News Items

AQMD Reaches Settlement with Granite On Asbestos Violations

December 19, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with Granite Construction Company for a violation that occurred in October 2005 at Morrison Point, a development project in Sacramento County.
 
The $26,400 penalty is a result of a Notice of Violation (NOV) of Rule 902 (Asbestos).  Specifically, the NOV documents failure to remove and dispose of Regulated Asbestos Containing Material (RACM) in accordance with federal and local asbestos regulations.

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation.  Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

AQMD Reaches Settlement With Teichert

December 6, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with Teichert.

The $10,140 penalty is a result of various Notices of Violation (NOVs) that were issued in 2005 and 2006. These violations include:

• Failure to submit annual emission reports as required (June 2005 and June 2006)

• Discharge of excessive visible emissions from the facility located at 8760 Kiefer Blvd. (June 2005)

• Failure to operate their bag house in accordance with the pressure requirements specified on their permit at 8609 Jackson Rd. (June 2005)

• Failure to maintain equipment in proper operating conditions as required by their permit for 3417 Grantline Rd. (August 2005)

The penalty was reached through AQMDs Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation.  Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

AQMD Reaches Settlement With Chevron USA

December 5, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with Chevron USA for a violation that occurred in December 2005 at their gasoline station located at 1890 Prairie City Rd., in Folsom.

The $12,000 penalty is a result of a Notice of Violation (NOV) of Rule 448 (Gasoline Transfer into Stationary Storage Containers). 

Specifically, the NOV documented the transfer of gasoline into a storage tank without a California Air Resources Board certified Phase 1 vapor recovery system.

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation.  Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

AQMD Reaches Settlement With TexTek

December 4, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with Chevron USA for a violation that occurred in December 2005 at their gasoline station located at 1890 Prairie City Rd., in Folsom.

The $12,000 penalty is a result of a Notice of Violation (NOV) of Rule 448 (Gasoline Transfer into Stationary Storage Containers).  

Specifically, the NOV documented the transfer of gasoline into a storage tank without a California Air Resources Board certified Phase 1 vapor recovery system.

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation.  Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

AQMD Reaches Settlement With County of Sacramento

November 8, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with the County of Sacramento Department of Waste Management and Recycling for violations that occurred at the Kiefer Landfill in 2006.

The $31,920 penalty is a result of Notice of Violations (NOVs) of Rule 201 (General Permit Requirements) and Rule 207 (Title V Federal Operating Permit Program). These NOVs were issued on January 23 and March 2, 2006.

Specifically, the NOVs documented that internal combustion engines at the Kiefer Landfill discharged reactive organic compounds in excess of the limits established by the permit to operate issued by the AQMD.

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation. Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

Spare The Air Moves to Winter

October 27, 2006

On November 1, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD), along with the Yolo-Solano AQMD and the Placer County Air Pollution Control District, will begin issuing a daily air quality forecast for Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5). In addition, Spare The Air advisories will be issued when PM 2.5 levels are predicted to reach 127 AQI or above.

Residents of the Sacramento region are encouraged to sign up for Air Alert, which will now operate 365 days a year. Air Alert provides the daily air quality forecast, Spare The Air advisories, and current conditions at monitoring sites in the region to subscribers via e-mail or text message. To sign up, please visit www.SpareTheAir.com.

Especially during the fall and winter months, PM 2.5 pollution is a health concern for residents in the Sacramento region. Fine particulate matter is a complex mixture that may contain soot, smoke, metals, nitrates, sulfates, dust, water and tire rubber. It can be directly emitted, as in smoke from a fire, or it can form in the atmosphere from reactions of gases such as nitrogen oxides.

The Spare The Air Web site will feature the daily PM 2.5 forecast, PM 2.5 plot maps, and current conditions at nine monitoring sites:

Four (4) sites in Sacramento County:

• Elk Grove, Folsom, Del Paso Manor (near Watt Ave. and El Camino Ave.), and T Street (Downtown Sacramento)

Four (4) sites in Yolo and Solano Counties:

• Davis, Woodland, Rio Vista, and Vacaville

One (1) site in Placer County

• Roseville (N. Sunrise and Douglas Blvd.)

