RCW 70A.15.2310
Variances—Application for—Considerations—Limitations—Renewals—Review.
(1) Any person who owns or is in control of any plant, building, structure, establishment, process or equipment may apply to the department of ecology or appropriate local authority board for a variance from rules or regulations governing the quality, nature, duration or extent of discharges of air contaminants. The application shall be accompanied by such information and data as the department of ecology or board may require. The department of ecology or board may grant such variance, provided that variances to state rules shall require the department's approval prior to being issued by a local authority board. The total time period for a variance and renewal of such variance shall not exceed one year. Variances may be issued by either the department or a local board but only after public hearing or due notice, if the department or board finds that:
(a) The emissions occurring or proposed to occur do not endanger public health or safety or the environment; and
(b) Compliance with the rules or regulations from which variance is sought would produce serious hardship without equal or greater benefits to the public.
(2) No variance shall be granted pursuant to this section until the department of ecology or board has considered the relative interests of the applicant, other owners of property likely to be affected by the discharges, and the general public.
(3) Any variance or renewal thereof shall be granted within the requirements of subsection (1) of this section and under conditions consistent with the reasons therefor, and within the following limitations:
(a) If the variance is granted on the ground that there is no practicable means known or available for the adequate prevention, abatement or control of the pollution involved, it shall be only until the necessary means for prevention, abatement or control become known and available, and subject to the taking of any substitute or alternate measures that the department of ecology or board may prescribe.
(b) If the variance is granted on the ground that compliance with the particular requirement or requirements from which variance is sought will require the taking of measures which, because of their extent or cost, must be spread over a considerable period of time, it shall be for a period not to exceed such reasonable time as, in the view of the department of ecology or board is requisite for the taking of the necessary measures. A variance granted on the ground specified herein shall contain a timetable for the taking of action in an expeditious manner and shall be conditioned on adherence to such timetable.
(c) If the variance is granted on the ground that it is justified to relieve or prevent hardship of a kind other than that provided for in (a) and (b) of this subsection, it shall be for not more than one year.
(4) Any variance granted pursuant to this section may be renewed on terms and conditions and for periods which would be appropriate on initial granting of a variance. If complaint is made to the department of ecology or board on account of the variance, no renewal thereof shall be granted unless following a public hearing on the complaint on due notice the department or board finds that renewal is justified. No renewal shall be granted except on application therefor. Any such application shall be made at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the variance. Immediately upon receipt of an application for renewal, the department of ecology or board shall give public notice of such application in accordance with rules of the department of ecology or board.
(5) A variance or renewal shall not be a right of the applicant or holder thereof but shall be granted at the discretion of the department of ecology or board. However, any applicant adversely affected by the denial or the terms and conditions of the granting of an application for a variance or renewal of a variance by the department of ecology or board may obtain judicial review thereof under the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW as now or hereafter amended.
(6) Nothing in this section and no variance or renewal granted pursuant hereto shall be construed to prevent or limit the application of the emergency provisions and procedures of RCW 70A.15.6000 through 70A.15.6040 to any person or his or her property.
(7) An application for a variance, or for the renewal thereof, submitted to the department of ecology or board pursuant to this section shall be approved or disapproved by the department or board within sixty-five days of receipt unless the applicant and the department of ecology or board agree to a continuance.
(8) Variances approved under this section shall not be included in orders or permits provided for in RCW 70A.15.2260 or 70A.15.2210 until such time as the variance has been accepted by the United States environmental protection agency as part of an approved state implementation plan.
[ 2020 c 20 § 1098; 1991 c 199 § 306; 1983 c 3 § 176; 1974 ex.s. c 59 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 168 § 22; 1967 c 238 § 31. Formerly RCW 70.94.181.]
NOTES:
Finding—1991 c 199: See note following RCW 70A.15.1005.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 70A - Environmental Health and Safety
Chapter 70A.15 - Washington Clean Air Act.
70A.15.1005 - Declaration of public policies and purpose.
70A.15.1010 - Air pollution control account—Air operating permit account.
70A.15.1040 - Environmental excellence program agreements—Effect on chapter.
70A.15.1050 - Technical assistance program for regulated community.
70A.15.1060 - Transportation activities—"Conformity" determination requirements.
70A.15.1070 - Causing or permitting air pollution unlawful—Exception.
70A.15.1080 - Exception—Burning wood at historic structure.
70A.15.1090 - Policy to cooperate with federal government.
70A.15.1100 - Issuance of enforceable order—Overburdened communities.
70A.15.1510 - Air pollution control authority may be activated by counties, when.
70A.15.1520 - Multicounty authority may be formed by contiguous counties—Name.
70A.15.1550 - Resolutions activating authorities—Contents—Filings—Effective date of operation.
70A.15.1560 - Powers and duties of authorities.
70A.15.1570 - Cost-reimbursement agreements.
70A.15.1580 - Excess tax levy authorized—Election, procedure, expense.
70A.15.1590 - Air pollution control authority—Fiscal year—Adoption of budget—Contents.
70A.15.1610 - Designation of authority treasurer and auditor—Duties.
70A.15.1620 - Assessed valuation of taxable property, certification by county assessors.
70A.15.1630 - Authorization to borrow money.
70A.15.1640 - Special air pollution studies—Contracts for conduct of.
70A.15.2000 - Air pollution control authority—Board of directors—Composition—Term.
70A.15.2010 - City selection committees.
70A.15.2040 - Air pollution control authority—Powers and duties of activated authority.
70A.15.2050 - Subpoena powers—Witnesses, expenses and mileage—Rules and regulations.
70A.15.2230 - RACT requirements.
