Source: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=173-401&full=true
Timestamp: 2018-12-19 05:20:29
Document Index: 528300615

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', 'art 61', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', 'art 82', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', 'art 60', 'art 000', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', 'art 64', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 505', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', 'art 70', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173']

Chapter 173-401 WAC:
WACs > Title 173 > Chapter 173-401
Chapter 173-401 WAC
Last Update: 8/16/18
OPERATING PERMIT REGULATION
173-401-100 Program overview.
173-401-200 Definitions.
173-401-300 Applicability.
173-401-400 Program delegation.
173-401-500 Permit applications.
173-401-510 Permit application form.
173-401-520 Certification.
173-401-530 Insignificant emission units.
173-401-531 Thresholds for hazardous air pollutants.
173-401-532 Categorically exempt insignificant emission units.
173-401-533 Units and activities defined as insignificant on the basis of size or production rate.
173-401-600 Permit content.
173-401-605 Emission standards and limitations.
173-401-610 Permit duration.
173-401-615 Monitoring and related recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
173-401-620 Standard terms and conditions.
173-401-625 Federally enforceable requirements.
173-401-630 Compliance requirements.
173-401-635 Temporary sources.
173-401-640 Permit shield.
173-401-645 Emergency provision.
173-401-650 Operational flexibility.
PERMIT ISSUANCE, RENEWAL, REOPENINGS, AND REVISIONS
173-401-700 Action on application.
173-401-705 Requirement for a permit.
173-401-710 Permit renewal, revocation and expiration.
173-401-720 Administrative permit amendments.
173-401-722 Changes not requiring permit revisions.
173-401-724 Off-permit changes.
173-401-725 Permit modification.
173-401-730 Reopening for cause.
173-401-735 Permit appeals.
THE PERMIT PROCESS FOR GENERAL PERMITS
173-401-750 General permits.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND PERMIT REVIEW BY EPA AND AFFECTED STATES
173-401-800 Public involvement.
173-401-805 Permit register.
173-401-810 EPA review.
173-401-820 Review by affected states.
FEE DETERMINATION AND CERTIFICATION
173-401-900 Fee determination—Ecology.
173-401-905 Fee determination—Delegated local authorities.
173-401-910 General permit fee determination.
173-401-915 Fee collection—Ecology and delegated local authorities.
173-401-920 Accountability—Ecology and delegated local authorities.
173-401-925 Source data statements and petition for review of statements—Ecology and delegated local authorities.
173-401-930 Fee payment and penalties—Ecology.
173-401-935 Development and oversight remittance by local authorities—Ecology and delegated local authorities.
173-401-940 Fee eligible activities—Ecology and delegated local authorities.
173-401-830 Appendix A—Insignificant activities and emission units. [Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-830, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.] Repealed by WSR 97-21-140 (Order 97-21), filed 10/22/97, effective 11/22/97.
173-401-100
(1) The provisions in this chapter establish the elements of a comprehensive Washington state air operating permit program consistent with the requirements of Title V of the Federal Clean Air Act (FCAA) (42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.).
(2) All sources subject to this regulation shall have a permit to operate that assures compliance by the source with all applicable requirements. While chapter 173-401 WAC does not impose substantive new requirements, it does require that fees be imposed on sources and that certain procedural measures be adopted especially with respect to compliance.
(3) The requirements of this chapter, including provisions regarding schedules for submission and approval or disapproval of permit applications, shall apply to the permitting of affected sources under the acid rain program, except as provided herein or modified in regulations promulgated under Title IV of the FCAA (acid rain program).
(4) Issuance of permits under this chapter may be coordinated with issuance of permits under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and under the Clean Water Act, whether issued by the state, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-100, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-200
(a) For a corporation: A president, secretary, treasurer, or vice president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or decision-making functions for the corporation, or a duly authorized representative of such person if the representative is responsible for the overall operation of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities applying for or subject to a permit and either:
(a) Greenhouse gases (GHGs), the air pollutant defined in 40 C.F.R. 86.1818-12(a) as the aggregate group of six greenhouse gases: Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride, shall not be subject to regulation under this chapter unless, as of January 2, 2011, the GHG emissions are at a stationary source emitting or having the potential to emit 100,000 tpy CO2 equivalent emissions and the source is otherwise required to have an operating permit.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-200, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 11-17-037 (Order 11-04), § 173-401-200, filed 8/10/11, effective 9/10/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.161 and 70.94.510. WSR 10-24-114 (Order 10-13), § 173-401-200, filed 12/1/10, effective 1/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.161(2). WSR 02-19-078 (Order 02-02), § 173-401-200, filed 9/16/02, effective 10/17/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-11-105 (Order 93-30), § 173-401-200, filed 5/17/94, effective 6/17/94; WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-200, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-300
(d) A municipal solid waste landfill constructed, reconstructed or modified before May 30, 1991, and regulated under WAC 173-400-070(9) becomes subject to this chapter on September 20, 2001.
(a) All sources listed in subsection (1)(a) of this section that are not major sources, affected sources, or solid waste incineration units required to obtain a permit pursuant to section 129(e) of the FCAA, are exempted from the obligation to obtain a chapter 401 permit until such time that: The administrator completes a rule making to determine how the program should be structured for nonmajor sources and determines that such sources must obtain operating permits and ecology completes a rule making to adopt EPA's revised applicability criteria.
(b) Subsection (2)(a) of this section shall not apply to nonmajor sources subject to a standard or other requirement established under either section 111 or section 112 of the FCAA after July 21, 1992, if, during those rule makings, the administrator determines that such sources must obtain a permit at an earlier date and, subsequently, ecology completes a rule making to adopt EPA's applicability criteria.
(ii) All sources and source categories that would be required to obtain a permit solely because they are subject to part 61, Subpart M - National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos, section 61.145, Standard for Demolition and Renovation.
(a) The source may cause or contribute to air pollution in such quantity as to create a violation of any ambient air quality standard as demonstrated by a dispersion modeling analysis performed in accordance with EPA's dispersion modeling guidelines, monitoring, or other appropriate methods; or
(b) The source may cause or contribute to air pollution in such quantity as to create a significant ambient level of any toxic air pollutant contained in chapter 173-460 WAC as demonstrated by a dispersion modeling analysis done in accordance with EPA's dispersion modeling guidelines, monitoring, or other appropriate methods.
(7) Legally and practicably enforceable limits. Any source which is defined as a chapter 401 source solely because its potential to emit exceeds the annual tonnage thresholds defined in WAC 173-401-200 shall be exempt from the requirement to obtain an operating permit when legally and practicably enforceable conditions which limit that source's potential to emit to levels below the relevant tonnage thresholds have been established for that source.
(a) In applying for an exemption under this subsection, the owner or operator of the source shall demonstrate to the permitting authority that the source's potential to emit, taking into account any legally and practicably enforceable restrictions assumed by the source, does not exceed the tonnage thresholds defined in WAC 173-401-200. Such demonstrations shall be in accordance with WAC 173-401-520 and shall contain emissions measurement and monitoring data, location of monitoring records, and other information necessary to support the source's emission calculations.
(b) Permitting authorities may use the following approaches to establish legally and practicably enforceable limitations:
(i) Regulatory orders. At the request of the owner or operator of a source, the permitting authority may establish source-specific conditions in a regulatory order issued pursuant to WAC 173-400-091.
(ii) Notice of construction approvals. The permitting authority may establish source-specific conditions in a notice of construction approval issued pursuant to state or local regulations; or
(iii) General permits. The permitting authority may establish source-category requirements which limit a source's potential to emit through a general permit issued pursuant to RCW 70.94.161(11).
(c) A source receiving a legally and practicably enforceable limit on its potential to emit shall annually certify that its potential to emit is less than that which would require the source to obtain an operating permit. Such certifications shall contain the information specified in (a) of this subsection.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-300, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.161(2). WSR 02-19-078 (Order 02-02), § 173-401-300, filed 9/16/02, effective 10/17/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW, RCW 70.94.141, [70.94.]152, [70.94.]331, [70.94.]510 and 43.21A.080. WSR 01-17-062 (Order 99-06), § 173-401-300, filed 8/15/01, effective 9/15/01. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-300, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-400
Program delegation.
(1) General. Ecology is authorized to submit the state operating permit program for approval under section 502 of the Federal Clean Air Act. Subject to federal approval, ecology may, in turn, delegate the federally approved state permit program to the local authority with jurisdiction in a given area. This section describes the procedures for delegating the federally approved state operating permit program to a local authority.
(2) Application. The board of any local air pollution control authority may apply to ecology for a delegation order authorizing that authority to administer the operating permit program for sources under that authority's jurisdiction pursuant to RCW 70.94.161 (2)(b).
(3) Delegation orders. Ecology will, by order, approve such delegation if ecology finds that the authority has the technical and financial resources needed to discharge the responsibilities of a permitting authority under the FCAA. Each delegation order shall specify the terms and conditions for program delegation and define the responsibilities of the permitting authority and ecology in implementing the statewide program. All delegation orders and supporting program documentation shall be submitted to EPA for review and approval.
(4) Required information. A delegation request from the authority shall include the information specified in 40 C.F.R. 70.4 (b)(3), (b)(7), (b)(8), and (b)(11). In addition, the request shall include a description of how the authority will meet the requirement that every proposed permit be reviewed and signed prior to issuance by a professional engineer or staff under the direct supervision of a professional engineer in the employ of the permitting authority and, with respect to the latter, signed, dated, and stamped by the supervising professional engineer.
(5) Effective date. Any delegation order issued under this section shall take effect ninety days after the EPA authorizes the local authority to issue operating permits under the FCAA.
(6) Public notice. Ecology shall publish in the State Register notice of proposed decisions on program delegation and substantial program revision. The notice shall summarize the proposal and provide at least a thirty-day public comment period. EPA review of these requests may occur concurrently with the state process. Notice of approval of program delegation and substantial program revision requests shall be published in the State Register. Notice of approval of minor program revisions may be given by a letter from ecology to the authority.
(7) Performance review. Reviews of the implementation of the operating permit program by ecology and delegated local authorities shall be conducted as provided in WAC 173-401-920.
