Notice of action: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on a proposed revision to the Commonwealth of Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP is a plan developed by the Commonwealth in order to fulfill its responsibilities under the federal Clean Air Act to attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Commonwealth intends to submit a SIP revision to EPA in accordance with the requirements of § 110(a) of the federal Clean Air Act.

 

Provisions affected: Regulations for the Control of Motor Vehicle Emissions in the Northern Virginia Area, 9VAC5-91. There are also descriptive plan elements in addition to the regulation as discussed below.

 

Purpose of notice: DEQ is seeking comment on the issue of whether the overall plan should be submitted to EPA as a revision to the Virginia SIP.

 

Public comment period: October 20 to November 21, 2025.

 

Public hearing: A public hearing may be conducted if a request is made in writing to the contact listed below. In order to be considered, the request must include the full name, address and telephone number of the person requesting the hearing and be received by DEQ by the last day of the comment period. Notice of the date, time, and location of any requested public hearing will be announced in a separate notice, and another 30-day comment period will be conducted.

 

Public comment stage: The regulation amendments included in this plan have already been adopted by the State Air Pollution Control Board in accordance with the Code of Virginia; DEQ is accepting comment only on the issue cited above under "purpose of notice" and not on the content of the regulation amendments.

 

Description of proposal: Although the northern Virginia area is currently attaining the national standards for ozone (see, for example, the clean data determination issued by EPA on April 4, 2025, 90 FR 14730), the motor vehicle Inspections and Maintenance (I/M) Program, which is required by the Clean Air Act, has not been reviewed and evaluated at the federal level for many years. This new SIP submittal will enable Virginia to ensure that it has adopted all EPA amendments to Subpart S of 40 CFR Part 51, and to ensure that all SIP requirements for all state amendments to the state regulations have been completed. This plan is administrative in nature and does not change any program or regulatory requirements or have any impacts on air quality. The following elements are included in the overall plan.

 

1. A description of each regulatory revision along with a copy of the amended text and the agency background document, which explains the legal basis for the revision.

 

2. A demonstration that Virginia's enhanced I/M program does not have an impact on § 110(l) of the Clean Air Act, which requires that no SIP revision interfere with any applicable requirement concerning attainment and reasonable further progress.

 

3. An analysis of Virginia's Onroad Clean Screen Program (RAPIDPASS) effectiveness.

 

4. Performance Standard Modeling (PSM) for both basic and enhanced I/M.

 

5. A description of multi-purpose I/M SIP elements as required by 40 CFR 51.372, § 110(l) of the Clean Air Act, and 89 FR 60898, Determinations of Attainment by the Attainment Date, Extensions of the Attainment Date, and Reclassification of Areas Classified as Marginal for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

 

Thông tin liên bang: Thông báo này được đưa ra để đáp ứng các yêu cầu về sự tham gia của công chúng theo các quy định của liên bang (40 CFR 51.102) chứ không phải bất kỳ điều khoản nào của luật tiểu bang.

 

How to comment: DEQ accepts written comments by email and postal mail. In order to be considered, comments must include the full name, address and telephone number of the person commenting and be received by DEQ by the last day of the comment period. All materials received are part of the public record.

 

To review documents: The proposal and any supporting documents are available on the DEQ Air Public Notices web site: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/news-info/shortcuts/public-notices/air. The documents may also be obtained by contacting the DEQ representative named below. The public may schedule an appointment to review the documents between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm of each business day until the close of the public comment period at the following DEQ locations: 1) Main Street Office, 22nd Floor, 1111 E. Main St, Richmond VA, 804-698-4000, 2) Northern Regional Office, 13901 Crown Ct, Woodbridge VA, 703-583-3800.

 

Contact for public comments, document requests and additional information: Julia N. Wack, Renewable Energy Administrative Data Coordinator, Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond VA 23218 (phone 804-432-3581, email julia.n.wack@deq.virginia.gov).