Proposed Rule 2702-Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Proposed Rule 2702-Greenhouse Gas Reduction

NOTE: WITHDRAWN Note: Review Per Lead / Reliance on Previous EA The currently proposed project requires amending Rule 2702 to incorporate the following amendments: 1) update the forest project, urban forest project, and manure management project protocols to the latest versions; 2) limit forestry projects to include only reforestation and forestry maintenance projects without harvesting; and 3) add a boiler and process heater efficiency protocol to the approved protocol list. The purpose of the boiler protocol is to establish a method to quantify voluntary reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from an improvement in the efficiency of a boiler or process heaters with an economizer/combustion air pre-heater or an Oxygen Trim System (OTS). A Final Program Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Proposed Rule 2702 was certified on Feb 6, 2009, that analyzed potential adverse environmental impacts associated with PAR 2702. Key issues involving the previously certified Final PEA are whether the previously certified Final PEA should be used for this project and whether there are any additional, reasonable alternatives or mitigation measures that should be considered as ways of avoiding or reducing the significant effects of the project. SCAQMD staff has analyzed the proposed project and concluded that potential adverse impacts are within the scope of the environmental analysis in the 2009 Final PEA for the following reasons. The 2009 Final PEA analyzed potential adverse impacts from implementing the 2 forestry and the manure management protocols. The proposed modifications do not change any of the conclusions regarding these protocols in the 2009 Final PEA. Although a specific boiler protocol was prepared. The staff has concluded the impacts from the currently proposed boiler protocol are within the scope of the boiler protocol in the 2009 Final PEA. Since impacts from the currently proposed project are essentially the same as those analyzed in the previously certified Final PEA that was circulated for public review and comment, and no other significant adverse impacts were identified, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15153, SCAQMD has concluded that reliance on the previously certified Final PEA is appropriate. No alternative or mitigations were required or identified in the previously certified Final PEA, and because no significant environmental impacts are anticipated from the proposed project, no additional alternatives or mitigation measures are required or considered.

Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino

Air Resources Board, Major Industrial Projects, Cal Fire, California Coastal Commission (CCC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5 (CDFW), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Planning (DOT), California Energy Commission, California Highway Patrol, California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), Department of Fish and Wildlife, Region 6, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Department of Water Resources, Resources Agency, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality

Proposed Amended Rule

Air Quality, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Noise, Public Services, Solid Waste, Transportation