Section 20. Compliance

A. Ninety days after the effective date of any emission standard prescribed under this chapter, no owner or other person shall operate any existing source in violation of such standard.

1. Compliance with standards in this chapter, other than opacity standards, shall be determined by emission tests established by 9VAC5-40-30, unless specified otherwise in the applicable standard.

2. Compliance with federal requirements in this chapter may be determined by alternative or equivalent methods only if approved by the administrator. For purposes of this subsection, federal requirements consist of the following:

a. New source performance standards established pursuant to § 111 of the federal Clean Air Act.

b. All terms and conditions in a federal operating permit, including any provisions that limit a source's potential to emit, unless expressly designated as not federally enforceable.

c. Limitations and conditions that are part of an implementation plan.

d. Limitations and conditions that are part of a section 111(d) or section 111(d)/129 plan.

e. Limitations and conditions that are part of a federal construction permit issued under 40 CFR 52.21 or any construction permit issued under regulations approved by EPA in accordance with 40 CFR Part 51.

f. Limitations and conditions that are part of an operating permit issued pursuant to a program approved by EPA into an implementation plan as meeting EPA's minimum criteria for federal enforceability, including adequate notice and opportunity for EPA and public comment prior to issuance of the final permit and practicable enforceability.

3. Compliance with opacity standards in this chapter may be determined by one or more of the following means:

a. Conducting observations in accordance with Reference Method 9 or any alternative method approved by EPA. For purposes of determining initial compliance, the minimum total time of observations shall be three hours (30 six-minute averages) for the emission test or other set of observations (meaning those fugitive-type emission sources subject only to an opacity standard). Opacity readings of portions of plumes which contain condensed, uncombined water vapor shall not be used for purposes of determining compliance with opacity standards.

b. Evaluation of data resulting from use of continuous monitoring by transmissometer, provided the instrument used meets Performance Specification 1 in Appendix B of 40 CFR Part 60 and has been properly maintained and that the resulting data have not been altered in any way.

c. Use of any other method approved by EPA.

4. The opacity standards prescribed under this chapter shall apply at all times except during periods of startup, shutdown, malfunction, and as otherwise provided in the applicable standard. This exception shall not apply to the following federal requirements:

a. Limitations and conditions that are part of an implementation plan.

b. Limitations and conditions that are part of a federal construction permit issued under 40 CFR 52.21 or any construction permit issued under regulations approved by EPA in accordance with 40 CFR Part 51.

c. Limitations and conditions that are part of an operating permit issued pursuant to a program approved by EPA into an implementation plan as meeting EPA's minimum criteria for federal enforceability, including adequate notice and opportunity for EPA and public comment prior to issuance of the final permit and practicable enforceability.

B. No owner of an existing source subject to the provisions of this chapter shall fail to conduct emission tests as required under this chapter.

C. No owner of an existing source subject to the provisions of this chapter shall fail to install, calibrate, maintain and operate equipment for continuously monitoring and recording emissions or process parameters or both as required under this chapter.

D. No owner of an existing source subject to the provisions of this chapter shall fail to provide notifications and reports, revise reports, maintain records or report emission test or monitoring results as required under this chapter.

E. At all times, including periods of startup, shutdown, soot blowing and malfunction, owners shall, to the extent practicable, maintain and operate any affected facility including associated air pollution control equipment in a manner consistent with air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions. Determination of whether acceptable operating and maintenance procedures are being used will be based on information available to the board, which may include, but is not limited to, monitoring results, opacity observations, review of operating and maintenance procedures, and inspection of the source.

F. At all times the disposal of volatile organic compounds shall be accomplished by taking measures, to the extent practicable, consistent with air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions. Volatile organic compounds shall not be intentionally spilled, discarded in sewers which are not connected to a treatment plant, or stored in open containers or handled in any other manner that would result in evaporation beyond that consistent with air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions.

G. The following provisions apply with respect to demonstrating compliance with opacity standards.

1. For the purpose of demonstrating initial compliance, opacity observations shall be conducted concurrently with the initial emission test unless one of the following conditions apply:

a. If no emission test is required, then opacity observations shall be conducted within 60 days after achieving the maximum production rate at which the affected facility will be operated but no later than 180 days after the compliance date.

b. If visibility or other conditions prevent the opacity observations from being conducted concurrently with the initial emission test, the owner shall reschedule the opacity observations as soon after the initial emission test as possible, but not later than 30 days thereafter, and shall advise the board of the rescheduled date. In these cases, the 30-day prior notification to the board required by 9VAC5-40-50 A 3 shall be waived. The rescheduled opacity observations shall be conducted (to the extent possible) under the same operating conditions that existed during the initial emission test. The visible emissions observer shall determine whether visibility or other conditions prevent the opacity observations from being made concurrently with the initial emission test in accordance with procedures contained in Reference Method 9.

