Permitting Agricultural Operations
Implementing SB 700 in Santa Barbara County
Introduction |
Do I Need a
Local Permit? | Diesel Engine Rules | Deadlines
and Details | Definitions |
Frequently Asked Questions
The APCD is committed to working with leaders in our local agricultural
industry to ensure that all of the agricultural businesses in our county know
about SB 700 timelines and requirements. These sources may be associated with
farms, vineyards, nurseries, dairies, horse breeding facilities, etc. Our goal
is to develop a fair and consistent permitting program; to make the new
requirements easy to understand; and to help everyone understand their
responsibilities under this new law. APCD staff is ready to provide assistance
at every step of the way. If you need assistance, please contact our Business Assistance Line (805) 961-8868, or e-mail
.
What are the deadlines and who is affected?
In Santa Barbara County we envision that the requirements of SB 700 will be
implemented over several years. There are, however, certain deadlines written
into the law that we must observe.
SB 700 required that by December 31, 2004 the following must submit a federal
permit application to the APCD:
- Agricultural sources with a potential to emit 100 tons per year or more
of any pollutant and that have actual emissions of 50 tons per year or more.
(See red box on flow chart).
- Agricultural sources with a potential to emit 100 tons per year or more
of any pollutant and with actual emissions of less than 50 tons per year
must comply with record keeping provisions of APCD Rule 370 in order to
remain exempt from federal permit requirements (and exempt from the need to
submit a permit application by December 31, 2004).
- Additional information on federal permits is on these pages:
calculator, and
permit forms.
We are currently entering the second phase of this process, which will take place over a longer period of time and will affect:
- Any agricultural source with actual emissions of 50 tons per year or
more of any pollutant. (See yellow box on flow chart). Local permit
applications are due to the APCD no later than October 1, 2005. See
this page to determine if your operation requires
a local permit
- New agricultural installations of air polluting equipment with a
potential to emit 100 tons per year or more of any pollutant or actual
emissions of 50 tons per year or more. Actual emissions may have to be
assumed to be equal to potential emissions for a facility not yet operating.
Permits would be required prior to construction of the new installation.
Permitting Agricultural Operations - The SB 700
Process
Pollutants to be Included in Emission Calculations
| Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx): |
Nitrogen oxides are typically created
during combustion processes, and are major contributors to smog
formation and acid deposition. |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC): |
Also known as Reactive Organic
Compounds (ROC), or gases (ROG): A reactive chemical gas, composed
of hydrocarbons, that react with nitrogen oxides and contribute to
the formation of ozone. |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO): |
A colorless, odorless gas resulting
from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. |
| Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): |
A strong smelling, colorless gas that
is formed by the combustion of fossil fuels. |
| Particulate Matter less than ten microns (PM10):
|
A major air pollutant consisting of
tiny solid or liquid particles of soot, dust, smoke, fumes, and
aerosols. |
Use the Potential to Emit (PTE) Screening Tool
Calculator
To determine if your operation has the potential to
emit greater than 100 tons per year of any one pollutant, use the
Potential to Emit Screening Tool Calculator.
Current Exclusions
Agricultural sources that will not be required to obtain permits
until the APCD Board makes certain findings include:
- Existing agricultural sources with the potential to emit less than 100
tons per year of any pollutant and that have actual emissions less than 50
tons per year.
- New or modified equipment at existing facilities if the actual emissions
from the equipment are less than 50 tons per year of any pollutant, and the
potential to emit of all equipment remains under 100 TPY.
- New installations, if the actual emissions from the equipment are less
than 50 tons per year of any pollutant, and the potential to emit of all
equipment is under 100 TPY. Actual emissions may have to be assumed to be
equal to potential emissions for a facility not yet operating.
APCD will not be adopting a rule or requiring permits for large confined
animal facilities based on findings approved by the APCD Board of Directors on
March 16, 2006. See the Board Resolution (PDF file)
here.
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