SCAQMD Slashes Permit Applications Inventory by 50 Percent

DIAMOND BAR, Calif., May 29, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following an aggressive, nearly two-year initiative to improve efficiencies, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has slashed its permit application inventory in half, meeting the goal ahead of schedule and under budget.

"This is record-breaking. For the first time in 30 years our permit application inventory is the lowest it has ever been," said Wayne Nastri, SCAQMD's executive officer. "This translates to speedier service for businesses and improved transparency for the public while maintaining protection for our air quality."

In June 2016, SCAQMD had 7,348 permit applications waiting to be processed. Approximately half of this inventory was considered a backlog because the applications were more than 180 days old.

To eliminate its permit backlog, in October 2016 the SCAQMD Governing Board approved an aggressive two-year action plan to reduce the permit application inventory by half. The effort to eliminate the permit backlog and ensure timely permit processing in the future included measures to improve permit processing capacity and efficiency through automation, permit streamlining, training and other operational efficiency improvements. 

As part of its effort to improve permit processing rates, SCAQMD ambitiously pursued the development of online permit processing capabilities for select high-volume equipment and smaller businesses.  Permit applications for dry cleaners can now be processed online in as little as 45 minutes. SCAQMD will soon deploy an online application process for gas stations and automotive spray booths.

Within SCAQMD's four-county jurisdiction, unless exempt from regulation, any piece of equipment that emits or controls air pollutants requires a SCAQMD permit to ensure that emissions are minimized.

"I am very proud of staff's creativity and hard work to streamline processes and get us to this milestone," Wayne Nastri, SCAQMD executive officer said.  "New measures are now in place to help ensure that SCAQMD can be a catalyst for a viable economy and clean air in the Southland."

SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

SOURCE South Coast Air Quality Management District