We are expanding our plant. Do we need a new Royal Commission permit?

Best Available Techniques (BAT)

The most effective and advanced production processes, methods, technologies or operational practices, applied at facilities to prevent emissions, discharges and other impacts, or to reduce them where prevention is not practicable. BAT must at least meet the emission or discharge standards in RCER, taking energy, environmental and economic impacts and costs into account. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page viii

Environmental Permit to Construct (EPC)

The Royal Commission permit an operator must obtain before starting any construction activity related to the process of a new facility. An existing facility also needs an EPC, decided case by case, for reconstruction, modification or expansion. RCER-2025 Vol. I, 1.2.1 and 1.2.2, page 5

Environmental Permit to Operate (EPO)

The Royal Commission permit without which a facility may not operate or carry out process commissioning. It is valid for five years from the date of issue. RCER-2025 Vol. I, 1.3.1 and 1.3.6, pages 5 and 6

Environmental Screening Questionnaire (ESQ)

The questionnaire every facility submits as part of the RC Industrial Site Allocation Request. RC reviews it to determine the category of the facility. RCER-2025 Vol. II, 1.3, page 3

Existing facility

A facility that received environmental approval from the Royal Commission before the effective date of RCER-2025, or that was contracted for before that date provided RC is informed. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page ix

First Category facility

A facility with negligible or no impact on public health or the environment during construction or operation. Typically support industries and commercial establishments. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page xii

Modification

Any physical change to an existing facility, or change in its method of operation, that increases unit capacity or the pollution emitted to the atmosphere, or causes an impact on the environment that did not occur before. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page x

Modified facility

A facility subject to a modification with production increases greater than 10 percent, a 10 percent increase in emissions or discharges, or new pollutants emitted or discharged. Clause 1.3.7 of Volume I words the production and emissions tests as 10 percent or more. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page x

Permit Application Package (PAP)

The package of application forms facilities submit, with the ESQ, to obtain the EPC and EPO. Unless RC says otherwise, everything submitted in it is a condition of the EPO. RCER-2025 Vol. I, 1.1.7 and 1.3.4, pages 2 and 6

Reconstructed facility

A facility that is dismantled, damaged or destroyed and intentionally rebuilt to the original design, in the same or a different location. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page xi

Third Category facility

A facility with significant potential for environmental harm, including permanent or irreversible damage to public health or the environment, during construction or operation. Typically primary industries and some larger secondary industries. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page xii

All 50 terms in the Royal Commission glossary