ST. LOUIS (AP) – A proposal to increase permit and emission fees charged to Missouri companies to regulate air pollution has fallen apart, forcing state officials to lower proposed increases and placing a department that monitors air pollution in financial danger.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources Air Pollution Control Program enforces the federal Clean Air Act in the state. It faces insolvency by late 2016 unless fees paid by polluters increase.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports a proposed fee schedule that received support earlier this year would have raised enough to keep the agency operating.

Kyra Moore, director of the air pollution control program, said last week some companies objected to the proposed fee increases, and lower increases were likely. She did not say which companies raised the late objections.