70A.15.2240 - Control of emissions—Bubble concept—Schedules of compliance.
70A.15.2250 - Preemption of uniform building and fire codes.
70A.15.2260 - Operating permits for air contaminant sources—Generally—Fees, report to legislature.
70A.15.2270 - Annual fees from operating permit program source to cover cost of program.
70A.15.2280 - Source categories not required to have a permit—Recommendations.
70A.15.2290 - Gasoline vapor recovery devices—Limitation on requiring.
70A.15.2300 - Air pollution control authority control officer.
70A.15.2310 - Variances—Application for—Considerations—Limitations—Renewals—Review.
70A.15.2510 - Confidentiality of records and information.
70A.15.2520 - Enforcement actions by air authority—Notice to violators.
70A.15.2530 - Order final unless appealed to pollution control hearings board.
70A.15.2540 - Rules of authority supersede local rules, regulations, etc.—Exceptions.
70A.15.2560 - Air pollution control advisory council.
70A.15.2570 - Dissolution of authority—Deactivation of authority.
70A.15.2580 - Withdrawal from multicounty authority.
70A.15.3000 - Powers and duties of department.
70A.15.3010 - Enforcement actions by department—Notice to violators.
70A.15.3020 - Hazardous substance remedial actions—Procedural requirements not applicable.
70A.15.3050 - Emission control requirements.
70A.15.3060 - State financial aid—Application for—Requirements.
70A.15.3090 - Order activating authority—Filing—Hearing—Amendment of order.
70A.15.3100 - Air pollution control authority—Review by department of program.
70A.15.3110 - Air pollution control authority—Assumption of control by department.
70A.15.3120 - State departments and agencies to cooperate with department and authorities.
70A.15.3140 - Restraining orders—Injunctions.
70A.15.3150 - Penalties (as amended by 2021 c 315).
70A.15.3160 - Civil penalties—Excusable excess emissions.
70A.15.3170 - Additional means for enforcement of chapter.
70A.15.3500 - Woodstoves—Policy.
70A.15.3510 - Woodstoves—Definitions.
70A.15.3520 - Residential and commercial construction—Burning and heating device standards.
70A.15.3530 - Solid fuel burning devices—Emission performance standards.
70A.15.3540 - Sale of unapproved woodstoves—Prohibited.
70A.15.3550 - Sale of unapproved woodstoves—Penalty.
70A.15.3560 - Sale of unapproved woodstoves—Application of law to advertising media.
70A.15.3590 - Liability of condominium owners' association or resident association.
70A.15.3600 - Limitations on use of solid fuel burning devices.
70A.15.3610 - Woodstove education program.
70A.15.3630 - Woodsmoke emissions—Findings.
70A.15.4000 - Transportation demand management—Findings.
70A.15.4010 - Transportation demand management—Definitions.
70A.15.4020 - Transportation demand management—Requirements for counties and cities.
70A.15.4030 - Transportation demand management—Growth and transportation efficiency centers.
70A.15.4040 - Transportation demand management—Requirements for employers.
70A.15.4050 - Transportation demand management—Jurisdictions' review and penalties.
70A.15.4060 - Transportation demand management—Commute trip reduction board.
70A.15.4070 - Transportation demand management—Technical assistance.
70A.15.4080 - Transportation demand management—Use of funds.
70A.15.4090 - Transportation demand management—Intent—State leadership.
70A.15.4110 - Transportation demand management—Collective bargaining powers unaffected.
70A.15.4500 - Reports of authorities to department of ecology—Contents.
70A.15.4510 - Burning used oil fuel in land-based facilities.
70A.15.4520 - Metals mining and milling operations permits—Inspections by department of ecology.
70A.15.5000 - Definition of "outdoor burning."
70A.15.5010 - Outdoor burning—Fires prohibited—Exceptions.
70A.15.5030 - Outdoor burning—Permits issued by political subdivisions.
70A.15.5040 - Limited outdoor burning—Establishment of program.
70A.15.5050 - Limited outdoor burning—Construction.
70A.15.5070 - Limited outdoor burning—Program—Exceptions.
70A.15.5100 - Delegation of permit issuance and enforcement to political subdivisions.
70A.15.5130 - Silvicultural forest burning—Reduce statewide emissions—Exemption—Monitoring program.
70A.15.5160 - Adoption of rules.
70A.15.5170 - Burning permits for regeneration of rare and endangered plants.
70A.15.5190 - Outdoor burning allowed for managing storm or flood-related debris.
70A.15.5200 - Fires necessary for Indian ceremonies or smoke signals.
70A.15.5210 - Permit to set fires for weed abatement.
70A.15.5220 - Disposal of tumbleweeds.
70A.15.6000 - Air pollution episodes—Legislative finding—Declaration of policy.
70A.15.6020 - Air pollution episodes—Declaration of air pollution emergency by governor.
70A.15.6040 - Air pollution episodes—Orders to be effective immediately.
70A.15.6050 - Plans approved pursuant to federal clean air act—Enforcement authority.
70A.15.6200 - Legislative declaration—Intent.
70A.15.6220 - Monitoring by department of ecology.
70A.15.6230 - Emission credits banking program—Amount of credit.
70A.15.6240 - Department of ecology may accept delegation of programs.
70A.15.6260 - Establishment of critical deposition and acidification levels—Considerations.
70A.15.6270 - Carbon dioxide mitigation—Fees.
70A.15.6450 - Boiler or process heaters—Assessment and reporting requirements.
70A.15.9001 - Construction—1967 c 238.
70A.15.9002 - Construction, repeal of RCW 70.94.061 through 70.94.066—Saving.