Download - 3.3 Air Quality - acgov.org · Nitrogen dioxide Annual mean 0.030 ppm 0.053 ppm 0.053 ppm 1‐hour 0.18 ppm 0.100 ppm None Sulfur dioxidec Annual mean None 0.030 ppm None 24‐hour

Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis

Air Quality

APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.3‐1

October 2014ICF 00323.08

3.3 Air Quality Thissectiondescribestheregulatoryandenvironmentalsettingforairquality.Italsodescribesimpactsonairqualitythatwouldresultfromimplementationoftheprogramandthetwoindividualprojectsanddescribesmitigationforsignificantimpactswherefeasibleandappropriate.Mitigationmeasuresareprescribedwherefeasibleandappropriate.

GreenhousegasemissionsareconsideredseparatelyfromtheairqualityanalysisinthisPEIRinChapter3.7.

3.3.1 Existing Conditions

TheprogramareaiswithintheSanFranciscoBayAreaAirBasin(SFBAAB),whichencompassesanine‐countyregionconsistingofallofAlameda,ContraCosta,SantaClara,SanFrancisco,SanMateo,Marin,andNapaCountiesandthesouthernportionsofSolanoandSonomaCounties.BecausetruckstransportingsomecomponentsandaggregatewouldtravelfromthePortofStocktonandthecityofTracythroughportionsoftheSanJoaquinValleyAirBasin(SJVAB)totheprogramarea,thestudyareaalsoincludestheSJVAB.

Regulatory Setting

TheairqualitymanagementagenciesofdirectimportanceinAlamedaCountyareEPA,theCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(ARB),andtheBayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict(BAAQMD).EPAhasestablishedfederalairqualitystandardsforwhichARBandBAAQMDhaveprimaryimplementationresponsibility.ARBandBAAQMDarealsoresponsibleforensuringthatstateairqualitystandardsaremet.TheSanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict(SJVAPCD)hasjurisdictionovertheSJVAB.

Federal

Clean Air Act and National Ambient Air Quality Standards

ThefederalCleanAirAct(CAA),promulgatedin1963andamendedseveraltimesthereafter,includingthe1990CleanAirActamendments(CAAA),establishestheframeworkformodernairpollutioncontrol.TheActdirectsEPAtoestablishNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards(NAAQS)forthesixcriteriapollutants(discussedinSection3.3.2,EnvironmentalSetting).TheNAAQSaredividedintoprimaryandsecondarystandards;theformeraresettoprotecthumanhealthwithinanadequatemarginofsafety,andthelattertoprotectenvironmentalvalues,suchasplantandanimallife.Table3.3‐1summarizestheNAAQSandtheCaliforniaAmbientAirQualityStandards(CAAQS).

TheCAArequiresstatestosubmitastateimplementationplan(SIP)forareasinnonattainmentforfederalstandards.TheSIP,whichisreviewedandapprovedbyEPA,mustdemonstratehowthefederalstandardswouldbeachieved.Failingtosubmitaplanorsecureapprovalcanleadtodenialoffederalfundingandpermits.IncaseswheretheSIPfailstodemonstrateachievementofthestandards,EPAisdirectedtoprepareafederalimplementationplan.


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Table 3.3‐1. National and State Ambient Air Quality Standards

CriteriaPollutant AverageTimeCaliforniaStandards

NationalStandardsa

Primary Secondary

Ozone 1‐hour 0.09ppm Noneb Noneb

8–hour 0.070ppm 0.075ppm 0.075ppm

Particulatematter(PM10) 24‐hour 50g/m3 150g/m3 150g/m3

Annualmean 20g/m3 None None

Fineparticulatematter(PM2.5) 24‐hour None 35g/m3 35g/m3

Annualmean 12g/m3 12.0g/m3 15g/m3

Carbonmonoxide 8‐hour 9.0ppm 9ppm None

1‐hour 20ppm 35ppm None

Nitrogendioxide Annualmean 0.030ppm 0.053ppm 0.053ppm

1‐hour 0.18ppm 0.100ppm None

Sulfurdioxidec Annualmean None 0.030ppm None


3‐hour None None 0.5ppm


Lead 30‐dayAverage 1.5g/m3 None None

Calendarquarter None 1.5g/m3 1.5g/m3

3‐monthaverage None 0.15g/m3 0.15g/m3

Sulfates 24‐hour 25g/m3 None None

Visibility‐reducingparticles 8‐hour –d None None

Hydrogensulfide 1‐hour 0.03ppm None None

Vinylchloride 24‐hour 0.01ppm None None

Source:CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2013a.ppm = partspermillion.g/m3 = microgramspercubicmeter.a Nationalstandardsaredividedintoprimaryandsecondarystandards.Primarystandardsareintendedtoprotectpublichealth,whereassecondarystandardsareintendedtoprotectpublicwelfareandtheenvironment.

b Thefederal1‐hourstandardof12partsperhundredmillionwasineffectfrom1979throughJune15,2005.Therevokedstandardisreferencedbecauseitwasemployedforsuchalongperiodandabenchmarkforstateimplementationplans.

c Theannualand24‐hourNAAQSforSO2applyonlyforoneyearafterdesignationofthenew1‐hourstandardtothoseareasthatwerepreviouslynonattainmentareasforthe24‐hourandannualNAAQS.

d TheCAAQSforvisibility‐reducingparticlesisdefinedbyanextinctioncoefficientof0.23perkilometer(visibilityof10milesormoreduetoparticleswhenrelativehumidityislessthan70%).

Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule

Toreduceemissionsfromoffroaddieselequipment,EPAestablishedaseriesofincreasinglystrictemissionstandardsfornewengines.Locomotivesandmarinevesselsareexemptfromthisrule.Manufacturersofoffroaddieselenginesarerequiredtoproduceenginesmeetingcertainemission


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standardsbasedonthemodelyeartheenginewasmanufacturedbasedonthefollowingcomplianceschedule.

Tier1standardswerephasedinfrom1996to2000(yearofmanufacture),dependingontheenginehorsepowercategory.

Tier2standardswerephasedinfrom2001to2006.

Tier3standardswerephasedinfrom2006to2008.

Tier4standards,whichrequireadd‐onemissions‐controlequipmenttoattainthem,arecurrentlybeingphasedin,from2008to2015.

State

California Clean Air Act and California Ambient Air Quality Standards

In1988,thestatelegislatureadoptedtheCaliforniaCleanAirAct(CCAA),whichestablishedastatewideairpollutioncontrolprogram.UnlikethefederalCAA,theCCAAdoesnotsetpreciseattainmentdeadlines.Instead,theCCAArequiresallairdistrictsinthestatetoendeavortomeettheCAAQSbytheearliestpracticaldate.Eachairdistrict’scleanairplanisspecificallydesignedtoattainthestandardsandmustbedesignedtoachieveanannual5%reductionindistrict‐wideemissionsofeachnonattainmentpollutantoritsprecursors.Whenanairdistrictisunabletoachievea5%annualreductionindistrict‐wideemissionsofeachnonattainmentpollutantoritsprecursors,theadoptionof“allfeasiblemeasures”onanexpeditiousscheduleisacceptableasanalternativestrategy(HealthandSafetyCodeSection40914(b)(2)).CAAQSaregenerallymorestringentthantheNAAQSandincorporateadditionalstandardsforSO4,H2S,C2H3Cl,andvisibility‐reducingparticles.TheCAAQSandNAAQSarelistedtogetherinTable3.3‐1.

ARBandlocalairdistrictsbearresponsibilityforachievingtheCAAQSs,whicharetobeachievedthroughdistrict‐levelairqualitymanagementplansthatwouldbeincorporatedintotheSIP.InCalifornia,EPAhasdelegatedauthoritytoprepareSIPstoARB,which,inturn,hasdelegatedthatauthoritytoindividualairdistricts.ARBtraditionallyhasestablishedstateairqualitystandards,maintainingoversightauthorityinairqualityplanning,developingprogramsforreducingemissionsfrommotorvehicles,developingairemissioninventories,collectingairqualityandmeteorologicaldata,andapprovingSIPs.

TheCCAAsubstantiallyaddstotheauthorityandresponsibilitiesofairdistricts.TheCCAAdesignatesairdistrictsasleadairqualityplanningagencies,requiresairdistrictstoprepareairqualityplans,andgrantsairdistrictsauthoritytoimplementtransportationcontrolmeasures.TheCCAAalsoemphasizesthecontrolof“indirectandarea‐widesources”ofairpollutantemissions.TheCCAAgiveslocalairpollutioncontroldistrictsexplicitauthoritytoregulateindirectsourcesofairpollutionandtoestablishtrafficcontrolmeasures(TCMs).

Statewide Truck and Bus Regulation

Originallyadoptedin2005,theonroadtruckandbusregulationrequiresheavytruckstoberetrofittedwithparticulatematter(PM)filters.Theregulationappliestoprivatelyandfederallyowneddieselfueledtruckswithagrossvehicleweightrating(GWR)greaterthan14,000pounds.Compliancewiththeregulationcanbereachedthroughoneoftwopaths:(1)vehicleretrofitsaccordingtoengineyear,or(2)phase‐inschedule.CompliancepathsensurethatbyJanuary2023,nearlyalltrucksandbuseswillhave2010modelyearenginesornewer.


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State Tailpipe Emission Standards

Toreduceemissionsfromoffroaddieselequipment,onroaddieseltrucks,andharborcraft,ARBestablishedaseriesofincreasinglystrictemissionstandardsfornewengines.Newconstructionequipmentusedfortheprogram,includingheavydutytrucksandoffroadconstructionequipment,willberequiredtocomplywiththestandards.

Toxic Air Containment Regulation

Californiaregulatestoxicaircontainments(TACs)primarilythroughtheTannerAirToxicsAct(AssemblyBill[AB]1807)andtheAirToxicsHotSpotsInformationandAssessmentActof1987(AB2588).Intheearly1980s,ARBestablishedastatewidecomprehensiveairtoxicsprogramtoreduceexposuretoairtoxics.TheToxicAirContaminantIdentificationandControlAct(AB1807)createdCalifornia’sprogramtoreduceexposuretoairtoxics.TheAirToxics“HotSpots”InformationandAssessmentAct(AB2588)supplementstheAB1807programbyrequiringastatewideairtoxicsinventory,notificationofpeopleexposedtoasignificanthealthrisk,andfacilityplanstoreducetheserisks.

InAugust1998,ARBidentifieddieselparticulatematter(DPM)emissionsfromdiesel‐fueledenginesasaTAC.InSeptember2000,ARBapprovedacomprehensivedieselriskreductionplantoreduceemissionsfrombothnewandexistingdiesel‐fueledenginesandvehicles(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2000).ThegoaloftheplanistoreducedieselPM10(respirableparticulatematter)emissionsandtheassociatedhealthriskby75%in2010andby85%by2020.Theplanidentifies14measuresthattargetnewandexistingonroadvehicles(e.g.,heavy‐dutytrucksandbuses),offroadequipment(e.g.,graders,tractors,forklifts,sweepers,andboats),portableequipment(e.g.,pumps),andstationaryengines(e.g.,stand‐bypowergenerators).ARBwillimplementtheplanoverthenextseveralyears.BecausetheARBmeasuresareenactedpriortoconstruction,theprogramwouldberequiredtocomplywithapplicabledieselcontrolmeasures.

TheTannerActsetsforthaformalprocedureforARBtodesignatesubstancesasTACs.Theprocedureentailsresearch,publicparticipation,andscientificpeerreviewbeforeARBdesignatesasubstanceasaTAC.Todate,ARBhasidentified21TACsandhasalsoadoptedEPA’slistofhazardousairpollutants(HAPs)asTACs.InAugust1998,DPMwasaddedtotheARBlistofTACs(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard1998).

TheHotSpotsActrequiresthatexistingfacilitiesthatemittoxicsubstancesabovespecifiedlevelscompletethefollowingsteps.

Prepareatoxicemissioninventory.

Prepareariskassessmentifemissionsaresignificant(i.e.,10tonsperyearorifthetoxicsubstanceisonDistrict’sHealthRiskAssessment[HRA]list).

Notifythepublicofsignificantrisklevels.

Prepareandimplementriskreductionmeasures.

ARBhasadoptedseveralregulationsthatwillreducedieselemissionsfromin‐usevehiclesandenginesthroughoutCalifornia.Forexample,ARBadoptedanidlingregulationforonroaddiesel‐fueledcommercialvehiclesinJuly2004andupdateditinOctober2005.TheregulationappliestopublicandprivatelyownedtruckswithaGWRgreaterthan10,000pounds.Vehiclessubjecttotheregulationareprohibitedfromidlingformorethan5minutesinanyonelocation.ARBalsoadopted


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aregulationfordiesel‐poweredconstructionandminingvehiclesoperating.Fleetownersaresubjecttoretrofitoracceleratedreplacement/repowerrequirementsforwhichARBmustobtainauthorizationfromEPApriortoenforcement.Theregulationalsoimposesa5‐minuteidlinglimitationonowners,operators,andrentersorlesseesofoffroaddieselvehicles.Insomecases,theparticulatematterreductionstrategiesalsoreducesmog‐formingemissionssuchasNOX.Asanongoingprocess,ARBreviewsaircontaminantsandidentifiesthosethatareclassifiedasTACs.ARBalsocontinuestoestablishnewprogramsandregulationsforthecontrolofTACs,includingDPMs,asappropriate.

Local

Bay Area Air Quality Management District

BAAQMDhaslocalairqualityjurisdictionoverprojectsinAlamedaCounty.BAAQMD’sresponsibilitiesincludeoverseeingstationary‐sourceemissions,approvingpermits,maintainingemissionsinventories,maintainingairqualitystations,overseeingagriculturalburningpermits,andreviewingairquality–relatedsectionsofenvironmentaldocumentsrequiredbyCEQA.BAAQMDisalsoresponsibleforestablishingandenforcinglocalairqualityrulesandregulationsthataddresstherequirementsoffederalandstateairqualitylawsandensuringthattheNAAQSandCAAQSaremet.

TheBAAQMDrulesoutlinedbelowmayapplytotheprogram.AdditionalBAAQMDrulesmayapplyasproject‐specificcomponentsareidentified.

Regulation2,Rule2(NewSourceReview).ThisregulationcontainsrequirementsforBestAvailableControlTechnologyandemissionoffsets.

Regulation2,Rule5(NewSourceReviewofToxicAirContaminants).ThisregulationoutlinesguidanceforevaluatingTACemissionsandtheirpotentialhealthrisks.

Regulation6,Rule1(ParticulateMatter).ThisregulationrestrictsemissionsofPMdarkerthanNo.1ontheRinglemannCharttolessthan3minutesinany1hour.

Regulation7(OdorousSubstances).Thisregulationestablishesgeneralodorlimitationsonodoroussubstancesandspecificemissionlimitationsoncertainodorouscompounds.

