ORCAA Board of Directors
OLYMPIC REGION CLEAN AIR AGENCY
2940 B Limited Lane NW
Olympia, Washington 98502
MEETING
March 14, 2007
Members present:
Bob Beerbower, Grays Harbor County (Chair)
Ann Burgman, City of Lacey
Clay Harwood, Pacific County
Grant Munro, City of Port Angeles (Vice Chair)
Jeff Kingsbury, City of Olympia
Ross Gallagher, for Lynda Ring Erickson, Mason County
Bob Macleod, Thurston County
Members absent:
Phil Johnson, Jefferson County
Mike Doherty, Clallam County
Legal Counsel:
Cece Clynch, for Fred Gentry, Bean & Gentry
Staff Present:
Richard Stedman, Executive Director, Robert Moody, Compliance Supervisor; Mark Goodin, Professional Engineer; Lynn Harding, Administrative Services Manager; and Debbie Moody, Recorder
The meeting was called to order at 10:02 am.
There were no additions or omissions to the Agenda. Burgman moved approval of the Agenda. Munro seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Burgman moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Munro seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Compliance Update
Robert Moody, Compliance Supervisor, briefly went over the inspection, complaints and permits. R.Moody noted we settled with S&W Contractor regarding the burn out on Rich Road. The settlement allows them to hire a consultant who will assist them in taking care of the burn situation. Soil Key is an ongoing situation we have been dealing with. They have been receiving sludge and other debris to compost. We continue to receive complaints and we are working with the source to mitigate some of the penalties as well as getting them to get better equipment on site. We also had a case (Peninsula Topsoil) heading to PCHB that we have settled as well. R.Moody reminded the Board of the illegal burning of a house that they had discussed last month—he had pictures for the Board to see. He noted the individual who started this fire did come in to talk to us and has been made aware that he is looking at around $40,000 in penalties. R.Moody stated he would keep the Board updated with this case.
ORCAA Permit Actions
Mark Goodin, Professional Engineer, briefly went over the NSR list. He noted the permitting group has been busy working on permits, however, there were none finalized since the previous meeting. Goodin stated that per the Board’s request, staff did contact Nutriom regarding the cancellation of their permit. Nutriom did allow us to close out the permit and stated they will resubmit in the future. Goodin wanted the Board to understand that there are some types of permits that transpire over the course of several years. Another example of this would be Quality Rock Products in south Thurston County. They submitted their permit to us and we went through a public hearing and presented them with a preliminary determination. The application was then stalled at the county level. This particular permit was strung out over 8 years. They had paid application fees and wanted to preserve their application with our agency, which we can allow. Goodin also wanted to give the Board a heads up with regards to the promulgation of new regulations. One such rule, is referred to as the Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Standards (MACT). Most of our industrial sources that have boilers—Nippon, Grays Harbor Paper, Weyerhaeuser Raymond, and Simpson Timber—are subject to this new federal regulation. This is not an easy regulation to comply with. Goodin also noted we were targeted by EPA for an audit. The first step in complying with these regulations, Goodin continued, was that EPA took a look at the submittals our sources sent in. EPA looked at the submittals and then responded back to us. Nippon, Simpson Timber and Grays Harbor Paper were chosen by EPA to be audited. If you would like additional information, Goodin noted, he would be happy to provide it.
Munro asked if this audit has to do with our relationship with the source, or is it a direct audit of the source. Goodin stated it is on the source directly. This regulation is a monster to comply with and the first alternative is the health based compliance alternative. They will determine the emission rates, take fuel samples and then determine what the air toxic emissions are and do a health based risk assessment. If they are below a certain threshold, they can be exempt from certain parts of this regulation. Goodin explained some of the issues and what some sources may have to do to comply. Stedman stated several sources have come to the conclusion that they can pass the standard and are willing to attempt it. EPA found issues with respect to how they tested and calculated emissions and they want to have some of the sources go back and retest and re-analyze. So, as you can imagine there is some political controversy.
School Bus Retrofit Update
Stedman noted there has not been a lot of activity in this program. We are still working on the installation of the crank case ventilation devices. Beerbower asked if the train stations are still going forward. Stedman stated we do still have the train program on the radar. We are hoping to do a press conference in East Olympia; however, we have heard our partners are pushing to have it in Seattle or Tacoma. Stedman stated he is under the impression they have begun installation. Beerbower asked about the Grays Harbor rail-yard in Elma. He explained his office receives complaints regarding the diesel. He explained they sit for quite some time idling. Stedman explained he has contacted the company regarding the retrofit grants, but they don’t seem interested.
