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Environmental Issues July 1, 2009 
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Air Fees Modified in State Budget The original proposal in Governor Doyle's budget to increase air fees for minor sources from $35.71 per ton to either $775 per year or $3,475 per year was modified in the final budget which was signed into law this week. The new fee structure, which will take effect next year, is a flat fee of $300 for all minor source permits that are state regulated only or are synthetic minors less than 80%. Synthetic minors that have allowable limits 80% or more of the major source threshold (SM80s) will pay a flat fee of $4,100. If you fall into the latter category but do not emit at levels covered by the SM80, you can apply for a permit revision to under 80% and will fall into the $300 fee. If after review of your request, it turns out you did not fall into the lower limit but were in fact emitting at SM80 levels, you would be billed the higher fee. WTBA worked very closely with Pat Osborne/Aggregate Producers of Wisconsin to get the fees reduced to a reasonable amount.
DNR Continues Work on TMDLs The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is moving foward to address impaired waters through an analysis known as Total Maximum Daily Load or TMDL. In basic terms, a TMDL establishes the amount of pollutant reduction needed from each source to reach water quality goals. To learn more about TMDLs click here to visit DNR's website on this topic. In a positive development, DNR seems to have moved from their initial goal of establishing a numeric value for discharge from a site to best management practices for complying with TMDL standards. During the next several years, DNR, in order to comply with EPA standards, will establish TMDLs for all waterways which are impaired in Wisconsin. The DNR website contains a link to the current list of waterways covered. This is a high priority issue for the association given its significant impact on quarries, pits and concrete plants. We will continue to send out updates as appropriate.
Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill passes House On Friday, June 26, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill on a vote of 219-212. The bill, which is completely hostile to personal and freight mobility, moves on to the U.S. Senate where it hopefully faces an ever tougher road. All 5 Democrats from Wisconsin's delegation voted for the bill while all three Republicans opposed it. WTBA sent a letter to the delegation urging their opposition to this bill which is an attack on roads and bridges. The Senate is likely to take action in the fall. It will be essential that members contact their Senators to voice their opposition. WTBA will be coordinating that effort in the coming months.
House Reauthorization Bill Requires Greenhouse Gas Reductions A House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee approved on a unanimous voice vote the House version of the Highway Bill. In addition to calling for $450 billion in funding for the next six years, the bill would require state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to incorporate plans for greenhouse gas emissions into the transportation plans. In addition, the bill would establish the "Office of Livability" which would encourage and facilitate the consideration of other modes of transportation besides roads. One can only wonder if they would encourage us all to hold hands each day. WTBA will continue to work with our national associations and other state chapters to remove these ridiculous and dangerous environmental provisions from the highway bill.
Interested In Serving on WTBA Environmental Committee? If you are interested in serving on the WTBA Environmental Committee, contact Pat Goss at 608-256-6891 or email Pat at pgoss@wtba.org. The committee meets about four times a year in person or by conference call. The committee reviews and discusses environmental issues impacting the members and provides guidance and direction to staff on addressing those issues.
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