HB 6131

Abstract

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, without public notice, to provide permit applicants with an opportunity to review and comment on draft permits. Authorizes the Agency, without public notice, to modify draft permits. Requires the Agency, to the maximum extent possible, to issue general (rather than site-specific) air permits. Requires the Agency to expedite NPDES permit renewals if certain requirements are met. Authorizes the Illinois Pollution Control Board to adopt rules providing for the issuance of air permits by rule, if it deems that a class of facilities or equipment does not "make a significant contribution of air contaminants to the atmosphere". Requires the Agency to issue permits to the owners or operators of facilities or equipment meeting the requirements of the rules adopted by the Board. Requires the Agency to create common company identification numbers to be used agency-wide to refer to companies that do business in the State. Requires the Agency to create a permit streamlining unit.