Section 55. Actuals plantwide applicability limits (PALs)

A. The following applicability requirements shall apply:

1. The board may approve the use of an actuals PAL for GHGs on either a mass basis or a CO₂e basis for any existing major stationary source or any existing GHG-only source if the PAL meets the requirements of this section. The term "PAL" shall mean "actuals PAL" throughout this section.

2. Any physical change in or change in the method of operation of a major stationary source or a GHG-only source that maintains its total sourcewide emissions below the PAL level, meets the requirements of this section, and complies with the PAL permit:

a. Is not a major modification for the PAL pollutant;

b. Does not have to be approved through Article 8 (9VAC5-80-1605 et seq.) of Part II of 9VAC5-80 (Permits for Stationary Sources) or this part;

c. Is not subject to the provisions of 9VAC5-80-1605 C (restrictions on relaxing enforceable emission limitations that the major stationary source used to avoid applicability of the major NSR program); and

d. Does not make GHGs subject to regulation.

3. Except as provided under subdivision 2 c of this subsection, a major stationary source or a GHG-only source shall continue to comply with all applicable federal or state requirements, emission limitations, and work practice requirements that were established prior to the effective date of the PAL.

B. As part of a permit application requesting a PAL, the owner of a major stationary source or a GHG-only source shall submit the following information to the board for approval:

1. A list of all emissions units at the source designated as small, significant, or major based on their potential to emit. In addition, the owner of the source shall indicate which, if any, federal or state applicable requirements, emission limitations, or work practices apply to each unit.

2. Calculations of the baseline actual emissions, with supporting documentation. Baseline actual emissions are to include emissions associated not only with operation of the unit, but also emissions associated with startup, shutdown, and malfunction.

3. The calculation procedures that the owner proposes to use to convert the monitoring system data to monthly emissions and annual emissions based on a 12-month rolling total for each month as required by subdivision M 1 of this section.

4. As part of a permit application requesting a GHG PAL, the owner of a major stationary source or a GHG-only source shall submit a statement by the owner that clarifies whether the source is an existing major source as defined in the definition of "major stationary source" or a GHG-only source.

C. The board may establish a PAL at a major stationary source or a GHG-only source, provided that at a minimum, the following requirements are met. At no time during or after the PAL effective period are emissions reductions of a PAL pollutant that occur during the PAL effective period creditable as decreases for purposes of offsets under 9VAC5-80-2120 F through L unless the level of the PAL is reduced by the amount of such emissions reductions and such reductions would be creditable in the absence of the PAL.

1. The PAL shall impose an annual emission limitation expressed on a mass basis in tons per year, or expressed in tons per year CO₂e, that is enforceable as a practical matter, for the entire major stationary source or GHG-only source. For each month during the PAL effective period after the first 12 months of establishing a PAL, the major stationary source or GHG-only source owner shall show that the sum of the monthly emissions from each emissions unit under the PAL for the previous 12 consecutive months is less than the PAL (a 12-month average, rolled monthly). For each month during the first 11 months from the PAL effective date, the major stationary source or GHG-only source owner shall show that the sum of the preceding monthly emissions from the PAL effective date for each emissions unit under the PAL is less than the PAL.

2. The PAL shall be established in a PAL permit that meets the public participation requirements in subsection D of this section.

3. The PAL permit shall contain all the requirements of subsection F of this section.

4. The PAL shall include fugitive emissions, to the extent quantifiable, from all emissions units that emit or have the potential to emit the PAL pollutant at the major stationary source or GHG-only source.

5. Each PAL shall regulate emissions of only one pollutant.

6. Each PAL shall have a PAL effective period of 10 years.

7. The owner of the major stationary source or GHG-only source with a PAL shall comply with the monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements provided in subsections L, M, and N of this section for each emissions unit under the PAL through the PAL effective period.

D. PALs for existing major stationary sources or GHG-only sources shall be established, renewed, or increased through the public participation procedures prescribed in the applicable permit programs identified in the definition of "PAL permit." This includes the requirement that the board provide the public with notice of the proposed approval of a PAL permit and at least a 30-day period for submittal of public comment. The board will address all material comments before taking final action on the permit.

