Tag: pennsylvania dep

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality Action Days: A Small Business Operational Guide

Written by Jeremy on July 17, 2026. Posted in Breaking News. No Comments on Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality Action Days: A Small Business Operational Guide

When wildfire smoke or elevated fine particulate matter ( $\text{PM}_{2.5}$ ) triggers official Air Quality Action Days across Pennsylvania, residents are advised to limit outdoor activity. For small business owners, however, these alerts also raise practical operational questions: How do you protect outdoor crews, maintain healthy indoor environments, and help prevent further local air pollution during a smoke event?

Understanding air quality starts with data and monitoring science. Behind every public forecast is a continuous stream of environmental measurement and atmospheric transport modeling. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Air Quality operates a sophisticated statewide Ambient Air Monitoring Network — including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Air Monitoring System (COPAMS) — with dozens of automated monitoring stations strategically located throughout Pennsylvania’s air basins and communities.

Equipped with high-precision sensors, these stations continuously track weather patterns and measure airborne pollutants like ozone and fine particulate matter down to parts-per-billion levels. When wildfire smoke drifts across the Commonwealth, this sensor network, coupled with advanced air dispersion modeling, allows state regulators and atmospheric scientists to track smoke plumes in real time and issue timely Air Quality Action Days.

As regional or statewide Code Orange, Red, or Purple air quality alerts are declared, small businesses can use this real-time data to make informed operational decisions.

1. Track Real-Time Local Conditions with AirNow

Before scheduling high-exertion outdoor work or adjusting facility operations, consult localized air quality tools fed directly by state and federal monitoring sensors:

AirNow.gov: Jointly operated by the EPA and state air monitoring divisions (including PA DEP), AirNow provides color-coded Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasts based on continuous sensor data for ground-level ozone and fine particulates ( $\text{PM}_{2.5}$ ).
AirNow Fire and Smoke Map: For hyper-local smoke tracking, this interactive tool overlays official PA DEP monitoring sensors with satellite data and low-cost local air sensors to display real-time smoke plumes and ground-level pollution movement.

2. Protect Outdoor and On-Site Workers

During Code Orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups) or Code Red/Purple (unhealthy for all) alerts, physical exertion outdoors increases exposure to inhaled particulate matter. Small businesses with outdoor operations — such as landscaping, construction, logistics, and roofing — should consider:

Task Adjustments: Postpone heavy physical labor or shift demanding tasks to days with lower predicted particulate levels.
Frequent Rest Breaks: Provide shaded or indoor break areas with filtered air and encourage regular hydration.
Respiratory Protection: Supply voluntary-use N95 respirators for employees who must perform essential work outdoors during severe smoke events.

3. Maintain Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Indoor workplaces are not automatically immune to outdoor smoke. Fine particles can easily enter facilities through building ventilation intakes, loading docks, and doorways.

Upgrade Filtration: Inspect facility HVAC systems and upgrade to MERV 13 filters (or the highest rating compatible with your system) to effectively capture microscopic smoke particles.
Adjust Air Intakes: Temporarily set HVAC units to recirculate indoor air during peak smoke hours rather than drawing in unfiltered outdoor air.

4. Voluntary Steps to Reduce Local Emissions

During official Air Quality Action Days, the PA DEP encourages small businesses to voluntarily minimize operations that generate additional fine particulates or ozone precursors, helping prevent localized air stagnation:

Limit Fuel-Burning Machinery: Postpone non-essential use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, heavy diesel machinery, or open burning operations.
Optimize Fleet Travel: Consolidate delivery routes and enforce strict anti-idling policies for company vehicles.
Reschedule High-Emission Tasks: Where schedules permit, pause non-essential incineration, dust-generating manufacturing, or high-VOC solvent usage until air quality returns to Code Yellow or Green.

Need Environmental Compliance Support?

Whether you need help evaluating facility emissions, navigating DEP air permitting requirements, or understanding air monitoring standards, you don’t have to figure it out alone. EMAP provides Pennsylvania small businesses with free, confidential technical assistance.

Success Story: Kaplan’s Careful Cleaners Wins National Environmental Stewardship Award

Written by Jeremy on May 8, 2026. Posted in Breaking News, Press Release, Success Stories. No Comments on Success Story: Kaplan’s Careful Cleaners Wins National Environmental Stewardship Award

We are proud to share that Kaplan’s Careful Cleaners of Camp Hill, PA, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Small Business Environmental Stewardship Award by the National Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAPs). This prestigious national honor recognizes the company’s exceptional leadership in pollution prevention and sustainability. In addition, it recognizes mentoring and its commitment to a cleaner Pennsylvania.

