STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN REVISION 

FOR FEDERAL LEAD STANDARD 

 

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS 

Release Date: August 23, 2011 

Hearing Date: September 22, 2011 

Air Resources Board 

California Environmental Protection Agency 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 Page 

INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 

OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................. 1 

APPENDIX A: STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN REVISION FOR FEDERAL 

 LEAD STANDARD INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS 

Emission Limits and Other Control Measures (§110(a)(2)(A)) .................................. A-1 

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring/Data System (§110(a)(2)(B)) ................................... A-2 

Programs for Enforcement, PSD, and NSR (§110(a)(2)(C)) ..................................... A-4 

Interstate and International Transport Provisions (§110(a)(2)(D)) ............................ A-6 

Adequate Personnel, Funding, and Authority (§110(a)(2)(E)) .................................. A-7 

Stationary Source Monitoring and Reporting (§110(a)(2)(F)) ................................... A-8 

Emergency Episodes (§110(a)(2)(G)) ...................................................................... A-9 

Future SIP Revisions (§110(a)(2)(H)) ..................................................................... A-10 

Consultation with Government Officials, Public Notification, 

 PSD, and Visibility Protection (§110(a)(2)(J)) .................................................... A-11 

Air Quality Modeling/Data (§110(a)(2)(K)) .............................................................. A-12 

Permitting Fees (§110(a)(2)(L)) .............................................................................. A-13 

Consultation/Participation by Affected Local Entities (§110(a)(2)(M)) ..................... A-13 

 

i 
LIST OF TABLES 

 Page 

TABLE 1: Required Infrastructure SIP Elements ........................................................ 2 

APPENDIX A: STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN REVISION FOR FEDERAL 

 LEAD STANDARD INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS 

TABLE A-1: Population Exposure Lead Monitoring Sites in California .................... A-3 

TABLE A-2: California Airports Participating in U.S. EPA Pilot 

 Lead Monitoring Study ...................................................................... A-3 

TABLE A-3: California Districts with SIP-Approved PSD Lead Rules ...................... A-5 

ii 
OVERVIEW 

The purpose of this report is to provide a revision to the infrastructure portion of California’s 

State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revision is required under the federal Clean Air Act 

(CAA) and is limited to changes that specifically address the national ambient air quality 

standard for lead (federal lead standard). It contains no changes for any other air pollutant. 

The following paragraphs provide background on the federal lead standard and requirements 

for the infrastructure portion of the SIP. The actual language of the SIP revision is provided in 

Appendix A: State Implementation Plan Revision for Federal Lead Standard Infrastructure 

Requirements. 

INTRODUCTION 

On October 15, 2008, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) revised 

the federal lead standard. The revised standard of 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3), 

averaged over a three-month period, is 90 percent more stringent than the former 1.5 μg/m3

standard and carries several new requirements with it. When U.S. EPA promulgates a new 

standard or, as in the case of lead, revises an existing standard, CAA Section 110(a)(1) 

requires each state to revise their SIP to show they have the authority and programs needed 

to implement, maintain, and enforce the standard, regardless of designation status. This 

documentation is submitted to U.S. EPA for approval and is generally referred to as an 

Infrastructure SIP. States must submit an Infrastructure SIP within three years after a federal 

standard is adopted or revised. California’s Lead Infrastructure SIP is due to U.S. EPA by 

October 15, 2011. 

California has already addressed most of the infrastructure requirements in a comprehensive 

Infrastructure SIP submitted in response to the CAA of 1970 and approved by U.S. EPA in 

1979 (40 Code of Federal Regulations 52.220). The Air Resources Board (ARB or Board) 

submitted amendments to the Infrastructure SIP to comply with revisions to the federal 8-hour 

ozone standard and federal PM2.5 standard, but U.S. EPA has not yet acted fully on these 

revisions. The revision for the 2008 federal lead standard continues to affirm the Board’s 

commitment to comply with CAA requirements. In addition, the revision responds to new 

elements required by U.S. EPA’s 2008 revision of the federal lead standard, including new 

lead monitoring requirements, stationary source lead permitting requirements, and 

development of an emergency episode plan for lead. 

The specific elements required for the Lead Infrastructure SIP are listed in CAA 

Section 110(a)(2). Table 1 lists the page number in Appendix A where each element is 

addressed. As mentioned earlier, the Lead Infrastructure SIP becomes part of the overall 

statewide SIP. 

