The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released an emissions reductions credit (ERC) registry webpage to facilitate economic growth and development in ozone nonattainment areas while ensuring continued improvement in air quality for Wisconsin residents.
The Wisconsin ERC registry is available for use in ozone nonattainment areas and connects entities interested in buying, selling or generating ERCs for use in Air Pollution Control Major New Source Review Permitting. Facilities located in the orange portion of the nonattainment areas in Figure 1 have a lower emissions threshold for Major New Source Review permits. That means more expanding businesses will need to find ERCs for major permitting projects, including small businesses that have the potential to trigger the lower major source thresholds. This is also an opportunity for small businesses that have or are planning to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or nitrogen oxides (NOx). Businesses located in the nonattainment areas that have shut down or replaced less efficient equipment or are considering such actions are encouraged to contact DNR to see if their emission reductions could qualify as ERCs for posting to the registry.
Wisconsin’s current ozone nonattainment challenges make the registry beneficial to facilities looking to relocate or expand in ozone nonattainment areas. Sources located in nonattainment areas reducing emissions of VOCs or NOx can generate ERCs for trade. Facilities needing to offset emissions for a project that requires a Major New Source Review permit can find available and potential ERCs on the registry. The registry webpage includes information on how facilities can generate, use, and transfer ERCs.
Visit the ERC webpage and view the registry on DNR’s website: Wisconsin Emissions Reduction Credit (ERC) Registry | Wisconsin DNR. Facilities planning to generate or use ERCs can discuss those plans with DNR to decide the best permit timing for a successful transfer of credits. Contact Dave Minkey, Construction Permit Coordinator, for more information on establishing ERCs.
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Facilities covered by Air Pollution Registration Permits use DNR Form 4530-178 to meet their requirement to submit an annual permit compliance certification. Last week DNR fixed a feature of the form that was causing some users to lose responses entered in Part 2 of the form whenever certain responses in Part 1 of the form were changed. If you are having problems with Form 4530-178, download the new version.
Some web browsers do not open DNR PDF forms on their own, particularly fillable PDF versions. The best solution is to download a copy of the file to your computer and then open the file directly in Adobe Reader version 8.0 or higher. To download a file, right-click on the PDF link, then select "Save link as" or "Save target as." Make a note of the file location and file name so you can access the file from your device. Open Adobe Reader, select "File > Open," then browse to the PDF file you saved on your device.
For other potential solutions, refer to DNR’s PDF Help webpage.
Water Quality Guidance Document Available for Public Input
A new Water Quality document, "Land Treatment Management Plan Requirements for Industrial and Domestic Wastewaters," is currently available for public review on the DNR website. Public input will be accepted via email through the end of the day on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.
To review and provide comments on this document:
- Visit the Water Quality Program Policy and Guidance page and find the document in the table at the bottom of the page.
- Feedback related to the document should be emailed to the staff member listed in the table row.
DNR staff will review comments that are submitted and make revisions, as needed, to improve the quality of the document.
EPA Seeks Input on TSCA Rule – Reporting and Recordkeeping for PFAS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. This Panel will focus on the agency’s development of a rule that would require reporting and recordkeeping for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from certain persons who have manufactured (including imported) a PFAS in any year since January 1, 2011.
EPA seeks self-nominations directly from the small entities that may be subject to the rule requirements. Other representatives, such as trade associations that exclusively or at least primarily represent potentially regulated small entities, may also serve as SERs.
Self-nominations may be submitted through the link below and must be received by February 16, 2022: https://www.epa.gov/reg-flex/potential-sbar-panel-tsca-section-8a7-rule-reporting-and-recordkeeping-requirements
Training Classes on Lead and Copper Monitoring Plans for OTM Public Water Systems
The DNR and the Wisconsin Rural Water Association are partnering to offer free virtual training for public water systems. The training will focus on Lead and Copper Monitoring Site Plan Materials Inventory and Monitoring Site Plan Updates for OTM Public Water Systems. The training workshop is three hours long and will be offered virtually via Zoom on four different dates. Participants may earn three OTM/NN credits. Sign up by visiting the webpage here.
Class Dates
- Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to noon
- Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to noon
- Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to noon
- Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Class Description
Attendees will learn how to update their lead and copper monitoring site plan to meet Federal and State rule requirements, including how to conduct a lead and copper materials inventory. The workshop will explain how to identify taps within an OTM water system that may be used for lead and copper compliance monitoring and how to prioritize these taps based on: service line and plumbing material type, plumbing material age, presence or absence of point-of-use or point-of-entry treatment and building and faucet type. This workshop will also provide a general overview of lead and copper monitoring requirements and offer a sneak preview into what will and will not change regarding lead and copper compliance monitoring under the 2021 Federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.
WISCON Webinars
Weekly online webinars from WisCon Safety Consultation Program, held at 1:00 pm each Monday. Join the webinar via the ZOOM link: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/99797590129. Future topics include:
- 2/14 - Using OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA)
- 2/21 - Machine Guarding -Power Transmission
- 2/28 - Disinfectants
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