A Multi-Generational Transition to Environmentally-Friendly Technology

The award highlights a successful partnership between two generations of small business leadership. Alana Kaplan served as the catalyst for the project, advocating for the family business to modernize its facility. She also pushed for the business to move away from hazardous chemicals. Working alongside her father, Dale Kaplan, who has chaired Pennsylvania’s Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee for 25 years, the team successfully navigated a complex technical and regulatory transition.

The Impact: Cleaner Air and a Stronger Bottom Line

With technical assistance from EMAP and a Small Business Advantage Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Small Business Ombudsman’s Office, the Kaplans retired their equipment using perchloroethylene (PERC), a known hazardous air pollutant.

By switching to an advanced aqueous cleaning system, Kaplan’s Careful Cleaners achieved:

100% Elimination of PERC: Removing approximately 260 gallons of hazardous solvent waste annually.
Significant Financial Savings: An estimated $23,432 in annual savings through reduced solvent purchases, lower waste disposal fees, and decreased regulatory compliance costs.
Enhanced Safety: A healthier environment for employees, customers, and the Camp Hill community.

Leadership in the Small Business Community

Dale Kaplan has spent over two decades mentoring peers on pollution prevention and sustainability. By sharing their firsthand experience transitioning to aqueous cleaning, the Kaplans reinforce the idea that collaboration with state technical experts is both accessible and highly worthwhile. This is especially important for small business owners. Their example challenges industry norms and empowers others to adopt safer, cleaner technologies.

How EMAP Can Help Your Small Business

Kaplan’s Careful Cleaners serves as a national model for how small businesses can adopt safer, more sustainable technologies while improving profitability.

The team at EMAP is dedicated to providing free, confidential technical assistance to help Pennsylvania entrepreneurs navigate environmental regulations. EMAP can also help small businesses identify funding opportunities for pollution prevention upgrades and to improve operations.

What Conventional Oil & Gas Operators Need to Know About PA’s VOC Reporting Rules

Written by Jeremy on November 21, 2025. Posted in Breaking News, Regulatory Updates. No Comments on What Conventional Oil & Gas Operators Need to Know About PA’s VOC Reporting Rules

Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has released updated guidance to help conventional oil and natural gas operators comply with new Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) reporting requirements under 25 Pa. Code §§ 129.131–129.140.

These rules apply to owners and operators of conventional well sites, gathering and boosting stations, and natural gas processing plants that include certain pieces of VOC-emitting equipment.

While many small businesses may already know that annual VOC reports are due each year by June 1, it is important for operators to understand what equipment triggers reporting and how to submit reports correctly.

What Equipment Triggers Reporting?

According to DEP, reporting applies if your operation includes any of the following:

Storage vessels
Natural gas-driven continuous bleed pneumatic controllers
Natural gas-driven diaphragm pumps
Reciprocating and centrifugal compressors
Fugitive emission components (valves, flanges, connectors, etc.)

If your site operates any of this equipment, you may need to submit a report so DEP can determine whether your source is subject to the requirements or qualifies for an exemption.

How to Submit Reports

All initial and annual reports must be submitted using the DEP Public Upload System (Greenport).

No login or account is required
Reports must be uploaded as an Excel or spreadsheet file
DEP provides a reporting template, step-by-step guide, and a walkthrough video to help you complete the form accurately

If you are past due for your 2023 or 2024 submission, DEP recommends submitting as soon as possible.

Resources for Oil & Gas Operators

DEP has published a new flyer titled “Conventional Oil and Natural Gas VOC Sources – What You Need to Know for Reporting.” It includes:

A clear summary of what equipment is subject to reporting
Instructions for how, when, and where to file
Links to DEP’s upload portal, reporting templates, and guides
Contact information for DEP Air Quality staff

Free Help for Pennsylvania Small Businesses

Pennsylvania small businesses (generally 100 or fewer employees) can contact the Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) for free and confidential assistance with:

Determining whether your site has reportable equipment
Completing the correct reporting template
Understanding the initial report requirement
Uploading reports through Greenport
Avoiding common errors that lead to rejected submissions

Call (877) ASK-EMAP or visit Contact EMAP for help. Additional resources are available on EMAP’s Oil & Gas Compliance Assistance page.

