N.M. Admin. Code § 20.11.42.12

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 20, October 22, 2024

Section 20.11.42.12 - PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

A. Permit applications:

(1) Duty to apply. For each 20.11.42 NMAC source, the owner or operator shall submit a timely and complete permit application in accordance with 20.11.42 NMAC.

(2) Timely application.

(a) A timely application is:

(i) for first time applications, one that is submitted within 12 months after the source commences operation as a 20.11.42 NMAC source;

(ii) for purposes of permit renewal, one that is submitted at least 12 months prior to the date of permit expiration;

(iii) for the acid rain portion of permit applications for initial phase II acid rain sources under Title IV of the federal act, by January 1, 1996 for sulfur dioxide, and by January 1, 1998 for nitrogen oxides.

(b) Reserved.

(3) Completeness of application.

(a) To be deemed complete, an application must provide all information required pursuant to Paragraph (4), of Subsection A of 20.11.42.12 NMAC, except that applications for permit modifications need supply such information only if it is related to the proposed change.

(b) If, while processing an application, regardless of whether it has been determined or deemed to be complete, the department determines that additional information is necessary to evaluate or take final action on that application, it may request such information in writing and set a reasonable deadline for a response.

(c) Any applicant who fails to submit any relevant facts or who has submitted incorrect information in a permit application or in a supplemental submittal shall, upon becoming aware of such failure or incorrect submittal, promptly submit such supplementary facts or corrected information. In addition, an applicant shall provide further information as necessary to address any requirements that become applicable to the source after the date it filed a complete application but prior to release of a draft permit.

(d) The applicant's ability to operate without a permit, as set forth in Subparagraph (b), of Paragraph (1), of Subsection B of 20.11.42.2 NMAC, shall be in effect from the date a timely application is submitted until the final permit is issued or disapproved, provided that the applicant adequately submits any requested additional information by the deadline specified by the department.

(4) Content of application. Any person seeking a permit under 20.11.42 NMAC shall do so by filing a written application with the department. The applicant shall submit three copies of the permit application, or more, as requested by the department. An applicant may not omit information needed to determine the applicability of, or to impose, any applicable requirement, or to evaluate the fee amount required under 20.11.2 NMAC, Fees. Fugitive emissions shall be included in the permit application in the same manner as stack emissions, regardless of whether the source category in question is included in the list of sources contained in the definition of major source. All applications shall:

(a) be made on forms furnished by the department, which for the acid rain portions of permit applications and compliance plans shall be on nationally-standardized forms to the extent required by regulations promulgated under Title IV of the federal act;

(b) state the company's name and address (and, if different, plant name and address), together with the names and addresses of the owner(s), responsible official and the operator of the source, any subsidiaries or parent companies, the company's state of incorporation or principal registration to do business and corporate or partnership relationship to other permittee's subject to 20.11.42 NMAC, and the telephone numbers and names of the owners' agent(s) and the site contact(s) familiar with plant operations;

(c) state the date of the application;

(d) include a description of the source's processes and products (by standard industrial classification code) including any associated with alternative scenarios identified by the applicant, and a map, such as the 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle map published by the United States geological survey or the most detailed map available showing the exact location of the source; the location shall be identified by latitude and longitude or by UTM coordinates;

(e) for all emissions of all air pollutants for which the source is major and all emissions of regulated air pollutants, provide all emissions information, calculations and computations for the source and for each emissions unit, except for insignificant activities (as defined in Subsection R of 20.11.42.7 NMAC); this shall include:

(i) a process flow sheet of all components of the facility which would be involved in routine operations and emissions;

(ii) identification and description of all emission points in sufficient detail to establish the basis for fees and applicability of requirements of the state and federal acts;

(iii) emissions rates in tons per year, pounds per hour and other terms necessary to establish compliance consistent with the applicable standard reference test method;

(iv) specific information such as that regarding fuels, fuel use, raw materials, or production rates, to the extent it is needed to determine or regulate emissions;

(v) identification and full description, including all calculations and the basis for all control efficiencies presented, of air pollution control equipment and compliance monitoring devices or activities;

(vi) the maximum and standard operating schedules of the source, as well as any work practice standards or limitations on source operation which affect emissions of regulated pollutants;

(vii) an operational plan defining the measures to be taken to mitigate source emissions during startups, shutdowns and emergencies;