E. Setting the 10-year actuals PAL level shall be accomplished as follows:

1. Except as provided in subdivisions 2 and 3 of this subsection, the actuals PAL level on a mass basis for a major stationary source or a GHG-only source shall be established as the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the PAL pollutant for each emissions unit at the source, plus an amount equal to the applicable significant level for the PAL pollutant under the definition of "significant" in 9VAC5-80-1615 C.

2. For newly constructed units, which do not include modifications to existing units, on which actual construction began after the 24-month period, in lieu of adding the baseline actual emissions as specified in subdivision 1 of this subsection, the emissions shall be added to the PAL level in an amount equal to the potential to emit of the units.

3. For a CO₂e based GHG PAL, the actuals PAL level shall be established as the sum of the GHGs baseline actual emissions of GHGs for each emissions unit at the source, plus an amount equal to the amount defined as significant on a CO₂e basis for the purposes of subdivision 3 of the definition of "subject to regulation" at the time the PAL permit is being issued. When establishing the actuals PAL level for a CO₂e-based PAL, only one consecutive 24-month period shall be used to determine the baseline actual emissions for all existing emissions units. Emissions associated with units that were permanently shut down after this 24-month period shall be subtracted from the PAL level. The board will specify a reduced PAL level (in tons per year CO₂e) in the PAL permit to become effective on the future compliance date of any applicable federal or state regulatory requirement that the board is aware of prior to issuance of the PAL permit.

F. The PAL permit shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:

1. The PAL pollutant and the applicable sourcewide emission limitation in tons per year CO₂e.

2. The PAL permit effective date and the expiration date of the PAL (PAL effective period).

3. Specification in the PAL permit that if a major stationary source or a GHG-only source owner applies to renew a PAL in accordance with subsection J of this section before the end of the PAL effective period, then the PAL shall not expire at the end of the PAL effective period. It shall remain in effect until a revised PAL permit is issued by the board.

4. A requirement that emission calculations for compliance purposes shall include emissions from startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions.

5. A requirement that, once the PAL expires, the major stationary source or GHG-only source is subject to the requirements of subdivision I of this section.

6. The calculation procedures that the major stationary source or GHG-only source owner shall use to convert the monitoring system data to monthly emissions and annual emissions based on a 12-month rolling total as required by subdivision M 1 of this section.

7. A requirement that the GHG-only source owner shall monitor all emissions units in accordance with the provisions under subsection L of this section.

8. A requirement to retain the records required under subsection M of this section on site. Such records may be retained in an electronic format.

9. A requirement to submit the reports required under subsection N of this section by the required deadlines.

10. Any other requirements that the board deems necessary to implement and enforce the PAL.

11. A permit for a GHG PAL issued to a GHG-only source shall also include a statement denoting that GHG emissions at the source will not be subject to regulation as long as the source complies with the PAL.

G. The PAL effective period shall be 10 years.

H. The following requirements for reopening the PAL permit shall apply:

1. During the PAL effective period the board will reopen the PAL permit to:

a. Correct typographical or calculation errors made in setting the PAL or reflect a more accurate determination of emissions used to establish the PAL;

b. Reduce the PAL if the owner creates creditable emissions reductions for use as offsets under 9VAC5-80-2120 F through N; and

c. Revise the PAL to reflect an increase in the PAL as provided under subsection K of this section.

2. The board may reopen the PAL permit for the following reasons:

a. Reduce the PAL to reflect newly applicable federal requirements (for example, NSPS) with compliance dates after the PAL effective date; and

b. Reduce the PAL consistent with any other requirement that is enforceable as a practical matter and that the board may impose on the major stationary source or GHG-only source.

3. Except for the permit reopening in subdivision 1 a of this subsection for the correction of typographical or calculation errors that do not increase the PAL level, all other reopenings shall be carried out in accordance with the public participation requirements of subsection D of this section.

