Permit (Environmental Law) Law and Legal Definition
Permit is a document required by the Clean Air Act for major sources of air pollution, such as power plants, chemical factories and, smaller polluters. Usually permits are given out by states. However, if the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) has disapproved a state permit program partially or wholly, then the EPA will give out the permits in that particular state. The Clean Air Act provides the requirements for permit applications, including provisions for members of the public to participate in state and EPA reviews of permit applications. The permits include information on which pollutants are released, how much the source is allowed to release, and the program that will be used to meet pollutant release requirements. Permits are required both for the operation of plants and for the construction of new plants.