(viii) other relevant information as the department may reasonably require or which are required by any applicable requirements (including information related to stack height limitations developed pursuant to Section 123 of the federal act); and

(ix) for each alternative operating scenario identified by the applicant, all of the information required in Items (i) through (viii) above, as well as additional information determined to be necessary by the department to define such alternative operating scenarios;

(f) provide a list of insignificant activities (as defined in Subsection R of 20.11.42.7 NMAC) at the source, their emissions, to the extent required by the department, and any information necessary to determine applicable requirements;

(g) provide a citation and description of all applicable air pollution control requirements, including:

(i) sufficient information related to the emissions of regulated air pollutants to verify the requirements that are applicable to the source; and

(ii) a description of or reference to any applicable test method for determining compliance with each applicable requirement;

(h) provide an explanation of any proposed exemptions from otherwise applicable requirements;

(i) provide other specific information that may be necessary to implement and enforce other requirements of the state or federal acts or to determine the applicability of such requirements, including information necessary to collect any fees owed under 20.11.2 NMAC, Fees;

(j) for applications which:

(i) are required pursuant to the transition schedule in Subparagraph (b), of Paragraph (2), of Subsection A of 20.11.42.12 NMAC; or

(ii) for subsequent applications or modifications, where emissions or anticipated emissions have increased since modeling for a modification or new source construction was reviewed under 20.11.41 NMAC or 20.11.42 NMAC: submit a dispersion modeling analysis, using EPA approved models and procedures, showing whether emissions from the source would cause air pollutant concentrations in excess of any New Mexico ambient air quality standard for nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, total suspended particulates or non-methane hydrocarbons, or any national ambient air quality standard; air pollutants that are not emitted in significant amounts (as defined in 40 CFR 52.21(b)(23)(i)) during routine operations need not be modeled; the department may waive modeling with respect to ozone if the department determines that emissions from the source are not likely to cause ozone concentrations in excess of the national ambient air quality standard;

(k) provide certification of compliance, including:

(i) a certification, by a responsible official consistent with Paragraph (5), of Subsection A of 20.11.42.12 NMAC of the source's compliance status for each applicable requirement;

(ii) a statement of methods used for determining compliance, including a description of monitoring, record keeping, and reporting requirements and test methods;

(iii) a statement that the source will continue to be in compliance with applicable requirements for which it is in compliance, and will, in a timely manner or at such schedule expressly required by the applicable requirement, meet additional applicable requirements that become effective during the permit term;

(iv) a schedule for submission of compliance certifications during the permit term, to be submitted no less frequently than annually, or more frequently if specified by the underlying applicable requirement or by the department; and

(v) a statement indicating the source's compliance status with any enhanced monitoring and compliance certification requirements of the federal act;

(l) for sources that are not in compliance with all applicable requirements at the time of permit application, provide a compliance plan that contains:

(i) a description of the compliance status of the source with respect to all applicable requirements;

(ii) a narrative description of how the source will achieve compliance with such requirements for which it is not in compliance;

(iii) a schedule of remedial measures, including an enforceable sequence of actions with milestones, leading to compliance with such applicable requirements; the schedule of compliance shall be at least as stringent as that contained in any consent decree or administrative order to which the source is subject, and the obligations of any consent decree or administrative order shall not be in any way diminished by the schedule of compliance; any such schedule of compliance shall be supplemental to, and shall not prohibit the department from taking any enforcement action for noncompliance with, the applicable requirements on which it is based;

(iv) a schedule for submission of certified progress reports no less frequently than every six months; and

(v) for the portion of each acid rain source subject to the acid rain provisions of Title IV of the federal act, the compliance plan content requirements specified in this paragraph, except as specifically superseded by regulations promulgated under Title IV of the federal act with regard to the schedule and method(s) the source will use to achieve compliance with the acid rain emissions limitations.

(5) Certification. Any document, including any application form, report, or compliance certification, submitted pursuant to 20.11.42 NMAC shall contain certification by a responsible official of truth, accuracy, and completeness. This certification and any other certification required under this regulation shall state that, based on information and belief formed after reasonable inquiry, the statements and information in the document are true, accurate, and complete.

B. Confidential information protection:

(1) All confidentiality claims made regarding material submitted to the department under 20.11.42 NMAC shall be reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the joint air quality control board ordinances pursuant to the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act Section 74-2-11 NMSA 1978 and the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, Section 14-2-1, et seq. NMSA 1978.

