State Regulations: Difference between revisions
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Virginia regulates air pollution primarily through the '''Virginia Air Pollution Control Law''', administered by the [[Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)|Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)]] . While there are no state regulations that name coal dust, fugitive particulate emissions are subject to general particulate matter and visible emissions standards, including those from coal storage, handling, and transport. | Virginia regulates air pollution primarily through the '''Virginia Air Pollution Control Law'''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20250626023617/https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title10.1/chapter13/ Chapter 13. Air Pollution Control Board.] ''Code of Virginia.'' | ||
''2022.'' </ref>, administered by the [[Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)|Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)]]. Under the DEQ, the [[Virginia Air Pollution Control Board]] promulgates Virginia's air regulations.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20250626024450/https://www.deq.virginia.gov/laws-regulations/air Air]. Virginia DEQ. 2025.</ref> These cover stationary sources, such as industrial facilities and other fixed-emission sources; mobile sources, such as vehicle emissions; and regulations to ensure that certain projects conform with federal requirements. While there are no state regulations that name coal dust, fugitive particulate emissions are subject to general particulate matter and visible emissions standards, including those from coal storage, handling, and transport. | |||
Localities may adopt their own air pollution ordinances, but only with DEQ approval, and those ordinances must be at least as strict as state law. As a result, communities affected by coal dust in Hampton Roads often rely on a combination of state enforcement, federally funded air monitoring, and local nuisance claims to seek relief. | Localities may adopt their own air pollution ordinances, but only with DEQ approval, and those ordinances must be at least as strict as state law. As a result, communities affected by coal dust in Hampton Roads often rely on a combination of state enforcement, federally funded air monitoring, and local nuisance claims to seek relief. | ||
== | == Virginia Air Pollution Control Law == | ||
== Fugitive Dust and Particulate Matter Standards == | == Fugitive Dust and Particulate Matter Standards == | ||
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** inspections | ** inspections | ||
** '''Reports:''' Norfolk Southern is required to submit an annual report to the [[Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars]] | ** '''Reports:''' Norfolk Southern is required to submit an annual report to the [[Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars]] | ||
== Further Reading == | == Further Reading == | ||
Revision as of 02:45, 26 June 2025
Virginia regulates air pollution primarily through the Virginia Air Pollution Control Law[1], administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Under the DEQ, the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board promulgates Virginia's air regulations.[2] These cover stationary sources, such as industrial facilities and other fixed-emission sources; mobile sources, such as vehicle emissions; and regulations to ensure that certain projects conform with federal requirements. While there are no state regulations that name coal dust, fugitive particulate emissions are subject to general particulate matter and visible emissions standards, including those from coal storage, handling, and transport.
Localities may adopt their own air pollution ordinances, but only with DEQ approval, and those ordinances must be at least as strict as state law. As a result, communities affected by coal dust in Hampton Roads often rely on a combination of state enforcement, federally funded air monitoring, and local nuisance claims to seek relief.
Virginia Air Pollution Control Law
Fugitive Dust and Particulate Matter Standards
- 9VAC5-40-90 and related standards
- Applicability to coal terminals, stockpiles, and prep plants
Air Permits, Oversight, and Enforcement
- Facilities must obtain air permits that set specific emissions limits and require regular reporting of emissions data.
- Compliance
- Monitoring: To determine NAAQS compliance, PM2.5 and PM10 must be measured using designated regulatory air monitors by an agency with the authority to do so, which in Virginia is the Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ).
- inspections
- Reports: Norfolk Southern is required to submit an annual report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars
Further Reading
To read about other VA regulatory agencies and government entities, see:
- Virginia State Legislature (Also Known as the General Assembly)
- Virginia Council on Environmental Justice (Formerly Known as the Environmental Justice Advisory Board)
- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)
- Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
- Virginia Air Pollution Control Board
Documents
- ↑ Chapter 13. Air Pollution Control Board. Code of Virginia. 2022.
- ↑ Air. Virginia DEQ. 2025.