BOARD MEETING DATE: August 8, 1997 AGENDA NO. 26


Proposal:

Initial Responses to New Federal Clean Air Standards

Synopsis:

On July 18, 1997 the U.S. EPA promulgated new federal clean air standards for ozone and fine particulates. A preliminary work plan for initial activities to address the new standards has been prepared for Board consideration and action.

Committee:

Mobile Source, July 25, 1997, Reviewed.

Recommended Action:

Direct the Executive Officer to initiate the activities as outlined in the proposal below.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Interim Executive Officer

Background

Under court order, the U.S. EPA promulgated new national ambient air quality standards for ozone and fine particulates on July 18, 1997. The new federal ozone air quality standard is based on an 8-hour average and replaces the current 1-hour standard. For fine particulates, new 24-hour and annual ambient air quality standards for PM2.5 will complement the current PM10 ambient air quality standards. In addition, the 24-hour PM10 air quality standard has been revised. The Attachment shows a comparison of the new ambient air quality standards with the current air quality standards. U.S. EPA will finalize an interim implementation policy next year. The current air quality standards and associated AQMP will remain in effect until after the year 2000.

Proposal

Staff is proposing several activities in preparation for the development of the year 2000 AQMP and subsequent revisions. Specifically, staff has met with nationally recognized technical experts to help the AQMD prioritize the information or tools needed for a sound assessment in the next AQMP. As a result of that meeting, staff is in the process of preparing a work plan for a Technical Enhancement Program similar to the PM10 Technical Enhancement Program developed in 1994. Staff will complete the work plan for the Governing Board’s consideration later this year. In addition to the work plan, the following activities are proposed:

  • Convening of the Board-appointed AQMP Advisory Group on an ongoing basis to provide technical and policy input for preparation of the 2000 AQMP revision and any interim analysis.

  • Convening a one-day technical session in early fall to identify new control measure concepts to address the new federal standards.

  • Development of preliminary estimates of possible attainment dates for the new federal standards by October of this year. This information will be presented at a local public consultation meeting and to the Federal Advisory Committee developing recommendations on implementation policy for the new air quality standards.

  • Ongoing data collection and analysis leading up to the year 2000 AQMP revision, including field measurements, emission inventory analysis, improved air quality models, and economic impact evaluations.

    In addition, staff will make every effort to inform the public about the new air quality standards through public meetings and participating in forums sponsored by various organizations.

    Attachment

    Comparison of the New Federal Air Quality Standards
    with Current Air Quality Standards

    ATTACHMENT

    Comparison of the New Federal Air Quality Standards
    with Current Air Quality Standards

    Comparison of the New Federal Air Quality
    Standards with Current Air Quality Standards

    Pollutant

    Averaging

    Current Standards

    New Standards


    Time

    Primary

    Secondary

    Primary

    Secondary

    1 Hour
    (1 expected
    exceedance)

    0.12 ppm

    Same as
    Primary
    Standard

    -----

    -----

    Ozone

    8 Hour
    (4th highest
    averaged over
    3 years)

    -----

    -----

    0.08 ppm

    Same as
    Primary
    Standard

    (Continued)

    Pollutant

    Averaging

    Current Standards

    New Standards


    Time

    Primary

    Secondary

    Primary

    Secondary

    Particulate

    Annual
    Arithmetic


    50 µg/m3

    Same as
    Primary


    50 µg/m3

    Same as
    Primary

    Matter

    Mean


    Standard


    Standard

    (PM10)

    24-Hour

    150 µg/m3

    Same as
    Primary
    Standard

    150 µg/m3 [ The form of the standard would be the 99th percentile, averaged over 3 years.]

    Same as
    Primary
    Standard


    Annual
    Arithmetic
    Mean


    -----


    -----


    15 µg/m3

    Same as
    Primary
    Standard

    Particulate
    Matter

    (3 year
    average)





    (PM2.5)

    24-Hour
    (98th percentile over 3 years)

    -----

    -----

    65 µg/m3

    Same as
    Primary
    Standard


    This page updated: September 17, 2004
    URL: http://www.aqmd.gov/hb/1997/970826a.html