Western States Petroleum Association - Issues and Publications - San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Fact Sheet

Can't Meet Federal Standards by 2005 Severe Timeline

Explosive population growth and vehicle use, two major interstate highways, diverse rural and urban communities and economy, geography and climate conspire to make meeting air quality standards in the San Joaquin Valley extremely difficult, if not impossible. At the same time, failure to meet these standards will result in draconian penalties for all Valley residents.

Since 1990, the number of people living in the San Joaquin Valley has increased by 23 percent - nearly twice the rate of growth for the state as a whole (14 percent). Moreover, the Valley's population is expected to grow by another 50 percent in the next 20 years.

In order to meet the current standard by 2005, the Air Pollution Control District has estimated it will be necessary to remove 150 tons per day each of the VOCs and NOx now present in the air - roughly one-third of the entire inventory of VOCs and NOx in the air - in less than three years.

This challenge is the joint responsibility of state, federal and regional air quality regulators, since no single agency has enough jurisdiction to accomplish this daunting task on its own. No matter the approach, solving this problem by 2005 would have catastrophic impacts on the regional economy.

If all auto and truck traffic were stopped - immediately and permanently - the Valley would reduce VOC emissions by 144 tons per day. Shutting down all off road vehicle activity - including all farming operations, construction, use of all recreational vehicles including boats, lawn mowers, etc - would remove 144 tons of NOx per day.

Without bringing all cars, trucks and off road uses to a halt, the Valley can achieve the required reductions in ozone only by shutting down all industrial processing, food processing, manufacturing and oil and gas operations in the entire region.

Failure to meet air quality standards will result in untold harm to the region's economy, local governments and residents.

A Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for the Valley would result in the federalization of most air quality regulations and enforcement and the loss of control over our own destiny. Worse, a FIP may include onerous sanctions like those suggested in Southern California in the 1990s such as "no drive days," downsizing and retrofitting of commercial vehicles, and controls on barbeques and fireplaces.

A freeze of up to $2 billion in federal transportation funds.

Increased costs to obtain increasingly scarce pollution offsets, which could limit or bring to a halt new job-creating industry.

Nearly 100 small and mid-size businesses would be subject to onerous and costly federal air quality regulations and permitting for the first time.

As many as 600 businesses that employ significant numbers of workers in the Valley would be forced to pay a $5,000 per ton annual "emission fee," costing those businesses at least $36 million, until the Valley comes into attainment.

While reclassification to extreme is a difficult and potentially costly move, this coalition has reluctantly concluded that it is the only practical alternative that will allow us to meet the federal standards without devastating the Valley's economy.

Provides an additional five years, until 2010, to develop innovative strategies to meet national health-based air quality standards that are appropriate to the unique circumstances of the Valley.

The additional time will allow us to put to use the groundbreaking science developed by the $18 million Central California Ozone Study.

Leaves the Valley's destiny in our own hands, not in the hands of federal judges, federal regulators, or environmental litigants.

Protects $2 billion in federal transportation funds.

Allows additional time for improved vehicle emission control technology and fleet turnover to reduce air pollution from cars and trucks, for further federal control of aircraft and trains, and for new technological improvements to cut air pollution.

Allows more time before new, expensive permitting of small and mid-sized businesses would take effect.

Provides additional time to seek to eliminate federal Title V program duplication with regional industrial facility permits.

Avoids $36 million in new "emission fees" on small and large facilities.

Eliminates job-killing new pollution "offset" requirements.

Commitment to Sound Science and Collaboration

The business and agricultural communities understand there are no easy solutions to the Valley's air quality problems. They are committed to working collaboratively with other entities in the Valley, including regulators, local, state and federal officials, other businesses, and community organizations to develop appropriate and effective strategies to reduce air pollution.

Because of the shared commitment by government, industry and community groups, the air quality in the San Joaquin Valley is getting better, though not by as much as had been expected. The Air District has stated that the region "has seen noteworthy air quality improvements over the past decade." Air quality should continue to improve because current programs will continue to be enacted and enforced, no matter what decisions ultimately are reached concerning reclassification.

Ozone constituents in the Valley's air have declined by 37 percent since 1985.

The number of days the Valley exceeded safe ozone levels set by the federal government declined 43 percent since 1985.

Members of the San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Coalition have made enormous contributions to developing the best possible science. For the past decade, business, agriculture and government have collaborated on a comprehensive $18 million Central California Ozone Study, which has provided important information on ozone formation and promising avenues to improve the Valley's air quality. This science has led to a much better understanding of the Valley's air quality complexities and challenges.

Improve the Economy AND Air Quality

The San Joaquin Valley faces a set of air quality challenges that are unique. Overcoming these challenges will require time, flexibility and creativity that current deadlines and regulations do not allow. While an extreme designation carries real consequences, it provides the Valley much greater ability to chart its own course and provide meaningful air quality improvements without unnecessarily harming the regional economy.

Sanctions resulting from failure to attain federal air quality standards by 2005 will be so severe as to threaten the economic stability of the San Joaquin Valley and will make future growth impossible.

The business and farm communities are, after all, men, women and families who live in the Valley and who share with other residents dreams and aspirations for a region with the cleanest air possible, the strongest communities and an economy vibrant enough to support future generations.