I. Any PAL that is not renewed in accordance with the procedures in subsection J of this section shall expire at the end of the PAL effective period, and the following requirements shall apply:

1. Each emissions unit or each group of emissions units that existed under the PAL shall comply with an allowable emission limitation under a revised permit established according to the following procedures:

a. Within the time frame specified for PAL renewals in subdivision J 2 of this section, the major stationary source or GHG-only source shall submit a proposed allowable emission limitation for each emissions unit (or each group of emissions units, if such a distribution is more appropriate as decided by the board) by distributing the PAL allowable emissions for the major stationary source or GHG-only source among each of the emissions units that existed under the PAL. If the PAL had not yet been adjusted for an applicable requirement that became effective during the PAL effective period, as required under subdivision J 5 of this section, such distribution shall be made as if the PAL had been adjusted.

b. The board will decide whether and how the PAL allowable emissions will be distributed and issue a revised permit incorporating allowable limits for each emissions unit, or each group of emissions units, as the board determines is appropriate.

2. Each emissions unit shall comply with the allowable emission limitation on a 12-month rolling basis. The board may approve the use of monitoring systems (source testing, emission factors, etc.) other than CEMS, CERMS, PEMS, or CPMS to demonstrate compliance with the allowable emission limitation.

3. Until the board issues the revised permit incorporating allowable limits for each emissions unit, or each group of emissions units, as required under subdivision 1 b of this subsection, the source shall continue to comply with a sourcewide, multiunit emissions cap equivalent to the level of the PAL emission limitation.

4. Any physical change or change in the method of operation at the major stationary source or GHG-only source shall be subject to major NSR requirements if such change meets the definition of "major modification" in 9VAC5-80-1615 C.

5. The major stationary source or GHG-only source owner shall continue to comply with any state or federal applicable requirements (such as BACT, RACT, NSPS) that may have applied either during the PAL effective period or prior to the PAL effective period except for those emission limitations that had been established pursuant to 9VAC5-80-1605 C, but were eliminated by the PAL in accordance with the provisions in subdivision A 2 c of this section.

J. PALs shall be renewed as follows:

1. The board will follow the procedures specified in subsection D of this section in approving any request to renew a PAL for a major stationary source or a GHG-only source and will provide both the proposed PAL level and a written rationale for the proposed PAL level to the public for review and comment. During such public review, any person may propose a PAL level for the source for consideration by the board.

2. A major stationary source or a GHG-only source owner shall submit a timely application to the board to request renewal of a PAL. A timely application is one that is submitted at least six months prior to, but not earlier than 18 months from, the date of permit expiration. This deadline for application submittal is to ensure that the permit will not expire before the permit is renewed. If the owner of a major stationary source or a GHG-only source submits a complete application to renew the PAL within this time period, then the PAL shall continue to be effective until the revised permit with the renewed PAL is issued.

3. The application to renew a PAL permit shall contain the following information:

a. The information required in subdivisions B 1, B 2, and B 3 of this section.

b. A proposed PAL level.

c. The sum of the potential to emit of all emissions units under the PAL (with supporting documentation).

d. Any other information the owner wishes the board to consider in determining the appropriate level for renewing the PAL.

4. In determining whether and how to adjust the PAL, the board will consider the following options; however, in no case may any such adjustment fail to comply with subdivision 4 c of this subsection:

a. If the emissions level calculated in accordance with subsection E of this section is equal to or greater than 80% of the PAL level, the board may renew the PAL at the same level without considering the factors set forth in subdivision 4 b of this subsection; or

b. The board may set the PAL at a level that it determines to be more representative of the source's baseline actual emissions, or that it determines to be more appropriate considering air quality needs, advances in control technology, anticipated economic growth in the area, desire to reward or encourage the source's voluntary emissions reductions, or other factors as specifically identified by the board in its written rationale.

c. Notwithstanding subdivisions 4 a and 4 b of this subsection (i) if the potential to emit of the major stationary source or GHG-only source is less than the PAL, the board will adjust the PAL to a level no greater than the potential to emit of the source and (ii) the board will not approve a renewed PAL level higher than the current PAL, unless the major stationary source or GHG-only source has complied with the provisions of subsection K of this section.

5. If the compliance date for a state or federal requirement that applies to the PAL source occurs during the PAL effective period, and if the board has not already adjusted for such requirement, the PAL shall be adjusted at the time of PAL permit renewal or federal operating permit renewal, whichever occurs first.

