Purpose of Notice: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is announcing a new 30-day public comment period on the proposed Small Renewable Energy Projects (Wind) Permit by Rule Regulation (9 VAC15-40).

Background: The public comment period on the proposed wind permit by rule closed on August 20, 2010. DEQ received numerous comments on the proposed rule including the consensus recommendations of DEQ's Offshore/Coastal Wind Regulatory Advisory Panel. The comments have been reviewed and a draft response to public comments received on the proposed “Small Renewable Energy Projects (Wind) Permit by Rule” (Wind PBR) document has been prepared. 

Preliminary Changes to Draft Wind PBR: In addition, DEQ staff has made preliminary changes to the draft Wind PBR in response to the public comments. Preliminary changes fall into two categories: First, changes made in response to comments made by members of the public are shown in red with strikethrough and underline to indicate deleted and added text. Second, the consensus recommendations of DEQ’s Offshore/Coastal Wind Regulatory Advisory Panel (Offshore RAP) are shown within boxes. Explanatory staff notes to the Offshore RAP’s recommendations appear in footnotes; however, these notes are for information only and are not part of the regulatory text.

Availability of Documents: The preliminary changes to the draft wind permit by rule regulation and the draft comment summary and response document are available on the web at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/info/wind_notice.html or by contacting the staff contact listed below.

New 30-Day Public Comment Period: DEQ is seeking comments on the preliminary revisions to the draft Wind PBR. An informal public comment period on the preliminary revisions will extend from September 4 to October 5, 2010.

Contact Person: Anyone wishing to submit written comments may do so by mail, email or fax to Carol C. Wampler, Department of Environmental Quality, 629 East Main Street, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, ph: 804-698-4579, fax: 804-698-4346 or carol.wampler@deq.virginia.gov. Written comments must include the name and address of the commenter. In order to be considered, comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the public comment period.

Next Steps: After the close of the informal public comment period on October 5, 2010, DEQ staff will respond to comments on the preliminary revisions to the Wind PBR. Staff will also refine and formalize draft responses to comments submitted during the initial public comment period that ended on August 20. Staff will then – taking into consideration all comments received during both comment periods – prepare recommendations on a final draft Wind PBR for the DEQ Director's consideration.