(8) Program revisions. Revisions to the state program, EPA approval of those revisions, and delegation to local authorities shall be implemented using the procedures in subsections (1) through (6) of this section.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-400, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-500
(1) Source identification. Within ninety days after the date that a permitting authority submits for EPA approval a permit program or partial permit program, the permitting authority shall notify each potential chapter 401 source within its jurisdiction that the source may be required to obtain a permit. Failure of the permitting authority to notify a source shall not relieve that source from the obligation to file a timely and complete application.
(2) Application distribution. No later than thirty days after EPA grants final or interim, full or partial, approval to the state program, the responsible permitting authority shall send an application to each potential chapter 401 source within its jurisdiction, and a notice stating a deadline by which an application must be filed. Failure of the permitting authority to distribute permit or renewal applications to an individual source shall not relieve that source from the obligation to file a timely and complete application. Renewal applications shall be sent to the source as specified in WAC 173-401-710.
(3) Duty to apply. For each chapter 401 source, the owner or operator shall submit a timely and complete permit application in accordance with this section. Whenever practicable, the applicant shall utilize methods provided by the permitting authority for electronic transmission of the completed application.
(a) Existing chapter 401 sources. Chapter 401 sources in existence on the date of EPA approval of the state permit program shall submit permit applications no later than one hundred eighty days after EPA approval of the state permitting program.
(b) Existing sources becoming chapter 401 sources due to future regulations. An existing source may become subject to the operating permit program as a result of regulations promulgated after EPA approval of the state permit program. For those sources, a complete application must be submitted within twelve months from the time that the source becomes subject to the permit program.
(c) New or modified sources. New or modified chapter 401 sources which commence operation after EPA approval of the state operating program shall file a complete application to obtain the chapter 401 permit or permit revision within twelve months after commencing operation. Where an existing chapter 401 permit would prohibit such construction or change in operation, the source must obtain a permit revision before commencing operation. The applicant may elect to integrate procedures for new source review and operating permit issuance as described in subsection (10) of this section.
(d) Permit renewal. For purposes of permit renewal, a timely application is one that is submitted at the time specified in WAC 173-401-710.
(e) Applications for initial phase II acid rain permits shall be submitted to the permitting authority by January 1, 1996, for sulfur dioxide, and by January 1, 1998, for nitrogen oxides.
(4) Complete application. To be deemed complete, an application must provide all information required pursuant to WAC 173-401-510, except that applications for permit revision need supply such information only if it is related to the proposed change. Information submitted under WAC 173-401-510 must be sufficient to evaluate the subject source and its application and to determine all applicable requirements. A responsible official shall certify the submitted information consistent with WAC 173-401-520. Unless the permitting authority determines in writing that an application is not complete within sixty days of receipt of the application, such application shall be deemed to be complete, except as otherwise provided in WAC 173-401-700(6). Any notification of incompleteness shall specify the information needed to make the application complete and prescribe a reasonable time frame for response from the applicant. Unless the permitting authority requests additional information or otherwise notifies the applicant of incompleteness within sixty days of receipt of the supplemental information, the application shall be deemed complete. If, while processing an application that has been determined or deemed to be complete, the permitting authority determines that additional information is necessary to evaluate or take final action on that application, it may request such information in writing and set a reasonable deadline for a response. The source's ability to operate without a permit, as set forth in WAC 173-401-705(2), shall be in effect from the date the application is determined or deemed to be complete until the final permit is issued, provided that the applicant submits any requested additional information by the deadline specified by the permitting authority.
(5) Confidential information. In the case where a source has submitted information to the permitting authority under a claim of confidentiality, the permitting authority may also require the source to submit a copy of such information directly to the administrator.
(6) Duty to supplement or correct application. Any applicant who fails to submit any relevant facts or who has submitted incorrect information in a permit application shall, upon becoming aware of such failure or incorrect submittal, promptly submit such supplementary facts or corrected information. In addition, an applicant shall provide additional information as necessary to address any requirements that become applicable to the source after the date it filed a complete application but prior to release of a draft permit.
(7) Completeness criteria. An application is complete when it contains the following information:
(a) All of the data described in WAC 173-401-510(2), including the required information for each emission unit (other than insignificant emission units) at the facility, along with any necessary supporting data and calculations. The use of a standard application is not required if all of the data elements required in WAC 173-401-510(2) are provided;
(b) A compliance plan that meets the criteria of WAC 173-401-630; and
(c) Certification by a responsible official of the chapter 401 source of the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the application, as provided in WAC 173-401-520.
(8) EPA notification. The permitting authority shall provide EPA with a copy of all complete permit applications and compliance plans for chapter 401 sources unless EPA waives or modifies this requirement.
(9) Public notice. Ecology shall publish a notice of all applications received under this section in the permit register as required under WAC 173-401-805.
(10) Operating permits for new sources. At the time of filing a notice of construction application under RCW 70.94.152 for the construction of a new source or modification of an existing source, the owner or operator may elect in writing to integrate new source review and operating permit issuance. Procedures for integration of these two processes are as follows:
(a) Modification of existing source. The owner or operator of an existing permitted source applying to modify the source within the meaning of RCW 70.94.030(14) may select integrated review by so indicating on its notice of construction application. The permitting authority shall process the notice of construction application in accordance with the procedures set forth in WAC 173-401-700. The permitting authority shall process the two applications in parallel, and consolidate all required public hearings, comment periods and EPA review periods. A proposed order of approval for the modification shall be provided to EPA for review as provided in WAC 173-401-810, along with a proposed administrative permit amendment to the source's operating permit. The administrative permit amendment shall incorporate into the operating permit the requirements contained in the order of approval. The order of approval shall include compliance requirements for the new or modified emissions units that meet the requirements of WAC 173-401-600 through 173-401-650. The permitting authority shall issue the final permit amendment and order of approval promptly upon conclusion of the EPA review period, unless EPA files a timely objection as provided in 40 C.F.R. 70.8.
(b) Construction of new source. Any person who proposes to construct a new source, within the meaning of RCW 70.94.030(16), may select integrated review by concurrently filing with the permitting authority a notice of construction application and an operating permit application. The permitting authority shall process both applications in accordance with the procedures set forth in WAC 173-401-700. The permitting authority shall process the two applications in parallel, and consolidate all required public hearings, comment periods, and EPA review periods. A proposed order of approval for the new source shall be provided to EPA for review as provided in WAC 173-401-810, along with the proposed operating permit. The permitting authority shall issue the final operating permit and order of approval promptly upon conclusion of the EPA review period, unless EPA files a timely objection as provided in 40 C.F.R. 70.8.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.161(2). WSR 02-19-078 (Order 02-02), § 173-401-500, filed 9/16/02, effective 10/17/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-500, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-510
Permit application form.
(1) Standard application form and required information. Ecology shall develop a standard application form or forms to be used by each permitting authority. The application shall include information as described below for each emissions unit at a chapter 401 source other than insignificant emissions units or units not regulated under WAC 173-401-300 (3)(b). However, an application may not omit information needed to determine the applicability of, or to impose, any applicable requirement, or to evaluate the fee amount required under the permitting authority's fee schedule.
(g) Additional information as determined to be necessary by the permitting authority to define alternative operating scenarios identified by the source pursuant to WAC 173-401-650(1) or to define permit terms and conditions implementing WAC 173-401-650(1) and 173-401-722.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-510, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-11-105 (Order 93-30), § 173-401-510, filed 5/17/94, effective 6/17/94; WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-510, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-520
Any application form, report, or compliance certification submitted pursuant to this chapter shall contain certification by a responsible official of truth, accuracy, and completeness. This certification and any other certification required under this chapter shall state that, based on information and belief formed after reasonable inquiry, the statements and information in the document are true, accurate, and complete.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-520, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-530
Insignificant emission units.
(1) General. This section contains criteria for identifying insignificant emission units or activities for purposes of the operating permit program. Designation of an emission unit or activity as insignificant for purposes of this chapter does not exempt the unit or activity from any applicable requirement. An emission unit or activity is insignificant based on one or more of the following approaches:
(a) Actual emissions of all regulated air pollutants from a unit or activity are less than the emission thresholds established in subsection (4) of this section. Such emission units and activities must be listed in the permit application;
(b) The emission unit or activity is listed in WAC 173-401-532 as categorically exempt. Such emission units or activities do not have to be listed in the permit application;
(c) The emission unit or activity is listed in WAC 173-401-533 and is considered insignificant if its size or production rate based on maximum rated capacity is below the specified level. These emission units or activities must be listed in the permit application.
(d) The emission unit or activity generates only fugitive emissions (as defined in WAC 173-400-030(31)), which are subject to no applicable requirement other than generally applicable requirements of the state implementation plan as defined in subsection (2) of this section. These units or activities must be listed on the permit application.
(2) Applicable requirements.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no emissions unit or activity subject to a federally enforceable applicable requirement (other than generally applicable requirements of the state implementation plan) shall qualify as an insignificant emissions unit or activity. For purposes of this section, generally applicable requirements of the state implementation plan are those federally enforceable requirements that apply universally to all emission units or activities without reference to specific types of emission units or activities.
(b) The application shall list and the permit shall contain all generally applicable requirements that apply to insignificant emission units or activities in the source.
(c) Testing, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting are not required for insignificant emissions units and activities unless determined by the permitting authority to be necessary to assure compliance or unless it is otherwise required by a generally applicable requirement of the state implementation plan. This section does not affect the authority of ecology and local air authorities to establish case-by-case monitoring requirements as set forth in WAC 173-400-105 or other provisions of law.
(d) Where a permit does not require testing, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting for insignificant emissions units or activities, the permittee may certify continuous compliance if there were no observed, documented, or known instances of noncompliance during the reporting period. Where a permit requires testing, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting for insignificant emission units or activities, the permittee may certify continuous compliance when the testing, monitoring, recordkeeping required by the permit revealed no violations during the period, and there were no observed, documented, or known instances of noncompliance during the reporting period.
(3) Permit shield. The permit shield described in WAC 173-401-640 shall not apply to any insignificant emissions unit or activity designated under this section.
