It’s time to comment on air pollution control plans. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is having public hearings this week on the Implementation Plan for pollution control. There are five different ways to comment.
Last month DEC released a draft of the Serious State Implementation Plan, or Serious SIP. Before finalizing it, the agency wants to hear suggested changes to make it more workable.
Cindy Heil, Program Manager with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's Air Quality Division, demonstrated the DEC website to find the Fairbanks Air Quality Serious SIP.
“So if you go to DEC.Alaska.Gov/AIR that’s the fastest way to the Division website. But one of the little things we did was make a link for Fairbanks Particulate Matter PM2.5, so Fairbanks, you guys are special, you can have your own little quick link right there.”
There is a short-cut to the Fairbanks area’s documents: http://dec.alaska.gov/AIR. Under “Hot Topics” on the website, you can find a link to the SIP and information about Fairbanks Particulate Matter PM2.5.
She says the agency has broken the SIP up into bite-size pieces so consumers, woodburners and industry can focus on the part of the plan that impacts them the most. Then users can make comments. (First method.)
“We are recommending people submit their comments electronically. This is broken up so you can comment on the SIP, on each section of the regulations if you choose, on the general public process… and when you submit it you get a receipt, so you have it in your back pocket.”
There are other ways to give the Air Quality Division suggestions, including in person. (Second method.)
Tomorrow evening, June 25th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. there will be an Open House at the Westmark Hotel with a Presentation and a chance for individuals to ask questions.
Wednesday there will be two Formal Hearings to receive oral testimony.
- The first begins at noon and goes to 1:30 p.m.
- The second begins at 5 p.m. and goes longer - to 8 p.m.
- Both of the formal hearings will be in the Assembly Chambers in the Borough Building off Illinois Street in Fairbanks.
- Online
- In person
- In addition to writing on the DEC website, or making comments in person, you can send them by email, to dec.air.comment@alaska.gov
- By US mail to: Division of Air Quality, ADEC, 555 Cordova St, Anchorage, 99501
- Or by Fax at (907) 269-7508.