Public Participation

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Stakeholder Involvement

The Air Quality Bureau frequently seeks input and recommendations from stakeholders on various planning and rulemaking activities, along with permits that will be issued.

  • Public Input allows opportunities for comment and general information to review Air Quality rulemakings and draft permits. Please see the fact sheet Making Your Comments Count for tips on making effective comments.
  • Meetings are ongoing, regularly scheduled meetings to discuss current and upcoming regulatory issues.
  • Workgroups are established to assist the Air Quality Bureau with specific air quality program implementation activities.

Interested members of the public can view agendas, documents, and general information; meeting and workgroup activities can also be tracked.

Please note that not all categories will have items available for comment at all times. Public meetings being held throughout the state are also available on the State of Iowa public meeting calendar.

Public Input

Meetings - Fee Advisory Groups

Legislation passed by the 86th session of Iowa General Assembly (Senate File 488) established authority to collect application fees for new source air construction permits at major sources. Construction permit application fees will pay for the reasonable direct and indirect costs of implementing and administrating new source review programs for major sources. The legislation directs the DNR to convene a fee advisory group to obtain recommendations regarding these fees for major source air construction permits, including Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits. The advisory group will meet at least once annually to consider the fees. For more information contact Jim McGraw at Jim.Mcgraw@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-689-1439.

Construction Permits

* The Iowa DNR is proposing to issue these construction permit(s). Written comments should be directed immediately to the assigned engineer.

Operating Permits

 

Meetings - Air Quality Client Contact

Air Quality Client Contact Meetings focus on current and upcoming air program issues and changes. The meetings provide an open forum for stakeholders and the general public to discuss new state and federal air quality rules or air program developments and are a good source of information for anyone who works with or has an interest in activities related to air quality.

All meetings are open to the public.


Workgroups

+ Regional Haze Plan Available for Public Comment

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.

+ Executive Order 10 Implementation

Executive Order 10 (EO10) signed by the Governor on January 10, 2023, requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded. For more information on EO10 please go to the Governor's Office webpage for Executive Orders.

The EO10 process for both the review of existing rule chapters and the reauthorization of rule chapters that will be retained includes public engagement with the opportunity for meaningful input throughout the process. Opportunities for public input and information for public review during the Air Quality Bureau's implementation of EO10 will be posted below as they become available.

For more information contact Christine Paulson at Christine.Paulson@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-725-9510.

Draft Rule Changes Available for Informal Public Input

Informal Input Requested by June 2, 2023

EO10 Stakeholder Meetings and Materials

Save the Date: The Air Quality Bureau will hold its third stakeholder meeting on Thursday, June 15, at 10:00 am to discuss and receive informal input on draft rule changes to administrative code chapters associated with EO10. To register, please go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81447596238?pwd=VlFtcDh1dDdmd1JUNnZoakUzZ1JUUT09.
Meeting materials will be posted prior to the meeting date and availablility announced through the Air Quality GovDelivery newsletter.

May 18, 2023: The Air Quality Bureau held its second stakeholder meeting to discuss and receive feedback on proposed rule changes to several administrative code chapters associated with the implementation of EO10. Materials for review were presented at the meeting. The draft rules changes for informal public input are posted above, and input is requested by June 2, 2023.

March 14, 2023: The Air Quality Bureau held its first stakeholder meeting to share its preliminary plans and schedule, and to receive stakeholder input associated with implementing EO10. Based on initial stakeholder input and subsequent staff discussions, the Air Quality Bureau has revised its planned rule chapter changes, which are noted on the updated Rules Review tracking document posted above.

The additional March 14 meeting materials are available here:

Current Activities and Upcoming Opportunities
Air Quality staff continues to review current air quality rules and develop proposed changes to implement EO10. Please stay tuned for new of upcoming stakeholder input opportunities and availability of additional materials for review. Meeting invitations and materials will be posted on this web page and announced through the Air Quality electronic newsletter. (Please be sure to subscribe to Air Quality News through GovDelivery at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/subscriber/new?topic_id=IACIO_421. If you have difficulty, please contact DNR's Wendy Walker at 515-725-9570.)

For more information contact Christine Paulson at Christine.Paulson@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-725-9510.

The Environmental Protection Commission has approved a proposed air quality rulemaking for formal public comment.


Summary of Proposed Rule Changes

The proposed amendments adopt updated federal new source performance standards (NSPS) and air toxics standards, also known as National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). Adopting EPA's amendments allows state rules to be consistent with federal regulations and provides certainty to affected businesses and other interested stakeholders. The proposed amendments also adopt minor corrections to federal test methods, a new hazardous air pollutant promulgated by EPA, and the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone.


Stakeholder Engagement

An informal public input on the draft rulemaking took place from August 16-31, 2022.


Public Comments and Public Hearing Information

The DNR will accept written public comments until 4:30 p.m. on December 5, 2022. Please direct written comments to Jessica Reese McIntyre by email to Jessica.ReeseMcIntyre@dnr.iowa.gov or by mail to Department of Natural Resources, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.


A public hearing will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, from 1:00-2:00 pm. Shortly before the 1:00 start time, participants may access the hearing as follows:

  • Teleconference: 312-626-6799; Meeting ID: 830 0204 4431; Passcode: 309132
  • Video Conference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83002044431

    • To make comments at the public hearing, please email a request to Jessica Reese McIntyre prior to the hearing. Those who wish to make comments at the public hearing will be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of the proposed rulemaking.


    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.


    Rulemaking Documents
  • Proposed Rulemaking (approved by the Commission on October 11, 2022).

    • The Notice of Intended Action will be published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on November 2, 2022, as ARC 6631C.

    For more information, please contact Jessica Reese McIntyre by email at Jessica.ReeseMcIntyre@dnr.iowa.gov or by phone at 515-725-9547.

    PI + 2023 Air Monitoring Network Plan

    Iowa's 2023 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 the EPA after a 30-day review period.

    The 2023 Air Monitoring Network Plan is available at:

    The Air Quality Bureau must receive all public comments by June 18, 2023.

    Comments may be sent by electronic mail to Brian.Hutchins@dnr.iowa.gov.

    Please include "2023 Air Monitoring Network Plan" in the subject line of the e-mail.

    The Air Quality Bureau is convening a stakeholder advisory group to receive input on a potential rule making regarding requiring electronic submittal of air emissions inventory reports, air permit applications, and other air quality documents. An advisory group meeting will be held with Zoom on August 19 at 10 am [air electronic submittals advisory group meeting, add to calendar]. Registration details are included in the meeting agenda.

    For more information please contact Jessica Reese Mcintyre at jessica.reesemcintyre@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-725-9547, or Jim Mcgraw at jim.mcgraw@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-689-1439. For information on the potential rule making, please contact Christine Paulson at christine.paulson@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-725-9510.

    The DNR held a value stream mapping event (VSM) on October 17 – 20, 2016. This was a collaborative event with six industry representatives and was co-facilitated by the Department of Management. The VSM participants thoroughly discussed various opportunities to transform Title V permitting and came to consensus on six key deliverables to improve efficiency:

    • optional pre-application meeting
    • optional pre-technical review meetings
    • improved application forms
    • metrics to determine missing information and customer satisfaction
    • critical information earlier in the process
    • directory for just-in-time sharing of internal data

    These deliverables will relate to receiving better information from our applicants, thereby improving the efficiency of the DNR staff who will no longer spend time collecting information that could have been provided up front.

    Since three of these improvements are more complex in nature, the DNR is asking for the input of additional team members. Two workgroups will be held between January 17 and 20, 2017 to address the optional pre-meetings and improvements to the application forms. The workgroups will consist of a diverse group of twelve to fifteen industry representatives.

    Additional Information:

    If you have comments or questions about the VSM event, please contact Marnie Stein, Title V permit supervisor, at 515-725-9525 or marnie.stein@dnr.iowa.gov.

    Title V Workgroups

    Representatives from eight businesses collaborated with Title V permit writing staff from the DNR and Linn County in two workgroups held between January 17 and 20, 2017. One team addressed optional pre-meetings for hands-on help with the application, likely resulting in a faster application review time a permit that better reflects the needs of the business. The second team simplified the Title V application forms by creating excel spreadsheet versions of some forms, allowing the use of previous versions of the forms, reducing the information requested, and updating the application instructions.