(4) Insignificant emission thresholds. An emission unit or activity shall be considered insignificant if it qualifies under subsection (1)(b), (c) or (d) of this section, or if its actual emissions, based on methods approved by the permitting authority, are below the practical quantification limit (PQL), or are less than or equal to all of the following threshold levels:
(a) 5 tons per year of carbon monoxide;
(b) 2 tons per year of nitrogen oxides;
(c) 2 tons per year of sulfur oxides;
(d) 2 tons per year of volatile organic compounds (VOC);
(e) 0.75 tons per year of PM10 (as defined in WAC 173-400-030);
(f) 0.005 tons per year of lead;
(g) 0.15 tons per year of fluorides;
(h) 0.35 tons per year of sulfuric acid mist;
(i) 0.5 tons per year of hydrogen sulfide;
(j) 0.5 tons per year of total reduced sulfur (including hydrogen sulfide);
(k) 0.000000175 tons per year of municipal waste combustor organics (measured as total tetra- through octa-chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans);
(m) 0.75 tons per year of municipal waste combustor metals (measured as PM);
(n) 2.0 tons per year of municipal waste combustor acid gases (measured as SO2 and hydrogen chloride);
(o) 2.0 tons per year of ozone depleting substances in aggregate (the sum of Class I and/or Class II substances as defined in Title VI and 40 C.F.R. Part 82);
(p) Thresholds levels for hazardous air pollutants as defined in WAC 173-401-531;
(q) 0.5 tons per year for any regulated air pollutant not listed above or in WAC 173-401-531.
(5) Documentation.
(a) Upon request from the permitting authority the applicant must provide sufficient documentation to enable the permitting authority to determine that the emission unit or activity has been appropriately listed as insignificant.
(b) Upon request from the permitting authority, at any time during the term of the permit, an applicant who lists an activity or emissions unit as insignificant under subsection (1)(a) of this section shall demonstrate to the permitting authority that the actual emissions of the unit or activity are below the emission thresholds listed in subsection (4) of this section.
(6) Permit revision.
If an emission unit or activity that qualifies as insignificant solely on the basis of subsection (1)(a) of this section exceeds one of the emissions thresholds specified in subsection (4) of this section prior to issuance of a permit, the applicant shall promptly amend its permit application to include the relevant activity or emissions unit in the permit, as provided in WAC 173-401-500(6). Once the permit is issued, an activity or emissions unit that qualifies as insignificant solely on the basis of subsection (1)(a) of this section shall not exceed the emissions thresholds specified in subsection (4) of this section, until the permit is modified pursuant to WAC 173-401-725 (Permit modifications).
(7) Local air authority discretion. Local air authorities may establish by rule other criteria for defining insignificant emissions units or activities. At a minimum, such criteria must be at least as stringent as the requirements in subsections (2) and (3) of this section. Insignificant emission units or activities defined by local air authority rule may not exceed threshold levels established under subsection (4) of this section.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.161(2). WSR 02-19-078 (Order 02-02), § 173-401-530, filed 9/16/02, effective 10/17/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-11-105 (Order 93-30), § 173-401-530, filed 5/17/94, effective 6/17/94.]
173-401-531
Thresholds for hazardous air pollutants.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-531, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-11-105 (Order 93-30), § 173-401-531, filed 5/17/94, effective 6/17/94.]
173-401-532
Categorically exempt insignificant emission units.
(1) General. This section contains lists of units and activities that are categorically exempt from this chapter. The activities listed in this section may be omitted from the permit application.
(2) Mobile transport tanks on vehicles, except for those containing asphalt.
(3) Lubricating oil storage tanks.
(4) Storage tanks, reservoirs and pumping and handling equipment of any size, limited to soaps, lubricants, hydraulic fluid, vegetable oil, grease, animal fat, aqueous salt solutions or other materials and processes using appropriate lids and covers where there is no generation of objectionable odor or airborne particulate matter.
(5) Pressurized storage of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, air, or inert gases.
(6) Storage of solid material, dust-free handling.
(7) Vehicle exhaust from auto maintenance and repair shops.
(8) Vents from continuous emissions monitors and other analyzers.
(9) Vents from rooms, buildings and enclosures that contain permitted emissions units or activities from which local ventilation, controls and separate exhaust are provided.
(10) Internal combustion engines for propelling or powering a vehicle.
(11) Recreational fireplaces including the use of barbecues, campfires and ceremonial fires.
(12) Brazing, soldering and welding equipment and oxygen-hydrogen cutting torches for use in cutting metal where in components of the metal do not generate HAPs or HAPs precursors.
(13) Atmospheric generators used in connection with metal heat treating processes.
(14) Metal finishing or cleaning using tumblers.
(15) Metal casting molds and molten metal crucibles that do not contain potential HAPs.
(16) Die casting.
(17) Metal or glass heat-treating, in absence of molten materials, oils, or VOCs.
(18) Drop hammers or hydraulic presses for forging or metalworking.
(19) Electrolytic deposition, used to deposit brass, bronze, copper, iron, tin, zinc, precious and other metals not listed as the parents of HAPs.
(20) Metal fume vapors from electrically heated foundry/forge operations wherein the components of the metal do not generate HAPs or HAP precursors. Electric arc furnaces are excluded from consideration for listing as insignificant.
(21) Metal melting and molten metal holding equipment and operations wherein the components of the metal do not generate HAPs or HAP precursors. Electric arc furnaces are not considered for listing as insignificant.
(22) Inspection equipment for metal products.
(23) Plastic and resin curing equipment, excluding FRP.
(24) Extrusion equipment, metals, minerals, plastics, grain or wood.
(25) Presses and vacuum forming, for curing rubber and plastic products or for laminating plastics.
(26) Roller mills and calendars, rubber and plastics.
(27) Conveying and storage of plastic pellets.
(28) Plastic compression, injection, and transfer molding and extrusion, rotocasting, pultrusion, blowmolding, excluding acrylics, PVC, polystyrene and related copolymers and the use of plasticizer. Only oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, or inert gas allowed as blowing agents.
(29) Plastic pipe welding.
(30) Nonmetallic mineral mines and screening plants except for crushing and associated activities that are not subject to 40 C.F.R. Part 60 Subpart 000. Quarrying of silica rock and associated activities are not considered for listing as insignificant.
(31) Wet sand and gravel screening.
(32) Wax application.
(33) Plant upkeep including routine housekeeping, preparation for and painting of structures or equipment, retarring roofs, applying insulation to buildings in accordance with applicable environmental and health and safety requirements and paving or stripping parking lots.
(34) Agricultural activities on a facility's property that are not subject to registration or new source review by the permitting authority.
(35) Cleaning and sweeping of streets and paved surfaces.
(36) Ultraviolet curing processes.
(37) Hot melt adhesive application with no VOCs in the adhesive formulation.
(38) Laundering, dryers, extractors, tumblers for fabrics, using water solutions of bleach and/or detergents.
(39) Steam cleaning operations.
(40) Steam sterilizers.
(41) Food preparing for human consumption including cafeterias, kitchen facilities and barbecues located at a source for providing food service on the premises.
(42) Portable drums and totes.
(43) Lawn and landscaping activities.
(44) Flares used to indicate danger to the public.
(45) General vehicle maintenance including vehicle exhaust from repair facilities.
(46) Comfort air conditioning or air cooling systems, not used to remove air contaminants from specific equipment.
(47) Natural draft hoods, natural draft stacks, or natural draft ventilators for sanitary and storm drains, safety valves, and storage tanks subject to size and service limitations expressed elsewhere in this section.
(48) Natural and forced air vents and stacks for bathroom/toilet facilities.
(49) Office activities.
(50) Personal care activities.
(51) Sampling connections used exclusively to withdraw materials for laboratory analyses and testing.
(52) Firefighting and similar safety equipment and equipment used to train firefighters excluding fire drill pits.
(53) Materials and equipment used by, and activity related to operation of infirmary; infirmary is not the source's business activity.
(54) Fuel and exhaust emissions from vehicles in parking lots.
(55) Carving, cutting, routing, turning, drilling, machining, sawing, surface grinding, sanding, planing, buffing, shot blasting, shot peening, sintering or polishing: Ceramics, glass, leather, metals, plastics, rubber, concrete, paper stock or wood provided that:
(a) Activity is performed indoors;
(b) Particulate emission control in the immediate vicinity of the activity;
(c) Exhaust from the particulate control is within the building housing the activity;
(d) No fugitive particulate emissions enter the environment.
(56) Oxygen, nitrogen, or rare gas extraction and liquefaction equipment subject to other exemption limitation, e.g., internal and external combustion equipment.
(57) Slaughterhouse equipment except rendering cookers.
(58) Ozonation equipment.
(59) Nonasbestos brake shoe bonding.
(60) Batch loading and unloading of solid phase catalysts.
(61) Demineralization and oxygen scavenging (deaeration) of water.
(62) Pulse capacitors.
(63) Laser trimmers, using dust collection to prevent fugitive emissions.
(64) Plasma etcher, using dust collection to prevent fugitive emissions and using only oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or inert gas.
(65) Gas cabinets using only gasses that are not regulated air pollutants.
(66) CO2 lasers, used only on metals and other materials which do not emit HAPs in the process.
(67) Structural changes not having air contaminant emissions.
(68) Confection cooking equipment.
(69) Mixing, packaging, storage and handling activities of any size, limited to soaps, lubricants, vegetable oil, grease, animal fat, aqueous salt solutions.
(70) Photographic process equipment by which an image is reproduced upon material sensitized to radiant energy, e.g., blueprint activity, photocopiers, mimeograph, telefax, photographic developing, and microfiche.
(71) Pharmaceutical and cosmetics packaging equipment.
(72) Paper trimmers/binders.
(73) Sample gathering, preparation and management.
(74) Repair and maintenance activities, not involving installation of an emission unit and not increasing potential emissions of a regulated air pollutant.
(75) Handling equipment and associated activities for glass and aluminum which is destined for recycling, not the re-refining process itself.
(76) Hydraulic and hydrostatic testing equipment.
(77) Batteries and battery charging.
(78) Porcelain and vitreous enameling equipment.
(79) Solid waste (as defined in the Washington Administrative Code) containers.
