CARB submits plan to USEPA for San Joaquin Valley PM2.5 compliance

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) just adopted a new plan to bring the San Joaquin Valley air basin into compliance with four federal standards for fine particulate pollution by the regulatory deadlines set by the US.Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). For more information: CARB PM2.5 Plan

Photo Credit: CARB

Measures for reducing emissions include:

• New regulations targeting emissions from heavy-duty trucks, including an inspection and maintenance program, a low-NOx engine standard and a low-emission diesel fuel requirement
• Tightened controls on residential wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, and enhanced incentives for cleaner-burning alternatives
• Enhanced incentives for purchase of cleaner agricultural equipment and commercial underfired charbroilers
• A suite of measures to reduce emissions of NOx from flares, including flares at refineries, oil fields and landfills, internal combustion engines and boilers, among other sources.

For more information: CARB PM2.5 Plan

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CARB to study impact of Big Oil production on nearby communities in L.A. and Kern Counties

Yesterday the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that it will be conducting extensive air quality monitoring on several communities most impacted by air pollution from nearby oil and gas production facilities.

Photo: CARB

The communities chosen are located in historic oil production areas in the South San Joaquin Valley and Los Angeles County and include:

• Lost Hills, Lost Hills Oil Field, Kern County
•  McKittrick and Derby Acres, McKittrick Oil Field and Midway-Sunset Oil Field, Kern County
• Baldwin Hills, Inglewood Oil Field, Los Angeles County
• South Los Angeles, Las Cienegas Oil Field, Los Angeles County

Part of the Study of Neighborhood Air near Petroleum Sources (SNAPS), CARB hopes to use the data to better understand how oil and gas production facilities affect neighboring communities. 

Mobile air monitoring units will be installed and operated for 3 - 4 months. The program also calls for community meetings to gather feedback and to discuss the results.

“Many Californians live in communities near oil and gas facilities – but we know very little about the impact of these facilities on their neighbors’ health,” said Chair Mary D. Nichols. “We need up-to-date information to assess whether existing standards and regulations are effective, and to lay the groundwork for any needed improvements.”

“CARB recently adopted more stringent regulations requiring enhanced inspection of oil and gas operations including pump jacks. The rules require the use of technologies including chemical sniffers to better pinpoint and repair any leaks that are identified,” said Executive Officer Richard W. Corey. “The SNAPS program will complement the regulation to better ensure oil and gas operations that impact nearby communities are identified and addressed.”