Iowa Department of Natural Resources
 
May 29, 2008
For immediate release
 
1.      Environmental Protection Commission to approve contracts
2.      Northern Natural Gas joins climate registry
 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMISSION TO APPROVE CONTRACTS
 
MEDIA CONTACT:  Karen Grimes at (515) 281-5135 or [log in to unmask]
 
DES MOINES — The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) will approve contracts for ongoing environmental services such as air and water quality monitoring, manure applicator certification and environmental assistance to small businesses during its monthly meeting June 10. 
 
The meeting will start at 10:00 a.m. in the DNR Air Quality Building, 7900 Hickman Road, in Urbandale. The meeting is open to the public and public comments will start at 10:30 a.m.
 
The EPC will consider a $359,766 contract with the University of Iowa Hygienic Lab to fund environmental monitoring and control programs. The proposed arrangement would aid the DNR with field and laboratory services such as water quality monitoring, water supply support and dam safety inspection. 
 
Commissioners will also be asked to approve seven projects selected for funding by the Solid Waste Alternatives Program. If approved, the DNR will award $297,829 in a combination of forgivable and zero-interest loans toward projects to divert solid waste from Iowa landfills. 
 
The complete agenda for the meeting follows:
 
·        Approval of Agenda
·        Approval of Minutes 
·        Director’s Remarks
·        Solid Waste Alternatives Program – Recommendations

Contracts
§         University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL) - Impaired waters monitoring and assessment
§         University of Iowa -  Water Resource Assessments
§         Iowa Department of Economic Development - Water Quality Advocate
§         Environmental Monitoring and Laboratory Services – University of Iowa Hygienic Lab
§         SFY 2009 DNR/UHL Air Quality Bureau Support
§         University of Northern Iowa's (UNI) Iowa Waste Reduction Center – Small Business Assistance Program
§         Polk County Board of Supervisors - Air Quality Program
§         Linn County Public Health - Air Quality Program
§         Iowa State University - Manure Applicator Certification

Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund – FY 2009 Intended Use Plans
Denial of Petition for Rulemaking Filed by the South Dallas County Landfill Agency et al
RE:  IAC Chapter 567—113 “Sanitary Landfills for Municipal Solid Waste: Groundwater Protection Systems for the Disposal of Nonhazardous Wastes.”   
·        Final Rule - Amendments to Chapter 135, Technical Standards and Corrective Action Requirements for Owners and Operators of Underground Storage Tanks
·        Termination of rule making - Chapter 64 - Wastewater Construction and Operation Permits  - storm water fee increase
·        Final Rule - Chapter 64 - Wastewater Construction and Operation Permits - storm water fee increase
·        Notice of Intended Action – Ch. 567 1.6 Environmental Protection Commission – Quorum and voting requirements
·        Proposed Rule - Chapter 61, Water Quality Standards, Section 401 Certification of Section 404 Regional Permit 7 (RP 7)
·        Monthly Reports
·        General Discussion
§         Update manure on frozen ground – Claire Hruby
·        Items for Next Month’s Meeting
§         July 7-8 – Storm Lake – King’s Pointe Resort 
§         August 12 – Urbandale
 
Look for more information about the agenda items on the DNR Web site under Commissions and Boards at www.iowadnr.gov. 
 
The members of the commission are Henry Marquard, chair, Muscatine; Charlotte Hubbell, vice chair, Des Moines; Suzanne Morrow, secretary, Storm Lake; David Petty, Eldora; Ralph Klemme, LeMars; Susan Heathcote, Des Moines; and Paul Johnson, Decorah. The director of the DNR is Richard Leopold. 
 
Writer: Cassy Lalan
 
# # # 
 
NORTHERN NATURAL GAS JOINS CLIMATE REGISTRY
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Marnie Stein, DNR Emission Inventory, (515) 281-8468
 
DES MOINES — Northern Natural Gas has become a Founding Reporter in The Climate Registry. The Climate Registry is a non-profit organization established to measure and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in a common, accurate and transparent manner consistent across industry sectors and borders.
 
Thirty-nine U.S. states (including Iowa), six Canadian provinces, three Native American tribes, two Mexican states and the District of Columbia are the founders of the organization. Other Founding Reporters operating in Iowa include MidAmerican Energy Company and Alcoa.
 
By voluntarily committing to measure, independently verify, and publicly report its greenhouse gas emissions on an annual basis utilizing The Climate Registry General Reporting Protocol, Northern Natural Gas is demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship. The Protocol is based on the internationally recognized greenhouse gas emissions measurement standards of the World Resources Institute and World Business Council on Sustainability. 
 
Northern Natural Gas is based in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates an interstate natural gas pipeline extending from the Permian Basin in Texas to the Upper Midwest. It has operated in Iowa since 1930 and has a natural gas storage facility in Redfield. MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company acquired Northern Natural Gas in 2002.
 
Writer: Mindy Kralicek
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