The bill aims to establish regulatory oversight for community air monitoring programs in West Virginia by adding a new section, 22-5-21, to the Code of West Virginia. It defines community air monitoring programs and outlines the standards for data collection and evaluation, ensuring that accurate scientific methods are employed. The bill specifies that data collected from these programs cannot be used by the Department of Environmental Protection for regulatory purposes under the Clean Air Act, including issuing fines, penalties, or notices of violation against operators of stationary sources. Additionally, it provides a framework for how the collected data can be utilized, including the conditions under which the Secretary may investigate potential violations.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of the data collected by requiring that monitoring equipment be properly installed, operated, and maintained according to established guidelines. It also grants the Secretary the authority to promulgate rules to ensure the scientific validity of the monitoring programs. Importantly, the bill clarifies that community air monitoring data cannot be used to support enforcement actions, rule development, or permit issuance related to air emissions sources. Overall, the legislation seeks to promote community involvement in air quality monitoring while safeguarding the data from being misused for regulatory enforcement.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 22-5-21