On April 4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially determined that the Washington, DC-Maryland-Virginia ozone (smog) nonattainment area has attained the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and that the area has clean data under the EPA’s Clean Data Policy (90 FR 14730). Because the area is now meeting national standards for air quality, the obligation to submit certain attainment planning requirements is suspended for as long as the area continues to attain the 2015 ozone NAAQS. Under the Clean Air Act, the determination paves the way for the creation of a plan to maintain air quality and formally redesignate the area to attainment for the federal standard.

For further information, contact Thomas Ballou (804-664-3515) or Doris McLeod (804-659-1990).

As part of the agency’s efforts to continue to deliver improved customer service, DEQ is excited to announce the completion of its Permit Key – a decision guide to help potential applicants determine what permits and/or approvals are required from DEQ for their respective projects.

A new option has become available to those seeking compensatory mitigation sites. In a March 27 jointly-signed letter, DEQ and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Norfolk District (USACE) clarified that actively managed pine plantations of single species loblolly pine are eligible for inclusion as compensatory mitigation sites for wetland restoration or creation, if they meet all other regulatory requirements.

On March 23, Governor Youngkin signed into law exemptions to allow emergency generators used for national defense to operate up to 50 hours a year in non-emergency situations. Under the law’s language, DEQ will promulgate regulations implementing the law by the end of April. In the meantime, DEQ is contacting military installations and private defense-related facilities for certifications for emergency generators that may fall under the law.

DEQ is excited to announce that the NextRequest Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Portal is now live! This portal makes submitting FOIA requests and accessing FOIA records easier and more streamlined. Additionally, online payments for FOIA requests are now available through the portal. Please visit DEQ’s FOIA Page for additional information.

On April 8, Governor Youngkin recognized the 11 winners and three honorable mention recipients of the 2025 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards at the Environment Virginia Symposium held at the Virginia Military Institute. The awards recognize a broad range of efforts that improve Virginia’s environment including projects that reduce environmental impacts, programs that protect the environment and encourage sustainability, efforts to conserve land, and projects that demonstrate exemplary implementation of the Virginia Outdoors Plan. The awards are sponsored by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Virginia’s ozone forecasting season began Monday, April 14. DEQ monitors air quality at dozens of locations throughout the state and provides air quality forecasts to help Virginians enjoy clean air. Sign up for DEQ’s air quality forecasts and visit DEQ's website for real-time air quality information and forecasts. Both forecasts and alerts are customized to regions of the state. Northern Virginia residents should sign up for air quality forecasts through Enviroflash.

Join us for a free webinar on Tuesday, June 10, from 6:30-8 p.m., to learn about the activities DEQ engages in to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. During the presentation, DEQ staff will discuss the Commonwealth’s participation in the Chesapeake Bay Program, how the agency implements monitoring activities, and the activities DEQ regulates under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Each of these efforts relies on the support and engagement of all stakeholders in Virginia – this means you!

DEQ's Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Grant program is a competitive process that provides funding for groups and individuals to monitor the quality of Virginia’s waters. The grant can be used in a variety of ways, including purchasing water quality monitoring equipment, training citizen volunteers, lab analysis costs, and promoting stream monitoring efforts in locations where DEQ is not currently collecting water quality samples. This year, there were 18 grant recipients.