The 1995 EPA policy focussing the program on major sources through the use of actual emissions thresholds will expire soon. There are 25,000 facilities in AQMD jurisdiction that were covered under this policy. Staff believes that the proposed PTE rule is the most streamlined mechanism to allow small sources to demonstrate emissions below the new lower thresholds for federal permits. The two Committee members present advised the item move forward to the Board for hearing. RTC prices have increased this year as declining allocations now approximate actual emissions, most companies have not yet installed NOx emission control equipment due to the previously low RTC prices, and high demands by the electric power generators.
Demand is higher than supply.
Additional meetings will follow. A report on recommendations is scheduled to go to the Board for consideration in January. Jane Carney expressed concern over this item coming to the Board without a more thorough discussion. Carol Coy proposed bringing the issues paper to the Board with a staff recommendation including pros and cons of each option to a study session before the January meeting. The Committee was in agreement.