Proposed Amended Rule (PAR) 1180, Proposed Rule 1180.1 and PAR 1180 and Rule 1180.1 Fenceline Air Monitoring Plan Guidelines
Summary
SCH Number
2024010100
Public Agency
South Coast Air Quality Management District
Document Title
Proposed Amended Rule (PAR) 1180, Proposed Rule 1180.1 and PAR 1180 and Rule 1180.1 Fenceline Air Monitoring Plan Guidelines
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/5/2024
Document Description
Proposed Amended Rule 1180 (PAR 1180) applies to petroleum refineries that primarily produce transportation fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel and facilities with operations related to petroleum refineries located on contiguous or adjacent properties (related facilities). Proposed Rule 1180.1 (PR 1180.1) applies to refineries that refine crude oil and/or alternative feedstocks that are not subject to PAR 1180. PAR 1180 and PR 1180.1 have been developed to: 1) address a lawsuit filed against South Coast AQMD (Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. 22STCP04398) because of an exemption for refineries with capacities less than 40,000 barrels per day; 2) enhance air quality monitoring by requiring real-time monitoring for additional air pollutants for PAR 1180 and require real-time monitoring for criteria pollutants, toxic air containments, and other pollutants for PR 1180.1; and 3) improve data accessibility by the public. Specifically, PAR 1180 includes requirements for: 1) conducting air monitoring at additional facilities; 2) monitoring certain air pollutants identified in the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment report, “Analysis of Refinery Chemical Emissions and Health Effects,” finalized in March 2019, where feasible; 3) establishing notification thresholds for additional air pollutants; 4) conducting a specific cause analysis when air pollutants are detected above a notification threshold; 5) recovering community air monitoring costs via a fee schedule; 6) requiring an independent audit and corrective action plan for deficiencies identified by independent audit; and 7) providing additional specifications for compliance schedule, web-based fenceline data display and notification program, and quarterly reports. PAR 1180 also updates definitions and clarifies rule language. PR 1180.1 focuses on smaller refineries, which were previously exempted by Rule 1180, and implements community and fenceline air monitoring requirements similar to PAR 1180. In addition, Proposed Amended Rule 1180 and Rule 1180.1 Fenceline Air Monitoring Plan Guidelines includes updates for consistency with PAR 1180 and PR 1180.1. The monitoring features of the proposed project will provide information that will assist facility operators to detect air emission leaks early, so that the leaks or upset conditions can be quickly repaired and mitigated. Implementation of the proposed project will not result in quantifiable emission reductions, though indirect emissions benefits may be realized.
Contact Information
Name
Farzaneh Khalaj
Agency Name
South Coast AQMD
Job Title
Air Quality Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
The proposed project is located within the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (South Coast AQMD) jurisdiction, which includes the four-county South Coast Air Basin (all of Orange County and the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties), and the Riverside County portion of the Salton Sea Air Basin and the non-Palo Verde, Riverside County portion of the Mojave Desert Air Basin.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)(3) and 15306
Reasons for Exemption
South Coast AQMD, as Lead Agency, has reviewed the proposed project (PAR 1180, PR 1180.1, and Proposed Amended Rule 1180 and Rule 1180.1 Fenceline Air Monitoring Plan Guidelines) pursuant to: 1) CEQA Guidelines Section 15002(k) – General Concepts, the three-step process for deciding which document to prepare for a project subject to CEQA; and 2) CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 – Review for Exemption, procedures for determining if a project is exempt from CEQA. Because the potential preparation of monitoring sites and installation of monitoring equipment may be achieved via minimal construction equipment, it can be seen with certainty that implementing the proposed project would not cause a significant adverse effect on the environment. Therefore, the proposed project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) – Common Sense Exemption. Further, the proposed project will enhance air quality monitoring and collect data and would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. Thus, the proposed project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 – Information Collection. Finally, there is no substantial evidence indicating that any of the exceptions to the categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the proposed project.
County Clerks
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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