County weighs higher pollution permit fees
Published: July 6, 2011 at 12:35 pm
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is weighing whether to increase the costs of certain permits for companies that emit pollutants into the air.
The Arizona Republic reports the additional $1.1 million in permit fees that would be generated would help fund the county’s Air Quality Department.
An agency official says the average increase in fees would be about 15 percent and would affect about 4,000 businesses or individuals issued permits by the department.
The companies range from gas stations and dry cleaners to utility companies. New-permit fees now run from $200 up to $7,000 depending on the type of business. The permits allow businesses to legally operate, and help regulate air-pollution emissions.
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