November 28, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY -- The Missouri Air Conservation Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m. on Dec. 4 at the Governor Office Building, 200 Madison St., Jefferson City.

At this meeting, the commission will hear routine reports from department staff regarding permits, operations and enforcement actions.

A public hearing will also be held on the 2008 Eight-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Boundary Recommendation for Missouri.

(The DNR proposes placing Ste. Genevieve County in the St. Louis nonattainment zone and Perry County in a new nonattainment zone with Cape Girardeau County.)

On March 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a new eight-hour ozone standard. Release of this standard started a time clock with a deadline of March 2009 for the state to submit its recommendation as to which areas of the state should be designated nonattainment (not meeting the standard) for the new ozone standard. Under the new ozone standard, an area is designated nonattainment if its three-year design value is greater than 75 parts per billion, or if the area contributes to a violating ozone monitor.

Rescission 10 CSR 10-5.290, More Restrictive Emission Limitations for Particulate Matter in the South St. Louis Area, will also be presented. This rule applied specifically to the operating conditions and the compliance schedule of byproduct coke ovens no longer in operation at 526 East Catalan St. Amendment to 10 CSR 10-6.400, Restriction of Emission of Particulate Matter from Industrial Processes, will also be heard. This proposed amendment will add new exemptions to the rule for coating operations, units subject to a more stringent standard and units that have an uncontrolled potential to emit less than the allowable emissions.

In addition, amendments 10 CSR 10-5.381, On-Board Diagnostics Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection, and 10 CSR 10-6.061, Construction Permit Exemptions, will be presented at the hearing. Amendment 10 CSR 10-5.381 will clarify the exemption, inspection station, vehicle inspection and waiver requirements of the inspection/maintenance program rule in the St. Louis Ozone Nonattainment Area. Amendment 10 CSR 10-6.061 will add an exemption from construction permits for the construction of temporary storage structures throughout Missouri that occur as a result of exceptional events, such as natural disasters or abundant harvests exceeding available storage capacity.

The proposed documents are available for review at the Department of Natural Resources Air Pollution Control Program, 1659A E. Elm St., Jefferson City and on the public notice section of the Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp/index.html.

The department requests people intending to give verbal presentations on the proposed rule actions provide a written copy of their testimony to the commission secretary at the time of the public hearing. The department also will accept comments until 5 p.m. on Dec. 11.

Comments can be made electronically on the Web, or written comments can be sent to Chief, Operations Section, Department of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or by faxing to 573- 751-2706. The department is required to respond to all comments in writing as part of the rulemaking process. Written comments and oral public hearing testimony are treated with equal consideration.

Rule proposals considered at this hearing may be adopted by the Missouri Air Conservation Commission as provided for under authority of 643.050, RSMo. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817. Hearing-impaired individuals may contact the program through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

For more information or a complete meeting agenda, contact the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817 or visit www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp/macc.htm.