Regulation9,Rule8(StationaryInternalCombustionEngines).ThisregulationlimitsemissionsofNOXandCOfromstationaryinternalcombustionenginesofmorethan50horsepower.

TheBayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrictCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActAirQualityGuidelines(BAAQMDGuidelines)provideproceduresforassessingairqualityimpactsandpreparingtheairqualitysectionsofenvironmentaldocumentsunderCEQA.Theguidelinesidentifymethodologiesforpredictingprojectemissionsandimpactsandpresentmeasuresthatcanbeusedtoavoidorreduceairqualityimpacts.AlsooutlinedintheBAAQMDGuidelinesareadvisoryemissionsthresholdsthatthedistricthasadoptedtohelpCEQAleadagenciesdeterminewhetherconstructionandoperationalactivitiesassociatedwithprojectswouldhavesignificantadverseenvironmentalimpacts(BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict2011).

InAugust2013,theFirstDistrictCourtofAppealsreversedalowersuperiorcourtrulingthattheBAAQMDneededtocomplywithCEQApriortoadoptingits2010AirQualityGuidelinesandsignificancethresholds,therebyissuingawritofmandateorderingBAAQMDtosetasidethe


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thresholdsandceasetheirdisseminationuntilBAAQMDcompliedwithCEQA.However,theAppellatecourtruledthatadoptionoftheguidelinesandthresholdsisnotconsideredaprojectsubjecttoCEQAreview,andadoptionofthesignificancethresholdswasnotarbitraryandcapricious.AsofNovember2013,theBAAQMDhasyettoformallyre‐recommenditsAirQualityGuidelinesandsignificancethresholdsforusebylocalagencies,buttheyarenowauthorizedtodosobytheAppellatecourt.

OtherairqualityplansBAAQMDhasadoptedincludetheBayArea2001OzoneAttainmentPlan(OzonePlan),aimedatreducingozoneandachievingtheNAAQSozonestandard.TheARBpreparedaRedesignationRequest,AttainmentDemonstration,andMaintenancePlanforcarbonmonoxide(CO)in1996thatincludesstrategiestoensurecontinuingattainmentoftheNAAQSforCO;thisplanwassubsequentlyrevisedin1998and2004.In2010,thedistrictalsoadoptedthe2010CleanAirPlan,whichupdatestheOzonePlanandprovidesanintegrated,multi‐pollutantstrategytoimproveairquality,protectpublichealth,andprotecttheclimate.

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District

SJVAPCDistheregionalairqualityagencywithjurisdictionovertheSJVAB.AlthoughtheprogramareaislocatedwithinBAAQMD’sjurisdiction,itisassumedthattruckstransportingsomecomponentsandaggregatewouldtravelfromthePortofStocktonandthecityofTracythroughportionsoftheSJVABtotheprogramarea.BecausetheprogramareaislocatedintheSFBAAB,theSJVAPCDrulesandcleanairplanswouldnotbeapplicabletotheprogram.However,inordertodiscloseairqualityimpactswithintheSJVAB,thisanalysisincludesdiscussionofpotentialimpactsassociatedwithheavy‐dutytruckemissionsthatwouldbegeneratedwithintheSJVAB.Inaddition,becausetheSJVABisdownwindoftheprojectsitesomeemissionsthatareemittedattheprojectsitewithintheSFBAABwouldlikelydriftintotheSJVABthroughaprocessknownastransport.TheARBhasidentifiedtheSFBAABasatransportcontributortotheSJVAB(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2009).FordetailedstudiesofpollutanttransportwithinCalifornia,pleaserefertohttp://www.arb.ca.gov/aqd/transport/transport.htm.However,itisextremelydifficultandwouldbespeculativetodeterminethequantityofemissionsthatwilltraverseairbasinboundariesduetothehighvariabilityinwindpatternsandlocalweather.Therefore,theseemissionswerenotestimated.ProjectemissionsthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABareassessedusingsignificancethresholdsidentifiedinSJVAPCD’sGuideforAssessingandMitigatingAirQualityImpacts(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002).

Alameda County General Plan—East County Area Plan

TheECAP,apartoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan,containsairqualitygoalsandpoliciestoaddressairpollutionconcernsintheeasternareaofthecounty.TheECAPairqualitygoalisto“ensurethatairpollutionlevelsdonotthreatenpublichealthandsafety,economicdevelopment,orfuturegrowth”(AlamedaCounty2000:70).TheECAPwaslastrevisedin2000bythevoterinitiativeMeasureD;however,itdidnotresultinanychangestopoliciesregardingairquality.ECAPpoliciesapplicabletotheprogramincludethoselistedbelow(AlamedaCounty2000:70–71).

Policy296:TheCountyshallreviewthecumulativeimpactofproposedprojectsfortheirpotentialeffectonairqualityconditions.

Policy297:TheCountyshallcoordinateairqualityplanningeffortswithotherlocal,regionalandstateagencies.


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Policy300:TheCountyshallreviewproposedprojectsfortheirpotentialtogeneratehazardousairpollutants.

Policy302:TheCountyshallincludebufferzoneswithinnewresidentialandsensitivereceptorsiteplanstoseparatethoseusesfromfreeways,arterials,pointsourcesandhazardousmateriallocations.

Policy303:TheCountyshallincorporatetheprovisionsoftheAssociationofBayAreaGovernment's(ABAG)BayAreaAirQualityPlanandtheBayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict's(BAAQMD)AirQualityandUrbanDevelopmentGuidelinesintoprojectreviewprocedures.

Policy304:TheCountyshallnotifycitiesandtheBayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict(BAAQMD)ofproposedprojectswhichmaysignificantlyaffectairquality.

Environmental Setting

Regional Topography, Meteorology, and Climate

Thetopographyoftheprogramareaisdominatedbynorthwest‐southeast‐trendingridgelinesthatreachanelevationofapproximately800to1,400feetabovemeansealevel(msl).Theelevationsofinterveningvalleybottomsintheprogramareaarefromapproximately400to800feetabovemsl.TheclimateoftheSFBAABisdeterminedlargelybyahigh‐pressuresystemthatisalmostalwayspresentovertheeasternPacificOceanoffthewestcoastofNorthAmerica.Highpressuresystemsarecharacterizedbyanupperlayerofdryairthatwarmsasitdescends,whichrestrictsthemobilityofcoolermarine‐influencedairnearthegroundsurfaceandresultsintheformationofsubsidenceinversions.Duringthewinter,thePacifichigh‐pressuresystemshiftssouthward,therebyallowingstormstopassthroughtheregion.Duringsummerandfall,emissionsgeneratedwithintheSFBAABcancombinewithabundantsunshineundertherestraininginfluencesoftopographyandsubsidenceinversionstocreateconditionsthatareconducivetotheformationofphotochemicalpollutants,suchasozone.

Theprogramareaisgenerallywell‐ventilatedbywinds.Winterprevailingwinddirectionsspanthenorth‐northeastthrougheast‐northeastsectors,causedbydrainageoffofthehillsandflowoutoftheAltamontPass.Duringthesummermonths,coldwaterupwellingalongthecoastandhotinlandtemperaturescancauseastrongonshorepressuregradientthattranslatesintoastrong,afternoonwind.BAAQMDoperatesaregionalairqualitymonitoringnetwork;thecloseststationtotheprogramareaistheLivermoreMonitoringStationonRinconAvenueintheCityofLivermore,whichisapproximately9milestothesouth‐southwest.InLivermore,over70%ofthewindisfromthesouth‐southwesttowest‐southwest,andbytheafternoon,35%ofthewindspeedisabout11milesperhour(mph).However,theprogramareatendstobeareceptorofozoneandozoneprecursorsfromSanFrancisco,Alameda,westernandnorthernContraCostaCounty,andSantaClaraCountyand,duringthesummermonths,temperaturestendtobewarm,whichpromotestheformationofozone(BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict2010).Inturn,theSJVABandtheCentralValleyingeneralthatisdownwindoftheprogramareaalsoisareceptorofthesesamepollutants,accumulat‐ingwithemissionsfromtheTri‐ValleyareaandtosomedegreenorthernContraCostaCountyandsouthernSolanoCounty.TheARBhasidentifiedtheSFBAABasatransportcontributortotheSacramentoregion,theMountainCountiesAirBasin,theNorthCentralCoastAirBasin,theNorthCoastAirBasin,theSanJoaquinValleyAirBasin,andtheSouthCentralCoastAirBasin(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2010).


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TemperatureandprecipitationdatacollectedinLivermoreindicatethattheprogramareatypicallyhasaveragemaximumandminimumwinter(i.e.,January)temperaturesof57and37degreesFahrenheit(°F),respectively,whileaveragesummer(i.e.,July)maximumandminimumtemperaturesare89and54°F,respectively.Precipitationintheprogramareaaveragesapproximately14inchesperyear(WesternRegionalClimateCenter2013).

Air Pollutants of Concern

ThefederalgovernmenthasestablishedNAAQS,andthestatehasestablishedCAAQS,respectively,forsixcriteriapollutants:ozone,CO,lead(Pb),nitrogendioxide(NO2),sulfurdioxide(SO2),andPM.

OzoneandNO2areconsideredregionalpollutantsbecausethey(ortheirprecursors)affectairqualityonaregionalscale;NO2reactsphotochemicallywithreactiveorganicgases(ROGs)toformozone,andthisreactionoccursatsomedistancedownwindofthesourceofpollutants.PollutantssuchasCO,SO2,andPbareconsideredtobelocalpollutantsthattendtoaccumulateintheairlocally.PMisconsideredtobealocalaswellasaregionalpollutant.

Theprimarypollutantsofconcerninthestudyareaareozone(includingnitrogenoxides[NOX]),CO,andPM.Principalcharacteristicssurroundingthesepollutantsarediscussedbelow.TACsarealsodiscussed,althoughnoairqualitystandardsexistforthesepollutants.

Ozone

Ozoneisarespiratoryirritantthatcancausesevereear,nose,andthroatirritationandincreasesusceptibilitytorespiratoryinfections.Itisalsoanoxidantthatcancauseextensivedamagetoplantsthroughleafdiscolorationandcelldamage.Itcancausesubstantialdamagetoothermaterialsaswell,suchassyntheticrubberandtextiles.

Ozoneisnotemitteddirectlyintotheairbutisformedbyaphotochemicalreactionintheatmosphere.Ozoneprecursors—ROGandNOX—reactintheatmosphereinthepresenceofsunlighttoformozone.Becausephotochemicalreactionratesdependontheintensityofultravioletlightandairtemperature,ozoneisprimarilyasummerairpollutionproblem.Theozoneprecursors,ROGandNOX,aremainlyemittedbymobilesourcesandbystationarycombustionequipment.

Hydrocarbonsareorganicgasesthataremadeupofhydrogenandcarbonatoms.Thereareseveralsubsetsoforganicgases,includingROGsandvolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs).ROGsaredefinedbystaterulesandregulations;VOCsaredefinedbyfederalrulesandregulations.Forthepurposesofthisassessment,hydrocarbonsareclassifiedandreferredtoasROGs.BothROGsandVOCsareemittedfromtheincompletecombustionofhydrocarbonsorothercarbon‐basedfuelsorasaproductofchemicalprocesses.Themajorsourcesofhydrocarbonsarecombustionengineexhaust,oilrefineries,andoil‐fueledpowerplants;othercommonsourcesarepetroleumfuels,solvents,dry‐cleaningsolutions,andpaint(throughevaporation).

Thehealtheffectsofhydrocarbonsresultfromtheformationofozone.Highlevelsofhydrocarbonsintheatmospherecaninterferewithoxygenintakebyreducingtheamountofavailableoxygenthoughdisplacement.CarcinogenicformsofhydrocarbonsareconsideredTACs.TherearenoseparatehealthstandardsforROGs,althoughsomearealsotoxic;forexample,benzeneisbothaROGandacarcinogen.


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Nitrogen Oxides

Nitrogenoxidesareafamilyofhighlyreactivegasesthatareaprimaryprecursortotheformationofground‐levelozoneandreactintheatmospheretoformacidrain.Nitrogendioxide,oftenusedinterchangeablywithNOX,isabrownish,highlyreactivegasthatispresentinallurbanenvironments.ThemajorhumansourcesofNO2arecombustiondevices,suchasboilers,gasturbines,andmobileandstationaryreciprocatinginternalcombustionengines.Combustiondevicesemitprimarilynitricoxide(NO),whichreactsthroughoxidationintheatmospheretoformNO2(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2013a).ThecombinedemissionsofNOandNO2arereferredtoasNOXandreportedasequivalentNO2.BecauseNO2isformedanddepletedbyreactionsassociatedwithozone,theNO2concentrationinaparticulargeographicalareamaynotberepresentativeoflocalNOXemissionsources.

InhalationisthemostcommonrouteofexposuretoNO2.BecauseNO2hasrelativelylowsolubilityinwater,theprincipalsiteoftoxicityisinthelowerrespiratorytract.Theseverityoftheadversehealtheffectsprimarilydependsontheconcentrationinhaledratherthanthedurationofexposure.Anindividualmayexperienceavarietyofacutesymptoms,suchascoughing,difficultybreathing,vomiting,headache,andeyeirritationduringorshortlyafterexposure.Afteraperiodofapproximately4to12hours,anexposedindividualmayexperiencechemicalpneumonitisorpulmonaryedemawithbreathingabnormalities,cough,cyanosis,chestpain,andrapidheartbeat.SeveresymptomaticNO2intoxicationafteracuteexposurehasbeenlinkedtoprolongedrespiratoryimpairment,withsuchsymptomsasemphysema,bronchitis,andaggravatingexistingheatdisease(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2013b).

Carbon Monoxide

CarbonMonoxide(CO),acolorlessandodorlessgas,interfereswiththetransferofoxygentothebrain.Itcancausedizzinessandfatigueandcanimpaircentralnervoussystemfunctions.COisemittedalmostexclusivelyfromtheincompletecombustionoffossilfuels.Inurbanareas,motorvehicles,powerplants,refineries,industrialboilers,ships,aircraft,andtrainsemitCO.AutomobileexhaustreleasesmostoftheCOinurbanareas.COisanonreactiveairpollutantthatdissipatesrelativelyquickly,soambientCOconcentrationsgenerallyfollowthespatialandtemporaldistributionsofvehiculartraffic.COconcentrationsareinfluencedbylocalmeteorologicalconditions—primarilywindspeed,topography,andatmosphericstability.COfrommotorvehicleexhaustcanbecomelocallyconcentratedwhensurface‐basedtemperatureinversionsarecombinedwithcalmatmosphericconditions,atypicalsituationatduskinurbanareasbetweenNovemberandFebruary.BecausemotorvehiclesarethedominantsourceofCOemissions,COhotspotsarenormallylocatednearroadsandfreewayswithhightrafficvolume.