“Fall and winter months bring air pollution that can rise to unhealthy levels. As a public health agency, we are dedicated to keeping the public informed and providing tips on how residents can reduce air pollution,” said Larry Greene, Executive Director of the Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD, which coordinates the Spare The Air program on behalf of the air districts in the region.

To find out things you can do to reduce air pollution, please visit www.SpareTheAir.com.

CONTACT: AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

AQMDs Seek Public Comment On Draft State Implementation Plan

October 19, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and the other air districts of the Sacramento region have released proposed local emission control measures for inclusion in the State Implementation Plan for the 8-hour federal ozone standard. The Sacramento region is classified by U.S. EPA as a Serious Ozone Non-attainment Area for this standard. The public is invited to comment on all proposed measures.

Proposed measures include:

• Financial incentives to achieve voluntary reductions from motor vehicles – large trucks to passenger cars, off-road equipment including construction and farm equipment, commercial and residential lawn equipment and other types of engines
• Spare The Air: a voluntary program to educate the public and encourage driving reductions on days when poor air quality is forecasted
• Indirect Source Review: measures to reduce both construction and long-term impacts associated with land use
• Several rules affecting paints and other surface coatings including architectural coatings (construction and residential paints, adhesives, concrete sealers, etc.), automotive refinishing, solvent cleaning (generally commercial or industrial facilities, such as automotive repair shops, commercial painting operations), printing and natural gas production
• Residential and commercial fuel burning equipment including: water heaters, boilers, engines and asphalt plants

The District is soliciting comments on these proposed measures as well as other ideas for measures from the public. Workshops are scheduled in West Sacramento, Placerville, Auburn and Yuba City on October 31 and November 1. Locations and times are as follows:    

Draft documents are available at AQMD’s web site. Printed copies are available for review at Sacramento County libraries and Air District offices.

Written comments must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm on November 8, 2006 to Steven Lau, Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD, 777 12th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. Comments may be submitted via US mail, email (to sacsip@airquality.org) or fax (916-874-4899).

For more information contact Steven Lau at 916-874-4834 or sacsip@airquality.org.

ARB Audit Gives Sacramento County’s Carl Moyer Program a Good Evaluation

October 18, 2006

SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board (ARB) today announced the results of its audit of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District’s (SMAQMD or District) Carl Moyer Program, a grant-funded effort to reduce emissions through the replacement or retrofit of dirty diesel engines.

The ARB audited the District’s Moyer Program as part of a plan to examine the statewide allocation of $50 million to local air pollution control districts in the 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 fiscal years.  ARB staff also reviewed whether the District’s implementation in fiscal years 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 were compliant with current program requirements.  

“The Sacramento District’s Carl Moyer Program is a good example of a well-managed process based upon a successful collaboration among the District, the ARB, the private sector and the community.   Safeguarding the Carl Moyer program is good for all Californians because its focus on cleaner and more efficient technologies will significantly reduce air pollution and protect public health,” said ARB Chairman Dr. Robert Sawyer.

The audit identified several commendable efforts achieved by the District’s local program:

• Development of a comprehensive database for quality assurance and control of the projects.
• Implementation of pre- and post- inspections to ensure reductions obtained were accurate and old engines were no longer operated in California.

The SMAQMD administers the Carl Moyer Program for all the air districts in the Sacramento Federal Ozone Non-attainment Area which includes Yolo-Solano, El Dorado and Placer.  Over the past eight years, ARB has provided the Sacramento region with over $21.5 million in Carl Moyer Program funding, which have been used primarily to pay for new cleaner replacement engines for agricultural pumps and construction equipment.  The District has leveraged the financial support with $7.4 million in local funds. 

During the first six years of the program, the SMAQMD’s Carl Moyer Program funds have been expended on 1,059 cleaner engines, which reduce smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 3,169 tons and diesel particulate matter (PM) by 130 tons over the life of the projects. The average cost-effectiveness for the Sacramento region is about $6,700 per ton of NOx. 

The program review showed that the District Carl Moyer Program efficiently and effectively obtained surplus emission reductions, and served as a resource for other local districts by providing advice and mentoring.  The four findings from the ARB review are limited to administrative issues, such as missing documentation or absence of certain contract requirements.  The District has already begun to rectify all findings to bring them into full compliance with the Carl Moyer program guidelines. 

