South Coast Air Quality Management District: Difference between revisions
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The '''South Coast Air Quality Management District''' (SCAQMD), formed in 1976, is the local governmental agency in [[California]] responsible mainly for regulating [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|stationary sources]] of [[air pollution]] in all of [[Orange County, California|Orange county]] and the urban portions of [[Los Angeles]], [[Riverside]] and [[San Bernardino]] counties. The main office of the SCAQMD is located in the city of [[Diamond Bar]], California.<ref>[http://www.aqmd.gov/ AQMD website]</ref> | {{Image|AQMD2.png|right|295px|Location of the SCAQMD within the state of California.}} | ||
The '''South Coast Air Quality Management District''' (SCAQMD), formed in 1976, is the local governmental agency in [[California (U.S. state)|California]] responsible mainly for regulating [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|stationary sources]] of [[air pollution]] in all of [[Orange County, California|Orange county]] and the urban portions of [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[Riverside]] and [[San Bernardino]] counties. The main office of the SCAQMD is located in the city of [[Diamond Bar]], California.<ref>[http://www.aqmd.gov/ AQMD website]</ref> | |||
The area encompassed by the SCAQMD amounts to about 10,750 square [[U.S. customary units|mile]]s (27,840 square [[kilometre]]s) and is the second most populated area in the [[United States]]. This area has a severe problem with [[smog]] and the SCAQMD has been a leader in the nation's efforts to reduce air pollution emissions. | The area encompassed by the SCAQMD amounts to about 10,750 square [[U.S. customary units|mile]]s (27,840 square [[kilometre]]s) and is the second most populated area in the [[United States of America]]. This area has a severe problem with [[smog]] and the SCAQMD has been a leader in the nation's efforts to reduce [[Air pollution emissions|air pollution emissions]]. | ||
==How the SCAQMD operates== | ==How the SCAQMD operates== | ||
The SCAQMD develops, adopts and implements an "Air Quality Management Plan" for bringing the area into compliance with the clean air standards established by national and state governmental legislation. | The SCAQMD develops, adopts and implements an "Air Quality Management Plan" for bringing the area into compliance with the [[National Ambient Air Quality Standards|clean air standards]] established by national and state governmental legislation. | ||
Air quality and | [[Air quality]] and permissible [[Air pollution emissions|air pollution emission]] "rules" are promulgated to reduce emissions from various sources, including specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints, solvents and certain consumer products. Permits to operate (in compliance with the air quality and emission rules} are issued to the pertinent industries and businesses and SCAQMD staff conducts periodic inspections to ensure such compliance. | ||
The SCAQMD's rules apply to businesses ranging from large [[Petroleum refining processes|petroleum refineries]] and [[power plant]]s to [[ | The SCAQMD's rules apply to businesses ranging from large [[Petroleum refining processes|petroleum refineries]] and [[power plant]]s to [[Gasoline|gasoline]] fueling stations and [[dry cleaning]] plants. There are about 30,000 such businesses operating under SCAQMD permits. In general, the SCAQMD is limited to establishing rules for regulating [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|stationary sources]]. Emission standards for [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|mobile sources]] (automobiles, trucks, buses, railroads, airplanes and marine vessels) are established the [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] and the [[California Air Resources Board]]. | ||
==How the SCAQMD is organized== | ==How the SCAQMD is organized== | ||
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==Air quality monitoring network== | ==Air quality monitoring network== | ||
The SCAQMD also operates an extensive network of air quality monitoring stations (about 40 stations) and issues daily air quality forecasts. The forecasts are made available to the public through newspapers, television, radio, faxed messages to schools, the SCAQMD's internet website, and a toll-free | The SCAQMD also operates an extensive network of [[Air Quality Index|air quality monitoring stations]] (about 40 stations) and issues daily air quality forecasts. The forecasts are made available to the public through newspapers, television, radio, faxed messages to schools, the SCAQMD's internet website, and a toll-free smog update telephone line.<ref>[http://www.aqmd.gov/map/MapAQMD2.pdf SCAQMD Air Quality Monitoring and Forecast Map]</ref> | ||
==Air quality modeling and air pollution dispersion modeling oversight== | ==Air quality modeling and air pollution dispersion modeling oversight== | ||
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The air quality modeling activities of the SCAQMD are one of the functions of the Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources section. That section is also responsible for oversight and commenting upon [[Atmospheric dispersion modeling|air pollution dispersion modeling]] studies performed as part of any environmental impact studies that may be reviewed by or requested by the SCAQMD. The models that may be utilized include:<ref>[http://www.aqmd.gov/ceqa/models.html Air Quality Modeling]</ref> | The air quality modeling activities of the SCAQMD are one of the functions of the Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources section. That section is also responsible for oversight and commenting upon [[Atmospheric dispersion modeling|air pollution dispersion modeling]] studies performed as part of any environmental impact studies that may be reviewed by or requested by the SCAQMD. The models that may be utilized include:<ref>[http://www.aqmd.gov/ceqa/models.html Air Quality Modeling]</ref> | ||