(2) In the case where an applicant or permittee has submitted information to the department under a claim of confidentiality, the department may also require the applicant or permittee to submit a copy of such information directly to the administrator.

(3) An operating permit is a public record, and not entitled to protection under Section 114(c) of the federal act.

C. Permit content:

(1) Permit conditions.

(a) The department shall specify conditions upon a permit, including emission limitations and sufficient operational requirements and limitations, to assure compliance with all applicable requirements at the time of permit issuance or as specified in the approved schedule of compliance. The permit shall:

(i) for major sources, include all applicable requirements for all relevant emissions units in the major source;

(ii) for any non-major source subject to Section 20.11.42.2 NMAC, include all applicable requirements which apply to emissions units that cause the source to be subject to 20.11.42 NMAC;

(iii) specify and reference the origin of and authority for each term or condition, and identify any difference in form as compared to the applicable requirement upon which the term or condition is based;

(iv) include a severability clause to ensure the continued validity of the various permit requirements in the event of a challenge to any portions of the permit; and

(v) include a provision to ensure that the permittee pays fees to the department consistent with the fee schedule in 20.11.2 NMAC, Fees;

(vi) for purposes of the permit shield, identify any requirement specifically identified in the application or significant permit modification that the department has determined is not applicable to the source, and state the basis for any such determination.

(b) Each permit issued shall, additionally, include provisions stating that:

(i) the permittee shall comply with all terms and conditions of the permit; any permit noncompliance is grounds for enforcement action; in addition, noncompliance with federally enforceable permit conditions constitutes a violation of the federal act;

(ii) it shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of the permit;

(iii) the permit may be modified, reopened and revised, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause in accordance with Subsection F of 20.11.42.13 NMAC;

(iv) the filing of a request by the permittee for a permit modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or of a notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance shall not stay any permit condition;

(v) the permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive privilege;

(vi) within the period specified by the department, the permittee shall furnish any information that the department may request in writing to determine whether cause exists for reopening and revising, revoking and reissuing, or termination of the permit or to determine compliance with the permit; upon request, the permittee shall also furnish to the department copies of records required by the permit to be maintained.

(c) The terms and conditions for all alternative operating scenarios identified in the application and approved by the department:

(i) shall require that the permittee maintain a log at the permitted facility which documents, contemporaneously with any change from one operating scenario to another, the scenario under which the facility is operating; and

(ii) shall, for each such alternative scenario, meet all applicable requirements and the requirements of 20.11.42 NMAC.

(d) The department may impose conditions regulating emissions during startup and shutdown.

(e) All permit terms and conditions which are required under the federal act or under any of its applicable requirements, including any provisions designed to limit a source's potential to emit, are enforceable by the administrator and citizens under the federal act. The permit shall specifically designate as not being federally enforceable under the federal act any terms or conditions included in the permit that are not required under the federal act or under any of its applicable requirements.

(f) The issuance of a permit, or the filing or approval of a compliance plan, does not relieve any person from civil or criminal liability for failure to comply with the provisions of the Air Quality Control Act, the federal act, federal regulations thereunder, any applicable regulations of the board, and any other applicable law or regulation.

(g) The department may include part or all of the contents of the application as terms and conditions of the permit or permit modification. The department shall not apply permit terms and conditions upon emissions of regulated pollutants for which there are no applicable requirements, unless the source is major for that pollutant.

(h) Fugitive emissions from a source shall be included in the operating permit in the same manner as stack emissions, regardless of whether the source category in question is included in the list of sources contained in the definition of major source.

(i) The acid rain portion of operating permits for acid rain sources shall:

(i) state that, where an applicable requirement of the federal act is more stringent than an applicable requirement of regulations promulgated under Title IV of the federal act, both provisions shall be incorporated into the permit and shall be enforceable by the administrator;

(ii) contain a permit condition prohibiting emissions exceeding any allowances that the acid rain source lawfully holds under Title IV of the federal act or the regulations promulgated thereunder; no permit modification under this regulation shall be required for increases in emissions that are authorized by allowances acquired pursuant to the acid rain program, provided that such increases do not require a permit modification under any other applicable requirement; no limit shall be placed on the number of allowances held by the acid rain source; the permittee may not use allowances as a defense to noncompliance with any other applicable requirement; any such allowance shall be accounted for according to the procedures established in regulations promulgated under Title IV of the federal act.

