July 14, 1995
South Coast Air Quality
Management District Board
This proposed new rule will begin the implementation of Point II of the Action Plan of the Business Clean Air Partnership which enhances the registration program for small equipment used in businesses. Owners or operators of certain types of portable equipment may apply for a statewide registration which allows operation in the AQMD or other participating districts at reduced fees. In addition, the proposed rule contains applicable standards, prohibitions, and administrative requirements for regulation of the equipment in lieu of normal district permitting.
Proposed Rule 2100 also models the California Air Pollution Officers Association (CAPCOA) Portable Equipment Model Rule forwarded to districts for consideration as a statewide registration rule.
The simplified, lower cost registration, and ability to operate in multiple districts is optional on the part of the participant, they may choose to register under this proposed rule or select normal District permitting.
Major components of the proposed rule include:
1) Eligible source categories:
· Confined and unconfined abrasive blasting;
· Portland concrete batch plants;
· Internal combustion engines;
· Sand and gravel screening; rock crushing; unheated pavement crushing and recycling operations.
2) Registration requirements:
· Source Specific Standards;
· Visible emission limits;
· Best Available Control Technology (BACT);
· Modeling;
· Records keeping, reporting, and testing.
Nonroad engines which are regulated as of July 18, 1994 by the U. S. EPA pursuant to 40 CFR Part 89 are also included in the rule. The proposed rule requirements for those engines are within the scope of permitting and use restrictions allowable pursuant to federal requirements.
3) Offsets are not required. The economic growth projected in the AQMP for the affected source categories are sufficient to cover the emission increases from the registered equipment. Additionally, registered equipment is exempt from the equivalency demonstration for state purposes and is below the offset thresholds of federal regulations.
4) Sources with the potential to emit 10 tons per year or more of any pollutant when operated in the AQMD are not eligible to be registered under this rule. Thus, sources subject to the federally-mandated permit requirements are not eligible for registration under this proposal.
5) Facilitates equipment mobility. The equipment registered under this rule will be allowed to operate in other districts participating in the program.
6) Fees are generally lower than those charged under the current AQMD permit system resulting in a fees savings to the regulated industry.
The proposed rule incorporates AQMD rules applicable to the proposed source categories. The registered equipment must meet the requirements of current BACT and source specific rules, which are specified in this rule. The emission reductions from regulating these sources under the proposed rule will be the same as those under the current AQMD permit system.
Pursuant to the District's Certified Regulatory Program (Rule 110), the District has prepared the appropriate California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document, consisting of a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). The Draft EA identified potential adverse environmental impacts that may result from adopting the proposed project and identified measures to mitigate impacts to the maximum extent feasible. The Draft EA has been circulated for a 45-day public review from May 10, 1995 through June 29, 1995. The Final EA includes responses to all comments received on the Draft EA.
A Statement of Findings and a Statement of Overriding Considerations regarding potential significant adverse air quality impacts that may result from adopting Rule 2100 have been prepared pursuant to state CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091 and 15093, respectively, and SCAQMD CEQA Guidelines Section 7.11 and 7.13, respectively. These Statements are included as an attachment to the Board Resolution. A mitigation monitoring and reporting plan was also prepared pursuant to Public Resources Code 21081.6.
THEREFORE IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD
--Certify the Final Environmental Assessment for proposed Rule 2100 - Registration of Portable Equipment, in accordance with the attached Resolution.
-- Adopt Rule 2100 - Registration of Portable Equipment in accordance with the attached Resolution.
Respectfully,
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
Attachments
PL:WJF:LB:HH:KH
(21bl)