# D D i i s

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June 16, 2011 Actions by th e District Governing Board

 Governing Board Chair Steve Worthley expressed his appreciation for their service on the Board to outgoing Board members John Telles, M.D., and Visalia Councilmember Michael Lane.

 The Board received a report on the District’s 2008 PM2.5 Plan implementation progress and the Valley’s PM2.5 air quality trends. The report included information regarding the adoption of regulatory measures, implementation of incent ive programs and resulting emissions reductions. The report also documented recent measured improv ements in PM2.5 air quality, such as lower than annual average PM2.5 concentrations and more “Good” Air Quality Index (AQI) days. The report noted that, in remaining PM2.5 air quality challenges, including increasingly stringent federal standards, the District will pursue a multi-faceted, risk-based approach to prioritize control measures that maximize health benefits while assuring expeditious attainment.

 The Board heard findings from a study of health impacts associated with elevated PM 2.5 and ozone in Bakersfield, Fresno and Modesto. With District funding, the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, CSU-Fresno and UCSF-Fresno used emergency room, hospitalization, air quality and meteorological data to assess the statistical correlations between elevated daily concentrations of ozone and PM2.5 and key respiratory and cardiovascular health impacts. Overall, researchers found several health outcomes appeared to be correlated with increased daily PM 2.5 concentration levels and the daily ra te of ER and/or hospital admissions, particularly for asthma among children and adults. Less clear-cut associations were found for elevated ozone exposure. Details and full results can be found at www.cvhpi.org and www.valleyair.org

. The Board approved further research that will build on this prior study by examining statistical associations between concentrations of PM2.5 components.

 The Board approved amendments to Rule 4401 (Steam Enhanced Crude Oil Production Wells) , removing an administrative requirement for approval of alternative testing and listing specific conditions allowing local approval and streamlining alternative testing process. Amendments will end an EPA 18-month sanction clock.

 The Board approved amendments to Rule 4605 (Aerospace Assembly and Component Coating Operations), adding new coating categories and lowering two existing VOC limits to match the federal Control Techniques Guidelines. EPA approved the rule for existing categories, but recommended additional limitations for a number of specialty coating categories with limited applicability in the Valley. Amendments will end an EPA 18-month sanction clock.

 The Board approved amendments to Rule 4684 (Polyester Resin Operations)

. The amendments add new specialty coating categories, lower some VOC limits and raise control system effectiveness limits to ma tch existing limits in other air districts. EPA approved the rule for boat manufacturing operations but additional review was needed to evaluate Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) for non-boat manufacturing operations. Amendments will end an EPA 18-month sanction clock.

 The Board adopted new Rule 2410 (Prevention of Significant Deterioration)

. The District will begin to administer the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting program once EPA approves Rule 2410 into the State Implementation Plan. PSD applies preconstruction review requirements from the federal Clean Air Act to pollutants for which the San Joaquin Valley is in attainment of the federal National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Currently, EPA, Region IX,administers the PSD program for major stationary sources in the District by reviewing applications, issuing PSD permits and performing inspections.

 Staff updated the Governing Board on the status of new Rule 4566 (Composting and Related Operations) and proposed amendments to Rule 4702 (Internal Combustion Engines) , plans to bring forth both rules for Board consideration in August 2011. A The verbal report presented to the Board outlined efforts to obtain additional stakeholder input and address their concerns, and included a description of revisions being made and the rule development timeline.

 The Board approved up to $1.4 million in existing, locally generated funds to leverage public and private match funding to purchase 50 new, locally manufactured, zero-emission delivery vehicles to be deployed with the Valley. The Board also authorized the Executive Director/APCO to negotiate and execute an agreement with United Parcel Service to purchase and deploy these vehicles.

 The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign an 18-month research award to University of California, Davis, not exceeding $130,000, to measure long-distance flows of ozone, PM2.5 and carbon monoxide into the San Joaquin Valley. Previous research has shown that long-distance ozone from Asia affects the air quality of the Northern Sacramento Valley, and it is likely that it affects ground-level ozone in the San Joaquin Valley, as well. For the study, ozone, PM2.5 and carbon monoxide will be recorded at the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronom y’s observatory in the coast range mountains. The purpose of this project is to establish a foundation for future research to demonstrate correlations in long-distance ozone concentration with ground-level monitors in the Valley. 

## June Healthy Air Living Tip Production of the energy consumed by a million homes generates as many emissions as about 850,000 cars. Most of the home energy used goes towards cooling and heating. As temperatures rise, consider these tips to help you save energy and money and reduce greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions from power plants.
Tip: Close your blinds or window coverings on hot days to block direct sunlight. Install an evaporative cooler or solar panels and plant trees to shade your home. For more tips

see www.healthyairliving.com

. 

## May District Activities Outreach and Communications

 Bike to Work Days held around Valley. District staff joined hundreds of riders and biking enthusiasts from throughout the Valley in support of May Bike to Work events. Encouraging residents to ride a bike to work instead of driving is a key part of the District’s efforts to reduce pollution-causing vehicle emissions.

 Video Contest entries. Several excellent entries were received in this year’s For Reel Video Contest. The first place winner will be awarded an iPad and will be announced soon.

 Outreach and Communications participated in 20 outreach events and responded to 

### 79 public calls or emails and 

### 19 media calls in May. Three media releases were distributed. 

## Grant and Incentive Programs

 The District received 369 incentive program applications in May. 300 of those were for the Lawn and Garden Program.

 $2,642,582.59 in Heavy-Duty Engine Program grant funds was placed under contract in May and $6,021,471.35 in claims was paid. $58,441.65 in REMOVE II Program claims was paid in May. $26,500.00 in Wood Stove Change Out Program claims was paid and 47 claims were processed.

Component Number of Claims Amount Paid Ag Engine 43 $ 699,826.33 Ag-UTV 2 $ 5,975.00 Locomotive 1 $ 1,347,811.00 Off-Road 1 $ 81,644,.23 On-Road 6 $ 194,539.50 On-Road Prop 1B 49 $ 2,407,900.00 On-Road VIP 1 $ 35,000.00 School Bus Replacement 6 $ 254,096.99 School Bus Retrofit 122 $ 994,678.30

Heavy-Duty Emission Reductions (tons)

 NOx 151

 PM 5

 ROG 11 Total: 167 

## Operations Overview

 Compliance completed 3,481 inspections in May. 193 NOVS were issued and 235 mutual settlement cases were completed.

 Permits received 166 applications in May and issued 876 permits.

 Strategies and Incentives received 27 smoking vehicle reports.

 The District received 128 environmental documents for review. 

## Upcoming Meetings
Governing Board* Citizens Advisory Committee* Environmental Justice Adv. Group 9 a.m. Thurs., Aug, 18 10 a.m. Tues., Aug. 2 5:30 pm Tues., June 28
The Governing Board and CAC will not meet in July. Meetings are held in the Governing Board Room in the Fresno office and via video teleconference to the Mode sto and Bakersfield offices. See: www.valleyair.org *webcast