CONTACT: Jerry Martin, Gennet Paauwe
www.arb.ca.gov
916 322-2990

AQMD Reaches Settlement On Asbestos Violations

October 9, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with George Gasnakis, Land Park Villa LLC, for violations that occurred in June 2005 at property located at 7196 and 7198 South Land Park Drive.  

The $30,700 penalty is a result of a Notice of Violation (NOV) of Rule 902 (Asbestos) and Rule 304 (Plan Fees). The following are violations associated with the removal of regulated asbestos containing material (RACM) at the property:

• Failure to conduct an asbestos survey prior to renovation
• Failure to notify the AQMD of a renovation and pay notification fees
• Failure to properly remove RACM
• Failure to prevent visible emissions of RACM
• Failure to properly dispose of RACM

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation.  Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

Sacramento County Announces the General Plan Update

posted September 5, 2006

Dear Community Member,

Sacramento County is updating the General Plan and wants to hear your thoughts!

Sacramento County is at an exciting crossroads with choices about how and where to grow over the next 25 years. This fall, the Sacramento County Planning and Community Development Department will host a series of ten public workshops across the unincorporated area of the County to discuss how the County's General Plan Update can accommodate population growth projected through 2030. Community members are encouraged to attend any of the workshops to review proposed visions for the future and help the County prepare for this growth.

The workshops will consist of interactive exercises to engage community members. Dinner will be served at all evening workshops. Breakfast will be available at the morning workshop.

For more information on the General Plan update process and the scheduled workshops, click here or download the new Summer 2006 newsletter.

RSVPs for workshops are greatly appreciated, although not required. To RSVP, please call 874-6412 or click here to register online.


Fall 2006 Public Workshop Dates and Locations:

Delta
Monday, 9/11/2006, 6 pm to 9 pm
Jean Harvie Center Auditorium
14273 River Road, Walnut Grove

Orangevale
Wednesday, 9/13/2006, 6 pm to 9 pm
Orangevale Community Center
6826 Hazel Avenue, Orangevale

Central (Vineyard & Cordova)
Saturday, 9/16/2006, 9 am to noon
Smedberg Middle School
8239 Kingsbridge Drive, Sacramento

Carmichael
Monday, 9/18/2006, 6 pm to 9 pm
La Sierra Community Center
5325 Engle Road, Carmichael

Fair Oaks
Tuesday, 9/19/2006, 6 pm to 9 pm
Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church
11427 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Fair Oaks

Southeast (Cosumnes & Southeast Areas)
Thursday, 9/21/2006, 6 pm to 9 pm
Herald Community Building
12746 Ivie Road, Herald

Arden Arcade
Monday, 9/25/2006, 6 pm to 9 pm
AT&T Conference Room
2700 Watt Avenue, Sacramento

South Sacramento
Tuesday, 9/26/2006, 6 pm to 9 pm
Sheriff's Service Center
7000 65th Street, Sacramento

North (North Highlands & Antelope)
Thursday, 9/28/2006, 6 pm to 9 pm
North Highlands Parks & Rec
6040 Watt Avenue, Sacramento

Northwest (Rio Linda & Natomas)
Thursday, 10/5/2006, 6 pm to 9 pm
Orchard School
1040 Q Street, Rio Linda

AQMD Reaches Settlement on Asbestos Violations

August 17, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with E.T. Abatement Inc. and Mercy Services Corp., for violations that occurred in 2005.

These violations occurred during the renovation of a structure located at 6501 Elder Creek Road in Sacramento. Notices of Violation (NOVs) were issued for Rule 902 (Asbestos). Specifically, the NOVs documented the following violations:

• Failure to maintain negative air
• Failure to adequately wet Regulated Asbestos Containing Materials (RACM) during the removal
• Failure to post signs
• Failure to prevent visible emissions
• Failure to maintain containment

The settlement reached requires the companies to pay a total of $17,400 as a civil penalty. The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation. Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

AQMD Reaches Settlement for Vapor Recovery Violation

July 5, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with R-KEL Inc., DBA Kelley’s Valero, located at 2460 Florin Road, regarding a violation that occurred for not upgrading vapor recovery equipment on underground gasoline storage tanks. According to the AQMD, this facility continued to accept fuel deliveries in violation of District Rule 448. District Rule 448 requires gasoline dispensing facilities to upgrade their vapor recovery equipment to further capture benzene and other toxic gases that are harmful to human health. Details of the Rule are available at www.airquality.org.

