The California Air Resources Board approves sites for open outdoor fires to dispose of nonindustrial wood waste at designated disposal sites on permissive burn days. Designated disposal sites must be located above 1,500 feet elevation mean sea level or at any elevation within the North Coast Air Basin. Permits for a burn must be obtained from the local district and the local fire protection agency having jurisdiction. The fuels group is responsible for assuring compliance with the motor vehicle fuels regulations. These samples are then analyzed for all regulated properties.
Violations are costly.
Samples can be analyzed the same day they are collected, results obtained, and if necessary, enforcement action can commence immediately. Use of the mobile laboratory has resulted in a significant increase in the amount of non-complying fuel removed from the marketplace prior to sale and has correspondingly reduced emissions into the atmosphere. In 1990, in response to the involvement of organized crime in the fuel distribution business, legislation was passed which instituted a program that is now administered by the ARB, to certify all motor vehicle fuel distributors in the state. We are using this program in conjunction with special investigation and routine inspection activities an attempt to prevent organized criminals from breaking fuels regulations. Consumer Products Program Investigators of the Consumer Products program purchase samples of regulated consumer products from outlets all over California.