{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/10.1-1309.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/10.1-1309.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/10.1-1309.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/10.1-1309.html"}],"law_id":73292,"edition_id":1,"section_id":73292,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1309","catch_line":"Issuance of special orders; civil penalties","history":"1971, Ex. Sess., c. 91, \u00a7 10-17.18:1; 1973, c. 251; 1988, c. 891; 2005, c. 706; 2022, c. 356.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department shall have the power to issue special orders to:i\n\nowners who are permitting or causing air pollution as defined by \u00a7 10.1-1300, to cease and desist from such pollution;ii\n\nowners who have failed to construct facilities in accordance with or have failed to comply with plans for the control of air pollution submitted by them to and approved by the Department, to construct such facilities in accordance with or otherwise comply with, such approved plans;iii\n\nowners who have violated or failed to comply with the terms and provisions of any Department order or directive to comply with such terms and provisions;iv\n\nowners who have contravened duly adopted and promulgated air quality standards and policies, to cease such contravention and to comply with air quality standards and policies;v\n\nrequire any owner to comply with the provisions of this chapter and any Department decision; andvi\n\nrequire any person to pay civil penalties of up to $32,500 for each violation, not to exceed $100,000 per order, if (a) the person has been issued at least two written notices of alleged violation by the Department for the same or substantially related violations at the same site, (b) such violations have not been resolved by demonstration that there was no violation, by an order issued by the Director, or by other means, (c) at least 130 days have passed since the issuance of the first notice of alleged violation, and (d) there is a finding that such violations have occurred after a hearing conducted in accordance with subsection B. The actual amount of any penalty assessed shall be based upon the severity of the violations, the extent of any potential or actual environmental harm, the compliance history of the facility or person, any economic benefit realized from the noncompliance, and the ability of the person to pay the penalty. The Department shall provide the person with the calculation for the proposed penalty prior to any hearing conducted for the issuance of an order that assesses penalties pursuant to this subsection. Penalties shall be paid to the state treasury and deposited by the State Treasurer into the Virginia Environmental Emergency Response Fund (§ 10.1-2500 et seq.). The issuance of a notice of alleged violation by the Department shall not be considered a case decision as defined in § 2.2-4001. Any notice of alleged violation shall include a description of each violation, the specific provision of law violated, and information on the process for obtaining a final decision or fact finding from the Department on whether or not a violation has occurred, and nothing in this section shall preclude an owner from seeking such a determination.B\n\nSuch special orders are to be issued only after a hearing before a hearing officer appointed by the Supreme Court in accordance with § 2.2-4020 with reasonable notice to the affected owners of the time, place and purpose thereof, and they shall become effective not less than five days after service as provided in subsection C below. Should the Department find that any such owner is unreasonably affecting the public health, safety or welfare, or the health of animal or plant life, or property, after a reasonable attempt to give notice, it shall declare a state of emergency and may issue without hearing an emergency special order directing the owner to cease such pollution immediately, and shall within 10 days hold a hearing, after reasonable notice as to the time and place thereof to the owner, to affirm, modify, amend or cancel such emergency special order. If the Department finds that an owner who has been issued a special order or an emergency special order is not complying with the terms thereof, it may proceed in accordance with § 10.1-1316 or 10.1-1320.C\n\nAny special order issued under the provisions of this section need not be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, but the owner to whom such special order is directed shall be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent to the last known address of such owner, or by personal delivery by an agent of the Department, and the time limits specified shall be counted from the date of receipt.D\n\nNothing in this section or in § 10.1-1307 shall limit the Department’s authority to proceed against such owner directly under § 10.1-1316 or 10.1-1320 without the prior issuance of an order, special or otherwise.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":263750,"text":"The Department shall have the power to issue special orders to:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"Ai"},"1":{"id":263751,"text":"owners who are permitting or causing air pollution as defined by \u00a7 10.1-1300, to cease and desist from such pollution;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","i"],"prefix":"i","entire_prefix":"Ai","prefix_anchor":"Ai","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"Aiii"},"2":{"id":263752,"text":"owners who have failed to construct facilities in accordance with or have failed to comply with plans for the control of air pollution submitted by them to and approved by the Department, to construct such facilities in accordance with or otherwise comply with, such approved plans;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","i","ii"],"prefix":"ii","entire_prefix":"Aiii","prefix_anchor":"Aiii","level":3,"prior_prefix":"Ai","next_prefix":"Aiiii"},"3":{"id":263753,"text":"owners who have violated or failed to comply with the terms and provisions of any Department order or directive to comply with such terms and provisions;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","i","iii"],"prefix":"iii","entire_prefix":"Aiiii","prefix_anchor":"Aiiii","level":3,"prior_prefix":"Aiii","next_prefix":"Aiiv"},"4":{"id":263754,"text":"owners who have contravened duly adopted and promulgated air quality standards and policies, to cease such contravention