Environmental Quality Service CouncilIDEM Report – August 15, 2012

Thomas W. Easterly, P.E., BCEE, QEP Commissioner, Indiana Department of

Environmental Management

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IDEM’s MissionWe Protect Hoosiers and Our Environment

IDEM’s mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial and government activities vital to a prosperous economy.

How Does IDEM Protect Hoosiers and Our Environment?

• Develop regulations and issue permits to restrict discharges to the environment to safe levels.

• Inspect and monitor permitted facilities to ensure compliance with the permits.

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How Does IDEM Protect Hoosiers and Our Environment?

• Use compliance assistance and/or enforcement when people exceed their permit levels or violate regulations.

• Educate people on their environmental responsibilities.

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Performance Metrics July 2012

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Result Target CommentsQuality of Hoosiers' Environment

% of Hoosiers that live in counties that meet air quality standards

99.99% 100% 80% Lead in a small portion of Muncie

% of CSO Communities with approved programs to prevent the release of untreated sewage

97.2% 100% 90%96+9 (105) out of 99+9 (108)

% of Hoosiers that receive water from facilities in full compliance with safe drinking water standards

99.88% 99% 95%  

Permitting EfficiencyTotal calendar days accumulated in issuing environmental permits, as determined by state statute

Land 33,674 41,514 46,398Air 70,773 65,994 73,758Water 43,034 61,787 69,056

* Places emphasis on back logged permits

ComplianceTotal percentage of compliance observations from regulated customers within acceptable compliance standards

Inspections 97.54% 97% 75%  Self reporting 98.57% 99% 95%  

Continuous monitoring (COM) 99.77% 99.9% 99.0%  

* Tracks observations and not just inspections

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Performance Metrics June 2005Quality of Hoosiers' Environment Result Target Comments

% of Hoosiers in counties meeting air quality standards

61% 100% 80%12 counties & 2,408,571 of 6,195,643 above standard

% of CSO Communities with approved programs to prevent the release of untreated sewage

4% 100% 20% 75% by 2007 is goal

Permitting Efficiency Total calendar days accumulated in issuing environmental permits, as determined by state statute

Land 100,013 66,565 86,864

Air 511,000 207,000 385,000

Water 301,000 48,000 200,000

* Places emphasis on back logged permits

Compliance Total percentage of compliance observations from regulated customers within acceptable compliance standards

Inspections 95.46% 97% 75%

Self reporting 97.11% 99% 95%

Continuous monitoring (COM) 99.19% 99.90% 98.95%

* Tracks observations and not just inspections

Organizational Transformation Budgetary agency dollars spent on key outside contracts for core agency functions.

Dollars spent on outside services per year $6,179,367 $0 $3,447,017

Permits--Percent of Statutory Days

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Comparison of Region 5 States Permitting Program Status

compiled by U.S. EPA Region 5 for July 26, 2012 State

Environmental Directors Meeting

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Status of All Facilities Covered by Current NPDES Permits (as of 7/6/12)

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Status of All Facilities Covered by Current Permits (as of 7/6/12)Status of All Facilities Covered by Current Permits (as of 7/6/12)

IDEM Backlogs Eliminated

• On January 10, 2005, there were 263 administratively extended NPDES permits and 289 unissued Title V permits. All of those have been issued and IDEM now issues permits using less than 85% of the statutorily allowed days.

• On January 10, 2005, there were 250 unresolved enforcement cases over 2 years old. Now the oldest referral on our tracking list is June, 2010.

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Office of Water Quality NPDES Permit Backlog Reduction

• 2005: 263 administratively extended Permits.• 2012: 6 administratively extended permits

– One renewal application submitted late.– All extended permits have been public noticed.– Four major industrial power plant permits under

final review after public notice and will be issued within next three weeks.

– One minor municipal. – One major municipal.

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• 108 communities with combined sewers.• 102 communities have IDEM approved LTCPs.• 6 communities remain to have their LTCPs

developed and approved.  Of those, 3 are in an enforceable mechanisms to get their LTCPs developed, approved and implemented, and 3 are currently in negotiations with EPA and IDEM to enter into an agreeable enforcement mechanism for the development and implementation of LTCPs.

