wa-26-17-052: Southwest Clean Air Agency — WSR 26-17-052

WSR 26-17-052 (26-17)WSR 26-17-052PROPOSED RULESSOUTHWEST CLEANAIR AGENCY[Filed August 12, 2026, 1:58 p.m.]Original Notice.Proposal is exempt under RCW 70A.15.2040(1).Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) 400-010 Policy and Purpose, existing rule section identifying the purpose and general policy of SWCAA.SWCAA 400-020 Applicability, existing rule section identifying SWCAA's geographic boundaries and source jurisdiction.SWCAA 400-025 Adoption of Federal Rules, existing rule section establishing an adoption by reference date for federal regulations cited in other sections of SWCAA 400.SWCAA 400-030 Definitions, existing rule section containing definitions for words and phrases used throughout SWCAA 400.SWCAA 400-075 Emission Standards for Stationary Sources Emitting Hazardous Air Pollutants, existing rule section adopting by reference federal standards relating to hazardous air pollutant standards contained in 40 C.F.R. Parts 61, 63, and 65.SWCAA 400-100 Registration Requirements, existing rule section identifying requirements for registration and inspection of air contaminant sources.SWCAA 400-101 Emission Units Exempt from Registration Requirements, existing rule section identifying exemption thresholds and exempt equipment for the air contaminant source registration program.SWCAA 400-103 Operating Permit Fees, existing rule section containing methodology for calculating and assessing fees for the operating permit program.SWCAA 400-105 Records, Monitoring and Reporting, existing rule section identifying requirements for emission monitoring, emission sampling and reporting, and submission of emission inventories.SWCAA 400-109 Air Discharge Permit Applications, existing rule section identifying requirements for the submission and content of air discharge permit applications.SWCAA 400-110 Application Review Process for Stationary Sources (New Source Review), existing rule section identifying requirements for the processing and approval of air discharge permit applications.SWCAA 400-111 Requirements for New Sources in a Maintenance Plan Area, existing rule section identifying requirements specific to new sources located in a maintenance plan area.SWCAA 400-112 Requirements for New Sources in Nonattainment Areas, existing rule section identifying requirements specific to new sources located in nonattainment areas.SWCAA 400-113 Requirements for New Sources in Attainment or Nonclassifiable Areas, existing rule section identifying requirements specific to new sources located in attainment or nonclassifiable areas.SWCAA 400-114 Requirements for Replacement or Substantial Alteration of Emission Control Technology at an Existing Stationary Source, existing rule section identifying requirements specific to replacement or alteration of existing emission control technology.SWCAA 400-115 Standards of Performance for New Sources, existing rule section adopting by reference federal standards for new sources contained in 40 C.F.R. Part 60.SWCAA 400-171 Public Involvement, existing section identifying public notice requirements for SWCAA actions, and the process by which public involvement is to be administered.SWCAA 400-230 Regulatory Actions and Civil Penalties, existing section identifying powers of SWCAA to issue orders and levy civil penalties.SWCAA 400 Appendix C - Federal Standards Adopted by Reference, existing rule section containing informational lists of federal regulations adopted by reference, pursuant to SWCAA 400-075 and 400-115.Hearing Location(s): On October 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., via virtual online hearing. Contact SWCAA to register for online hearing.Date of Intended Adoption: November 5, 2026.Submit Written Comments to: Wess Safford, 5101 N.E. 82nd Avenue, Suite 102, Vancouver, WA 98662, email wess@swcleanair.org, by October 30, 2026.Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Tina Hallock, phone 360-574-3058 ext. 110, TTY 360-574-3058, email tina@swcleanair.org, by October 18, 2026.Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: SWCAA 400-010 Policy and Purpose. Update RCW citation from chapter 70.94 RCW to chapter 70A.15 RCW.SWCAA 400-020 Applicability. Update RCW citation from chapter 70.94 RCW to chapter 70A.15 RCW.SWCAA 400-025 Adoption of Federal Rules. Update adoption by reference date for federal regulations cited in other sections of SWCAA 400.SWCAA 400-030 Definitions. Revise definition of "nonroad engine."SWCAA 400-075 Emission. Addition of Subpart A exemptions to list of maximum achievable control technology adoption exceptions. Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-100 Registration Requirements. Change "stationary source" to "emission unit" to clarify registration requirements. Add provision allowing use of permitted potential emissions when no emission inventory is submitted by source. Add fee for late payment of annual registration fees. Remove provisions for air contaminant emission related inspection and records collection.SWCAA 400-101 Emission Units Exempt from Registration Requirements. Change toxic air pollutant exemption threshold from "small quantity emission rate" to "de minimis rate," per chapter 173-460 WAC. Revise comfort heating exemption language. Add exemption thresholds for gasoline stations. Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-103 Operating Permit Fees. Change late fee language from a presumptive penalty equal to three times fees to a discretionary penalty of up to three times fees. Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-105 Records, Monitoring and Reporting. Add requirement to submit calculations and other information used to quantify air emissions in emission inventories. Clarify and expand description of SWCAA's power to enter property for the purposes of investigating conditions specific to the release of air contaminants. Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-109 Air Discharge Permit Applications. Change toxic air pollutant exemption threshold from "small quantity emission rate" to "de minimis rate," per chapter 173-460 WAC. Remove chapter 173-460 WAC date reference. Revise comfort heating exemption language. Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-110 Application Review Process for Stationary Sources (New Source Review). Change toxic air pollutant exemption threshold from "small quantity emission rate" to "de minimis rate," per chapter 173-460 WAC. Remove chapter 173-460 WAC date reference. Revise best available control technology citation for change of conditions to improve consistency with WAC 173-400-111(8). Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-111 Requirements for New Sources in a Maintenance Plan Area. Remove chapter 173-460 WAC date reference. Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-112 Requirements for New Sources in Nonattainment Areas. Remove chapter 173-460 WAC date reference. Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-113 Requirements for New Sources in Attainment or Nonclassifiable Areas. Remove chapter 173-460 WAC date reference. Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-114 Requirements for Replacement or Substantial Alteration of Emission Control Technology at an Existing Stationary Source. Change application reference from SWCAA 400-110 to SWCAA 400-109. Clarify applicability. Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-115 Standards of Performance for New Sources. Update list of adoption exceptions.SWCAA 400-171 Public Involvement. Remove fax reference. Clarification that website publication of information in support of a determination is presumed to meet public availability requirements. Administrative edits.SWCAA 400-230 Regulatory Actions and Civil Penalties. Replace SWCAA 435 citation with chapter 173-435 WAC citation.SWCAA 400 Appendix C - FEDERAL STANDARDS ADOPTED BY REFERENCE. Update list of adopted federal regulations.Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed changes are necessary to support SWCAA's implementation of the Washington state Clean Air Act and associated federal standards.Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 70A.15.2040(1).Statute Being Implemented: RCW 70A.15.2040(1).Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.Name of Proponent: SWCAA, governmental.Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Wess Safford, 5101 N.E. 82nd Avenue, Suite 102, Vancouver, WA 98662, 360-574-3058 ext. 126; Implementation: Clint Lamoreaux, 5101 N.E. 82nd Avenue, Suite 102, Vancouver, WA 98662, 360-574-3058 ext. 131; and Enforcement: Bryan Smith, 5101 N.E. 82nd Avenue, Suite 102, Vancouver, WA 98662, 360-574-3058 ext. 122.A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Pursuant to RCW 70A.15.2040(1), section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. SWCAA is not voluntarily invoking section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, for this action.This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal: Is exempt under RCW 70A.15.2040(1).Explanation of exemptions: Pursuant to RCW 70A.15.2040(1), air pollution control authorities are authorized to adopt and amend rules and regulations in accordance with chapter 42.30 RCW and selected portions of chapter 34.05 RCW. SWCAA is not deemed a state agency and is not required to comply with the provisions of chapter 19.85 RCW.Scope of exemption for rule proposal:Is fully exempt.August 12, 2026Uri PapishExecutive DirectorReviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 26-19 issue of the Register.