This section describes the information requirements for approval to construct, modify, and operate an emission unit. Any notice of construction (NOC) requires the submittal of the information listed in Appendix A. Complex projects may require additional information. The applicant should contact the department early in the conceptual design phase for guidance on applicable control technologies to consider.

Appendices B and C outline the procedures to demonstrate compliance with the BARCT and ALARACT standards. Based on the Appendix A information provided, the department may advise the applicant which subset of technologies to consider as candidates for meeting BARCT or ALARACT requirements.

For those facilities subject to the operating permit regulations in chapter 173-401 WAC, the radioactive air emissions license will be incorporated as an applicable portion of the air operating permit issued by the department of ecology or a local air pollution control authority. The department will be responsible for determining the facility's compliance with and enforcing the requirements of the radioactive air emissions license.

(1) Requirements for new construction or modification of emission units.

(a) Early in the design phase, the applicant shall submit a NOC containing the information required in Appendix A.

(b) Within thirty days of receipt of the NOC, the department shall inform the applicant if additional information is required. The department may determine, on the basis of the information submitted, that the requirements of BARCT or ALARACT have been met, or may require the applicant to submit a BARCT or ALARACT demonstration compatible with Appendix B or C, respectively.

(c) Within sixty days of receipt of all required information, the department shall issue an approval or denial to construct. The department may require changes to the final proposed control technology.

(d) The applicant may request a phased approval process by so stating and submitting a limited application. The department may grant a conditional approval to construct for such activities as would not preclude the construction or installation of any control or monitoring equipment required after review of the completed application.

(e) The department shall issue a license, or amend an existing license, authorizing operation of the emission unit(s) when the proposed new construction or modification is complete. For facilities subject to the air operating permit requirements of chapter 173-401 WAC, the license shall become part of the air operating permit issued by the department of ecology or a local air pollution control authority. For new construction, this action shall constitute registration of the emission unit(s).

(2) Requirements for modification of unregistered emission units that are not exempt from these regulations.

(a) The applicant shall submit an application containing the information required in Appendix A.

(b) Within thirty days of receipt of the application, the department shall inform the applicant if additional information is required. The department may determine, on the basis of the information submitted, that the requirements of BARCT or ALARACT have been met, or may require the applicant to submit a BARCT or ALARACT demonstration compatible with Appendix B or C, respectively.

(c) Within sixty days of receipt of all required information, the department shall issue or amend the license. For facilities subject to the air operating permit requirements of chapter 173-401 WAC, the license shall become part of the air operating permit issued by the department of ecology or a local air pollution control authority. This action shall constitute registration of the emission unit(s). A determination of noncompliance may result in the issuance of a notice of violation.

(d) The department reserves the right to require the owner of an existing, unregistered emission unit to make modifications necessary to comply with the applicable standards of WAC 246-247-040.

(3) If an emission unit is in violation of any standards contained in WAC 246-247-040, the facility shall either submit a compliance plan which describes how it intends to achieve compliance with the standards, or cease operation of the emission unit(s). The facility shall submit the compliance plan within forty-five days of the notice of violation. The cessation of operation of the emission unit(s) shall not necessarily exempt the facility from the requirements of this chapter if active or passive ventilation and radioactive air emission controls will still be required. The department reserves the right to take further enforcement action, if necessary, in accordance with WAC 246-247-100.

(4) The facility shall notify the department at least seven calendar days prior to any planned preoperational tests of new or modified emission units that involve emissions control, monitoring, or containment systems of the emission unit(s). The department reserves the right to witness or require preoperational tests involving the emissions control, monitoring, or containment systems of the emission unit(s).

(5) The license shall specify the requirements and limitations of operation to assure compliance with this chapter. The facility shall comply with the requirements and limitations of the license.

(6) All radioactive air emissions licenses issued by the department, except those issued to radioactive materials licensees, shall have an expiration date of five years from date of issuance or as specified in the air operating permit. For radioactive material licensees, the requirements and limitations for the operation of emission units shall be incorporated into their radioactive materials license, and shall expire when the radioactive materials license expires.

(7) Each federal facility that comes under the authority of this chapter shall hold one license for each site, base, or installation. When applicable, the license shall be part of the facility's air operating permit.

(8) Facilities may request a single categorical license which identifies limits and conditions of operation for similar multipurpose temporary or portable emission units. When applicable, the license shall be part of the facility's air operating permit.

(9) All facilities with licensed emission units, except for radioactive materials licensees, shall submit a request to the department for renewal of their radioactive air emissions license at least sixty days prior to expiration of the license or as required by the air operating permit. All renewal requests shall include a summary of the operational status of all emission units, the status of facility compliance with the standards of WAC 246-247-040, and the status of any corrective actions necessary to achieve compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Facilities with licensed emission units that also hold a radioactive materials license issued by the department shall submit this information along with their radioactive material license renewal submittal. If the department is unable to renew a radioactive air emissions license before its expiration date, the existing license, with all of its requirements and limitations, remains in force until the department either renews or revokes the license.

(10) For commercial nuclear power plants or any other thermal energy facility subject to chapter 80.50 RCW and to the requirements of this chapter, the radioactive air emissions license and amendments thereto shall be issued pursuant to a memorandum of agreement between the energy facility site evaluation council (EFSEC) and the department.