(80) Salt baths using nonvolatile salts and not used in operations which result in air emissions.
(81) Shock chambers.
(82) Wire strippers.
(83) Humidity chambers.
(84) Solar simulators.
(85) Environmental chambers not using hazardous air pollutant (HAPs) gasses.
(86) Totally enclosed conveyors.
(87) Steam vents and safety relief valves.
(88) Air compressors, pneumatically operated equipment, systems and hand tools.
(89) Steam leaks.
(90) Recovery boiler blow-down tank.
(91) Salt cake mix tanks.
(92) Continuous digester chip feeders.
(93) Weak liquor and filter tanks.
(94) Process water and white water storage tanks.
(95) Demineralizer tanks.
(96) Clean condensate tanks.
(97) Alum tanks.
(98) Broke beaters, repulpers, pulp and repulping tanks, stock chests and pulp handling.
(99) Lime mud filtrate tank.
(100) Hydrogen peroxide tanks.
(101) Lime mud water.
(102) Lime mud filter.
(103) Liquor clarifiers and storage tanks and associated pumping, piping and handling.
(104) Lime grits washers, filters and handling.
(105) Lime silos and feed bins.
(106) Paper forming.
(107) Dryers (Yankee, after dryer, curing systems and coolings systems).
(108) Vacuum systems exhausts.
(109) Starch cooking.
(110) Stock cleaning and pressurized pulp washing.
(111) Winders.
(112) Chipping.
(113) Debarking.
(114) Sludge dewatering and handling.
(115) Screw press vents.
(116) Pond dredging.
(117) Polymer tanks and storage devices and associated pumping and handling equipment, used for solids dewatering and flocculation.
(118) NonPCB oil filled circuit breakers, oil filled transformers and other equipment that is analogous to, but not considered to be, a tank.
(119) Electric or steam-heated drying ovens and autoclaves.
(120) Sewer manholes, junction boxes, sumps and lift stations associated with wastewater treatment systems.
(121) Water cooling towers processing exclusively noncontact cooling water.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-11-105 (Order 93-30), § 173-401-532, filed 5/17/94, effective 6/17/94.]
173-401-533
Units and activities defined as insignificant on the basis of size or production rate.
(1) General. This section contains lists of units or activities that are exempt from this chapter on the basis of size or production rate. Units and activities listed in this section must be listed on the permit application.
(2) The following units and activities are determined to be insignificant based on their size or production rate:
(a) Operation, loading and unloading of storage tanks and storage vessels, with lids or other appropriate closure and less than two hundred sixty gallon capacity (35 cft), heated only to the minimum extent to avoid solidification if necessary.
(b) Operation, loading and unloading of storage tanks, not greater than one thousand one hundred gallon capacity, with lids or other appropriate closure, not for use with hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), maximum (max.) vp 550mm Hg.
(c) Operation, loading and unloading of VOC storage tanks (including gasoline storage tanks), ten thousand gallons capacity or less, with lids or other appropriate closure, vp not greater than 80mm Hg at 21°C.
(d) Operation, loading and unloading storage of butane, propane, or liquified petroleum gas (LPG), storage tanks, vessel capacity under forty thousand gallons.
(e) Combustion source less than five million Btu/hr. exclusively using natural gas, butane, propane and/or LPG.
(f) Combustion source, less than five hundred thousand Btu/hr., using any commercial fuel containing less than 0.4% by weight sulfur for coal or less than 1% by weight sulfur for other fuels.
(g) Combustion source, of less than one million Btu/hr. if using kerosene, No. 1 or No. 2 fuel oil.
(h) Combustion source, not greater than five hundred thousand Btu/hr. if burning used oil and not greater than four hundred thousand Btu/hr. if burning waste wood or waste paper.
(i) Welding using not more than one ton per day of welding rod.
(j) Foundry sand molds, unheated and using binders with less than 0.25% free phenol by sand weight.
(k) "Parylene" coaters using less than five hundred gallons of coating per year.
(l) Printing and silkscreening, using less than two gallon/day of any combination of the following: Inks, coatings, adhesives, fountain solutions, thinners, retarders, or nonaqueous cleaning solutions.
(m) Water cooling towers and ponds, not using chromium-based corrosion inhibitors, not used with barometric jets or condensers, not greater than ten thousand gpm, not in direct contact with gaseous or liquid process streams containing regulated air pollutants.
(n) Combustion turbines, of less than 500 HP.
(o) Batch solvent distillation, not greater than fifty-five gallons batch capacity.
(p) Municipal and industrial water chlorination facilities of not greater than twenty million gallons per day capacity. The exemption does not apply to waste water treatment.
(q) Surface coating, using less than two gallons per day.
(r) Space heaters and hot water heaters using natural gas, propane or kerosene and generating less than five million Btu/hr.
(s) Tanks, vessels, and pumping equipment, with lids or other appropriate closure for storage or dispensing of aqueous solutions of inorganic salts, bases and acids excluding:
(i) 99% or greater H2SO4 or H3PO4
(ii) 70% or greater HNO3
(iii) 30% or greater HCl
(iv) More than one liquid phase where the top phase is more than one percent VOCs.
(t) Equipment used exclusively to pump, load, unload or store high boiling organic material, material with initial boiling point (IBP) not less than 150°C. or vapor pressure (vp) not more than 5mm Hg at 21°C. with lids or other appropriate closure.
(u) Smokehouses under twenty square feet.
(v) Milling and grinding activities, using paste-form compounds with less than one percent VOCs.
(w) Rolling, forging, drawing, stamping, shearing, or spinning hot or cold metals.
(x) Dip-coating operations, using materials with less than one percent VOCs.
(y) Surface coating, aqueous solution or suspension containing less than one percent VOCs.
(z) Cleaning and stripping activities and equipment, using solutions having less than one percent VOCs by weight. On metallic substrates, acid solutions are not considered for listing as insignificant.
(aa) Storage and handling of water based lubricants for metal working where the organic content of the lubricant is less than ten percent.
(bb) Municipal and industrial waste water chlorination facilities of not greater than one million gallons per day capacity.
(3) The following units or activities may be determined to be insignificant on a case-by-case basis by the permitting authority:
(a) Pilot plants.
(b) Cold feed aggregate bins for asphalt and concrete production equipment.
(c) Chemical or physical analytical laboratory operations or equipment including fume hoods and vacuum pumps.
(d) NPDES permitted ponds and lagoons utilized solely for the purpose of settling suspended solids and skimming of oil and grease.
(e) Coffee roasters, under fifteen lbs./day of coffee.
(f) Tire buffing of less than six thousand six hundred tires per year.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-11-105 (Order 93-30), § 173-401-533, filed 5/17/94, effective 6/17/94.]
173-401-600
Permit content.
(1) Each permit shall contain terms and conditions that assure compliance with all applicable requirements at the time of permit issuance. Every requirement in an operating permit shall be based upon the most stringent of the following requirements:
(a) The FCAA and rules implementing that act, including provisions of the approved state implementation plan;
(b) Chapter 70.94 RCW and rules implementing that chapter. This includes requirements in regulatory orders issued by the permitting authority;
(c) In permits issued by a local air pollution control authority, the requirements of any order or regulation adopted by that authority;
(d) Chapter 70.98 RCW and rules adopted thereunder; and
(2) Legal authority. The permit shall specify and reference the origin of and authority for each term or condition, and identify any difference in form as compared to the applicable requirement upon which the term or condition is based.
(3) Acid rain. Where an applicable requirement of the FCAA is more stringent than an applicable requirement of regulations promulgated under Title IV of the FCAA, both provisions shall be incorporated into the permit and shall be enforceable by the administrator.
(4) Where an applicable requirement based on the FCAA and rules implementing that act (including the approved state implementation plan) is less stringent than an applicable requirement promulgated under state or local legal authority, both provisions shall be incorporated into the permit in accordance with WAC 173-401-625.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-600, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-605
Emission standards and limitations.
(1) General. Each permit shall contain emission limitations and standards, including those operational requirements and limitations that assure compliance with all applicable requirements at the time of permit issuance.
(2) Alternative emission limits. If the Washington state implementation plan allows a determination of an alternative emission limit at a chapter 401 source, equivalent to that contained in the plan, to be made in the permit issuance, renewal, or significant modification process, the permitting authority may elect to use such process. Any permit containing such equivalency determination shall contain provisions to ensure that any resulting emissions limit has been demonstrated to be quantifiable, accountable, enforceable, and based on replicable procedures.
(3) Reasonably available control technology (RACT). Emission standards and other requirements contained in rules or regulatory orders in effect at the time of operating permit issuance or renewal shall be considered RACT for purposes of permit issuance or renewal. RACT determinations under section 8, chapter 252, Laws of 1993, shall be incorporated into an operating permit as provided in WAC 173-401-730.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-605, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-610
The permitting authority shall issue permits for a fixed term of five years.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-610, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-615
Monitoring and related recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
(1) Monitoring. Each permit shall contain the following requirements with respect to monitoring:
(a) All emissions monitoring and analysis procedures or test methods required under the applicable requirements, including any procedures and methods promulgated pursuant to sections 504(b) or 114 (a)(3) of the FCAA;
(b) Where the applicable requirement does not require periodic testing or instrumental or noninstrumental monitoring (which may consist of recordkeeping designed to serve as monitoring), periodic monitoring sufficient to yield reliable data from the relevant time period that are representative of the source's compliance with the permit, as reported pursuant to subsection (3) of this section. Such monitoring requirements shall assure use of terms, test methods, units, averaging periods, and other statistical conventions consistent with the applicable requirement. Recordkeeping provisions may be sufficient to meet the requirements of this paragraph; and
(c) As necessary, requirements concerning the use, maintenance, and, where appropriate, installation of monitoring equipment or methods.
(2) Recordkeeping. With respect to recordkeeping, the permit shall incorporate all applicable recordkeeping requirements and require, where applicable, the following:
(a) Records of required monitoring information that include the following:
(i) The date, place as defined in the permit, and time of sampling or measurements;
(ii) The date(s) analyses were performed;
(iii) The company or entity that performed the analyses;
(iv) The analytical techniques or methods used;
(vi) The operating conditions existing at the time of sampling or measurement;
(b) A record describing changes made at the source that result in emissions of a regulated air pollutant subject to an applicable requirement, but not otherwise regulated under the permit, and the emissions resulting from those changes.
