DEQ News Release

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 12, 2018

ADEQ to Host Public Hearing on Proposed Regional Haze SIP
and Extend Public Comment Period

NORTH LITTLE ROCK—The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) will host a public hearing to receive comments on revisions to the Arkansas Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP). The hearing will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2018 in the Commission Room at ADEQ Headquarters, 5301 Northshore Drive in North Little Rock. The hearing, previously set for January 2, 2018, was rescheduled to provide the public additional time to review the proposal. ADEQ is also extending the comment period by two weeks in response to an additional request.

The Regional Haze Program seeks to address the combined visibility effects of various pollution sources over a wide geographic region with the goal of achieving natural visibility conditions at designated national parks and wilderness areas. In 2008, ADEQ submitted a SIP to address Regional Haze Program requirements for the first implementation period (2008–2018). The 2008 SIP was partially approved in 2012. In 2017, ADEQ submitted a SIP to address nitrogen oxides requirements for power plants for the first implementation period. The Environmental Protection Agency proposed approval of the nitrogen oxides SIP on September 11, 2017.

The current SIP proposal addresses Regional Haze requirements for sulfur dioxide and particulate matter at Arkansas power plants, evaluates controls necessary for ensuring reasonable progress toward natural visibility conditions, and sets reasonable progress goals for the first planning period ending in 2018. The SIP proposal also establishes a long-term strategy for improving visibility.

The hearing will provide the public with an opportunity to present oral and/or written comments on the proposed SIP for ADEQ’s consideration. All comments must be received by no later than 11:59 p.m. (Central Time) on Friday, February 2, 2018. Written comments should be mailed to Tricia Treece, Office of Air Quality, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, 5301 Northshore Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118. Electronic comments should be sent to: Treecep@adeq.state.ar.us .


CONTACT: Kelly Robinson (Robinson@adeq.state.ar.us or 501.682.0916)

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