Virginia Law

A. During the public comment period on a permit action, in those instances where a public hearing is not mandatory under state or federal law or regulation, interested persons may request a public hearing to contest such action or the terms and conditions thereof. The public participation process requirements for the permit programs subject to this section are specified in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection.

1. 9VAC5-80-270 and 9VAC5-80-670 for the federal (Title V) operating permit program.

2. 9VAC5-80-1020 for the state operating permit program.

B. Requests for a public hearing shall contain the following information:

1. The name and postal mailing or email address of the requester;

2. The names and addresses of all persons for whom the requester is acting as a representative; for the purposes of this requirement, a "person" includes an unincorporated association;

3. The reason for the request for a public hearing;

4. A brief, informal statement setting forth the factual nature and the extent of the interest of the requester or of the persons for whom the requester is acting as representative in the application or tentative determination, including an explanation of how and to what extent such interest would be directly and adversely affected by the issuance, denial, amendment, modification, or revocation of the permit in question; and

5. Where possible, specific references to the terms and conditions of the permit in question, together with suggested revisions and alterations of those terms and conditions that the requester considers are needed to conform the permit to the intent and provisions of the Virginia Air Pollution Control Law.

C. Upon completion of the public comment period on a permit action in accordance with subsection A of this section, the director shall review all timely requests for public hearing filed during the public comment period on the permit action and within 30 calendar days following the expiration of the time period for the submission of requests shall grant a public hearing, unless the permittee or applicant agrees to a later date, if the director finds the following:

1. That there is a significant public interest in the issuance, denial, amendment, modification, or revocation of the permit in question as evidenced by receipt of a minimum of 25 individual requests for a public hearing;

2. That the requesters raise substantial, disputed issues relevant to the issuance, denial, amendment, modification, or revocation of the permit in question; and

3. That the action requested by the interested party is not on its face inconsistent with, or in violation of, the Virginia Air Pollution Control Law, federal law or any regulation promulgated thereunder.

D. The director shall, forthwith, notify by email or postal mail at his last known address (i) each requester and (ii) the applicant or permittee of the decision to grant or deny a public hearing.

E. In addition to subsections C and D of this section, the director may, in the director's discretion, convene a public hearing on a permit action.

F. If the request for a public hearing is granted, the director shall schedule the hearing at a time between 45 and 75 days after emailing or mailing the notice of the decision to grant the public hearing.

G. The director shall cause, or require the applicant to publish, notice of a public hearing to be published once, in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or county where the facility or operation that is the subject of the permit or permit application is located, at least 30 days before the hearing date.