Particulate Matter

Particulatematterpollutionconsistsofverysmallliquidandsolidparticlesfloatingintheair,whichcanincludesmoke,soot,dust,salts,acids,andmetals.PMalsoformswhengasesemittedfromindustriesandmotorvehiclesundergochemicalreactionsintheatmosphere.Particulatematterlessthan10micronsindiameter,about1/7thethicknessofahumanhair,isreferredtoasPM10.Particulatematterthatis2.5micronsorlessindiameter,roughly1/28thediameterofahumanhair,isreferredtoasPM2.5.MajorsourcesofPM10includemotorvehicles;woodburningstovesandfireplaces;dustfromconstruction,landfills,andagriculture;wildfiresandbrush/wasteburning;industrialsources;windblowndustfromopenlands;andatmosphericchemicalandphotochemicalreactions.PM2.5resultsfromfuelcombustion(frommotorvehicles,powergeneration,and


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industrialfacilities),residentialfireplaces,andwoodstoves.Inaddition,PM10andPM2.5canbeformedintheatmospherefromgasessuchasSO2,NOX,andVOCs.

PM10andPM2.5poseagreaterhealthriskthanlarger‐sizeparticles.Wheninhaled,thesetinyparticlescanpenetratethehumanrespiratorysystem’snaturaldefensesanddamagetherespiratorytract.PM10andPM2.5canincreasethenumberandseverityofasthmaattacks,causeoraggravatebronchitisandotherlungdiseases,andreducethebody’sabilitytofightinfections.Verysmallparticlesofsubstances,suchaslead,sulfates,andnitrates,cancauselungdamagedirectly.Thesesubstancescanbeabsorbedintothebloodstreamandcausedamageelsewhereinthebody;theycanalsotransportabsorbedgasessuchaschloridesorammoniumintothelungsandcauseinjury.Whereasparticles2.5to10micronsindiametertendtocollectintheupperportionoftherespiratorysystem,particles2.5micronsorlessaresotinythattheycanpenetratedeeperintothelungsanddamagelungtissues.Suspendedparticulatesalsodamageanddiscolorsurfacesonwhichtheysettle,andcontributetohazeandreduceregionalvisibility.

Toxic Air Contaminants

AlthoughNAAQSandCAAQSexistforcriteriapollutants,noambientstandardsexistforTACs.ManypollutantsareidentifiedasTACsbecauseoftheirpotentialtoincreasetheriskofdevelopingcancerorotheracute(short‐term)orchronic(long‐term)healthproblems.ForTACsthatareknownorsuspectedcarcinogens,ARBhasconsistentlyfoundthattherearenolevelsorthresholdsbelowwhichexposureisriskfree.IndividualTACsvarygreatlyintheriskstheypresent;atagivenlevelofexposure,oneTACmayposeahazardthatismanytimesgreaterthananother.ForcertainTACs,aunitriskfactorcanbedevelopedtoevaluatecancerrisk.Foracuteandchronichealtheffects,asimilarfactor,calledaHazardIndex,isusedtoevaluaterisk.TACsareidentifiedandtheirtoxicityisstudiedbytheCaliforniaOfficeofEnvironmentalHealthHazardAssessment(OEHHA).ExamplesofTACsourcesincludeindustrialprocesses,drycleaners,gasolinestations,paintandsolventoperations,andfossilfuelcombustionsources.

Sulfur Oxides

Sulfuroxidesareanyofseveralcompoundsofsulfurandoxygen,ofwhichthemostrelevanttoairqualityisSO2.SO2isarespiratoryirritantthatcausesthebronchiolestoconstrictwithinhalationat5partspermillion(ppm)ormore.Oncontactwiththemoistmucousmembranes,SO2producessulfurousacid,whichisadirectirritant.Concentrationratherthandurationoftheexposureisanimportantdeterminantofrespiratoryeffects.ExposuretohighSO2concentrationsmayresultinedemaofthelungsorglottisandrespiratoryparalysis.SO2isproducedbycoalandoilcombustionandsuchstationarysourcesassteelmills,refineries,andpulpandpapermills.

Lead

Lead(Pb)isametalthatisanaturalconstituentofair,water,andthebiosphere.Leadisneithercreatednordestroyedintheenvironment,soitpersistsforever.Leadwasusedseveraldecadesagotoincreasetheoctaneratinginautomotivefuel;therefore,gasoline‐poweredautomobileengineswereamajorsourceofairbornelead.Sincetheuseofleadedfuelhasbeenmostlyphasedout,theambientconcentrationsofleadhavedroppeddramatically.

Short‐termexposuretohighlevelsofleadcancausevomiting,diarrhea,convulsions,coma,orevendeath.However,evensmallamountsofleadcanbeharmful,especiallytoinfants,youngchildren,andpregnantwomen.Leadexposureismostseriousforyoungchildrenbecausetheyabsorblead


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moreeasilythanadultsandaremoresusceptibletoitsharmfuleffects.Evenlow‐levelexposuremayharmtheintellectualdevelopment,behavior,size,andhearingofinfants.Duringpregnancy,especiallyinthelasttrimester,leadcanadverselyaffectthefetus.Femaleworkersexposedtohighlevelsofleadhavemoremiscarriagesandstillbirths.

Symptomsoflong‐termexposuretolowerleadlevelsmaybelessnoticeablebutarestillserious.Anemiaiscommon,anddamagetothenervoussystemmaycauseimpairedmentalfunction.Othersymptomsareappetiteloss,abdominalpain,constipation,fatigue,sleeplessness,irritability,andheadache.Continuedexcessiveexposure,asinanindustrialsetting,canaffectthekidneys.

Diesel Particulate Matter

In1998,ARBidentifiedDPMasatoxicaircontaminant(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard1998).Onastatewidebasis,theaveragepotentialcancerriskassociatedwithDPMismorethan500potentialcasespermillionpeople.TheOEHHAestimatedthepotentialcancerriskfroma70‐yearexposuretoDPMataconcentrationof1microgrampercubicmeter(µg/m3)rangesfrom130to2,400excesscancercasespermillionpeople.Ascientificreviewpanelconcludedthatanappropriatepointestimateofunitriskfora70‐yearexposuretoDPMis300excesscancercasespermillionpeople(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2000).

TheDPMofgreatesthealthconcernarethoseinthecategoriesoffine(PM10)andultra‐fine(PM2.5).Thesefineandultra‐fineparticlesmaybecomposedofelementalcarbonwithadsorbedcompounds,suchasorganiccompounds,sulfate,nitrate,metals,andothertraceelements.Thefineandultra‐fineparticlesarerespirable,whichmeansthattheycanavoidmanyofthehumanrespiratorysystemdefensemechanismsandenterdeeplyintothelungs.

Existing Air Quality Conditions

Existingairqualityconditionsinthestudyareacanbecharacterizedbymonitoringdatacollectedintheregion.ThoughtheLivermore–793RinconAvenuemonitoringstationisthecloseststationtotheprogramarea,thismonitoringstationdoesnotreportCOorPM10conditionsinthearea.TheclosestmonitoringstationtomonitorCOistheFremont–ChapelWaymonitoringstationlocatedapproximately20mileswestandmostlyupwindoftheprogramarea.TheclosestmonitoringstationtomonitorPM10istheTracy–Airportmonitoringstationlocatedapproximately12mileseastoftheprogramareainSanJoaquinCounty.RecentairqualitymonitoringresultsfromthesestationsaresummarizedinTable3.3‐2.Thedatarepresentairqualitymonitoringforthelast3yearsforwhichacompletedatasetisavailable(2010–2012).AsindicatedinTable3.3‐2,therehavebeensomeviolationsofstateandfederalairqualitystandardsduringthistimeperiodforozoneandPM2.5.


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Table 3.3‐2. Summary of 2010‐2012 Ambient Air Quality in the Program Area Vicinity

PollutantStandards 2010 2011 2012

Ozone(O3)—Livermore–795 RinconAvenue

Maximum1‐hourconcentration(ppm) 0.150 0.115 0.102

DaysexceedingatheCAAQS1‐hourstandard(>0.09ppm) 3 3 2

Maximum8‐hourconcentration(ppm) 0.098 0.085 0.090

DaysexceedingatheCAAQS8‐hour(>0.070ppm) 6 9 4

DaysexceedingatheNAAQS8‐hour(>0.075ppm) 3 2 3

Carbonmonoxide(CO)—Fremont–ChapelWay

Maximum8‐hourconcentration(ppm) 0.94 – –

DaysexceedingatheNAAQS8‐hour(>9ppm) 0 0 0

DaysexceedingatheCAAQS8‐hour(>9.0ppm) 0 0 0

NitrogenDioxide(NO2)—Livermore–795 RinconAvenue

Statemaximum1‐hourconcentration(ppm) 0.058 0.057 0.043

Annualaverageconcentration(ppm) 0.011 0.011 –

DaysexceedingatheCAAQS1‐hour(0.18ppm) 0 0 0

Particulatematter(PM10)—Tracy–Airport

Nationalbmaximum24‐hourconcentration(g/m3) 28.5 110.8 73.4

Statecmaximum24‐hourconcentration(g/m3) – – –

DaysexceedingatheNAAQS24‐hour(>150g/m3)g 0 0 0

DaysexceedingatheCAAQS24‐hour(>50g/m3)g – – –

Particulatematter(PM2.5)—Livermore–795 RinconAvenue

Nationalbmaximum24‐hourconcentration(g/m3) 34.7 45.4 31.1

Statecmaximum24‐hourconcentration(g/m3) 34.7 23.6 –

DaysexceedingatheNAAQS24‐hour(>35g/m3) 0 2 0

Source:CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2013b.ppm = partspermillion.CAAQS = CaliforniaAmbientAirQualityStandards.NAAQS = NationalAmbientAirQualityStandards.g/m3 = microgramspercubicmeter.– = datanotavailable.a Anexceedanceisnotnecessarilyaviolation.Thisisamathematicalestimateofhowmanydaysconcentrationswouldhavebeenmeasuredashigherthanthelevelofthestandardhadeachdaybeenmonitored.Valueshavebeenrounded.

b Measurementsusuallyarecollectedevery6days.c Statecriteriaforensuringthatdataaresufficientlycompleteforcalculatingvalidannualaveragesaremorestringentthanthenationalcriteria.


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Attainment Status

Localmonitoringdata(Table3.3‐2)areusedtodesignateareasasnonattainment,maintenance,attainment,orunclassifiedfortheNAAQSandCAAQS.Thefourdesignationsaredefinedasfollows.

Nonattainment—assignedtoareaswheremonitoredpollutantconcentrationsconsistentlyviolatethestandardinquestion.

Maintenance—assignedtoareaswheremonitoredpollutantconcentrationsexceededthestandardinquestioninthepastbutarenolongerinviolationofthatstandard.

Attainment—assignedtoareaswherepollutantconcentrationsmeetthestandardinquestionoveradesignatedperiodoftime.

Unclassified—assignedtoareasweredataareinsufficienttodeterminewhetherapollutantisviolatingthestandardinquestion.

Table3.3‐3summarizestheattainmentstatusofAlamedaCountywithregardtotheNAAQSandCAAQS.Table3.3‐4summarizestheattainmentstatusoftheSJVABwithregardtotheNAAQSandCAAQS(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2013).

Table 3.3‐3. Federal and State Attainment Status for Alameda County

CriteriaPollutant FederalDesignation StateDesignation

O3(1‐hour) (Nofederalstandard)a SeriousNonattainment

O3(8‐hour) MarginalNonattainment(2008) Nonattainment

CO Maintenance Attainment

PM10 Attainment Nonattainment

PM2.5 Nonattainment(2006) Nonattainment

NO2 Attainment Attainment

SO2 Attainment Attainment

Lead Attainment(2008) Attainment

Sulfates (NoFederalStandard) AttainmentHydrogensulfide (NoFederalStandard) UnclassifiedVisibility (NoFederalStandard) UnclassifiedSources:CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2011;U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2012.O3 = ozone.CO = carbonmonoxide.PM10 = particulatematterlessthanorequalto10microns.PM2.5 = particulatematterlessthanorequalto2.5microns.NO2 = nitrogendioxide.SO2 = sulfurdioxide.a Thefederal1‐hourstandardof12partsperhundredmillion(pphm)wasineffectfrom1979throughJune15,2005.Therevokedstandardisreferencedherebecauseitwasemployedforsuchalongperiodandbecausethisbenchmarkisaddressedinthestateimplementationplans.


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Table 3.3‐4. Federal and State Attainment Status for San Joaquin Valley

CriteriaPollutant FederalDesignation StateDesignation

O3(1‐hour) (NoFederalStandard) SevereNonattainment

O3(8‐hour) ExtremeNonattainment Nonattainment

CO Attainment Attainment

PM10 Attainment Nonattainment

PM2.5 Nonattainment(2006) Nonattainment

NO2 Attainment Attainment

SO2 Attainment Attainment

Lead NoDesignation Attainment

Sulfates (NoFederalStandard) AttainmentHydrogensulfide (NoFederalStandard) UnclassifiedVisibility (NoFederalStandard) UnclassifiedO3 = ozone.CO = carbonmonoxide.PM10 = particulatematterlessthanorequalto10microns.PM2.5 = particulatematterlessthanorequalto2.5microns.NO2 = nitrogendioxide.SO2 = sulfurdioxide.

Sensitive Receptors

Forthepurposesofairqualityanalysis,sensitivelandusesaredefinedaslocationswherehumanpopulations,especiallychildren,seniors,andsickpersonsarelocatedandwherethereisreasonableexpectationofcontinuoushumanexposureaccordingtotheaveragingperiodfortheairqualitystandards(e.g.,24‐hour,8‐hour,and1‐hour).Typicalsensitivereceptorsincluderesidences,hospitals,andschools.WhiletheprogramareaislocatedintheruralsettingoftheAltamontPass,sensitivereceptorsintheprogramareavicinityincludescatteredresidencesthroughoutandadjacenttotheprogramarea.AsindicatedinChapter2ofthisPEIR,ProgramDescription,AlamedaCountyhasestablishedsetbackrequirementsforsitingturbineswithincertaintypesoflanduses(e.g.,residential,commercial,recreational),andinfrastructure(publicroads),andturbineswouldnotbelocatedwithinthesesetbackdistances.Outsidetheprogramarea,approximately4,500feettothewestoftheprogramareaisacommunityofsinglefamilyresidencesinthecityofLivermore,and5,000feettotheeastisthecommunityofMountainHouse,whichcontainssinglefamilyresidences,threeelementaryschoolsandchildcarefacilities,andpublicparksandopenspaces.

