Arizona Administrative Code (AAC) R18-2-326 (N) provides for an accelerated processing of permits for those sources that request and are willing to pay for the actual cost of acceleration. As a result, ADEQ has established an Accelerated Permit Processing Program using outside contractors.

The permit applicants who wish to use this accelerated permit review process must inform ADEQ of the intent to submit a permit application under this program 60 days before actually submitting the permit application. This duration is needed to select the appropriate contractor and prepare the task assignment documents. The permit applicant also needs to submit appropriate permit application fees plus an additional 50 percent of the amount. The permit application fee is applied towards the final cost of processing the permit. At any time after a permit application is submitted under the accelerated permit processing, ADEQ may request an additional advance payment fee based on the most recent estimated cost of accelerating the permit processing.

Once the permit application is submitted, a completeness determination shall be made by ADEQ as soon as possible but no later than 60 days.

For sources requiring initial Class I and II permits governed by A.A.C. R18-2-302 or significant permit revisions governed by A.A.C. R18-2-320, ADEQ will prepare the proposed permit for public review within 120 days, from the date of determination of completeness of the permit application. For sources requiring a minor permit revision governed by A.A.C. R18-2-319, ADEQ will make a final decision regarding permit issuance within 60 days of receiving the application.