Community gathering and public meeting to discuss start of air quality monitoring in Lost Hills
Contacts
LOST HILLS – State air quality experts will meet with local residents, community organizations and oil industry representatives to discuss the start of air quality monitoring in the area. Lost Hills is the first community to host air monitoring as part of the Study of Neighborhood Air near Petroleum Sources (SNAPS) conducted by the California Air Resources Board.
WHAT: Community gathering followed by public meeting where CARB staff will discuss:
- The location of state-of-the-art monitoring trailer
- A timeline for next steps in the Lost Hills study
- Ways for community members to get involved
WHO: California Air Resources Board officials, residents, local community organizations and oil industry representatives
WHEN: Monday, May 20, 2019 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
WHERE: Wonderful Park Recreation Building, 14688 Lost Hills Road, Lost Hills, CA 93249
VISUALS: Flipping On Switch by Board Members and local representative to mark the start of air monitoring program.
Background
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is developing a project to better characterize air quality in communities near oil and gas operations. The Study of Neighborhood Air near Petroleum Sources (SNAPS) includes limited-term, intensive air quality monitoring with a particular focus on production facilities. This project can also provide valuable information to support the Community Air Protection Program (CAPP), formed pursuant to AB 617.
Under SNAPS, candidate communities for monitoring are identified based on their proximity to oil and gas wells, and from public suggestions. CARB staff will locate stationary trailers equipped with state-of-the art monitoring technologies in communities for up to four months to determine air quality. The trailers are capable of measuring toxic air contaminants (TACs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), metals, and criteria pollutants. An analysis of available air pollution measurements, local characteristics, public input, and potential partnerships in each candidate community will help to prioritize trailer deployment.