3.3.2 Environmental Impacts

Methods for Analysis

Criteriapollutantemissionswereestimatedforconstructionandoperationalactivitiesataprogrammaticlevelwithadditionaldetailgiventotwospecificrepoweringprojects,theGoldenHillsandPattersonPassProjects,whichfallwithintheprogramarea.Emissionswerecalculatedforatypical80MWrepoweringprojectusingprojectdatafromtheVascoWindsRepoweringProjectDraftEnvironmentalImpactReport(ContraCostaCounty2010).Thiswasdonebecauseproject‐specificinformationfortheproposedprojectswasverylimited,andtherepoweringactivitiesarenotyet


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determined.BecausetheVascoexampleprovidesacomprehensiveanalysisoftypicalconstructionactivityforrepowering,itwasusedtoestimatetotalanddailyemissionsfortheproposedprojects,asitisconsideredrepresentativeofatypicalprojectassociatedwiththeprogram.TotalemissionsfromtheVascoexamplewerethenscaledtotheprogramandtheGoldenHillsandPattersonPassProjectsbasedonthenameplatecapacityoftheprogramarea.Thescalingfactorsfortotalconstructionemissionsareasfollows:5.21forprogramAlternative1:417MW(416.5MWnameplatecapacity÷80MWmetricnameplatecapacity);5.63forprogramAlternative2:450MW(450MWnameplatecapacity÷80MWmetricnameplatecapacity);1.11fortheGoldenHillsProject(88.4MWnameplatecapacity÷80MWmetricnameplatecapacity);and0.25forthePattersonPassProject(19.8MWnameplatecapacity÷80MWmetricnameplatecapacity).AnnualconstructionemissionsfromtheVascoexamplewerealsoscaledtotheprogramandtheGoldenHillsandPattersonPassProjectsusingamaximumannualnameplatecapacityof100MWinstalled.Thisproducesascalingfactorof1.25toestimateannualemissionsfrombothAlternative1andAlternative2(100MWmaximum÷80MWmetricnameplatecapacity).SincethenameplatecapacityoftheGoldenHillsandPattersonPassProjectsarelessthan100MW,itwasassumedthatallemissionsfromtheseprojectswouldoccurduringonecalendaryear.

Constructionemissionswereestimatedforeachphaseofconstructionforthreemajorcontributors:offroadequipment,onroadvehicles(includingtrucktripsandworkercommutes),andconcretebatchplantoperations.Calculationmethodsfromthefollowingsourceswereusedtoestimateemissions:theCaliforniaEmissionsEstimatorModel(CalEEMod)(SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict2011),theEPAEmissionsFactors&AP42CompilationofAirPollutantEmissionFactorsdocument(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency1995a,1995b,1995c),andtheARBEMissionFACtors(EMFAC)2011model(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2013c).Additionalstandardemissionfactors,conversionfactors,andmethodswereusedtoestimateemissionsperstandardairqualityprotocolconsistentwithBAAQMDguidance.

Operationalemissionswereestimatedforoffroadequipment(maintenance/operationactivities)andonroadvehicles(includingtrucktripsandworkercommutes).Calculationmethodsfromthesamesourcesaslistedaboveforconstructionemissionswereusedtoestimateoperationalemissions.

Theconcretebatchplantwouldproducefugitivedustemissionsduringthemanufactureofconcrete.Approximately0.0157poundsofPM10wouldbeemittedpercubicyardofconcreteproduced(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency1995c).ItwasassumedthatPM2.5represents0.674%ofPM10(SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict2006).Stationarysourceemissionsfromfuelcombustionatthebatchplantswerenotestimatedbecausespecificdataonthetypesofequipment(generators,engines,etc.)thatwouldbeusedatthebatchplantswerenotavailable.Inaddition,thebatchplantsarepermittedsourcesunderBAAQMDandemissionswouldbeminorafterrequiredairdistrictBestAvailableControlTechnologies(BACTs)andoffsets.

Importantassumptions(associatedwiththe80MWprojectexample)usedintheanalysisarepresentedbelow.

Emissionswereestimatedforatypical80MWrepoweringprojectandscaledtotheprogram,GoldenHillsProject,andPattersonPassProjectbasedonthenameplatecapacityoftheprogramareaandthetwoprojectareas.


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Fortheprogramalternatives,themaximumannualnameplatecapacityinstalledis100MW.Thisproducesascalingfactorof1.25foremissionsfromthe80MWprojectVascoexampletoestimateannualemissionsfrombothAlternative1andAlternative2.

Offroadequipmenttypes,fueltypes,andphasing(daysofconstructionforeachconstructionphaseforeachmonthoftheyear)forconstructionandoperationalactivitiesweretakenfromtheVascoWindsRepoweringProjectDraftEnvironmentalImpactReport(ContraCostaCounty2010).

Constructionactivitywilloccur8hoursperday,5daysperweek.

FugitivedustemissionsfromgradingarecalculatedforgradersandbulldozersusingCalEEModmethods,whichcalculateemissionsonaper‐milebasisforgradersandaper‐hourbasisforbulldozers.Eachgradertravelsatanaveragespeedof7.1mphwithabladewidthof12feettocover292totalacresforatotalmileageofgradingof201miles(8.3milesaverageperday).Eachbulldozeroperates8hoursperdayduringconstruction.

Therewillbe10,800annual(55averagedaily)light‐dutytrucktrips,16,605annual(85averagedaily)heavy‐dutytrucktripsformaterialdeliveryandremoval,and6,338annual(33averagedaily)heavy‐dutytrucktripsforwaterdelivery(watertankers).

Eachlight‐dutytripwillinclude1.0mileof15mphtravel(ridgeline),1.0mileof25mphtravel(accessroads),and23milesof55mphtravel(freeway),foratotalroundtripdistanceof25miles.

Eachheavy‐dutytripwillinclude5.0milesof15mphtravel(ridgeline),1.0mileof25mphtravel(accessroads),and29milesof55mphtravel(freeway)foratotalroundtripdistanceof35miles.Eachwatertankertrucktripwouldinclude6.0milesof15mphtravel(ridgeline),1.0mileof25mphtravel(accessroads),and19milesof55mphtravel(freeway),foratotalroundtripdistanceof26miles.

Workercommuteroundtripsare25miles;workervehiclestravelatanaverageof55mph.Therewillbe16,790annual(86averagedailyand150maximumdaily)workercommutetripsforconstructionand2,226annual(8.5averagedaily)workercommutetripsforoperation.

Approximately3,500cubicyardsofconcretewillbeproducedattheconcretebatchplantsperyear(55cubicyardsonaverageperday).

Determination of Significance

InaccordancewithAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelines,programAlternative1,programAlternative2,theGoldenHillsproject,orthePattersonPassprojectwouldbenormallyconsideredtohaveasignificanteffectifitwouldresultinanyoftheconditionslistedbelow.

Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan.

Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation.

Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprogramorprojectregionisanonattainmentareaforanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasingemissionsthatexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors).


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Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations.

Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople

AccordingtotheStateCEQAGuidelines,thesignificancecriteriaestablishedbytheapplicableairqualitymanagementorairpollutioncontroldistrictmaybereliedontomakesignificancedeterminationsforpotentialimpactsonenvironmentalresources.Consequently,theanalysisusedinthisdocumentusesmethodologiesprovidedintheupdatedBAAQMDGuidelines(BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict2012).Althoughthe2010BAAQMDGuidelinesandtheir2011updatehavebeenchallengedincourt,andBAAQMDhasremovedallreferencesofthe2010/2011adoptedthresholdsfromthe2012BAAQMDGuidelines,the2010/2011BAAQMDGuidelinescontainquantitativesignificancethresholdsforproject‐relatedconstructionexhaustemissionsandoperationalemissions.Becausethe2010/2011thresholdsaremorestringentandcomprehensivethanthe1999thresholds(asrecommendedforuseinthe2012BAAQMDGuidelines),the2010/2011thresholdsareusedtodeterminesignificanceforconstructionandoperationalactivities(BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict2011).Therearenoquantitativethresholdsforconstructionimpactsassociatedwithfugitivedust,sotheseimpactsareaddressedusingapplicableBAAQMD‐recommendedmitigationmeasuresfordustabatement.

Underthe2010/2011BAAQMDthresholds,aprojectwouldhaveasignificantshort‐termconstruction‐relatedorlong‐termoperationalairqualityimpactifitwouldexceedBAAQMD’sthresholdsshowninTable3.3‐5.

Table 3.3‐5. BAAQMD Thresholds of Significance

Pollutant Construction Operations

ROG 54lbs/day 54lbs/dayor10tons/year

NOX 54lbs/day 54lbs/dayor10tons/year

CO – ViolationofCAAQS

PM10(total) – –

PM10(exhaust) 82lbs/day 82lbs/dayor15tons/year

PM2.5(exhaust) 54lbs/day 54lbs/dayor10tons/year

PM10/PM2.5(fugitivedust)

BMPs –

TACs(project‐level) Increasedcancerriskof10in1million;increasednon‐cancerriskofgreaterthan1.0(hazardindex[HI]);PM2.5increaseofgreaterthan0.3microgramspercubicmeter

Sameasconstruction

TACs(cumulative) Increasedcancerriskof100in1million;increasednon‐cancerriskofgreaterthan10.0;PM2.5increaseofgreaterthan0.8microgrampercubicmeteratreceptorswithin1,000feet

Sameasconstruction

Odors – Fivecomplaintsperyearaveragedover3years

Source:BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict2011.lbs = pounds.CAAQS = CaliforniaAmbientAirQualityStandards.BMPs = bestmanagementpractices.


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Bothaveragedailyandmaximumdailyemissionswerecalculatedfortheproject,andmaximumdailyemissionswerecomparedtothedailythresholdslistedinTable3.3‐5,pertherecommendationofBAAQMDstaff(Kirkpers.comm.).

ForprojectsthatwouldresultinanincreaseinROG,NOX,PM10,orPM2.5ofmorethantheirrespectiveproject‐leveldailymassthresholdsindicatedinTable3.3‐5,thenitwouldalsobeconsideredtocontributeconsiderablytoasignificantcumulativeimpact.Indevelopingthresholdsofsignificanceforairpollutants,BAAQMDconsideredtheemissionlevelsforwhichaproject’sindividualemissionswouldbecumulativelyconsiderable.Therefore,ifaprojectwouldexceedtheproject‐levelsignificancethresholdsidentifiedinTable3.3‐5,itsemissionswouldbecumulativelyconsiderable;ifaprojectwouldnotexceedthesignificancethresholds,itsemissionswouldnotbecumulativelyconsiderable.

InadditiontoemissionsthatwouldbegeneratedinBAAQMD’sjurisdiction,theportionofequipmentandmaterialhaultripsthatwouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracywouldbegeneratedintheSJVAB,whichisunderSJVAPCD’sjurisdiction.Therefore,theheavy‐dutytrucktripexhaustemissionsthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABhavebeenquantified.Inaddition,theSJVABisdownwindoftheprojectsiteandmayreceivesomeemissionsthatareemittedattheprojectsitewithintheSFBAABduetotransport.However,itisextremelydifficultandwouldbespeculativetodeterminethequantityofemissionsthatwilltraverseairbasinboundariesduetothehighvariabilityinwindpatternsandlocalweather.Therefore,theseemissionswerenotestimatednorcomparedtotheSJVAPCD’sthresholds.

SJVAPCD’spublishedguidelines,GuideforAssessingAirQualityImpacts(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002),donotrequirethequantificationofconstructionemissions.Rather,itrequiresimplementationofeffectiveandcomprehensivefeasiblecontrolmeasurestoreducePM10emissions(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002).SJVAPCDconsidersPM10emissionstobethegreatestpollutantofconcernwhenassessingconstruction‐relatedairqualityimpactsandhasdeterminedthatcompliancewithitsRegulationVIII,includingimplementationofallfeasiblecontrolmeasuresspecifiedinitsguidancemanual(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002),constitutessufficientmitigationtoreduceconstruction‐relatedPM10emissionstoless‐than‐significantlevelsandminimizeadverseairqualityeffects.AllconstructionprojectsmustabidebyRegulationVIII.Sincethepublicationofthedistrict’sguidancemanual,thedistricthasrevisedsomeoftherulescomprisingRegulationVIII.GuidancefromdistrictstaffindicatesthatimplementationofadustcontrolplanwouldsatisfyalloftherequirementsofRegulationVIII(Siongpers.comm.).FurtherconsultationwithSJVAPCDstaffindicatesthat,thoughexplicitthresholdsforconstruction‐relatedemissionsofozoneprecursorsarenotenumeratedintheguidancemanual,SJVAPCDconsidersasignificantimpacttooccurwhenconstructionemissionsofROGorNOXexceed10tonsperyearorifPM10orPM2.5emissionsexceed15tonsperyear(Siongpers.comm.).

SJVAPCD’sthresholdsofsignificanceusedinthisanalysis,asindicatedinitsGuideforAssessingandMitigatingAirQualityImpacts(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002)andthroughconsultationwithSJVAPCDstaff,aresummarizedbelow.

Projectimplementationwouldproduceemissionsincreasesgreaterthan10tons/yearROG.

Projectimplementationwouldproduceemissionsincreasesgreaterthan10tons/yearNOX.

Projectimplementationwouldproduceemissionsincreasesgreaterthan15tons/yearPM10.


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Projectimplementationwouldproduceemissionsincreasesgreaterthan15tons/yearPM2.5

SJVAPCDdoesnothaveestablishedquantitativeCEQAthresholdsforconstructionactivities.Therefore,inlieuofCEQAsignificancethresholdsforconstructionemissions,estimatedemissionsthatwouldbegeneratedbytheproposedprojectsundertheprogramintheSJVABarecomparedtoSJVAPCD’soperationalCEQAthresholdof10tonsperyearforbothNOXandROGand15tonsperyearforbothPM10andPM2.5(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002).UndertheSJVAPCDthresholds,aprojectwouldhaveasignificantshort‐termconstruction‐relatedorlong‐termoperationalairqualityimpactifitwouldexceedSJVAPCD’sthresholdsshowninTable3.3‐6.

Table 3.3‐6. SJVAPCD Thresholds of Significance

Pollutant Construction Operations

ROG – 10tons/year

NOX – 10tons/year

CO – ViolationofCAAQS

PM10(total) – 15tons/year

PM2.5(total) – 15tons/year

Sources:SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002;Siongpers.comm.CAAQS=CaliforniaAmbientAirQualityStandards.

Impacts and Mitigation Measures

ImpactAQ‐1a‐1:Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)

Inordertodeterminethataprojectisconsistentwiththeapplicableairqualityplan,whichinthiscaseistheBayArea2010CleanAirPlan(BayArea2010CAP),itisnecessarytodemonstratethatprogramAlternative1doesnotexceedthepopulationoremploymentgrowthassumptionscontainedintheplan,whichwouldleadtoincreasedvehiclemilestraveledbeyondthoseestimatedintheplan.ImplementationofAlternative1wouldresultinnonewpermanentemployeesrelativetoexistingconditions,norwoulditincreasepopulationprojections.Therefore,Alternative1wouldnotinducepopulationoremploymentgrowthandwouldresultinnonetincreaseinvehiclemilestraveledintheSFBAAB.Alternative1’spotentialimpactsonpopulationandhousingarediscussedinChapter3.12,Population;potentialtransportation‐relatedimpactsarediscussedinSection3.16,Traffic.

