All News | Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District

Notice of Public Hearing

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) Board of Directors will hold a public hearing at the time and location listed above to accept comments and consider adoption of amended Rule 810, Federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD). The public hearing on proposed amended Rule 810 will begin around 1:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard. On January 20, 2011, the District adopted Rule 810 as part of a suite of rules to implement the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) PSD and Title V greenhouse gas tailoring rule. EPA has determined that slight changes to Rule 810 are necessary before EPA will incorporate the rule into the State Implementation Plan (SIP).

Air Quality Warning Issued for Northern Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. ? The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District today issued an Air Quality Warning for Northern Santa Barbara County. Air quality may be poor in some areas, especially the Santa Maria area, due to elevated particle levels caused by high winds. The high winds are expected to continue overnight and tomorrow as well. This advisory is in effect until Friday morning. Similar wind patterns have resulted in exceedances of the state standard for particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) at the Santa Maria monitoring station yesterday and at the Lompoc monitoring station Monday. If you are in an area where there are high levels of dust in the air, be cautious and use common sense to protect your family?s health. Everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children, should limit time spent outdoors, and avoid outdoor exercise when high concentrations of dust and particles are in the air. If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to exposure to particles, including repeated coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your health care provider.

Notice of Public Review and Request for Comments

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) has prepared an annual air monitoring network plan for the county. The plan includes a statement of the purpose for each air monitor, and evidence that the siting and operation of each monitor meet the requirements of the federal regulations.

Air Quality Watch Issued for Northern Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. ? The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District today issued an Air Quality Watch for Northern Santa Barbara County. High winds are forecast that could produce elevated particle levels and poor air quality in some areas, especially the Santa Maria area. The strongest winds are anticipated to occur Tuesday afternoon; high winds are expected to continue through THURSDAY Evening. This advisory is in effect until FRIDAY MORNING JUNE 8. Similar wind patterns in May resulted in exceedances of the state standard for particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) at the Santa Maria and Lompoc monitoring stations. If you are in an area where there are high levels of dust in the air, be cautious and use common sense to protect your family?s health. Everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children, should limit time spent outdoors, and avoid outdoor exercise when high concentrations of dust and particles are in the air. If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to exposure to particles, including repeated coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your health care provider.

Notice of Public Hearing Rescheduling and Extension of Public Review Period

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) is cancelling the June 20, 2013 public hearing for the 2013 Clean Air Plan (Plan) adoption. Instead of holding a public hearing on the Plan, and asking for Board of Directors adoption of the Plan at the June 20 meeting, the District will present the Plan to the Board as an informational item in June, and then will publish a public notice for the future public hearing on the Plan adoption at least 30 days before the public hearing. Due to the cancellation of the June public hearing, the District is extending the review period deadline for the Plan from June 20 to August 15, 2013.

Notice of Public Workshop / Community Advisory Council Meeting

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) will hold a workshop during a Community Advisory Council meeting at the time and location listed above. The purpose of the workshop is to provide a general overview of the rulemaking project and discuss proposed amendments to the rules listed above.

Notice of Public Review and Request for Comments

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) has made a preliminary decision to issue an Authority to Construct (ATC) permit for the Imerys Minerals California Stationary Source. The Imerys Minerals California Lompoc facility is located approximately one mile south of Lompoc, California. The facility includes the Imerys Lompoc and Celpure Plants. The Imerys Minerals California Stationary Source is considered a major source for emissions of nitrogen oxides, reactive organic compounds, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, hazardous air pollutants and greenhouse gases.