RCW 70A.15.3160
Civil penalties—Excusable excess emissions.
(1)(a) Except as provided in RCW 43.05.060 through 43.05.080 and 43.05.150, and in addition to or as an alternate to any other penalty provided by law, any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, chapter 70A.25, 70A.60, 70A.450, 70A.535, or 70A.540 RCW, RCW 76.04.205, or any of the rules in force under such chapters or section may incur a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars per day for each violation. Each such violation shall be a separate and distinct offense, and in case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance shall be a separate and distinct violation. Enforcement actions related to violations of RCW 76.04.205 must be consistent with the provisions of RCW 76.04.205.
(b) Any person who fails to take action as specified by an order issued pursuant to this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each day of continued noncompliance.
(2)(a) Penalties incurred but not paid shall accrue interest, beginning on the ninety-first day following the date that the penalty becomes due and payable, at the highest rate allowed by RCW 19.52.020 on the date that the penalty becomes due and payable. If violations or penalties are appealed, interest shall not begin to accrue until the thirty-first day following final resolution of the appeal.
(b) The maximum penalty amounts established in this section may be increased annually to account for inflation as determined by the state office of the economic and revenue forecast council.
(3) Each act of commission or omission which procures, aids or abets in the violation shall be considered a violation under the provisions of this section and subject to the same penalty. The penalties provided in this section shall be imposed pursuant to RCW 43.21B.300.
(4)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, all penalties recovered under this section by the department or the department of natural resources shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the air pollution control account established in RCW 70A.15.1010 or, if recovered by the authority, shall be paid into the treasury of the authority and credited to its funds. If a prior penalty for the same violation has been paid to a local authority, the penalty imposed by the department under subsection (1) of this section shall be reduced by the amount of the payment.
(b) All penalties recovered for violations of chapter 70A.60 RCW must be paid into the state treasury and credited to the refrigerant emission management account created in RCW 70A.60.050.
(5) To secure the penalty incurred under this section, the state or the authority shall have a lien on any vessel used or operated in violation of this chapter which shall be enforced as provided in RCW 60.36.050.
(6) Public or private entities that are recipients or potential recipients of department grants, whether for air quality related activities or not, may have such grants rescinded or withheld by the department for failure to comply with provisions of this chapter.
(7) In addition to other penalties provided by this chapter, persons knowingly underreporting emissions or other information used to set fees, or persons required to pay emission or permit fees who are more than ninety days late with such payments may be subject to a penalty equal to three times the amount of the original fee owed.
(8) The department shall develop rules for excusing excess emissions from enforcement action if such excess emissions are unavoidable. The rules shall specify the criteria and procedures for the department and local air authorities to determine whether a period of excess emissions is excusable in accordance with the state implementation plan.
[ 2022 c 179 § 15. Prior: 2021 c 317 § 25; 2021 c 315 § 16; 2021 c 132 § 1; 2020 c 20 § 1112; 2019 c 284 § 5; 2013 c 51 § 6; 1995 c 403 § 630; 1991 c 199 § 311; 1990 c 157 § 1; 1987 c 109 § 19; 1984 c 255 § 2; 1973 1st ex.s. c 176 § 2; 1969 ex.s. c 168 § 53. Formerly RCW 70.94.431.]
NOTES:
Severability—2021 c 317: See note following RCW 70A.535.005.
Finding—Intent—2019 c 284: See note following RCW 70A.60.060.
Findings—Short title—Intent—1995 c 403: See note following RCW 34.05.328.
Finding—1991 c 199: See note following RCW 70A.15.1005.
Purpose—Short title—Construction—Rules—Severability—Captions—1987 c 109: See notes following RCW 43.21B.001.
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.