Make Your Voice Heard
Commenting allows you to provide input to us on proposed environmental decisions. This page provides guidance on making effective comments during public comment periods. Public notices and comment periods are required by law for many proposed actions, including:
- Draft air permits
- Proposed updates to Kentucky's State Implementation Plan
- Annual Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Plan
All Division for Air Quality public notices, hearings, and comment periods can be found on our Public Notices page.
Ten tips for making effective public comments
Our team values and considers every comment we receive, even in instances where the division may be limited in the changes it can make. Using the tips below – to the extent that you are able to – helps ensure any comments you provide are most effective and meaningful. This enables us to best use the information you provide to make informed decisions and protect Kentucky's air quality.
1. Check the comment deadline.
The comment period is the amount of time you have to submit input before the division makes a final decision. For draft air permits, the comment period ends 30 days after the date of posting the public notice on our Public Notices web page. Other proposed actions may provide longer comment periods. Read the public notice carefully and ensure your comments are received by the deadline.
2. Read before you write.
Familiarize yourself with the scope of the issue by reviewing the documents associated with the public notice. Read the public notice to gain an overview of the proposed action. Supporting documents may provide more detailed information. The division acknowledges that some documents may be highly technical, as they must provide parameters that the division and/or facilities must adhere to in order to protect air quality. For draft permits, the permit application and Statement of Basis are good places to start.
3. Start your comment with your specific request or feedback.
Are you trying to start, stop, or delay a particular action? Correct possible errors or data gaps? Ensure a decision is in line with your organization’s policies or community’s needs? Support or oppose a rulemaking? Think through your key requests and state your opinion or requested action up front to help us best understand your position.
4. Make sure we can act on your comment.
We accept all comments. However, we can only make changes that are in line with the division’s scope and legal authorities. The changes must also be applicable to the proposal's requirements. We cannot grant exceptions to state or federal regulations, nor are we able to address local zoning issues. Please focus on the information that we can act on.
5. Be specific.
Identify the distinct parts you think should be changed or the parts you support. Please use page, paragraph, and line numbers when suggesting specific wording changes. If you think we missed something in the analysis or in a certain section, explain what additional information or concepts you'd like us to include. Provide concrete examples of your concern, either real or hypothetical, where you can.
6. Offer creative solutions.
If you think a concern or challenge can be better addressed in a different way, let us know! We welcome your suggestions on how we can solve a problem. Alternative ideas can help strengthen our actions.
7. Keep your comments clear and concise.
Try to include only what must be said to accomplish your purpose. Avoid repeating your points. Consider using headings and subheadings to separate your points. If you have more than one major concern, consider opening your comments with a summary section and outlining them before you give details.
8. Avoid using form letters or mass email.
Before you use any pre-drafted comment letter, review it to see if it follows these tips for effective comments. If it doesn't, write your own. The comment process is not a vote, and it’s important to note that mass emails may get caught in a spam filter. A single, well-supported comment may carry more weight than a thousand comments that say the same thing without supporting evidence.
9. Share relevant data.
Are you aware of a study or data directly related to this topic? Cite and provide that information in your comment. We strive to incorporate the best available science and information into our decisions.
10. Stay connected.
Explore additional opportunities to provide feedback throughout the rule, permit, or guidance document development process. There are often multiple ways and times for you to provide feedback over a period of months or even years. Stay up-to-date by visiting our Public Notices web page, signing up for permit public notice email alerts by sending an email to AIRKentucky@ky.gov, and following the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet on social media.
Example: Very Helpful vs. Less Constructive Comments
To demonstrate the suggestions above, here are some examples of very helpful vs. less constructive comments.
Example of a very helpful comment:
“Condition 10 talks about monitoring startups, shutdowns and malfunctions but does not say how these need to be tracked. The proposal should include specific monitoring requirements. Additionally, Condition 15 says that the operators must notify the division promptly of any malfunctions but there is no definition of what promptly means. The proposal should specify a number of days rather than use the word promptly.”
Why it’s a very helpful comment:
This comment is easy to understand and act on. It offers a solution and the suggested changes align with Kentucky's state regulations, so we are able to make them.
Example of a less constructive comment:
“Emissions from industrial operations are bad for the environment and public health, and you should not be allowing them to pollute like this. This proposed rulemaking should not be approved.”
Why it’s a less constructive comment:
This comment is welcome, but it does not provide specific information we can act on.