(Adopted May 6, 1977)(Amended June 2, 1978)

(Amended April 4, 1980)(Amended July 9, 1982)

(Amended September 8, 1995)(Amended June 13, 1997)

RULE 701. AIR POLLUTION EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY ACTIONS

(a) Applicability

This rule shall apply to all persons within the jurisdiction of the South Coast Air

Quality Management District, and shall also specify the measures to be taken by

the South Coast Air Quality Management District during air pollution episodes.

(b) Purpose

The purpose ofthis rule is to:

(1) define air pollution episode criteria;

(2) provide for episode notification to the public;

(3) recommend precautionary actions to be taken during episodes; and

(4) prevent or reduce the severity of episodes.

(c) Definitions

For the purpose ofthis rule, the following definitions apply:

(1) AIR CONTAMINANT OR AIR POLLUTANT means any discharge,

release, or other propagation into the atmosphere and includes, but is not

limited to, smoke, charred paper, dust, soot, grime, carbon, fumes, gases,

odors, particulate matter, acids or any combination thereof.

(2) DECLARED EPISODE exists whenever the Executive Officer

determines:

(A) that any of the applicable episode criteria levels specified in this

rule have been attained or,

(B) that it is likely that any of the applicable episode criteria levels

specified in this rule is imminent to be attained that day.

(3) CHILD DAY CARE FACILITY means a State licensed child day care,

pre-school, or after-school program.

(4) ELECTRIC POWER GENERATING SYSTEM means all boiler and

approved alternative resources owned or operated by, and approved

alternative resources and replacement units under contract to sell power to,

any one ofthe following: Southern California Edison, Los Angeles

Department ofWater and Power, City ofBurbank, City of Glendale, City

of Pasadena, or any of their successors.

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Rule 701 (Cont.) (Amended June 13, 1997)

(5) EPISODES are the intermediate levels between the National Ambient Air

Quality Standard and the Level of Significant Harm for air pollutants at

which some pollution abatement or health notification action must be

taken. The applicable episode criteria, by pollutant and averaging period

established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the

California Air Pollution Emergency Plan are presented in Attachment 2.

(6) ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICE: means:

(A) a sewage treatment facility which is publicly owned and operated

consistent with an approved regional growth plan;

(B) a prison;

(C) police or fire fighting operations;

(D) schools, hospitals, or ambulance operations;

(B) construction and operation of a landfill gas control or processing

facility;

(F) water delivery operations;

(G) public or private utility operations responding to public

• emergencies or utility outages, excluding routine maintenance, or

(H) public transit;

(I) U.S. Postal Service Operations.

(7) FLEET VEHICLES are motor vehicles as defined by the Motor Vehicle

Code Division 1, Section 415 of the State of California Vehicle Code and

operated from one business address.

(8) FORCE MAJEURE NATURAL GAS CURTAILMENT means an

interruption in natural gas service due to unforeseeable failure,

malfunction, or natural disaster, not resulting from an intentional or

negligent act or omission on the part of the owner or operator of a boiler,

or a supply restriction resulting from California Public Utility Commission

(CPUC) priority allocation system of CPUC Rule 23, such that the daily

fuel needs of a boiler cannot be met with the natural gas available.

(9) NEWS MEDIA includes the written press, television, radio, and other

• mass media of communication such as on-line computer information

services.

(10) OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CURTAILMENT ACTIONS are measures, as

presented in Attachment 1, to reduce outdoor activities by children during

periods when air quality exceeds the Health Advisory Episode level for

701 - 2
Rule 701 (Cont.) (Amended June 13, 1997)

ozone or the Stage 1 Episode for all other pollutants for which episode

criteria are deñned.

(11) POLLUTANT STANDARDS INDEX (PSi) means the uniform

reporting system established by the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency to make air pollution reports more easily understood by the

public. The PSI simplifies information by converting units of air pollution

measurement into a uniform scale from 0 to 500.

(12) PREDICTED EPISODE exists whenever the Executive Officer

determines that it is likely that any of the episode levels specified in this

Rule will be reached during the following day.

(13) SCHOOL means public and private educational institutions for children

ranging from grades Kindergarten through 12.

(14) SOURCEIRECEPTOR AREAS. A source area is that area in which

contaminants are discharged and a receptor area is that area in which the

contaminants accumulate and are measured. Any of the areas can be a

source area, a receptor area, or both a source and receptor area. The

source/receptor areas are delineated on the attached map (Attachment 3).

(15) uPSET OF PRODUCTION means that the process throughput or

production rate is reduced by more than 20 percent of normal daily

operations for Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episodes as a direct result of reducing

emissions in order to comply with this regulation.

(16) VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC) is any volatile

compound of carbon, excluding methane, carbon monoxide, carbon

dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, ammonium

carbonate, and exempt compounds.

(17) WILDLAND VEGETATIVE MANAGEMENT BURNING means the

use of prescribed burning conducted by a public agency, or through a

cooperative agreement or contract involving a public agency, to bum land

predominantly covered with chaparral, trees, grass or standing brush as

defined by Title 17, California Administrative Code, Section 80100.

