State takes lead in limiting Fairbanks pollution

From The Associated Press, Saturday, December 25, 2010:

Since North Star Borough voters eliminated fines for pollution-causing heating devices, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation has taken up the responsibility.

But, KUAC-FM reports, the DEC must work through several steps before actual enforcement can take place.

The EPA has put Fairbanks on notice to reduce particulate levels by 2014.

DEC acting Air Quality Division Director Alice Edwards said the state’s regulations allow it to issue an advisory that limits the wood-fired heating devices when air quality is low.

“The DEC advisories provide another way for people to find out the status of the local air quality,” Edwards said. “It also allows DEC the ability to follow up on certain compliance concerns that are related to opacity from wood-fired heating devices.”

Violations of the advisory could begin with notices of violations and issuance of nuisance abatements, and could eventually result in civil penalties and civil suits.

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