This newsletter provides Tennessee’s small businesses with updates, reminders, tips, and resources related to environmental topics that may affect them.

You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the TN Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) newsletter. SBEAP provides free and confidential assistance to Tennessee’s small businesses to help them understand and comply with environmental regulations. The content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is made of different bureaus.

The Bureau of Environment contains the regulatory divisions, including the Division of Air Pollution Control (APC).

This month, we're focusing on APC and the permits they issue. 

TDEC's Division of Air Pollution Control (APC) works to protect Tennessee’s air quality while supporting public health and safety and fostering economic growth. The division serves 91 counties directly and supports local air programs in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Shelby counties. Staff conduct inspections, investigate violations, oversee air monitoring stations, review stack tests, certify Visible Emissions Readers, and share information to help reduce air pollution across the state. 

APC sets emission standards, issues permits, and works with the Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board, which adopts regulations, holds hearings, and initiates compliance enforcement.

SBEAP assists small businesses who are not major sources of air emissions, or non-title V.

⬅️ What does that mean?
Defining Major vs. Minor Sources of Air Emissions

These are air emitter categories which depend on certain air emission thresholds. Facilities that have a potential to emit more than 100 tons per year of an air pollutant (like ozone), 10 tons per year of a hazardous air pollutant (like benzene, which is found in gasoline), and/or 25 tons per year of a combination of hazardous air pollutants are major sources of air emissions. Major air pollution emitters are subject to Title V.  

Title V is part of the 1990 U.S. Clean Air Act Amendments, which created a federal operating permit program for major sources of air pollution. Minor air pollution emitters are not subject to Title V, so they are called “non-title V” permits. 

If your facility doesn’t fit the Permit by Rule or the General Permits, you’ll most likely need to apply for a construction and operating permit. There are some permit application forms that every facility needs to fill out and some that are more specific to a facility category. These forms are found on the construction and operating permit webpages, and they come with instructions on how to fill out the forms.

If the potential to emit is less than 5 tons per year of each air contaminant, and less than 1,000 pounds per year of each hazardous air pollutant, there is potential that you do not need a permit. However, in order to qualify for this, a determination must be requested of APC and supported with appropriate data. 

SBEAP and TDA teamed up to highlight environmental success stories and strategies from various agribusinesses throughout the state and country while showcasing the economic feasibility of environmental stewardship and sustainability. 

Check out the recorded webinar where permit types that may be applicable to agribusinesses are covered, like septic system permits. To see the section about TDEC permits, start at the 39-minute mark.

The TDEC Division of Water Resources will be holding regulatory forums in each grand division. These forums are designed to strengthen communication, transparency, and collaboration with stakeholders. The West Tennessee forum was held on June 17 and was a success!

July 29 - 30: TDEC's Pollution Prevention program is partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to offer Tennessee manufacturers a FREE workshop to improve operation efficiency, reduce costs, and stay ahead of environmental and regulatory expectations. 

August 13, 2026, 1:30 PM CT: The Air Pollution Control Board will hear updates from the Division of Air Pollution Control regarding Non-Title V fee changes.

The Division of Land Protection's Waste Management Branch is gathering input on training preferences for the new Waste Tire Hauler Program. The Division asks interested groups to complete a brief survey by the end of July indicating whether they prefer in‑person or virtual training. This information will help staff plan and coordinate future training sessions.

Visit the Waste Tire Hauler Program webpage for further information.

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