Santa Barbara County Air Quality News March/April 1997
Inside this Issue:
Board Orders Riviera MonitoringClean Air EventsMotor Vehicle Project Funding AppovedRoadside Emmission Study1997 Green AwardPermit & Compliance Summary
Index of Topics in Past Issues
On the Air is a bimonthly newsletter published by the Planning and Community Assistance Section of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District. For more information on items in this newsletter, or to be added to our print subscription list, contact Bobbie Bratz, [email protected] or (805) 961-8890.
APCD Board Orders Riviera Monitoring
The “Riviera” above downtown Santa Barbara is densely populated. since ozone tends to concentrate at higher elevations, the APCD Board decided to conduct temporary monitoring of ozone levels in this area.
At their February meeting, the APCD Board directed the APCD to install a temporary ozone monitoring station in the Riviera area of the City of Santa Barbara.
The request for a station in this area was brought to the Board by an environmental organization in October, last year. That group expressed concern over whether the existing air quality network adequately represents this area and can inform residents on days of high ozone concentrations.
Ozone tends to concentrate at higher elevations. Although the APCD has monitoring stations at similar elevations elsewhere in the county, these stations are in mostly unpopulated areas.If the data collected during the six month study show values significantly greater than those found at other elevated sites, or show exceedances on different days, a permanent monitoring station may be needed in this area. Alternatively, if the data show similar or lower values than other elevated sites, the overall adequacy of the existing network will be demonstrated.
The summer study will also coincide with the Southern California Ozone Study conducted by the California Air Resources Board. This study of upper air ozone and meteorological data will help us to better understand ozone formation and transport.
The APCD is able to use existing equipment and staff to install and run the temporary station at an approximate cost of $5,700. The equipment may be located at Franceschi Park, Brooks Institute (Jefferson or Riviera Campus), or Cleveland School.
For more information, call Duane Sikorski of the APCD?s Monitoring Section, 805-961-8871.
Clean Air Events
April and May are busy months for Clean Air events. Mark you calendars and plan to take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about air pollution and related issues.
Sunday, April 20, is Earth Day. The Community Environmental Council is organizing a celebration at De La Guerra Plaza in downtown Santa Barbara. For details, call 805-963-0583, ext. 109.
The week of May 11?17 is Clean Air Week. The American Lung Association sponsors this week to help inform people about indoor and outdoor air pollution, radon, and secondhand smoke. For information, call the local chapter, 805-963-1426.
Tuesday, May 20, is Bike to Work Day. Events are being planned for Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, UCSB, Lompoc, Solvang, and Santa Maria. Plan to ride your bike and join these popular events for food, T-shirts, and chances to win great prizes. Check your local newspaper and favorite radio station for event times and locations.
Everyday, you can learn more about air pollution and what you can do to help. We have a variety of informative publications for the general public, children, and business owners.
For more information, call Bobbie Bratz in our public information office, 805-961-8890.
Motor Vehicle Funds Awarded
The APCD Board allocated close to $1 million dollars to 11 projects that will reduce smog-forming air pollution from motor vehicles. The money comes from the four dollar per car clean air surcharge on motor vehicle registration fees.
To assist the Board in its allocation, projects were ranked by staff from the APCD and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments based on the following criteria:
- Air quality benefit
Cost-effectiveness Feasibility Matching funds Broad-based application and support Long-term emission reductions Quick results County-wide benefits Creativity/innovation Public education benefits.
The clean air surcharge on motor vehicle registration fees was authorized by the California legislature to provide funding to local air pollution control districts to address vehicle related air pollution. In Santa Barbara County, on-road vehicles account for approximately half of our smog-forming air pollution.
The following motor vehicle emission reduction projects were approved for funding with motor vehicle registration surcharge revenues for fiscal years 1996-97 and 1997-98: All grant awards are subject to availability of funds.
| Applicant | Project | Amount |
| Melni Bus Service (project withdrawn) | Dual fuel engines for 2 buses | $55,084 |
| UCSB | 5 CNG truck conversions/fuel maker | $23,500 |
| The Gas Company | 5 CNG garbage trucks/ fuel station | $213,000 |
| City of Santa Maria | 26 bike lockers/bus bike racks | $12,000 |
| Parsons ES, Inc. | Old Car Buy Back | $168,583 |
| County of Santa Barbara Probation Dept. | Video conferencing | $32,500 |
| City of Santa Maria | CNG transit bus/ expanded service | $50,000 |
| City of Lompoc | Compactor/CNG garbage truck | $179,333 |
| Santa Barbara County Association of Governments | Clean Air Express expansion | $140,000 |
| City of Santa Maria | Charging stations/2 buses | $10,000 |
| Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition | Bicycle video | $10,000 |
| Synergy (contingent on acceptable revised proposal) | Electric Vehicles | $10,000 |
Roadside Emmission Study
The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) and the California Highway Patrol are conducting California?s annual random roadside vehicle emissions survey. Roadside remote sensing equipment will measure vehicle emissions throughout the state to provide a profile of the emissions from California?s gasoline-powered cars and trucks. The data is used to help gauge the success of the state?s Smog Check program.
The locations and dates of the roadside surveys are random and the testing is solely for the purpose of data gathering. No enforcement consequences are levied on drivers of high-polluting vehicles.
For more information contact the BAR at 1-800-952-5210.
1997 Green Award
Earth Day in April marks the official opening of the nomination period for the 1997 Green Award. The purpose of the Green Award is to recognize voluntary private sector activities, big or small, in Santa Barbara County that result in cleaner air or water, less waste, less traffic, conservation of energy and natural resources, or reduced use of hazardous materials. The Green Award honors those who demonstrate exceptional commitment or innovation.
Green Awards will be presented to five local businesses, organizations, or individuals during Pollution Prevention Week in September 1997. This will be the fourth annual Green Awards presentation. In selecting the recipients, the awards committee will consider:
- Measurable improvements to environmental quality
- Comprehensive environmental philosophy
- Ongoing or long-term environmental benefits
- Creativity and innovation in technology or approach
- Model achievements.
The Green Award is given in Santa Barbara County by a consortium of the Air Pollution Control District, the Community Environmental Council, the County of Santa Barbara Solid Waste and Utilities Division of the Public Works Department, and Traffic Solutions. Each of these organizations was developing an environmental awards program for businesses and decided to combine efforts for a more efficient and effective program.
In 1995, Applied Magnetics Corporation was one of the five award recipients. Last year at the awards ceremony, Mark Ostertag of Applied Magnetics said this about the program:
- “As a previous winner of the Green Award, I can tell you a little bit about the benefits of receiving this honor. It has an amazing effect on a company. It increases the morale of current employees because they know they are part of the solution. When you tell new hires about the award, it shows them that the company standards are high and that they are expected to do their part. It makes new environmental projects easier to get implemented, with better cooperation from all levels of the company. In short, it instills the whole company with a sense of pride in its abilities and accomplishments.?
For more information or a nomination form, please call 805-961-8838. Nominations must be received by June 20, 1997.
Permit & Compliance Summary
| DEC 1996 | JAN 1997 | |
| ATC Applications Received | 4 | 15 |
| ATC Permits Issued | 12 | 6 |
| PTO Applications Received | 15 | 11 |
| PTO Permits Issued | 19 | 12 |
| Exemption Requests | 4 | 3 |
| Exemptions Determined | 1 | 2 |
| Inspections Made | 125 | 82 |
| Notices of Violation Issued | 25 | 13 |
| Administrative Infractions Documented (subset of above) | 5 | 2 |
| Complaints Received | 10 | 12 |
