The DNR is proposing to revise the “Is Modification to My Air Construction Permit Needed?” fact sheet and corresponding FAQ to incorporate updates made to 40 CFR Part 51 Appendix W. The fact sheet and FAQ have been revised to allow additional operational flexibility to change discharge styles without a permit modification for downward to horizontal, downward to vertical obstructed, and downward to vertical unobstructed discharge types. These additional scenarios are proposed to be added to the draft fact sheet and FAQ.
The DNR will accept comments related to the draft fact sheet and FAQ until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2017. Please direct all questions or comments to:
Peter Zayudis
Environmental Engineer Senior
Air Quality Bureau
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1
Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324
Peter.Zayudis@dnr.Iowa.gov
The Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau (DNR) invites the public to provide informal comments on a draft rulemaking proposal.
Affected businesses and the public benefit from up-to-date air quality requirements and increased effectiveness. The proposed changes to air quality rules:
1) Reduce the cost of government, while providing streamlined services to the public and regulated community.
2) Update rules to provide regulatory certainty and flexibility. The proposed rules will implement a portion of the Department’s 5-year rules review, achieving a purpose similar to air quality rulemaking packages adopted earlier this year and in 2017.
3) Offer uniform rules by making changes that match federal regulations. By adopting federal updates into state administrative rules, the Commission is ensuring that Iowa’s air quality rules are no more stringent than federal regulations. Additionally, the updates allow the Department, rather than the EPA, to be the primary agency to implement the air quality requirements in Iowa, thereby allowing the Department to provide compliance assistance and outreach to affected facilities.
Summary of Draft Proposal
The proposed rule changes continue previous efforts to improve rules for air quality programs.
Electronic Emissions Reporting
To simplify the reporting requirements for industry, increase reporting efficiency and reduce cost to the state, the Department is proposing to require the use of electronic emissions reporting for all Title V facilities, beginning with reports due to the Department by March 31, 2019. The transition to entirely electronic reporting will make air emissions information more quickly available to industry seeking to build new facilities or expand existing facilities, and for the public. Additionally, electronic reporting will reduce the cost to the state because Department staff will no longer need to data-enter this information prior to providing it in the annual federally-required emissions report.
Address Updates
The proposed rule changes update several references for the new location and mailing address of the Department’s Air Quality Bureau.
Consistency with Federal Regulations
The rule revisions adopt technical corrections that EPA made to continuous methods for measuring air pollutant emissions. The rule changes also include adoption of revisions to federal air toxics standards (also known as National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants or NESHAP), new source performance standards (NSPS) and EPA’s Emission Guidelines. Adopting EPA’s amendments allows state rules to be consistent with federal regulations, and provides certainty to affected businesses and other interested stakeholders.
Rulemaking documents
How to Provide Input
Written comments and suggestions on the draft proposal may be provided to Christine Paulson, Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau, by Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at Christine.Paulson@dnr.iowa.gov, or by mail or hand-delivery to: DNR Air Quality Bureau, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.
This informal comment period is an opportunity for stakeholders to assist the DNR in developing the rule proposal. After considering public input, the DNR will determine whether to proceed with the rule making and present a proposal to the Environmental Protection Commission (Commission). The public may also provide comments on the proposal at the Commission meeting. If the Commission approves the proposal for public comment, the Notice of Intended Action will be published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin. The Notice’s publication will initiate a formal public comment period of at least 30 days. The DNR will hold a public hearing during the public comment period.
For more information, please contact Christine Paulson by e-mail at Christine.Paulson@dnr.iowa.gov or by phone at 515-725-9510.
The DNR invites the public to provide comment on the State of Iowa’s state implementation plan (SIP) for the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone. Section 110(a) of the Clean Air Act requires states to adopt and submit a plan for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS within 3 years of promulgation to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These plans are typically referred to as infrastructure SIPs.
The ozone NAAQS was revised by EPA on October 1, 2015. The level of the standard was lowered from 0.075 parts per million (ppm) to 0.070 ppm per 8-hour average concentration. The EPA’s decision to tighten the standard was based upon the latest review of available scientific information linking health effects to ozone concentrations.
Anyone may make written comments on this proposed SIP revision on or before October 19, 2018. Written comments may be sent to:
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Air Quality Bureau
c/o Wendy Walker
502 E 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0034
Or e-mail Wendy.Walker@dnr.iowa.gov, or by fax 515-725-9501
A public hearing will be held on October 19, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. in conference room 2E at the Wallace State Office Building, 502 E 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0034. All comments must be received no later than October 19, 2018. Any person who intends to attend the public hearing and has special requirements such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments should contact Wendy Walker at 515-725-9570 to advise of any specific needs.
A responsiveness summary will be prepared by the Iowa 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 Iowa DNR’s response to the comments. The completed responsiveness summary will be forwarded to EPA and made available to the public upon request.