to be published
October 24, 2004

Notice of Public Workshop/Community Advisory Council Meeting

Proposed Amendments to Rule 202 (Exemptions to Rule 201) to Require Permits
for Stationary Diesel Engines (202.F.1) and to Provide Clarification on Exemption Applicability (New 202.D.15)

Wednesday
November 10, 2004, at 6:30 p.m.
Days Inn
114 East Highway 246
Buellton, CA

Concurrent with a Community Advisory Council meeting, the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) will hold a public workshop at the time and location listed above to accept comments on proposed revisions to Rule 202.

Sources Potentially Affected
On the 202.F.1 changes: companies, agencies, and institutions using compression ignition (CI) engines (e.g., standby and backup emergency diesel engines and prime diesel engines), rated greater than 50 brake horsepower. On the new 202.D.15 clarifying text: no sources are expected to be affected.

About the Proposed Amended Rule: The APCD rules apply to certain equipment that emit air contaminants. Rule 201, Permits Required, requires permits for specific types of equipment. Rule 202, Exemptions to Rule 201, lists equipment items that are exempt from the APCD permit requirements. We are proposing revisions to Rule 202.F.1 to require permits for CI engines rated greater than 50 brake horsepower in order to implement and enforce the state Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) for compression ignition engines. The proposed new Section 202.D.15 text clarifies that equipment eligible for the 202.F.1.e, 202.F.1.f, and 202.G.1 exemptions shall have their ratings accumulated to determine exemption applicability when used in the same process.

When the state adopts an ATCM, California law requires that Air Pollution Control Districts and Air Quality Management Districts either adopt an equally stringent rule or simply implement and enforce the state ATCM. The Santa Barbara County APCD intends to implement and enforce the upcoming state ATCM for compression ignition engines without an APCD rule.

The state is expected to adopt the ATCM for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines in the near future. This ATCM will apply to CI engines rated greater than 50 brake horsepower. To implement and enforce the ATCM, we propose to eliminate the exemptions for CI engines rated greater than 50 brake horsepower. Preliminary data indicates that about 300 previously exempt (existing) engines will require permits. Any new engines will require an APCD Authority to Construct permit and Permit to Operate. There are no estimates for the number of new engines that will be subject to these requirements.

The proposed revised Rule 202 will require permits for CI engines: 1) rated greater than 50 brake horsepower, unless registered in the Statewide Registration Program (previously referred to as the “Statewide Portable Equipment Program”), and 2) used to power emergency electric generators, flood control pumps, and firewater pumps.

No changes to the spark ignition engine exemption provisions in 202.F.1 are being proposed with this rulemaking effort. However, the APCD anticipates revising those requirements in the near future to fulfill commitments in the 2001 Clean Air Plan.

There are no emission reductions anticipated from the Rule 202 modifications. CI engines becoming subject to permitting will also become subject to Rule 333, Control of Emissions from Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines. Those engines are expected to meet the Rule 333 emission limits without the addition of control equipment.

The APCD finds that this rulemaking activity is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15061 (b) (3). Any subsequent changes to the project description during the public review period will undergo additional environmental review under CEQA.

The proposed revised rule may be reviewed at the APCD’s web site on this page and at the following locations:

APCD – Main Office
260 N. San Antonio Rd Suite A
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 961-8800

APCD – Santa Maria Office
301 E. Cook Street Suite L
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 961-8800 (Main Office)

4th District Supervisor’s Office
401 E. Cypress Avenue Suite 101
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 737-7700

Copies may also be obtained on a diskette, CD, or as hard copies by calling Lillian Coony at 805.961.8817. For more information on this rule action, contact Doug Grapple at 805.961.8883 or GrappleD@sbcapcd.org, or write to the Santa Barbara address listed above.

Published Sunday, October 24, 2004

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