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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Hutchins at
515-725-9550 or Brian.Hutchins@dnr.iowa.gov.
As
temperatures warm and people head outdoors, they can usually count on good air
quality. In fact, Iowans especially have something to celebrate. Over the last
25 years, Iowa industries have significantly reduced six major air pollutants
while growing our economy.
Iowa’s
population and many economic indicators have climbed since 1990. Yet two air
pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone and airborne particles—the
pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health—have decreased
significantly. Sulfur dioxide emissions are down 60 percent and nitrogen oxides
are down 43 percent.
Find out
more about air quality trends in Iowa and your
neighborhood. Or, explore a few ways to save
money while helping everyone breathe easier.
Go ahead. Celebrate
air quality improvements during Air Quality Awareness Week, April 30 to May 4.
While there
is much to celebrate during Air Quality Awareness Week, there are days when
local air quality can pose health risks to sensitive populations. If in doubt
or planning outdoor activities, consult the Air Quality Index, www.iowacleanair.gov, to learn about
current and local conditions.
The
color-coded map summarizes ozone and particulate matter levels. In Iowa, the
map is usually green for good air quality.
If pollution
is high, the Air Quality Index will show orange areas, cautioning sensitive
groups like the elderly, children, and those with heart or lung diseases to
limit strenuous outdoor activities.
Athletes and
those who love outdoor activities or work outdoors may also be affected by
ozone, because the more active they are, the faster and deeper they breathe.
For information concerning
current levels of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, check
the Polk County,
Linn County
and State
Hygienic Laboratory websites:
MEDIA
CONTACT: Lori Hanson, DNR, at 515-725-9525 or Lori.Hanson@dnr.iowa.gov
for Title V permits.
DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality
Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect
Iowans’ health and the air where we live. DNR’s permitting staff review the
applications to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality
standards. The public has the right and is encouraged to comment on draft
permits. DNR considers public comments before finalizing the permits. Submit
comments in writing to the assigned permit writer before 4:30 p.m. on the last
day of the public comment period.
Title
V Operating Permits
Title V Operating permits are
reviewed and re-issued every five years. Facilities with a Title V permit have
the potential to emit large amounts of air pollutants compared to other
facilities. The five-year reviews are a federal requirement and ensure adequate
monitoring is included in the permit. The DNR plans to issue Title V
Operating Permits for the following
facilities. Find permit details at www.iowadnr.gov/airoperatingpermits.
Hamilton County
POET Biorefining – Jewell, LLC, 2601 320th
St., Jewell.
The renewal application was submitted to operate their existing fuel-grade
ethanol manufacturing facility. The public comment period ends May 26.
Des
Moines County
IPL - Burlington Generating
Station located at 4282 Sullivan Slough Road, Burlington.
The renewal application was
submitted to operate their existing electric generating facility. The public
comment period ends May 26.
Muscatine
County
HNI Corporation - Central Campus
located at 600, 601, 700 E. Second St.; 200, 301 Oak St.; 620, 911, 912, 914 E.
Fifth St. in Muscatine.
The renewal application was
submitted to operate their existing wood and metal office furniture
manufacturing facility. The public
comment period ends May 26.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ed Tormey, DNR, at 515-725-8373 or Ed.Tormey@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and
communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state
and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where
compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The
following list summarizes recent enforcement actions. Find the entire, original
orders on DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/EnforcementActions.
Consent Orders
A consent order is issued as an alternative to issuing an
administrative order. A consent order indicates that the DNR has voluntarily
entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the other party.
Des
Moines County
MK Mini Mart Inc
Comply
with UST certified operator and recordkeeping requirements and pay $3,300
penalty.
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