California Air Resources Board

During the California Air Resources Board (CARB) meeting on July 25, 2024, the Board directed CARB staff to investigate significant sources of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions that the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District permits. The Board directed staff to summarize the rule and permit requirements applicable to large sources of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

To identify specific facilities and process units, CARB staff reviewed letters submitted to the Board by the Central Valley Air Quality Coalition (CVAQ). CVAQ identified 53 facilities operated by 27 corporate entities contributing to significant PM2.5 and NOx emissions. CARB staff also found an additional 20 facilities that emit at least 10 tons of PM2.5 per year. Collectively, these facilities emit 1,413 tons of PM2.5 and 2,691 tons per year of NOx from 1,413 permitted equipment units.

As directed, CARB staff will evaluate the compliance history for the 73 identified facilities with significant PM2.5 emissions while focusing the permit and equipment reviews on 56 permit units at 29 facilities within AB617 communities, facilities that require continuous emission monitoring, and the highest emitting facilities and associated permit units of PM2.5 and NOx. These 56 permit units collectively emit 38 percent of the directly emitted PM2.5 and 73 percent of the NOx emissions associated with the 73 facilities identified. This report will include:

1. The current permits for each facility, including permitted equipment and control measures.
2. Any relevant prohibitory and source-specific rules applicable to each facility and an assessment of whether the permits adequately meet these rule requirements.
3. The permitted and actual emissions for each permit unit at the facility.
4. The compliance history of each facility.

The Board has requested a written update within one year.