DEP Air Quality Advisory Committee To Review Final Fee Increase Package, 2019 Air Monitoring Results, Legacy Well Programs Dec. 12

DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet December 12 to review the final permit fee increase package and the results from 2018-19 air monitoring.

Final Fee Increase

The Environmental Quality Board adopted a proposed Air Quality fee increase package in December of 2018 that would increase fees to generate $12.6 million annually to support the program-- for the federal Title V-- $5.9 million-- and state non-Title V-- $6.7 million-- permit fees.

The proposal included a new annual maintenance fee for both kinds of permits, a new fee for asbestos notifications and an increase in the existing operating permit fees.

There was no proposed increase of the Title V per ton emission fee, beyond the annual increase based on the Consumer Price Index.

These are the first general Air Quality fee increases since 2013.  DEP budget cuts have resulted in eliminating more than 30 percent of its staff or about 100 positions.

DEP is projecting a zero returning balance in the Title V, Non-Title V and Clean Air Fund accounts by FY 2023-24 with the current fee structure.

Among the fee changes highlight from the proposed version by DEP in its presentation to the Committee are--

-- Increases for the annual operating permit maintenance fee for Synthetic Minor Facilities from $2,000 to $3,100 from 2021 to 2031 and thereafter to $4,000 to $6,200 from 2021 to 2031 and thereafter.

-- Decreases in annual operating permit maintenance fee for Title V facilities from $10,000 to $15,600 from 2021 to 2031 and thereafter to $$8,000 to $12,500 from 2021 to 2031 and thereafter.

-- Removal of the proposed fee for claims of confidentiality as unneeded.

Other Agenda Items

Also on the agenda are presentations on Air Quality Monitoring results in 2018-19, a general description of Air Pollution Trends and Perceptions, carbon dioxide trading programs, DEP existing efforts to deal with the environmental impacts of legacy oil and gas wells, and a status report on State Air Quality Implementation Plan revisions in process.

The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building starting at 9:15.

For available handouts and more information, visit DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee webpage.  Questions should be directed to Kirit Dalal, kdalal@pa.gov or 717-772-3436.

Related Articles:

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Environmental Quality Board Publishes Proposed $12.6 Million Air Quality Fee Increases For Comment

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[Posted: December 5, 2019]  www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com