This report was prepared by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) on behalf of the State Air Pollution Control Board (SAPCB) for the Governor and General Assembly pursuant to § 10.1-1307 G of the Code of Virginia. This report details the status of Virginia's air quality, provides an overview of the air division programs, and briefly summarizes the federal and state air quality programs being implemented.

1.1. Air Quality in the Commonwealth

Air quality in Virginia continues to improve. Ambient concentrations of ozone, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) in Virginia met the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in 2014. Additionally, EPA recognizes all areas as attaining all standards with the exception of Northern Virginia, which is part of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. air quality region. EPA has designated the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. region as a marginal nonattainment area for the 2008 ozone NAAQS, and one monitor in this area located outside of Virginia continues to monitor unhealthy air quality. EPA proposed a new ozone NAAQS on December 17, 2014 (79 FR 75234) within a range of 0.065 parts per million (ppm) and 0.070 ppm. EPA expects to release the final rule by October 2015.

1.2. Air Quality Policies in the Commonwealth

After many years of litigation, the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) became effective in Virginia on January 1, 2015. This rule addressed interstate transport requirements for the 1997 ozone NAAQS. EPA is updating the supporting analyses to address the 2008 ozone NAAQS, the conclusions of which may result in additional mandates for Virginia facilities. A number of outstanding issues may also affect Virginia, including EPA’s recently finalized rules on carbon pollution, forthcoming rules on SO2 emissions, and startup/shutdown/malfunction guidance.

1.3. Summary of Annual Air Division Activities

Monitoring Locations: 39
Monitoring Instruments: 126
Minor Source Permits Issued: 191
PSD Permits Issued: 1
General Permits Issued: 20
State Operating Permits Issued: 6
Federal Operating Permits Issued: 64
Compliance Evaluations (all): 6,470

On Site Inspections: 824
Enforcement Actions: 237
Vehicles Inspected: 848,778
Vehicles Failed: 29,736
Inspection Station Overt Audits: 460
Inspection Station Covert Audits: 133
Consent Orders Issued: 21
Civil Charges Collected: $282,016.50