The settlement reached requires the business to pay $18,600 as a civil penalty. The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation. Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

Sacramento Air District Releases New County Naturally Occurring Asbestos Map, Schedules Public Meeting

July 7, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has released a new map indicating locations of geologic rock formations where naturally-occurring asbestos (NOA) deposits are more likely to be found in eastern Sacramento County. The map will be used to educate the public about areas where NOA may occur, and to determine appropriate preventative actions to protect public health from possible harmful effects. The map is available online at the California Geological Survey web site, http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/minerals/hazardous_minerals/asbestos/east_sacramento.htm. This map updates an August 2005 map also developed by the California Geological Survey.

The AQMD has been addressing health concerns about NOA for several years, primarily in the Folsom area. In coordination with the City of Folsom, a number of public meetings were held in that community, special precautions were taken to prevent exposure, and information was provided in various formats, including the AQMD web site. The District’s authority and responsibility comes from the California Code of Regulations Section 93105, and Section 93106. These sections primarily address classification of asbestos areas and development of dust suppression to minimize exposure for residents and workers.

The District will host a Public Meeting to provide information to interested members of the public, and answer questions. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rancho Murieta Community Service District, 15160 Jackson Road.

The District will also host a Workshop on NOA at their offices, 777 – 12th Street, 3rd Floor, in Sacramento later this summer.

CONTACT: Christina Ragsdale
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4810 or cragsdale@airquality.org

Metro Chamber President Challenges Region’s Businesses to Spare The Air

June 14, 2006

Matt Mahood, President & CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber, today challenges the region’s businesses to actively support the 2006 Spare The Air season.

Every year, summer smog reaches unhealthy levels and Spare The Air advisories must be issued to inform and protect the public. Air quality is of critical importance to the business community and to everyone who lives and works in the Sacramento region.

“Clean air is good business.” says Matt Mahood, Metro Chamber President & CEO. “With more than 61,000 businesses in our region, the business community—and specifically, employers—play a vital role in the effort to improve air quality. Together, we can improve air quality through the business decisions we make and by encouraging our employees to take steps toward reducing auto emissions, especially on Spare The Air days.”

The Metro Chamber will continue to serve as a communication channel to its member businesses. When the weather heats up and air quality worsens, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issues Spare The Air advisories. The Metro Chamber will then send an electronic reminder to member businesses the day before, urging them to conduct their business in a manner that reduces automobile emissions. The Metro Chamber’s reminder will offer activities and suggestions (see below) on how to minimize vehicle trips.

The Metro Chamber will also help its employees reduce vehicle trips by reimbursing for light rail/bus passes on days when Spare The Air advisories have been issued.

“We want to set an example for business and nonprofit organizations like ourselves,” Mahood said. “It’s not hard to do the right thing.”   Full story (PDF 76 Kb)

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

AQMD Reaches Settlement with Aerojet

May 25, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with Aerojet for violations that occurred at their Rancho Cordova facility in 2005.

In July 2005, a Notice of Violation (NOV) was issued for Rule 201 and 202 (General Permit Requirements and New Source Review). Specifically, the NOV documented the operation of a boiler without an AQMD Permit to Operate. In addition, it was determined the operation of this boiler required emission offsets, which Aerojet had not done.

In August 2005, two NOVs were issued for Rule 207 (Title V Federal Operating Permit Program). These NOVs documented that on numerous days at Aerojet’s motor dissection facility the process rate limit established by their Title V permit was exceeded.

Aerojet came into compliance after disclosing the above violations to the AQMD.

The settlement reached requires Aerojet to pay $85,200 as a civil penalty.

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation. Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

AQMD Reaches Settlement with California Retail Management

May 10, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with California Retail Management for violations that occurred at their facilities in Fair Oaks and Elk Grove.

These violations are the result of a new State law and a local rule requiring the upgrade of vapor recovery equipment on gasoline tanks. The firm is now in compliance with the cited state and local rules.