Opacity readings of portions of plumes which contain condensed, uncombined water vapor shall not be used for purposes of determining compliance with opacity standards. The owner of an affected facility shall make available, upon request by the board, such records as may be necessary to determine the conditions under which the visual observations were made and shall provide evidence indicating proof of current visible observer emission certification. The results of continuous monitoring by transmissometer which indicate that the opacity at the time visual observations were made was not in excess of the standard are probative but not conclusive evidence of the actual opacity of an emission, provided the source meets the burden of proving that the instrument used meets (at the time of the alleged violation) Performance Specification 1 in Appendix B of 40 CFR Part 60 and has been properly maintained and (at the time of the alleged violation) that the resulting data have not been altered in any way.

2. Except as provided in subdivision 3 of this subsection, the owner of an affected facility to which an opacity standard in this chapter applies shall conduct opacity observations in accordance with subdivision A 3 of this section, shall record the opacity of emissions, and shall report to the board the opacity results along with the results of the initial emission test. The inability of an owner to secure a visible emissions observer shall not be considered a reason for not conducting the opacity observations concurrent with the initial emission test.

3. The owner of an affected facility to which an opacity standard in this chapter applies may request the board to determine and to record the opacity of emissions from the affected facility during the initial emission test and at such times as may be required. The owner of the affected facility shall report the opacity results. Any request to the board to determine and to record the opacity of emissions from an affected facility shall be included in the notification required in 9VAC5-40-50 A 3. If, for some reason, the board cannot determine and record the opacity of emissions from the affected facility during the emission test, then the provisions of subdivision 1 of this subsection shall apply.

4. An owner of an affected facility using a continuous opacity monitor (transmissometer) shall record the monitoring data produced during the initial emission test and shall furnish the board a written report of the monitoring results along with the Reference Method 9 and initial emission test results.

H. The following provisions apply with respect to new or more stringent emission standards:

1. The following provisions apply with respect to emission standards for volatile organic compounds:

a. In the case of any emission standard for volatile organic compounds adopted by the board which is more stringent than the emission standard for the source in effect prior to such adoption, if any, or where there was no emission standard, the source shall not be considered in violation of the newly adopted emission standard provided that the owner accomplishes the following:

(1) Complies with the emission standard as expeditiously as possible but in no case later than one year after the effective date of the emission standard.

(2) Within one month of achieving compliance, notifies the board of same.

(3) Within six months of achieving compliance, demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board compliance with the emission standard.

b. The reprieve provided by subdivision 1 a of this subsection shall only apply in cases where it is necessary for the owner to:

(1) Install emission control equipment or other equipment that alters the facility in order to comply with the emission standard; or

(2) Switch fuel or raw materials or both in order to comply with the emission standard.

c. Owners of sources not in compliance with the newly adopted emission standard, but in compliance with the provisions of subdivision 1 a of this subsection shall not be subject to any penalties for violation of the newly adopted emission standard that may be required by the Virginia Air Pollution Control Law.

d. Any reprieve from the sanctions of any provision of the Virginia Air Pollution Control Law pursuant to subdivision 1 a of this subsection shall not extend beyond the date by which compliance is to be achieved.

e. Nothing in subdivision 1 a of this subsection shall prevent the board from promulgating a separate compliance schedule for any source if the board finds that it is technologically infeasible or it is infeasible due to the nonavailability of necessary equipment or materials or other circumstances beyond the owner's control for the source to achieve compliance within one year of the effective date of an emission standard.

f. All compliance schedules proposed or prescribed under this section shall provide for compliance with the applicable emission standards as expeditiously as practicable.

g. Any compliance schedule approved under this subsection may be revoked at any time if the source owner does not meet the stipulated increments of progress, and if the failure to meet an increment is likely to result in failure to meet the date for final compliance, and the failure to meet the increment is due to causes within the owner's control.

2. The following provisions apply with respect to emission standards for pollutants other than volatile organic compounds:

a. In the case of any emission standard adopted by the board which is more stringent than the emission standard for the source in effect prior to such adoption, if any, or where there was no emission standard, the source shall not be considered in violation of the newly adopted emission standard provided that the owner accomplishes the following:

(1) Submits in a form and manner satisfactory to the board, a control program showing how compliance shall be achieved within the time frame in the applicable compliance schedule prescribed under 9VAC5-40-21; or, where no applicable compliance schedule is prescribed under 9VAC5-40-21, how compliance shall be achieved as expeditiously as possible; but in no case later than three years after the effective date of such emission standard.

(2) Receives approval of the board of such control program.

