BOARD MEETING DATE: July 9, 2010
AGENDA NO. 38
PROPOSAL:
Amend Rule 1110.2 – Emissions from Gaseous- and Liquid-Fueled Engines
SYNOPSIS:
The proposed amendment to Rule 1110.2 will add an exemption for internal combustion engines operated at one remote public safety communication facility in southwestern Riverside County on Santa Rosa Peak at over 7,400 foot altitude that does not have access to electric power or natural gas. The facility includes a communications tower and support equipment operated by Riverside County and used by fire, police and other public safety agencies. The site has limited access during winter. This exemption will allow the use of diesel generators at the site.
COMMITTEE:
Stationary Source, May 21, 2010
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Adopt the attached resolution:
Certifying the Final Subsequent Environmental Assessment (SEA) for Proposed Amended Rule 1110.2 – Emissions from Gaseous- and Liquid-Fueled Engines; and,
Amending Rule 1110.2 – Emissions from Gaseous- and Liquid-Fueled Engines.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
The purpose of AQMD Rule 1110.2 – Emissions from Gaseous- and Liquid-Fueled Engines is to reduce emissions from internal combustion engines. Gas and liquid fuel fired engines are used to provide power or electricity for a wide variety of applications. Rule 1110.2 applies to gaseous- and liquid-fueled engines producing more than 50 brake-horsepower. Rule 1110.2 was adopted in August 1990 and last amended in February 2008 in order to lower emission limits applicable to in-use units and improve compliance through regular monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting.
Proposed Amended Rule (PAR) 1110.2 will add an exemption for one public safety communications site in the AQMD where electricity and natural gas are not available. The public safety communications site is located at high altitude with heavy snowpack in the winter. Propane fueled engines are not practical for generating electricity at the site because it is not accessible to large delivery trucks over extended periods of time in winter. The proposed amendment will allow the site to use diesel engines producing more than 50 brake-horsepower. However, the engines must still comply with the requirements of the California Air Toxic Control Measure for compression ignition engines.
This board letter serves as the staff report for this proposal.
Public Process
A Public Workshop for PAR 1110.2 was held on April 27, 2010 and PAR 1110.2 was discussed at the Stationary Source Committee on May 21, 2010.
Affected Facility
Proposed Rule 1110.2 affects one facility on Santa Rosa Peak at over 7,400 foot altitude in southwestern Riverside County. The facility includes a communications tower and support equipment for use by government agencies. The communications center is used by fire, police and other public safety agencies and is necessary because of the varied terrain throughout Riverside County. The facility is being rebuilt with a new tower and support equipment for new communication systems. When the facility modifications are complete, the site will have new diesel electric generators for providing power to the communications systems.
Summary of Proposal
The proposed amendments will add the following text to the exemption in subparagraph (h)(8) of Rule 1110.2: “; and engines operated by the County of Riverside for the purpose of public safety communication at Santa Rosa Peak in Riverside County, where the site is located at an elevation of higher than 7,400 feet above sea level and is without access to electric power and natural gas.”
Emissions and Cost Effectiveness
The proposed amendment will result in maximum daily emission increases of 17 pounds of NOx, 1 pound VOC and less than 1 pound of PM and SOx compared with a Rule 1110.2 compliant engine. However, it will decrease emissions of CO up to 11 pounds per day relative to a rule compliant engine. As PAR 1110.2 will provide an exemption for one remote site, there is no additional cost and a cost effectiveness analysis was not prepared.
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 and adopt rules and regulations that carry out the objectives of the AQMP. This proposed amendment of Rule 1110.2 provides an exemption to the existing rule for one public safety communications site without access to electricity or natural gas.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Analysis
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines §§15252 and 15162, and AQMD Rule 110, the SCAQMD has prepared a Subsequent Environmental Assessment (SEA) for Proposed Amended Rule (PAR) 1110.2 – Emissions from Gaseous- and Liquid-Fueled Engines. The Draft SEA was released for a 30-day public review and comment period beginning on May 18, 2010, and ending on June 16, 2010. No comment letters were received relative to the Draft SEA, and the Draft SEA has been revised such that it is now a Final SEA. The final CEQA document is available at AQMD Headquarters, by calling the AQMD Public Information Center at (909) 396-2039, or by accessing AQMD’s CEQA website at: www.aqmd.gov/ceqa.
Socioeconomic Analysis
The proposed amendments provide regulatory relief to a remote site in the mountains of Riverside County. As such, cost savings is expected. The proposed amendments would not result in other socioeconomic impacts.
Comparative Analysis
A comparative analysis, as required by H&S Code §40727.2, is applicable when an amended rule or regulation imposes, or has the potential to impose, a new emissions limit, or other air pollution control requirements. The proposed amendment does not impose new requirements and a comparative analysis is not required.
Incremental Cost Effectiveness
California H&S Code § 40920.6 requires an incremental cost effectiveness analysis for BARCT rules or emission reduction strategies when there is more than one control option which would achieve the emission reduction objective of the proposed amendments, relative to ozone, CO, SOx, NOx, and their precursors. The proposed amendment does not include new BARCT requirements; therefore this provision does not apply to the proposed amendment.
Resource Impacts
Existing staff resources are adequate to implement the proposed amendments.
Attachments (EXE, 2.5m)
Summary of Proposal
Rule Development Process
Key Contacts List
Resolution
Proposed Amended Rule
Response to Comments
Final Subsequent Environmental Assessment (SEA)