Inaddition,althoughshort‐termmitigatedemissionsresultingfromAlternative1constructionwouldexceedtheBAAQMDsignificancethresholdsforROGandNOX(seeImpactAQ‐2a‐1),Alternative1wouldresultinlong‐termbenefitsfromnewrenewablewind‐generatedenergy,includingreductionofROGandNOXemissionsrelativetotheproductionofcomparableenergyfromfossilfuelsources.Thus,Alternative1wouldbeconsistentwiththeBayArea2010CAPregardlessofthisshort‐termimpact.

ItisassumedthattruckstransportingsomecomponentsandaggregatewouldtravelfromthePortofStocktonandthecityofTracythroughportionsoftheSJVABtotheprogramarea.However,SJVAPCDrulesandcleanairplanswouldnotbeapplicabletoAlternative1becausetheprogramareaislocatedintheSFBAAB.Therefore,noconflictwithSJVAPCDcleanairplanswouldoccur.


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Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.Nomitigationisrequired.

ImpactAQ‐1a‐2:Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)

Inordertodeterminethataprojectisconsistentwiththeapplicableairqualityplan,whichinthiscaseistheBayArea2010CleanAirPlan(BayArea2010CAP),itisnecessarytodemonstratethatprogramAlternative2doesnotexceedthepopulationoremploymentgrowthassumptionscontainedintheplan,whichwouldleadtoincreasedvehiclemilestraveledbeyondthoseestimatedintheplan.ImplementationofAlternative2wouldresultinnonewpermanentemployeesrelativetoexistingconditions,norwoulditincreasepopulationprojections.Therefore,Alternative2wouldnotinducepopulationoremploymentgrowthandwouldresultinnonetincreaseinvehiclemilestraveledintheSFBAAB.Alternative2’spotentialimpactsonpopulationandhousingarediscussedinChapter3.12,Population;potentialtransportation‐relatedimpactsarediscussedinSection3.16,Traffic.

Inaddition,althoughshort‐termmitigatedemissionsresultingfromAlternative2constructionwouldexceedtheBAAQMDsignificancethresholdsforROGandNOX(seeImpactAQ‐2a‐2),Alternative2wouldresultinlong‐termbenefitsfromnewrenewablewind‐generatedenergy,includingreductionofROGandNOXemissionsrelativetotheproductionofcomparableenergyfromfossilfuelsources.Thus,Alternative2wouldbeconsistentwiththeBayArea2010CAPregardlessofthisshort‐termimpact.

ItisassumedthattruckstransportingsomecomponentsandaggregatewouldtravelfromthePortofStocktonandthecityofTracythroughportionsoftheSJVABtotheprogramarea.However,SJVAPCDrulesandcleanairplanswouldnotbeapplicabletoAlternative2becausetheprogramareaislocatedintheSFBAAB.Therefore,noconflictwithSJVAPCDcleanairplanswouldoccur.


ImpactAQ‐1b:Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)

TheimpactfortheGoldenHillsProjectissimilartothatoftheprogram.ImplementationoftheGoldenHillsProjectwouldresultinnonewpermanentemployeesrelativetoexistingconditions,norwoulditincreasepopulationprojections.Therefore,theGoldenHillsProjectwouldnotinducepopulationoremploymentgrowthandwouldresultinnonetincreaseinvehiclemilestraveledintheSFBAAB.TheGoldenHillsProject’spotentialimpactsonpopulationandhousingarediscussedinChapter3.12,Population;potentialtransportation‐relatedimpactsarediscussedinSection3.16,Traffic.

Inaddition,althoughshort‐termmitigatedemissionsresultingfromGoldenHillsProjectconstructionwouldexceedtheBAAQMDsignificancethresholdforNOX(seeImpactAQ‐2b),theGoldenHillsProjectwouldresultinlong‐termbenefitsfromnewrenewablewind‐generatedenergy,includingreductionofNOXemissionsrelativetotheproductionofcomparableenergyfromfossilfuelsources.Thus,theGoldenHillsProjectwouldbeconsistentwiththeBayArea2010CAPregardlessofthisshort‐termimpact.


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ItisassumedthattruckstransportingsomecomponentsandaggregatewouldtravelfromthePortofStocktonandthecityofTracythroughportionsoftheSJVABtotheprojectarea.However,SJVAPCDrulesandcleanairplanswouldnotbeapplicabletotheproposedprojectbecausetheprojectareaislocatedintheSFBAAB.Therefore,noconflictwithSJVAPCDcleanairplanswouldoccur.


ImpactAQ‐1c:Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

TheimpactforthePattersonPassProjectissimilartothatoftheprogram.ImplementationofthePattersonPassProjectwouldresultinnonewpermanentemployeesrelativetoexistingconditions,norwoulditincreasepopulationprojections.Therefore,thePattersonPassProjectwouldnotinducepopulationoremploymentgrowthandwouldresultinnonetincreaseinvehiclemilestraveledintheSFBAAB.ThePattersonPassProject’spotentialimpactsonpopulationandhousingarediscussedinChapter3.12,Population;potentialtransportation‐relatedimpactsarediscussedinSection3.16,Traffic.

Inaddition,althoughshort‐termmitigatedemissionsresultingfromPattersonPassProjectconstructionwouldexceedtheBAAQMDsignificancethresholdforNOX(seeImpactAQ‐2c),thePattersonPassProjectwouldresultinlong‐termbenefitsfromnewrenewablewind‐generatedenergy,includingreductionofNOXemissionsrelativetotheproductionofcomparableenergyfromfossilfuelsources.Accordingly,thePattersonPassProjectwouldbeconsistentwiththeBayArea2010CAPregardlessofthisshort‐termimpact.

ItisassumedthattruckstransportingsomecomponentsandaggregatewouldtravelfromthePortofStocktonandthecityofTracythroughportionsoftheSJVABtotheprojectarea.However,SJVAPCDrulesandcleanairplanswouldnotbeapplicabletotheproposedprojectbecausetheprojectareaislocatedintheSFBAAB.Therefore,noconflictwithSJVAPCDcleanairplanswouldoccur.


ImpactAQ‐2a‐1:Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation—programAlternative1:417MW(significantandunavoidable)

Construction Activities

Basedontheassumptionspresentedabove,constructionofthevariousprojectsundertheprogramwouldoccuroveraperiodof9monthsperyearforapproximately4years.Itisestimatedthattherewouldbeapproximately184workdaysperyearthatwouldinvolvetheuseofheavyconstructionequipment.Constructionactivitiesattheprogramareawouldbeassociatedwithdecommissioningandfoundationremovalofexistingturbinesites;laydown,substations,andswitchyards;roadconstruction;turbinefoundationsandbatchplantoperation;turbinedeliveryandinstallation;utilitycollectorlineinstallation;andrestorationandclean‐up.Eachoftheseactivitieswouldoccuroverperiodsthatwouldrangefromapproximately2to4months.Itisestimatedthatasmanyas90piecesofoffroadconstructionequipment,includingcranes,excavators,graders,loaders,cementtrucks,anddozers,wouldberequiredforanaverageof8hoursperdaytoconstructvarious


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projectsundertheprogram.Atanygiventime,from6to54piecesofconstructionequipmentwouldbeoperatingconcurrently,dependingontheconstructionphasing.

Inadditiontotheoffroadequipment,onroadvehicletripswouldberequiredtodelivermaterialsandequipmenttotheconstructionsitesaswellastotransportworkerstoandfromtheconstructionsites(seeChapter2,ProgramDescription,TrafficandParkingsection).Itisanticipatedthatanaverageofapproximately140trucktripsand86commutingworkertripswouldberequiredperdayduringthe9‐monthconstructionperiodforeachyear.Itisanticipatedthatthemajorityofequipmentandmaterial‐relatedtrucktripswouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracyandthattheconstructionworker–relatedcommutetripswouldoccurentirelywithintheSFBAAB.Theportionoftheequipment,material,andaggregatehaultripsthatwouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracywouldbegeneratedintheSJVAB,whichisunderSJVAPCD’sjurisdiction.Therefore,theheavy‐dutytrucktripexhaustemissionsthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABhavebeenquantifiedandcomparedtoSJVAPCDannualsignificancethresholds(Table3.3‐7).

Table 3.3‐7. Program Construction Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions within the SJVAB—Maximum Daily Unmitigated Emissions

ConstructionActivity

EstimatedMaximumAnnualUnmitigatedEmissions(tons/year)

ROG NOX CO SO2PM10Total

PM2.5Total

Offsitetrucktrips 0.28 9.71 1.50 0.02 0.32 0.24

Totalemissions 0.28 9.71 1.50 0.02 0.32 0.24

SJVAPCDsignificancethreshold 10 10 NA NA 15 15

Significantimpact? No No No No No No

CriteriapollutantemissionsofROG,NOX,CO,SO2,PM10,andPM2.5fromconstructionequipmentwouldincrementallyaddtotheregionalatmosphericloadingofthesepollutantsduring constructionofthevariousprojectsundertheprogram.Themaximumdailyunmitigatedconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissionsthatwouldoccurintheSFBAABhavebeenestimatedandarepresentedinTable3.3‐8.AsdiscussedaboveunderMethodsforAnalysis,constructionexhaustemissionswereestimatedusingtheCaliforniaEmissionsEstimatorModel(CalEEMod)(SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict2011),theEPAEmissionsFactors&AP42CompilationofAirPollutantEmissionFactorsdocument(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency1995a,1995b,1995c),andtheARBEMissionFACtors(EMFAC)2011model(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2013c).Maximumdailyemissionswerecalculatedfortheperiodoftimewherethegreatestconstructionactivityisanticipatedtooccur.Thistimeperiodinvolvestheoverlapofconstructionphasesincludingdecommissioningandfoundationremoval,roadconstruction,andturbinefoundationsandbatchplant,alongwithoffsitetrucktripsandoffsiteworkertrips.Othernon‐overlappingconstructionphasescontributetoaveragedailyandaverageannualemissions,buttheyarenotcountedascontributingtothemaximumdailyemissionsthatoccurwhenthephaseslistedaboveoverlap.


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Table 3.3‐8. Program Construction Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions within the SFBAAB—Maximum Daily Unmitigated Emissions


EstimatedMaximumDailyUnmitigatedEmissions(pounds/day)

ROG NOX CO SO2PM10Exhaust

PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust

Decommissioningandfoundationremoval

17.02 142.72 53.05 0.19 4.98 7.19 4.94 0.32

Laydown,substationsandswitchyards

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Roadconstruction 16.01 135.03 59.27 0.19 4.80 46.34 4.75 14.66

Turbinefoundationsandbatchplanta

26.74 226.40 96.79 0.31 7.94 24.84 7.82 20.16

Turbinedeliveryandinstallation

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Utilitycollectorlineinstallation 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Restorationandcleanup 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Offsitetrucktrips 6.12 124.94 31.85 0.39 3.13 1.20 2.88 0.44

Offsiteworkertrips 0.33 1.49 10.84 0.13 0.01 0.26 0.01 0.10

Totalemissions 66.22 630.59 251.79 1.20 20.87 79.84 20.40 35.69

BAAQMDsignificancethreshold 54 54 NA NA 82 NA 54 NA

SignificantImpact? Yes Yes No No No No No No

Note: Constructionactivitywithzeroemissionsmeansthatthisactivityisnotanticipatedtooccurduringthetimeperiodproducingthemaximumdailyemissionsforconstruction.

a Includesconstructionactivitiesalongwithfugitivedustemissionsfromtheconcretebatchplants.

AsindicatedinTable3.3‐8,maximumdailyunmitigatedexhaustemissionsofROGandNOXwouldexceedBAAQMD’ssignificancethresholds,resultinginasignificantimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldreduceconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissions.AsindicatedinTable3.3‐7,maximumannualunmitigatedexhaustemissionsofROGorNOXthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABwouldnotexceedSJVAPCD’ssignificancethresholds,resultinginaless‐than‐significantimpact.Asnotedabove,althoughtheSJVABisdownwindoftheprojectsiteandsomeemissionsthatareemittedattheprojectsitewithintheSFBAABwouldlikelydriftintotheSJVABduetotransport,theseemissionswerenotquantifiedduetothehighvariabilityinwindpatternsandlocalweatherandotherconditionsthatcontributetoemissiontransportanditwouldbespeculativetoquantifytheamountofproject‐relatedemissionsthatwouldtransportintotheSJVAB.Therefore,theseemissionswerenotestimatednorcomparedtotheSJVAPCD’sthresholds.

Inadditiontoexhaustemissions,emissionsoffugitivedustalsowouldbegeneratedbyprogram‐relatedconstructionactivitiesassociatedwithgradingandearthdisturbance,travelonpavedandunpavedroads,andoperationoftheconcretebatchplantandrockcrusher.Withregardtofugitivedustemissions,theBAAQMDGuidelinesfocusonimplementationofdustcontrolmeasuresratherthancomparingestimatedlevelsoffugitivedusttoquantitativesignificancethresholds.NewandmorecomprehensivefugitivedustcontrolmeasureshavebeenidentifiedbyBAAQMDinits2012guidelines.Therefore,BAAQMD’snewapplicablerecommendedfugitivedustcontrolmeasures,


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whicharecontainedinMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,wouldbeimplementedtoreduceimpactsassociatedwithfugitivedustemissionstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.EventhoughtheBAAQMDGuidelinesdonotrequirethequantificationofconstruction‐relatedfugitivedustemissions,theseemissionswereestimatedforconstructionactivitiesforinformationalpurposesandarepresentedinTable3.3‐8.

IndividualprojectproponentsalsowouldberequiredtoobtainpermitsfromBAAQMDfortheproposedconstruction‐relatedoperationsoftheconcretebatchplantandtherockcrusher.Fugitivesourcesassociatedwiththesefacilitieswouldincludethetransferofsandandaggregate,truckloading,mixerloading,vehicletraffic,andwinderosionfromsandandaggregatestoragepiles.Permit stipulationswouldrequiretheuseofBACTs.Permitstipulationswouldlikelyfocusonincreasingmoisturecontentofthematerialsandmayrequiretheuseofwatersprays,enclosures,andbaghousedevices.ImplementationofBAAQMD’sBACTsforbatchplantsandcrushingequipmentwouldensurethatfugitivedustemissionsimpactsthatwouldbeassociatedwiththesefacilitieswouldbelessthansignificant.Asnotedabove,stationarysourceemissionsfromfuelcombustionatthebatchplantswerenotestimatedduetolackofdata.AlthoughtheseemissionswouldlikelybeminorafterBACTsareimplemented,theseemissionswouldcontributetothoseestimatedinTables3.3‐9through3.3‐11.

