Air Quality Regulations and ORCAA
As one of seven local clean air agencies in Washington empowered by the Washington Clean Air Act (1967), ORCAA enforces federal, state, and local clean air regulations and laws.
ORCAA adopted a set of Regulations to control the emission of air contaminants from sources within ORCAA’s six-county jurisdiction, as mandated by the state and federal clean air acts.
ORCAA Regulations
Washington State Regulations
The Washington State Clean Air Act is contained in Chapter 70A.15 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). The full text of 70A.15 RCW can be found here.
Additional Clean Air Regulations are found in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC):
- WAC 173-400 – General Regulations for Air Pollution Sources
- WAC 173-401 – Operating Permit Regulation
- WAC 173-425 – Outdoor Burning
- WAC 173-433– Solid Fuel Burning Devices
- WAC 173-460 – Controls for New Sources of Toxic Air Pollutants
Get the complete list of the state Ecology WAC listings.
Washington state Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
Local Clean Air Agencies in Washington
ORCAA is one of seven local clean air agencies in Washington. With the passage of the state Clean Air Act, all counties were provided the option of selecting either local authority over the provisions of the act, or letting the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) retain authority. Many counties, therefore, are represented by regional offices of Ecology.
Northwest Clean Air Agency – Jurisdiction includes Island, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency – Jurisdiction includes King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties
Southwest Clean Air Agency – Jurisdiction includes Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania Counties
Yakima Region Clean Air Agency – Jurisdiction includes Yakima County
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency – Jurisdiction includes Spokane County
Benton County Clean Air Agency – Jurisdiction includes Benton County
NW Regional Office, Ecology –Jurisdiction includes San Juan County
Central Regional Office, Ecology – Jurisdiction includes Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, and Okanogan Counties
Eastern Regional Office, Ecology – Jurisdiction includes Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties
Federal Regulations
Regulations and rules governing Air Quality Monitoring
ORCAA utilizes a variety of specific regulatory and guidance documents for air monitoring activities. These materials include: