Ecology seeks comments on changes to rules on air toxics

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - January 9, 2009

09-008

Ecology seeks comments on changes to rules on air toxics

OLYMPIA – Washington businesses and residents can comment on proposed changes to the state’s air toxics rules during two public hearings next week.

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is changing its rules for toxic air pollutants (Chapter 173-460 WAC) and general sources of air pollution (Chapter 173-400 WAC). Both of these rules apply to new or modified sources of toxic air pollution. The proposed rule changes:

Update the toxic air pollutant list.
Set emission limits that reflect current science.
Improve consistency between the two rules.

Ecology will host two public hearings this month:

7 p.m. Jan. 13 at Ecology headquarters, 300 Desmond Drive SE, Lacey.
4 p.m. Jan. 14 at Ecology’s Eastern Regional Office, 4601 N. Monroe St., Spokane.

The proposed rule changes affect Washington businesses that emit toxic air pollutants. That includes a broad range of industries and facilities. As proposed, the changes:

Require anyone who wants to install a new source or modify an existing source of toxic air pollution to submit a Notice of Construction (NOC) application.
Consolidate permit process and exemptions into a new rule section.
Streamline and clarify the permitting process.
Set de minimis levels (levels low enough not to be regulated) for each regulated toxic air pollutant.
Allow sources to reduce toxic emissions across multiple sources to meet standards.

To view documents related to these proposed changes, go to http://www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/ecywac.html#air. Then find the correct Washington Administrative Code (WAC) numbers as listed above and click on “view current rulemaking.”

Send written comments to Linda Whitcher, Air Quality Program, Washington Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. Send e-mail to liwh461@ecy.wa.gov.

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Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; spre461@ecy.wa.gov

Ecology’s Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov