BOARD MEETING DATE: July 11, 2008
AGENDA NO. 35

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.
 

Dennis Yates, Chair
Stationary Source Committee

Attendance

The meeting began at 10:30 a.m. Present were Dennis Yates, Gary Ovitt, Dr. Joseph Lyou, Jane Carney, Michael Cacciotti and Dr. Burke (attended by videoteleconference). Absent was Ronald Loveridge.
 

ACTION ITEM

1. SOx RECLAIM RFP

Joe Cassmassi, Planning & Rules Manager presented its proposed Request for Proposal to seek consultant(s) to conduct an independent assessment of potential control technologies that can be implemented to reduce SOx emissions from RECLAIM sources.  The cost of the proposal is up to $375,000.  The RFP addresses three areas of potential emissions reductions applied to seven source categories.  The consultants selected will provide an assessment of the currently available technology and cost effectiveness.  The project requires visits to the individual key sources to review the operations and applicability of the proposed emissions reduction technology to their operation.  The data acquired from the contractors will be made available to the task force members and will be used by District staff in the evaluation of BARCT for the sources as part of the RECLAIM SOx emissions shave determination.

WSPA, represented by Ron Wilkniss commented on the proposal focusing on the first task regarding the evaluation of SOx reducing additives as a potential emissions control technology.  The comments included: (1) the proposed testing cited targeted levels of SOx emissions reductions below the levels mandated in the EPA consent decree, (2) testing at the local refineries may take longer to complete and the results might not be available for evaluation under the work time schedule outlined in the RFP; (3) references to the Draft Staff Report should be excluded from the RFP; and (4) WSPA wanted to be a member of the contract management team.  Staff responded that the inclusion of targeted emissions concentrations or percentage SOx additive cited in the Task 1 demonstration in the RFP was presented as an attempt to bound the potential reductions that could be achieved with the control technology.  Staff acknowledged that the testing may be extended beyond the proposed duration of the contract and that the work schedule could be shifted to account for the testing.  The references in the RFP to the Draft Staff Report were included to provide as much background material for the contractor to improve the efficiency of their evaluation.  Finally, staff reiterated the offer to include the regulated community in the RFP proposal evaluation process.

Moved (Ovitt) seconded (Carney), and unanimously recommended for approval.
 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

2. Proposed Amended Rule 1156 – Further Reductions of Particulate Emissions from Cement Manufacturing

Jill Whynot, Director of Strategic Initiatives briefed the committee on proposed amendments to Rule 1156.  Staff will bring this item to the Board in October.  This rule amendment is one of several approaches that are being taken to address particulate and chrome emissions from cement manufacturing facilities.  There are two cement manufacturing facilities in South Coast that are under the rule.  Draft rule language and a staff report were released last week in preparation for a July 2^nd evening public workshop at a high school located between the two facilities.  Staff’s proposal in the draft rules is to enclose all outdoor clinker storage, although staff will discuss at the workshop that we are also considering control on all piles.  A cost analysis will be conducted.

Mayor Yates commented that it has been difficult to locate a sampler at a school across the street from Cal Portland Cement, and Board members discussed this. Mayor Yates requested that AQMD work on a press release to let the community members who expressed concerns about children’s exposure to chromium at schools near cement plants know that the Colton School District has refused to allow AQMD set up a sampler at this school.  Ms. Carney inquired about addressing health hazards and concerns from residents that their cars, windows, and skin collected cement dust.  Ms. Whynot explained that while these proposed rule amendments should reduce dust and chrome emissions, staff will evaluate this further and bring a rule to the Board early next year for additional controls for cement facilities for toxics.

A representative from Cal Portland Cement commented that their company has been working with staff on this rule, and has significant problems with the current rule language.  He wants to continue working with staff to resolve the issues.  He also pointed out that there are major differences between the two cement facilities.
 

3. Proposed Amended Rule 1158 – Storage, Handling, and Transport of Coke, Coal, and Sulfur

Jill Whynot provided an update to the Committee on proposed amendments to Rule 1158.  The rule will be heard at the July Governing Board meeting.  The changes are necessary to clarify and maintain the original intent of the rule.  Changes include specific mention that railcars are subject to rule requirements, and several changes to provide flexibility. 

Many issues were raised at the last Committee meeting, and staff has worked to resolve as many concerns as possible.  Several proposed changes have been made where staff is confident that there will not be any negative emissions impact.  Some of the remaining issues are from companies that are requesting exemptions from existing rule requirements, or requests for changes that could result in increased emissions.  For example, there has been an exemption request for small users, which would be facilities that process 50 tons or less per day.  These facilities should be complying with the current rule.  Another request is to allow the use of ‘Super Sacks’, which are very large bags that can hold up to a ton of material.  The bags are made of materials that can degrade over time and particulate emissions can occur if material is spilled.  Ms. Whynot distributed photographs showing super sacks that had been damaged or where previous spills had occurred.

A representative from WSPA expressed appreciation for the proposed language relative to maintenance and repair of storage buildings.  They would like additional consideration by staff of their request to be able to continue to move product in the building without needing to seek a variance.

A gentleman from Metropolitan Stevedore stated that staff had worked with them to address an issue on their permanent dewatering beds and they support the rule changes.

The California Metals Coalitions representative asked that staff add an exemption for small handlers.  These companies handle less than 0.1 % of the material in the Basin and are subject to other AQMD rules to control visible emissions.  He proposed that small users be able to submit site-specific plans, subject to District staff approval.  He also disagrees with staff that a super sack is a pile.  He distributed photographs of bags to illustrate the difference in filling bags to be less than 36 inches tall and to show the wrapping of bags that is done at some facilities.

Dr. Lyou asked how many users would process less than 50 tons per year, and was told it was 10 to 12.  Supervisor Ovitt asked if a time limit could be considered.  Staff responded that they had looked at the information on UV protection and storage time, but the recordkeeping and verification would be problematic.  Supervisor Ovitt inquired if the bags were stacked up, which he thought would affect the integrity of the bags.  The response was that the bags are stacked on top of each other.
 

4. Rule 1146 - Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Industrial, Institutional, and Commercial Boilers, Steam Generators, and Process Heaters and Rule 1146.1 – Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Small Industrial, Institutional, and Commercial Boilers, Steam Generators, and Process Heaters

Joe Cassmassi provided an update of the response to comments and issues pertaining to PAR 1146 and PAR 1146.1 (large and institutional boilers).  The issues discussed included staff’s proposal to increase the NOx emissions limit for atmospheric boilers from 9 to 12 PPM, maintenance of a 30 PPM emissions limit for thermal process heaters and the evaluation of hand held monitor performance.  The key issue focused on the selection of 9 PPM NOx limit when BACT (established in 2000) is currently at 12 PPM.  Staff response addressed the 3-4 year lead time for rule implementation, vendor and source test evaluations, and a proposal to conduct a technical review of the emissions limit and state of technology and report to the Board 18 months prior to rule implementation.

Comments on the two rules were received from Parker Boilers, and SoCal Gas Company.  Parker Boiler commented that the revisions to the emissions limit would be difficult to achieve and may cause businesses to leave the area.  Staff reiterated that the lead time for rule implementation is proposed at 3-4 years and that before implementation a technical review would be conducted.  SoCal Gas stated that the proposed limits were exceeding BACT and were not achievable.  Staff a stated that BACT was currently
eight years old and that other air districts were developing rules similar to 1146 and 1146.1.   Staff also responded that the technical assessment would be conducted and reported to the Governing Board 18 months prior to rule implementation.

“Committee Member Jane Carney left the meeting during agenda #4 due to a possible conflict of interest. Inland Concrete Enterprises and Parkview Community Hospital are sources of income for her.”
 

WRITTEN REPORTS

All written reports were acknowledged by the Committee.
 

OTHER BUSINESS

Dr. Lyou indicated that he attended the June 19, 2008, Maywood Town Hall meeting held by AQMD. There were a large number of community members who attended the meeting and their main concern was regarding the proposed City of Vernon Power Plant. Dr. Lyou said that he has a list of follow-up issues from the Town Hall meeting.
 

PUBLIC COMMENT

During public comment, Rita Loof representing RadTech, commented on AQMD’s Rule 1171 Progress Report expressing concerns about fire hazards due to use the acetone and the use of averaging compliance option for printing industry.

Also during public comment period, Howard Berman provided a comment related to AirLogix LNG-fired IC Engine and its potential use at the ports for cold ironing. He said that they have met with Barry and AQMD staff and are looking forward to an interim process (such as an abatement order) to allow the use of this equipment while developing ways to comply with BACT. Mayor Yates asked that staff provide a status update on this item at the next Stationary Source Committee meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
 

Attachments (doc 61 kb)

June 20, 2008 Committee Agenda (without its attachments)