District Rule 448 requires gasoline dispensing facilities to upgrade their vapor recovery equipment to further capture benzene and other toxic gases that are harmful to human health. Details of the Rule are available at www.airquality.org.

California Retail Management was in violation at three Elk Grove locations and one Fair Oaks location. The settlement reached requires the business to pay $17,820 as a civil penalty.

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation. Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

AQMD Reaches Settlement with ByTheWay’s Manufacturing, Inc.

May 10, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with ByTheWay’s Manufacturing, Inc. for several violations that occurred from March 2005 – August 2005 at their Sacramento facility on Redding Ave.

Notices of Violation (NOV’s) were issued in March, June, July and August for violations of Rule 201 (General Permit Requirements). Specifically, the NOV’s documented that ByTheWay’s Manufacturing operated dust control equipment without an AQMD permit.

The settlement reached requires a payment of $12,960 as a civil penalty.

Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

Spare The Air Survey: Citizen’s Actions Improve Air Quality

April 27, 2006

Sacramento , CA – Touting the positive results of a recently released Spare The Air survey, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Executive Director Larry Greene announced today that the Spare The Air advisory campaign has been effective in encouraging Sacramento area residents to take proactive steps to improve air quality.

The Spare The Air campaign is working, as citizens are listening, learning and taking proactive steps to reduce poor air quality in the Sacramento metro area. In light of the positive news, the AQMD wants to continue working to increase awareness and maintain the momentum and success of the Spare The Air initiative.

“We’re pleased that a quarter of our citizens are heeding the call to drive less on Spare The Air days, but we need to increase that percentage,” said Greene. “While our survey shows positive behavior change from many residents, we cannot sit still while people in the Sacramento region continue to suffer from health effects when air quality is poor. Our goal is to make sure everyone knows that simple steps can truly make a difference in the air we breathe.”

The survey, which was conducted by phone after 13 Spare The Air days during the summer of 2005, concluded that public awareness of the 10-year-old campaign increased significantly over 2004. Nearly a quarter of the respondents in the Sacramento region reported that they drove less on Spare The Air days, which are called when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is forecast to reach 127. The result of their driving reduction was a decrease in air pollution by an estimated 0.27 tons of ozone precursors per day, specifically attributed to the Spare The Air campaign.

The Spare The Air campaign offers simple steps that we can all do to improve air quality in the Sacramento region. These include:

• Reduce driving
• Carpool
• Use transportation alternatives such as buses and light rail
• Telecommute
• Reduce use of gas-powered tools and recreational equipment

The aim of the campaign is to encourage the public to take responsibility for reducing the amount of ground-level ozone pollution during the summer smog season, which runs from May 1 to October 31. Mobile source emissions caused by cars, trucks, motorcycles, construction equipment and agricultural equipment produce approximately 70% of our air pollution problem. Motorists are encouraged to reduce driving when a Spare The Air advisory is issued. This reduces pollution and improves public health.

Here are some of the survey’s highlights:

• More than 6 our of 10 respondents (63 percent) said that they had heard, read or seen advertisements about Spare The Air during the 2005 season, a significant increase over 2004 (56 percent).
• Twenty-four percent of all respondents in the region said that they drove less on Spare The Air days, the highest percentage in the past six years.
• Drivers who purposefully reduced driving on Spare The Air days avoided making an average of 3.0 single trips each, translating into an average of 37,490 trips avoided on each Spare The Air day in 2005.
• An additional 60,070 households in the region experienced breathing problems during Spare The Air days.
• Eighteen percent of employees responding said their employers encourage them to drive less on days of poor air quality. While this is an increase, it’s only two percent higher than the previous two years, which means further efforts to increase employer participation are warranted.

Here are more tips for how to help reduce air pollution:

• Make fewer trips. Your car emits far more pollution in the first few minutes of operation before emission controls have warmed up and reached peak efficiency.
• Postpone errands on a Spare The Air day.
• Take your lunch to work and avoid a mid-day trip.
• Drive smoothly – this will save fuel and lower emissions.
• Use public transit or share a ride with a friend.
• Give your car regular tune-ups so the engine will pollute less.
• Change your car’s fuel filter and air filter at least once a year.
• Don’t top off your tank when you refuel.
• Refuel your car after dark when temperatures are cooler and evaporative emissions can’t react with sunlight to form ozone.
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated – properly inflated tires will reduce your car’s emissions by saving fuel.