1 
TABLE 1 

REQUIRED INFRASTRUCTURE SIP ELEMENTS 

Infrastructure SIP Element Clean Air Act 

Requirement 

Element 

Description 

Emission Limits and Other Control Measures §110(a)(2)(A) Page A-1 

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring/Data System §110(a)(2)(B) Page A-2

Programs for Enforcement, PSD, and NSR §110(a)(2)(C) Page A-4

Interstate and International Transport 

Provisions §110(a)(2)(D) Page A-6

Adequate Personnel, Funding, and Authority §110(a)(2)(E) Page A-7

Stationary Source Monitoring and Reporting §110(a)(2)(F) Page A-8

Emergency Episodes §110(a)(2)(G) Page A-9

Future SIP Revisions §110(a)(2)(H) Page A-10

Consultation with Government Officials, Public 

Notification, PSD, and Visibility Protection §110(a)(2)(J) Page A-11

Air Quality Modeling/Data §110(a)(2)(K) Page A-12

Permitting Fees §110(a)(2)(L) Page A-13

Consultation/Participation by Affected Local 

Entities §110(a)(2)(M) Page A-13

In addition to the infrastructure requirements, U.S. EPA designates areas as attainment, 

nonattainment, or unclassifiable to facilitate subsequent planning efforts to attain the federal 

standards. When a new standard is adopted or an existing standard is revised, states have 

one year to submit area designation recommendations. ARB submitted area designation 

recommendations for the revised federal lead standard on October 15, 2009. A copy of the 

staff report is available on ARB’s website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/feddesig.htm. 

U.S. EPA promulgated final area designations for lead one year later. Only one area in 

California, the Los Angeles County portion of the South Coast Air Basin, excluding the 

Channel Islands, is designated as nonattainment for the federal lead standard. A lead 

nonattainment SIP for this area is due to U.S. EPA on June 30, 2012. All other areas of the 

State are designated as unclassifiable. 

2 
APPENDIX A 

STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN REVISION 

FOR FEDERAL LEAD STANDARD 

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS
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Appendix A Page A-1 

APPENDIX A 

State Implementation Plan Revision 

for Federal Lead Standard Infrastructure Requirements 

Emission Limits and Other Control Measures [§110(a)(2)(A)] 

This section requires states to establish emission control measures and 

programs that limit lead emissions. 

No additional statewide control measures or programs are needed to comply with the national 

ambient air quality standard for lead (federal lead standard). However, control measures 

aimed at reducing lead emissions from large lead processing facilities in the South Coast Air 

Basin will be part of the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (South Coast District) 

lead nonattainment SIP that is due to the United States Environmental Protection Agency 

(U.S. EPA) in June 2012. 

Discussion 

When U.S. EPA first adopted a lead standard in 1978, it was estimated that over 90 percent of 

ambient lead concentrations were attributable to the use of lead in gasoline. The phase-out of 

lead in gasoline began during the 1970s, and Air Resources Board (ARB) regulations 

(California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 13, section 2253.4) virtually eliminated lead from 

gasoline sold in California starting January 1, 1992. The Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 

1990 mandated the elimination of lead from all U.S. motor fuel by January 1, 1996, specifying 

the same 0.05 grams of lead per gallon limit as the California regulations. As a result of these 

State and federal regulations, maximum monthly average lead concentrations measured at 

ambient population-oriented monitors are now 99 percent lower – about 10 micrograms per 

cubic meter (μg/m3) in the mid-1970s compared with 0.04 μg/m3 or less, now. These monthly 

average concentrations are well below the level of the three-month average specified in the 

2008 federal lead standard. The State and federal regulations will continue to provide the 

basic framework needed to ensure long-term attainment and maintenance of the federal lead 

standard on a statewide level, with the exception of the Los Angeles County portion of the 

South Coast Air Basin. 

In contrast to the rest of the State, the Los Angeles County portion of the South Coast Air 

Basin is the only area in California impacted by local, stationary source lead emissions. 

Furthermore, it is the only area in California designated as nonattainment for the 2008 federal 

lead standard. The South Coast District has jurisdiction over stationary sources in the 

nonattainment area and has been proactive in mitigating their impact on ambient lead 

concentrations. On September 11, 1992, the South Coast District adopted Rule 1420 - 

Emissions Standard for Lead. Rule 1420 specifies emission limits, control requirements, 

monitoring requirements, modeling requirements, recordkeeping requirements, and reporting 

requirements for lead, and it applies to all facilities in the South Coast Air Basin that use or 

process lead-containing materials. In addition to Rule 1420, the South Coast District adopted 

Rule 1420.1 on November 5, 2010. Rule 1420.1 applies specifically to large lead-acid battery 

recycling facilities, which have been identified as the source of the Los Angeles County 

federal lead standard violations. These rules will be discussed in more detail in the South 

Coast District lead nonattainment SIP. 
Appendix A Page A-2 

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring/Data System [§110(a)(2)(B)] 

This section requires states to monitor, compile, and analyze ambient lead 

concentrations and provide the data to U.S. EPA. 