(c) Retention of records of all required monitoring data and support information for a period of five years from the date of the monitoring sample, measurement, report, or application. Support information includes all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip-chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, and copies of all reports required by the permit.
(3) Reporting. With respect to reporting, the permit shall incorporate all applicable reporting requirements and require the following:
(a) Submittal of reports of any required monitoring at least once every six months. All instances of deviations from permit requirements must be clearly identified in such reports. All required reports must be certified by a responsible official consistent with WAC 173-401-520.
(b) Prompt reporting of deviations from permit requirements, including those attributable to upset conditions as defined in the permit, the probable cause of such deviations, and any corrective actions or preventive measures taken. The permitting authority shall define "prompt" in each individual permit in relation to the degree and type of deviation likely to occur and the applicable requirement. For deviations which represent a potential threat to human health or safety, "prompt" means as soon as possible, but in no case later than twelve hours after the deviation is discovered. The source shall maintain a contemporaneous record of all deviations. Other deviations shall be reported no later than thirty days after the end of the month during which the deviation is discovered.
(4) Compliance assurance monitoring. 40 C.F.R. Part 64, in effect on July 1, 2000, is adopted by reference.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.161(2). WSR 02-19-078 (Order 02-02), § 173-401-615, filed 9/16/02, effective 10/17/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW, RCW 70.94.141, [70.94.]152, [70.94.]331, [70.94.]510 and 43.21A.080. WSR 01-17-062 (Order 99-06), § 173-401-615, filed 8/15/01, effective 9/15/01. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-615, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-620
(1) Acid rain. Each permit for an affected source shall contain a condition prohibiting emissions exceeding any allowances that the source lawfully holds under Title IV of the FCAA or the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(a) No permit revision shall be required for increases in emissions that are authorized by allowances acquired pursuant to the acid rain program, provided that such increases do not require a permit revision under any other applicable requirement.
(b) No limit shall be placed on the number of allowances held by the source. The source may not, however, use allowances as a defense to noncompliance with any other applicable requirement.
(c) Any such allowance shall be accounted for according to the procedures established in regulations promulgated under Title IV of the FCAA and in effect on April 7, 1993.
(2) Standard provisions. Each permit shall include the following standard provisions:
(a) Duty to comply. The permittee must comply with all conditions of this chapter 401 permit. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of chapter 70.94 RCW and, for federally enforceable provisions, a violation of the FCAA. Such violations are grounds for enforcement action; for permit termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification; or for denial of a permit renewal application.
(b) Need to halt or reduce activity not a defense. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this permit.
(c) Permit actions. This permit may be modified, revoked, reopened, and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a request by the permittee for a permit modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or of a notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition.
(d) Property rights. This permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive privilege.
(e) Duty to provide information. The permittee shall furnish to the permitting authority, within a reasonable time, any information that the permitting authority may request in writing to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating the permit or to determine compliance with the permit. Upon request, the permittee shall also furnish to the permitting authority copies of records required to be kept by the permit or, for information claimed to be confidential, the permittee may furnish such records directly to the administrator along with a claim of confidentiality. Permitting authorities shall maintain confidentiality of such information in accordance with RCW 70.94.205.
(f) Permit fees. The permittee shall pay fees as a condition of this permit in accordance with the permitting authority's fee schedule. Failure to pay fees in a timely fashion shall subject the permittee to civil and criminal penalties as prescribed in chapter 70.94 RCW.
(g) Emissions trading. No permit revision shall be required, under any approved economic incentives, marketable permits, emissions trading, and other similar programs or processes for changes that are provided for in this permit.
(h) Severability. If any provision of this permit is held to be invalid, all unaffected provisions of the permit shall remain in effect and be enforceable.
(i) Permit appeals. This permit or any conditions in it may be appealed only by filing an appeal with the pollution control hearings board and serving it on the permitting authority within thirty days of receipt pursuant to RCW 43.21B.310. This provision for appeal in this section is separate from and additional to any federal rights to petition and review under § 505(b) of the FCAA.
(j) Permit continuation. This permit and all terms and conditions contained therein, including any permit shield provided under WAC 173-401-640, shall not expire until the renewal permit has been issued or denied if a timely and complete application has been submitted. An application shield granted pursuant to WAC 173-401-705(2) shall remain in effect until the renewal permit has been issued or denied if a timely and complete application has been submitted.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-620, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-625
Federally enforceable requirements.
(1) Federal enforceability. All terms and conditions in a chapter 401 permit, including any provisions designed to limit a source's potential to emit, are enforceable by the administrator and citizens under the FCAA.
(2) Exceptions. Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the permitting authority shall specifically designate as not being federally enforceable under the FCAA any terms and conditions included in the permit that are not required under the FCAA or under any of its applicable requirements. Terms and conditions so designated are not subject to the EPA and affected states review requirements of WAC 173-401-700 through 173-401-820.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-625, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-630
(iv) The method(s) used for determining the compliance status of the source, currently and over the reporting period consistent with WAC 173-401-615 (3)(a);
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-630, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-630, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-635
Temporary sources.
The permitting authority may issue a single permit authorizing emissions from similar operations by the same source owner or operator at multiple temporary locations. The operation must be temporary and involve at least one change of location during the term of the permit. No affected source shall be permitted as a temporary source. Permits for temporary sources shall include the following:
(1) Conditions that will assure compliance with all applicable requirements at all authorized locations;
(2) Requirements that the owner or operator notify the permitting authority at least ten days in advance of each change in location; and
(3) Conditions that assure compliance with all other provisions in WAC 173-401-600 through 173-401-650.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-635, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-640
Permit shield.
(1) Shield requirement. Each chapter 401 permit shall include a provision stating that compliance with the conditions of the permit shall be deemed compliance with any applicable requirements as of the date of permit issuance, provided that such applicable requirements are included and are specifically identified in the permit.
(2) Inapplicable requirements. Upon request, the permitting authority shall include in the permit or in a separate written finding issued with the permit a determination identifying specific requirements that do not apply to the source. The source shall specify in its application for such a determination the requirements as to which the determination is requested. If the determination is issued in a separate finding, that finding shall be summarized in the permit. The permit shall state that the permit shield applies to any requirements so identified. A request to extend the permit shield to requirements deemed inapplicable to the source may be made either in the original permit application or in an application for a permit modification.
(3) Omissions. A chapter 401 permit that does not expressly state that a permit shield extends to specific applicable requirements shall be presumed not to provide such a shield for those requirements.
(4) Exclusions. Nothing in this section or in any chapter 401 permit shall alter or affect the following:
(a) The provisions of section 303 of the FCAA (emergency orders), including the authority of the administrator under that section;
(b) The liability of an owner or operator of a source for any violation of applicable requirements prior to or at the time of permit issuance;
(c) The applicable requirements of the acid rain program, consistent with section 408(a) of the FCAA;
(d) The ability of EPA to obtain information from a source pursuant to section 114 of the FCAA; or
(e) The ability of the permitting authority to establish or revise requirements for the use of reasonably available control technology (RACT) as provided in chapter 252, Laws of 1993.
(5) The agency may exclude all or a portion of a permit from the permit shield upon a finding that the shield would substantially impede implementation or enforcement of applicable requirements. Such a finding shall identify the portions of the permit excluded from the shield, the requirements that have led to the exclusion, and the reason for the exclusion.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-640, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-645
(1) Definition. An "emergency" means any situation arising from sudden and reasonably unforeseeable events beyond the control of the source, including acts of God, which situation requires immediate corrective action to restore normal operation, and that causes the source to exceed a technology-based emission limitation under the permit, due to unavoidable increases in emissions attributable to the emergency. An emergency shall not include noncompliance to the extent caused by improperly designed equipment, lack of preventative maintenance, careless or improper operation, or operator error.
(2) Effect of an emergency. An emergency constitutes an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with such technology-based emission limitations if the conditions of subsection (3) of this section are met.
(3) Criteria. The affirmative defense of emergency shall be demonstrated through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that:
(a) An emergency occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the emergency;
(b) The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated;
(c) During the period of the emergency the permittee took all reasonable steps to minimize levels of emissions that exceeded the emission standards, or other requirements in the permit; and
(d) The permittee submitted notice of the emergency to the permitting authority within two working days of the time when emission limitations were exceeded due to the emergency or shorter periods of time specified in an applicable requirement. This notice fulfills the requirement of WAC 173-401-615 (3)(b) unless the excess emissions represent a potential threat to human health or safety. This notice must contain a description of the emergency, any steps taken to mitigate emissions, and corrective actions taken.
(4) Burden of proof. In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an emergency has the burden of proof.
(5) Relationship to other rules. This provision is in addition to any emergency or upset provision contained in any applicable requirement.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-645, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-650
(1) Reasonably anticipated operating scenarios. Each permit shall contain terms and conditions for reasonably anticipated operating scenarios identified by the source in its application as approved by the permitting authority. Such terms and conditions:
(a) Shall require the source, contemporaneously with making a change from one operating scenario to another, to record in a log at the permitted facility a record of the scenario under which it is operating;
(b) Shall extend the permit shield described in WAC 173-401-640 to all terms and conditions under each such operating scenario; and
(c) Shall ensure that the terms and conditions of each such alternative scenario meet all applicable requirements and the requirements of this chapter.
