Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Air Pollution Control Board intends to consider amending 9VAC5-40, Existing Stationary Sources. The purpose of the proposed action is to fulfill the Governor's direction announced on September 12, 2018. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is to identify ways to improve environmental protection in the Commonwealth, specifically, to develop a framework for limiting methane leakage from natural gas infrastructure that applies to new and existing sources and is tailored to Virginia-specific needs. This regulatory action will establish standards for limiting methane leakage from natural gas infrastructure tailored to meet Virginia-specific needs.

The primary focus of the regulatory action will be on transmission and storage, including pipelines, compressor stations and underground storage associated with the natural gas transmission and storage sector, and gathering/boosting compressors and gas processing plants associated with production and processing. Secondary focus will be on production and processing, including drilling and well completion, producing wells, and gathering lines. If additional requirements for new natural gas infrastructure sources are determined to be necessary to meet Virginia-specific needs, amendments to the requirements for new sources may also be considered as part of this rulemaking

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

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

Public Comment Deadline: June 25, 2021.

Agency Contact: Karen Sabasteanski, Department of Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400 P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 698-4426, FAX (804) 698-4178, or email karen.sabasteanski@deq.virginia.gov.