TITLE 9. ENVIRONMENT
TITLE 9. ENVIRONMENT
STATE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
Final Regulation
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The following regulatory action is exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 4 c of the Code of Virginia, which excludes regulations that are necessary to meet the requirements of federal law or regulations, provided such regulations do not differ materially from those required by federal law or regulation. The State Air Pollution Control Board will receive, consider, and respond to petitions by any interested person at any time with respect to reconsideration or revision.
Title of Regulation: 9VAC5-30. Ambient Air Quality Standards (adding 9VAC5-30-68).
Statutory Authority: § 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia; Clean Air Act §§ 108, 109, 302; 40 CFR 50.20, 40 CFR Part 53, 40 CFR Part 58.
Effective Date: September 25, 2024.
Agency Contact: Karen G. Sabasteanski, Department of Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 659-1973, or email karen.sabasteanski@deq.virginia.gov.
Summary:
Pursuant to a federal Environmental Protection Agency revision to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 (particles in the ambient air with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers) that set the annual arithmetic mean concentration at 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), the amendments add a section to 9VAC5-30, which contains the specific criteria pollutant standards set out in 40 CFR Part 50, conforming Virginia's regulation to the federal standard.
9VAC5-30-68. Particulate matter (PM2.5).
A. The national primary ambient air quality standards for PM2.5 are 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) annual arithmetic mean concentration and 35 µg/m3 24-hour average concentration measured in the ambient air as PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers) by either:
1. A reference method based on Appendix L to 40 CFR Part 50 and designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53; or
2. An equivalent method designated in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53.
B. The primary annual PM2.5 standard is met when the annual arithmetic mean concentration, as determined in accordance with Appendix N to 40 CFR Part 50, is less than or equal to 9.0 µg/m3.
C. The primary 24-hour PM2.5 standard is met when the 98th percentile 24-hour concentration, as determined in accordance with Appendix N to 40 CFR Part 50, is less than or equal to 35 µg/m3.
VA.R. Doc. No. R25-7877; Filed August 07, 2024