Difference between revisions of "Monterey Bay Air Resources District"
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Revision as of 18:55, 5 April 2020
Contents
Overview
The Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) is a regional regulatory agency that oversees the monitoring and management of air quality issues across Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties in California's Central Coast region. This tri-county area forms what is known as the North Central Coast Air Basin. MBARD is one of 35 regional air districts (sometimes referred to as air quality management districts or air pollution control districts) who report to the California Air Resources Board.
Mission
MBARD aims to balance air quality issues with the region's economic drivers while simultaneously protecting both public and environmental health.
History
Discuss passage of the CAA and CCAA and how that led to the development of MBARD. Discuss attainment vs non-attainment to prepare reader for central coast context.
Management Responsibilities
MBARD is tasked with a wide range of responsibilities that include:
- Air quality monitoring
- Permitting
- Source testing
- Enforcement
- Long-range air quality planning
- Regulatory development
- Education and public outreach
Organizational Structure
Executive
Comprised of the Air Pollution Control Officer, the executive division of MBARD oversees the coordination, direction, and management of the district's functions to promote healthy air quality across the jurisdiction. This branch is also responsible for guiding policies such as district rules and long-range air quality planning strategies. The division maintains a working relationship with state and federal agencies which supports policy guidance at both the state and national levels.
Administrative
MBARD's administrative division oversees the district's budget and accounting, administration of benefits, risk management, human resources, facilities, and fleet management.
Compliance
The compliance division is responsible for inspections and investigations of air pollution sources. Compliance upholds MBARD's rules and develops/implements enforcement procedures. The division reviews proposed district rules and make recommendations regarding their enforceability.
Engineering
MBARD's engineering division upholds the responsibility of issuing or denying permits to construct or operate facilities or equipment that contribute to the degradation of air quality. Engineering continually monitors stationary sources of air pollutants and makes recommendations to both the Air Pollution Control Officer and industrial representatives regarding how emissions can be reduced. Furthermore, the division evaluates the district's rules and makes recommendations for improvement.
Planning
The planning division upholds the responsibility of developing long-range air quality improvement plans. The division oversees grant programs and their administration. Planning also ensures that the district's rules, grant programs, and other activities are compliant with the California Environmental Quality Act.
Monitoring
MBARD's air monitoring division is responsible for reporting air quality conditions to the public. The division maintains seven permanent air sampling stations and ensures their effective installation, repair, calibration, and modification. Air monitoring conducts primary data analysis on air quality data and is required to report regional air quality conditions, statistics, and division activities to the California Air Resources Board every month. As needed, the division also carries out special air monitoring and meteorologic projects where temporary air sampling stations are deployed. Temporary sampling stations monitor conditions around events that may impact public health such as large structural fires, prescribed fire, or wildfire.
Central Coast Context
Discuss how MBARD is still working to make the 8-hr attainment standard for ozone.
Projects
San Lorenzo Valley - Spare the Air Program
MBARD's Spare the Air program aims to reduce the negative public health effects of wood smoke in the San Lorenzo Valley in Santa Cruz County during times of poor air quality. When a Spare the Air alert is active, residents of the San Lorenzo Valley are discouraged from using wood-burning stoves and fireplaces and are encouraged to use alternative heating sources such as natural gas, propane, or pellet stoves.
Electric Vehicle Incentive Program
MBARD's Electric Vehicle Incentive Program provides rebates for purchasers of qualifying electric vehicles. The following list describes the amount of rebate possible based on the type of vehicle purchased:
- New Electric Vehicles (EVs): $1,000. Used EVs: $750
- New Plugin Hybrid EVs (PHEVs): $500. Used PHEVs: $300
- New Electric Motorcycle: $200
- New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles: $1,500
Carl Moyer Program
Incentivized by Assembly Bill 617 signed by Governor Brown in 2017, the Community Air Protection program aims to reduce the disproportionate impacts from air contaminants to communities of lower socioeconomic status. In response to this legislation, MBARD implemented the Carl Moyer Program. This incentive program provides funding for Desiel Engine/Equipment Replacement replacement for industrial farming operations around the city of Salinas. The program promotes the purchase of farming equipment that reduces diesel emissions and particulate matter. MBARD received additional funding from the California Air Resources Board in 2018 for this program which expands qualifying equipment to include marine vessels, irrigation pump engines, construction equipment, and other mobile agricultural equipment.
Electric School Bus Program
This program provides grant funding for any public school district to support the purchase or lease of fully electric busses. The funding also extends to compressed natural gas busses and supports tank replacement.
