Proposed Amended Rule 1173 – Control of Volatile Organic Compound Leaks and Releases from Components at Petroleum Facilities and Chemical Plants
Summary
SCH Number
2024110027
Public Agency
South Coast Air Quality Management District
Document Title
Proposed Amended Rule 1173 – Control of Volatile Organic Compound Leaks and Releases from Components at Petroleum Facilities and Chemical Plants
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/1/2024
Document Description
Rule 1173 was amended in response to objectives in the Wilmington, Carson, West Long Beach Community Emission Reductions Plan and to implement the 2022 Air Quality Management Plan Control Measure FUG-01: Improved Leak Detection and Repair, both of which are committed to improved leak detection requirements in South Coast AQMD rules. Proposed Amended Rule 1173 (PAR 1173) proposes further reduction of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from components by requiring the use of enhanced leak detection technology at greater frequencies and establishing lower leak standards. PAR 1173 also introduces contingency measures to partially satisfy federal Clean Air Act contingency requirements for applicable ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards in the South Coast AQMD’s jurisdiction. PAR 1173 includes the following provisions that would: 1) make VOC leak standards more stringent for light liquid pumps and compressors as well as valves, fittings, and other devices to reduce baseline VOC emissions associated with those components; 2) require optical gas imaging (OGI) inspections monthly; 3) introduce contingency measures as defined by the federal Clean Air Act; 4) update recordkeeping and reporting requirements; 5) add two new test methods; and 6) formalize inspection requirements and make VOC leak standards more stringent for fin fans. PAR 1173 is expected to reduce VOC emissions by 740.1 tons per year or 2.03 tons per day, which would benefit public health.
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)
Reasons for Exemption
South Coast AQMD, as Lead Agency, has reviewed the proposed project (PAR 1173) 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. Since the focus of PAR 1173 is to achieve VOC emission reductions through more stringent VOC leak standards and by requiring frequent OGI inspections, which can be accomplished without physical modifications, it can be seen with certainty that implementation of PAR 1173 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.
County Clerks
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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