The Board's action on fees also includes numerous minor adjustments and a one-year deferral of a fee increase for gasoline stations approved last year. AQMD charges fees for permits, annual renewal of permits and emissions from large sources of pollution. A variety of other minor fees are covered too, such as for laboratory analyses and Hearing Board variances. AQMD receives no property, sales or other tax revenue. Smokeless broilers use strategically placed burners to prevent fat from dripping on flames, and water pans to collect grease drippings.
Grease is skimmed from the top of the water and collected in a trap.
Catalytic incineration uses heat and an attached hood to reduce the volume and increase the temperature of exhaust gases to improve the efficiency of the catalyst. In addition to sometimes being a source of smoke and odors, the region's restaurants are responsible for 11.6 tons per day of particulate matter and 1.6 tons per day of volatile organic compounds. The Board approved the report of a task force that has developed recommendations to make up the shortfall in emission reductions stemming from the Legislature's action to exempt employers with 100 to 249 employees from AQMD's Rule 2202 . The rule requires larger employers to reduce motor vehicle emissions through employee ridesharing programs and other measures. The Rule 2202 Emissions Equivalency Task Force, a group composed of representatives from other public agencies, businesses, and universities around Southern California, estimates that the daily emissions reduction shortfall in 2000 will be 0.84 tons of volatile organic compounds, 1.36 tons of nitrogen oxides and 9.59 tons of carbon monoxide.