Air Quality Compliance Program for a National Retailer

Building a Programmatic Approach to Air Quality Compliance

APTIM’s approach to environmental compliance consulting is grounded in long-term partnerships. For more than 25 years, APTIM has worked with a confidential national retailer to build and strengthen its air quality compliance program across retail and non-retail facilities. Early support focused on site-level and third-party audits to evaluate compliance status and identify program gaps as regulatory requirements increased in complexity.

Since 2008, APTIM has supported all aspects of air quality regulatory compliance for this national retailer, providing sustained technical expertise and program oversight.

Understanding the Retailer’s Air Emissions Profile

The retailer operates facilities in all 50 states and is subject to federal, state, local, and regional air quality regulations. Managing air emissions compliance across this footprint requires continuous oversight of permitting, reporting, and fee obligations across more than 120 air permitting authorities.

Air emissions sources supported under the program include stationary emergency and non-emergency generators, portable generators, diesel fire pump engines, gasoline dispensing facilities, boilers and other fuel-burning equipment (such as heaters, rooftops units, bakery ovens, and air handling units), and refrigeration systems. Each source presents unique compliance obligations based on location, equipment type, and regulatory thresholds.

Early Air Quality Compliance Needs & Program Drivers

APTIM was originally retained nearly 20 years ago to supplement the retailer’s environmental compliance staff and provide specialized air permitting services. At the time, the client required support across all facility types and jurisdictions. Maintaining accurate permits, timely regulatory submittals, and consistent fee payments became increasingly challenging due to the scale of operations and regulatory requirements.

Why APTIM Was Chosen as an Air Quality Compliance Partner

The retailer selected APTIM based on its regulatory expertise, technical depth, and ability to deliver scalable environmental compliance consulting services. While the client retains operational responsibility for its air emissions sources, APTIM ensures that those sources are properly permitted and that required agency submittals and air quality fee payments are completed accurately and on time.

As the partnership matured, APTIM’s visibility into the retailer’s broader retail environmental compliance programs allowed the team to provide more integrated and proactive regulatory guidance.

Delivering Air Permitting, Reporting & Regulatory Tracking at Scale

To support the retailer’s air quality compliance program, APTIM prepares and submits more than 150 air quality compliance reports each year, including throughout reports, emissions inventories, surveys, and regulatory questionnaires. APTIM also maintains more than 200 air permits, registrations, and related regulatory documents on the client’s behalf.

Additional responsibilities include managing and paying more than 200 annual air quality-related invoices, such as permit and emissions fees, and tracking air permitting requirements across all 50 states. APTIM also prepares and submits refrigeration system compliance reports for more than 300 retail locations in California and 70 locations in New Jersey.

Beyond routine compliance activities, APTIM provides as-needed support to address evolving air emissions regulatory compliance needs, including new source permitting, applicability determinations, and regulatory agency inquiries.

Sustained Compliance Outcomes & Program Maturity

Through a long-term, programmatic approach, APTIM has helped the retailer maintain consistent air quality compliance across a complex national operating environment. Centralized air permit management, reporting, and regulatory tracking have reduced compliance risk while supporting operational efficiency.

As the partnership has evolved, APTIM now manages a significant portion of the retailer’s environmental portfolio. Program visibility across compliance disciplines allows APTIM to deliver tailored processes, individualized support, and expert guidance aligned with the retailer’s operations.

Air Quality & Environmental Compliance Support From APTIM

APTIM supports organizations through comprehensive air quality compliance programs and environmental compliance consulting services, including:

Learn more about APTIM’s environmental compliance and consulting services:

Contact APTIM