Table 3.3‐9. Program Operational Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions for the SFBAAB—Maximum Daily Unmitigated Emissions

OperationalActivity



PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust


Maintenance/operation 3.38 28.05 12.52 0.04 1.15 0.73 1.14 0.04

Totalemissions 3.41 28.18 13.48 0.05 1.15 0.76 1.15 0.05


Significantimpact? No No No No No No No No

Table 3.3‐10. Program Operational Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions for the SFBAAB—Maximum Annual Unmitigated Emissions

OperationalActivity

EstimatedMaximumAnnualUnmitigatedEmissions(tons/day)


PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust



Totalemissions 0.08 0.61 0.54 0.00 0.04 0.01 0.04 0.00




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Table 3.3‐11. Program Construction Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions within the SFBAAB—Maximum Daily Mitigated Emissions


EstimatedMaximumDailyMitigatedEmissions(pounds/day)


PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust


17.02 114.18 53.05 0.19 2.74 3.24 2.72 0.15


0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00



26.74 181.12 96.79 0.31 4.37 11.18 4.30 9.07

Turbinedeliveryandinstallation 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00





Totalemissions 66.22 529.76 251.79 1.20 12.89 36.73 12.52 16.36


Significantimpact? Yes Yes No No No No No No



Operational Activities

Inadditiontoconstruction‐relatedemissions,theprogramwouldalsoresultinoperational‐relatedemissionsassociatedwithturbinemaintenanceactivities,substationoperation,andworkertripstoandfromtheprogramarea.However,dailyandannualemissionsofcriteriapollutantsassociatedwithoperationalactivitiesareanticipatedtobethesameundertheprogramasunderexistingcondition;consequently,theywouldnotresultinasignificantcontributiontoexistingairqualityviolations.Themaximumdailyunmitigatedoperation‐relatedemissionsthatwouldoccurintheSFBAABhavebeenestimatedandarepresentedinTable3.3‐9;maximumannualunmitigatedoperation‐relatedemissionsarepresentedinTable3.3‐10.

MitigationMeasureAQ‐2a:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingapplicableBAAQMDBasicConstructionMitigationMeasures

Theprojectproponentswillrequireallcontractorstocomplywiththefollowingrequirementsforallareaswithactiveconstructionactivities.

Allexposedsurfaces(e.g.,parkingareas,stagingareas,soilpiles,gradedareas,andunpavedaccessroads)willbewateredasneededtomaintaindustcontrolonsite—approximatelytwotimesperday.


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Allhaultruckstransportingsoil,sand,orotherloosematerialoffsitewillbecovered.

Allvisiblemudordirttrack‐outontoadjacentpublicroadswillberemovedusingwetpowervacuumstreetsweepersatleastonceperday.Theuseofdrypowersweepingisprohibited.

Allvehiclespeedsonunpavedroadswillbelimitedto15mph.

Allroadways,driveways,andsidewalkstobepavedwillbecompletedassoonaspossible.Buildingpadswillbelaidassoonaspossibleaftergradingunlessseedingorsoilbindersareused.

Idlingtimeswillbeminimizedeitherbyshuttingequipmentoffwhennotinuseorreducingthemaximumidlingtimeto5minutes(asrequiredbytheCaliforniaairbornetoxicscontrolmeasureTitle13,Section2485ofCaliforniaCodeofRegulations[CCR]).Clearsignagewillbeprovidedforconstructionworkersatallaccesspoints.

Allconstructionequipmentwillbemaintainedandproperlytunedinaccordancewithmanufacturer’sspecifications.Allequipmentwillbecheckedbyacertifiedvisibleemissionsevaluator.

Postapubliclyvisiblesignwiththetelephonenumberandpersontocontactattheleadagencyregardingdustcomplaints.Thispersonwillrespondandtakecorrectiveactionwithin48hours.Theairdistrict’sphonenumberwillalsobevisibletoensurecompliancewithapplicableregulations.

MitigationMeasureAQ‐2b:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingmeasuresbasedonBAAQMD’sAdditionalConstructionMitigationMeasures

Theprojectproponentswillrequireallcontractorstocomplywiththefollowingrequirementsforallareaswithactiveconstructionactivities.

Duringconstructionactivities,allexposedsurfaceswillbewateredatafrequencyadequatetomeetandmaintainfugitivedustcontrolrequirementsofallrelevantairqualitymanagemententities.

Allexcavation,grading,and/ordemolitionactivitieswillbesuspendedwhenaveragewindspeedsexceed20mph,asmeasuredattheLivermoreMunicipalAirport.

Windbreaks(e.g.,trees,fences)willbeinstalledonthewindwardside(s)ofactivelydisturbedareasofconstruction.Windbreaksshouldhaveatmaximum50%airporosity.

Vegetativegroundcover(e.g.,fast‐germinatingnativegrassseed)willbeplantedindisturbedareasassoonaspossibleandwateredappropriatelyuntilvegetationisestablished.

Iffeasibleandpracticable,thesimultaneousoccurrenceofexcavation,grading,andground‐disturbingconstructionactivitiesonthesameareaatanyonetimewillbelimited.

Constructionvehiclesandmachinery,includingtheirtires,willbecleanedpriortoleavingtheconstructionareatoremovevegetationandsoil.Cleaningstationswillbeestablishedattheperimeteroftheconstructionarea.


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Siteaccessestoadistanceof100feetfromthepavedroadwillbetreatedwitha6to12inchcompactedlayerofwoodchips,mulch,orgravel.

Sandbagsorothererosioncontrolmeasureswillbeinstalledtopreventsiltrunofftopublicroadwaysfromsiteswithaslopegreaterthan1%.

Theidlingtimeofdieselpoweredconstructionequipmentwillbeminimizedto2minutes.

Theprojectwilldevelopaplandemonstratingthattheoffroadequipment(morethan50horsepower)tobeusedintheconstructionproject(i.e.,owned,leased,andsubcontractorvehicles)wouldachieveaprojectwidefleet‐average20%NOXreductionand45%PMreductioncomparedtothemostrecentARBfleetaverage.Acceptableoptionsforreducingemissionsincludetheuseoflatemodelengines,low‐emissiondieselproducts,alternativefuels,engineretrofittechnology,after‐treatmentproducts,add‐ondevicessuchasparticulatefilters,and/orotheroptionsassuchbecomeavailable.

UselowVOC(i.e.,ROG)coatingsbeyondthelocalrequirements(i.e.,Regulation8,Rule3:ArchitecturalCoatings).

Allconstructionequipment,dieseltrucks,andgeneratorswillbeequippedwithBACTforemissionreductionsofNOXandPM.

AllcontractorswilluseequipmentthatmeetsARB’smostrecentcertificationstandardforoffroadheavydutydieselengines.

ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldensurethatimpactsrelatedtofugitivedustemissionsintheSFBAABwouldbelessthansignificant.However,implementationofthesemeasureswouldnotreducetotalROGorNOXemissionstoaless‐than‐significantlevel(Table3.3‐11).ThisimpactoftotalROGandNOXemissionswouldbesignificantandunavoidable.

MitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldnotreducetheonroademissionsintheSJVABshowninTable3.3‐7,buttheseemissionswouldnotexceedSJVAPCD’ssignificancethresholdsandare,therefore,lessthansignificant.

ImpactAQ‐2a‐2:Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation—programAlternative2:450MW(significantandunavoidable)


ConstructionofprogramAlternative2wouldoccuroveraperiodofapproximately4years.Itisestimatedthattherewouldbeapproximately184workdaysperyearthatwouldinvolvetheuseofheavyconstructionequipment.Constructionactivitiesintheprojectareawouldincludethesamephases,constructionequipment,andtrucktripsasAlternative1.ItwasassumedthatthedailyconstructionactivitiesforAlternative2wouldnotdifferfromthedailyconstructionactivitiesforAlternative1,althoughtheperiodofconstructionwouldbeslightlylongeroverall.

Itisanticipatedthatthemajorityofequipmentandmaterial‐relatedtrucktripswouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracyandthattheconstructionworker‐relatedcommutetripswouldoccurentirelywithintheSFBAAB.Theportionoftheequipment,material,andaggregatehaultripsthatwouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracywouldbegeneratedintheSJVAB,whichisunderSJVAPCD’sjurisdiction.Therefore,theheavy‐dutytrucktripexhaust


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emissionsthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABhavebeenquantifiedandcomparedtoSJVAPCD’sannualsignificancethresholds(Table3.3‐7).

CriteriapollutantemissionsofROG,NOX,CO,SO2,PM10,andPM2.5fromconstructionequipmentwouldincrementallyaddtotheregionalatmosphericloadingofthesepollutantsduring constructionofprogramAlternative2.Themaximumdailyunmitigatedconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissionsthatwouldoccurintheSFBAABareanticipatedtobeexactlythesameasforalternative1andarepresentedinTable3.3‐8above.Thisisbecausedailyconstructionactivityisanticipatedtobethesameforbothalternatives.Theonlydifferenceinemissionsforthesealternativesistotalemissionsoverthecourseoftheentireconstructionperiod,sinceAlternative1willbeunderconstructionforapproximately50monthsandAlternative2willbeunderconstructionforapproximately54months.

Asdiscussedabove,constructionexhaustemissionswereestimatedusingCalEEMod(SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict2011),theEPAEmissionsFactors&AP42CompilationofAirPollutantEmissionFactorsdocument(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency1995a,1995b,1995c),andtheARBEMFAC2011model(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2013c).Thistimeperiodinvolvestheoverlapofconstructionphasesincludingdecommissioningandfoundationremoval,roadconstruction,andturbinefoundationsandbatchplant,alongwithoffsitetrucktripsandoffsiteworkertrips.Othernon‐overlappingconstructionphasescontributetoaveragedailyandaverageannualemissions,buttheyarenotcountedascontributingtothemaximumdailyemissionsthatoccurwhenthephaseslistedaboveoverlap.

AsindicatedinTable3.3‐8above,maximumdailyunmitigatedexhaustemissionsofROGandNOXwouldexceedBAAQMD’ssignificancethreshold,resultinginasignificantimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldreduceconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissions.AsindicatedinTable3.3‐7above,maximumannualunmitigatedexhaustemissionsofROGorNOXthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABwouldnotexceedSJVAPCD’ssignificancethreshold,resultinginalessthansignificantimpact.Asnotedabove,althoughtheSJVABisdownwindoftheprogramareaandsomeemissionsthatareemittedintheprogramareawithintheSFBAABwouldlikelydriftintotheSJVABduetotransport,theseemissionswerenotquantifiedduetothehighvariabilityinwindpatternsandlocalweatherandotherconditionsthatcontributetoemissiontransportanditwouldbespeculativetoquantifytheamountofproject‐relatedemissionsthatwouldtransportintotheSJVAB.Therefore,theseemissionswerenotestimatednorcomparedtotheSJVAPCD’sthresholds.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwould,however,reduceconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissionsintheSJVAB.

Inadditiontoexhaustemissions,emissionsoffugitivedustalsowouldbegeneratedbyproject‐relatedconstructionactivitiesassociatedwithgradingandearthdisturbance,travelonpavedandunpavedroads,andoperationoftheconcretebatchplantandrockcrusher.Asnotedabove,BAAQMD’snewapplicablerecommendedfugitivedustcontrolmeasures,whicharecontainedinMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,wouldbeimplementedtoreduceimpactsassociatedwithfugitivedustemissionstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.EventhoughtheBAAQMDGuidelinesdonotrequirethequantificationofconstruction‐relatedfugitivedustemissions,theseemissionswereestimatedforconstructionactivitiesforinformationalpurposesandarepresentedinTable3.3‐8.

ProjectproponentsalsowouldberequiredtoobtainpermitsfromBAAQMDfortheproposedconstruction‐relatedoperationsoftheconcretebatchplantandtherockcrusher.Fugitivesourcesassociatedwiththesefacilitieswouldincludethetransferofsandandaggregate,truckloading,


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mixerloading,vehicletraffic,andwinderosionfromsandandaggregatestoragepiles.Permit stipulationswouldrequiretheuseofBACTs.Permitstipulationswouldlikelyfocusonincreasingmoisturecontentofthematerialsandmayrequiretheuseofwatersprays,enclosures,andbaghousedevices.ImplementationofBAAQMD’sBACTsforbatchplantsandcrushingequipmentwouldensurethatfugitivedustemissionsimpactsthatwouldbeassociatedwiththesefacilitieswouldbelessthansignificant.Asnotedabove,stationarysourceemissionsfromfuelcombustionatthebatchplantswerenotestimatedduetolackofdata.AlthoughtheseemissionswouldlikelybeminorafterBACTsareimplemented,theseemissionswouldcontributetothoseestimatedinTables3.3‐9through3.3‐11above.


Inadditiontoconstruction‐relatedemissions,theproposedprojectwouldalsoresultinoperational‐relatedemissionsassociatedwithturbinemaintenanceactivities,substationoperation,andworkertripstoandfromtheprojectarea.However,dailyandannualemissionsofcriteriapollutantsassociatedwithoperationalactivitiesareanticipatedtobeunchangedundertheproposedprojectandwouldnotbeconsideredtoresultinasignificantcontributiontoexistingairqualityviolations.Themaximumdailyunmitigatedoperation‐relatedemissionsthatwouldoccurintheSFBAABhavebeenestimatedandarepresentedinTable3.3‐9above;maximumannualunmitigatedoperation‐relatedemissionsarepresentedinTable3.3‐11above.

ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldensurethatimpactsrelatedtofugitivedustemissionsintheSFBAABwouldbelessthansignificant.However,implementationofthesemitigationmeasureswouldnotreducetotalNOXemissionstoaless‐than‐significancelevel(Table3.3‐11).ThisimpactoftotalNOXemissionswouldbesignificantandunavoidable.

MitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldnotreducetheonroademissionsshowninTable3.3‐7,buttheseemissionswouldnotexceedSJVAPCD’ssignificancethresholdandarethereforelessthansignificant.



ImpactAQ‐2b:Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation—GoldenHillsProject(significantandunavoidable)


ConstructionoftheGoldenHillsProjectwouldoccuroveraperiodofapproximately9months.Itisestimatedthattherewouldbeapproximately184workdaysthatwouldinvolvetheuseofheavyconstructionequipment.Constructionactivitiesintheprojectareawouldincludethesamephases,constructionequipment,andtrucktripsastheprogram.

Itisanticipatedthatthemajorityofequipmentandmaterial‐relatedtrucktripswouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracyandthattheconstructionworker‐relatedcommutetripswouldoccurentirelywithintheSFBAAB.Theportionoftheequipment,material,andaggregatehaul


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tripsthatwouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracywouldbegeneratedintheSJVAB,whichisunderSJVAPCD’sjurisdiction.Therefore,theheavy‐dutytrucktripexhaustemissionsthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABhavebeenquantifiedandcomparedtoSJVAPCD’sannualsignificancethresholds(Table3.3‐12).

