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.