Current monitoring requirements for lead include population-oriented or exposure monitoring, 

source-oriented monitoring, and a pilot program for monitoring lead at general aviation 

airports where leaded fuel is used. Existing and planned lead monitors in California are 

sufficient to comply with the population exposure and source-oriented monitoring 

requirements. U.S. EPA is currently working with five general aviation airports in California as 

part of the pilot program. 

Discussion 

ARB, air pollution control and air quality management districts (districts), private contractors, 

and other government entities (for example, the National Parks Service) maintain a statewide 

network of monitoring sites. Monitoring instruments at these sites collect data for many air 

pollutants and a number of meteorological parameters. Current information about California’s 

overall air quality monitoring program, as well as information about individual monitoring sites 

is available on ARB’s website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/aqd/aqmoninca.htm. Data collected at 

the individual monitoring sites are compiled, analyzed, and reported to U.S. EPA’s Air Quality 

System per the schedule set forth in federal monitoring regulations. These data are also 

available on ARB’s website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/adam. ARB and districts also submit 

annual air quality monitoring plans to U.S. EPA that describe how the State and districts 

comply with monitoring requirements. These plans also describe proposed monitoring 

changes. 

As a result of the success of removing lead from gasoline, significant lead emissions now 

come from just a few industrial sources. Recognizing this, lead monitoring requirements 

include source-oriented monitoring, as well as population exposure monitoring. With respect 

to population exposure monitoring, federal regulations require lead monitoring at NCore sites 

in any Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA) with a population of 500,000 or more. NCore sites 

form a “National Core” of multi-pollutant monitoring sites. There are currently six NCore sites 

in California, as shown in Table A-1. Lead monitors are already operating at five of 

California’s six NCore sites, with the remaining monitor to be deployed and operating by the 

required January 1, 2012, deadline. Lead measurements at the NCore sites are collected 

using Federal Reference Method (FRM) or Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) lead-total 

suspended particulate (Pb-TSP) samplers or lead-fine particulate matter (Pb-PM10) samplers. 

All samplers meet siting and operating parameters as mandated by U.S. EPA for lead in 

40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 58. 

In addition to the NCore sites, Table A-1 shows lead monitors at several other 

population-oriented sites in California, including Calexico, Riverside (Magnolia location), 

San Bernardino, and Upland. Lead concentrations at these sites are collected using FRM or 

FEM Pb-TSP monitors. Although not required, these monitors will continue operating, 

providing a long-term record for comparison with future lead levels to ensure compliance with 

the federal lead standard. 
Appendix A Page A-3 

TABLE A-1 

Population Exposure Lead Monitoring Sites in California 

Monitor Location County Type of Monitor Type of Monitor 

El Cajon San Diego NCore / Population Exposure Pb-TSP 

Fresno Fresno NCore / Population Exposure Pb-TSP 

Los Angeles Los Angeles NCore / Population Exposure Pb-TSP&Pb-PM10 

Riverside (Rubidoux) Riverside NCore / Population Exposure Pb-TSP&Pb-PM10 

Sacramento* Sacramento NCore / Population Exposure Pb-PM10 

San Jose Santa Clara NCore / Population Exposure Pb-PM10 

Calexico Imperial Neighborhood / Population Exposure Pb-TSP 

Riverside (Magnolia) Riverside Neighborhood / Population Exposure Pb-TSP 

San Bernardino San Bernardino Neighborhood / Population Exposure Pb-TSP 

Upland San Bernardino Neighborhood / Population Exposure Pb-TSP 

*Monitor will be deployed and operating by January 1, 2012. 

The revised federal lead standard also requires source-oriented lead monitoring near 

industrial sources emitting more than 0.5 tons of lead per year. The only qualifying source in 

California is located in the South Coast Air Basin. The South Coast District maintains a 

network of source-oriented lead monitors, as described in their 2011 Annual Air Quality 

Monitoring Network Plan. The Plan is available on the web at http://www.aqmd.gov/tao/AQReports/AQMonitoringNetworkPlan/FinalAMNetworkPlan.pdf. These source-oriented monitors 

measure concentrations around the South Coast Air Basin’s most significant industrial 

lead-related sources. The South Coast District has monitored lead concentrations around 

these sources for two decades and is committed to continue operating the monitors, 

long-term. 

U.S. EPA’s last lead monitoring requirement defines a 12-month pilot program to monitor lead 

concentrations near general aviation airports where fuel containing lead could cause elevated 

lead concentrations. U.S. EPA selected fifteen airports, nationwide, to participate in the pilot 

program. Five of these fifteen airports are located in California (refer to Table A-2). The 

airports, districts, and ARB are working with U.S. EPA to develop sites and implement lead 

monitoring near these airports. Lead data will be collected by FRM or FEM Pb-TSP samplers, 

so they are comparable with the federal lead standard. Consistent with U.S. EPA 

requirements, any site measuring a three-month average lead concentration greater than half 

the level of the 2008 federal lead standard must continue to monitor for lead after the pilot 

program ends. 

