Rule Development

Current Rules And Regulations

Air Pollution Control Board

Advisory Committee

Public Workshops

Public Consultation

Compliance Dates

Publication & Subscription Order Form

Incentive Programs

 

Stan Cowen, Air Quality Engineer, (805) 645-1408

Donald Price, Air Quality Engineer, (805) 645-1407

 

CURRENT PROJECTS:

 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) classify Ventura County as a non-attainment area for both the federal and state ozone air quality standards. In addition, Ventura County does not meet state particulate matter (PM) standards.

 

Therefore, the District must develop and implement rules designed to reduce air pollutants being emitted from local sources. The District's rules apply to many activities including open burning, incineration, gasoline storage, painting, solvent use, dry cleaning, screen printing, asphalt paving, chrome plating, fuel burning, landfills, and others.

 

With pollution still threatening our skies, the economy and public health continue to be at risk. The Rule Development Section is challenged with the task of developing rules to reduce emissions while minimizing their socioeconomic impacts.

 

Air Pollution Control Board Meetings

Calendar     |     Archives

 

January 10, 2012

2012 Rule Development Calendar: On January 10, 2012, the Air Pollution Control Board will consider adoption of the 2012 Rule Development Calendar. Health and Safety Code §40923(a) requires the District to publish each January 1 a list of regulatory measures scheduled, or tentatively scheduled, for consideration during the following year. Except for limited exceptions, the District may only propose consideration of regulatory measures during a year if those measures appear on the published list. State law does not require that the rulemaking calendar include control measures to comply with federal requirements, to abate substantial endangerment to the public health, to implement Air Toxic Control Measures published by the ARB, or to implement contingency measures after an ARB determination of inadequate progress. The 2012 rule development calendar is available in the District's website. For additional information contact Mike Villegas.
 

Downloads


 

June 28, 2011

New Source Review – Prevention of Significant Deterioration (Rule 26.13 – New): Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) is a federal pre-construction permitting program for facilities located in areas that either comply with federal ambient air quality standards for particular pollutants (classified as attainment) or are unclassifiable for any criteria air pollutant. PSD applies to new major stationary sources and existing major stationary sources where a significant modification will occur. In Ventura County, the PSD permitting program is currently administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IX. At this time, no facility in the county requires a PSD permit.

The recent addition of greenhouse gases (GHG) to the list of regulated pollutants makes these pollutants subject to federal permitting. To prevent an influx of applications to EPA, they are encouraging local air districts to take responsibility for processing any PSD permit applications within their jurisdiction. The most straightforward way for an air district to take PSD responsibility is to adopt a rule that incorporates the federal requirements by reference. A model rule was developed cooperatively by EPA staff, ARB staff, and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association Engineering Managers Committee.

District staff is proposing a PSD rule based on this model rule. Certain changes have been made to accommodate specific situations in Ventura County. In addition, existing PSD Rule 26.10, which requires a source operator to obtain a PSD permit from EPA, will be repealed.

The hearing will take place in the Board of Supervisors meeting room at 11:00 a.m. on June 28, 2011, at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009.

Please direct any comments, questions, or requests for additional information to Don Price at (805) 645-1407.
 

Downloads


 

June 14, 2011

Graphic Arts (Rule 74.19 - revised): On June 14, 2011, the Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board adopted proposed revisions to Rule 74.19. This rule action will further reduce reactive organic compound (ROC) emissions from graphic arts operations. This rule development will implement an All Feasible Measures requirement pursuant to the California Clean Air Act (H&SC Section 40914).

 

This rule change is based on existing graphic arts regulations currently in effect in the South Coast AQMD, San Joaquin Valley APCD, Bay Area AQMD, and the Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD. Proposed amendments include new ROC content limits for fountain solutions at lithographic operations and cleaning solvents at all graphic operations. Existing vapor pressure requirements will be replaced with more effective ROC content limits for solvent cleaners. Complying fountain solutions and solvent cleaners are currently available from several graphic arts suppliers. Also, the existing exemption for inkjet printing operations will not change under this proposal.
The final rule and the staff report may be downloaded below. For additional information, contact Stan Cowen at (805) 645-1408.

