South Coast Air Quality Management District
South Coast Air Quality Management District
BOARD MEETING DATE: December 15, 2000 AGENDA NO. 29
Amend Rule 442 – Usage of Solvents
SYNOPSIS:
The proposed amendments to Rule 442 will (1) reduce the VOC emissions from equipment not subject to source specific VOC rules, (2) establish limits to reduce emissions from coatings, resins, adhesives, inks, solvents, thinners, diluents, mold seal and release compounds, lubricants, cutting oils, heat treating and quenching oils; and (3) delete obsolete language and clarify language to improve enforceability.
COMMITTEE:
Stationary Source, October 27, 2000, Reviewed
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the attached resolution:
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
Rule 442 - Usage of Solvents regulates "organic solvent emissions" now known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from equipment not subject to any source specific rules. The SCAQMD adopted Rule 442 on May 7, 1976. The adopted rule was the Los Angeles County Air Pollution Control District’s (APCD) Rule 66 - Organic Solvents. Rule 66 addressed emissions of organic materials from a variety of industrial operations such as surface coating, degreasing, dry cleaning, and other uses of industrial solvents excluding architectural coating operations. Companies were required to reduce emissions from the use of photochemically reactive solvents.
Though the AQMD has developed numerous source specific rules, there are still many sources that are subject to Rule 442. The proposed amendments affect approximately 60 facilities with VOC emissions greater than 5 tons per year.
The 1999 AQMP contains a control measure (#99CTS-02O) that will require Rule 442 VOC emissions to be reduced by 1.3 tons per day by the end of 2008. The control measure proposed two methods for reducing VOC emissions: 1) the use of reformulated products and/or more efficient application methods or 2) installation of add-on controls. The measure also recommends that AQMD staff continue to evaluate categories of equipment that could potentially be regulated under source specific rules.
AQMD staff met with representatives from the metalworking and aerospace industries as well as other facilities who may be affected by the rule requirements. Additionally, staff visited several facilities to assess available technologies. Both the meetings and site visits with the affected industries resulted in obtaining information pertinent to rule development.
Proposal
Rule 442 is being amended to reduce the emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from equipment or materials not currently subject to VOC limits within Regulation XI. These VOC-containing materials include but are not limited to, coatings, resins, adhesives, inks, solvents, thinners, diluents, mold seal and release compounds, lubricants, cutting and quenching oils.
Equipment and processes include:
The proposed emissions limit effective January 1, 2003 is 833 lbs/month (5 tons per year) per facility for all Rule 442 emissions. Staff is confident that a two-year lead time is sufficient to develop, optimize, and implement new materials and technologies.
Two reduction strategies are proposed to reduce emissions: product reformulation and/or more efficient application methods; and/or installation of control equipment. Proposed Amended Rule 442 (PAR 442) requires that emissions be reduced to 833 lbs/month per facility, however, many facilities installing control equipment may easily reduce VOC emissions below this level.
Staff estimates that these requirements will achieve VOC emission reductions of approximately 1.6 tons per day from an emission inventory of 2.3 tons per day by 2003.
PAR 442 is also being revised to include purpose, applicability, and definition sections; test methods for determining VOC content; and the elimination of obsolete provisions. Other provisions being amended are storage and disposal requirements, recordkeeping requirements, and certain exemptions. An exemption is added for aerosol products.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Analysis
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the AQMD’s Certified Regulatory Program (Rule110), staff has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Proposed Amended Rule 442 – Usage of Solvents. The Draft EA, which was made available for a 30-day review period, concluded that the amendment of Rule 442 would not have any significant adverse effect on the environment. No comments were received on the Draft EA. The Final EA is included as part of the attached package for the public hearing on the proposed amended rule.
Socioeconomic Analysis
The proposed amendments affect facilities that have Rule 442 emissions greater than 833 lbs/month (5 tons per year). The affected facilities include manufacturing, public utilities, wholesale trade, health services, and education industries. The total cost impact from the requirements of the proposed amendments is estimated to be $3.13 million annually. This cost represents less than 0.0001 percent of the average projected value of output in the four-county area for the period 2002-2015. The cost-effectiveness of the proposed amendments is estimated to be $7,050 per ton of VOC reduced. This cost-effectiveness value is within the range of recently adopted VOC rules.
AQMP and Legal Mandates
The California Health and Safety Code requires the AQMD to adopt an Air Quality Management Plan to meet state and federal ambient air quality standards in the South Coast Air Basin. In addition, the California Health & Safety Code requires that the AQMD adopt rules and regulations that carry out objectives of the AQMP. The requirements of Proposed Amended Rule 442 are consistent with the guidelines set forth in the AQMD control measure #99CTS-02O.
Implementation Plan
All known affected sources have been noticed on the proposed requirements. No major implementation problems are anticipated at this time. Additional actions will be taken as needed prior to the compliance date.
Resource Impacts
No adverse impact on AQMD resources or budgets are expected as a result of adopting PAR 442.
Summary of Proposal
Key Issues and Responses
Rule Development Process
Key Contacts List
Resolution
Proposed Amended Rule Language
Staff Report
Final Environmental Assessment
Socioeconomic Assessment
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