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AQD | New Source Review (NSR)

Air Quality Improvement Planning (AQIP) Section

New Source Review (NSR)

Revised On: Nov. 16, 2023 - 10:30 p.m.

New Source Review (NSR) is an umbrella term for a program that regulates the construction of new pollutant-emitting industrial sources or major modifications to these sources. NSR is a federally mandated program under Clean Air Act (CAA) Title I Parts C and D as well as Section 110(a)(2)(C). Under the New Source Review program, permits are issued to the sources in order to improve or maintain good air quality in designated areas.

Under the New Source Review program are several processes that depend on the type of construction, source, and pollutant:

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD):

Permits for new major sources or major sources making major modifications in attainment areas. These permits help avoid the degradation of air quality in areas that are meeting the standards.

Nonattainment New Source Review (NA NSR): 

Permits for new major sources or major sources making major modifications in nonattainment areas. These permits ensure that sources will not contribute more pollution in areas that are already not meeting the air quality standards.

Minor New Source Review (Minor NSR):

Permits for sources that do not meet qualifications under NA NSR or PSD. These permits are issued to sources that are not emitting as much pollution as sources under NA NSR and PSD, but are still required to not interfere with an area’s ability to recover or maintain good air quality.

Arizona’s New Source Review Program and Plans

The underlying components and regulations in these permits and the New Source Review program are included in Arizona’s SIP. The state’s New Source Review and permitting program is constantly being updated.

View New Source Review Plans

  • 2012 New Source Review SIP Revision | View
  • 2012 New Source Review SIP Revision | View >
  • 2014 Supplement – State and County Jurisdiction |  View >

 

  • Clean Air Act Title 1, Part C, Prevention of Significant Deterioration of Air Quality | View >  
  • Clean Air Act Title 1, Part D, Plan Requirements for Nonattainment Areas | View >  
  • Clean Air Act Section 110(a)(2)(C), Implementation Plans | View >