Overview:
The EPA is considering changes to public comment requirements.
Environmental groups are urging public comment as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers changes to some of its policies.
Earlier this month, the agency proposed revisions to its public participation rules for “sources subject to Clean Air Act (CAA) New Source Review (NSR) programs approved into State Implementation Plans (SIPs).”
“[NSR programs ] regulate individual authorizations to construct minor stationary sources and minor modifications to existing stationary sources,” the EPA said.
EPA’s proposal would let the state decide how much public participation is needed when reviewing “new minor sources and modifications” and making sure they are compliant with national standards.
“This approach is intended to reduce administrative burden and responsibly speed up permitting, supporting American economic development and energy dominance,” the EPA said.
Under its current policy, the EPA requires the public to receive notice and participate in a 30-day comment period before the state approves a program. EPA administrators said their proposal is a way to “cut unnecessary and burdensome red tape.”
The public is invited to weigh in on the EPA’s proposed plan through August 21st.
The pending changes have been condemned by a number of local groups such as Young, Gifted and Green, Memphis Community Against Pollution, the Safe and Sound Coalition, Youth Minds United, and others.
“These ‘minor’ sources are not always minor,” Young, Gifted and Green said in a statement. “They add up, and they tend to land in the same neighborhoods already dealing with the most pollution. If this rule passes, those permits could go through with no public notice and no chance to weigh in.”
The groups will host a webinar entitled “Minor Source, Major Impact: Protecting Your Right to Comment on Air Permits,” to prepare the public before the EPA’s public comment period ends. The event will be held via Zoom on August 5th at 5:00 p.m. Registration information can be found here.
The webinar will educate the public on the implications of the EPA’s proposal, what “minor sources” are, how to find the comment docket, and more.
