The Draft SEA was circulated for a 30-day public review and comment period which ended August 29, 1997. All comments received were addressed and incorporated into the Final SEA for the proposed project. A Socioeconomic Assessment is included as an addendum to the staff report. The assessment indicates that the proposed rule will not likely impose significant adverse socioeconomic impact on the affected restaurants. Owners of the restaurants with chain-driven charbroilers will incur additional costs as a result of installing catalytic oxidizers.
Cost estimates indicate that the catalytic oxidizer is a cost-effective control option.
Staff began the process of a public outreach campaign with the mailing of over 27,000 notices for the five public workshops held in August. Over the next two years of rule development, staff will continue to work with industry with outreach, permitting. and compliance assistance. As part of this effort, staff will continue to evaluate current permit requirements and associated public feedback, and will return to the Board with appropriate recommendations. Inspections associated with compliance checks will be absorbed by current AQMD staff. The proposed rule reflects the requested 24-month implementation period.