K. A PAL may be increased during the PAL effective period as follows:

1. The board may increase a PAL emission limitation only if the major stationary source or GHG-only source complies with the following provisions:

a. The owner of the major stationary source or GHG-only source shall submit a complete application to request an increase in the PAL limit for a PAL major modification. Such application shall identify the emissions units contributing to the increase in emissions so as to cause the GHG-only source's emissions to equal or exceed its PAL.

b. As part of this application, the major stationary source or GHG-only source owner shall demonstrate that the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the small emissions units, plus the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the significant and major emissions units assuming application of BACT equivalent controls, plus the sum of the allowable emissions of the new or modified emissions units exceeds the PAL. The level of control that would result from BACT equivalent controls on each significant or major emissions unit shall be determined by conducting a new BACT analysis at the time the application is submitted, unless the emissions unit is currently required to comply with a BACT or LAER requirement that was established within the preceding 10 years. In such a case, the assumed control level for that emissions unit shall be equal to the level of BACT or LAER with which that emissions unit shall currently comply.

c. The owner obtains a major NSR permit for all emissions units identified in subdivision 1 a of this subsection, regardless of the magnitude of the emissions increase resulting from them (that is, no significant levels apply). These emissions units shall comply with any emissions requirements resulting from the major NSR process (for example, BACT), even though they have also become subject to the PAL or continue to be subject to the PAL.

2. The PAL permit shall require that the increased PAL level shall be effective on the day any emissions unit that is part of the PAL major modification becomes operational and begins to emit the PAL pollutant.

3. The board will calculate the new PAL as the sum of the allowable emissions for each modified or new emissions unit, plus the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the significant and major emissions units (assuming application of BACT equivalent controls as determined in accordance with subdivision 1 b of this subsection), plus the sum of the baseline actual emissions of the small emissions units.

4. The PAL permit shall be revised to reflect the increased PAL level pursuant to the public notice requirements of subsection D of this section.

L. Monitoring requirements for PALs shall be as follows:

1. The following general requirements apply:

a. Each PAL permit shall contain enforceable requirements for the monitoring system that accurately determine plantwide emissions of the PAL pollutant in terms of CO₂e per unit of time. Any monitoring system authorized for use in the PAL permit shall be based on sound science and meet generally acceptable scientific procedures for data quality and manipulation. Additionally, the information generated by such system shall meet minimum legal requirements for admissibility in a judicial proceeding to enforce the PAL permit.

b. The PAL monitoring system shall employ one or more of the four general monitoring approaches meeting the minimum requirements set forth in subdivision 2 of this subsection and shall be approved by the board.

c. Notwithstanding subdivision 1 b of this subsection, the owner may also employ an alternative monitoring approach that meets subdivision 1 a of this subsection if approved by the board.

d. Failure to use a monitoring system that meets the requirements of this subsection renders the PAL invalid.

2. The following are acceptable general monitoring approaches when conducted in accordance with the following minimum requirements:

a. Mass balance calculations for activities using coatings or solvents;

b. CEMS;

c. CPMS or PEMS; and

d. Emission factors.

3. An owner using mass balance calculations to monitor PAL pollutant emissions from activities using coating or solvents shall meet the following requirements:

a. Provide a demonstrated means of validating the published content of the PAL pollutant that is contained in or created by all materials used in or at the emissions unit;

b. Assume that the emissions unit emits all of the PAL pollutant that is contained in or created by any raw material or fuel used in or at the emissions unit, if it cannot otherwise be accounted for in the process; and

c. Where the vendor of a material or fuel, which is used in or at the emissions unit, publishes a range of pollutant content from such material, the owner shall use the highest value of the range to calculate the PAL pollutant emissions unless the board determines there is site-specific data or a site-specific monitoring program to support another content within the range.

4. An owner using CEMS to monitor PAL pollutant emissions shall meet the following requirements:

a. CEMS shall comply with applicable Performance Specifications found in Appendix B to 40 CFR Part 60; and

b. CEMS shall sample, analyze, and record data at least every 15 minutes while the emissions unit is operating.

5. An owner using CPMS or PEMS to monitor PAL pollutant emissions shall meet the following requirements:

a. The CPMS or the PEMS shall be based on current site-specific data demonstrating a correlation between the monitored parameters and the PAL pollutant emissions across the range of operation of the emissions unit; and

b. Each CPMS or PEMS shall sample, analyze, and record data at least every 15 minutes, or at another less frequent interval approved by the board, while the emissions unit is operating.