(d) Measurements

The Executive Officer shall maintain air monitoring stations throughout the

District so that air quality can be monitored on continuous basis and air pollution

episodes can be measured and predicted. Air quality information will be reported

daily using the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI).

701 -3
Rule 701 (Cont.) (Amended June 13, 1997)

(e) Facility Requirements

(1) The following actions are required for the owner or operator of any facility

which has actual emissions of 91 metric tons (100 tons) or more per year

of either volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), oxides of nitrogen (NOr),

or oxides of sulfur (SO~, and are encouraged for all other emitters of

these pollutants:

(A) Upon notification of a predicted Stage 2 or Stage 3 episode either

from the Executive Officer or via the news media, reduce

combined emissions for VOC’s, NOx, and SOS, by at least 20

percent ofnormal weekday operations.

(B) Upon notification by the District of the declaration of an air

pollution state of emergency by the Governor, take the applicable

actions which the Governor requires.

(2) The following actions are required for any facility having 100 or more

employees, where employees are defined in Rule 2202:

• (A) Upon notification of a predicted Stage 2 or 3 Episode either from

the Executive Officer or via the news media, post at least one sign

in a conspicuous place designating the predicted episode stage and

• requesting ridesharing and telecommuting.

(B) Upon notification of a predicted Stage.2 or Stage 3 episode either

from the Executive Officer or via the news media, reduce fleet

vehicle miles traveled by at least 20 percent of normal week day

operations.

(C) Upon notification by the District of the declaration of an air

pollution state of emergency by’the Governor, take the applicable

actions which the Governor requires.

(3) All facilities subject to paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) are encouraged to

develop and maintain an internal plan to meet the specified requirements.

(4) Upon a predicted Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episode, an owner or facility shall

maintain a log of the actions taken to meet the requirements in (e)(l), and

(e)(2).

(5) Facilities required to implement Stage 2 or Stage 3 actions shall

implement such actions by at least just after midnight (00:0 1 hours

standard time) or upon commencement of normal business hours on the

day for which an episode is predicted.

701 -4
Rule 701 (Cont.) (Amended June 13, 1997)

(6) Liquid or solid fossil fuel shall not be burned in electric power generating

systems on predicted or declared Stage 2 or Stage 3 episode days of ozone,

sulfur dioxide, sulfur dioxide plus ozone, or sulfates in combination with

ozone unless a force majeure natural gas curtailment is in effect.

(f) Episode Notifications by the Executive Officer

(1) The Executive Officer shall notify the California Air Resources Board and

the news media (e.g. those media in each county determined to be most

likely to result in widespread public knowledge) whenever an episode is

predicted, declared, or terminated.

(2) The Executive Officer may notify directly or shall otherwise rely on the

news media to disseminate to the following whenever an episode is

predicted, declared, or terminated:

(A) School officials;

(B) Local and state law enforcement agencies;

(C) Public safety personnel who have responsibilities for or interest in

air pollution control;

(D) All facilities or activities subject to paragraphs (e)(l) or (e)(2).

(3) The Executive Officer shall announce the prediction of an episode not

later than 2:00 pm (4:30 pm for sulfate portion of ozone/sulfate episode)

ofthe day before the episode is predicted to occur.

(4) A declared or predicted episode shall be terminated whenever the air

contaminant which caused the episode has been verified by the Executive

Officer to be below the applicable episode criteria set forth for the calling

of such episode and the available scientific and meteorological data

indicate that the concentration of such air contaminant will not likely

increase again within the next hour so as to reach the previously attained

episode.

(5) The notice of an episode shall include the following:

(A) Stage level and predicted duration.

(B) The affected source and receptor areas.

(C) Contaminants for which the episode is declared.

(0) The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) value for the pollutant with

the highest predicted or actual PSI reading and associated health

message.

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Rule 701 (Cont.) (Amended June 13, 1997)

(g) Episode Actions by the Executive Officer

Upon the declaration of any predicted or attained episode, the Executive Officer

shall take the following actions:

(1) For Ozone Health Advisories Only:

(A) Recommend as part of the notification required by (f) that schools

and child day care facilities take the actions specified in

Attachment 1, paragraph (b);

(B) Recommend as part of the notification required by (f) to the public

that individuals with special health problems follow the

precautions recommended by their physicians or health officials;

(C) By means of a telephone recorded.message, notifSr members of the

public who contact the District.

(2) For Stage 1 Episodes:

(A) Recommend as part of the notification required by (f) that schools

and child day care facilities take the actions specified in

Attachment 1, paragraph (c);

(B) Take the actions specified in subparagraphs (g)(l)(B) and

(g)(l)(C);

(C) Encourage the public to reduce unnecessary driving;

(D) Encourage the public to ride share;

(E) Encourage employers to limit the amount of time their employees

work outdoors to the degree practicable.

(3) For Stage 2 and Stage 3 episodes:

(A) Recommend as part of the notification required by (f) that schools

and child day care facilities take the actions specified in

Attachment 1, paragraph (d);

(B) Take the actions specified in subparagraphs (g)(2)(B) through

(g)(2)(E);

(C) Within the receptor area(s) of the episode:

(i) Recommend the suspension of programs which involve the

physical exertion by participants using public parks or

public recreation facilities;

(ii) Recommend that all non-emergency driving be

discontinued as soon as possible.

