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Department-wide Items
- Compliance and Enforcement Procedures
The Department is proposing an administrative rulemaking, new Chapter 17 (567 Iowa Administrative Code), to clarify and affirm the variety of compliance and enforcement options the Department may consider in responding to possible violations of environmental statutes, rules, permits, licenses, certifications, and plans.
Proposed new Chapter 17 (formerly proposed as Chapter “9A”) is currently available for formal comment. The DNR held a public hearing on April 23, 2012, and has extended the public comment period to August 16, 2012, to allow more time for stakeholders to provide comment.
The DNR plans to hold additional public hearings. The dates and locations of the additional hearings will be announced at a later date.
The DNR welcomes all public comments. Please provide any written comments or suggestions to Christine Paulson no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2012, by e-mail to Christine.Paulson@dnr.iowa.gov, , by fax to 515-242-5094, or by delivery to Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau, 7900 Hickman Road, Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324.
For questions, please contact Christine Paulson at the e-mail address indicated above or by phone at 515-242-5154.
Additional Information
The DNR has used procedures similar to proposed Chapter 17 for many years, and this rulemaking simply formalizes this practice. The DNR held public meetings and has been accepting public input on the proposal since November 2011. The Environmental Protection Commission reviewed the proposal for informational purposes on January 17, 2012, and approved the Notice for publication and formal public comment on February 21, 2012. The Notice was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on March 21, 2012. (Note: This rulemaking is not specific to air quality. It covers all environmental program areas that the DNR regulates.)
Air Quality-specific Items
All current Air Quality related public input opportunities are shown below. Please note that not all categories will have items available for comment at all times.
Construction Permits
* The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing to issue these construction permit(s). Written comments should be directed immediately to the assigned engineer.
Operating Permits
Administrative Rules
- Stack Testing Procedures and Notification Requirements for Portable Plants
The Department is proposing air quality rule changes to reduce regulatory requirements by limiting emissions testing to federal test methods. The proposed rule changes would also allow portable plants like concrete batch plants to have less lead time and use email to submit relocation notices, providing more flexibility for owners and operators.
Specifically, the proposed rule changes would:
- Eliminate state-only emissions testing procedures (the Compliance Sampling Manual); adopt federal methods for emissions testing; and allow for the changes to apply retroactively, as appropriate.
- Place into rule the specific procedures for conducting emissions tests;
- Make the definition of particulate matter and other air quality definitions consistent with federal regulations;
- Reduce the required lead time and allow electronic submittals for portable plant relocation notifications; and
- Update the Title V program’s Periodic Monitoring Guidance to reflect current federal emissions test methods.
The DNR welcomes all suggestions and comments. The DNR received a request to extend the public comment period to allow more time for public comment. In response, the DNR is extending the comment period from May 18, 2012, to July 3, 2012.
To review the proposed rule changes and supporting documents, use these links:
The DNR held a public hearing on Friday, May 18, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. At this time, no additional public hearings are scheduled. The DNR must receive all written comments by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2012.
For questions or to provide comments, please contact Christine Paulson at Christine.Paulson@dnr.iowa.gov or by phone at (515) 242-5154. Written comments may also be sent to Christine Paulson by fax to (515) 242-5094 or by delivery to Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau, 7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1, Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324.
Additional Information
Prior to presenting the proposed rule changes to the EPC, the DNR worked with affected stakeholders and accepted informal public input. The Department presented the proposed rulemaking to the EPC for information on February 21, 2012. The EPC approved the proposed rule changes for publication and formal public comment on March 20, 2012. The Notice of Intended Action was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on April 18, 2012.
- Prevention of Significant Deterioration for Fine Particulate Matter
The Department is proposing air quality rule changes to update Iowa’s rules to comply with recent changes in federal rules designed to prevent significant deterioration (PSD) of air quality. This federal program was designed to allow economic growth while preserving existing clean air. The proposed changes in Iowa’s PSD rules would incorporate the federal regulations for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). The updated rules would apply to Iowa’s large (major) sources of air pollution.
