The Stationary Source Committee met Friday, May 25, 2001. Following is a summary of that meeting. The next meeting will be June 22, 2001, at 10:30 a.m., in Conference Room CC8.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Ronald O. Loveridge
Chairman, Stationary Source Committee
Attendance
The meeting began at 10:40 a.m. Present were Ronald Loveridge, Committee Chair, Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, Leonard Paulitz and Jon Mikels (arrived at 11:00 a.m.). Absent were Norma Glover and Jane Carney.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Port Area Air Quality
Mel Zeldin, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, Science and Technology Advancement presented this item. A particulate study of the harbor area was conducted in 1998. Follow-up monitoring has been done each spring and fall. The purpose of the 1998 study was to determine types and levels of particulates in the general port area. One of the major results of that study showed elevated elemental carbon levels at Hudson School. Microscopy shows an abundance of coke material on samples from Hudson School. Road dust is also a major contributor. The 1998 – 2000 study shows that there has been a substantial decrease in elemental carbon levels, and that they are now comparable to other basin areas. These results, when compared to PM10 levels which have not changed much over the three-year period, are strong indicators that the effect of reduced coke dust is now evident.
Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta requested Mel to give this summary update to the Ethnic Community Advisory Group.
Rule 1113 – Architectural Coatings
Lee Lockie, Director of Area Sources, presented this item. Rule 1113 prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution and application of any architectural coating within the District unless a specific VOC content limit is met. Despite extensive testing and research on clear brushing lacquer, the VOC content limit of 550 grams per liter cannot be met. The proposed amendment would give the manufacturers additional time to work on development of a compliant coating. Amendments to the rule would create a new category for clear brushing lacquers, define it and set an interim VOC limit of 680 grams per liter. A final VOC product limit of 275 grams per liter will become effective in 2005. This item is scheduled to go to the Board for consideration in July.
Best Available Control Technology Guidelines Report
Pom Pom Ganguli, Manager, Science and Technology Advancement, presented this update report. There have been a few additions to the BACT Guidelines. This information has been updated and is available on the AQMD website. This will go to the Board in June as a receive and file item. Dr. Ganguli thanked the Scientific Review Committee for their efforts in helping staff review this information.
Backup Generator Use and Emissions Update
Mike Mills, Sr. Manager, Engineering and Compliance presented this item for the Committee’s information. The presentation focused on emissions resulting from the use of emergency standby generators and portable generator sets as a result of the state’s energy crisis.
The nitrogen oxide emissions from emergency generators average 400 to 600 times the emissions rate of a new well-controlled power plant. The impact of these engines could therefore double the basin-wide stationary source NOx emissions in a worst case situation.
Mayor Loveridge requested the full Governing Board be briefed on this item.
Funding Process for PM10 Trap Retrofit on School Buses Using Mitigation Fees
Collected Under Rule 1309.1 – Priority Reserve
Henry Hogo, Manager, Planing, Rule Development & Area Sources, presented this item. At the April Board meeting, the Board directed staff to place a priority on retrofitting diesel-powered school buses with PM10 traps and report back to the Board within 60 days on the funding process to be followed. At this meeting staff gave a presentation on the project and the proposal for the funding process. The Priority Reserve Funds are estimated to be between $19.4 million - $48.6 million. The funds will be generated over a three-year period, and to date $8.6 million has been received. A total number of 8,192 school buses will need to be retrofitted: 4,523 heavy-duty, and 3,669 medium-duty school buses. PM10 traps will work for heavy-duty buses, but do not work for all buses. The total funds needed are estimated to be $26.25 million: 3,500 heavy-duty buses to be retrofitted with the trap cost at $7,500 per bus. At this time funds are available under the statewide School Bus Program - $5.5 million, and another $20.75 million would be needed to be set aside over the three-year period if no other external sources of funding are identified.
Staff’s proposal includes the following. The first $20.75 million generated to be set aside into a separate account; funds to be set up to complement other future funding programs and these set-aside funds are to be reduced by an amount equal to other funding programs so as to maintain a total of $20.75 million; open up the application process for funds by beginning of fall of this year and maintain the process on an on-going basis; and the program should be administered over a five-year period (prior to State or Federal retrofit requirements). A list of engine families eligible for trap retrofitting is being developed and staff will continue to evaluate new trap technology development. Progress reports will be provided to the Committee on a quarterly basis.
WRITTEN REPORTS
Monthly Report on Home Rule Advisory Group
Due to Brown Act requirements, the monthly report was postponed until the next meeting to be held on June 22, 2001.
Notice of Violation Penalty Summary
The Committee acknowledged the report attached to the agenda.
Rule Forecast Report
The Committee acknowledged the report attached to the agenda.
South Coast Air Quality Management District