PERIODIC REVIEWS AND SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT REVIEWS
Vol. 37 Iss. 6 - November 09, 2020

TITLE 9. ENVIRONMENT

STATE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

Report of Findings

Pursuant to §§ 2.2-4007.1 and 2.2-4017 of the Code of Virginia, the State Air Pollution Control Board conducted a periodic review and a small business impact review of 9VAC5-30, Ambient Air Quality Standards, and determined that this regulation should be retained in its current form. The department is publishing its report of findings dated October 5, 2020, to support this decision.

The regulation has been effective in achieving its specific and measurable goals, which are as follows:

1. To protect public health and welfare with the least possible cost and intrusiveness to the citizens and businesses of the Commonwealth.

2. To define levels of air quality that, allowing an adequate margin of safety, are necessary to protect the public health and safety.

3. To define more stringent levels of air quality that are necessary to protect the public welfare from any known or anticipated adverse effects associated with the presence of air pollutants in the ambient air.

The regulation is clearly written and easily understandable by the individuals and entities affected.

This regulation is effective in meeting its goals; therefore, the regulation is being retained without amendment.

This regulation continues to be needed. It provides the necessary requirements to ensure that Virginia standards for air quality are the most cost-effective means of fulfilling ongoing state and federal requirements for air quality.

One comment was received requesting the regulation be revised to include standards that are more stringent than current state and federal standards. The agency believes the standards established by regulation are protective of human health and the environment.

The regulation's level of complexity is appropriate to ensure that the regulated entities are able to meet their legal mandates as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

This regulation does not overlap, duplicate, or conflict with any state law or other state regulation.

This regulation was last amended in November 2016.

Over time, it generally becomes less expensive to characterize, measure, and mitigate the regulated pollutants that contribute to poor air quality. This regulation continues to provide the most efficient and cost-effective means to determine the level and impact of excess emissions and to control those excess emissions.

The department, through examination of the regulation and relevant public comments, has determined that the regulatory requirements currently minimize the economic impact of emission control regulations on small businesses and thereby minimize the impact on existing and potential Virginia employers and their ability to maintain and increase the number of jobs in the Commonwealth.

Contact Information: Gary E. Graham, Department of Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 689-4103, FAX (804) 698-4178, or email gary.graham@deq.virginia.gov.

STATE WATER CONTROL BOARD

Agency Notice

Pursuant to Executive Order 14 (as amended July 16, 2018) and §§ 2.2-4007.1 and 2.2-4017 of the Code of Virginia, the following regulation is undergoing a periodic review and a small business impact review: 9VAC25-193, Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) General Permit for Concrete Products Facilities. The review will be guided by the principles in Executive Order 14 (as amended July 16, 2018).

The purpose of this review is to determine whether this regulation should be repealed, amended, or retained in its current form. Public comment is sought on the review of any issue relating to this regulation, including whether the regulation (i) is necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare or for the economical performance of important governmental functions; (ii) minimizes the economic impact on small businesses in a manner consistent with the stated objectives of applicable law; and (iii) is clearly written and easily understandable.

Public comment period begins November 9, 2020, and ends November 30, 2020.

Comments must include the commenter's name and address (physical or email) information in order to receive a response to the comment from the agency.

Following the close of the public comment period, a report of both reviews will be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register of Regulations.

Contact Information: Melissa Porterfield, Department of Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 698-4238, FAX (804) 698-4178, or email melissa.porterfield@deq.virginia.gov.