The state Environmental Protection Commission is considering raising thefees charged to the 300 businesses that release the most pollution into theIowa air. Department of Natural Resources Air Quality Specialist BrianButton says those companies are governed by what are called “title five”guidelines.The businesses pay a fee for each ton of emissions they release over a setlimit. Button says many, but not all, of the businesses on the list areindustrial.The fee is currently 24-dollars per ton. Button says they’d had a surplusof fee money which allowed them to hold the line on the fee the last severalyears. They are now facing a tighter budget and that’s why they’re looking to raisethe fee. Button says the fee is important to keeping the Air QualityDepartment running.Button says they’ll be discussing the increase with all groups involvedbefore making a final decision on a possible increase.
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