2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 22. Environmental Resources › Article 5. Air Pollution Control › §22-5-11. Construction, Modification or Relocation Permits Required for Stationary Sources of Air Pollutants

(a) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this article, no person shall construct, modify or relocate any stationary source of air pollutants without first obtaining a construction, modification or relocation permit as provided in this article.
(b) The secretary shall by rule specify the class or categories of stationary sources to which this section applies. Application for permits shall be made upon such form, in such manner, and within such time as the rule prescribes and shall include such information, as in the judgment of the secretary, will enable him or her to determine whether such source will be so designed as to operate in conformance with the provisions of this article or any rules of the secretary.
(c) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this article, the secretary shall issue a permit for a major stationary source within a reasonable time not to exceed three hundred sixty-five calendar days, after the secretary determines that the application is complete.
(d) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this article, the secretary shall issue a permit for all other sources including modifications of existing major stationary sources which are not major modifications within a reasonable time not to exceed ninety calendar days, after the date the secretary determines the application is complete. The Secretary may extend this time by thirty calendar days to allow for public comment.
(e) A permit application will be denied if the secretary determines that the proposed construction, modification or relocation will not be in accordance with this article or rules promulgated thereunder.
(f) For purposes of this section, a modification is any physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, a stationary source which increases the amount of any air pollutant discharged by a source above the de minimis level set by the secretary.
(g) With respect to the construction of new nonmajor stationary sources, or modifications of nonmajor stationary sources, or modifications which are not major modifications to existing major stationary sources, or relocations of nonmajor stationary sources, the following requirements apply:
(1) The secretary shall issue an administrative update to a permit issued under this section with respect to any of these sources, unless he or she determines that the proposed administrative update will not be in accordance with this article or rules promulgated hereunder, in which case the secretary shall issue an order denying the administrative update. Any administrative update shall be issued by the secretary within a reasonable time not to exceed sixty calendar days after receipt of a complete application. Administrative updates are minor revisions of existing permits as further described and authorized by rule.
(2) The secretary shall, within a reasonable time not to exceed forty-five calendar days after the date the secretary determines that an application is complete, issue a registration under a general permit applicable to any of these sources, unless he or she determines that the proposed construction, modification or relocation will not be in accordance with this article or rules promulgated hereunder. General permits are permits authorizing the construction, modification or relocation of a category of sources by the same owner or operator or involving the same or similar processes or pollutants upon the terms and conditions specified in the general permit for those types of sources.
(3) The secretary shall, within a reasonable time not to exceed forty-five calendar days after receipt of a complete application, issue a temporary permit or a relocation permit, unless he or she determines that the proposed construction, modification or relocation will not be in accordance with this article or rules promulgated hereunder. Temporary permits are permits authorizing the owner or operator to make limited changes for limited periods of time as further described and authorized by rule.
(h) The secretary shall determine whether an application filed under this section is complete within thirty calendar days after receipt of that application at which time the secretary shall notify the applicant in writing as to whether the application is complete or specify any additional information required for the application to be complete.
(i) The secretary, shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty nine-a of this code, to implement the provisions of this section by August 1, 2008.