air quality standards.
• Ensure facilities maintain rigorous records, real-time emissions monitoring, and self-reporting to relevant agencies, such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Texas A&M's Commitment

Texas A&M manages two Title V permits covering numerous emission sources across campus. Our team works diligently to meet all self-reporting and certification requirements, keeping Aggie air clean and our campus in compliance.

By integrating real-time monitoring with modern data management, we ensure that our research and utility operations meet or exceed all state and federal emission standards, supporting the university’s mission of sustainable institutional growth.

Impact on Stakeholders

Individuals working in research and instructional laboratories with fume hoods, conducting small-scale lab procedures or experiments, may proceed without authorization under the Title V permit.  There are exemptions in place that allow these processes, provided they are not used for manufacturing for commercial sales.

Departments, facility coordinators, PIs, researchers, graduate students, etc., who plan to add equipment that generates higher-than-typical lab emissions must contact EHS at least 1 year before purchasing or acquiring the equipment.

Examples of this may include, but are not limited to:

• Incinerators 
• Engines (excluding those managed by Transportation Services)
• Kilns
• Paint Booths
• Animal Dehydrators

EHS must review these items prior to purchase, and authorization from TCEQ must be obtained prior to installation. EHS will assist in obtaining proper permits or authorizations.

Additional Resources

• TCEQ Title V Overview

  Access state-specific permitting details.

• EPA Clean Air Act Overview

  Learn more about federal guidelines and historical context.

Need More Information?

For inquiries about Air Permits or any other general questions, please email us!

Email EHS