AB 1647: Petroleum refineries: air monitoring systems.

Existing law generally designates air pollution control and air quality management districts with the primary responsibility for the control of air pollution from all sources other than vehicular sources. Existing law authorizes the State Air Resources Board or the air district to require the owner or the operator of an air pollution emission source to take any action that the state board or the air district determines to be reasonable for the determination of the amount of air pollution emissions from that source.

This bill would require a refinery-related community air monitoring system, as defined, to be installed on or before January 1, 2020, as specified, and would require an air district to design, develop, install, operate, and maintain the refinery-related community air monitoring system or to contract with a third party to provide those services. The bill would require an owner or operator of a petroleum refinery to develop, install, operate, and maintain a fence-line monitoring system, as defined, on or before January 1, 2020, as specified. The bill would require the air district and the owner or operator of a refinery to collect real-time data from these monitoring systems, to provide that data as quickly as possible in a publicly accessible format, and to maintain records of that data. The bill would require the owner or operator of a petroleum refinery to be responsible for the costs associated with the refinery-related community air monitoring system and the fence-line monitoring system, except as specified. By adding to the duties of air districts, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.