and to comply with air quality standards and policies;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","i","iv"],"prefix":"iv","entire_prefix":"Aiiv","prefix_anchor":"Aiiv","level":3,"prior_prefix":"Aiiii","next_prefix":"Av"},"5":{"id":263755,"text":"require any owner to comply with the provisions of this chapter and any Department decision; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","v"],"prefix":"v","entire_prefix":"Av","prefix_anchor":"Av","level":2,"prior_prefix":"Aiiv","next_prefix":"Avvi"},"6":{"id":263756,"text":"require any person to pay civil penalties of up to $32,500 for each violation, not to exceed $100,000 per order, if (a) the person has been issued at least two written notices of alleged violation by the Department for the same or substantially related violations at the same site, (b) such violations have not been resolved by demonstration that there was no violation, by an order issued by the Director, or by other means, (c) at least 130 days have passed since the issuance of the first notice of alleged violation, and (d) there is a finding that such violations have occurred after a hearing conducted in accordance with subsection B. The actual amount of any penalty assessed shall be based upon the severity of the violations, the extent of any potential or actual environmental harm, the compliance history of the facility or person, any economic benefit realized from the noncompliance, and the ability of the person to pay the penalty. The Department shall provide the person with the calculation for the proposed penalty prior to any hearing conducted for the issuance of an order that assesses penalties pursuant to this subsection. Penalties shall be paid to the state treasury and deposited by the State Treasurer into the Virginia Environmental Emergency Response Fund (§ 10.1-2500 et seq.). The issuance of a notice of alleged violation by the Department shall not be considered a case decision as defined in § 2.2-4001. Any notice of alleged violation shall include a description of each violation, the specific provision of law violated, and information on the process for obtaining a final decision or fact finding from the Department on whether or not a violation has occurred, and nothing in this section shall preclude an owner from seeking such a determination.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","v","vi"],"prefix":"vi","entire_prefix":"Avvi","prefix_anchor":"Avvi","level":3,"prior_prefix":"Av","next_prefix":"B"},"7":{"id":263757,"text":"Such special orders are to be issued only after a hearing before a hearing officer appointed by the Supreme Court in accordance with § 2.2-4020 with reasonable notice to the affected owners of the time, place and purpose thereof, and they shall become effective not less than five days after service as provided in subsection C below. Should the Department find that any such owner is unreasonably affecting the public health, safety or welfare, or the health of animal or plant life, or property, after a reasonable attempt to give notice, it shall declare a state of emergency and may issue without hearing an emergency special order directing the owner to cease such pollution immediately, and shall within 10 days hold a hearing, after reasonable notice as to the time and place thereof to the owner, to affirm, modify, amend or cancel such emergency special order. If the Department finds that an owner who has been issued a special order or an emergency special order is not complying with the terms thereof, it may proceed in accordance with § 10.1-1316 or 10.1-1320.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"Avvi","next_prefix":"C"},"8":{"id":263758,"text":"Any special order issued under the provisions of this section need not be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, but the owner to whom such special order is directed shall be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent to the last known address of such owner, or by personal delivery by an agent of the Department, and the time limits specified shall be counted from the date of receipt.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"9":{"id":263759,"text":"Nothing in this section or in § 10.1-1307 shall limit the Department’s authority to proceed against such owner directly under § 10.1-1316 or 10.1-1320 without the prior issuance of an order, special or otherwise.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12861,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12860,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:57","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:57","permalink":{"id":145653,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12861,"identifier":"1","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1","url":"\/10.1\/II\/13\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12860,"edition_id":1,"name":"Air Pollution Control Board","identifier":"13","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12741,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:57","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:57","permalink":{"id":145651,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12860,"identifier":"13","token":"10.1\/II\/13","url":"\/10.1\/II\/13\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12741,"edition_id":1,"name":"Activities Administered by Other Entities","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12740,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":144833,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12741,"identifier":"II","token":"10.1\/II","url":"\/10.1\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12740,"edition_id":1,"name":"Conservation","identifier":"10.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":143313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12740,"identifier":"10.1","token":"10.1","url":"\/10.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":77830,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1300","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/10.1-1300\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1300","metadata":false},{"id":63039,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1300.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/10.1-1300.