BOARD MEETING DATE: June 1, 2007
AGENDA NO. 40

PROPOSAL:

Amend Rule 1470 - Requirements for Stationary Diesel-Fueled Internal Combustion and Other Compression Ignition Engines

SYNOPSIS:

Rule 1470 was adopted by the Board in April 2, 2004 and implements CARB’s Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines. Proposed amendments to Rule 1470 will allow use of new Tier II engines for direct-drive fire pumps to allow manufacturers additional time to complete safety certifications for Tier III engines. Other amendments are proposed to improve the clarity of Rule 1470 and consistency with the AQMD’s Best Available Control Technology requirements for new engines enrolled in demand response programs.

COMMITTEE:

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Adopt the attached resolution:

1. Certifying the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for Proposed Amended Rule 1470 – Requirements for Stationary Diesel-Fueled Internal Combustion and Other Compression Ignition Engines; and,
2. Amending Rule 1470 - Requirements for Stationary Diesel-Fueled Internal Combustion and Other Compression Ignition Engines.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Rule 1470 – Requirements for Stationary Diesel-Fueled Internal Combustion and Other Compression Ignition Engines was adopted by the Board on April 2, 2004. The rule implements CARB’s Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines that became effective December 8, 2004. Rule 1470 is equivalent to or more stringent than the ATCM.

Proposal

Under Proposed Amended Rule 1470, owners/operators of new direct-drive emergency standby fire pumps are allowed to install a new engine which meets Tier 2 Off-Road Compression Ignition Engine Standards (Title 13 CCR Section 2423) for up to three years past the effective date of the more stringent Tier 3 emission standard, or until a Tier 3 engine becomes available, whichever is sooner. This amendment is needed as there are currently no Tier 3 direct-drive emergency standby fire pump engines available. In addition, this provision is consistent with the September 2005 amendments to the state ATCM.

Proposed Amended Rule 1470 will also require that new diesel internal combustion engines used in a demand response program (DRP) to meet the more stringent Best Available Control Technology (BACT) Guidelines for Non-Major Polluting Facilities requirement for spark ignition engines. Existing engines used in DRPs are not affected. The proposed amendment makes Rule 1470 consistent with the BACT Guidelines.

Another proposed amendment to Rule 1470 removes a date from the requirements for installation of new emergency standby engines to be installed on school grounds or within 100 meters of existing schools. Removing this date will not impact implementation of Rule 1470. Other administrative changes include a clarification of the definition of “location” and an update to a reference to a National Fire Protection Association standard referencing the 2002 or most current version.

Impact Assessment

The proposed amendment affects new direct-drive emergency standby fire pump engines. Based on three year’s permitting data, approximately 30 to 40 permit applications are received annually for direct-drive fire pump engines from a wide variety of commercial and industrial facilities. Since Tier 2 and Tier 3 standards are the same for CO and PM, only NOx and VOC emissions will be impacted. Since operation of direct-drive emergency standby fire pump engines are limited to the number of hours per year for testing and maintenance, the emissions impacts are expected to be small. The proposed amendments will result in foregone emission reductions of approximately 17 pounds per day of NOx and two pounds per day of VOC. The other proposed amendments are administrative and have no emissions impacts.

Public Process

During the Proposed Amended Rule 1470 rulemaking process, staff conducted a Public Workshop on April 12, 2007 to present the proposed amended rule. Approximately 30 people attended, with two individuals providing comments at the meeting. All comments are responded to in the Staff Report.

AQMP and Legal Mandates

PAR 1470 is an air toxic rule that is not an AQMP requirement. Adoption of Proposed Amended Rule 1470 will satisfy requirements, as specified in Health and Safety Code §39666 (d), to implement the CARB ATCM.

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines §15252 and AQMD Rule 110, the AQMD has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for adoption of Proposed Amended Rule 1470. The Draft EA concludes that implementation of the proposed project would not result in significant adverse environmental impacts. The Draft EA was released for a 30-day public review and comment period; no comments were received. The Final EA has been prepared and is included as an attachment to this Governing Board package.

Socioeconomic Analysis

As described previously, Proposed Amended Rule 1470 reflects incorporation of changes resulting from amendments to the CARB ATCM. Because the proposed amendments are not expected to require any additional installations of emission control devices beyond the existing rule, the rule amendments are not expected to generate any additional expenditures.

Implementation and Resources

Existing AQMD resources will be used to implement Proposed Amended Rule 1470.

Attachments (EXE 485kb)

1. Summary of Proposal
2. Key Issues and Responses
3. Rule Development Process
4. Key Contacts List
5. Resolution
6. Rule Language
7. Staff Report
8. Final Environmental Assessment