Regional Haze Plan Available for Public Comment
The DNR invites the public to provide comment on a proposed revision to Iowa’s state implementation plan (SIP) to address the second 10-year planning period (2019-2028) of the federal regional haze rule. This comment opportunity also includes two proposed air construction permitting actions that establish plan requirements for new emissions reductions. The draft regional haze plan further provides a 5-year progress report to close out the first 10-year planning period (2009-2018).
As part of the proposed SIP revision, the DNR is proposing to require operational improvements to existing control equipment at MidAmerican Energy Company’s Louisa Generating Station (LGS) and Walter Scott Jr. Energy Center – Unit 3 (WSEC-3). The improvements would permanently reduce the combined SO2 emissions from these sources by approximately 9,700 tons per year. Implementation would begin later this year, as specified in draft permits 05-A-031-P6 and 75-A-357-P9 for LGS and WSEC-3, respectively.
The draft plan and its appendices are accessible through the links below. All files are PDF, except Appendices C-1 and C-2, which are relatively large Microsoft Excel files. Appendix E contains the draft permits for LGS and WSEC-3.
Draft SIP Documents
Public Comments & Public Hearing Information
Anyone may make written comments on this proposed SIP revision and the draft permits. The comment period starts on February 13, 2023. Written comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 16, 2023, and may be sent to:
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Air Quality Bureau
c/o Matthew Johnson
502 East 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0034
Or email: matthew.johnson@dnr.iowa.gov
A public hearing will be held virtually on Thursday, March 16, 2023, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Shortly before the 2:00 start time, participants may access the hearing as follows:
Teleconference: 312-626-6799; Meeting ID: 889 1567 1168; Passcode: 545560
Video Conference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88915671168?pwd=d3YzN0RTTy9ydU1xWkRRQlk4cEpJdz09
Those who wish to make comments at the public hearing will be asked to state their name or affiliation for the record.
DNR will summarize and respond to public comments after the close of the public comment period and will include the responsiveness summary in the final regional haze plan. DNR will submit the final plan and all associated appendices, including the final permits, to EPA as a revision to Iowa’s SIP. The final documents will be posted online at: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Air-Quality/Implementation-Plans.
Individuals with disabilities or limited English proficiency are encouraged to participate in all DNR activities, including submitting public comments. If a reasonable accommodation or language services are needed to participate, contact the Air Quality Bureau staff member listed or Relay Iowa TTY Service at 800-735-7942 in advance to advise them of your specific needs. DNR’s language access and disability nondiscrimination plans are available at https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/Environmental-Justice.