(D) The Executive Officer shall impleiiient source inspections upon a

predicted episode.

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Rule 701 (Cont) (Amended June 13, 1997)

(h) Special Actions for Wildiland Vegetative Management Burning

(1) Upon declaration of any predicted Stage 2 or Stage 3 episode, all

vegetative management burning is prohibited.

(2) Upon the declaration of any attained Stage 2 or Stage 3 episode, all

vegetative management burning, if already ignited, shall be terminated.

(i) Interdistrict Coordination

Upon request of an air pollution control officer in an adjoining air basin for action

to abate Stage 2 or Stage 3 episodes occurring within that district, the Executive

Officer shall make a determination, and ifthe need for action is confirmed, direct

the implementation of the actions required in this Rule for any significant source

area identified within the District which contributes to the ongoing episode in the

adjoining district. Sources in that area shall comply as though an episode has

been declared in their area.

(j) Effective Date:

This amendment to Rule 701 shall become effective immediately upon adoption

by the District Board.

(k) Exemptions:

(1) Percentage emissions reductions or percentage reductions in vehicle miles

traveled lower than those specified in section (e) shall be allowed by the

Executive Officer

(A) if the facility submits a letter to the Executive Officer, not later

than 30 days following a predicted Stage 2 or Stage 3 episode,

demonstrating at least one ofthe following conditions:

(i) that meeting the stated percentage reductions jeopardizes

public health or safety,

(ii) that meeting the stated percentag6 reductions damages

equipment or creates an upset ofproduction, or

(B) the facility or activity is an essential public service.

(2) Buses, commuter van pool vehicles or other vehicles, used exclusively for

multi-passenger commuting between home and the place of work or

school are excluded from the fleet vehicle reduction provisions of section

(e).

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Rule 701 (Cont.) (Amended June 13, 1997)

(3) Programs that include adult participants in scheduled athletic events with

paid attendance are exempted from clause (g)(3)(C)(i).

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Rule 701 (Cont.) (Amended June 13, 1997)

ATTACHMENT 1

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CURTAILMENT ACTIONS

State and federal guidance identifies the following actions that schools and child day care

facilities can take to curtail outdoor activities to reduce or minimize children’s exposure

to air pollution:

(a) For periods of unhealthful air quality (exceeding the federal clean air standards):

(1) Susceptible individuals, e.g. children with heart or lung disease:

Minimize outdoor activity.

(2) Healthy individuals with a noticeable adverse health response to existing

conditions:

Minimize outdoor activity.

(b) For Health Advisory Episodes (applies only to ozone):

(1) All children:

Discontinue prolonged, vigorous outdoor exercise lasting longer

than one hour.

(2) Susceptible persons, such as those with heart or lung disease:

Avoid, outdoor activity.

(3). Examples of the kinds of outdoor activities that should be avoided

are calisthenics, basketball, running, soccer, football, tennis, swimming

laps, waterpolo.

(c) For Stage 1 Episodes:

(1) All children:

Discontinue all vigorous outdoor activities regardless of duration.

(2) Outdoor physical education (PE) classes, sports practices, and athletic

competitions should be re-scheduled or canceled ifpracticable.

(d) For Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episodes:

(1) All children:

Discontinue all outdoor activities.

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Rule 701 (Cont.) (Amended June 13, 1997)

ATTACHMENT 2

EPISODE CRITERIA

For the purpose ofRule 701, the following episode criteria shall apply:

8 Hours***

iHour

24 Hours~*

24 Hours***

(Sulfate)

1 Hour 0.20 ppm

(Ozone)

* These levels shall apply when the ozone concentration and the sulfur dioxide

concentration each exceeds 0.10 ppm, one-hour average, and shall be determined by

adding the ozone and sulfur dioxide concentration.

** For one hour arid predicted to persist for one additional clock hour.

Averaging time is based on a running clock hourly average.

Health

Advisory

0.15 ppm

Averaging

Time

1 Hour

1 Hour

1 Hour

Stage

1

0.20 ppm

0.20 ppm*

Stage

2

0.35 ppm

0.35 ppm*

Stage

3

0.50 ppm

0.50 ppm*

Contaminant

Ozone

Ozone, In

Combination

with Sulfur

Dioxide

Carbon

Monoxide

Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfate, in

Combination

with Ozone

Nitrogen

Dioxide

Fine Particulate

Matter (PM10)

40ppm 75ppm lOOppm**

l5ppm

0.5 ppm

0.2 ppm

3oppm

1.0 ppm

0.6ppm

25 ug/m3

40 ppm

2.Oppm

0.8ppm

1 Hour

24 Hours***

24 Hours***

0.6 ppm 1.2 ppm 1.6 ppm

0.l5ppm

350 ug/m3

0.3 ppm

420 ug!m3

0.4 ppm

500 ug/m3

701 - 10
South Coast Air Quality Management District

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