TABLE A-2 

California Airports Participating in U.S. EPA Pilot Lead Monitoring Study 

Airport Name County 

Gillespie Field San Diego 

McClellan-Palomar San Diego 

Palo Alto Santa Clara 

Reid-Hillview Santa Clara 

San Carlos San Mateo 
Appendix A Page A-4 

Programs for Enforcement, PSD, and NSR [§110(a)(2)(C)] 

This section requires states to enforce control measures associated with 

attaining and maintaining the federal lead standard and to implement a 

permitting program to regulate the construction and modification of major 

stationary sources of lead. In addition, Prevention of Significant Deterioration 

(PSD) programs must also apply to stationary sources that emit Greenhouse 

Gases, in accordance with U.S. EPA’s Tailoring Rule. 

ARB has a comprehensive enforcement program in place, including enforcement of State 

fuels regulations. No new statewide programs are needed for lead. In California, districts are 

responsible for permit programs for stationary sources. Each district has developed their own 

program, resulting in a comprehensive set of applicable rules and regulations. With respect 

to PSD, five districts have SIP-approved PSD programs. Two districts operate programs with 

partial SIP-approved authority. PSD programs in the remaining districts are administered by 

U.S. EPA. 

Discussion 

ARB’s enforcement program covers mobile sources, stationary sources, consumer 

products, and fuels. Details about the program are available on ARB’s website at 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/enf.htm. In addition to the statewide program, districts implement 

rules incorporating California Health and Safety Code provisions that grant all district officers 

and employees the authority to adopt and enforce their own rules and regulations (California 

Health and Safety Code sections 40001, 40120, 40702, 40752, 40753, and 41510). ARB 

reviews and audits district enforcement programs as part of its oversight role and in 

accordance with California Health and Safety Code section 41500. ARB also reviews district 

rules at their draft, proposed, and adopted stages to ensure the rules meet all applicable State 

and federal requirements. ARB maintains an online publically accessible district rules 

database at http://www.arb.ca.gov/drdb/drdb.htm. 

California Health and Safety Code section 40000 gives districts the responsibility for 

controlling air pollution from stationary sources. This includes responsibility for New Source 

Review (NSR) and PSD. Both NSR and PSD address the construction or modification of 

major stationary sources so they do not cause or contribute to a violation of federal standards. 

NSR applies in nonattainment areas. In general, NSR rules in California must meet federal 

requirements, as well as more stringent State requirements. In contrast to NSR, PSD only 

applies in areas designated as attainment or unclassifiable for a federal standard. As noted 

above, various provisions in the California Health and Safety Code grant all district officers 

and employees authority to adopt and enforce rules and regulations, including stationary 

source permitting programs. 

In terms of the federal lead standard, there is only one nonattainment area in California, the 

Los Angeles County portion of the South Coast Air Basin. Therefore, NSR applies in this 

area. The rest of California is designated as unclassifiable for lead, and therefore, PSD 

requirements apply. PSD requirements are very complex and often change, as evidenced by 

the new requirements applicable to Greenhouse Gases (GHG). In California, PSD programs 
Appendix A Page A-5 

are either (1) fully implemented by a district, (2) partially implemented by a district, or (3) 

wholly implemented by U.S. EPA. Five California districts, all of which are designated as 

unclassifiable for the 2008 federal lead standard, have authority to fully implement their 

SIP-approved PSD program. Table A-3 lists these districts, their qualifying rules, and the 

significant lead emission rate specified in the rules. In addition to criteria pollutants, such as 

lead, the SIP-approved PSD programs in these districts also apply to GHG emissions, in 

accordance with U.S. EPA’s Tailoring Rule. 

TABLE A-3 

California Districts with SIP-Approved PSD Lead Rules 

District Rule Covering 

Lead 

Significance 

Level for Lead 

SIP Approval 

Federal Register 

Citation 

Mendocino County 

Air Quality Management District Rule 220 0.6 tons/year 50 FR 30942 

Monterey Bay Unified 

Air Pollution Control District Rule 207 3.28 pounds/day* 65 FR 5433

North Coast Unified 

Air Quality Management District Rule 220 0.6 tons/year 50 FR 30941

Northern Sonoma County 

Air Pollution Control District Rule 220 0.6 tons/year 50 FR 30943

Sacramento Metropolitan 

Air Quality Management District Rule 203 3.3 pounds/day 76 FR 43183

*3.3 pounds/day is nominally equivalent to 0.6 tons per year 

Two California districts, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and South Coast Air 