On another note, Stedman continued, Weyerhaeuser has been responsive and proactive concerning their proposed log yard at Port of Olympia. They anticipate 18 ships coming in to the port and approximately 100 truck trips per day coming through Olympia. We explained to them we do not have authority over mobile diesel sources, however, we would comment regarding the health issues associated with diesel. We could, perhaps, entertain the notion of getting shore power at the port. These are ongoing negotiations. We have some public upset because we haven’t taken the lead on emissions from port vessels and mobile sources. Hopefully we’ll be able to announce that we have worked with the port to reduce emissions.
Air Quality Summary
Stedman pointed out the moderate days in Lacey, Aberdeen, and Shelton. We had a couple of days of “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in Lacey and Shelton. We do have some concerns. Looking at the totals we are beginning to see some trends and it appears the levels are rising.
Stedman stated we are expecting to see more moderate days in the future, as a result of EPA’s change to the air quality index. Ecology is working on a new scheme to revise the index to more accurately reflect potential health effects.
Legislative Update
Stedman stated he had gotten word there was going to be a floor amendment from Senator Honeyford, and Stedman explained he was successful in contacting Senator Fraser prior to the amendment and prepare her for rebuttal. She was successful; the bill went forward and passed the Senate 45-4. Our bill has moved on to the House. We will be watching this bill very carefully. We believe there will be a hearing next week, Stedman continued, and we plan on testifying in support of the bill.
Another bill of interest has to do with the small cities that have been affected by the January 1 burn ban. The bill would allow cities that have a population less than 2500, which are located in an Urban Growth Area, to burn. There are a few other bills regarding the outdoor burning regulations, but they don’t appear to be moving.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Satellite Office
Stedman announced we have signed a lease for our new satellite office in Raymond. The current plan is to have one of our Air Quality Specialists man the office two days a week. We think it will be good to have the presence out there. We are planning an open house sometime during April. We will let the Board know.
Update on Fee Changes
Stedman stated he had provided the Board with the fees at the last meeting. We will be having a public hearing, regarding the fees, at our April Board meeting. Once the fees are approved, we’ll use them in developing our upcoming budget. Staff has been discussing the best way to let some of our sources know about the fee increase. We are considering noticing some of the smaller sources and then work shopping with some of our larger sources. We want them to be well aware of the fee change.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business, however prior to adjournment, Harwood noted he had spoke with Stedman and requested he send a letter to Brian Baird from the Board—along the same lines as the one that went to Norm Dicks.
Stedman stated at the Air Directors’ meeting yesterday, he learned congress restored the $18 million cut in the air programs. However, EPA took the money and gave it to leaking underground storage tank program. Stedman stated he may develop another letter for Board consideration, or if the Board prefers, we can just send the letter to the appropriate legislators. Macleod noted he was in support of Stedman drafting the letter and provide copy to the Board. He stated he would like to have a copy to refer to when he meets with Brian Baird.
Munro, noting we are a regulatory body enforcing rules from others, asked if there is anything this agency can do—in a more proactive way—for the sources we are regulating. For instance, Munro continued, can we work more with the sources to coach them, in a sense? Can we give them additional information and tools to assist them? Is there more we can do, Munro asked. Stedman stated we could probably do more. We do take an educational approach every time we go out on an inspection. Unless we find a violation that is really egregious, we offer business assistance. There are some violations we don’t have any latitude on, however, we do what we can to assist our sources in gaining compliance through education. We can provide workshops when there are new rules, etc., although those types of things do take additional staff time and a lot of dollars. Munro noted he understands that is the way staff works currently, but is there anything more you can do to lead the sources to better opportunities, rather than push them. Stedman stated he would talk to staff and see if there is anything more we can do.
Macleod noted it may be possible to use the televised programs to get more information out to people about who ORCAA is and what we do. We could also create a small radio station interview that can be aired—telling ORCAA’s story in an education sense rather the enforcement side of things.
Stedman stated we are working on a video presentation. We have a video camera and we are working on interviewing staff, showing staff in the field, etc that we can take to various venues. We could also provide it to the Board members if you would want a copy.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 am.
PRESENTED BY
Richard A. Stedman, Executive Director
APPROVED BY:
The Majority of the Board
APPROVED and SIGNED this 11th day of April 2007