Notice of Public Hearing

Proposed Amended Rule 102, Definitions

Thursday, December 16
Approximately 2:00 PM
Board of Supervisors Hearing Room
105 East Anapamu Street, Fourth Floor
Santa Barbara, California 93101

The Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Board will hold a public hearing at the time and location listed above to accept comments and consider revision of Rule 102, Definitions.

Sources potentially affected
This rule revision will affect all current and future permitted sources in Santa Barbara County.

Discussion about the Proposed Amended Rule
The APCD is proposing adding two exempt compounds, methyl acetate and perchloroethylene, to the definition of reactive organic compounds (ROC) found in Rule 102, and making minor reformatting changes to the rule for clarity. This revision is necessary to make the APCD’s reactive organic compounds definition consistent with the California Air Resources Board (ARB) volatile organic compounds (VOC) definition. The terms VOC and ROC are both used to identify compounds that are precursors to ozone formation.

While perchloroethylene will no longer be classified as a ROC, dry cleaners will still remain subject to APCD permit requirements. This is because perchloroethylene, which has been classified by the ARB as an airborne toxic contaminant, is an air contaminant.

The APCD does not anticipate any emission changes or any significant impacts to regulated sources or the APCD from the proposed amendments to Rule 102.

The APCD has determined that the project (the revision) will not have any significant adverse impacts. The APCD finds that this rulemaking activity is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15061 (b) (3). As required by CEQA Guidelines, staff prepared a Notice of Exemption for this project. Any subsequent changes to the project description during the public review period will undergo additional environmental review under the CEQA.

The draft Board Package and the proposed revised rule may be reviewed at the APCD’s web site, on this page, or 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 contacting Lillian Coony at 805.961.8817.

Please provide written comments by December 14, 2004, to Rebecca Gaffney at the Santa Barbara address above. If you have any questions, you can contact Rebecca at 805.961.8888 or GaffneyR@sbcapcd.org. 

                                    Published Sunday, November 14, 2004