• 34 communities have completed the implementation of their CSO controls.

Office of Water QualityCombined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)

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Water Antidegradation• (Water) Antidegradation—Applies to new or

increased loadings of regulated pollutants due to deliberate actions.

• There are exemptions for:– Short term temporary discharges.– De minimis discharges (<10% of available

capacity).– Changes in loadings covered by an existing

permit.

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Water Antidegradation

• Three basic tests:– Is the new loading necessary?– Is the proposed treatment (discharge) level

appropriate?– Do the social and economic benefits of the activity

outweigh the environmental degradation?

• Additional protection requirements for Outstanding State Resource Waters.

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Office of Water QualityBlue Green Algae Initiative

• Concerns from citizens around Geist Reservoir in 2007, Senator Gard urged agencies to investigate.

• 2009 EQSC report recommended expanded sampling of lakes.

• IDEM is sampling at 13 locations at 11 DNR managed lakes this year.

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Office of Water QualityBlue Green Algae Initiative

• Chain O’Lakes State Park - Sand Lake

• Fairfax State Recreation Area on Monroe Lake

• Hardin Ridge U.S. Forest Service Recreation Area on Monroe Lake

• Hardy Lake State Recreation Area

• Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area on Salamonie Lake

• Miami State Recreation Area on Mississinewa Lake

• Mounds State Recreation Area on Brookville Lake

• Paynetown State Recreation Area on Monroe Lake

• Pokagon State Park - Lake James

• Potato Creek State Park - Worster Lake

• Quakertown State Recreation Area on Brookville Lake

• Raccoon State Recreation Area on Cecil M. Hardin Lake (Raccoon Lake)

• Whitewater Memorial State Park - Whitewater Lake17

Office of Water QualityBlue Green Algae Initiative

• Citizens Water also samples at:– Eagle Creek Reservoir

– Geist Reservoir

– Morse Reservoir

• The Center for Earth and Environmental Science at IUPUI samples Patoka Lake monthly at five sites.

• All results and health warnings are posted at http://www.in.gov/idem/algae/

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Fish Tissue Mercury

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Fish Tissue Mercury

• Mercury emissions in Indiana have decreased by approximately 50% over the past 14 years.

• Measured mercury deposition has decreased by 7% during this time.

• In spite of these reductions, there is no apparent change in mercury fish concentrations in Indiana.

Fish Tissue Mercury

• U.S. EPA’s “acceptable” fish mercury levels are 0.3 mg/kg which is 300 ppb.

• While the average fish tissue mercury levels in Indiana have not changed, they are less than one half of this level.

• Indiana has historically called a stream impaired for mercury if a single analytical result (average of 3 fish) exceeded 300 ppb.

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Fish Tissue Mercury

• At the end of 2010, U.S.EPA issued new guidance on the proper interpretation of the fish tissue data.

• U.S.EPA’s guidance indicates that a properly calculated average mercury value is the appropriate interpretation of the limit.

• IDEM has reevaluated its mercury data using the U.S.EPA guidance.

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Fish Tissue Mercury(Note: Lake data does not include Lake Michigan)

Year Mercury Impaired Stream

Reaches

Mercury Impaired

Stream Miles

Mercury Impaired

Lakes

Mercury Impaired

Lake Acres

2010 272 1,689 37 44,5402012 42 417 15 14,582

Change -84% -75% -60% -67%

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Fish Tissue Mercury(Note: Lake data does not include Lake Michigan)

Year Stream Reaches OK for

Mercury

Stream Miles OK for

Mercury

Lakes OK for Mercury

Lake Acres OK for

Mercury

2010 489 2,652 54 25,1722012 1,394 5,369 80 55,979

Change +185% +102% +48% +122%

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U.S. EPA Mercury Air Toxics Rule (MATS)

Final Rule Effective: April 16, 2012• Annual rule cost $9.9 billion.• Annual rule HAP benefit $5,000 to $6,000,000

(0.00209 IQ points per exposed person or 510.8 IQ points per year in US out of 31 billion IQ points).

• Rule cost is between $1,650 and $1,980,000 per $1 of HAP benefit.