Quality Management District, operate their PSD and NSR programs with partial SIP-approved 

authority. Those portions of their PSD and NSR programs that have not been SIP-approved 

are administered by U.S. EPA. The remaining districts in California are all designated as 

unclassifiable for the 2008 federal lead standard, and all have PSD programs for both lead 

and GHG that are wholly administered by U.S. EPA. 
Appendix A Page A-6 

Interstate and International Transport Provisions [§110(a)(2)(D)] 

This section prohibits the transport of lead emissions from one state to another, 

where they could contribute significantly to violations of the federal lead 

standard, interfere with maintenance of the federal lead standard, or contribute 

to reduced visibility. 

Stationary source lead emissions do not have a transport impact unless the source is located 

very near a state or international boundary. Transport is not an issue in California’s only 

nonattainment area (Los Angeles County portion of the South Coast Air Basin) because 

stationary lead sources are located more than 100 miles from the nearest state or 

international border. In addition to transport, U.S. EPA has determined that lead emissions do 

not impact visibility. 

Discussion 

Lead is a primary pollutant that does not undergo atmospheric transformation. Furthermore, 

because lead particles are relatively heavy, they tend to settle out quickly. As a result, lead 

impacts are very localized. The highest concentrations occur in the immediate vicinity of the 

emission source, with concentrations dropping off rapidly with distance from the source. 

Given the characteristics of lead, only states with sources located very near a state or 

international boundary have the potential to contribute to nonattainment or maintenance of the 

federal lead standard in another area via transport. In recent guidance, U.S. EPA defined the 

critical distance as 2 miles. 

There are only two sources in California that contribute to violations of the lead NAAQS. Both 

facilities are located in the Los Angeles County nonattainment area, and both are more than 

100 miles from the nearest state or international boundary. Although lead concentrations near 

the facilities violate the federal standard, lead concentrations at all other sites in the South 

Coast Air Basin, including nonsource-oriented sites in the Los Angeles County nonattainment 

area, are well below the level of the federal lead standard (maximum 2005-2007 3-month 

averages ranged from 0.01 μg/m3

 to 0.03 μg/m3). Based on these data, the large lead 

facilities in the Los Angeles County nonattainment area do not contribute to lead violations or 

interfere with maintenance of the federal lead standard, outside the local nonattainment area. 

Thus, transport is not a concern. Nevertheless, while the South Coast District is developing 

their lead nonattainment SIP, major stationary lead sources are covered under Appendix S to 

40 CFR Part 51. Appendix S sets forth U.S. EPA’s Interpretive Ruling on preconstruction 

review requirements and conditions, insuring that lead emissions from major stationary 

sources and major stationary source modifications are controlled to the greatest extent 

possible, that emission offsets are obtained, and that the area continues progress toward 

attainment. 

In addition to transport, U.S. EPA has determined that lead emission sources have an 

insignificant impact on visibility. Nevertheless, California has a federally-approved Regional 

Haze Plan in place. The Regional Haze Plan is available on the ARB website at 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/reghaze/reghaze.htm. 
Appendix A Page A-7 

Adequate Personnel, Funding, and Authority [§110(a)(2)(E)] 

This section requires states and local districts to maintain adequate personnel, 

funding, and legal authority to implement their SIP and to ensure that a majority 

of their board members represent the public interest. 

A majority of ARB and district budgets go toward meeting CAA mandates. Much of this 

funding comprises fees collected from regulated emission sources and is dedicated to air 

pollution control activities. All ARB and district board members must comply with conflict of 

interest requirements established in State law. 

Discussion 

Each year, the California State Legislature approves ARB’s funding and staff resources for 

carrying out the programs of the SIP. Similarly, district budgets are approved each year by 

the district’s governing board. The annual budget process provides a periodic update that 

enables ARB and the districts to adjust funding and personnel needs. Although it is not 

legally possible for ARB and the districts to provide specific commitments about future-year 

funding, the annual budget appropriations process undertaken by the California State 

Legislature enables ARB to present a request for resources required to meet the mandates of 

the CAA. These mandated programs have received State funding for more than three 

decades, and there is consistently strong public support in California for providing clean air. 

Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that implementation of CAA mandates will continue to 

be funded at an appropriate level. 

