DEQ Asking for Comments on Regional Haze 5-Year Plan

DEQ

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) hereby announces an opportunity to comment on and request a public hearing on the Regional Haze Five Year Progress Report, a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision. The hearing, if one is requested, will be held on Tuesday,

September 6, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the 1st Floor Multipurpose Room of the DEQ, 707 North Robinson Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. NOTE: If no request for a public hearing is received by 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 1, 2016 (the close of the minimum 30-day notice period), the hearing will be cancelled, and a notice announcing that the hearing has been cancelled will be posted on the DEQ web site (http://www.deq.state.ok.us/aqdnew/RulesAndPlanning/index.htm) at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled time for the hearing. You may call (405) 702-4100 to find out if the hearing has been cancelled.

Section 2-5-105 of Title 27A of the Oklahoma Statutes (“O.S.”) designates DEQ as the administrative agency for the Oklahoma Clean Air Act (27A O.S. §2-5-105 (2011)). The Air Quality Division (AQD) of DEQ has the authority to carry out all duties, requirements, and responsibilities necessary and proper for the implementation of the Oklahoma Clean Air Act and the fulfillment of the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act (27A O.S. § 1-3-101(B)(8) (2011); 27A O.S. § 2-3-101(E)(1) (2011);

27A O.S. § 2-5-105 (2011)). In accordance with 40 C.F.R. § 51.308, Oklahoma must address regional haze at the Wichita Mountains and at each mandatory Class I area located outside Oklahoma that may be affected by emissions generated within Oklahoma. DEQ prepared this progress report to submit to EPA as a SIP revision for regional haze, to comply with the requirements contained in 40 C.F.R. Part 51, Subpart P, Protection of Visibility, specifically § 51.308(g).

All persons interested in these matters are invited to submit written comments prior to the scheduled close of the public hearing (i.e., 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2016) and/or provide oral comments at the public hearing (if a hearing is requested and held). Persons planning to comment at the hearing may submit a written statement and/or additional information relevant to this matter for inclusion in the record of proceedings of the public hearing. The hearing officer may limit the length of oral presentations to allow all those who wish to provide oral comments an opportunity to do so.

The Regional Haze Five Year Progress Report is available on the DEQ web site at http://www.deq.state.ok.us/aqdnew/RulesAndPlanning/index.htm. Copies may also be obtained from DEQ by contacting Melanie Foster, Environmental Programs Manager, at (405) 702-4100 or Melanie.Foster@deq.ok.gov

Written comments and/or a public hearing request regarding the Regional Haze Five Year Progress: Report should be emailed to Ms. Foster at Melanie.Foster@deq.ok.gov or mailed to:

Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division

P.O. Box 1677

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101-1677

ATTN: Melanie Foster

Comments may be submitted by fax to the Air Quality Division, ATTN: Melanie Foster, at (405) 702-4101.

Should you desire to attend the public hearing but have a disability and need an accommodation, please notify the Air Quality Division three (3) days in advance at (405) 702-4172. For the hearing impaired, he TDD relay number is 1-800-522-8506 or 1-800-722-0353, for TDD machine use only.