(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that districts expedite permits for the installation of air pollution control equipment.
(b) (1) This section applies only to air pollution control projects at existing sources, where the project is necessary to comply with emission standards or limitations imposed by law, including, but not limited to, district regulations.
(2) This section does not apply to air pollution control requirements applicable to new or modified sources that are not air pollution control projects necessary to comply with emission standards or limitations imposed by law. However, this section applies to the permitting of air pollution control projects necessary to comply with emission standards or limitations imposed by law that are intended to reduce emissions of one or more pollutants that may or may not result in an increase in emissions of a different pollutant or pollutants.
(c) Each district shall prepare, with input from the regulated community, a list of permitting criteria that identifies streamlined permit application requirements for each type of mandated air pollution control project. The list shall be consistent with the requirements of this section but may also include general facility information, a general description of the equipment affected by the air pollution control project, and specific information regarding the pollution control equipment or operational changes that will reduce emissions.
(d) (1) Within 30 days of the date that the applicant submits the information specified in paragraph (2), the district shall commence evaluation and deem the application complete, subject to the final as-built design submittal being consistent with the preliminary engineering and design information specified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2), for the purpose of issuing a permit to construct. Notwithstanding the limitations of Sections 65944, 65950, and 65952 of the Government Code, if final design information results in a material change in the permit evaluation that was based on the preliminary submittal, the application shall undergo a new evaluation based on the final design and the district shall promptly notify the applicant of any further information that is necessary to complete the evaluation.
(2) Prior to the district deeming the application complete pursuant to paragraph (1), the applicant shall provide the following information:
(A) The information specified in the list prepared pursuant to subdivision (c).
(B) Either of the following:
(i) Preliminary engineering and design information or other technical equipment specification data reasonably available during the initial design phase.
(ii) The manufacturer’s performance warranty and the associated preliminary engineering data on which the bidding documents for the contract with the manufacturer were based.
(C) Any reasonably required information regarding an air contaminant for which emissions will increase as a result of installation of the air pollution control project.
(D) Any information necessary to make the application complete with respect to any federal requirement adopted or promulgated pursuant to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.) that applies to the air pollution control project.
(e) Prior to the final approval of the applicant’s permit to operate, the applicant shall provide the district with final engineering and design information and other data reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with applicable emission limitations. The information may be based on source test results and other operating data available after startup and shakedown of the control equipment. Once the applicant has provided the information specified in this subdivision, and the final design is consistent with the preliminary design data specified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) for purposes of permit evaluation, the district shall deem the application complete for the purpose of issuing a permit to operate.
(f) (1) For projects subject to this section for which the use of continuous emission monitoring systems is required, the air quality permit conditions that relate to emissions monitored by the continuous emission monitoring systems shall be sufficient for measurements and reporting as required to meet the specified emission limit as required by the rule or regulation.
(2) Nothing in this subdivision is intended to limit the applicability of standards or limitations or monitoring requirements set forth in any rule or regulation.
(g) (1) An applicant may petition the district hearing board for a variance from a requirement to install air pollution control equipment or to meet a more stringent emission standard or limitation if there is a delay in the approval of the permit to construct or permit to operate for projects under this section. The finding required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 42352 shall be met if the hearing board finds that the delay is not due to the lack of due diligence on the part of the applicant in the permit process, and the delay results in the inability of the applicant to legally comply with the requirement or schedule that requires the installation and operation of air pollution control equipment or achievement of a more stringent emission standard or limitation. The findings required by paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 42352 shall not apply to a variance granted pursuant to this paragraph. Paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 42352 shall apply to a variance granted pursuant to this paragraph. However, if the district requests that the applicant monitor or otherwise quantify emission levels from the source during the term of the variance pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 42352, that monitoring or quantification required in connection with the variance shall be limited to any monitoring or quantification already being performed for the source for which the pollution control project is required. No variance shall be granted unless the hearing board makes the findings as specified in this subdivision. The hearing board shall not impose any excess emission fees in connection with the grant of the variance. In determining the term of the variance, the hearing board shall consider the period of time that the delay was not due to the lack of due diligence on the part of the applicant.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “due diligence” means that all of the following conditions exist:
(A) The air pollution control project proposed by the applicant was reasonably expected to achieve compliance with the pertinent emission standard or limitation.
(B) The applicant submitted the permit application in sufficient time for the district to act on the application and for the applicant to complete the project in accordance with the deadline.
(C) The applicant responded in a reasonable time to requests for additional information needed by the district to process the application or prepare any necessary environmental analyses.
(D) The district has not denied or proposed to deny the application on the basis of the project’s inability to meet district permit requirements consistent with this section.
(E) During the term of the variance, the applicant will take practicable steps to ensure completion of the project as expeditiously as possible after issuance of the permit.
(3) Paragraph (1) shall not limit the authority of a district to require emissions monitoring or quantification under any other applicable provision of law.
(4) Nothing in this subdivision shall be interpreted as authorizing a hearing board to grant a variance from any requirement for a permit to build, alter, erect, or replace any air pollution control equipment included in a project subject to this section.
(h) If a supplemental or other environmental impact report or other environmental assessment is required for the project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) and the district is the lead agency, the district shall prepare and act upon the report or assessment and the permit to construct concurrently in order to streamline the approval process. However, the district shall be required to take that concurrent action only if the applicant has submitted the information required by this section to allow the district to streamline the approval process.
(i) For purposes of this section, “material change” means a change that would result in a material impact on the level of emission calculated.
(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 720, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)