Over the last several years, more than 80 percent of ARB’s budget has gone toward meeting 

CAA mandates. Furthermore, the majority of ARB’s budget comprises dedicated fees 

collected from regulated emission sources. These funds can only be used for air pollution 

control activities and are periodically adjusted to maintain the funding necessary for ARB 

programs. Districts receive funding from fees paid by regulated businesses, motor vehicle 

registration fees, State and federal grants, and other local revenue sources. Collectively, the 

2009-2010 ARB and district budgets totaled $1.2 billion, with 3,422.4 full-time equivalent staff 

positions. If a district fails to meet its responsibilities, California Health and Safety Code 

section 39002 grants ARB the overall regulatory authority for districts’ air pollution control 

programs and the power to implement these programs. 

California Government Code Sections 87100 through 87105 specify conflict of interest 

requirements for members of ARB and district boards. These requirements specifically 

prohibit all state and local public officials from participating in governmental decisions in which 

they have a financial interest. They also direct ARB and the districts to develop conflict of 

interest policies to meet these legal requirements. Each year, all ARB Board members and 

professional staff must complete a conflict of interest statement, which becomes a public 

document. 
Appendix A Page A-8 

Stationary Source Monitoring and Reporting [§110(a)(2)(F)]

This section calls for states to require owners and operators of stationary 

sources to install, maintain, and replace equipment for monitoring stationary 

source lead emissions and to provide periodic reports on these emissions. 

ARB maintains an emissions inventory for lead that goes beyond what U.S. EPA requires. In 

addition, existing State and district rules require stationary source owners and operators to 

determine the amount of lead emitted by their facilities. 

Discussion 

ARB maintains an emissions inventory with information for more than 14,000 stationary 

source facilities in California. The inventory includes information on lead emissions. These 

data are available on the ARB’s website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/ei/disclaim.htm. The Federal 

Air Emissions Reporting Requirements Rule requires states to collect and report lead 

emissions data for facilities emitting more than 5 tons of lead per year. ARB’s “Hot Spots” 

program for toxic air contaminants is even more stringent, requiring stationary source owners 

and operators to report lead emissions at levels well below 1 pound (0.0005 tons) per year. 

Emissions estimates for stationary sources rely in part, on accurate emissions monitoring 

data. In addition, emissions monitoring data provide a basis for determining whether facilities 

meet performance standards established in State and district rules. California Health and 

Safety Code section 41511 authorizes ARB and districts to adopt rules and regulations 

requiring any emission source owner or operator to take reasonable steps to determine the 

amount of emissions released from the source. This would include emissions that contribute 

to a violation of any ambient air quality standard, including the federal lead standard. In order 

to determine the amount of emissions coming from a particular source, districts have rules 

giving the Air Pollution Control Officer authority to request the installation, use, maintenance, 

and inspection of Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) equipment. Some district 

rules that trigger the CEMS requirement are tied to specific source categories and/or emission 

thresholds. These rules specify performance standards for the monitoring equipment, 

requirements for recordkeeping and reporting, and requirements for violation and equipment 

breakdown notification. 
Appendix A Page A-9 

Emergency Episodes [§110(a)(2)(G)] 

This section requires states to have the authority to halt lead emissions that 

cause or contribute to injury of public health or welfare and to develop an 

emergency plan for lead. 

State law grants ARB and the districts authority to halt pollutant emissions that could cause a 

public health emergency or nuisance. Although U.S. EPA has not established a contingency 

plan or requirements for emergency lead episodes, California includes such a plan in this 

Infrastructure SIP. 

Discussion 

Under State law, ARB and districts are authorized to take action to halt pollutant emissions 

that could cause a public health emergency or nuisance. California Health and Safety Code 

section 41509 specifies that ARB or other local agency rules cannot infringe upon a district’s 

authority to declare, prohibit, or abate a nuisance. This section also specifically authorizes 

California’s Attorney General to enjoin any pollution or nuisance, at the request of a district or 

ARB. In addition to State law, U.S. EPA is authorized under the CAA either to bring a lawsuit 

in federal court or, if such action cannot assure prompt protection of public health or welfare, 

to issue such orders as may be necessary to protect public health or welfare or the 

environment. The authority granted to U.S. EPA is vested in ARB and the districts under 

California Health and Safety Code section 42400, et seq. These sections apply to a range of 

emission violations and impose penalties that are equivalent to or exceed comparable federal 

penalties for the same violations. 

The requirement for states to provide for adequate contingency plans to implement such 

authority is intended to establish emergency episode plans for responding to elevated 

pollutant levels. For nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate 

matter, U.S. EPA regulations include a classification system that identifies areas as Priority 1 

(most severe), Priority 2, or Priority 3 (least severe), based on their air quality problem. The 

most comprehensive emergency episode plan is required for Priority 1 areas, while a less 

detailed plan is required for Priority II areas, and no plan is required for Priority 3 areas. 

