Section 30. Definitions

A. For the purpose of applying this part in the context of the Regulations for the Control and Abatement of Air Pollution and related uses, the words or terms shall have the meanings given them in 9VAC5-80-60 (Definitions) or 9VAC5-80-370 (Definitions), as applicable, except for the terms defined in subsection C of this section.

B. Unless otherwise required by context, all terms not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in 9VAC5-10 (General Definitions) or 9VAC5-80-5 (Definitions), or commonly ascribed to them by recognized authorities, in that order of priority.

C. Terms defined.

"Greenhouse gases (GHGs)" means the aggregate group of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.

"Major stationary source" means, in lieu of subdivision b in the definition of "major source" in 9VAC5-80-60, a major stationary source of air pollutants, as defined in § 302 of the federal Clean Air Act, that directly emits, or has the potential to emit, 100 tpy or more of any air pollutant subject to regulation (including any major source of fugitive emissions of any such pollutant, as determined by rule by the administrator). The fugitive emissions of a stationary source shall not be considered in determining whether it is a major stationary source for the purposes of § 302(j) of the federal Clean Air Act, unless the source belongs to one of the 27 categories of stationary sources as listed in subdivisions b (1) through (27) in the definition of "major source" in 9VAC5-80-60.

"Subject to regulation" means, for any air pollutant, that the pollutant is subject to either a provision in the federal Clean Air Act, or a nationally applicable regulation codified by the administrator in Subchapter C of 40 CFR Chapter I, that requires actual control of the quantity of emissions of that pollutant, and that such a control requirement has taken effect and is operative to control, limit, or restrict the quantity of emissions of that pollutant released from the regulated activity. The following exceptions shall apply:

1. GHGs shall not be subject to regulation unless, as of July 1, 2011, the GHG emissions are at a stationary source emitting or having the potential to emit 100,000 tons per year (tpy) CO₂ equivalent emissions (CO₂e).

2. The term "tpy CO₂ equivalent emissions (CO₂e)" shall represent an amount of GHGs emitted, and shall be computed by multiplying the mass amount of emissions (tpy), for each of the six greenhouse gases in the pollutant GHGs, by the gas's associated global warming potential published at Table A-1 to Subpart A of 40 CFR Part 98, and summing the resultant value for each to compute a tpy CO₂e. For purposes of this subdivision, prior to July 21, 2014, the mass of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide shall not include carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the combustion or decomposition of nonfossilized and biodegradable organic material originating from plants, animals, or micro-organisms (including products, byproducts, residues, and waste from agriculture, forestry, and related industries as well as the nonfossilized and biodegradable organic fractions of industrial and municipal wastes, including gases and liquids recovered from the decomposition of nonfossilized and biodegradable organic material).

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 27, Issue 03, eff. January 2, 2011; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 03, eff. November 9, 2011.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia.