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Air
resources in California are regulated by the California Air Resources
Board (CARB) and 35 local or regional boards. Members are affected
by various regulations and requirements promulgated and enforced
by these agencies, and ACWA participates in regulatory proceedings
that may cause significant problems for members. Following are summaries
of some of those proceedings:
Standby Diesel-Fueled
Generators
Pollution from diesel fuel has been identified by CARB as one of
the biggest air polluters in California. Many water agencies have
diesel-fueled standby or emergency generators so they can keep their
systems operating if their primary energy sources are not available.
CARB is developing regulations that could require many diesel generator
owners, including water agencies, to replace their existing emergency
generators for cleaner burning engines. Needless to say, that could
be very expensive for many water agencies. The regulations also
would establish strict standards for new diesel-fueled generators.
ACWA has filed comments that urge a flexible approach, pointing
out that water agencies' standby generators are operated for only
a few hours during the course of most years. Their replacement would
not have significant impact on air quality but would require major
expenditures for the water agencies.
Diesel-Fueled
Vehicles
The South Coast Air Quality Management District is developing rules
that would require replacement of most diesel-fueled motor vehicles
now in use. Some water agencies use diesel fueled vehicles, especially
in areas where agency crews have fairly large areas to cover to
maintain their systems. ACWA has filed comments in these proceedings
urging the district to consider the financial burden on many water
agencies.
Particulate
Dust Pollution
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District regulates
fugitive dust emissions from private and public paved and unpaved
roads. Such emissions are a significant problem in the San Joaquin
Valley and the district's goal is to reduce those emissions. One
way to do that is to reduce the traffic on unpaved roads. ACWA member
agencies in the valley use such roads along levies and elsewhere
to maintain their water systems. Restricted access could create
significant problems for those agencies. ACWA has worked with the
district staff and other interested parties to find means for the
district to attain its objectives with minimal problems for members.
For additional
information, please contact ACWA Director of Regulatory Affairs
Krista Clark at KristaC@acwa.com
or 916.441.4545.
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