Why This Matters

Pennsylvania’s VOC reporting requirements apply to all owners and operators of conventional oil and natural gas wells, not just commercial oil and gas businesses. This means that individual homeowners, family farms, churches, or other organizations that own a conventional well may still have reporting obligations under 25 Pa. Code §§ 129.131–129.140.

EMAP can assist eligible small businesses with this process and help ensure compliance.

Note: this post was edited on December 10, 2025.

DEP Issues Updated General Permit (GP-14) for Human and Animal Crematory Incinerators

Written by Jeremy on August 19, 2025. Posted in Breaking News, Regulatory Updates. No Comments on DEP Issues Updated General Permit (GP-14) for Human and Animal Crematory Incinerators

Pennsylvania DEP has finalized updates to General Permit GP-14, which regulates human and animal crematory incinerators. The revised permit became effective on August 16, 2025, and replaces the prior version.

Why This Matters

The GP-14 provides a streamlined and cost-effective alternative to obtaining an individual State-Only Operating Permit. The updated permit reflects new legislative changes, public feedback, and DEP’s ongoing efforts to balance environmental compliance with the practical needs of small businesses.

The updates to the new general permit are meant to improve air quality, operational safety, and administrative clarity. Previous versions of the GP-14 were often deemed too restrictive by crematory owners and operators, and thus were not an option to be covered by a DEP air quality permit. This often forced owners/operators to go the plan approval application route, which resulted in an individualized State Only-Operating Permit specific to one’s operation and equipment.

Key Updates in the New GP-14

The following are some key updates to be aware of:

Cold Start Requirements: For units charged when cold, the secondary chamber must reach 1600°F and hold before the primary burner can fire. Interlock systems must be configured accordingly.
Prohibited Materials Clarified: Cremation of remains in plastic containers is prohibited, except for medical body bags. Pacemakers and electronic devices must be removed, and hazardous remedial devices (such as radioactive implants) must be removed “where feasible.”
Fee Structure: Application, renewal, and annual maintenance fees remain lower than individual permits, but crematories should plan for:
- Application fee: $1,600
- Renewal fee: $750 (every 5 years)
- Annual maintenance fee: $500
Recordkeeping Adjustments: Crematories must continue to maintain records such as fuel usage, chamber temperatures, operator training, and device removal for five years. DEP decided against its earlier proposal for expanded annual reporting, so records must only be submitted upon request.
Fuel Sulfur Content: Only fuel oil requires sulfur content certification. Natural gas, LP gas, and propane are no longer included.
Source Testing: Newly constructed or modified crematory units must provide a recent stack test report from a similar model or conduct a new test within 180 days of startup.
Training Requirements: Operators must receive formal training that includes combustion principles, safety procedures, recordkeeping, and maintenance.

Additional Important Details from DEP’s Announcement

In addition to the key updates within the permit itself, the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcement provided some important reminders about how crematories must apply and operate under GP-14. These details help clarify how the permit is administered and what steps facilities need to take before beginning construction, modification, or operation.

Written DEP authorization is required before constructing, modifying, or operating under GP-14.
Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged through DEP’s Public Upload with Electronic Payment system.
The revised permit, technical support document, and comment-and-response summary are available in DEP’s eLibrary.

What This Means for Crematory Operators and Your Small Business

The new GP-14 still requires certain operating procedures, recordkeeping, and reporting to ensure the operation remains in compliance with environmental standards. These include:

Expect tighter controls on cold starts and documentation of operating temperatures.
Maintain required records but no need for new annual uploads.
Factor updated fees into long-term operating budgets.
Update operator training and facility procedures to align with new standards.

Resources

Read the full GP-14 (August 2025)
Review DEP’s Comment and Response Document

For compliance assistance, contact EMAP for free, confidential support. EMAP offers Pennsylvania small businesses technical assistance with understanding permitting and compliance obligations.

PA DEP Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Methane Emissions Plan for Existing Oil and Gas Facilities

Written by Jeremy on June 30, 2025. Posted in Breaking News, Public Comment, Regulatory Updates. No Comments on PA DEP Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Methane Emissions Plan for Existing Oil and Gas Facilities

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is inviting public comment on a proposed State Plan to reduce methane emissions from existing crude oil and natural gas facilities across the state. The proposal is in response to a federal rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart OOOOc—also known as the Emissions Guidelines (EG) for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Oil and Natural Gas Operations.

