Washington Administrative Code Title - Northwest Clean Air Agency
Here’s a refined breakdown of the Washington Administrative Code — Title: Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA):
🏭 1. Scope & Purpose (Sections 100–102)
Establishes the agency’s name, jurisdiction (Island, Skagit, Whatcom counties), and short title. (19january2021snapshot.epa.gov)
Defines policy objectives, including public health, welfare, and compliance with the State Clean Air Act (RCW 70.94) and administrative procedures. (19january2021snapshot.epa.gov)
2. Definitions (Section 200)
Clarifies key terms such as emission standard, stationary source, volatile organic compound (VOC), and federal Class I area. (law.cornell.edu)
3. Control Procedures (Section 300)
Governs New Source Review (NSR) for both attainment and nonattainment areas.
Specifies agency enforcement procedures regarding registration, public notices, and permits. (federalregister.gov)
4. Public Involvement (Section 305)
Applies stricter engagement requirements than state rules, ensuring transparency in permitting decisions and rulemaking.
5. Registration & Exemptions (Sections 320–321)
Outlines which facilities must register, fee structures, and exemptions (e.g., de minimis sources). (federalregister.gov)
6. Adoption of State & Federal Regulations (Section 104)
Integrates by reference many chapters from WAC 173 (e.g., 173‑400, 173‑401, 173‑407, 173‑425, 173‑430, 173‑433, 173‑434, etc.)—tailored for NWCAA’s local application. (law.cornell.edu)
7. SEPA Integration
Incorporates parts of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), e.g., threshold and significant determination procedures under WAC 197‑11. (apps.ecology.wa.gov)
8. Emission Standards, Testing & Monitoring
Establishes RACT (Reasonably Available Control Technology) for existing facilities. (epa.gov)
Includes provisions for sampling, testing, continuous monitoring, and opacity standards.
9. Additional Provisions
Covers control strategies like emission “bubbles,” offsets, accident prevention, and enforcement actions.
🔍 Summary
WAC Title “Northwest Clean Air Agency” functions as NWCAA’s own Codified Air Quality Regulation, replacing or augmenting state WAC chapters where locally applied. It includes about 100, 200, 300, 305, 320–321 sections, plus Appendix A covering monitoring and testing.
It embeds state/federal regulations by reference while adding local specificity on structure, processes, and community engagement.
📌 Want to Dive Deeper?
Look at Section 300 for full New Source Review rules.
Check Appendix A for emission testing and monitoring protocols.
Examine SEPA cross-references in Section 104 if you're interested in environmental review integration.
RELATED Blog
0 comments