Even the smallest of businesses may need to obtain an environmental permit or license. If your business will use or produce any chemicals or materials that could be considered hazardous or have a significant impact on the environment (such as high volume water usage or discharge, emission of potential air pollutants, etc.), the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet's Division of Compliance Assistance offers assistance in the area of environmental compliance and permitting. It is strongly recommended that you become familiar with environmental obligations before starting your business. Proper planning can greatly minimize or eliminate future problems in this area.

Environmental areas of concern consist of air pollution, water quality and availability, and solid/hazardous waste issues.  The Division for Air Quality regulates air contaminant sources. Air contaminant, air contaminant source, and other important terms are defined in KRS 224.01-010. For businesses operating in Jefferson County, refer also to the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District permits page.

The Division of Water regulates sewage/waste discharge into Kentucky waters, withdrawal of water exceeding 10,000 gallons per day from surface, spring, or groundwater sources, construction and physical disturbance activities along streams or wild rivers, and other water related activities.

The Division of Waste Management regulates businesses involved with solid or hazardous waste products. If your business creates, uses, stores, transports, or disposes of solid or hazardous wastes in significant amounts, a permit from the Division of Waste Management will likely be required.

Additional Resources

Typical Environmental Permitting Requirements for the Construction and Operation of a Manufacturing Facility
http://www.thinkkentucky.com/kyedc/pdfs/envpermitreq.pdf

Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection
http://dep.ky.gov/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/