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GETTING ASSISTANCE |
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Air—Confidentiality |
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GETTING ASSISTANCE |
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Air—Confidentiality |
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Form: SCP-01
Note: If you are submitting an administrative amendment, you only need to answer to the questions on this screen (and provide any subsequent attachments, if applicable) for the information provided in your amendment application.
Reminder:
When you submit an application through MPCA e-Services, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
1) that a confirmation email will be automatically generated,
2) that the confirmation email will include a copy of your application and any uploaded attachments submitted with your application,
3) that the copy will include any information that you claimed to be non-public (e.g., trade secret or confidential), and
4) that the confirmation email will be sent to the email address for each legally responsible official listed within your permit application.
If you do not want your claimed non-public information sent through email or sent to each legally responsible official listed in your permit application, do not use the MPCA e-service and instead submit a paper application.
Note: Emissions data (defined in 40 CFR § 2.301) is public data under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7414(c)).
If you select the statement indicating confidential information, you must upload a detailed explanation and a public version of your application on the Attachments page.
To create a redacted version of your application:
Then, either:
Go to My Services In Progress and click the hyperlink for the application to continue from the last page viewed.
On the Attachments page in the application process, you will upload the redacted copy you saved to your computer. If you make any changes to the information previously entered on any page, you will need to re-create the redacted copy of your submittal.
The attached explanation must cover the following points.
References:
Information in a permit application may be considered confidential (or non-public) if any state law makes it so. The two legal provisions most likely to apply to permit applications protect the following kinds of data:
Minn. Stat. § 116.075, subd. 2
Data furnished to the agency that relates to
(a) sales figures,
(b) processes or methods of production unique to the owner or operator, or
(c) information which would tend to affect adversely the competitive position of said owner or operator.
Minn. Stat. § 13.37, subd. 1(b)
Data including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique or process
(1) that was supplied by the affected individual or organization,
(2) that is the subject of efforts by the individual or organization that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy, and
(3) that derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use.
However, even if the information falls under one of the above categories, if it is considered emissions data (defined in 40 CFR § 2.301), then the information is considered public.
Both the Clean Air Act and EPA regulations require that “emission data” submitted to the MPCA under Title V or Minnesota’s State Implementation Plan must be available to the public. In addition, EPA has issued guidance on what type of information it generally considers to be emission data (Federal Register Vol. 56, No. 35; February 21, 1991).
Please note that only specific data within an application can be considered confidential and not the entire application or permit. If you do not provide the required information, the MPCA will not provide any special protections for your application, and it is possible that your information could be released to the public.
Notice of Public Availability of Data Submitted to the MPCA:
The information you submit to the MPCA with your permit application is available to the public under state and federal laws, except for certain specific kinds of information meeting statutory standards for confidential treatment. However, to have your information treated confidentially by the MPCA, you must certify that the information qualifies for confidential treatment and explain why. This document describes the most relevant laws that allow the MPCA to treat application information confidentially, and the steps you must take to obtain confidential treatment of your data.
The MPCA will review your request and respond to you in writing. If your request is approved, the confidential material will be kept in a non-public file at the MCPA. The information will be kept in a locked file until your request is either denied or approved. If you send the MPCA any other documents that contain the confidential data, you must label it and request confidential treatment again.
The MPCA can agree to keep your data confidential. However, if the EPA requests the information from the MPCA, the MPCA will generally require you to provide it directly to EPA. The material will not be treated as confidential by the EPA unless you directly request it. Requests for the EPA to keep data confidential are governed by Part 2 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Requests to EPA for confidentiality should be sent to: Chief. Grants Management and Programs Evaluation Section, EPA Region V, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604.
You must select a statement in the Confidentiality page before you can continue.
Click Continue to access the Attachments page.
TopTo contact MPCA e-Services, email onlineservices.pca@state.mn.us or call 651-757-2728 or 1-844-828-0942, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday.
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2/21/2023