• Estimated annual co-benefits $53 to $140 billion.

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Current Air Quality Status

• At the end of 2009, all of Indiana met every currently effective NAAQS for the first time since NAAQS were established in the 1970’s.

• IDEM has succeeded in working with U.S. EPA to have all of the state designated as attainment for those pollutants except:– Central Indiana PM2.5 – Clark and Floyd counties PM2.5

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New Air Quality Standards

• Since the end of 2009, new air quality standards have resulted in U.S. EPA designating the following new nonattainment areas:– Lake and Porter counties Ozone (2008 standard)– Lawrenceburg Township (Dearborn County) Ozone– City of Muncie Lead

• All monitors in Indiana currently meet the 100 ppb short term Nox standard established in 2010.

• A number of townships in seven counties will likely be designated as nonattainment for the 1-hour 75 ppb SO2 standard established in 2010.

NWI 75 ppb OZONE DESIGNATION

• September 22, 2011, U.S. EPA announces it is proceeding with ozone nonattainment designations.

• December 9, 2011, U.S. EPA notifies Governor Daniels that all of Indiana will be designated attainment except Lawrenceburg in Dearborn County.

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NWI 75 ppb OZONE DESIGNATION

• January 31, 2012, U.S. EPA notifies Governor Daniels that due to data provided by Illinois on December 7, 2011; Lake, Porter and Jasper counties will be designated as nonattainment for ozone.

• April 13, 2012, Indiana sends package explaining why Lake, Porter and Jasper counties should be designated as attainment.

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NWI 75 ppb OZONE DESIGNATION

• Reasons for Indiana ozone attainment recommendation:– A single monitor out of 22 apparently exceeded

the standard by 0.4 ppb (0.0004 ppm).– Illinois caused the violation by discontinuing full

implementation of its automotive inspection program in 2008 without making a 110 (l) demonstration, thereby violating its SIP and the Clean Air Act.

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NWI 75 ppb OZONE DESIGNATION

– Milwaukee, which is designated as attainment, has a higher contribution to the violating monitor than Lake County or Porter County.

• On May 31, 2012, Administrator Jackson signed the nonattainment designation for the Chicago Area including Lake and Porter counties in Indiana—Milwaukee remains designated as an attainment area.

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NWI 75 ppb OZONE DESIGNATION

• Remedies being implemented:– Petition court for reconsideration of

nonattainment designations—July 19, 2012.– Petition court for a stay of the designations—

August 8, 2012.– Petition U.S.EPA to reconsider the May 31,

2012 designations—August 10, 2012.– Ask impacted congressional delegation for help.

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Why is Illinois I & M Key?

• Beginning in 2007, Illinois went to the OBD inspection system which exempts 1968 through 1995 vehicles from inspection.

• Data from Indiana’s system shows that inspection of 1968 through 1995 vehicles accounted for 67% of the HC, 85% of the NOx, and 79% of the CO reductions in 2008.

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Sulfur Dioxide Design Values 2002-2011Compared to 2010 1-hour Standard of 75 ppb

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Sulfur Dioxide Annual 99th Percentile Values 2000-2011

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2010 Sulfur Dioxide Standard

Nonattainment Designation

Recommendations

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2008 Lead StandardNonattainment

Designations

Protection of Downwind States• In 2005 a number of counties, including three

in Indiana, did not meet all ozone and PM2.5 air quality standards. U.S. EPA projected that over 100 counties would still not meet standards by 2012.

• By the end of 2010 air quality in Indiana and the rest of the country had improved to meet the Ozone and PM2.5 air quality standards addressed by CSAPR (except for two areas impacted by local sources). 39

Protection of Downwind StatesOzone PM2.5 (Annual) PM2.5 (24-Hour)

EPA predicted 2012 Nonattainment counties (based upon 2005 air quality)

11 32 103

Counties Attaining by 2009 9 27 83Counties still needing improvement at end of 2009 2 5 20Counties with remaining local source issues 2010 1 1 1

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CAIR/Transport Rule/CSAPR

• IDEM expected to meet the Transport Rule statewide caps for 2012 without additional controls, CSAPR reduced those caps by 29%--not currently achievable.

