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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

DEQ to accept public comment on proposed changes to air rules; public hearing to be Dec. 7, 2015

LANSING -- On Oct. 26, 2015, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced it is seeking public comment about proposed changes to its Air Pollution Control Rules. The extended comment period runs through Dec. 18.

The proposed changes address transparency and public engagement, as well as the analysis of toxic air contaminants. In addition, they include updates to the requirements for Renewable Operating Permits (ROPs) and revisions to the overall exemptions from obtaining installation permits.

"We look forward to comments from residents living near industrial facilities as well as business interests that must obtain air permits," said DEQ Air Quality Division Chief Lynn Fiedler. "We have provided a Frequently Asked Questions document as well as a rule-by-rule summary to help describe the proposed changes to those interested in commenting."

These documents, as well as the proposed language changes to the rules and the public hearing notice, are available at www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/downloads/SIP/AQD-SIP.shtml.

The DEQ will host two public hearings on Dec. 7 in Lansing, including an opportunity to discuss the proposed changes with DEQ staff for one hour before the formal hearing begins. To accommodate different schedules, the hearing is split into afternoon and evening sessions, with question and answer times preceding each. The hearing will run from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. and reconvene at 7 p.m. Interested individuals are invited to either or both sessions.

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