Emergency episode plans for the Priority I areas must provide for actions to abate emissions, 

based on “Significant Harm Levels” that U.S. EPA has defined for the specific pollutant in 

40 CFR Part 51.151. 

U.S. EPA has not defined any significant harm levels for lead, leaving determination of what 

constitutes an adequate emergency episode plan up to the State. California will use a lead 

concentration of 0.60 μg/m3

 averaged over a three-month period to define a Significant Harm 

Level for lead. This concentration is about four times the level of the federal lead standard, 

consistent with the average Significant Harm Level for Priority I areas that U.S. EPA has 

established for other pollutants (refer to 40 CFR part 51.151). Currently available monitoring 

data do not show ambient concentrations at any site in California approaching the 

0.60 μg/m3

 trigger level, except in the vicinity of large lead-acid battery recycling facilities in 

the Los Angeles County lead nonattainment area. Existing State authority is sufficient to 

implement an emergency response for lead if concentrations at any site outside the 

nonattainment area reach the 0.60 μg/m3 trigger level. 
Appendix A Page A-10 

To address high lead concentrations in the nonattainment area, the South Coast District 

adopted Rule 1420.1, which applies to any large lead-acid battery recycling facility in the 

South Coast Air Basin that processes or has ever processed 50,000 tons or more of lead per 

year. The South Coast District identified lead emissions from these recycling facilities as the 

source of the area’s violations of the federal lead standard. Rule 1420.1 requires total 

enclosures for any process associated with the preparation, recovery, refining, and storage of 

lead-containing material and requires pollution control devices on the enclosures and on lead 

emission point sources. Rule 1420.1 also includes housekeeping, monitoring, and 

recordkeeping requirements. The trigger level specified in Rule 1420.1 is 0.15 μg/m3

averaged over any consecutive 30-day period. In addition, as of July 1, 2011, any facility 

exceeding an ambient lead concentration of 0.12 μg/m

3

 averaged over any consecutive 

30-day period must submit a Compliance Plan identifying additional lead emission reduction 

measures, thereby ensuring subsequent compliance with the federal lead standard. The 

provisions of Rule 1420.1 will be addressed in more detail in the South Coast District lead 

nonattainment SIP. 

Future SIP Revisions [§110(a)(2)(H)] 

This section requires states to revise their SIP when an air quality standard is 

promulgated or revised, new attainment methods become available, or U.S. EPA 

determines a SIP is either inadequate or does not meet revised CAA 

requirements. 

California has and will continue to submit revisions to its SIP, as mandated by U.S. EPA. 

Discussion 

Clean air is a priority in California. To help meet this goal, California is submitting this 

Infrastructure SIP for lead, in compliance with the revised federal lead standard. Only one 

area in the State, the Los Angeles County portion of the South Coast Air Basin, is designated 

as nonattainment for lead. CAA Section 110(a)(2)(I) requires states to submit SIP revisions 

for newly designated nonattainment areas. ARB is working with the South Coast District to 

develop an approvable SIP for the nonattainment area and will submit the lead nonattainment 

SIP to U.S. EPA by the June 2012 deadline. ARB maintains a current collection all SIP 

documents on its website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/sip/sip.htm. 

 
Appendix A Page A-11 

Consultation with Government Officials, Public Notification, PSD and Visibility 

Protection [§110(a)(2)(J)] 

This section requires states to meet requirements of the CAA relating to 

consultation and public notification and to implement PSD and visibility 

protection programs for lead. 

ARB complies with all federal regulatory requirements, including requirements for 

consultation, notification, comment, and adoption. Furthermore, ARB has information 

available on its website about ambient lead concentrations and the health impacts of 

lead in the ambient air. As addressed earlier, in response to CAA Section 110(a)(2)(C), 

PSD requirements are addressed at the district level. U.S. EPA has determined that 

visibility issues do not need to be addressed, with respect to the federal lead standard. 

 

Discussion 

CAA Section 121 requires states to provide a satisfactory process for consulting with general 

purpose local governments, designated organizations of elected local government officials, 

and any affected federal land manager in carrying out CAA requirements. California Health 

and Safety Code section 41650, et seq., requires ARB to conduct public hearings and to 

solicit testimony from districts, air quality planning agencies, and the public when adopting 

nonattainment plans for inclusion in the SIP. Additionally, the California Administrative 

Procedures Act, Government Code Section 11340, et seq., requires notification and provision 

of comment opportunities to all parties affected by proposed regulations. 

CAA Section 127 requires states to provide measures that will be effective in notifying the 

public on a regular basis of instances or areas in which a federal standard was exceeded 

during the preceding calendar year. This requirement is similar to California Health and 

Safety Code section 39607, which requires ARB to implement a program for securing air 

quality data in each air basin and report these data to the public. To fulfill this requirement, 

ARB maintains air quality data on its website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/aqmis2/aqdselect.php. 

