Title V Facilities in Pennsylvania to Pay $85 Per Ton of Regulated Pollutant Emissions

On December 14, 2013, the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board (EQB) amended the Title V annual emission fee assessed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)’s Bureau of Air Quality, increasing the fee to $85 per ton of “regulated pollutant,” for up to 4,000 tons of emissions.  This represents an increase of $27.50 per ton of emissions, moving from the existing rate of $57.50 per ton.  Citing DEP budget deficit problems, the EQB described this $27.50 increase as “a bridge to allow additional time for the development of a comprehensive fee structure for the air quality program.”  The annual Title V emission fee requirement affects owners and operators of facilities that are classified as major sources of air pollution under Section 501 of the Federal Clean Air Act and subject to the Title V permitting program.  The increased rate will affect Title V fees payable by September 1, 2014, for emissions occurring in calendar year 2013.