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1300.1","metadata":false},{"id":69548,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1301","catch_line":"State Air Pollution Control Board; membership; terms; vacancies","url":"\/10.1-1301\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1301","metadata":false},{"id":84212,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1302","catch_line":"Qualifications of members of Board","url":"\/10.1-1302\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1302","metadata":false},{"id":60558,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1303","catch_line":"Chairman of the Board; Executive Director; cooperation of state agencies","url":"\/10.1-1303\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1303","metadata":false},{"id":60398,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1304","catch_line":"Meetings of Board; quorum","url":"\/10.1-1304\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1304","metadata":false},{"id":82080,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1305","catch_line":"Records of proceedings of Board","url":"\/10.1-1305\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1305","metadata":false},{"id":82195,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1306","catch_line":"Inspections, investigations, etc","url":"\/10.1-1306\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1306","metadata":false},{"id":74498,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1307","catch_line":"Further powers and duties of Board and Department","url":"\/10.1-1307\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1307","metadata":false},{"id":56548,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1307.01","catch_line":"Further duties of Board and Department; localities particularly affected","url":"\/10.1-1307.01\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1307.01","metadata":false},{"id":80356,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1307.02","catch_line":"Permit for generation of electricity during ISO-declared emergency","url":"\/10.1-1307.02\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1307.02","metadata":false},{"id":78676,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1307.03","catch_line":"Requirements applicable to Outer Continental Shelf sources","url":"\/10.1-1307.03\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1307.03","metadata":false},{"id":77963,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1307.04","catch_line":"Greenhouse gas emissions inventory","url":"\/10.1-1307.04\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1307.04","metadata":false},{"id":77934,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1307.05","catch_line":"Low-emissions and zero-emissions vehicle standards","url":"\/10.1-1307.05\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1307.05","metadata":false},{"id":83663,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1307.1","catch_line":"Department continued; appointment of Director","url":"\/10.1-1307.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1307.1","metadata":false},{"id":80397,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1307.2","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Executive Director","url":"\/10.1-1307.2\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1307.2","metadata":false},{"id":62436,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1307.3","catch_line":"Executive Director to enforce laws","url":"\/10.1-1307.3\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1307.3","metadata":false},{"id":57864,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1308","catch_line":"Regulations","url":"\/10.1-1308\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1308","metadata":false},{"id":76943,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1308.01","catch_line":"Qualified fumigation facilities","url":"\/10.1-1308.01\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1308.01","metadata":false},{"id":82671,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1308.1","catch_line":"Streamlined permitting process for qualified energy generators","url":"\/10.1-1308.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1308.1","metadata":false},{"id":73292,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1309","catch_line":"Issuance of special orders; civil penalties","url":"\/10.1-1309\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1309","metadata":false},{"id":84294,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1309.1","catch_line":"Special orders; penalties","url":"\/10.1-1309.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1309.1","metadata":false},{"id":86080,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1310","catch_line":"Decision of Department pursuant to hearing","url":"\/10.1-1310\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1310","metadata":false},{"id":70030,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1310.1","catch_line":"Notification of local government","url":"\/10.1-1310.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1310.1","metadata":false},{"id":58705,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1311","catch_line":"Penalties for noncompliance; judicial review","url":"\/10.1-1311\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1311","metadata":false},{"id":54355,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1312","catch_line":"Air pollution control districts","url":"\/10.1-1312\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1312","metadata":false},{"id":56750,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1313","catch_line":"State Advisory Board on Air Pollution","url":"\/10.1-1313\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1313","metadata":false},{"id":59788,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1314","catch_line":"Owners to furnish plans, specifications and information","url":"\/10.1-1314\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1314","metadata":false},{"id":78602,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1314.1","catch_line":"Protection of trade secrets","url":"\/10.1-1314.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1314.1","metadata":false},{"id":53996,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1315","catch_line":"Right of entry","url":"\/10.1-1315\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1315","metadata":false},{"id":83968,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1316","catch_line":"Enforcement and civil penalties","url":"\/10.1-1316\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1316","metadata":false},{"id":64048,"structure_id":12861,"section_number":"10.1-1316.1","catch_line":"Severe ozone nonattainment areas; 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penalties","url":"\/10.1-1309.