Virginia Law

A. A permit, permit modification, or renewal may be issued only if all of the following conditions have been met:

1. The department has received a complete application for a permit, permit modification, or permit renewal, except that a complete application need not be received before issuance of a general permit under 9VAC5-80-120.

2. Except for modifications qualifying for minor permit modification procedures under 9VAC5-80-210 or 9VAC5-80-220, the department has complied with the requirements for public participation under 9VAC5-80-270.

3. The department has complied with the requirements for notifying and responding to affected states under 9VAC5-80-290.

4. The conditions of the permit provide for compliance with all applicable requirements, the requirements of Article 2 (9VAC5-80-310 et seq.) of this part, and the requirements of this article.

5. The administrator has received a copy of the proposed permit and any notices required under 9VAC5-80-290 A and 9VAC5-80-290 B and has not objected to issuance of the permit under 9VAC5-80-290 C within the time period specified therein.

B. Except for permit revisions, as required by the provisions of 9VAC5-80-200, 9VAC5-80-210, 9VAC5-80-220 or 9VAC5-80-230, the department shall take final action on each permit application (including a request for permit modification or renewal) no later than 18 months after a complete application is received by the department, except in cases where a public hearing to provide the opportunity for interested persons to contest the application is granted pursuant to 9VAC5-80-35 or 9VAC5-80-45. The department will review any request made under 9VAC5-80-270 E 2, and will take final action on the request and application as provided in Part I (9VAC5-80-5 et seq.) of this chapter.

C. Issuance of permits under this article shall not take precedence over or interfere with the issuance of preconstruction permits under the new source review program.

D. The department shall provide a statement that sets forth the legal and factual basis for the draft permit conditions (including references to the applicable statutory or regulatory provisions). The department shall send this statement to the administrator and to any other person who requests it.

E. Within five days after receipt of the issued permit, the applicant shall maintain the permit on the premises for which the permit has been issued and shall make the permit immediately available to the department upon request.

F. In granting a permit pursuant to this section, the department shall provide in writing a clear and concise statement of the legal basis, scientific rationale, and justification for the decision reached. When the decision of the department is to deny a permit pursuant to this section, the department shall in consultation with legal counsel provide a clear and concise statement explaining the reason for the denial, the scientific justification for the same, and how the department's decision is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Copies of the decision, certified by the director, shall be mailed by certified mail to the permittee or applicant.