Virginia Law

A. Any person regulated by this chapter may petition the director to grant a variance or an exemption from any requirement of this chapter subject to the provisions of this section. Any petition submitted to the department is also subject to Chapter 40 (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

B. The director may grant the variance or an exemption provided the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the director that the solid waste planning unit has demonstrated that it has made a good faith effort to comply with the minimum recycling rates and with the requirements of this chapter before that unit petitioned for a variance and:

1. If the minimum recycling rate is addressed in the petition, and strict application of the minimum recycling rates will result in undue hardship as a result of the solid waste planning unit's particular market conditions that are beyond the planning unit's control; or

2. If the recycling rate is not addressed in the petition, granting the variance will not have an adverse impact on the integrity of the overall solid waste management plan.

C. The petition shall be submitted to the department by certified mail and shall include:

1. The petitioner's name and address;

2. A statement of petitioner's interest in the proposed action;

3. A description of desired action and a citation of the regulation from which a variance is requested;

4. A description of need and justification for the proposed action, including impacts from existing operations and market conditions (if the planning unit chooses to petition for subdivision B 1 of this section);

5. The duration of the variance, if applicable;

6. Other information believed by the applicant to be pertinent; and

7. The following statement signed by the petitioner or authorized representative:

"I certify that I have personally examined and am familiar with the information submitted in this petition and all attached documents, and that, based on my inquiry of those individuals immediately responsible for obtaining the information, I believe that the submitted information is true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment."

D. Petition processing and resolution.

1. In the case of a denial, the petitioner's procedural rights are outlined in Chapter 40 (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

2. If the director grants a variance request, the notice to the petitioner shall provide that the variance may be terminated upon a finding by the director that the petitioner has failed to comply with any variance requirements.