Specifically, the rulemaking proposes to amend state administrative rules implementing the PSD program to match federal amendments that EPA finalized over a phased-in three year period. The Department is also providing a mechanism to allow industry to request rescission of a PSD permit. The proposed rule change matches federal regulations, and will be a benefit to facilities that wish to rescind a PSD permit. Additionally, the proposed rule clarifies under what circumstances facilities are required to keep records and the types of records that must be kept. These proposed rule changes match federal regulations and will be a benefit to facilities with recordkeeping requirements.
The DNR welcomes all suggestions and comments. May 18, 2012, is the deadline to provide written comments to the Department.
To review the proposed rule changes and supporting documents, use these links:
The Department will hold a public hearing on these proposed rule changes on Friday, May 18, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at the DNR’s Air Quality Bureau offices.
NOTE: This will be a combined hearing with the proposed rulemaking for stack testing procedures and portable plants (described above).
All comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012.
For questions or to provide comments, please contact Christine Paulson at Christine.Paulson@dnr.iowa.gov or by phone at (515) 242-5154. Written comments may also be sent to Christine Paulson by fax to (515) 242-5094 or by delivery to Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau, 7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1, Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324.
Additional Information
Prior to presenting the proposed rule changes to the EPC, the DNR worked with affected stakeholders and accepted informal public input. The Department presented the proposed rulemaking to the EPC for information on February 21, 2012. The EPC approved the proposed rule changes for publication and formal public comment on March 20, 2012. The Notice of Intended Action was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on April 18, 2012.
- Proposed Rulemaking – Air Toxics and New Source Performance Standards
The DNR is proposing a rulemaking that will:
- Adopt recent federal amendments to three existing air toxics standards and two existing new source performance standards (NSPS) which will provide regulatory benefits;
- Adopt two new air toxics standards*; and
- Make clear that the Department is not adopting specific federal standards and amendments that EPA is reconsidering.
* The official name for EPA’s air toxics standards are National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, or NESHAP.
The DNR welcomes all comments. July 16, 2012, is the deadline to provide written comments to the DNR.
To review the proposed rule changes and supporting documents, go to these links:
The DNR will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 16, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at the DNR’s Air Quality Bureau conference rooms at 7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1, Windsor Heights, Iowa.
All comments must be submitted to the DNR by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 16, 2012.
For questions, please contact Christine Paulson at Christine.Paulson@dnr.iowa.gov or by phone at 515-242-5154. Written comments may also be sent to Christine Paulson by fax to (515) 242-5094 or by delivery to Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau, 7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1, Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324.
Additional Information
The DNR worked with affected stakeholders and accepted informal public input on this rulemaking. Drafts of the proposal were made available for informal public input on August 9, 2011, and again on October 4, 2011. The DNR revised the proposal based on public input.
The DNR submitted the proposed rulemaking package to the Governor’s office for preclearance on February 23, 2012. The Governor’s office cleared the rulemaking package on April 24, 2012. The Environmental Protection Commission approved the proposed rule changes for publication and formal public comment on May 15, 2012.
Area or Company Specific Plans
- No current comment opportunities -
Other Air Quality Items
- Iowa’s 2012 Air Monitoring Network Plan
Iowa’s 2012 Air Monitoring Network Plan is available for public review and comment.
The air monitoring network plan will assist the Iowa DNR in its efforts to monitor the quality of Iowa’s air and to keep the public aware of air quality problems. The plan is required by EPA’s national ambient air monitoring regulations. It contains detailed information about the location and purpose of any monitor in Iowa’s air monitoring network that produces data for comparison with national ambient air quality standards.
The plan and comments will be submitted to EPA after a 30 day review period.
The Air Quality Bureau must receive all public comments by June 22, 2012.
Written comments may be sent by regular mail to:
Sean Fitzsimmons
Lead Worker
Ambient Air Monitoring Section
Iowa Air Quality Bureau
7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1
Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324
or by email to:
sean.fitzsimmons@dnr.iowa.gov
Please include “2012 Air Monitoring Network Plan” in the subject line of the e-mail.
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