• IDEM expected that we would need one current project completed and another source controlled to meet the 2014 caps. CSAPR reduced the caps by 20%.

• CSAPR annual cost estimated to be $2.4 billion.

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CAIR/Transport Rule/CSAPR

• Success to Date: On December 30, 2011, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of CSAPR and a hearing on the merits of the appeals was held in April—no decision yet.

• Cost of Success: U.S. EPA placed a hold on the PM2.5 attainment designation for the Indianapolis Area which had been sent to the Federal Register, but not published.

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CAIR/Transport Rule/CSAPR• The State of Indiana has filed three actions to

respond to CSAPR:– A petition to reconsider the rule with U.S. EPA.– A petition for judicial review of the rule with the

DC Court of Appeals.– A request for a stay of the rule with the DC Court

of Appeals.

• We are also working with LA, OH, TX and WV to advocate reconsideration of the rule.

Air Quality Compared to CSAPR Goals 2008 to 2010

Attains

Does Not Meet the PM Standards

Does Not Meet the Ozone standard

Does Not Meet the Ozone and PM

Location of the State Capitals

State Boundaries 44

State of the Air Status 2008 to 2010

Attains

Does Not Meet the PM Standards

Does Not Meet the Ozone standard

Does Not Meet the Ozone and PM

Location of the State Capitals

State Boundaries 45

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CO2 (Greenhouse Gasses)

The National Academy of Sciences report, “America’s Climate Choices” recommends that actions be taken now to start reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to levels between 50% and 80% below 1990 levels.

• Achieving an 80% reduction from 1990 levels would require a 81.4% reduction from 2009 levels.

• If we converted all U.S. fossil fuel use from coal and oil to natural gas, we would achieve a 23.9% reduction from 2009 levels.

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CO2 (Greenhouse Gasses)

• The remaining emissions would need to be reduced by 73.8% to reach the 80% target.

• Apparent choices are:– Energy conservation.– Increasing non-hydro renewable energy sources

from the current 5.5% market share.– Carbon sequestration.– Nuclear electricity.

• Is it possible to achieve the additional 73.8% reduction?

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CO2 (Greenhouse Gasses)• This spring, the Environmental Council of the

States (ECOS) passed resolution 12-1 “Challenges of Achieving Significant Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reductions”.

• The resolution requests that the U.S. EPA develop one or more scenarios that will produce an 80 percent reduction in GHG emissions nationally, from a 2005 baseline, in 2050 or beyond; and to conduct an analysis of the costs and the benefits associated with each such scenario along with an estimate of the costs and benefits of not obtaining these GHG reductions.

Office of Air QualityAir Monitoring

• OAQ operates 81 air monitoring sites throughout the State.

• Total data points generated by OAQ every year = 2,548,160.

• The Indiana Network Description is located at… http://www.in.gov/idem/files/air_ambient_2013_network_review.pdf 49

Office of Air QualityMint Farms—HEA1451

• There are 16 Mint Farms across Northern Indiana. • The farms produce a concentrated mint oil extract by

steam distillation and separation of mint oil from the mint plant itself.

• No emission factors existed to determine Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions for air permit applicability.

• House Enrolled Act No. 1451 required that a study be conducted of the actual and potential air emissions from the distillation of mint.

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Office of Air QualityMint Farms—HEA 1451

• In May 2011, IDEM awarded a contract to test VOC emissions at the Lawrence Farm.

• The test was conducted on July 27, 2011.• Test results indicated that there are VOC emissions

from mint distilling, but the levels are below the threshold requiring air permits.

• Through cooperation with the mint farmers, we were able to determine that all these farms are exempt from air permitting requirements.

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Office of Land QualityAccomplishments

• Supported Super Bowl host committee with approvals for successful food waste composting demonstration project.

• Implementing plain writing improvements in permit documents across all programs.

• Streamlined hazardous waste permit renewal review process.

• Streamlined waste tire program work flows.52

Office of Land QualityPermitting

• Issued 887 permit decisions last fiscal year.

• 39% of the decisions were relative to confined feeding permits.

