Allowable emissions refer to the amount of pollution which a facility can emit and still be within the limits of air quality standards. These standards may be set by federal, state, or local laws.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1999. Handbook for criteria pollutant inventory development: a beginner's guide for point and area sources. EPA-OAQPS-454-99-037. Research Triangle Park, NC. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. As cited in: Hardy, Colin C., Ottmar, Roger D., Peterson, Janice L., Core, John E., and Seamon, Paula. 2001. Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed and Wildland Fire 2001 Edition. Produced by the National Wildfire coordinating Group Fire Use Working Team.