(2) Emissions trading. Each permit shall contain terms and conditions, if the permit applicant requests them, for the trading of emissions increases and decreases in the permitted facility, to the extent that the applicable requirements provide for trading such increases and decreases without a case-by-case approval of each emissions trade. Such terms and conditions:
(a) Shall include all terms required under WAC 173-401-600 through 173-401-630 to determine compliance;
(b) Shall extend the permit shield described in WAC 173-401-640 to all terms and conditions that allow such increases and decreases in emissions;
(c) Shall meet all applicable requirements and requirements of this chapter; and
(d) Shall require the source, contemporaneously with making a change, to record in a log at the permitted source the emission increases and decreases.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-650, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-700
(1) A permit, permit modification, or renewal may be issued only if all of the following conditions have been met:
(a) The permitting authority has received a complete application for a permit, permit modification, or permit renewal, except that a complete application need not be received before issuance of a general permit under WAC 173-401-750;
(b) The permit has been reviewed and signed prior to issuance by a professional engineer or staff under the direct supervision of a professional engineer in the employ of the permitting authority and, in the latter case, signed, dated, and stamped by the supervising professional engineer;
(c) The permitting authority has complied with the requirements for public participation under WAC 173-401-800;
(d) The permitting authority has complied with the requirements for notifying and responding to affected states under WAC 173-401-820;
(e) The conditions of the permit provide for compliance with all applicable requirements and the requirements of this chapter;
(f) The administrator has received a copy of the proposed permit and any notices required under WAC 173-401-810 and 173-401-820, and has not objected in writing to issuance of the permit within forty-five days of receipt of the proposed permit and all necessary supporting information; and
(g) Where EPA has objected to issuance of a permit or modification, the permittee has consented in writing to the changes required by the EPA.
(2) Deadlines. Except as provided in subsections (1)(g), (3), and (4) of this section or under regulations promulgated under Title IV or Title V of the FCAA for the permitting of affected sources under the acid rain program, the permitting authority shall take final action on each permit application (including a request for permit modification or renewal) within eighteen months of receiving a complete application.
(3) Transition plan. The permitting authority shall take final action on at least one-third of all operating permit applications received from chapter 401 sources in existence on the date on which EPA authorizes the permitting authority to issue operating permits within one year after EPA authorization. Final action shall be taken on at least one third of such applications annually over a period not to exceed three years after the effective date of EPA authorization.
(4) Early reduction submittals. The permitting authority shall take final action on a complete permit application containing an early reduction demonstration under section 112 (i)(5) of the FCAA within nine months of receiving the complete application.
(5) Notice of construction applications. Except as provided in WAC 173-401-500(10) processing of notice of construction applications received under RCW 70.94.152 shall take priority over processing of operating permit applications.
(6) Completeness. The permitting authority shall promptly provide notice to the applicant of whether the application is complete. Unless the permitting authority requests additional information or otherwise notifies the applicant of incompleteness within sixty days of receipt of an application, the application shall be deemed complete. For modifications processed through minor permit modification procedures, such as those in WAC 173-401-725 (2)(a) and (3), the permitting authority does not have to provide a completeness determination.
(7) Draft permit. Within one hundred eighty days of the date upon which an application is deemed to be complete, the permitting authority should generally issue either a draft permit or a notice of intent to deny the permit application. Notice of issuance of a draft permit shall be published and provided to affected states in accordance with the procedures in WAC 173-401-800 through 173-401-820. The deadline provided in this subsection shall not apply to the initial round of permit applications filed pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.
(8) Statement of basis. At the time the draft permit is issued, the permitting authority shall provide a statement that sets forth the legal and factual basis for the draft permit conditions (including references to the applicable statutory or regulatory provisions). The permitting authority shall send this statement to EPA, the applicant, and to any other person who requests it.
(9) Proposed permit. Upon completion of the public comment period provided in WAC 173-401-800, the permitting authority shall issue a proposed permit, along with a response to any comments received during the comment period. The permitting authority shall transmit the proposed permit and its response to any comments to the applicant and to EPA for review, as provided in WAC 173-401-810.
(10) Preconstruction approval. The submittal of a complete application shall not affect any requirement of a source to have a preconstruction permit under Title I of the FCAA or a notice of construction approval under RCW 70.94.152.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-700, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-705
Requirement for a permit.
(1) Requirement for a permit. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, WAC 173-401-722 and 173-401-725, no chapter 401 source may operate after the time that it is required to submit a timely and complete application, except in compliance with a permit issued under this chapter.
(2) Application shield. If a chapter 401 source submits a complete application for permit issuance (including for renewal) within twelve months of the time the source becomes subject to the permit program, operation of the source without a chapter 401 permit is not a violation of this chapter until the permitting authority takes final action on the permit application, except as noted in this section. Chapter 401 sources in existence on the date of EPA approval of the state permit program shall become subject to the program on the effective date of EPA approval. This protection shall cease to apply if, subsequent to the completeness determination made pursuant to WAC 173-401-700(6), the applicant fails to submit by the deadline specified in writing by the permitting authority any additional information identified as being needed to process the application.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-705, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-710
Permit renewal, revocation and expiration.
(1) Renewal application. The source shall submit a complete permit renewal application to the permitting authority no later than the date established in the permit. This date shall be no less than six months prior to the expiration of the permit. The permitting authority may require that a permit renewal application must be submitted earlier. The permitting agency must mail this written notice to the source at least one year before the new application deadline to ensure that the terms of the permit will not lapse before the permit is renewed. In no event shall the application due date be earlier than eighteen months prior to the expiration of the permit. The permitting authority shall send a permit application to each source at least six months before a complete application is due.
(2) Permit issuance. Permits being renewed are subject to the same procedural requirements, including those for public participation, affected state and EPA review, that apply to initial permit issuance.
(3) Expired permits. Permit expiration terminates the source's right to operate unless a timely and complete renewal application has been submitted consistent with subsection (1) of this section and WAC 173-401-500. All terms and conditions of the permit shall remain in effect after the permit itself expires if a timely and complete permit application has been submitted.
(4) Revocation of permits. The permitting authority may revoke a permit only upon the request of the permittee or for cause. The permitting authority shall provide at least thirty days written notice to the holder of a current operating permit prior to revocation of the permit or denial of a permit renewal application. Such notice shall include an explanation of the basis for the proposed action and afford the permittee/applicant an opportunity to meet with the permitting authority prior to the authority's final decision. A revocation issued under this section may be issued conditionally with a future effective date and may specify that the revocation will not take effect if the permittee satisfies the specified conditions before the effective date. Nothing in this subsection shall limit the permitting authority's authority to issue emergency orders.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.161(2). WSR 02-19-078 (Order 02-02), § 173-401-710, filed 9/16/02, effective 10/17/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-710, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-720
173-401-722
Changes not requiring permit revisions.
(a) A chapter 401 source is authorized to make the changes described in this section without a permit revision, providing the following conditions are met:
(i) The proposed changes are not Title I modifications;
(ii) The proposed changes do not result in emissions which exceed those allowable under the permit, whether expressed as a rate of emissions, or in total emissions;
(iii) The proposed changes do not alter permit terms that are necessary to enforce limitations on emissions from units covered by the permit; and
(iv) The facility provides the administrator and the permitting authority with written notification at least seven days prior to making the proposed changes except that written notification of a change made in response to an emergency shall be provided as soon as possible after the event.
(b) Permit attachments. The source and permitting authority shall attach each notice to their copy of the relevant permit.
(2) Section 502 (b)(10) changes. Pursuant to the conditions in subsection (1) of this section, a chapter 401 source is authorized to make section 502 (b)(10) changes (as defined in WAC 173-401-200) without a permit revision.
(a) For each such change, the written notification required under subsection (1)(a)(iv) of this section shall include a brief description of the change within the permitted facility, the date on which the change will occur, any change in emissions, and any permit term or condition that is no longer applicable as a result of the change.
(b) The permit shield authorized under WAC 173-401-640 shall not apply to any change made pursuant to this paragraph.
(3) SIP authorized emissions trading. Pursuant to the conditions in subsection (1) of this section, a chapter 401 source is authorized to trade increases and decreases in emissions in the permitted facility, where the Washington state implementation plan provides for such emissions trades without requiring a permit revision. This provision is available in those cases where the permit does not already provide for such emissions trading.
(a) Under this subsection (3), the written notification required under subsection (1)(a)(iv) of this section shall include such information as may be required by the provision in the Washington state implementation plan authorizing the emissions trade, including at a minimum, when the proposed change will occur, a description of each such change, any change in emissions, the permit requirements with which the source will comply using the emissions trading provisions of the Washington state implementation plan, and the pollutants emitted subject to the emissions trade. The notice shall also refer to the provisions with which the source will comply in the applicable implementation plan and that provide for the emissions trade.
(b) The permit shield described in WAC 173-401-640 shall not extend to any change made under this paragraph. Compliance with the permit requirements that the source will meet using the emissions trade shall be determined according to requirements of the applicable implementation plan authorizing the emissions trade.
(4) Emission caps. Upon the request of the permit applicant, the permitting authority shall issue permits that contain terms and conditions, including all terms required under WAC 173-401-600 through 173-401-630 to determine compliance, allowing for the trading of emissions increases and decreases in the chapter 401 source solely for the purpose of complying with a federally enforceable emissions cap that is established in the permit independent of otherwise applicable requirements. The permit applicant shall include in its application proposed replicable procedures and permit terms that ensure the emissions trades are quantifiable and enforceable. The emissions trading provisions shall not be applied to any emissions units for which emissions are not quantifiable or for which there are no replicable procedures to enforce the emissions trades. The permit shall also require compliance with all applicable requirements.
(a) Under this paragraph, the written notification required under subsection (1)(a)(iv) of this section shall state when the change will occur and shall describe the changes in emissions that will result and how these increases and decreases in emissions will comply with the terms and conditions of the permit.
(b) The permit shield described in WAC 173-401-640 shall extend to terms and conditions that allow such increases and decreases in emissions.
(5) A source making a change under this section shall comply with applicable preconstruction review requirements established pursuant to RCW 70.94.152.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.161(2). WSR 02-19-078 (Order 02-02), § 173-401-722, filed 9/16/02, effective 10/17/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-722, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-724
Off-permit changes.
(3) Sources must provide contemporaneous written notice to the permitting authority and EPA of each such change, except for changes that qualify as insignificant under WAC 173-401-530. Such written notice shall describe each such change, including the date, any change in emissions, pollutants emitted, and any applicable requirement that would apply as a result of the change.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-724, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-724, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-725
(1) Definition. A permit modification is any revision to a chapter 401 permit that cannot be accomplished under provisions for administrative permit amendments under WAC 173-401-720. A permit modification for purposes of the acid rain portion of the permit shall be governed by regulations promulgated under Title IV of the FCAA and in effect on April 7, 1993.
