Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
Board
Department of Environmental Quality
chapter
Small Solar Renewable Energy Projects Permit Regulation [9 VAC 15 ‑ 60]
Action:
Amend 9 VAC 15-60 to comport with the requirements of Chapter 688 of the 2022 Acts of Assembly
Action 6246
 
General Information
Action Summary Chapter 688 defines and adds prime agricultural soils and forest lands to the requirement for an analysis of the beneficial and adverse impacts to natural resources. If a potential solar project would disturb more than 10 acres of prime agricultural soils or 50 acres of contiguous forest lands, or if it would disturb forest lands enrolled in a forestry preservation program, it is deemed to have a significant adverse impact, requiring the submission of a mitigation plan. If a draft mitigation plan was not provided by the applicant as part of the initial application, the applicant must develop a mitigation plan and conduct a 45-day public comment period. Any application for a small renewable energy project received for which an interconnection request is applied for and received by December 31, 2024, is not subject to these new provisions.
Chapters Affected Only affects this chapter.
Executive Branch Review This action will go through the normal Executive Branch Review process.
RIS Project Yes  [7691]
Associated Mandates Small renewable energy projects; impact on natural resources report
New Periodic Review This action will be used to conduct a new periodic review.
 
Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
Stage ID Stage Type Status
10011 NOIRA Stage complete. Comment period ended 11/08/2023.
10341 Proposed Comment period is underway and will end on 12/06/2024.
 
Contact Information
Name / Title: Susan Tripp 
Address: 1111 E Main St Suite 1400
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218
Email Address: susan.tripp@deq.virginia.gov
Phone: (804)664-3470    FAX: ()-    TDD: ()-