Table 3.3‐12. Golden Hills Construction Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions within the SJVAB— Maximum Daily Unmitigated Emissions




PM2.5Total


Totalemissions 0.25 8.58 1.32 0.01 0.28 0.22



CriteriapollutantemissionsofROG,NOX,CO,SO2,PM10,andPM2.5fromconstructionequipmentwouldincrementallyaddtotheregionalatmosphericloadingofthesepollutantsduring constructionoftheGoldenHillsProject.Themaximumdailyunmitigatedconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissionsthatwouldoccurintheSFBAABhavebeenestimatedandarepresentedinTable3.3‐13.Asdiscussedabove,constructionexhaustemissionswereestimatedusingCalEEMod(SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict2011),theEPAEmissionsFactors&AP42CompilationofAirPollutantEmissionFactorsdocument(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency1995a,1995b,1995c),andtheARBEMFAC2011model(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2013c).Thistimeperiodinvolvestheoverlapofconstructionphasesincludingdecommissioningandfoundationremoval,roadconstruction,andturbinefoundationsandbatchplant,alongwithoffsitetrucktripsandoffsiteworkertrips.Othernon‐overlappingconstructionphasescontributetoaveragedailyandaverageannualemissions,buttheyarenotcountedascontributingtothemaximumdailyemissionsthatoccurwhenthephaseslistedaboveoverlap.

Table 3.3‐13. Golden Hills Construction Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissionswithin the SFBAAB—Maximum Daily Unmitigated Emissions




PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust


15.05 126.17 46.89 0.17 4.40 6.36 4.36 0.29


0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00



23.63 200.14 85.56 0.28 7.02 21.96 6.92 17.83





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ConstructionActivity EstimatedMaximumDailyUnmitigatedEmissions(pounds/day)



Totalemissions 58.53 557.44 222.59 1.07 18.45 70.58 18.04 31.55





AsindicatedinTable3.3‐13,maximumdailyunmitigatedexhaustemissionsofROGandNOXwouldexceedBAAQMD’ssignificancethreshold,resultinginasignificantimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldreduceconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissions.AsindicatedinTable3.3‐12,maximumannualunmitigatedexhaustemissionsofROGorNOXthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABwouldnotexceedSJVAPCD’ssignificancethreshold,resultinginaless‐than‐significantimpact.Asnotedabove,althoughtheSJVABisdownwindoftheprojectsiteandsomeemissionsthatareemittedattheprojectsitewithintheSFBAABwouldlikelydriftintotheSJVABduetotransport,theseemissionswerenotquantifiedduetothehighvariabilityinwindpatternsandlocalweatherandotherconditionsthatcontributetoemissiontransportanditwouldbespeculativetoquantifytheamountofproject‐relatedemissionsthatwouldtransportintotheSJVAB.Therefore,theseemissionswerenotestimatednorcomparedtotheSJVAPCD’sthresholds.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwould,however,reduceconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissionsintheSJVAB.


ProjectproponentsalsowouldberequiredtoobtainpermitsfromBAAQMDfortheproposedconstruction‐relatedoperationsoftheconcretebatchplantandtherockcrusher.Fugitivesourcesassociatedwiththesefacilitieswouldincludethetransferofsandandaggregate,truckloading,mixerloading,vehicletraffic,andwinderosionfromsandandaggregatestoragepiles.Permit stipulationswouldrequiretheuseofBACTs.Permitstipulationswouldlikelyfocusonincreasingmoisturecontentofthematerialsandmayrequiretheuseofwatersprays,enclosures,andbaghousedevices.ImplementationofBAAQMD’sBACTsforbatchplantsandcrushingequipmentwouldensurethatfugitivedustemissionsimpactsthatwouldbeassociatedwiththesefacilitieswouldbelessthansignificant.Asnotedabove,stationarysourceemissionsfromfuelcombustionatthebatchplantswerenotestimatedduetolackofdata.AlthoughtheseemissionswouldlikelybeminorafterBACTsareimplemented,theseemissionswouldcontributetothoseestimatedinTables3.3‐14through3.3‐16.


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Table 3.3‐14. Golden Hills Operational Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions for the SFBAAB—Maximum Daily Unmitigated Emissions

OperationalActivity



PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust



Totalemissions 3.02 24.91 11.92 0.04 1.02 0.67 1.01 0.04



Table 3.3‐15. Golden Hills Operational Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions for the SFBAAB— Maximum Annual Unmitigated Emissions

OperationalActivity



PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust



Totalemissions 0.07 0.54 0.48 0.00 0.04 0.01 0.04 0.00



Table 3.3‐16. Golden Hills Program Construction Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions within the SFBAAB—Maximum Daily Mitigated Emissions




PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust


15.05 100.93 46.89 0.17 2.42 2.86 2.40 0.13


0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00



23.63 160.11 85.56 0.28 3.86 9.88 3.80 8.02







Air Quality






PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust

Totalemissions 58.53 468.31 222.59 1.07 11.40 32.47 11.07 14.46




a Includesconstructionactivitiesalongwithfugitivedustemissionsfromtheconcretebatchplants


Inadditiontoconstruction‐relatedemissions,theproposedprojectwouldalsoresultinoperational‐relatedemissionsassociatedwithturbinemaintenanceactivities,substationoperation,andworkertripstoandfromtheprojectarea.However,dailyandannualemissionsofcriteriapollutantsassociatedwithoperationalactivitiesareanticipatedtobeunchangedundertheproposedprojectandwouldnotbeconsideredtoresultinasignificantcontributiontoexistingairqualityviolations.Themaximumdailyunmitigatedoperation‐relatedemissionsthatwouldoccurintheSFBAABhavebeenestimatedandarepresentedinTable3.3‐14;maximumannualunmitigatedoperation‐relatedemissionsarepresentedinTable3.3‐15.

ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldensurethatimpactsrelatedtofugitivedustemissionsintheSFBAABwouldbelessthansignificant.However,implementationofthesemitigationmeasureswouldnotreducetotalNOXemissionstoaless‐than‐significancelevel(Table3.3‐16).ThisimpactoftotalNOXemissionswouldbesignificantandunavoidable.

MitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldnotreducetheonroademissionsshowninTable3.3‐12,buttheseemissionswouldnotexceedSJVAPCD’ssignificancethresholdandarethereforelessthansignificant.



ImpactAQ‐2c:Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation—PattersonPassProject(significantandunavoidable)


ConstructionofthePattersonPassProjectwouldoccuroveraperiodofapproximately9months.Itisestimatedthattherewouldbeapproximately184workdaysthatwouldinvolvetheuseofheavyconstructionequipment.Constructionactivitiesintheprojectareawouldincludethesamephases,constructionequipment,andtrucktripsastheprogram.


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Itisanticipatedthatthemajorityofequipmentandmaterial‐relatedtrucktripswouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracyandthattheconstructionworker‐relatedcommutetripswouldoccurentirelywithintheSFBAAB.Theportionoftheequipment,material,andaggregatehaultripsthatwouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracywouldbegeneratedintheSJVAB,whichisunderSJVAPCD’sjurisdiction.Therefore,theheavy‐dutytrucktripexhaustemissionsthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABhavebeenquantifiedandcomparedtoSJVAPCD’sannualsignificancethresholds(Table3.3‐17).

Table 3.3‐17. Patterson Pass Construction Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions within the SJVAB—Maximum Daily Unmitigated Emissions




PM2.5Total


Totalemissions 0.06 1.92 0.30 0.00 0.06 0.05



CriteriapollutantemissionsofROG,NOX,CO,SO2,PM10,andPM2.5fromconstructionequipmentwouldincrementallyaddtotheregionalatmosphericloadingofthesepollutantsduring constructionofthePattersonPassProject.Themaximumdailyunmitigatedconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissionsthatwouldoccurintheSFBAABhavebeenestimatedandarepresentedinTable3.3‐18.Asdiscussedabove,constructionexhaustemissionswereestimatedusingCalEEMod(SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict2011),theEPAEmissionsFactors&AP42CompilationofAirPollutantEmissionFactorsdocument(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency1995a,1995b,1995c),andtheARBEMFAC2011model(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2013c).Thistimeperiodinvolvestheoverlapofconstructionphasesincludingdecommissioningandfoundationremoval,roadconstruction,andturbinefoundationsandbatchplant,alongwithoffsitetrucktripsandoffsiteworkertrips.Othernon‐overlappingconstructionphasescontributetoaveragedailyandaverageannualemissions,buttheyarenotcountedascontributingtothemaximumdailyemissionsthatoccurwhenthephaseslistedaboveoverlap.

AsindicatedinTable3.3‐18,maximumdailyunmitigatedexhaustemissionsofNOXwouldexceedBAAQMD’ssignificancethreshold,resultinginasignificantimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldreduceconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissions.AsindicatedinTable3.3‐17,maximumannualunmitigatedexhaustemissionsofROGorNOXthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABwouldnotexceedSJVAPCD’ssignificancethresholds,resultinginaless‐than‐significantimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwould,however,reduceconstruction‐relatedexhaustemissionsintheSJVAB.Asnotedabove,althoughtheSJVABisdownwindoftheprojectsiteandsomeemissionsthatareemittedattheprojectsitewithintheSFBAABmaydriftintotheSJVABduetotransport,theseemissionswerenotquantifiedduetothehighvariabilityinwindpatternsandlocalweatherandotherconditionsthatcontributetoemissiontransportanditwouldbespeculativetoquantifytheamountofproject‐relatedemissionsthatwouldtransportintotheSJVAB.Therefore,theseemissionswerenotestimatednorcomparedtotheSJVAPCD’sthresholds.


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Table 3.3‐18. Patterson Pass Construction Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions within the SFBAAB—Maximum Daily Unmitigated Emissions




PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust


3.37 28.26 10.50 0.04 0.99 1.42 0.98 0.06


0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00



5.29 44.83 19.16 0.06 1.57 4.92 1.55 3.99






Totalemissions 13.11 124.86 49.86 0.24 4.13 15.81 4.04 7.07


Significantimpact? No Yes No No No No No No




TheprojectproponentalsowouldberequiredtoobtainpermitsfromBAAQMDfortheproposedconstruction‐relatedoperationsoftheconcretebatchplantandtherockcrusher.Fugitivesourcesassociatedwiththesefacilitieswouldincludethetransferofsandandaggregate,truckloading,mixerloading,vehicletraffic,andwinderosionfromsandandaggregatestoragepiles.Permit stipulationswouldrequiretheuseofBACTs.Permitstipulationswouldlikelyfocusonincreasingmoisturecontentofthematerialsandmayrequiretheuseofwatersprays,enclosures,andbaghousedevices.ImplementationofBAAQMD’sBACTsforbatchplantsandcrushingequipmentwouldensurethatfugitivedustemissionsimpactsthatwouldbeassociatedwiththesefacilitieswouldbelessthansignificant.Asnotedabove,stationarysourceemissionsfromfuelcombustionatthebatchplantswerenotestimatedduetolackofdata.Althoughtheseemissionswouldlikelybe


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minorafterBACTsareimplemented,theseemissionswouldcontributetothoseestimatedinTables3.3‐19through3.3‐21.

Table 3.3‐19. Patterson Pass Operational Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions within the SFBAAB—Maximum Daily Unmitigated Emissions

OperationalActivity



PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust



Totalemissions 0.68 5.58 2.67 0.01 0.23 0.15 0.23 0.01



Table 3.3‐20. Patterson Pass Operational Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions within the SFBAAB—Maximum Annual Unmitigated Emissions

OperationalActivity



PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust



Totalemissions 0.02 0.12 0.11 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00



Table 3.3‐21. Patterson Pass Construction Exhaust and Fugitive Dust Emissions within the SFBAAB—Maximum Daily Mitigated Emissions




PM10Dust

PM2.5Exhaust

PM2.5Dust


3.37 22.61 10.50 0.04 0.54 0.64 0.54 0.03


0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00



5.29 35.86 19.16 0.06 0.86 2.21 0.85 1.80






Totalemissions 13.11 104.89 49.86 0.24 2.55 7.27 2.48 3.24


Air Quality



ConstructionActivity EstimatedMaximumDailyMitigatedEmissions(pounds/day)


Significantimpact? No Yes No No No No No No


a Includesconstructionactivitiesalongwithfugitivedustemissionsfromtheconcretebatchplants


Inadditiontoconstruction‐relatedemissions,theproposedprojectwouldalsoresultinoperational‐relatedemissionsassociatedwithturbinemaintenanceactivities,substationoperation,andworkertripstoandfromtheprojectarea.However,dailyandannualemissionsofcriteriapollutantsassociatedwithoperationalactivitiesareanticipatedtobeunchangedundertheproposedprojectandwouldnotbeconsideredtoresultinasignificantcontributiontoexistingairqualityviolations.Themaximumdailyunmitigatedoperation‐relatedemissionsthatwouldoccurintheSFBAABhavebeenestimatedandarepresentedinTable3.3‐19;maximumannualunmitigatedoperation‐relatedemissionsarepresentedinTable3.3‐20.

ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldensurethatimpactsrelatedtofugitivedustemissionsintheSFBAABwouldbelessthansignificant.However,implementationofthesemeasureswouldnotreducetotalNOXemissionstoaless‐than‐significancelevel(Table3.3‐21).TheimpactoftotalNOXemissionswouldbesignificantandunavoidable.

MitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldnotreducetheonroademissionsshowninTable3.3‐17,buttheseemissionswouldnotexceedSJVAPCD’ssignificancethresholdandare,therefore,lessthansignificant.



ImpactAQ‐3a‐1:Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprojectregionisanonattainmentareaforanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasingemissionsthatexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors)—programAlternative1:417MW(significantandunavoidableforconstructionandlessthansignificantforoperation)

OperationofprogramAlternative1wouldnotresultinnewpermanentstationarysourcesofcriteriapollutants,norwoulditincreasecriteriapollutantemissionsfromanyexistingstationarysources.Dependingontheconstructionactivitiesunderwayduringanygivenmonth,from40to150workerswouldbeatthesiteduringconstruction.Nonewpermanentworkerswouldbeemployedundertheprogram.Drive‐byinspectionsandscheduledwindturbinemaintenancewouldcontinuetooccuronadaily,weekly,ormonthlybasisandwouldbeconductedbyexistingtechniciansandoperationspersonnel.Theseactivitieswouldcontinuetobeperformedpertherequirementsoftheequipmentspecificationsandstandardindustrypractice.Dailyemissionsofcriteriapollutants


Air Quality



associatedwiththeseactivitiesareanticipatedtobeunchangedundertheprogramandwouldnotbeconsideredtoresultinasignificantcontributiontoexistingairqualityviolations.

