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Contact Information:
Air Quality Bureau of the Environmental Protection Division
Department of Natural Resources
7900 Hickman Road
Suite 1
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 242-6002
Or view the Department's
Website
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IOWA
DE MINIMIS EXEMPTIONS:
If the source is smaller than 400 hp it is exempt from permitting (as long as it does not trigger
any federal programs).
MINOR SOURCE PERMITTING:
Dispersion modeling will be required for minor sources. If the source is found to have a significant impact
on the ambient air quality the state will attempt to give an applicant options for avoiding an ambient impact such
as raising the stack or taking limits in the permit. The permit will have an emission rate limit that was used
in modeling (based on NAAQS), and usually a NOx limit (just the estimated emissions from the manufacturer or the
permittee) and may have testing requirements. In addition, sources firing liquid fuel cannot emit more than 2.5
lb/MMBtu of SO2 and units burning natural gas are limited to 500 ppm for SO2. State officials have discussed additional
requirements, but nothing is under development.
There is no public comment period for minor sources. A 30 day comment period will be granted if one is requested
by interested parties. The state usually takes about 60 days to issue the permit.
MAJOR NSR/PSD PERMITTING:
A potential to emit 250 tons per year of a criteria pollutant triggers PSD in attainment areas.
TREATMENT OF EMERGENCY ENGINES:
The potential to emit for an emergency generator is based on 500 hours per year of operation. However, if the
unit operates more than 500 hours it no longer qualifies and its potential to emit is based on full time operation
unless the owner takes a permit with an operating limit. Units can only be operated during a blackout and for maintenance.
There is no specific limit on maintenance hours, however if it is not clear that the unit has been operated in
accordance with state requirements the state will make a common sense determination as to whether the unit is in
compliance or not.
The Iowa Code (476A) states that a developer can not commence construction of an electric generating facility
with a capacity of, or exceeding, 25 MW until the Iowa Utilities Board has issued a Certificate of Public Convenience,
Use, and Necessity. It is possible that if the Board determines that the proposed facility will not harm the public
interest, it can waive certificate requirements for facilities of up to 100 MW. The decision criteria do not apply to
non-utility generators who sell electrical output onto the competitive electric markets.
There is no state-mandated building code for any building or occupancy classification in the state of Iowa. It
is up to local jurisdictions to adopt and enforce building codes.
Iowa State Fire Marshal
International Code Council State Adoption Information Page
Provides an easy to use US map to locate state and local adoption of the International Code Council's model codes.
US DOE's Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs, Building Codes Database
The US DOE's database provides a comprehensive look at a state's building code implementation and enforcement
process.
The utilities may charge a Alternative Energy Producer (AEP) or a QF a resonable cost for interconnection. The rules
of the Iowa Utilities Board
define interconnection costs and also provide a process for resolving
disputes that may arise over interconnection costs. A utility may charge a fee to review a interconnection
application. A utility may require engineering studies of a proposed interconnection. The costs of these studies will be borne by
the potential power producer and may run from hundreds of dollars to tens-of-thousands of dollars.
The
Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) may also require additional studies of a proposed interconnection project.
Pursuant to MISO's procedures, for generating facilities of less than 20 MW that intend to interconnect with the
transmission system, the potential power producer may be required to pay MISO a deposit of $5,000 and submit an Interconnection Evaluation
Study, which includes detailed and technical information about the facility. The potential power producer may pay any
costs borne by MISO above the $5,000, and MISO will report the results of its findings within 60 days, though it is usally less for smaller generators.
Iowa Utilities' Insurance Requirements
| Utilitity |
Size of the Project |
Coverage Required |
| Alliant Energy |
20 kW or less |
$300,000 |
Between 20 kW and 200 kW |
$1,000,000 |
Between 200 kW and 1 MW |
$2,000,000 |
| Electric Cooperatives |
All sizes |
$1,000,000 |
| MidAmerican Energy |
20 kW or less |
$500,000 |
20 kW to 100 kW |
$1,000,000 |
Greater than 100 kW |
$2,000,000 |
| Municipal Utilities |
No standard insurance policy |
* This figure reflects what has been required in the majority of elctric cooperative
interconnection agreements, but each individual electric cooperative may set its own requirements.
It is also the figure provided for in NRECA model contract.
There is no state-mandated building code for any building or occupancy classification in the state of Iowa. It
is up to local jurisdictions to adopt and enforce building codes.
Iowa State Fire Marshal
International Code Council State Adoption Information Page
Provides an easy to use US map to locate state and local adoption of the International Code Council's model codes.
US DOE's Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs, Building Codes Database
The US DOE's database provides a comprehensive look at a state's building code implementation and enforcement
process.
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