The District of Columbia’s main air pollution control law focuses on reducing emissions from a variety of sources, including industrial and commercial buildings, vehicles, and building construction. According to these laws, emission reduction plans are published and permits are issued following the plans.
Title 20 District Municipal Regulations:
- Chapter 1 - General
- Chapter 2 - General and Non-attainment Area Permits
- Chapter 3 - Operating Permits and Acid Rain Programs
- Chapter 4 - Ambient Monitoring and Emergency Procedures
- Chapter 5 - Source Monitoring and Testing
- Chapter 6 - Particulates
- Chapter 7 - Volatile Organic Compounds
- Chapter 8 - Asbestos, Sulfur, Nitrogen Oxides, Lead, and Carbon Dioxide
- Chapter 9 - Motor Vehicular Pollutants, Lead, Odors, and Nuisance Pollutants
- Chapter 10 - Nitrogen Oxides Emissions Budget Program
- Chapter 12 - Demand Response Generating Sources
- Chapter 14 – Air Toxics and Hazardous Air Pollutants
- Chapter 15 - General and Transportation Conformity
Recent Finalized Laws and Regulations:
- Amendments to Nuisance Odor Requirements
These amendments strengthen DOEE’s ability to enforce this nuisance-odor prohibition through the use of community complaints for enforcement and by requiring stationary sources known to emit nuisance odors to adopt a DOEE approved Odor Control Plan (OCP). For those sources that must adopt an OCP, DOEE may enforce compliance with its provisions. If a source continues to emit nuisance odors despite compliance with the OCP, DOEE has the authority to require the source to update the plan in order to abate the nuisance. See Final Nuisance Odor Requirements (August 4, 2023).
- Removal of Development Zone from Environmental Impact Screening Form Exemptions
The final rule removes the exemptions for projects proposed within an Economic Development Zone as defined under D.C. Official Code § 6-1501 to complete an Environmental Impact Screening Form (“EISF”) - Final (July 14, 2023).
- Notice of Final Rulemaking to Adopt New Source Performance Standards
Notice is hereby given that the final rulemaking, "Adoption of New Source Performance Standards" was approved by the Director of DOEE as final on November 17, 2022. The rules became effective through publication in the District of Columbia Register on November 25, 2022. Read More>>
Recent Rule Proposals:
- Revisions to Air Quality Opacity Requirements
DOEE is proposing to amending 20 DCMR § 606 (Visible Emissions) to:- Clarify how DOEE regulates emission units measured at facilities using a continuous opacity monitoring system (COMS);
- Specify opacity limits for startup, cleaning, adjustment of combustion controls, or regeneration of emission control equipment;
- Remove affirmative defense provisions; clarify the requirements of that visible emissions limits apply toon nonroad engines, requiring maintenance of logs; and
- Improve the clarity of the regulations.
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Proposal (May 12, 2023)
Public Comments:
- United States EPA - DC Water
- Amendments to Nuisance Odor Requirements
This proposal would bring clarity to enforcement of nuisance odors at stationary sources in the District by requiring certain sources to develop and abide by an odor control plan.
Proposal (January 4, 2022)Public Comments:
- ABRA
- DC Water
- Empower DC
- Energy Justice Network
- K. Tildon
- Ward 5 EJ Task Force - Adoption of California Vehicle Emissions Standards
The proposal would reduce vehicular greenhouse gas emissions by adopting stricter emission standards for light-duty vehicles.
Second Proposal (December 9, 2022)
First Proposal (July 1, 2021)Public Comments:
- Children’s Environmental Health Network
- Sierra Club
- Valero - Removal of Development Zone from Environmental Impact Screening Form Exemptions
The proposal would remove the exemptions for projects proposed within an Economic Development Zone as defined under D.C. Official Code § 6-1501 to complete an Environmental Impact Screening Form (“EISF”).
Proposal (December 27, 2022)Public Comments:
- C Petti.
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