This federal rule, part of the EPA’s broader climate review for the oil and natural gas sector, sets national “presumptive standards” to limit methane—a potent greenhouse gas—from facilities that were in operation on or before December 6, 2022. These standards are designed to improve air quality and reduce emissions through updated monitoring, leak detection and repair (LDAR), and equipment upgrades.

Under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, states like Pennsylvania must create and submit plans to the EPA to implement and enforce these federal guidelines at the state level. DEP’s proposed State Plan outlines how Pennsylvania will meet these federal requirements, including timelines for industry compliance.

What This Means for Small Oil and Gas Operators:

If your business owns or operates existing crude oil and natural gas facilities, this rule may impact your operations. The proposal may require new compliance measures such as enhanced leak detection, emissions controls, and recordkeeping. The proposed plan includes specific compliance schedules, giving operators time to prepare and adjust.

Public Comment Period Open Until July 30, 2025

DEP is accepting public comments on the proposed plan through July 30, 2025. You can view the full proposal and its appendices online at https://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment/.

In addition, a series of public hearings has been scheduled from June 30 through July 16, 2025 at various locations throughout the Commonwealth. Advanced registration is needed at least 1 week in advance to provide public testimony.

How to Submit Comments:

Online: Use DEP’s eComment system: https://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment/
Email: Send to ecomment@pa.gov (include your name and address)
Mail:
Policy Office
Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
P.O. Box 2063
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063

If providing comments, please include “Proposed OOOOc State Plan” in the subject line of your written comment. Comments sent by fax will not be accepted.

In addition, for questions or to request copies of the proposed plan, contact Panna Chibber at (717) 772-3993 or pchibber@pa.gov.

Public Comment Period Open for General Permit (GP-14) for Crematories

Written by Jeremy on February 18, 2025. Posted in Breaking News, Public Comment. No Comments on Public Comment Period Open for General Permit (GP-14) for Crematories

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has proposed revisions to General Permit GP-14, which regulates human and animal crematory incinerators. A public comment period is open until March 24, 2025, giving crematory owners and operators a chance to voice their opinions on the proposed changes before they take effect.

Why This Matters to Crematory Operations

General Permit GP-14 is intended to provide a streamlined and cost-effective alternative to obtaining an individual State-Only Operating Permit for crematory operations. The proposed February 2025 updates introduce new requirements and clarifications that could impact compliance procedures, operating costs, and reporting obligations.

Key Changes from the August 2024 GP-14 to the Proposed February 2025 Version

New Compliance Requirements for Units Charged When Cold
- If a crematory incinerator is charged before reaching 1600°F, the secondary chamber must now reach and hold 1600°F before the primary burner is fired and throughout the cremation cycle.
- Interlock systems must be configured to prevent primary chamber firing until the secondary chamber is at 1600°F.
New Sulfur Content Recordkeeping for All Fuels
- Previously, only fuel oil sulfur content records were required. The new version expands this requirement to include natural gas, LP gas, and propane.
Earlier Annual Reporting Deadline
- The deadline for submitting reports to DEP moves from March 1st to February 1st each year.
Updated Electronic Submission Process
- Applications, renewals, and reporting must now be submitted through DEP’s new Public Upload with Electronic Payment system.
Clarifications on Prohibited Materials
- Crematory operators must remove hazardous remedial devices (e.g., radioactive implants) “where feasible”, adding flexibility compared to the previous blanket prohibition.

How These Changes Could Affect Your Small Business

More detailed compliance requirements for cold-start cremations may affect operating procedures.
Additional fuel sulfur content tracking could create minor administrative issues or burdens.
The earlier reporting deadline means adjusting compliance workflows to meet the new due date.
Navigating DEP’s new electronic submission system may require familiarization with the updated process.

How to Submit Public Comments

Deadline: March 24, 2025
Submit Comments Online: https://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment/

Small crematory operations should review the proposed changes to the General Permit (GP-14) and provide feedback if deemed appropriate. Your input is important to ensuring that the GP-14 remains a practical and cost-effective option for small businesses while maintaining environmental compliance.

If you have questions or need assistance in understanding the proposed changes, please contact EMAP.

Environmental Management Assistance Program

877-ask-emap

Tag: pennsylvania dep

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality Action Days: A Small Business Operational Guide