Feb. 1, 2002
Other Board Action
The Southland's air quality agency adopted a work plan today to carry out eight
strategic initiatives, including reform of federal policies, a test of a new
rule making process, strengthening the agency's environmental justice program
and efforts to increase the number of natural gas-powered vehicles on the road.
"These initiatives will enhance our existing air quality programs by
creating new partnerships at the local, state and federal level," said
Norma Glover, chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District's
Governing Board. (See following for a description of the initiatives.)
"This program will build on AQMD's proven track record for cleaning the
air, as well as provide leadership to other areas of the country trying to meet
air quality standards," she said. Glover announced the initiatives last
month when she was sworn in as AQMD's chairman.
The Governing Board approved the initiatives and the following work plan
today:
- Modernization of the Emission Reduction Credit System
Create a
working group, develop policy options, conduct public workshops and if needed,
amend AQMD's New Source Review program (Regulation XIII) this year to address
a looming crisis in the supply of emission reduction credits needed by new and
expanding facilities;
Petition U.S. EPA to Review Outdated Policy Interpretations of the Clean Air
Act Prepare recommendations for possible changes to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's outdated or faulty interpretations of the
federal Clean Air Act. A steering committee co-chaired by Glover and another
Board member will examine such issues as EPA's facility breakdown policy and new
source review but will not recommend changes to the Clean Air Act itself;
Creation of a Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership Create this spring a
natural gas vehicle partnership with the goal of deploying a specific number of
natural gas-powered heavy-duty and passenger vehicles within the next five to 10
years. In addition, host this year a one-day natural gas vehicle summit meeting;
Formation of a Multi-Regional Alliance for Clean Air Form an
alliance by this summer through a memorandum of understanding with other cities
and regions across the country experiencing serious air pollution problems.
Members of the alliance could collaborate to seek funding, demonstrate clean air
technologies and test market-based strategies;
Strategic Alliance on Advanced Air Pollution Research Consult with
outside scientists this year to assess the agency's research needs and develop a
three-year research plan for Board adoption;
Strategic Alliance on Environmental Justice Review this year the
agency's progress in implementing its Environmental Justice Initiatives and
propose to the Board an annual Environmental Justice work plan for the coming
year;
Strategic Alliance on Clean Fuel Vehicle Funding Form an alliance
this spring of vehicle fleet operators and other interested parties such as
councils of government to seek funding for alternative fuel vehicles from
Congress, the state Legislature and private organizations; and
Negotiated Rulemaking Pilot Program
Adopt a rule this year to reduce
air toxic emissions from metal finishing facilities through a pilot negotiated
rule process. Under the negotiated process, an outside facilitator would mediate
the development of a rule with input from regulated sources, community members,
environmental groups and government agencies.
In other action, the Board today:
- Adopted Rule 1137 PM10 Emissions from Woodworking
Operations to ensure that equipment at lumberyards, cabinet shops, furniture
factories and other facilities produces no visible dust emissions, and that
new facilities have PM10 control equipment;
- Set a pre-hearing for March 1 for Proposed Rule 1133 Controlling
Volatile Organic Compound and Ammonia Emissions from Composting and Related
Operations;
- Authorized a request to the state Bureau of Automotive Repair to enhance
the state's Smog Check program in parts of San Bernardino and Riverside
counties;
- Approved receipt of up to $500,000 in state funds to help build two new,
state-of-the-art compressed- and liquified natural gas fueling stations for
Omnitrans in Montclair and San Bernardino. The stations will replace
Omnitrans' old fueling equipment; and
- Approved an expansion of the duties of Marilyn F. Solomon, AQMD's deputy
executive officer for Public Affairs & Transportation Programs, to
include those of the agency's Public Advisor. To assist her in that role,
the Board also approved creating a new position for a Senior Public Affairs
Manager.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions
of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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