Proposal would increase fees for air pollution

The fee charged to air polluters by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources could see its biggest increase in several years if a current proposal is accepted by the Missouri Air Conservation Commission at its August meeting.

Under the proposal the fee would increase from its current rate of $34.50 to $40 per ton of regulated air pollutant, representing an estimated cost of $664,852 to private entities throughout the state.

DNR reviews the permit fees every year, usually resulting in an increase, but not always. Between 2003 and 2004 the fee dropped from $34 to $33 per ton of regulated pollutant. If the new rate is approved, it will represent the biggest increase since 2001 to 2002, when the fee went up from $25.70 to $31.

The air conservation commission is required by state law to set the rate every year, and the fees go to fund the administration of federal clean air mandates, said David Lamb with DNR's air pollution control program.

Southeast Missouri's largest air emission sources are Southeast Missouri State University at 918 tons reported in 2006, Buzzi Unicem at 1,513 tons and the Sikeston Power Station at 7,017 tons.

Chester Caldwell, plant manager at the Sikeston Power Station, said the increase, if approved, will cost the plant about $39,000, just a small portion of the power plant's operating budget, which he would not disclose.

"Everything is significant, but in the overall cost of the operation, it would probably not impact us too much," Caldwell said.

Those costs would be passed on to consumers, but Caldwell said the 233 megawatt power station would be shared by customers in Sikeston, in other cities served by the plant and by those who purchase the plant's excess power off a grid.

Other proposed changes include decreasing the frequency of emissions reporting for some entities from annually to every three years and from every five years to every six years for others.

The proposed changes are available for review online at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp/rulemaking.htm. DNR will accept written comments from the public about the proposal until 5 p.m. Thursday.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182