Air Quality Program News
NEWS FROM THE 2010 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:
Time Limit for DNR Stakeholder Process: The Council helped instigate one air-related legislative bill this year, House File 2418, which awaits Governor Culver’s signature (as of April 6). HF 2418 imposes a two-year limit on the DNR’s Air Quality Bureau for its stakeholder process used to update rules (includes industry working groups, informal comment, public comment, and community planning). This was done in response to new EPA pollution standards. At present, the DNR can wait until the third year under EPA requirements to even start its response to new standards. The change assures that the Air Quality Bureau conducts its planning and stakeholder work in a timely way.
The new time limit would take effect for new standards recently approved by the EPA for nitrous oxide (N2O), and for forthcoming standards for ozone and sulfur dioxide (SO2). In addition the limit would affect other EPA rules such as the replacement rules for the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR, pronounced “care”) and the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) that were remanded to EPA by federal courts. The bill will not affect the overall time limit of three years, set by the EPA, to complete the adoption of new state standards.
Vehicle emissions have come under increasing regulation for several decades as their effects on the environment, climate change, and human health have become clear. This traffic snarl during evening rush hour in Des Moines results in idling engines and increased pollution. |
Inclusion of Air Quality in Smart Growth & Planning: The Council supported an effort to revise a Smart Growth and Smart Planning bill in order to include air quality language, along with water quality, environment, land use, and other factors. This legislation, Senate File 2265, passed both houses of the Iowa Assembly.
Statewide Ban on Residential Waste Burning in Incorporated Areas: Because of the short session and the emphasis on budgetary matters, the Iowa House of Representatives did not reintroduce this bill, with its clarifying changes. The Council will continue to advocate for this ban because of the health protections it offers for residents in Iowa cities and towns that lack a ban.
In the meantime, the City Council of Clinton has considered such a ban. A statewide policy would make local ordinances more consistent across the state, and it would conform with the health outcomes research on fine particulate matter and other pollutants from uncontrolled burning.
DNR Air Quality Bureau Funding: Despite the state’s budgetary shortfalls, the DNR Air Quality Bureau was able to maintain most of its important work in monitoring pollution, issuing permits, and assuring compliance.
CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED EFFORTS:
Toxic air emissions from combustion: In addition to particulate matter pollution, mercury and several other toxic substances are emitted to the air from combustion sources, notably coal. The Council is researching recent science and applicable public policies related to these hazardous air pollutants in Iowa. It’s important to note that several of these pollutants, such as mercury, have an adverse impact on water quality as well as air quality in Iowa, and a few, like methane, are recognized greenhouse gases.
Air Emissions from Agriculture: The Council is reviewing other agricultural states’ policies and industry management practices in order to understand effective voluntary and/or regulatory controls. This work is tied to the Air Quality Program’s prioritization of ammonia and other nitrogen emissions as possible areas of concern.
New EPA Regulations and Proposals: Regulatory standards for five of the six “criteria pollutants” (carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur dioxide) under the Clean Air Act are being modified by the EPA. These changes will impact Iowa in various ways. The changes are scientifically supported by studies of environmental and health consequences. Some of the changes will be in new economic opportunities and improved health conditions, as well as reduced environmental damage. Each change requires a change in the DNR Air Quality Bureau’s policies and rules for industry permitting, ambient monitoring, and compliance activities. The Council follows each of these agency changes and provides public comment as appropriate.
The Air Quality Program continues to track the environmental effects of the criteria pollutants. These effects are demonstrated by DNR and county monitoring systems and by studies of environmental and human outcomes.
Another set of hazardous air pollutants, informally known as “air toxics,” are regulated differently under the Clean Air Act, and these also require different sorts of state policies and rulemaking. Mercury, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, and others are all pollutants of some concern, and they come from a wide range of economic sectors and human activities: transportation, agricultural, and industry. Current and proposed federal and state regulations are watched by the Council for the positive and negative impacts and for opportunities for Council input to steer changes in beneficial directions.
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