Brief Description: Regarding air registrations for elevators and warehouses.

Sponsors: Senators Schoesler, Rasmussen, Morton and Delvin.

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development
House Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade

Background: The state's Clean Air Act directs the Department of Ecology (DOE) or the board of a local air pollution control authority (local board) to require permits for operating sources of air pollutants identified in the federal Clean Air Act. Within certain limitations, DOE or a local board must also require permits for operating sources of other air pollutants produced in quantities threatening public health or welfare.

Apart from permitting requirements, DOE or a local board may require sources of other air pollutants to register, report, and pay annual administrative fees. Large grain warehouses and grain elevators are considered to be sources of air pollutants, and accordingly are subject to these requirements. Small grain warehouses and elevators (those annually handling less than 10 million bushels of grain) are exempt from these requirements. It has been suggested that this exemption be clarified to expressly include facilities storing or cleaning grains, peas, and beans.

Summary: The exemption from air pollutant registration, reporting, and fee requirements for grain warehouses and elevators is clarified to include licensed facilities storing or cleaning grain.

The term "grain" is defined to include a grain or a pulse; the latter term includes peas, lentils, and beans.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      46   0
House      93   1

Effective: July 24, 2005