to be published
December 16, 2007

Proposed New Rule 361
Small-Sized Boilers, Steam Generators, and Process Heaters

Proposed Modified Rule 202
Exemptions to Rule 201 (Permits Required)

 Thursday, January 17, 2008, approximately 1:30 pm
Santa Maria Board of Supervisors Hearing Room
511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, CA

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Board of Directors will hold a public hearing at the time and location listed above to accept comments and consider adoption of new Rule 361 and modifications to existing Rule 202.

Sources Potentially Affected

This new rule will affect all owners and operators of boilers, steam generators, and process heaters in Santa Barbara County that have a heat input rating greater than 2,000,000 British thermal unit (Btu) per hour and less than 5,000,000 Btu per hour.

About the Proposed New Rule

The 2001, 2004, and 2007 Clean Air Plans identified the need for Rule 361. APCD currently has rules for smaller and larger units of this type. Rule 361 will fulfill the “all feasible measures” requirement of these Clean Air Plans. This rulemaking process includes a revision to Rule 202 to require permits for units subject to Rule 361.

Rule 361 will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) to a limit of 30 parts per million by volume and emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) to a limit of 400 parts per million by volume for those small-sized boilers, steam generators, and process heaters that are modified or replaced after the adoption of the rule. These emission reductions can be achieved through the installation or replacement of units with low-NOx burners. The rule includes a sunset clause that gives owners and operators until January 1, 2020 to modify or replace their existing units with compliant units. The rule will limit emissions for new or modified units on or before January 1, 2020, and for existing units (not otherwise exempt from this rule) by January 1, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 15168 (e) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) the APCD finds that this rulemaking activity is within the scope of the 2004 Clean Air Plan Supplemental EIR approved earlier and the EIR adequately describes the activity for the purposes of CEQA. Any subsequent changes to the project description during the public review period will undergo additional environmental review under the CEQA.

Copies of the proposed rules may be reviewed on this web site (PDF files):  Draft Rule 361, and Draft Rule 202, or at the following locations:

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

Air Pollution Control District
301 E. Cook Street, Suite L 
Santa Maria, CA 93454 
(805) 961-8800

Copies may also be obtained by contacting Liz Zavala at (805) 961-8811. Please send written comments to Rebecca Armstrong (805-961-8888) via email to ArmstrongR@sbcapcd.org, or via regular mail to the APCD at the Santa Barbara address listed above.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 to be published Sunday, December 16, 2007               

Return to News & Notices