6. An owner using emission factors to monitor PAL pollutant emissions shall meet the following requirements:

a. All emission factors shall be adjusted, if appropriate, to account for the degree of uncertainty or limitations in the factors' development;

b. The emissions unit shall operate within the designated range of use for the emission factor, if applicable; and

c. If technically practicable, the owner of a significant emissions unit that relies on an emission factor to calculate PAL pollutant emissions shall conduct validation testing to determine a site-specific emission factor within six months of PAL permit issuance, unless the board determines that testing is not required.

7. A source owner shall record and report maximum potential emissions without considering enforceable emission limitations or operational restrictions for an emissions unit during any period of time that there is no monitoring data, unless another method for determining emissions during such periods is specified in the PAL permit.

8. Notwithstanding the requirements in subdivisions 3 through 7 of this subsection, where an owner of an emissions unit cannot demonstrate a correlation between the monitored parameters and the PAL pollutant emissions rate at all operating points of the emissions unit, the board will, at the time of permit issuance:

a. Establish default values for determining compliance with the PAL based on the highest potential emissions reasonably estimated at such operating points; or

b. Determine that operation of the emissions unit during operating conditions when there is no correlation between monitored parameters and the PAL pollutant emissions is a violation of the PAL.

9. All data used to establish the PAL pollutant shall be revalidated through performance testing or other scientifically valid means approved by the board. Such testing shall occur at least once every five years after issuance of the PAL.

M. Recordkeeping requirements shall be as follows:

1. The PAL permit shall require the owner to retain a copy of all records necessary to determine compliance with any requirement of this section and of the PAL, including a determination of each emissions unit's 12-month rolling total emissions, for five years from the date of such record.

2. The PAL permit shall require the owner to retain a copy of the following records for the duration of the PAL effective period plus five years:

a. A copy of the PAL permit application and any applications for revisions to the PAL; and

b. Each annual certification of compliance pursuant to the federal operating permit program and the data relied on in certifying the compliance.

N. The owner shall submit semi-annual monitoring reports and prompt deviation reports to the board in accordance with the federal operating permit program. The reports shall meet the following requirements:

1. The semi-annual report shall be submitted to the board within 30 days of the end of each reporting period. This report shall contain the following information:

a. The identification of owner and the permit number.

b. Total annual emissions (expressed on a mass-basis in tons per year, or expressed in tons per year CO₂e) based on a 12-month rolling total for each month in the reporting period recorded pursuant to subdivision M 1 of this section.

c. All data relied upon, including, but not limited to, any quality assurance or quality control data, in calculating the monthly and annual PAL pollutant emissions.

d. A list of any emissions units modified or added to the major stationary source or GHG-only source during the preceding six-month period.

e. The number, duration, and cause of any deviations or monitoring malfunctions (other than the time associated with zero and span calibration checks), and any corrective action taken.

f. A notification of a shutdown of any monitoring system, whether the shutdown was permanent or temporary, the reason for the shutdown, the anticipated date that the monitoring system will be fully operational or replaced with another monitoring system, and whether the emissions unit monitored by the monitoring system continued to operate, and the calculation of the emissions of the pollutant or the number determined by method included in the permit, as provided by subdivision L 7 of this section.

g. A signed statement by the responsible official (as defined by the federal operating permit program) certifying the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the information provided in the report.

2. The major stationary source or GHG-only source owner shall promptly submit reports of any deviations or exceedance of the PAL requirements, including periods where no monitoring is available. A report submitted pursuant to 9VAC5-80-110 F 2 b shall satisfy this reporting requirement. The deviation reports shall be submitted within the time limits prescribed by the applicable program implementing 9VAC5-80-110 F 2 b. The reports shall contain the following information:

a. The identification of owner and the permit number;

b. The PAL requirement that experienced the deviation or that was exceeded;

c. Emissions resulting from the deviation or the exceedance; and

d. A signed statement by the responsible official (as defined by the federal operating permit program) certifying the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the information provided in the report.

3. The owner shall submit to the board the results of any revalidation test or method within three months after completion of such test or method.

O. The board will not issue a PAL that does not comply with the requirements of this part after March 13, 2014. The board may supersede any PAL that was established prior to March 13, 2014, with a PAL that complies with the requirements of this section.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 30, Issue 11, eff. March 13, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 22, eff. August 13, 2015.

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.