Public Notice for State Authority Over EPA Issued PSD Permits

December 5, 2005

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is requesting public comment on a proposal to give DNR full regulatory responsibility for Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Prior to 1987, EPA issued PSD permits to sources in Iowa. In 1987, the EPA approved the state's PSD regulations into the State Implementation Plan (SIP). However, this SIP revision did not delegate to DNR any of the federal authority regarding the PSD permits issued by EPA before the SIP revision. Sources making modifications to emission units with PSD permits issued by EPA were subsequently required to have dual permits: a modified EPA PSD permit and a DNR PSD permit. This led to a cumbersome permit application and review process for DNR, EPA, and the applicant. The dual permits for emission units at a source offered little or no additional environmental benefit.

Amending the SIP to give DNR regulatory responsibility for federal PSD permits will enable DNR to revise and consolidate permits where a source holding a federal permit subsequently applies for a state PSD permit for new construction. The existing federal PSD permit will be revised as necessary, and the revisions, along with the terms and conditions of the federal permit which are not revised, will be consolidated in the new PSD permit authorizing the new construction.

Authorizing the state to take jurisdiction over federal PSD permits will require EPA to revise the SIP. Any person may make written comments on this proposed revision on or before December 21, 2005. Written comments should be directed to Jim McGraw, Department of Natural Resources, Air Quality Bureau, 7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1, Urbandale, Iowa, 50322, fax (515) 242-5094, or by electronic mail to jim.mcgraw@dnr.iowa.gov.

A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2005, at 3:00 PM in the conference rooms at the DNR's Air Quality Bureau office located at 7900 Hickman Road, Windsor Heights, Iowa. All comments must be received no later than December 21, 2005.

Any person who intends to attend the public hearing and has special requirements such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments should contact Jim McGraw at (515) 242-5167 to advise of any specific needs.

A responsiveness summary will be prepared by the DNR following the close of the public comment period. The responsiveness summary will include any written or oral comments received during the public participation process and the DNR's response to the comments. The completed responsiveness summary will forwarded to EPA and made available to the public upon request.