(2) Minor permit modification procedures.
(a) Criteria.
(i) Minor permit modification procedures shall be used for those permit modifications that:
(A) Do not violate any applicable requirement;
(B) Do not involve significant changes to existing monitoring, reporting, or recordkeeping requirements in the permit;
(C) Do not require or change a case-by-case determination of an emission limitation or other standard, or a source-specific determination for temporary sources of ambient impacts, or a visibility or increment analysis;
(D) Do not seek to establish or change a permit term or condition for which there is no corresponding underlying applicable requirement and that the source has assumed to avoid an applicable requirement to which the source would otherwise be subject. Such terms and conditions include:
(I) A federally enforceable emissions cap assumed to avoid classification as a modification under any provision of Title I of the FCAA; and
(II) An alternative emissions limit approved pursuant to regulations promulgated under section 112 (i)(5) of the FCAA;
(E) Are not modifications under any provision of Title I of the FCAA;
(ii) Notwithstanding (a)(i) of this subsection, and subsection (3)(a) of this section, the permitting authority may allow the use of minor permit modification procedures for permit modifications involving the use of economic incentives, marketable permits, emissions trading, and other similar approaches, to the extent that the use of such minor permit modification procedures are explicitly provided for in the Washington state implementation plan or in applicable requirements promulgated by EPA and in effect on April 7, 1993.
(b) Application. An application requesting the use of minor permit modification procedures shall meet the requirements of WAC 173-401-510 and shall include the following:
(i) A description of the change, the emissions resulting from the change, and any new applicable requirements that will apply if the change occurs;
(ii) The source's suggested draft permit;
(iii) Certification by a responsible official, consistent with WAC 173-401-520, of the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the application and that the proposed modification meets the criteria for use of minor permit modification procedures and a request that such procedures be used; and
(iv) Completed forms for the permitting authority to use to notify the administrator and affected states as required under WAC 173-401-810 and 173-401-820.
(c) EPA and affected state notification. Within five working days of receipt of a complete permit modification application, the permitting authority shall meet its obligation under WAC 173-401-810 and 173-401-820 to notify the administrator and affected states of the requested permit modification. The permitting authority promptly shall send any notice required under WAC 173-401-820(2) to the administrator.
(d) Notice requirements. Concurrent with the notice to the administrator and affected states, the permitting authority shall submit to the permit register notice of each proposed minor permit modification. Publication in the next available issue of the permit register will signal the beginning of a public comment period of twenty-one days. Each notice must describe the proposed revisions and specify the deadline to file comments with the permitting authority on the proposed modification.
(e) Timetable for issuance. The permitting authority may not issue a final permit modification until after the public comment period ends. The permitting authority may not issue a final permit modification until after EPA's forty-five day review period or until EPA has notified the permitting authority that EPA will not object to issuance of the permit modification, whichever is first, although the permitting authority can approve the permit modification prior to that time. Within ninety days of the permitting authority's receipt of an application under minor permit modification procedures or fifteen days after the end of the administrator's forty-five day review period under WAC 173-401-810, whichever is later, the permitting authority shall:
(i) Issue the permit modification as proposed;
(ii) Deny the permit modification application;
(iii) Determine that the requested modification does not meet the minor permit modification criteria and should be reviewed under the significant modification procedures; or
(iv) Revise the draft permit modification and transmit to the administrator the new proposed permit modification as required by WAC 173-401-810.
(f) Source's ability to make change. The source may make the change proposed in its minor permit modification application immediately after it files such application provided that those changes requiring the submissions of a notice of construction application have been reviewed and approved by the permitting authority. After the source makes the change allowed by the preceding sentence, and until the permitting authority takes any of the actions specified in (d) of this subsection, the source must comply with both the applicable requirements governing the change and the proposed permit terms and conditions. During this time period, the source need not comply with the existing permit terms and conditions it seeks to modify. However, if the source fails to comply with its proposed permit terms and conditions during this time period, the existing permit terms and conditions it seeks to modify may be enforced against it.
(g) Permit shield. The permit shield under WAC 173-401-640 shall not extend to minor permit modifications.
(3) Group processing of minor permit modifications. Consistent with this subsection, the permitting authority may process groups of a source's applications for certain modifications eligible for minor permit modification processing.
(a) Criteria. Group processing of modifications may be used only for those permit modifications:
(i) That meet the criteria for minor permit modification procedures under subsection (2)(a) of this section; and
(ii) That collectively are below ten percent of the emissions allowed by the permit for the emissions unit for which the change is requested, twenty percent of the applicable definition of major source in WAC 173-401-200, or five tons per year, whichever is least.
(b) Application. An application requesting the use of group processing procedures shall meet the requirements of WAC 173-401-510 and shall include the following:
(iii) Certification by a responsible official, consistent with WAC 173-401-520, of the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the application and that the proposed modification meets the criteria for use of group processing procedures and a request that such procedures be used;
(iv) A list of the source's other pending applications awaiting group processing, and a determination of whether the requested modification, aggregated with these other applications, equals or exceeds the threshold set under (a)(ii) of this subsection;
(v) Certification, consistent with WAC 173-401-520, that the source has notified EPA of the proposed modification. Such notification need only contain a brief description of the requested modification; and
(vi) Completed forms for the permitting authority to use to notify the administrator and affected states as required under WAC 173-401-810 and 173-401-820.
(c) EPA and affected state notification. On a quarterly basis or within five business days of receipt of an application demonstrating that the aggregate of a source's pending applications equals or exceeds the threshold level set under (a)(ii) of this subsection, whichever is earlier, the permitting authority promptly shall meet its obligation under paragraphs WAC 173-401-810 and 173-401-820 to notify the administrator and affected states of the requested permit modifications. The permitting authority shall send any notice required under WAC 173-401-820(2) to the administrator.
(d) Notice of requirements. Concurrent with the notice to the administrator and affected states, the permitting authority shall submit to the permit register notice of group processing of minor permit modifications. Publication in the next available issue of the permit register will signal the beginning of a public comment period of at least twenty-one days. Each notice must describe the proposed revisions and specify the deadline to file comments with the permitting authority on the proposed modification.
(e) Timetable for issuance. The provisions of subsection (2)(e) of this section shall apply to modifications eligible for group processing, except that the permitting authority shall take one of the actions specified in subsection (2)(e) of this section within one hundred eighty days of receipt of the application or fifteen days after the end of the administrator's forty-five day review period, whichever is later.
(f) Source's ability to make change. The provisions of subsection (2)(f) of this section shall apply to modifications eligible for group processing.
(g) Permit shield. The permit shield under WAC 173-401-640 shall not extend to minor permit modifications eligible for group processing.
(4) Significant modification procedures.
(a) Criteria. Significant modification procedures shall be used for applications requesting permit modifications that do not qualify as minor permit modifications or as administrative permit amendments. Every significant change in existing monitoring permit terms or conditions and every relaxation of reporting or recordkeeping permit terms or conditions shall be considered significant. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the permittee from making changes consistent with this chapter that would render existing permit compliance terms and conditions irrelevant.
(b) Significant permit modifications shall meet all requirements of this chapter, including those for applications, public participation, review by affected states, and review by EPA, as they apply to permit issuance and permit renewal. The permitting authority shall complete review on the majority of significant permit modifications within nine months after receipt of a complete application.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-725, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-730
173-401-735
(1) A decision to issue or to deny a final permit, or the terms or conditions of such a permit, may be appealed to the pollution control hearings board under chapter 43.21B RCW and RCW 70.94.161(9). Any appealable decision or determination shall be identified as such and shall contain a conspicuous notice to the recipient that it may be appealed by filing an appeal with the pollution control hearings board and serving the appeal on the permitting authority within thirty days of receipt, pursuant to RCW 43.21B.310. The provision for appeal in this section is separate from and additional to any federal rights to petition and review under section 505(b) of the FCAA, including petitions filed pursuant to 40 C.F.R. 70.8(c) and 70.8(d).
(2) Appealing parties. Parties that may file the appeal referenced in subsection (1) of this section include any person who participated in the public participation process pursuant to WAC 173-401-800.
(3) As provided in RCW 34.05.570, a person may seek a writ of mandamus in the event that a permitting authority fails to take final action on an application for a permit, permit renewal, or permit revision within the deadlines specified by WAC 173-401-700 through 173-401-725.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.161 (2)(a). WSR 97-08-084 (Order 97-01), § 173-401-735, filed 4/2/97, effective 5/3/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-735, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-750
(1) Permit issuance. The permitting authority may, after notice and opportunity for public participation provided under WAC 173-401-800, issue a general permit covering numerous similar sources or emissions units. Any general permit shall comply with all requirements applicable to other chapter 401 permits and shall identify criteria by which sources may qualify for the general permit. To sources that qualify, the permitting authority shall grant the conditions and terms of the general permit. Notwithstanding the shield provisions of WAC 173-401-640, the source shall be subject to enforcement action for operation without a chapter 401 permit if the source is later determined not to qualify for the conditions and terms of the general permit. General permits shall not be authorized for affected sources under the acid rain program.
(2) Applications. Chapter 401 sources that would qualify for a general permit must apply to the permitting authority for coverage under the terms of the general permit or must apply for a chapter 401 permit consistent with WAC 173-401-500. The permitting authority may, in the general permit, provide for applications which deviate from the requirements of WAC 173-401-510, provided that such applications meet the requirements of this chapter, and include all information necessary to determine qualification for, and to assure compliance with, the general permit. Without repeating the public participation procedures required under WAC 173-401-800, the permitting authority may grant a source's request for authorization to operate under a general permit, but such a grant shall not be a final permit action for purposes of judicial review.
(3) Renewal. General permits being renewed are subject to the same procedural requirements, including public participation, that apply to initial permit issuance. If the general permit is renewed without change, sources covered by the general permit do not need to submit new applications to operate under the authority of the general permit.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-750, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-800
(b) Notice shall be given by the following methods:
(i) Permitting authority web site. A permitting authority must post notice on its web site for the duration of the public comment period. Public notice must be posted by noon of the first day of the public comment period.
