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June 16, 2011 Actions by the 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 incentive programs and resulting emissions reductions. 

The report also documented recent measured improvements 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 rate 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 match 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 Astronomy’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 Modesto and Bakersfield offices. See: www.valleyair.org 

*webcast