CONTACT: Christina Ragsdale
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4810

AQMD Reaches Settlement on Asbestos Violations

April 12, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with D&S Development for violations that occurred in May 2005 at 10313 Folsom Blvd.

A Notice of Violation (NOV) was issued for Rule 902 (Asbestos). Specifically, the NOV documented the following violations:

Failure to notify the AQMD of the renovation and pay notification fees

• Failure to properly remove and dispose of regulated asbestos containing material (RACM)
• Failure to keep RACM adequately wet
• Failure to label and manifest asbestos containing waste
• Failure to store RACM in a leak-tight and labeled container, which is kept locked until collected
• Failure to prevent visible emissions of RACM
• Failure to post signs indicating the removal of RACM

The settlement reached requires D&S Development to pay $19,800 as a civil penalty.

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation. Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

California's Higher Standards are Needed

March 30, 2006

According to a new congressionally mandated report form the National Academies’ National Research Council, California's higher emission standards for cars, trucks, and off-road equipment is scientifically valid. California's standards -- which are generally stricter than the federal government's -- are still needed because of persistent pollution in parts of the state, said the committee that wrote the report.

California's standards also tend to spur the development of better emission-control technologies that benefit the rest of the nation, the committee noted. To view the briefing document click here (PDF 103 Kb).

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
Communications & Marketing Specialist
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
(916) 874-4812

AQMD Reaches Asbestos Settlement

March 28, 2006

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has reached a settlement with TCC Properties, Inc. and Rabaino Roofing for violations that occurred in October 2004.

A Notice of Violation (NOV) was issued for Rule 902 (Asbestos) at a building located at 8100 Madison Avenue during roofing demolition.

The NOV documented the failure to:

• conduct an asbestos survey prior to renovation
• notify the AQMD of the renovation and pay notification fees
• keep Regulated Asbestos Containing Material (RACM) adequately wet
• post signs indicating active RACM removal
• store RACM in a leak tight and labeled container
• remove and dispose of RACM properly
• prevent visible emissions of RACM
• have a certified on-site supervisor during asbestos removal

The settlement reached requires a payment of $18,000 as a civil penalty.

Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

CONTACT: Jamie Arno
AQMD Communications Office
916-874-4888 (Media Line)

Sacramento AQMD Will Track Its Own Emissions with CA Registry

March 7, 2006

SACRAMENTO , California – The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (Sacramento AQMD) has joined the California Climate Action Registry (Registry), a distinguished group of organizations demonstrating leadership by voluntarily taking action on climate change. As a member, Sacramento AQMD will work with the Registry to annually track, report and certify its greenhouse gas emissions, the main drivers of global warming.

The Sacramento AQMD is the lead agency for developing and implementing plans and programs to help the Sacramento region meet clean air goals. It strives not only to improve air quality in the region, but also works internally on innovative programs and projects to curb its own emissions. Sacramento AQMD has been designated as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters SM by the US Department of Transportation and was recently honored with a Clean Air Excellence Award by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The Registry, created by the California legislature in 2000, helps companies and organizations throughout the United States to track, publicly report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The results are certified by independent third-parties to ensure compliance with Registry protocols and standardization across participants and sectors. The Registry has been widely recognized as a gold standard for public reporting of greenhouse gases.

“ California's AQMDs have insured that millions of Californians breathe cleaner air and lead healthier lives. Climate change poses a new threat, and the Sacramento AQMD demonstrates leadership and integrity by ‘walking the talk’ by measuring and looking to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions” said Diane Wittenberg, President of the California Climate Action Registry.

“Sacramento AQMD is proud to join this important effort with the other Registry members” said Larry Greene, Executive Director of the Sacramento AQMD.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD) works cooperatively to coordinate the efforts of local, state and federal government agencies, the business community, and private citizens to achieve and maintain healthy air quality for Sacramento. www.airquality.org

The California Climate Action Registry is a non-profit public/private partnership that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry to protect, encourage, and promote early actions to reduce GHG emissions. Over 70 major companies, cities, government agencies and NGOs measure and publicly report their GHG emissions through the Registry. www.climateregistry.org