*California Line Source Dispersion Model ([[Air | *California Line Source Dispersion Model ([[Air pollution dispersion models|CALINE-4]]) | ||
*Industrial Source Complex Short Term ([[Air | *Industrial Source Complex Short Term ([[Air pollution dispersion models|ISCST3]]) Model | ||
*[[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA)'s Air Quality Models | *[[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA)'s Air Quality Models | ||
*[[California Air Resources Board]] (CARB)'s Air Quality Models | *[[California Air Resources Board]] (CARB)'s Air Quality Models | ||
*Roadway Construction Emissions Model | |||
*Hotspots Analysis and Reporting Program (HARP) | *Hotspots Analysis and Reporting Program (HARP) | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}}[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:00, 20 October 2024
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), formed in 1976, is the local governmental agency in California responsible mainly for regulating stationary sources of air pollution in all of Orange county and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The main office of the SCAQMD is located in the city of Diamond Bar, California.[1]
The area encompassed by the SCAQMD amounts to about 10,750 square miles (27,840 square kilometres) and is the second most populated area in the United States of America. This area has a severe problem with smog and the SCAQMD has been a leader in the nation's efforts to reduce air pollution emissions.
How the SCAQMD operates
The SCAQMD develops, adopts and implements an "Air Quality Management Plan" for bringing the area into compliance with the clean air standards established by national and state governmental legislation.
Air quality and permissible air pollution emission "rules" are promulgated to reduce emissions from various sources, including specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints, solvents and certain consumer products. Permits to operate (in compliance with the air quality and emission rules} are issued to the pertinent industries and businesses and SCAQMD staff conducts periodic inspections to ensure such compliance.
The SCAQMD's rules apply to businesses ranging from large petroleum refineries and power plants to gasoline fueling stations and dry cleaning plants. There are about 30,000 such businesses operating under SCAQMD permits. In general, the SCAQMD is limited to establishing rules for regulating stationary sources. Emission standards for mobile sources (automobiles, trucks, buses, railroads, airplanes and marine vessels) are established the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board.
How the SCAQMD is organized
The SCAQMD has a Governing Board of 12 members. Nine of the board members are members of the local county and city governments. The remaining three are appointed by California state officials. The chief Executive Officer of the SCAQMD reports to the Governing Board and the following departments report to the Executive Officer:[2]
Administrative departments
- Policy advisor
- Legal
- Counsel
- Prosecutor
- Public Affairs
- Media Relations
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Management
Operational departments
- Engineering and Compliance
- Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources
- Science and Technology advancement
Air quality monitoring network
The SCAQMD also operates an extensive network of air quality monitoring stations (about 40 stations) and issues daily air quality forecasts. The forecasts are made available to the public through newspapers, television, radio, faxed messages to schools, the SCAQMD's internet website, and a toll-free smog update telephone line.[3]
Air quality modeling and air pollution dispersion modeling oversight
The air quality modeling activities of the SCAQMD are one of the functions of the Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources section. That section is also responsible for oversight and commenting upon air pollution dispersion modeling studies performed as part of any environmental impact studies that may be reviewed by or requested by the SCAQMD. The models that may be utilized include:[4]
- California Line Source Dispersion Model (CALINE-4)
- Industrial Source Complex Short Term (ISCST3) Model
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Air Quality Models
- California Air Resources Board (CARB)'s Air Quality Models
- Roadway Construction Emissions Model
- Hotspots Analysis and Reporting Program (HARP)
Funding for the SCAQMD
About 70% of AQMD’s funding is derived from fees paid by the regulated businesses, 20% from motor vehicle registration fees and the balance from other sources such as fines and other penalties assessed for businesses that violate the AQMD's rules.
References
- CZ Live
- Engineering Workgroup
- Politics Workgroup
- Earth Sciences Workgroup
- Chemical Engineering Subgroup
- Environmental Engineering Subgroup
- Articles written in American English
- Advanced Articles written in American English
- All Content
- Engineering Content
- Politics Content
- Earth Sciences Content
- Chemical Engineering tag
- Environmental Engineering tag