(2) Permit duration. The department shall issue operating permits for a fixed term not to exceed five years.

(3) Monitoring.

(a) Each permit shall contain all emissions monitoring requirements, and analysis procedures or test methods, required to assure and verify compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit and applicable requirements, including any procedures and methods promulgated by the administrator.

(b) Where the applicable requirement does not require periodic testing or instrumental or non-instrumental monitoring (which may consist of record keeping designed to serve as monitoring), the permit shall require periodic monitoring sufficient to yield reliable data from the relevant time period that are representative of the source's compliance with the permit, as reported pursuant to Paragraph (5), of Subsection C of 20.11.42.12 NMAC. Such monitoring requirements shall assure use of terms, test methods, units, averaging periods, and other statistical conventions consistent with the applicable requirement.

(c) The permit shall also contain specific requirements concerning the use, maintenance, and, when appropriate, installation of monitoring equipment or methods.

(4) Record keeping.

(a) The permit shall require record keeping sufficient to assure and verify compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit, including:

(i) the date, place as defined in the permit, and time of sampling or measurements;

(ii) the date(s) analyses were performed;

(iii) the company or entity that performed the analyses;

(iv) the analytical techniques or methods used;

(v) the results of such analyses; and

(vi) the operating conditions existing at the time of sampling or measurement.

(b) Records of all monitoring data and support information shall be retained for a period of at least five years from the date of the monitoring sample, measurement, report, or application. Supporting information includes all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip-chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, and copies of all reports required by the permit.

(5) Reporting. The permit shall require reporting sufficient to assure and verify compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit and all applicable requirements, including:

(a) submittal of reports of any required monitoring at least every six months; the reports shall be due to the department within 45 days of the end of the permittee's reporting period; all instances of deviations from permit requirements, including emergencies, must be clearly identified in such reports; all required reports must be certified by a responsible official consistent with Paragraph (5), of Subsection A of 20.11.42.12 NMAC;

(b) prompt reporting of all deviations (including emergencies) from permit requirements, including the date, time, duration and probable cause of such deviations, the quantity and pollutant type of excess emissions resulting from the deviation, and any corrective actions or preventive measures taken; such reports shall include telephone, verbal, e-mail or facsimile communication within 24 hours of the start of the next business day and written notification within 10 days;

(c) submittal of compliance certification reports at least every 12 months (or more frequently if so specified by an applicable requirement) certifying the source's compliance status with all permit terms and conditions and all applicable requirements relevant to the source, including those related to emission limitations or work practices; the reports shall be due to the department within 30 days of the end of the permittee's reporting period; such compliance certifications shall be submitted to the administrator as well as to the department and shall include:

(i) the identification of each term or condition of the permit that is the basis of the certification;

(ii) the compliance status of the source;

(iii) whether compliance was continuous or intermittent;

(iv) the method(s) used for determining the compliance status of the source, currently and during the reporting period identified in the permit; and

(v) such other facts as the department may require to determine the compliance status of the source;

(d) such additional provisions as may be specified by the administrator to determine the compliance status of the source.

(6) Compliance. To assure and verify compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit and with 20.11.42 NMAC, permits shall also:

(a) require that, upon presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, the permittee shall allow authorized representatives of the department to perform the following:

(i) enter upon the permittee's premises where a source is located or emission related activity is conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of the permit;

(ii) have access to and copy any records that must be kept under the conditions of the permit;

(iii) inspect any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and air pollution control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under the permit; and

(iv) sample or monitor any substances or parameters for the purpose of assuring compliance with the permit or applicable requirements or as otherwise authorized by the federal act;

(b) require that sources required under Subparagraph (k), of Paragraph (4), of Subsection A of 20.11.42.12 NMAC to have a schedule of compliance submit progress reports to the department at least semiannually, or more frequently if specified in the applicable requirement or by the department; such progress reports shall be consistent with the schedule of compliance and requirements of Subparagraph (k), of Paragraph (4), of Subsection A of 20.11.42.12 NMAC, and shall contain:

(i) dates for achieving the activities, milestones, or compliance required in the schedule of compliance, and dates when such activities, milestones or compliance were achieved; and

(ii) an explanation of why any dates in the schedule of compliance were not or will not be met, and any preventive or corrective measures adopted;

(c) include such other provisions as the department may require.

(7) Operational flexibility.

(a) Section 502(b)(10) changes.

