Smoke School Information in Tennessee

Tennessee Acceptance Status for VirtualOpacity^® — EPA ALT-152A

Accepted.

Tennessee Visible Emissions / Opacity Standard

The opacity limit for Tennessee is 20% opacity; may not be exceeded for an aggregate of more than 5 min in any hour or more than 20 min in any 24-hr period; fuel-burning installations >600 MMBtu/hr: 20% on 6-min average; certificate-of-validation sources may hold an alternative standard, as established under TAPCR Ch. 1200-03-05; SSM allowance via Ch. 1200-03-20 (logged); certificate-of-validation alternative at 1200-03-05-.05.

Compliance is demonstrated via EPA Method 9; evaluators must be certified by the Board (TAPCR 1200-03-05-.03). Large sources (≥100,000 ACFM) must install COMS..

Averaging period: Aggregate minutes: no more than 5 minutes in any 1 hour above standard, and no more than 20 minutes in any 24-hour period; 6-minute averaging used per Rule .03

Tennessee uses a time-aggregate approach (minutes per hour/day) rather than simple percent-of-time exceedance. Large sources must install COMS. Observers must be certified by Board-approved criteria. Current rule: effective December 15, 2024.

Last verified July 8, 2026

Note: Regulations change — always verify current requirements with your state's air quality agency before making compliance decisions. This page is for informational purposes and is not legal advice; consult a qualified attorney or environmental compliance professional for guidance specific to your facility.