CAA Section 127 also requires states to advise the public about the health hazards 

associated with air pollution and enhance public awareness of measures to prevent violation 

of a federal standard. In compliance with this requirement, ARB maintains webpages 

detailing relevant health information (http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/research.htm) and ways 

of reducing air pollution (http://www.arb.ca.gov/html/cando.htm). 

With respect to PSD requirements, several districts in California have fully SIP-approved or 

partially approved PSD programs that comply with the requirements for lead. PSD programs 

in the remaining districts are administered by U.S. EPA through a federal stationary source 

permitting program under enabling authority in 40 CFR Part 52.21. With respect to visibility 

programs, U.S. EPA guidance concludes that since the visibility protection and regional haze 

program requirements do not change with the establishment of a new federal 
Appendix A Page A-12 

primary standard, there are no new applicable visibility protection obligations under CAA 

Section 110(a)(2)(J) for the 2008 federal lead standard. Nevertheless, California has in place, 

a Regional Haze Plan that U.S. EPA approved on June 14, 2011. California’s Regional Haze 

Plan is available on the ARB website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/reghaze/reghaze.htm. 

Air Quality Modeling/Data [§110(a)(2)(K)] 

This section requires states to use air quality models to predict the effect of lead 

emissions on ambient concentrations and to submit the modeling data to 

U.S. EPA when requested. 

ARB is well versed in the use of air quality models to predict the impact of emissions on air 

quality. ARB modeling complies with U.S. EPA guidance, and ARB works closely with districts 

that conduct their own modeling to ensure similar compliance. Modeling results are available 

on request. 

Discussion 

U.S. EPA anticipates that the predominant type of air quality modeling conducted for 

implementing the federal lead standard will be source-oriented dispersion modeling, using 

models such as AERMOD. ARB has an air quality modeling group with extensive experience 

related to modeling for compliance with the federal standards. Furthermore, ARB’s air quality 

modeling work complies with U.S. EPA’s guidance on the use of models in attainment 

demonstrations. In addition, ARB documents information used when conducting modeling or 

evaluating the performance of air quality models used for this purpose. Finally, ARB consults 

and works closely with districts that conduct their own air quality modeling. 

 

ARB provides air quality modeling software and documentation with links to databases and 

search engines at http://www.arb.ca.gov/html/soft.htm#modeling. This page includes a link to 

both State-approved and U.S. EPA-approved models and documentation. 
Appendix A Page A-13 

Permitting Fees [§110(a)(2)(L)] 

This section requires states to assess lead stationary source owners or 

operators fees to cover the cost of reviewing and acting on a permit application. 

If a permit is granted, states must also assess fees to cover the cost of 

implementing and enforcing the permit. Finally, owners or operators must 

comply with the fee provisions of Title V Sections 501 through 507 of the CAA 

and pay such fees to the permitting authority. 

Districts are responsible for issuing stationary source permits, and each district has rules 

requiring additional fees subject to Title V requirements. 

Discussion 

As described previously (Programs for Enforcement, PSD, and NSR Section 110(a)(2)(C)), 

responsibility for issuing stationary source permits is vested with the districts, and each district 

in California has adopted rules requiring an additional fee for facilities subject to Title V 

requirements. Information on district-issued permits is available on the ARB website at 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/permits/airdisop.htm and http://www.arb.ca.gov/permits/permits.htm. In 

addition, ARB maintains various email notification lists that provide subscribers with current, 

on-going email notification about updates and changes to programs related to permitting. 

Information about subscribing to these email notification lists is available on the ARB website 

at http://www.arb.ca.gov/permits/permits.htm. 

 

Consultation/Participation by Affected Local Entities [§110(a)(2)(M)] 

This section requires states to consult with and allow political subdivisions 

affected by the lead Infrastructure SIP to participate in the development process. 

ARB coordinates on a regular basis with the State’s 35 districts. State law requires ARB to 

conduct a public hearing and solicit input from affected agencies and the public when 

developing the SIP. 

Discussion 

California is divided into 35 districts, comprising county or regional local government 

authorities with responsibility for controlling stationary source emissions. A map of district 

boundaries is available on ARB’s website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/capcoa/dismap.htm. Links 

to districts’ websites are available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/capcoa/roster.htm. 

 

ARB consults and provides liaison with all districts and provides for frequent and regular 

communication and consultation with management and staff of these districts. Because 

district boards are composed of local elected officials, this framework provides for regular 

consultation with and participation by local government entities (cities and counties) affected 

by the SIP. Furthermore, California Health and Safety Code section 41650, et seq., requires 

ARB to conduct a public hearing and to solicit testimony from districts, air quality planning 

agencies, and the public when adopting local nonattainment plans for inclusion in the SIP.