Section 42301.3 Of Article 1. Permits From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 26. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 1.
42301.3
. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that districts
expedite permits for the installation of air pollution control
equipment.
(b) (1) This section applies only to air pollution control
projects at existing sources, where the project is necessary to
comply with emission standards or limitations imposed by law,
including, but not limited to, district regulations.
(2) This section does not apply to air pollution control
requirements applicable to new or modified sources that are not air
pollution control projects necessary to comply with emission
standards or limitations imposed by law. However, this section
applies to the permitting of air pollution control projects necessary
to comply with emission standards or limitations imposed by law that
are intended to reduce emissions of one or more pollutants that may
or may not result in an increase in emissions of a different
pollutant or pollutants.
(c) Each district shall prepare, with input from the regulated
community, a list of permitting criteria that identifies streamlined
permit application requirements for each type of mandated air
pollution control project. The list shall be consistent with the
requirements of this section but may also include general facility
information, a general description of the equipment affected by the
air pollution control project, and specific information regarding the
pollution control equipment or operational changes that will reduce
emissions.
(d) (1) Within 30 days of the date that the applicant submits the
information specified in paragraph (2), the district shall commence
evaluation and deem the application complete, subject to the final
as-built design submittal being consistent with the preliminary
engineering and design information specified in subparagraph (B) of
paragraph (2), for the purpose of issuing a permit to construct.
Notwithstanding the limitations of Sections 65944, 65950, and 65952
of the Government Code, if final design information results in a
material change in the permit evaluation that was based on the
preliminary submittal, the application shall undergo a new evaluation
based on the final design and the district shall promptly notify the
applicant of any further information that is necessary to complete
the evaluation.
(2) Prior to the district deeming the application complete
pursuant to paragraph (1), the applicant shall provide the following
information:
(A) The information specified in the list prepared pursuant to
subdivision (c).
(B) Either of the following:
(i) Preliminary engineering and design information or other
technical equipment specification data reasonably available during
the initial design phase.
(ii) The manufacturer's performance warranty and the associated
preliminary engineering data on which the bidding documents for the
contract with the manufacturer were based.
(C) Any reasonably required information regarding an air
contaminant for which emissions will increase as a result of
installation of the air pollution control project.
(D) Any information necessary to make the application complete
with respect to any federal requirement adopted or promulgated
pursuant to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.) that
applies to the air pollution control project.
(e) Prior to the final approval of the applicant's permit to
operate, the applicant shall provide the district with final
engineering and design information and other data reasonably
necessary to ensure compliance with applicable emission limitations.
The information may be based on source test results and other
operating data available after startup and shakedown of the control
equipment. Once the applicant has provided the information specified
in this subdivision, and the final design is consistent with the
preliminary design data specified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph
(2) of subdivision (d) for purposes of permit evaluation, the
district shall deem the application complete for the purpose of
issuing a permit to operate.
(f) (1) For projects subject to this section for which the use of
continuous emission monitoring systems is required, the air quality
permit conditions that relate to emissions monitored by the
continuous emission monitoring systems shall be sufficient for
measurements and reporting as required to meet the specified emission
limit as required by the rule or regulation.
(2) Nothing in this subdivision is intended to limit the
applicability of standards or limitations or monitoring requirements
set forth in any rule or regulation.
(g) (1) An applicant may petition the district hearing board for a
variance from a requirement to install air pollution control
equipment or to meet a more stringent emission standard or limitation
if there is a delay in the approval of the permit to construct or
permit to operate for projects under this section. The finding
required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 42352 shall
be met if the hearing board finds that the delay is not due to the
lack of due diligence on the part of the applicant in the permit
process, and the delay results in the inability of the applicant to
legally comply with the requirement or schedule that requires the
installation and operation of air pollution control equipment or
achievement of a more stringent emission standard or limitation. The
findings required by paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of subdivision (a)
of Section 42352 shall not apply to a variance granted pursuant to
this paragraph. Paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 42352
shall apply to a variance granted pursuant to this paragraph.
However, if the district requests that the applicant monitor or
otherwise quantify emission levels from the source during the term of
the variance pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section
42352, that monitoring or quantification required in connection with
the variance shall be limited to any monitoring or quantification
already being performed for the source for which the pollution
control project is required. No variance shall be granted unless the
hearing board makes the findings as specified in this subdivision.
The hearing board shall not impose any excess emission fees in
connection with the grant of the variance. In determining the term of
the variance, the hearing board shall consider the period of time
that the delay was not due to the lack of due diligence on the part
of the applicant.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, "due diligence" means that
all of the following conditions exist:
(A) The air pollution control project proposed by the applicant
was reasonably expected to achieve compliance with the pertinent
emission standard or limitation.
(B) The applicant submitted the permit application in sufficient
time for the district to act on the application and for the applicant
to complete the project in accordance with the deadline.
(C) The applicant responded in a reasonable time to requests for
additional information needed by the district to process the
application or prepare any necessary environmental analyses.
(D) The district has not denied or proposed to deny the
application on the basis of the project's inability to meet district
permit requirements consistent with this section.
(E) During the term of the variance, the applicant will take
practicable steps to ensure completion of the project as
expeditiously as possible after issuance of the permit.
(3) Paragraph (1) shall not limit the authority of a district to
require emissions monitoring or quantification under any other
applicable provision of law.
(4) Nothing in this subdivision shall be interpreted as
authorizing a hearing board to grant a variance from any requirement
for a permit to build, alter, erect, or replace any air pollution
control equipment included in a project subject to this section.
(h) If a supplemental or other environmental impact report or
other environmental assessment is required for the project pursuant
to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing
with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) and the district is
the lead agency, the district shall prepare and act upon the report
or assessment and the permit to construct concurrently in order to
streamline the approval process. However, the district shall be
required to take that concurrent action only if the applicant has
submitted the information required by this section to allow the
district to streamline the approval process.
(i) For purposes of this section, "material change" means a change
that would result in a material impact on the level of emission
calculated.