State of California
AIR RESOURCES BOARD
Large Board Room
Department of Transportation
1120 N Street
Sacramento, CA
January 16, 1976
9:00 a.m.
AGENDA
Page
76-2-1 Approval of minutes of December 9 and December 15,
1975 Board Meetings.
76-2-2 Continuation of Public Hearing - Regulations to 1
Control the Lead Content of Gasoline.
76-2-3 Report on the Feasibility of Reducing Sulfur 38
Dioxide Emissions from the Burning of Fuel Oil.
76-2-4 Report on the Development of Ambient Air Quality 87
Standard for Sulfates.
76-2-5 Report on Proposed Ambient Air Quality Standards: 88
A Visibility Standard for the Lake Tahoe Air Basin
and a Carbon Monoxide Standard for Elevations Above
4,000 Feet Statewide.
76-2-6 Other Business -
a. Executive Session - Personnel & Litigation
b. Research Proposals
76-2-7 Remarks from Audience.
ITEM NO.: 76-2-2
Continuation of Public Hearing - Regulations to Control the Lead
Content of Gasoline.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt resolution 76-3 adding a new Section 2253 to Title 13 of
the California Administrative Code, specifying a schedule for the
reduction of lead concentration in gasoline.
SUMMARY
In a recent decision, the California Supreme Court ruled that the
Air Resources Board has the authority to regulate the lead
content of gasoline sold in California. An average lead content
of 0.4 grams per gallon appears to be a reasonable level for
achieving the lead air quality standard statewide. A phase down
to this level is proposed. Large refiners are required to attain
this level by 1980 and small refiners by 1983. It is suggested
that a "small refiner" be defined as one with a gasoline capacity
of 20,000 barrels per day or less.
The cost of reducing the use of lead additives in gasoline, in
accordance with the proposed schedule, is small; however, some
smaller refiners may suffer significant adverse consequences.
The proposed three-year extension from compliance with the phase
down by the small refiners should mitigate this impact without
substantially postponing attainment of the lead air quality
standard. A variance procedure, similar to the one adopted for
the regulation controlling sulfur content of unleaded gasoline,
is included in the proposed regulations.
ITEM NO.: 76-2-3
Report on the Feasibility of Reducing Sulfur Dioxide Emissions
from the Burning of Fuel Oil.
RECOMMENDATION
None. This is an informational report.
SUMMARY
Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) processes for desulfurizing fuel oils
to lower than the present limit of 0.5 percent are reviewed for
feasibility and costs.
Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) of exhausts from power plants and
other major stationary sources of sulfur dioxide are also
reviewed for feasibility and costs.
Comparison of HDS and FGD costs for the reduction of sulfur
dioxide emissions to low levels are presented.
ITEM NO.: 76-2-4
Report on Development of Ambient Air Quality Standard for
Sulfates.
SUMMARY
At the request of the Board, the staff is preparing a report on
the development of an ambient air quality standard for sulfates.
The staff will present its findings to the Board at a later date.
ITEM NO.: 76-2-5
Staff Report on Proposed Ambient Air Quality Standards: A
Visibility Standard for the Lake Tahoe Air Basin and a Carbon
Monoxide Standard for Elevations Above 4000 Feet, Statewide.
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a public hearing in March to consider adoption of the
proposed standards.
SUMMARY
After creation of the Lake Tahoe Air Basin, special air quality
standards appropriate for this unique area need to be considered.
A visibility standard of 30 miles is proposed for the Basin.
A carbon monoxide standard of six ppm for eight hours is proposed
for all elevations above 4000 feet, statewide.