This notice is to inform you that the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is proposing to require, as best available control technology (BACT), the use of diesel fuel having a maximum sulfur content of 0.0015% by weight (15 ppm) to further control SOx and PM emissions from emergency, compression-ignition, internal-combustion (IC) engines (diesel engines) at a major polluting facility. The diesel engines will drive emergency firewater pumps at Ultramar’s Olympic Tank Farm, 1220 North Alameda Street, Wilmington, CA 90744.

AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County, Riverside County (excluding the easternmost portion located in the Mojave Desert APCD) and the non-desert portions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Anyone wishing to install or modify equipment that could control or be a source of air pollution within this region must first obtain a permit from AQMD.

Pursuant to AQMD Regulation XIII - "New Source Review", the Executive Officer shall deny the Permit to Construct for any new or modified sources which result in an emission increase of any non-attainment air contaminant, any ozone depleting compound or ammonia, unless BACT is employed.

Presently, ultra- low-sulfur diesel fuel containing a maximum 0.0015% by weight sulfur is available to municipal diesel bus fleets that have been retrofitted with catalytic exhaust control technology. Hence, the use of this type of diesel oil is considered achieved-in-practice for these mobile diesel engines. Based on technology transfer, the use of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel is also BACT for stationary, diesel engines. On or after June 1, 2004, all stationary source diesel fuel users will be required by AQMD Rule 431.2 to purchase only ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel.

Under the BACT Guidelines approved by the AQMD Governing Board in October 2000, the AQMD must distribute a public notice with a 30-day public comment period when a new, more stringent BACT is required in a permit. This document serves as a notice of the AQMD’s intent to require the use of ultra-low-sulfur (£ 15 ppm sulfur) to reduce the SOx as BACT for these emergency, diesel engines.

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed BACT determination for emergency diesel engines should submit the comments in writing within 30 days of the distribution date shown below. Submit written comments to Martin Kay, Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources, South Coast Air Quality Management District, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765-4182 or by email to mkay@aqmd.gov. If you have any questions about the project, contact Abe Udobot at (909) 396-3763 or by email at audobot@aqmd.gov. If you are concerned primarily about zoning decisions and the process by which the facility has been sited in this location, you should contact your local city or county planning department.

Distribution date: _______March 22, 2002_______