Section 2000. Applicability

Article 9. Permits for Major Stationary Sources and Major Modifications Locating in Nonattainment Areas or the Ozone Transport Region

A. The provisions of this article apply to the construction of any new major stationary source or a major modification that is major for the pollutant for which the area is designated as nonattainment.

B. The provisions of this article apply in (i) nonattainment areas designated in 9VAC5-20-204 or (ii) the Ozone Transport Region as defined in 9VAC5-80-2010 C. This article applies to all localities in the Ozone Transport Region regardless of a locality's nonattainment status.

C. If the Ozone Transport Region is designated attainment for ozone, sources located or planning to locate in the region shall be subject to the offset requirements for areas classified as moderate in 9VAC5-80-2120 B 2. If the Ozone Transport Region is designated nonattainment for ozone, sources located or planning to locate in the region shall be subject to the offset requirements of 9VAC5-80-2120 B depending on the classification except if the classification is marginal or there is no classification, the classification shall be moderate for purpose of applying 9VAC5-80-2120 B.

D. At such time that a particular source or modification becomes a major stationary source or major modification solely by virtue of a relaxation in any enforceable limitation which was established after August 7, 1980, on the capacity of the source or modification otherwise to emit a pollutant, such as a restriction on hours of operation, then the requirements of this article shall apply to the source or modification as though construction had not commenced on the source or modification.

E. Unless specified otherwise, the provisions of this article apply as follows:

1. Provisions referring to "sources," "new and/or modified sources" or "stationary sources" apply to the construction of all major stationary sources and major modifications.

2. Any emissions units or pollutants not subject to the provisions of this article may be subject to the provisions of Article 6 (9VAC5-80-1100 et seq.), Article 7 (9VAC5-80-1400 et seq.), or Article 8 (9VAC5-80-1605 et seq.) of this part.

3. Provisions referring to "state and federally enforceable" and "federally and state enforceable" or similar wording shall mean "state-only enforceable" for terms and conditions of a permit designated state-only enforceable under 9VAC5-80-2020 E.

F. Unless otherwise approved by the board or prescribed in these regulations, when this article is amended, the previous provisions of this article shall remain in effect for all applications that are deemed complete under the provisions of 9VAC5-80-2060 A prior to September 1, 2006. Any permit applications that have not been determined to be complete as of September 1, 2006, shall be subject to the new provisions.

G. Regardless of the exemptions provided in this article, no owner or other person shall circumvent the requirements of this article by causing or allowing a pattern of ownership or development over a geographic area of a source which, except for the pattern of ownership or development, would otherwise require a permit.

H. The requirements of this article will be applied in accordance with the following principles:

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection I of this section, and consistent with the definition of "major modification," a project is a major modification for a regulated NSR pollutant if it causes two types of emissions increases: (i) a significant emissions increase and (ii) a significant net emissions increase. A project is not a major modification if it does not cause a significant emissions increase. If a project causes a significant emissions increase, then the project is a major modification only if it also results in a significant net emissions increase.

2. The procedure for calculating (before beginning actual construction) whether a significant emissions increase (i.e., the first step of the process) will occur depends upon the type of emissions units being modified, according to subdivisions 3 and 4 of this subsection. The procedure for calculating (before beginning actual construction) whether a significant net emissions increase will occur at the source (i.e., the second step of the process) is contained in the definition of "net emissions increase." Regardless of any such preconstruction projections, a major modification results if the project causes a significant emissions increase and a significant net emissions increase.

3. The actual-to-projected-actual applicability test for projects that only involve existing emissions units shall be as provided in this subdivision. A significant emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant is projected to occur if the sum of the difference between the projected actual emissions and the baseline actual emissions for each existing emissions unit, equals or exceeds the significant amount for that pollutant.

4. The actual-to-potential test for projects that only involve construction of a new emissions unit shall be as provided in this subdivision. A significant emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant is projected to occur if the sum of the difference between the potential to emit from each new emissions unit following completion of the project and the baseline actual emissions of these units before the project equals or exceeds the significant amount for that pollutant.

5. The hybrid test for projects that involve multiple types of emissions units shall be as provided in this subdivision. A significant emissions increase of a regulated NSR pollutant is projected to occur if the sum of the emissions increases for each emissions unit, using the method specified in subdivisions 3 and 4 of this subsection as applicable with respect to each emissions unit, for each type of emissions unit is significant for that pollutant. For example, if a project involves both an existing emissions unit and a new unit, the projected increase is determined by summing the values determined using the method specified in subdivision 3 of this subsection for the existing unit and using the method specified in subdivision 4 of this subsection for the new unit.

I. For any major stationary source for a PAL for a regulated NSR pollutant, the major stationary source shall comply with the requirements under 9VAC5-80-2144.

J. The provisions of 40 CFR Part 60, Part 61 and Part 63 cited in this article apply only to the extent that they are incorporated by reference in Article 5 (9VAC5-50-400 et seq.) of Part II of 9VAC5 Chapter 50 and Article 1 (9VAC5-60-60 et seq.) and Article 2 (9VAC5-60-90 et seq.) of Part II of 9VAC5 Chapter 60.

K. The provisions of 40 CFR Part 51 and Part 58 cited in this article apply only to the extent that they are incorporated by reference in 9VAC5-20-21.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 15, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 14, eff. May 1, 2002; Volume 21, Issue 04, eff. December 1, 2004; Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. September 1, 2006.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia; Clean Air Act (§§ 110, 112, 165, 173, 182 and Title V); 40 CFR Parts 51, 61, 63, 70 and 72.