Aug. 8, 2003
The region’s air
quality agency this week issued a public notice for a proposed air pollution
permit for one piece of equipment at an oil and gas operation on the campus of
Beverly Hills High School.
Venoco, Inc., is seeking
a permit from the South Coast Air Quality Management District for modifications
to its existing amine unit, which is used to take carbon dioxide out of natural
gas so that it meets commercial specifications. The unit has been installed and
operated at Venoco intermittently since early 2000. Venoco will distribute a
written public notice, issued by AQMD, to all parents of students at Beverly
Hills High as well as to all residents and businesses within 1,000 feet of the
facility.
“Based on our preliminary
evaluation, we believe this piece of equipment complies with all air pollution
regulations,” said Barry Wallerstein, AQMD’s executive officer. AQMD’s Rule 212
requires a public notice for a new permit whenever a facility is within 1,000
feet of a school, he added.
The amine unit with air
pollution controls and under full operation is expected to emit an average of
less than one-quarter of one pound per day of smog-forming hydrocarbons. Based
on conservative health-protective assumptions, these emissions would result in a
lifetime cancer risk of 1 in 33 million, less than significance threshold of 10
in 1 million in AQMD rules.
AQMD will accept public
comment on the proposed permit for 30 days. Public comments should specifically
address the amine unit permit. After considering the comments, AQMD will decide
whether to issue the permit to Venoco. Public comments should be sent to Pang
Mueller at AQMD, 21865 E. Copley Dr., Diamond Bar 21865.
Health Risk Assessment
Required
In a related development,
AQMD this week notified Venoco that it would have to complete a detailed
scientific study of the facility’s potential health risk to the community. Venoco
will have 150 days to complete the health risk assessment under AQMD’s Rule
1402. It will then be reviewed by AQMD and the state Office of Environmental
Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). Under state law, OEHHA has 180 days to review
the report.
The purpose of the health
risk assessment is to determine whether any toxic emissions from the oil and gas
production facility pose a significant health risk to the community. Under
AQMD’s Rule 1402, a facility that poses a statistical lifetime cancer risk of 10
in 1 million to an individual must conduct a public meeting and notify nearby
residents of the risk. If the facility poses a risk of 25 in 1 million or
greater, AQMD’s Rule 1402 requires that it reduce its risk below 25 in 1 million
within 3 years.
According to a recent
AQMD analysis, the facility’s benzene emissions could potentially exceed the 25
in 1 million risk level. Benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, is present in
small amounts in natural gas produced by oil and gas wells. Oil and gas
facilities emit small amounts of natural gas through “fugitive” leaks from
valves and other fittings.
Venoco, based in
Carpenteria, has operated approximately 18 oil and natural gas wells at Beverly
Hills High School since 1995. In response to community concerns, AQMD this year
has conducted air monitoring in and around the oil well and high school campus
on six different days. Air samples collected to date have not shown any
abnormal levels of toxic air contaminants.
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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