WSR 17-05-021
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
[Order 16-09—Filed February 6, 2017, 1:26 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Ecology proposes to amend two rules:
1. Air quality fee rule, chapter 173-455 WAC, includes most of the air quality related fees into one chapter. This chapter allows the regulated community easier access to applicable fees.
2. General regulations for air pollution sources, chapter 173-400 WAC, establishes the regulatory framework to ensure that healthy air quality exists in Washington, including meeting federal air quality standards.
The amendments will:
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Better align fees with costs of the air quality source registration program.
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Revise the fee process to create an equitable distribution of fees across all registered sources.
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Ensure alignment between chapters 173-400 and 173-455 WAC.
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Match hourly rate charge in WAC 173-455-050 and 173-455-130 with current ecology billing rates.
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Identify, and where appropriate, make needed edits in chapters 173-455 and 173-400 WAC to increase clarity and readability.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 70.94 RCW, RCW 70.94.151, 70.94.892.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish:
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Existing registration program fees fund approximately forty-five percent of the estimated cost of operating the program. The rule making would better align fees with costs.
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The current fee process for the registration program does not equitably distribute fees across all registered sources. The rule making would increase fairness.
Process for Developing New Rule: Ecology will follow the standard process for the adoption of rules under the Administrative Procedure Act (chapter 34.05 RCW).
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties can stay informed about the rule making and public involvement opportunities:
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Visit the agency web page at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/rules/rulemaking.html.
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Sign up to receive email notices at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=ECY-AQ-RULE-AND-SIP-UPDATES&A=1.
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Participate in a stakeholder meeting and/or a public hearing. For details, visit the air quality program's web page at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/rules/wac173455/1609ov.htm.
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Contact Margo Thompson, Department of Ecology, Air Quality Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, (360) 407-6827 or margo.thompson@ecy.wa.gov.
February 2, 2017
Stuart A. Clark
Air Quality Program Manager