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1309.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-1309\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1973, chapter 251; in 1988, chapter 891; in 2005, chapter 706<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 356<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":62821,"section_number":"10.1-1184.2","catch_line":"Regulations; civil penalties; written notice of violation","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1184.2\/"},{"id":77830,"section_number":"10.1-1300","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1300\/"},{"id":74498,"section_number":"10.1-1307","catch_line":"Further powers and duties of Board and Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1307\/"},{"id":86080,"section_number":"10.1-1310","catch_line":"Decision of Department pursuant to hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1310\/"},{"id":85596,"section_number":"10.1-1318","catch_line":"Appeal from decision of Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1318\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":77830,"section_number":"10.1-1300","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1300\/"},{"id":74498,"section_number":"10.1-1307","catch_line":"Further powers and duties of Board and Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1307\/"},{"id":83968,"section_number":"10.1-1316","catch_line":"Enforcement and civil penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1316\/"},{"id":75588,"section_number":"10.1-1320","catch_line":"Penalties; chapter not to affect right to relief or to maintain action","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1320\/"},{"id":73108,"section_number":"10.1-2500","catch_line":"Virginia Environmental Emergency Response Fund established","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-2500\/"},{"id":83688,"section_number":"2.2-4001","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4001\/"},{"id":71957,"section_number":"2.2-4020","catch_line":"Formal hearings; litigated issues","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4020\/"}],"permalink":{"id":145735,"object_type":"law","relational_id":73292,"identifier":"10.1-1309","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1309","url":"\/10.1-1309\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-1309\/","token":"10.1\/II\/13\/1\/10.1-1309","dublin_core":{"Title":"Issuance of special orders; civil penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-1309","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall have the power to issue<\/span> special orders<\/span> to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

i.<\/span> owners<\/span> who are permitting or causing air pollution<\/span> as defined by \u00a7 10.1-1300<\/a>, to cease and desist from such pollution; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

ii.<\/span> owners<\/span> who have failed to construct facilities in accordance with or have failed to comply with plans for the control of air pollution<\/span> submitted by them to and approved by the Department<\/span>, to construct such facilities in accordance with or otherwise comply with, such approved plans; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

iii.<\/span> owners<\/span> who have violated or failed to comply with the terms and provisions of any Department<\/span> order<\/span> or directive to comply with such terms and provisions; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

iv.<\/span> owners<\/span> who have contravened duly adopted and promulgated air quality standards and policies, to cease such contravention and to comply with air quality standards and policies; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

v.<\/span> require any owner<\/span> to comply with the provisions of this chapter and any Department<\/span> decision; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

vi.<\/span> require any person<\/span> to pay civil penalties of up to $32,500 for each violation, not to exceed $100,000 per order<\/span>, if (a) the person<\/span> has been issued at least two written notices of alleged violation by the Department<\/span> for the same or substantially related violations at the same site, (b) such violations have not been resolved by demonstration that there was no violation, by an order<\/span> issued by the Director<\/span>, or by other means, (c) at least 130 days have passed since the issuance of the first notice of alleged violation, and (d) there is a finding<\/span> that such violations have occurred after a hearing<\/span> conducted in accordance with subsection B. The actual amount of any penalty<\/span> assessed shall be based upon the severity of the violations, the extent of any potential or actual environmental harm, the compliance history of the facility or person<\/span>, any economic benefit realized from the noncompliance, and the ability of the person<\/span> to pay the penalty<\/span>. The Department<\/span> shall provide the person<\/span> with the calculation for the proposed penalty<\/span> prior to any hearing<\/span> conducted for the issuance of an order<\/span> that assesses penalties pursuant to this subsection. Penalties shall be paid to the state treasury and deposited by the State Treasurer into the Virginia Environmental Emergency Response Fund (§ 10.1-2500<\/a> et seq.). The issuance of a notice of alleged violation by the Department<\/span> shall not be considered a case decision as defined in § 2.2-4001<\/a>. Any notice of alleged violation shall include a description of each violation, the specific provision of law<\/span> violated, and information on the process for obtaining a final decision or fact<\/span> finding<\/span> from the Department<\/span> on whether or not a violation has occurred, and nothing in this section shall preclude an owner<\/span> from seeking such a determination. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Such special orders<\/span> are to be issued only after a hearing<\/span> before a hearing<\/span> officer appointed by the Supreme Court<\/span> in accordance with § 2.2-4020<\/a> with reasonable notice to the affected owners<\/span> of the time, place and purpose thereof, and they shall become effective not less than five days after service as provided in subsection C below. Should the Department<\/span> find that any such owner<\/span> is unreasonably affecting the public health, safety or welfare, or the health of animal or plant life, or property, after a reasonable attempt to give notice, it shall declare a state of emergency and may issue<\/span> without hearing<\/span> an emergency special order<\/span> directing the owner<\/span> to cease such pollution immediately, and shall within 10 days hold a hearing<\/span>, after reasonable notice as to the time and place thereof to the owner<\/span>, to affirm<\/span>, modify, amend<\/span> or cancel such emergency special order<\/span>. If the Department<\/span> finds that an owner<\/span> who has been issued a special order<\/span> or an emergency special order<\/span> is not complying with the terms thereof, it may proceed in accordance with § 10.1-1316<\/a> or 10.1-1320<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any special order<\/span> issued under the provisions of this section need not be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, but the owner<\/span> to whom such special order<\/span> is directed shall be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent to the last known address of such owner<\/span>, or by personal delivery by an agent of the Department<\/span>, and the time limits specified shall be counted from the date of receipt. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Nothing in this section or in § 10.1-1307<\/a> shall limit the Department<\/span>’s authority to proceed against such owner<\/span> directly under § 10.1-1316<\/a> or 10.1-1320<\/a> without the prior issuance of an order, special or otherwise. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nISSUANCE OF SPECIAL ORDERS; CIVIL PENALTIES (\u00a7 10.1-1309)\n\nA. The Department shall have the power to issue special orders to:\n\n i. owners who are permitting or causing air pollution as defined by \u00a7\n 10.1-1300, to cease and desist from such pollution;\n\n ii. owners who have failed to construct facilities in accordance with or\n have failed to comply with plans for the control of air pollution submitted\n by them to and approved by the Department, to construct such facilities in\n accordance with or otherwise comply with, such approved plans;\n\n iii. owners who have violated or failed to comply with the terms and\n provisions of any Department order or directive to comply with such terms\n and provisions;\n\n iv. owners who have contravened duly adopted and promulgated air quality\n standards and policies, to cease such contravention and to comply with air\n quality standards and policies;\n\n v. require any owner to comply with the provisions of this chapter and any\n Department decision; and\n\n vi. require any person to pay civil penalties of up to $32,500 for each\n violation, not to exceed $100,000 per order, if (a) the person has been\n issued at least two written notices of alleged violation by the Department\n for the same or substantially related violations at the same site, (b) such\n violations have not been resolved by demonstration that there was no\n violation, by an order issued by the Director, or by other means, (c) at\n least 130 days have passed since the issuance of the first notice of alleged\n violation, and (d) there is a finding that such violations have occurred\n after a hearing conducted in accordance with subsection B. The actual amount\n of any penalty assessed shall be based upon the severity of the violations,\n the extent of any potential or actual environmental harm, the compliance\n history of the facility or person, any economic benefit realized from the\n noncompliance, and the ability of the person to pay the penalty. The\n Department shall provide the person with the calculation for the proposed\n penalty prior to any hearing conducted for the issuance of an order that\n assesses penalties pursuant to this subsection. Penalties shall be paid to\n the state treasury and deposited by the State Treasurer into the Virginia\n Environmental Emergency Response Fund (§ 10.1-2500 et seq.). The\n issuance of a notice of alleged violation by the Department shall not be\n considered a case decision as defined in § 2.2-4001. Any notice of\n alleged violation shall include a description of each violation, the\n specific provision of law violated, and information on the process for\n obtaining a final decision or fact finding from the Department on whether or\n not a violation has occurred, and nothing in this section shall preclude an\n owner from seeking such a determination.\n\nB. Such special orders are to be issued only after a hearing before a hearing\nofficer appointed by the Supreme Court in accordance with § 2.2-4020 with\nreasonable notice to the affected owners of the time, place and purpose thereof,\nand they shall become effective not less than five days after service as\nprovided in subsection C below. Should the Department find that any such owner\nis unreasonably affecting the public health, safety or welfare, or the health of\nanimal or plant life, or property, after a reasonable attempt to give notice, it\nshall declare a state of emergency and may issue without hearing an emergency\nspecial order directing the owner to cease such pollution immediately, and shall\nwithin 10 days hold a hearing, after reasonable notice as to the time and place\nthereof to the owner, to affirm, modify, amend or cancel such emergency special\norder. If the Department finds that an owner who has been issued a special order\nor an emergency special order is not complying with the terms thereof, it may\nproceed in accordance with § 10.1-1316 or 10.1-1320.\n\nC. Any special order issued under the provisions of this section need not be\nfiled with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, but the owner to whom such special\norder is directed shall be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested,\nsent to the last known address of such owner, or by personal delivery by an\nagent of the Department, and the time limits specified shall be counted from the\ndate of receipt.\n\nD. Nothing in this section or in § 10.1-1307 shall limit the\nDepartment’s authority to proceed against such owner directly under §\n10.1-1316 or 10.1-1320 without the prior issuance of an order, special or\notherwise.\n\nHISTORY: 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 91, \u00a7 10-17.18:1; 1973, c. 251; 1988, c. 891;\n2005, c. 706; 2022, c. 356.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}