(3) Complies with all provisions, terms and conditions of the control program including the increments of progress.

b. The reprieve provided by subdivision 2 a of this subsection shall only apply in cases where it is necessary for the owner to:

(1) Install emission control equipment or other equipment that alters the facility in order to comply with the emission standard; or

(2) Switch fuel or raw materials or both in order to comply with the emission standard.

c. Owners of sources not in compliance with the newly adopted emission standard, but in compliance with the provisions of subdivision 2 a of this subsection shall not be subject to any penalties for violation of the newly adapted emission standard that may be required by the Virginia Air Pollution Control Law.

d. Any reprieve from the sanctions of any provision of the Virginia Air Pollution Control Law pursuant to subdivision 2 a of this subsection shall not extend beyond the date, specified in the emission standard or approved control program, by which compliance is to be achieved.

e. Control programs submitted under the provisions of subdivision 2 a of this subsection shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of 9VAC5-20-170. However, if the control program contains a compliance schedule which conforms to the applicable schedule prescribed in 9VAC5-40-21, the public hearing provision of 9VAC5-20-170 shall not apply.

f. Nothing in this section shall prevent the board from promulgating a separate compliance schedule for any source if the board finds that the application of a compliance schedule in 9VAC5-40-21 is technologically infeasible, or if the board finds that the application of a compliance schedule in 9VAC5-40-21 is infeasible due to the nonavailability of necessary equipment or materials or other circumstances beyond the owner's control.

g. Nothing in this section shall prevent the owner of a source subject to a compliance schedule in 9VAC5-40-21 from submitting to the board a proposed alternative compliance schedule provided the following conditions are met:

(1) The proposed alternative compliance schedule is submitted within six months of the effective date of the emission standard;

(2) The final control plans for achieving compliance with the applicable emission standard are submitted simultaneously;

(3) The alternative compliance schedule contains the same increments of progress as the schedule for which it is proposed as an alternative; and

(4) Sufficient documentation is submitted by the owner of the source to justify the alternative dates proposed for the increments of progress.

h. All compliance schedules proposed or prescribed under this section shall provide for compliance with the applicable emission standards as expeditiously as practicable.

i. Any compliance schedule approved under this subsection may be revoked at any time if the source owner does not meet the stipulated increments of progress, and if the failure to meet an increment is likely to result in failure to meet the date for final compliance, and the failure to meet the increment is due to causes within the owner's control.

j. The provisions of 9VAC5-40-21 shall not apply to owners of sources which are in compliance with the applicable emission standard and for which the owners have determined and certified compliance to the satisfaction of the board within 12 months of the effective date of the applicable emission standard.

I. The following provisions apply with respect to stack heights:

1. The degree of emission limitation required of any source owner for control of any air pollutant shall not be affected in any manner by:

a. So much of the stack height of any source as exceeds good engineering practice; or

b. Any other dispersion technique.

2. The provisions of subdivision 1 of this subsection shall not apply to:

a. Stack heights in existence, or dispersion techniques implemented on or before December 31, 1970, except where pollutants are being emitted from such stacks or using such dispersion techniques by sources, as defined in § 111(a)(3) of the federal Clean Air Act, which were constructed, or reconstructed, or for which major modifications, as defined in Article 8 (9VAC5-80-1700 et seq.) and Article 9 (9VAC5-80-2000 et seq.) of Part II of 9VAC5 Chapter 80, were carried out after December 31, 1970; or

b. Coal-fired steam electric generating units subject to the provisions of § 118 of the federal Clean Air Act, which commenced operation before July 1, 1957, and whose stacks were constructed under a construction contract awarded before February 8, 1974.

3. Prior to the adoption of a new or revised emission limitation that is based on a good engineering practice stack height that exceeds the height allowed by subdivision 1 or 2 of the GEP definition, the board shall notify the public of the availability of the demonstration study and shall provide the opportunity for public hearing on it.

4. For purposes of this subsection, such height shall not exceed the height allowed by subdivision 1 or 2 of the GEP definition unless the owner demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board, after 30 days notice to the public and opportunity for public hearing, that a greater height is necessary as provided under subdivision 3 of the GEP definition.

5. In no event may the board prohibit any increase in any stack height or restrict in any manner the maximum stack height of any source.

6. Compliance with emission standards in this chapter shall not be affected in any manner by the stack height of any source or any other dispersion technique.

J. For the purpose of submitting compliance certifications or establishing whether or not a person has violated or is in violation of any standard in this chapter, nothing in this chapter shall preclude the use, including the exclusive use, of any credible evidence or information, relevant to whether a source would have been in compliance with applicable requirements if the appropriate emission or compliance test or procedure had been performed.

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia; §§ 110, 111, 123, 129, 171, 172 and 182 of the Clean Air Act; 40 CFR Parts 51 and 60.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR120-04-02, eff. July 1, 1986; amended, Volume 07, Issue 14, eff. July 1, 1991; Volume 18, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2002; Volume 24, Issue 05, eff. December 12, 2007.