 

Downloads


 

April 12, 2011

Permit Fees (Rule 42 – Revised)

The District is proposing revisions to Rule 42, Permit Fees. The revisions included an increase in permit renewal fee rates of 2.0 percent, effective July 1, 2011. For permit holders paying the minimum fee, this increase will result in an increase of $10.00 per year. The District is seeking a relatively small fee increase this year due to the current economic situation. Staffing has decreased since 1997, and nine positions were cut over 2006 through 2008. Renewal fees did not increase in 2010.

District operations are funded by state and federal grants, automobile registration fees, and fees charged to sources of air pollution. The APCD receives no property tax revenue or general fund revenue. The fee increase is necessary to offset rising expenses.

The public hearing will take place at 11:00 a.m. on April 12, 2011, in the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009.

For additional information contact Don Price at (805) 645-1407.
 

Downloads


 

April 12, 2011

Revisions to Permit Greenhouse Gases

Ventura County APCD rules require facilities to obtain a permit to emit "criteria" air pollutants and hazardous air pollutants. Criteria pollutants include oxides of nitrogen, reactive organic compounds, particulate matter, oxides of sulfur, and carbon monoxide. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently taken steps to add greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the list of regulated pollutants. Because the thresholds of significance for GHGs are substantially higher that those for criteria and hazardous pollutants, EPA is proposing to "tailor" their regulations to include GHGs. The District has determined that certain revisions to District Rules and Regulations are required to permit greenhouse gases according to EPA's tailoring requirements.

 

The rules proposed for revision are listed below. At the following time and place, the Air Pollution Control Board will hold a public hearing to consider the proposed revisions. First, GHG permit applicability thresholds, and the appropriate two-step phase-in implementation dates, are being added to several rules. Also, GHGs are being added as regulated pollutants. Second, definitions are being added for "greenhouse gases," and "CO2 equivalent." Other definitions are being amended to include GHGs.

 

At this time, staff is not proposing any new GHG related fees for this new program.

 

Other revisions unrelated to GHGs are also proposed, include repeal of the permit exemption for safety flares greater than or equal to one million BTU per hour.

 

The meeting will take place in the Board of Supervisors meeting room at 11:00 a.m. on April 12, 2011, at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009.

 

Please direct any comments, questions, or requests for additional information to Don Price at (805) 645-1407.

 

Downloads


 

Advisory Committee Meetings

Calendar

 

January 24, 2012

Vacuum Producing Devices (Rule 67 – Repeal)

Staff is proposing the repeal of Rule 67, which limits reactive organic compound (ROC) emissions from "vacuum producing devices or systems including hot wells and accumulators." VCAPCD Rule 74.8, Refinery Vacuum Producing Systems, Wastewater Separators And Process Turnarounds, also regulates vacuum-producing devices. Hot wells and accumulators are not specifically mentioned in Rule 74.8, although it is clear that they would be part of the "vacuum producing system at a petroleum refinery" specified in the rule.

 

There is no longer a petroleum refinery in Ventura County. Also, Rule 67 has been superseded by Rule 74.8. Therefore, the District proposes to repeal Rule 67 because it is unnecessary and there are no sources to which it applies.

 

The Advisory Committee will meet to discuss this issue at 7:30 p.m. on January 24, 2012, at the District offices. For additional information, contact Don Price at (805) 645-1407.

 

 

Downloads


 

January 24, 2012

Project XL (Rule 37 – Repeal)

Staff is proposing the repeal of Rule 37. The rule was adopted on September 14, 1999, to implement a "Final Project Agreement" for the EPA Project XL Program at Imation Camarillo.

 

Imation Camarillo ceased operation in 2008. The District and Title V permits for the facility were rendered inactive in 2009. Therefore, the District proposes to repeal Rule 37 because the single source to which it applies, Imation Camarillo, no longer exists.

 

The Advisory Committee will meet to discuss this issue at 7:30 p.m. on January 24, 2012, at the District offices. For additional information, contact Don Price at (805) 645-1407.

 

 

Downloads


 

Public Workshops

 

February 23, 2012

Solvent Cleaning Requirements (Rules 74.13, 74.20, 74.24, and 74.24.1)

The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District will hold a rule workshop on proposed revisions to the solvent cleaning requirements in Rules 74.13 (Aerospace), 74.20 (Adhesives), 74.24 (Marine Coatings), and 74.24.1.(Pleasure Craft Coatings and Commercial Boatyards). Staff is proposing to further reduce reactive organic compound (ROC) emissions from the solvent cleaning of coating or adhesive spray equipment and substrate surface preparation. This rule development will implement an All Feasible Measures requirement pursuant to the California Clean Air Act (H&SC Section 40914). The purpose of this meeting is to receive public input on draft amendments to the rules. The proposed rule revisions and staff report may be downloaded below.

 

The meeting will take place on the second floor Anacapa Meeting Room at 3:00 p.m. on February 23, 2012, at the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District offices, 669 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA 93003.

 

Please direct any comments, questions, or requests for additional information to Stan Cowen at (805) 645-1408.

 

 

Downloads


 

January 31, 2012

Rule 74.11.1, Large Water Heaters and Small Boilers

Rule 74.15.1, Boilers, Steam Generators and Process Heaters

The District will hold a public workshop to discuss proposed revisions Rule 74.11.1 and Rule 74.15.1. Revisions to Rule 74.11.1 include lower NOx emission limits now in place in the South Coast AQMD and an annual tune-up requirement for most units between one and two million BTU/hr input capacity. The applicability threshold in Rule 74.15.1 will be raised from one million BTU/hr to two million BTU/hr and tune-ups for low-use units will required annually. Both rules will require an initial installation tune-up for all new units and an annual NOx and CO screening analysis.

 

The meeting will take place in the first floor meeting room at 10:00 a.m. on January 31, 2012, at the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District offices, 669 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA 93003.

 

Please direct any comments, questions, or requests for additional information to Don Price at (805) 645-1407.

 

Downloads


 

May 8, 2007

Rule 15.2, District Indemnification

The District is developing new Rule 15.2, District Indemnification. On various occasions, the Ventura Air Pollution Control District has been the subject of claims or litigation from third parties regarding permitting activities. In order to guard against these actions, staff proposes Rule 15.2, District Indemnification. The rule will establish that permittees agree to hold the District harmless against certain actions involving their Permit to Operate. The requirement applies to any permit issued according to Rule 10 (Permits Required), Rule 30 (Permit Renewal) and Rules 33 through 33.10 (Part 70 Permits).

 

The meeting will take place in the first floor meeting room at 2:00 p.m. on May 8, 2007, at the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District offices, 669 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA 93003.

 

Please direct any comments, questions, or requests for additional information to Don Price at (805) 645-1407.

 

 

Downloads


 

Public Consultation Meetings

 

 

 

Compliance Dates

 

March 1, 2008

Registration of Agricultural Engines (Rule 250): The California Air Resources Board (ARB) recently finalized new regulations for diesel engines used in agricultural operations. In general, these regulations apply to nearly all diesel engines used to power irrigation pumps; however, they will not apply to diesel engines used to power farm equipment such as trucks and tractors. The new regulations have both administrative requirements and emission control requirements. An ARB fact sheet is available to provide additional information and details on these new requirements.

 

To implement the state agricultural diesel engine regulations, the District adopted Rule 250, "Registration of Agricultural Engines" on September 11, 2007. The rule establishes a diesel engine registration program with a deadline of March 1, 2008. The registration program is not a permitting program, but requires application forms and fees similar to a permitting program. The fees are significantly less than permitting fees and are specified in Rule 48. Both rules appear on the District website noted above.

 

For questions on the registration program, please contact Kerby Zozula at (805) 645-1421. Grant money may be available from the District to replace older diesel engines with newer, compliant diesel engines, natural gas engines or electric motors. For information on District grant programs, please contact Chris Frank at (805) 645-1409.

 

Additional Information

 

 

September 25, 2006

Wood Products Coatings (Rule 74.30). All reactive organic compound (ROC) solvents used for surface preparation and cleanup in commercial wood products manufacturing must meet a limit of 25 grams of ROC per liter of solvent. Water, acetone, and other low-ROC solvents are available for compliance with this requirement. For additional information, contact Don Price at (805) 645-1407.

 

 

Downloads


 

October 12, 2005

Conveyorized Charbroilers, Coffee Roasters, Non-retail Deep-Frying Equipment (Rule 74.25, Rule 23): All conveyorized (chain-driven) charbroilers must have a VCAPCD Permit to Operate and must comply with the requirement for an 83 percent reduction in ROC and particulate matter emissions. In addition, all coffee roasters with a capacity over 25 pounds and non-retail deep-frying equipment must have a VCAPCD Permit to Operate. Contact Permit Desk at (805) 645-1401.