The Department of Ecology (Ecology) is requesting a bill that would remove an upper limit of the total fees that the agency administers for National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. This change will impact cities in the Puget Sound who currently reach the cap due to their population.

SB 5585, sponsored by Sen. Christine Rolfes (D–Bainbridge Island), proposes to remove the maximum annual fee that Ecology can charge to municipalities for all wastewater facilities permits it administers. Current law places a cap on fees not to exceed 18 cents per month per resident for those contributing to the wastewater facilities. Plants serving high population centers, like in the Puget Sound, exceed this cap and the agency is unable to recoup its total administrative fee.

The bill also includes new language to establish an advisory committee to Ecology to recommend the fee schedule necessary for the agency to recover its expenses to administer municipal wastewater permits. The proposal lists the members of the committee, the scope of work, and sets a deadline of December 31, 2022, to submit recommendations.

Dates to remember

SB 5585 will be heard in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee on Tuesday, January 11 at 10:30 am.