(ii) A permitting authority may supplement notice on an individual permit or action. Additional notice may include, but is not limited to, a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the permittee.
(iii) Permit Register.
(A) Ecology shall publish notice in the Permit Register according to WAC 173-401-805.
(B) The permitting authority shall send information on any action requiring publication in the Permit Register to ecology within three days of the action.
(c) Notice of the activities described in (a) of this subsection shall also be provided to persons requesting to receive this notice. The permitting authority shall maintain a mailing list of persons requesting notice, and may maintain more than one list, such as lists based on geographical location. The mailing list may be electronic or hardcopy, or both. No request shall require the extension of the comment period associated with the notice. The permitting authority may from time to time inform the public of the opportunity to be on the list and may also delete from the list persons who fail to respond to an inquiry of continued interest in receiving the notices.
(i) The start date and end date of the public comment period;
(ii) Name and address of the permitting authority;
(iii) Name and address of the permit applicant, and if different, the name and address of the facility or activity regulated by the permit, unless it is a general permit;
(iv) A brief description of the business conducted at the facility and activity involved in the permit action;
(v) Name, address, and telephone number of a person (or an email or web address) from whom interested persons may obtain further information such as copies of the draft permit, the application, and relevant supporting materials;
(vi) A brief description of the comment procedures, including the procedures to request a hearing, and the time and place of any hearings scheduled for the permit; and
(vii) A description of the emission change involved in any permit modification.
(e) Availability for public inspection.
(i) The permitting authority must post the draft permit and statement of basis (technical support document) on its web site for the duration of the public comment period.
(ii) Administrative record. The permitting authority must make the administrative record available for public inspectionfor the duration of the public comment period. The administrative record must:
(A) Be available in at least one location near the chapter 401 source. This may be at a physical location and/or posted on the permitting authority web site; and
(B) Include all nonproprietary information contained in the permit application and supporting materials. Supporting materials available only in hardcopy or too large for posting on a web site must be identified and made available on request.
(3) Public comment. Except as otherwise provided in WAC 173-401-725, the permitting authority shall provide a minimum of thirty days for public comment on actions described in subsection (2)(a) of this section.
(a) This comment period begins on the next calendar day after the permitting authority posts the public notice on their web site;
(b) No proposed permit shall be issued until the public comment period has ended and the permitting authority has prepared a response to the comments received.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 18-17-111 (Order 15-07), § 173-401-800, filed 8/16/18, effective 9/16/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-800, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-800, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-805
Permit register.
(1) Permit register. Ecology shall regularly publish and maintain a Permit Register that will be distributed to all interested parties that request to be on the mailing list. All permitting authorities will work to ensure the information published in the register is timely.
(2) Content. Besides the actions listed in WAC 173-401-800(2), the register will give notice of the following, as pertains to sources covered under this rule:
(a) Public meetings or hearings on a draft operating permit;
(b) Receipt of complete permit applications;
(c) Permit appeals to the pollution control hearings board;
(d) Issuance or denial of final permit, permit modifications, or renewals;
(e) Authorization for a source to operate without an operating permit by limiting its potential to emit to levels below those that would require the source to obtain an operating permit.
(f) Periodic summaries of enforcement order and changes made without revising the permit pursuant to WAC 173-401-722.
(3) Mailing list. Ecology shall periodically notify the public of the opportunity to be put on the mailing list for the permit register.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-805, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-810
EPA review.
(1) Information transfer. The permitting authority shall provide to the administrator a copy of each permit application (including any application for permit modification), each proposed permit, and each final chapter 401 permit. The applicant may be required by the permitting authority to provide a copy of the permit application (including the compliance plan) directly to the administrator. Upon agreement with the administrator, the permitting authority may submit to the administrator a permit application summary form and any relevant portion of the permit application and compliance plan, in place of the complete permit application and compliance plan. To the extent practicable, the preceding information shall be provided in computer-readable format compatible with EPA's national database management system.
(2) Records. Each permitting authority shall keep for five years such records and submit to the administrator such information as the administrator may reasonably require to ascertain whether the state program complies with the requirements of the FCAA or of 40 C.F.R. part 70.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-810, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-820
Review by affected states.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-820, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 93-20-075 (Order 91-68), § 173-401-820, filed 10/4/93, effective 11/4/93.]
173-401-900
Fee determination—Ecology.
(A) Tier 1: The number of sources under its jurisdiction;
(B) Tier 2: The complexity of the sources under its jurisdiction; and
(C) Tier 3: The size of the sources under its jurisdiction, as measured by the quantity of each regulated pollutant (for fee calculation) emitted.
(ii) Each of the three tiers shall be equally weighted.
(B) A source's complexity level determination must correspond to the relative difficulty of issuing and maintaining an operating permit and the time spent in permit related activities.
(v) The quantity of each regulated pollutant emitted by a source shall be determined based on the annual emissions data during the most recent calendar year for which data is available.
(c) WAC 173-401-300(7) Sources. Ecology shall allocate to permit program sources that qualify for an exemption pursuant to WAC 173-401-300(7) after the effective date of the date of the state operating permit program the portion of ecology's permit administration costs and ecology's share of its development and oversight costs that results from including such sources in the first tier of the allocation structure described in (b)(i) of this subsection. After legally and practicably enforceable limits have been established and for so long as a source continues to meet the requirements for exemption under WAC 173-401-300(7), that source shall pay registration program fees pursuant to RCW 70.94.015(2) in lieu of paying operating permit program fees.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-900, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-02-041 (Order 93-19), § 173-401-900, filed 12/30/93, effective 1/30/94.]
173-401-905
Fee determination—Delegated local authorities.
Each delegated local authority shall establish a process for developing, assessing, and collecting fees from permit program sources under its jurisdiction. The fees shall be sufficient to cover its permit administration costs and its share of ecology's development and oversight costs. The fee determination process shall provide opportunity for public participation.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-02-041 (Order 93-19), § 173-401-905, filed 12/30/93, effective 1/30/94.]
173-401-910
General permit fee determination.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-02-041 (Order 93-19), § 173-401-910, filed 12/30/93, effective 1/30/94.]
173-401-915
Fee collection—Ecology and delegated local authorities.
(1) Collection from sources. Ecology and each delegated local authority shall collect fees sufficient to cover the costs of their respective permit administration activities and their share of ecology's development and oversight activities from the permit program sources under their respective jurisdictions.
(2) Dedicated account. All receipts from fees collected by or on behalf of ecology from permit program sources pursuant to RCW 70.94.162 shall be deposited in the air operating permit account created under RCW 70.94.015. All receipts from fees collected by delegated local authorities from permit program sources pursuant to RCW 70.94.162 shall be deposited in their respective air operating permit accounts or other accounts dedicated exclusively to support of the operating permit program.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-02-041 (Order 93-19), § 173-401-915, filed 12/30/93, effective 1/30/94.]
173-401-920
Accountability—Ecology and delegated local authorities.
(3) Fiscal audits and reports.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-920, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-02-041 (Order 93-19), § 173-401-920, filed 12/30/93, effective 1/30/94.]
173-401-925
Source data statements and petition for review of statements—Ecology and delegated local authorities.
(2) Petition for review of statement. A permit program source or other individual may petition ecology to review for accuracy the data contained in any preliminary source data statement provided for under subsection (1) of this section. Such petition shall be lodged on or before August 31 of each year. Such petition shall be in writing, directed to the individual indicated on the statement of source data. Such petition shall indicate clearly the data to be reviewed, the specific action that the source or petitioning individual is requesting be taken and may, if the source or petitioning individual desires, be accompanied by written documentation supporting the request for review. Such petition shall, in addition, state the name, address and telephone number of the person or persons to whom ecology may direct inquiries regarding the request. Upon receipt of such a petition, ecology must issue its written response to the petitioner and any other affected party on or before September 30 of each year. Such response shall state the observations of the review and the reasons therefore, and shall contain a new preliminary source data statement, revised to reflect any changes necessitated by ecology's response.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-925, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-02-041 (Order 93-19), § 173-401-925, filed 12/30/93, effective 1/30/94.]
173-401-930
Fee payment and penalties—Ecology.
(1) Fee payment. Each permit program source under ecology's jurisdiction shall pay a fee in the amount reflected in the fee schedule or invoice issued under WAC 173-401-925(3). Such fee shall be due on or before February 28 of each year.
(2) Failure to pay fees. Ecology shall charge a penalty to a permit program source under its jurisdiction for failure to pay all or part of its operating permit fee after ninety days past the due date for fee payment. Ecology may charge such penalty in an amount up to three times the source's total original assessed fee.
(3) Other penalties. The penalties authorized in subsection (2) of this section are additional to and in no way prejudice ecology's or a local air authority's ability to exercise other civil and criminal remedies, including the authority to revoke a source's operating permit for failure to pay all or part of its operating permit fee.
(4) Facility closure. Sources that permanently cease operations will be required to pay only a pro rata portion of the annual operating permit fee for the fiscal year in which they cease operations. The portion of the fee to be paid will be calculated by dividing the number of calendar days that have passed in the relevant fiscal year at the time the source ceases operations by the total of three hundred sixty-five calendar days, and multiplying the fraction thus derived by the fee that the source would have paid for the relevant fiscal year, had it not ceased operations.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-02-041 (Order 93-19), § 173-401-930, filed 12/30/93, effective 1/30/94.]
173-401-935
Development and oversight remittance by local authorities—Ecology and delegated local authorities.
(2) Remittance. Each delegated local authority shall remit to ecology the share of ecology's development and oversight costs for which the delegated local authority is responsible for collecting from sources under its jurisdiction on or before March 31.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-935, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-02-041 (Order 93-19), § 173-401-935, filed 12/30/93, effective 1/30/94.]
173-401-940
Fee eligible activities—Ecology and delegated local authorities.
(o) Administering the permit program including the costs of clerical support, supervision, and management;
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.94.011, 70.94.161, 70.94.162, 70.94.331, and 70.94.510. WSR 16-05-003 (Order 13-12), § 173-401-940, filed 2/3/16, effective 3/5/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. WSR 94-02-041 (Order 93-19), § 173-401-940, filed 12/30/93, effective 1/30/94.]