Rulemaking and Diesel Exhaust Reduction Grant Program Available for Public Comment

A new chapter of the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) created for an air quality financial assistance program was approved and adopted and filed without notice by the Environmental Protection Commission March 17. The proposed amendment 567—Chapter 35(455B) is available at www.iowacleanair.gov/input/input.html for public comment.

The reason for the quick rulemaking is to meet a federal deadline of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which promotes economic recovery, preserving and/or creating jobs, and reducing diesel emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is required to report details of states’ grants programs to Congress in mid-May 2009 and disburse funds shortly after programs are approved.

Public comments on the new rulemaking may be addressed to Wendy Rains, Environmental Specialist Senior, DNR Air Quality Bureau, 7900 Hickman Rd Ste 1, Urbandale, IA 50322, (515) 281-6061, Wendy.Rains@dnr.iowa.gov. A public hearing will be held Monday, May 11, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Air Quality Bureau office in Urbandale. The due date for comments is Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

Heads up on Iowa’s Stimulus funding for reducing diesel exhaust

Individuals and organizations seeking funds to implement diesel exhaust reduction projects should look over the draft Reduce Iowa’s Diesel Exhaust (RIDE) grant program documents at www.iowacleanair.gov/RIDE/ . Comments may be made until Friday, May 8, to Mindy Kralicek, RIDE grant program manager, (515) 281-7832, Mindy.Kralicek@dnr.iowa.gov. The draft versions of the RIDE application and fleet forms may not be used to apply for RIDE grants.

The tentative schedule for the release of the RIDE grant program offering is May 14, 2009, the same effective date as the new Chapter 35(455B) IAC. The deadline for RIDE grant application submissions will be June 29, 2009 with grant award announcements scheduled for August 20. RIDE grant projects must be completed by July 30, 2010.