C. Air Quality
IV. Environmental Setting, Impacts and Mitigation Measures C. Air Quality This section discusses the potential impacts of the implementation of the Kaiser Permanente OMC Project on the local and regional air quality. As necessary, appropriate standard conditions of approval are also identified and discussed. Setting Regulatory Framework EPA is responsible for implementing the programs established under the federal Clean Air Act, such as establishing and reviewing the federal ambient air quality standards and judging the adequacy of State Implementation Plans (SIP). However, the EPA has delegated the authority to implement many of the federal programs to the states while retaining an oversight role to ensure that the programs continue to be implemented. In California, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is responsible for establishing and reviewing the state ambient air quality standards, developing and managing the California SIP, securing approval of this plan from U.S. EPA, and identifying TACs. (A notable exception exists for radioactive air contaminants as the EPA has retained its authority to enforce NESHAP requirements.) CARB also regulates mobile emissions sources in California, such as construction equipment, trucks, and automobiles, and oversees the activities of air quality management districts, which are organized at the county or regional level. An air quality management district is primarily responsible for regulating stationary emissions sources at facilities within its geographic areas and for preparing the air quality plans that are required under the federal Clean Air Act and California Clean Air Act. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) is the regional agency with regulatory authority over emission sources in the Bay Area, which includes all of San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and Napa counties and the southern half of Sonoma and southwestern half of Solano counties.
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