(i) The permittee may make Section 502(b)(10) changes, as defined in Section 20.11.42.7 NMAC, without applying for a permit modification, if those changes are not Title I modifications and the changes do not cause the facility to exceed the emissions allowable under the permit (whether expressed as a rate of emissions or in terms of total emissions).

(ii) For each such change, the permittee shall provide written notification to the department and the administrator at least seven days in advance of the proposed changes. Such notification shall include a brief description of the change within the permitted facility, the date on which the change will occur, any change in emissions, and any permit term or condition that is no longer applicable as a result of the change.

(iii) The permittee and department shall attach each such notice to their copy of the relevant permit.

(iv) If the written notification and the change qualify under this provision, the permittee is not required to comply with the permit terms and conditions it has identified that restrict the change. If the change does not qualify under this provision, the original terms of the permit remain fully enforceable.

(b) Emissions trading within a facility.

(i) The department shall, if an applicant requests it, issue permits that contain terms and conditions allowing for the trading of emissions increases and decreases in the permitted facility solely for the purpose of complying with a federally-enforceable emissions cap that is established in the permit in addition to any applicable requirements. Such terms and conditions shall include all terms and conditions required under Subsection C of 20.11.42.12 NMAC to determine compliance. If applicable requirements apply to the requested emissions trading, permit conditions shall be issued only to the extent that the applicable requirements provide for trading such increases and decreases without a case-by-case approval.

(ii) The applicant shall include in the application proposed replicable procedures and permit terms that ensure the emissions trades are quantifiable and enforceable. The department shall not include in the emissions trading provisions any emissions units for which emissions are not quantifiable or for which there are no replicable procedures to enforce the emissions trades. The permit shall require compliance with all applicable requirements.

(iii) For each such change, the permittee shall provide written notification to the department and the administrator at least seven days in advance of the proposed changes. Such notification shall state when the change will occur and shall describe the changes in emissions that will result and how these increases and decreases in emissions will comply with the terms and conditions of the permit.

(iv) The permittee and department shall attach each such notice to their copy of the relevant permit.

(8) Off-permit changes.

(a) Permittees are allowed to make, without a permit modification, changes that are not addressed or prohibited by the operating permit, if:

(i) each such change meets all applicable requirements and shall not violate any existing permit term or condition;

(ii) such changes are not subject to any requirements under Title IV of the federal act and are not Title I modifications;

(iii) such changes are not subject to permit modification procedures under Subsection E of 20.11.42.13 NMAC; and

(iv) the permittee provides contemporaneous written notice to the department and EPA of each such change, except for changes that qualify as insignificant activities; such written notice shall describe each such change, including the date, any change in emissions, pollutants emitted and any applicable requirement that would apply as a result of the change.

(b) The permittee shall keep a record describing changes made at the source that result in emissions of a regulated air pollutant subject to an applicable requirement, but not otherwise regulated under the permit, and the emissions resulting from those changes.

(9) Permit shield.

(a) Except as provided in 20.11.42 NMAC, the department shall expressly include in a 20.11.42 NMAC permit a provision stating that compliance with the conditions of the permit shall be deemed compliance with any applicable requirements as of the date of permit issuance, provided that:

(i) such applicable requirements are included and are specifically identified in the permit; or

(ii) the department, in acting on the permit application or significant permit modification, determines in writing that other requirements specifically identified are not applicable to the source, and the permit includes the determination or a concise summary thereof.

(b) A 20.11.42 NMAC permit that does not expressly state that a permit shield exists for a specific provision shall be presumed not to provide a shield for that provision.

(c) Nothing in 20.11.42.12 NMAC or in any 20.11.42 NMAC permit shall alter or affect the following:

(i) the provisions of Section 303 of the federal act - Emergency Powers, including the authority of the administrator under Section 303, or the provisions of the joint air quality control board ordinances pursuant to the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act, 74-2-10 NMSA 1978;

(ii) the liability of an owner or operator of a source for any violation of applicable requirements prior to or at the time of permit issuance;

(iii) the applicable requirements of the acid rain program, consistent with Section 408(a) of the federal act;

(iv) the ability of EPA to obtain information from a source pursuant to Section 114 of the federal act, or the department to obtain information in accordance with the joint air quality control board ordinances pursuant to the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act 74-2-13 NMSA 1978.

(d) The permit shield shall remain in effect if the permit terms and conditions are extended past the expiration date of the permit pursuant to Paragraph (4), of Subsection A of 20.11.42.13 NMAC.

