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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 9. Environment
Agency 15. Department of Environmental Quality
Chapter 20. Guidelines for the Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments for Oil or Gas Well Drilling Operations in Tidewater Virginia
11/5/2024

9VAC15-20-110. Hydrogen sulfide release contingency planning.

A. A discussion of the potential for encountering hydrogen sulfide shall be included in the assessment. The assessment shall discuss steps that will be taken, if any, to respond if indicators of such gas are encountered, if there exists a potential for a release of hydrogen sulfide gas, or in the event of a hydrogen sulfide release.

B. A hydrogen sulfide release contingency plan should address the following:

1. Methods and devices that will be used to detect hydrogen sulfide gas to prevent the gas from becoming an environmental concern and include a description of detection equipment to be used and equipment testing and calibration procedures.

2. Operating procedures to be employed if the operations area atmospheric concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas reaches limits established by the Department of Labor and Industry in "VR 425-02-36 Air Contaminants (1910.1000)" and include a discussion of:

a. Appropriate emergency notification procedures for local residents, emergency service and medical personnel;

b. Notification procedures for responsible regulatory agencies; and

c. Appropriate visual and audible warning systems for atmospheric hydrogen sulfide gas within the operations area.

3. The potential for continuous low-level hydrogen sulfide emissions (one hour average) to result in concentrations in areas of public access above levels deemed harmful to human health in accordance with the State Air Pollution Control Board's "Emission Standards for Toxic Pollutants from Existing Sources" (9VAC5-60-200 through 9VAC5-60-270) and "Emission Standards for Toxic Pollutants from New and Modified Sources" (9VAC5-60-300 through 9VAC5-60-370).

Statutory Authority

§ 45.2-1646 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR304-02-01 § 2.6, eff. November 3, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 13, eff. March 26, 2014.

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