Under the federal Clean Air Act, Washington is required to have an air operating permit program for the largest sources of air pollution in the state. Businesses and industries that produce 100 tons or more of air pollution a year are required to obtain an air operating permit.

The Washington Department of Ecology is proposing several changes to the rule governing the state’s air operating permit. The public will have the opportunity to learn about the proposal and weigh in until Sept. 18.

The permit, which applies to about 128 facilities in Washington, includes emission limits and requirements for operations, procedures, monitoring and reporting.

The proposed changes modify how Ecology’s fees are calculated and adds a public review process of the calculations; update requirements for audits; and clarify how federal rules apply to businesses.

Ecology is hosting a public workshop and hearing to review the rule amendments:

When: 10 a.m. Sept. 10, 2015

Location: 300 Desmond Drive SE, Lacey WA 98504

Submit comments

Email: AQComments@ecy.wa.gov

Mail: Margo Thompson, Air Quality Program, Washington Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600

Speak or submit written comments at the public hearing

Testify through the webinar during the public hearing

Fax comments to 360-407-7534

The proposed rule amendments, timeline and public engagement information are available on Ecology’s Air Operating Permit Regulation web page.