Medium combustion plant and specified generator permits: how to comply
The monitoring, record keeping and reporting you must do and how you’ll be regulated.
Applies to England and Wales
You must be able to demonstrate your medium combustion plant (MCP) or specified generator emissions are protecting air quality.
For your MCP or specified generator you must:
- hold the correct environmental permit by the required deadline
- meet the conditions of that permit by the compliance date
If your combustion plant generates electricity both the MCP and, or specified generator regulations may apply to your plant. You must make sure you’re complying with the correct regulations. If both apply, you must meet the stricter controls by the earliest deadline.
For mobile MCPs, the owner is responsible for complying with the permit. This includes:
- maintenance and monitoring
- reporting and notifying
If you already have or you need an environmental permit for your installation and it has a MCP or specified generator see how to meet the requirements for:
Monitoring requirements
Operators must test emissions from each unit (unless the permit has a different condition) to demonstrate compliance with emission limits.
Read the monitoring requirements for MCP – when you must start and the frequency.
The permit will specify the monitoring method you must use. Usually:
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low risk standard rules permits and simple bespoke permits require you to use the monitoring method set out in Monitoring stack emissions: low risk MCPs and specified generators
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complex bespoke permits require you to verify emissions using Environment Agency’s Monitoring Certification Scheme - MCERTS
Records and reporting
You must keep records and report to the regulators as set out in the permit.
When you first get a permit for your plant you’ll normally be required to send monitoring returns. These must show compliance with the emission limit values (ELVs). The frequency after this will be specified in the permit conditions.
You must keep records of the plant operation for at least 6 years.
Changes to operations
You must notify the regulator immediately of:
- any non-compliance event and ensure compliance is restored within the shortest possible time
- changes to the combustion plant which could affect the applicable ELVs
For example, if an incident occurs.
Change a bespoke permit
If you want to change, transfer or cancel your bespoke permit complete these application forms.
Change a standard rules permit
If you want to:
- transfer, cancel or remove plant email MCPD-application@environment-agency.gov.uk to ask for the relevant application forms
- add plant to your existing permit that still meets the criteria – complete the application form and pay the relevant charge
- add plant to your existing permit that will not meet the criteria – you will need to apply for a simple or complex bespoke permit and complete this application form and combustion plant list
How you’ll be regulated
The regulators will assess compliance by doing:
- desk based inspections
- site inspections
The regulators will use the monitoring returns you submit to assess compliance.
If you do not comply
The regulators can require you to suspend plant operation if your MCP or specified generator fails to comply with ELVs and causes significant damage to air quality.
If non-compliance continues the regulators may take enforcement action against you. See the:
- Environment Agency’s enforcement and sanctions policy
- Natural Resources Wales enforcement and prosecutions policy
Last updated 27 March 2023 + show all updates
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‘Monitoring requirements’: For low risk standard rule permits and simple bespoke permits use the ‘Monitoring stack emissions: low risk MCPs and specified generators’. ‘Records and reporting’: When you first get a permit for your plant you will normally be required to send monitoring returns. These must show compliance with the emission limit values (ELVs). Clarified how to ‘Change a standard rules permit’.
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First published.