Mission
The Division of Air Quality’s mission is to protect and improve today’s air quality and preserve it for future generations.
Operations
- Operates a laboratory to analyze air samples, including an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer for particulate metals analysis and a clean room/weigh room for fine particulate gravimetric analysis.
- Processes and issues permits to qualified entities in which operations result in the release of air emissions.
- Develops and revises state implementation plans (SIPs), enabling West Virginia to maintain federal funding and remain free of federal EPA sanctions.
- Conducts inspections of permitted facilities to ensure compliance with the federal Clean Air Act and the state's Air Pollution Control Act.
- Monitors air quality to protect human life, health, and safety and to reasonably prevent injury to plant, animal, or property due to air quality.
- Investigates and addresses citizens' complaints related to air quality.
- Collects and compiles air quality data.
- Provides air quality information to the U.S. EPA and to citizens.
- Provides educational outreach programs to increase public awareness of air quality concerns.
- Assists small businesses in understanding and implementing controls to comply with regulations.
Goals, Objectives, and Performance Measures
Data Recovery Rate
Collect criteria pollutant data at operating air monitoring sites and capture at least 75% of the data as required by the U.S. EPA.
| Fiscal Year |
Data Recovery Rate |
| 2017 Actual |
96% |
| 2018 Actual |
87% |
| 2019 Actual |
94% |
| 2020 Actual |
92% |
| 2021 Estimated |
75% |
| 2022 Estimated |
75% |
Average Days Open Per Complaint
Respond to all air pollution-related complaints within an average of 30 days.
| Fiscal Year |
Average Days Open |
Complaints Filed |
| 2017 Actual |
8.4 |
639 |
| 2018 Actual |
6.5 |
524 |
| 2019 Actual |
6.6 |
382 |
| 2020 Actual |
7.55 |
446 |
| 2021 Estimated |
15.0 |
600 |
| 2022 Estimated |
15.0 |
600 |
Inspections
Perform inspections for all Title V (major) sources biennially and every five years for Synthetic Minor sources.
| |
Title V Inspections |
Synthetic Minor Inspections |
| Fiscal Year |
Targeted |
Performed |
Targeted |
Performed |
| 2017 Actual |
73 |
77 |
4 |
38 |
| 2018 Actual |
86 |
99 |
4 |
42 |
| 2019 Actual |
50 |
88 |
5 |
58 |
| 2020 Actual |
97 |
86 |
34 |
46 |
| 2021 Estimated |
82 |
-- |
35 |
-- |
| 2022 Estimated |
97 |
-- |
34 |
-- |
Air Quality Index (AQI) Percentage in the Good to Moderate Range
Maintain a statewide air monitoring network, and report the Air Quality Index (AQI) of up to nine sites using U.S. EPA formulas, working to achieve a good to moderate range AQI at least 98 percent of the time (as derived from U.S. EPA's Air Quality System database).
| Fiscal Year |
AQI Percentage 'Good' to 'Moderate' |
| 2017 Actual |
99.7% |
| 2018 Actual |
99.0% |
| 2019 Actual |
99.0% |
| 2020 Actual |
98.9% |
| 2021 Estimated |
98.0% |
| 2022 Estimated |
98.0% |
Final Actions Taken Within Timeframe
Preconstructions Permit Applications
Take final action on all preconstruction permit applications within 90 days of receipt of each completed application.
| Fiscal Year |
Within Timeframe |
Final Actions Taken |
| 2017 Actual |
66.0% |
113 |
| 2018 Actual |
79.0% |
68 |
| 2019 Actual |
73.0% |
90 |
| 2020 Actual |
87.8% |
74 |
| 2021 Estimated |
70.0% |
90 |
| 2022 Estimated |
70.0% |
60 |
General Permit Registration Applications
Take final action on all general permit registration applications within 45 days of receipt of each complete application.
| Fiscal Year |
Within Timeframe |
Final Actions Taken |
| 2017 Actual |
85.0% |
189 |
| 2018 Actual |
90.0% |
157 |
| 2019 Actual |
97.0% |
161 |
| 2020 Actual |
97.1% |
140 |
| 2021 Estimated |
90.0% |
150 |
| 2022 Estimated |
90.0% |
125 |
Title V Operating Permit Renewals
Issue all Title V operating permit renewals within 12 months of receipt of each complete application.
| Fiscal Year |
Within Timeframe |
Final Actions Taken |
| 2017 Actual |
97% |
59 |
| 2018 Actual |
98% |
43 |
| 2019 Actual |
96% |
27 |
| 2020 Actual |
95% |
20 |
| 2021 Estimated |
90% |
32 |
| 2022 Estimated |
90% |
54 |
Annual Emissions Inventories
Compile annual inventories of air pollutant emissions from 95 percent of West Virginia's large industrial sources (major Title V sources -- 184 facilities in CY 2019).
| Fiscal Year |
Percent Complete |
| 2017 Actual |
100% |
| 2018 Actual |
100% |
| 2019 Actual |
100% |
| 2020 Actual |
94% |
| 2021 Estimated |
95% |
| 2022 Estimated |
95% |
Programs
Non Title V—(Base Air Management Program)
This program administers a statewide air quality management program for nonmajor facilities to protect the health and welfare of the public and the environment. This includes permitting, enforcement, compliance, and ambient monitoring.
Title V—Operating Permit Program (Major Facilities)
This program incorporates and details all applicable federal and state air quality requirements in a single document for each major Title V facility and assures compliance with those requirements. It provides a clear program through scheduling for compliance, monitoring, and reporting and provides compliance assistance for small business sources subject to regulations of Title V of the Clean Air Act.