• On average the decisions were issued in 66% of the time required under the statute based on calendar days.

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Office of Land QualityNew CFO/CAFO Rules

• New rules became effective July 1, 2012.• Many farms exited the NPDES program.

– The NPDES General Permit category for CAFOs is discontinued. All 504 CAFOs holding NPDES General Permits elected to transition out of the NPDES program into the CFO program.

– 4 CAFOs that do not discharge requested to transition out of their NPDES Individual Permit into the CFO program.

• There are now 13 CAFOs under NPDES CAFO Individual Permits and 1,984 CFOs and CAFOs under CFO Approvals.

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Office of Land QualityNew CFO/CAFO Rules (cont.)

• Phosphorus limits on land application and restrictions on land application to frozen and snow-covered ground are among new requirements protecting water quality.

• Updated application forms, CFO guidance and permit documents are in place to support the new rules.

• IDEM is reviewing and approving new applications on schedule.

• IDEM is partnering with Indiana Corn & the Indiana Soybean Alliance in their effort to develop web-based guidance to help CFOs understand new requirements.

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Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance

• Focus on statutory purpose of promoting cooperation between IDEM and regulated entities.

• Work with over 400 entities in voluntary participation programs (education, recognition, and financial support) that improve the environment beyond environmental requirements.

• Answer over 4000 inquiries (annually) to help people understand and comply with their regulatory responsibilities.

• Administratively support compliance program activities through Regional Offices.

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Environmental Rules Board• Change is response to questions from the

Select Committee on Government Reduction.

• This 16 Member Board Replaces:– Air Pollution Control Board. – Water Pollution Control Board.– Solid Waste Management Board.

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Environmental Rules BoardEx Official Members Representative of Labor

Commissioner, State Department of Health

Representative of Environmental Interests

Director, Natural Resources Department Representative of Local Government

Lieutenant Governor Representative of Small Business

Secretary of Commerce Licensed Health Professional

Commissioner, IDEM (Non Voting) Representative of Solid Waste Management Industry

PUBLIC MEMBERS Representative of Public Electric Utility

Representative of Agriculture General Public

Representative of Manufacturing General Public58

Environmental Rules Board• Board shall select, from a list of 3 qualified

individuals recommended by the governor, an independent third party who is not an employee of the State to serve as technical secretary.– $50 per meeting plus travel expenses.– Subject to Conflict of Interest Laws prohibiting

doing other Environmental Work in Indiana.

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Environmental Rules Board• Board may select, from a list of 3 qualified

individuals recommended by the governor, an independent third party who is not an employee of the State to serve as legal counsel.– $50 per meeting plus travel expenses.– Subject to Conflict of Interest Laws.

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Environmental Rules Board• Governor to Appoint Board Members

before December 31, 2012.

• Board Member Appointments are for Four Year Terms—Terms Continue until a Replacement is Named.

• Governor Annually Appoints Chair and Vice Chair of the Board.

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IDEM 2011-2012 GOALS AND CHALLENGES

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2011-2012 IDEM Major Goals• Complete Antidegradation Rulemaking

Process.• Done WPCB Final Adoption March 14, 2012.

• Obtain U.S. EPA approval of attainment designations for PM2.5 for all of Indiana:• Evansville, Cincinnati and Northwest Indiana are

final and effective.• U.S. EPA will not proceed with attainment

designations for the Indianapolis and Louisville areas until the court rules on the CSAPR litigation.

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2011-2012 IDEM Major Goals

• Complete CAFO/CFO Rulemaking Process.• Done Final Adoption November 9, 2011.

• Adopt Remediation Closure Guidance and Remediation Program Guidance as NPDs.• Done presented to SWMB February 21, 2012.• Effective March 22, 2012.

• Start Rulemaking for Numeric Nutrient WQS.

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2011--2012 IDEM Challenges

• Administratively reissue NPDES General Permits and address antidegradation requirements.

• Develop and implement plan for seamless implementation of water program responsibilities currently assigned to: IDEM, ISDH, IDNR, IDHS, and ISDA.

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Questions?

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Brad BaughnBusiness & Legislative Liaison

bbaughn@idem.in.gov317-234-3386