OLYMPIA — The state Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the way it charges fees for some kinds of air-quality work.
The changes include funding for the program that registers and inspects certain small- and medium-sized businesses that emit air pollution.
The state Legislature has directed Ecology to shift the cost of funding the registration program away from general taxpayer dollars to fees charged to program users.
The current $400 annual fee has not changed in more than 17 years, Ecology said in a statement issued Friday.
Ecology proposes changing from a single-tier fee of $400 to three tiers of $450, $700 and $1,000, based on how much pollution each source emits.
Comments will be accepted through Oct. 2. Ecology expects to adopt the rule late this year.
This and other proposed changes can be reviewed at http://tinyurl.com/9dyxrg7.
Comments can be mailed to Elena Guilfoil, Washington Department of Ecology, Air Quality Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.
They can be emailed to AQComments@ecy.wa.gov.
A public hearing is planned at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in the auditorium at Ecology’s headquarters at 300 Desmond Drive S.E. in Lacey.
To call in to the public hearing, phone 360-407-3780, then enter the PIN number 980708.
Ecology will review, consider and respond to all comments. The proposed changes may be modified based on public comments.