However,asnotedabove,projectsthatwouldresultinanincreaseinROG,NOX,PM10,orPM2.5ofmorethantheirrespectiveproject‐leveldailymassthresholdsindicatedinTable3.3‐5wouldalsobeconsideredtocontributeconsiderablytoasignificantcumulativeimpact.BecauseconstructionemissionsofROGandNOXforAlternative1aregreaterthantheBAAQMDthresholdsaftertheimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,(Table3.3‐11),constructionimpactsaresignificantandunavoidable.



ImpactAQ‐3a‐2:Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprojectregionisanonattainmentareaforanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasingemissionsthatexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors)—programAlternative2:450MW(significantandunavoidableforconstructionandlessthansignificantforoperation)

OperationofprogramAlternative2wouldnotresultinnewpermanentstationarysourcesofcriteriapollutants,norwoulditincreasecriteriapollutantemissionsfromanyexistingstationarysources.Nonewpermanentworkerswouldbeemployedundertheproposedproject.Drive‐byinspectionsandscheduledwindturbinemaintenancewouldcontinuetooccuronadaily,weekly,ormonthlybasisandwouldbeconductedbyexistingtechniciansandoperationspersonnel.Theseactivitieswouldcontinuetobeperformedpertherequirementsoftheequipmentspecificationsandstandardindustrypractice.Dailyemissionsofcriteriapollutantsassociatedwiththeseactivitiesareanticipatedtobeunchangedundertheproposedprojectandwouldnotbeconsideredtoresultinasignificantcontributiontoexistingairqualityviolations.

BecauseconstructionemissionsofROGandNOXforAlternative2wouldbegreaterthantheBAAQMDthresholdsaftertheimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,(Table3.3‐11),constructionimpactswouldbesignificantandunavoidable.




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ImpactAQ‐3b:Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprojectregionisanonattainmentareaforanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasingemissionsthatexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors)—GoldenHillsProject(significantandunavoidableforconstructionandlessthansignificantforoperation)

OperationoftheGoldenHillsProjectwouldnotresultinnewpermanentstationarysourcesofcriteriapollutants,norwoulditincreasecriteriapollutantemissionsfromanyexistingstationarysources.Nonewpermanentworkerswouldbeemployedundertheproposedproject.Drive‐byinspectionsandscheduledwindturbinemaintenancewouldcontinuetooccuronadaily,weekly,ormonthlybasisandwouldbeconductedbyexistingtechniciansandoperationspersonnel.Theseactivitieswouldcontinuetobeperformedpertherequirementsoftheequipmentspecificationsandstandardindustrypractice.Dailyemissionsofcriteriapollutantsassociatedwiththeseactivitiesareanticipatedtobeunchangedundertheproposedprojectandwouldnotbeconsideredtoresultinasignificantcontributiontoexistingairqualityviolations.

BecauseconstructionemissionsofNOXfortheGoldenHillsProjectwouldbegreaterthantheBAAQMDthresholdsaftertheimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,(Table3.3‐16),constructionimpactswouldbesignificantandunavoidable.



ImpactAQ‐3c:Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprojectregionisanonattainmentareaforanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasingemissionsthatexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors)—PattersonPassProject(significantandunavoidableforconstructionandlessthansignificantforoperation)

OperationofthePattersonPassProjectwouldnotresultinnewpermanentstationarysourcesofcriteriapollutants,norwoulditincreasecriteriapollutantemissionsfromanyexistingstationarysources.Nonewpermanentworkerswouldbeemployedundertheproposedproject.Drive‐byinspectionsandscheduledwindturbinemaintenancewouldcontinuetooccuronadaily,weekly,ormonthlybasisandwouldbeconductedbyexistingtechniciansandoperationspersonnel.Theseactivitieswouldcontinuetobeperformedpertherequirementsoftheequipmentspecificationsandstandardindustrypractice.Dailyemissionsofcriteriapollutantsassociatedwiththeseactivitiesareanticipatedtobeunchangedundertheproposedprojectandwouldnotbeconsideredtoresultinasignificantcontributiontoexistingairqualityviolations.

BecauseconstructionemissionsofNOXforthePattersonPassProjectwouldbegreaterthantheBAAQMDthresholdsaftertheimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,(Table3.3‐21),constructionimpactswouldbesignificantandunavoidable.



Air Quality




ImpactAQ‐4a‐1:Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Long‐termoperationsassociatedwiththeprogramwouldresultinnonewemissions.Constructionactivitieswouldgenerateairpollutantemissions,includingequipmentexhaustemissionsandsuspendedandinhalablePM.However,constructionactivitieswouldoccuroverarelativelyshortperiodofapproximately4years,andassociatedemissionswouldbespatiallydispersedovertheapproximately49,202‐acreprogramarea.Inaddition,theclosestsensitivereceptorstotheprogramareaareacommunityofsingle‐familyresidencesinthecityofLivermorelocatedapproximately4,500feettothewestoftheprogramareaboundaryandtheMountainHousecommunityofsingle‐familyresidences,threeelementaryschoolschildcarefacilities,andparksandopenspaceareas,locatedapproximately5,000feettotheeastoftheprogramareaboundary.TheemissionsmodelingshowsthatamajorityofDPMexhaustemissions(PM10andPM2.5)areassociatedwithturbinefoundationsandbatchplantandoffsitetrucktrips.Thecementbatchplants,whichrepresentastationarysourceofemissions,wouldnotlikelybelocatedattheprogramareaboundary.Assuch,thedistancefromthebatchplantstothenearestsensitivereceptorswouldlikelybegreaterthan4,500feet.Regardingoffsitetrucktrips,thesewouldbetransitoryandwouldoccuronmultipleroadsoverawidespreadarea,therebyhelpingtodispersetoxicpollutantsandminimizeexposure.Therefore,program‐relatedconstructionemissionswouldbesufficientlydilutedatthenearestsensitivereceptorlocations.

WithimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,whichwouldreducebothcriteriapollutantsandtoxicaircontaminantemissionsfromconstructionequipmentandreducethepotentialhealthriskstosensitivereceptors,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.



ImpactAQ‐4a‐2:Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

TheimpactofprogramAlternative2isthesameasforprogramAlternative1.Constructionactivitieswouldoccuroverarelativelyshortperiodofapproximately4years,andassociatedemissionswouldbespatiallydispersedovertheapproximately49,202‐acreprojectarea.WithimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,whichwouldreducebothcriteriapollutantsandtoxicaircontaminantemissionsfromconstructionequipmentandreducethepotentialhealthriskstosensitivereceptors,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.



Air Quality




ImpactAQ‐4b:Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

TheimpactfortheGoldenHillsProjectisthesameasfortheprogram.Constructionactivitiesareanticipatedtolastforonly10months,andassociatedemissionswouldbespatiallydispersedovertheapproximately4,584‐acreprojectarea.WithimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,whichwouldreducebothcriteriapollutantsandtoxicaircontaminantemissionsfromconstructionequipmentandreducethepotentialhealthriskstosensitivereceptors,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.



ImpactAQ‐4c:Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

TheimpactforthePattersonPassProjectisthesameasfortheprogram.Constructionactivitiesareanticipatedtolastforonly10months,andassociatedemissionswouldbespatiallydispersedovertheapproximately945‐acreprojectarea.WithimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,whichwouldreducebothcriteriapollutantsandtoxicaircontaminantemissionsfromconstructionequipmentandreducethepotentialhealthriskstosensitivereceptors,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.



ImpactAQ‐5a‐1:Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)

Typicalodorsourcesofconcernincludewastewatertreatmentplants,sanitarylandfills,transferstations,compostingfacilities,petroleumrefineries,asphaltbatchplants,chemicalmanufacturingfacilities,animalfeedlots,fiberglassmanufacturingfacilities,autobodyshops,andrenderingplants.Theprogramwouldresultinthedevelopmentofnewwindturbinegeneratorsthatwouldnotresultinobjectionableodors.Althoughprogramconstructionwouldinvolvetheuseofdieselequipmentandatemporarybatchplantthatcouldresultinthecreationofodors,theconstructionactivitieswouldbetemporary(approximately5years),spatiallydispersedoverthe49,202‐acreprogram


Air Quality



area,andwouldtakeplaceinareasthatarenotinthevicinityofsensitivereceptors.Therefore,theprogramwouldnotaffectasubstantialnumberofpeople.


ImpactAQ‐5a‐2:Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)

TheimpactforprogramAlternative2isthesameasforprogramAlternative1.Althoughprojectconstructionwouldinvolvetheuseofdieselequipmentandatemporarybatchplantthatcouldresultinthecreationofodors,theconstructionactivitieswouldbetemporary(approximately4years),spatiallydispersedoverthe49,202‐acreprojectarea,andwouldtakeplaceinareasthatarenotinthevicinityofsensitivereceptors.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotaffectasubstantialnumberofpeople.


ImpactAQ‐5b:Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)

TheimpactfortheGoldenHillsProjectisthesameasfortheprogram.Althoughprojectconstructionwouldinvolvetheuseofdieselequipmentandatemporarybatchplantthatcouldresultinthecreationofodors,theconstructionactivitieswouldbetemporary(approximately10months),spatiallydispersedoverthe4,584‐acreprojectarea,andwouldtakeplaceinareasthatarenotinthevicinityofsensitivereceptors.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotaffectasubstantialnumberofpeople.


ImpactAQ‐5c:Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

TheimpactforthePattersonPassProjectisthesameasfortheprogram.Althoughprojectconstructionwouldinvolvetheuseofdieselequipmentandatemporarybatchplantthatcouldresultinthecreationofodors,theconstructionactivitieswouldbetemporary(approximately10months),spatiallydispersedoverthe945‐acreprojectarea,andwouldtakeplaceinareasthatarenotinthevicinityofsensitivereceptors.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotaffectasubstantialnumberofpeople.


Cumulative Analysis

CumulativeimpactsrelatedtoairqualityareaddressedinImpactsAQ‐3a‐1,AQ‐3a‐2,AQ‐3b,andAQ‐3c.Impactswouldbesignificantandunavoidableforconstructionandlessthansignificantforoperation.


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3.3.3 References Cited

Printed References

AlamedaCounty.1998.DraftEnvironmentalImpactReport—RepoweringaPortionoftheAltamontPassWindResourceArea.August.StateClearinghouse#98022024.Hayward,CA:AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency.

———.2000.EastCountyAreaPlan.AdoptedMay1994.ModifiedbypassageofMeasureD,effectiveDecember22,2000.Oakland,CA.

BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict.2010.BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict—LivermoreValley.Available:http://www.baaqmd.gov/Divisions/Communications‐and‐Outreach/Air‐Quality‐in‐the‐Bay‐Area/Bay‐Area‐Climatology/Subregions/Livermore‐Valley.aspx.LastUpdated:October4,2010.Accessed:June26,2013.

———.2011.CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActAirQualityGuidelines.Available:http://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/Files/Planning%20and%20Research/CEQA/BAAQMD%20CEQA%20Guidelines%20May%202011.ashx.LastUpdated:May2011.Accessed:July10,2013.

———.2012.CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActAirQualityGuidelines.Available:http://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/Files/Planning%20and%20Research/CEQA/BAAQMD%20CEQA%20Guidelines_Final_May%202012.ashx?la=en.LastUpdated:May2012.Accessed:July10,2013.

CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard.1998.FindingsoftheScientificReviewontheReportonDieselExhaust.AdoptedApril22.Available:http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/dieseltac/combined.pdf.Accessed:April8,2013.

———.2000.RiskReductionPlantoReduceParticulateMatterEmissionsfromDiesel‐FueledEnginesandVehicles.Sacramento,CA.PreparedbyStationarySourceDivisionandMobileSourceControlDivision.Available:http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/documents/rrpfinal.pdf.Accessed:June27,2013.

———.2009.TheCaliforniaAlmanacofEmissionsandAirQuality–2009Edition.Chapter4:AirBasinTrendsandForecasts‐‐CriteriaPollutants.Available:http://www.arb.ca.gov/aqd/almanac/almanac09/pdf/chap409.pdf.Accessed:February12,2014.

———.2011.AreaDesignationsMaps.Available:http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adm/adm.htm.Accessed:June26,2013.

———.2013a.AmbientAirQualityStandards.June.Available:http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/aaqs/aaqs2.pdf.Accessed:June26,2013.

———.2013b.Top4Summary:Pollutant/YearRangeSelection.Available:http://www.arb.ca.gov/adam/topfour/topfour1.php.Accessed:June26,2013.

———.2013c.EmissionFactorModel(EMFAC)2011.Available:http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/modeling.htm.Accessed:June9,2013.


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ContraCostaCounty.2010.VascoWindsRepoweringProject DraftEnvironmentalImpactReportandAppendices.December.Available:http://www.co.contra‐costa.ca.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/5349.Accessed:July10,2010.

SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict.2002.GuideforAssessingandMitigatingAirQualityImpacts.LastRevised:January10,2002.Available:http://www.valleyair.org/transportation/CEQA%20Rules/GAMAQI%20Jan%202002%20Rev.pdf.Accessed:July18,2013.

———.2013.AmbientAirQualityStandardsandValleyAttainmentStatus.Available:http://www.valleyair.org/aqinfo/attainment.htm.Accessed:July18,2013.

SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict.2006.ParticulateMatter(PM)2.5SignificanceThresholdsandCalculationMethodology.AppendixA—UpdatedCEIDARSTablewithPM2.5Fractions.Available:http://www.aqmd.gov/ceqa/handbook/PM2_5/PM2_5.html.Accessed:July10,2013.

———.2011.CaliforniaEmissionEstimatorModel(CalEEMod).User’sGuideVersion2011.1—AppendixDDefaultDataTables—Table3.4.DevelopedbyENVIRONInternationalCorporationincollaborationwithSCAQMDandotherCaliforniaAirDistricts.Available:http://www.caleemod.com/.Accessed:October4,2011.

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———.1995b.AP42,CompilationofAirPollutantEmissionFactors.FifthEdition.Section11.9,WesternSurfaceCoalMining.AsCitedinCalEEModUserGuide(2011),AppendixA(page8).Available:http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch11/final/c11s09.pdf.Accessed:July9,2013.

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Air Quality



Personal Communications

Kirk,Alison.SeniorEnvironmentalPlanner,BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict,PlanningandResearchDivision.August31,2011—emaildescribingtheintentoftheBAAQMDdailyconstructionemissionsthresholds.

Siong,Patia.AirQualityPlanner,SanJoaquinValleyUnifiedAirPollutionControlDistrict.May23,2011—emailtoShannonHatcherregardingconstructionthresholds.

Download - 3.3 Air Quality - acgov.org · Nitrogen dioxide Annual mean 0.030 ppm 0.053 ppm 0.053 ppm 1‐hour 0.18 ppm 0.100 ppm None Sulfur dioxidec Annual mean None 0.030 ppm None 24‐hour

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