(e) The permit shield may extend to terms and conditions that allow emission increases and decreases as part of emissions trading within a facility pursuant to Subparagraph (b), of Paragraph (7), of Subsection C of 20.11.42.12 NMAC, and to all terms and conditions under each operating scenario included pursuant to Subparagraph (e), of Paragraph (1), of Subsection C of 20.11.42.12 NMAC.

(f) The permit shield shall not extend to administrative permit amendments under Paragraph (1), of Subsection E of 20.11.42.13 NMAC, to minor permit modifications under Paragraph (2), of Subsection E of 20.11.42.13 NMAC, to Section 502(b)(10) changes under Subparagraph (a), of Paragraph (7) of Subsection C of 20.11.42.12 NMAC, or to permit terms or conditions for which notice has been given to reopen or revoke all or part under Subsection F of 20.11.42.13 NMAC.

D. General permits:

(1) Issuance of general permits.

(a) The department may, after notice and opportunity for public participation and EPA and affected program review, issue a general permit covering numerous similar sources. Such sources shall be generally homogenous in terms of operations, processes and emissions, subject to the same or substantially similar requirements, and not subject to case-by-case standards or requirements.

(b) Any general permit shall comply with all requirements applicable to other operating permits and shall identify criteria by which sources may qualify for the general permit.

(2) Authorization to operate under a general permit.

(a) The owner or operator of a 20.11.42 NMAC source which qualifies for a general permit must:

(i) apply to the department for coverage under the terms of the general permit;

(ii) apply for an operating permit consistent with Subsection A of 20.11.42.12 NMAC.

(b) The department may, in the general permit, provide for applications which deviate from the requirements of Paragraph (4), of Subsection A of 20.11.42.12 NMAC, provided that such applications meet the requirements of the federal act and include all information necessary to determine qualification for, and to assure compliance with, the general permit. The department shall review the application for authorization to operate under a general permit for completeness within 30 days after its receipt of the application.

(c) The department shall authorize qualifying sources which apply for coverage under the general permit to operate under the terms and conditions of the general permit. The department shall take final action on a general permit authorization request within 90 days of deeming the application complete.

(d) The department may grant a request for authorization to operate under a general permit without repeating the public participation procedures required under Subsection B of 20.11.42.13 NMAC. Such an authorization shall not be a permitting action for purposes of administrative review under the joint air quality control board ordinances pursuant to the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act Section 74-2-7.H NMSA 1978.

(e) Authorization to operate under a general permit shall not be granted for acid rain sources unless provided for in regulations promulgated under Title IV of the federal act.

(f) The permittee shall be subject to enforcement action for operation without an operating permit if the source is later determined not to qualify for the conditions and terms of the general permit.

E. Emergency provision:

(1) An "emergency" means any situation arising from sudden and reasonably unforeseeable events beyond the control of the permittee, including acts of God, which situation requires immediate corrective action to restore normal operation, and that causes the source to exceed a technology-based emission limitation under the permit due to unavoidable increases in emissions attributable to the emergency. An emergency shall not include noncompliance to the extent caused by improperly designed equipment, lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or improper operation.

(2) An emergency constitutes an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with such technology-based emission limitations if the permittee has demonstrated through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that:

(a) an emergency occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the emergency;

(b) the permitted facility was at the time being properly operated;

(c) during the period of the emergency the permittee took all reasonable steps to minimize levels of emissions that exceeded the emission standards or other requirements in the permit; and

(d) the permittee fulfilled notification requirements under Subparagraph (b), of Paragraph (5), of Subsection C of 20.11.42.12 NMAC; this notice must contain a description of the emergency, any steps taken to mitigate emissions, and corrective actions taken.

(3) In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an emergency has the burden of proof.

(4) This provision is in addition to any emergency or upset provision contained in any applicable requirement, except that 20.11.42 NMAC sources shall not be subject to the provisions of 20.11.90.12 NMAC for permit terms and conditions issued under 20.11.42 NMAC.

N.M. Admin. Code § 20.11.42.12

3/1/94. . .12/1/95; 20.11.42.12 NMAC - Rn, 20 NMAC 11.42.I.12 & Repealed, 10/1/02; Rn, 20 NMAC 11.42.II.1, 10/1/02; A, 8/10/09; A, 1/10/11; A, 5/13/13