The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has opened a public comment period on an increase to fee caps for the Air Quality Bureau.

The department has held rates at the current cap since 2016 and cut its budget by $1.6 million and its staff by 13 full-time employees over the last eight years to keep fees stable.

The proposed changes would increase the application fees for air quality permits, initial asbestos notification fees, Title V emission rates, and regulatory review per-hour rates.

The public comment period is currently open and will end with a public hearing at 1 p.m. on June 3. The public hearing will take place via Zoom. Written comments can be submitted via email to wendy.walker@dnr.iowa.gov until 4:30 on June 3. 

Fees will not increase until at least the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Currently in the KCII listening area, there are registered Title V and air quality construction permits in Jefferson, Johnson and Louisa counties.