State To Ask For Lower Air Permit Fee Increase

September 12, 2014- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources Air Pollution Control Program, which enforces the federal Clean Air Act in the state, could be insolvent by late 2016 after a proposal to raise permit and emission fees fell apart, state officials said.

A proposed permit and emission fee schedule received support from industry leaders earlier this year but late objections prompted the DNR to offer a new schedule that would make it more difficult for the already cash-strapped program to operate.

DNR and affected industries agreed to raise fees to bring in $1.7 million in 2016 and then, after increasing again, about $3 million — still not enough to operate the program with full staff. The latest proposal will raise only $1 million per year.

Some companies objected to the proposed fee increases, and forced the DNR to revise its proposal. Many big emitters, such as power plants, supported the original plan because they did not want to bear the brunt of the emission increases rather than permit fee hikes.

To read more click here.

Carnow Conibear and Associates is a demonstrated leader in the occupational and environmental health professions since 1975. To find out more, click here or call us at (800) 860-4486.