New Regulation 13, Climate Pollutants, Rule 5: Industrial Hydrogen Plants and Amendments to Regulation 8: Organic Compounds, Rule 2: Miscellaneous Operations
3 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2021070007
Lead Agency
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
(BAAQMD)
Document Title
New Regulation 13, Climate Pollutants, Rule 5: Industrial Hydrogen Plants and Amendments to Regulation 8: Organic Compounds, Rule 2: Miscellaneous Operations
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
5/5/2022
Document Description
Rule 13-5 limits vented emissions of total organic compounds (including both methane and other organic compounds) from hydrogen production, hydrogen carrying systems, and hydrogen end users such as process units at petroleum refineries. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has a policy goal of reducing Bay Area greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Methane is a potent and short-lived climate pollutant with a global warming potential 86 times greater than that of carbon dioxide, when compared on a 20-year time horizon. The intent of Rule 13-5 is to minimize both methane and other organic compound emissions, which can be vented from atmospheric vents at petroleum refinery hydrogen plants during normal operating conditions, startups, shutdowns, malfunctions, upsets, and emergencies.
The amendments to Rule 8-2 add to the list of other operations not meeting the definition of miscellaneous operations those limited by Section 301 of Regulation 13: Climate Pollutants, Rule 5: Industrial Hydrogen Plants (Rule 13-5). This amendment has the effect of excluding those operations from Rule 8-2. Rule 13-5, section 301 contains a total organic compound (organic compounds including methane by definition) standard equal to that found in Rule 8-2 (15 pounds per day and 300 ppm). The standard in Rule 13-5 is at least as stringent as that found in Rule 8-2, because it limits total organic compounds (methane and other organic compounds) to the same levels found in 8-2 for total carbon (organic compounds excluding methane). Additional amendments to Rule 8-2 add language to the Manual of Procedures section of the Rule to allow other approved test methods for operations processing non-petroleum-based feedstocks. This amendment is consistent with recent amendments made to Air District rules and regulations associated with or referencing refinery operations.
Contact Information
Name
Laura Cackette
Agency Name
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Job Title
Senior Air Quality Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
Victor Douglas
Agency Name
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Job Title
Rule Development Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Other Location Info
the 9 bay area counties under the BAAQMD jurisdiction
Notice of Determination
Approving Agency
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Approving Agency Role
Lead Agency
Approved On
County Clerks
Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma
Final Environmental Document Available at
www.baaqmd.gov/ruledev and/or https://www.baaqmd.gov/rules-and-compliance/rules/reg-13-rule-5-petroleum-refinery-hydrogen-plants
Determinations
(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment
Yes
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project
No
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project
No
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project
Yes
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
Attachments
Final Document(s) [Approved_Certified draft environmental documents]
Notice of Determination
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