San Joaquin Valley APCD Wood Smoke Reduction Program Begins November 1

 

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (the District) reminds residents that on November 1, 2022, its residential wood smoke reduction program begins. Before lighting your wood burning fireplace, please be sure to check with the District to see if ambient conditions allow for it to occur. Otherwise, you may be surprised by a knock on your door by a friendly District air pollution control enforcement inspector.

Photo Credit: San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District

The annual program is in effect from November 1 until the end of the following February every year. Its purpose is to reduce the amount of harmful PM 2.5 particulate matter into the atmosphere from residential wood smoke. (PM 2.5 is particulate less than 2.5 microns in diameter.) Such particles are so small that they can reach deep into one's lungs and are difficult if not impossible for the lung's mucociliary system to remove.

The program does not apply to natural gas burning, propane, or in areas where natural gas isn't available and wood burning is the only source available for heat.

For more information, please call 1-800-SMOGINFO (1-800-766-4463) or click this link:

Residential Wood Smoke Reduction Program

USEPA fines Grimmway $214,103 for release of anhydrous ammonia and other violations

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Grimmway Enterprises, Inc., has agreed to settlement penalties of $214,103 for violations of the Clean Air Act and the emergency notification requirements of two other federal laws at its Arvin, CA, facility in August 2019.

Photo: Grimmway.com, Fair use

A little over a ton (2,335 pounds) of anhydrous ammonia, an Extremely Hazardous Substance according to federal law, was released into the atmosphere. EPA later determined during a facility inspection that Grimmway failed to immediately notify state emergency authorities and the National Response Center of the release as required by law.

Additionally, EPA found that the facility did not have the required safety equipment and operating procedures, such as pressure relief valves, chlorine sensors or alarms, operating procedures for its ammonia refrigeration equipment, and failed to have procedures in place to notify the proper authorities if and when  a chemical release occurred.

EPA's Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman said, "It is paramount that facilities properly manage hazardous substances to prevent dangerous incidents or face significant Clean Air Act Penalties. When these incidents occur, first responders need to be notified immediately to ensure authorities are able to respond swiftly."

As part of the settlement, Grimmway returned to compliance and agreed to the civil penalty above.

The violations involved the Clean Air Act's Risk Management Program and the reporting requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

For more information: EPA fines Grimmway Enterprises

Climate change protestor disrupts Men's French Open semi-final tennis match

In the middle of a tense and tight Men's French Open tennis semi-final today between Marin Cilic and Caspar Ruud, a climate change protestor ran out onto the court and attached herself to the tennis net and net post.

Although the tv broadcast crew cut away from the on court display, initial reports were that the woman had glued herself to the net post and also chained herself to the net, then sat down in silence. 

Photo Source: DerniereRenovation.fr

She was wearing a white t-shirt emblazoned with the words "We have 1028 days left." In smaller print at the bottom of the shirt was a website, derniererenovation.fr. 

Security swiftly moved onto the court to remove the woman while the players eventually returned to the locker room until it was determined safe to resume play.

Clicking on the link above reveals a French activist organization, Derniere Renovation (The Last Renovation), with a picture of the young woman on the court on the home page, apparently with her neck zip-tied to the net. The group appears to be focused on addressing climate change and fair housing opportunities in France.

The 22 yr old woman, named Alizee, was quoted as saying "We are in 2022 and it is time to face reality, the world to which politicians are sending us is a world to which Roland Garros will no longer be able to exist. Today, I entered the field because I can no longer take the risk of doing nothing in the face of the climate emergency."

According to the website, the 1028 days left refers to an ultimatum the group issued to the French government on March 28, marking the initial date that citizens entered into civil resistance against the French government to do something about climate change.

At this time, no further information is available as to what charges, if any, will be made against the protestor.

Offshore California Windfarms now closer to reality - BOEM announces two lease sales

Alternative energy enthusiasts were heartened by the announcement today by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) of a proposed sale of offshore wind energy leases in two separate areas offshore of the Central and Northern California coasts. 

BOEM, part of the federal Department of the Interior, said the two areas will be located  on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) and Morro Bay WEA. 

Photo Credit: BOEM

The two WEAs cover approximately 373,268 acres (583 square miles) and can potentially provide enough offshore wind generated electricity for over 1.5 million homes - that's about 4.5 gigawatts of power - in addition to creating new jobs related to the projects.

BOEM intends to offer multiple lease areas in each WEA via simultaneous auctions using a multiple-factor bidding auction format.

Awarding of the bids will not constitute approval, however - each project will be subject to environmental, technical, and public reviews before BOEM gives final authorization to approve.

More information on this proposal may be found here - BOEM California Activities