October/November 1996
Wenatchee Valley Clean Air Coalition: A 1995-96 report on Coalition activities and Ecology's air monitoring report are being distributed to local government representatives. The Coalition had its first meeting of the 1996-97 wood smoke season on August 20, and has begun planning its activities for the season including: continuation of the daily Air Quality Advisory from October through March and a second clean air poster contest for 25 area elementary schools, sponsored by the Wenatchee Rotary. Contact: Christine Corrigan, (509) 454-7845, or E-mail: csun461@ecy.wa.gov.
Grass seed field burning: Ecology held public hearings in five eastern Washington towns and the city of Spokane during the month of September to receive public comment on a proposed amendment to the section in the agricultural burning regulation that deals with grass seed field burning. The proposal would reduce the number of grass field acres burned in Washington by an additional one third in 1997 - a 67 percent reduction over two years. (An emergency regulation reducing the acreage allowed to be burned by one third in 1996 was established in late March 1996 and renewed in July.) The amendment also includes several features to help growers meet the department's proposed clean air goals:
This rule does not reduce other types of agricultural burning. The health impacts of grass seed field burning are the primary reason this rule is being amended. However, the limitations being imposed treat grass seed field burning in a manner consistent with limitations previously imposed on other sources of air pollution, including other types of outdoor burning.
The hearings were well attended, with audiences ranging from 50 to 150. A cost/benefit analysis is in process, as required by recent legislation. The scheduled date for adoption is December 2, 1996. The documents pertinent to this issue are available on Ecology's home page under "Air," or by calling Christine Corrigan, (509) 454-7845, or E-mail your request.
Remote on-road emission pilot test: A pilot project to examine on-road remote emissions sensing began in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. A contractor took readings of traffic at selected sites throughout the three-county area in August and September. Remote sensing takes a "snapshot" of a vehicle's emissions without direct contact and could present opportunities to enhance or supplement the Emission Check Program. However, the technology is affected by wet road conditions and how drivers operate their vehicles. Tests included a digital picture of vehicle license plates to allow comparison of results with Emission Check records. The next step is to evaluate the data from the thousands of readings collected. The project also fulfills EPA audit requirements for on-road tests of 0.5 percent of Emission Check Program vehicles. Contact: Doug Brown, (206) 649-7082, or E-mail: dobr461@ecy.wa.gov.
Puget Sound redesignation for ozone and carbon monoxide: EPA has removed the Puget Sound region from its list of nonattainment areas for ozone and carbon monoxide. This action follows years of efforts by Ecology, PSAPCA and the region's businesses and private citizens. The change affected King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. A 10-year maintenance plan has been developed by PSAPCA in cooperation with Ecology to prevent the area from returning to nonattainment status in the future. The plan brings an end to the wintertime oxygenated gasoline program in the three counties, unless the region fails to stay within the federal carbon monoxide standard. Contact: Larry Altose, (206) 649-7192, or E-mail: lalt461@ecy.wa.gov.
Centralia Power Plant: The outcome of the Collaborative Decision Making process regarding the Centralia Power Plant was announced September 16, 1996. The preferred solution to the plant's emissions will achieve the following:
Centralia Power Plant owners will seek some form of tax relief from the Washington State Legislature to assist in accomplishing this solution. Contact: Ann Butler, (360) 407-6334, or E-mail: anbu461@ecy.wa.gov.
Clark County Emission Check Program changes: Ecology is conducting public hearings to address amendment of the Emission Check rule in Clark County and incorporation of the amended rule into the State Implementation Plan (SIP). The rule is being amended to exempt from emission testing three-year-old and newer vehicles registered in these Clark County ZIP codes: 98604, 98606, 98629 and 98642. The exemption is being established pending an evaluation by January 31, 1998 of whether this and other possible program revisions should be continued. Contact: John Raymond, (360) 407-6856, or E-mail: jray461@ecy.wa.gov.
Mt. Rainier National Park Air Quality Exhibit: Ecology's Southwest Regional Office staff is working with staff of PSAPCA, Pierce County Air Quality Committee and the National Park Service to design and install an air quality exhibit at Mt. Rainier National Park. Contact: Ann Butler, (360) 407-6334, or E-mail: anbu461@ecy.wa.gov.
Business Information Workshops: The departments of Revenue, Licensing, Labor and Industries and Employment Security are jointly sponsoring free Business Information Workshops during October and November. Representatives from Ecology, the Business Assistance Center, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Internal Revenue Service will also be present to discuss the laws these agencies administer that relate to business activities. Workshops are scheduled from October 15 to November 22 at locations in western and eastern Washington. To register or get more information, contact: the Department of Revenue, 1-800-647-7706 (TDD 1-800-451-7985). (If you have special accommodation needs, call (360) 586-5372 at least two weeks prior to the date of the workshop.)
Satellite conference on new environmental standards: The International Organization for Standardization will conduct a satellite video conference on ISO 14000 on October 24, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Pacific Standard Time. Ecology is sponsoring a downlink site near the Lacey Headquarters building. ISO 14000 is a series of voluntary environmental management standards and guidelines for industrial organizations. These standards influence all aspects of the industrial process from design through manufacturing, to the final marketing. Adoption of the standards is expected to provide companies benefits including reduced environmental management costs and decreased liability regulation. The conference provides one of the first opportunities for individuals and organizations across North America to learn the technical specifications of ISO 14000, and its ramifications for state and federal regulation and international trade.
The satellite program is a production of the MU College of Engineering, the American Society of Testing and Materials and the American National Standards Institute. Presenters will answer questions phoned or faxed in from a live audience. The Lacey downlink site will be at Washington Interactive Television, 710 Sleater-Kinney Road, Suite Q. Space is limited. There is no charge. To register contact Bernard Brady, (360) 407-6803. For information on how you or your organization can host your own site call 1-800-358-9821, or E-mail: bbra461@ecy.wa.gov.
Falsification of wood stove certifications: Manufacturers of wood stove models that received falsified certifications have completed retesting of the stoves. Ten models produced by seven firms were involved. Five models have been discontinued, two meet both the EPA certification standard and Washington's more stringent standard, and three met EPA standards but not Washington standards. Of the latter three, two are known to have been sold in Washington and the manufacturers have informed Ecology that they will repurchase stock now held by retailers and distributors. Ecology will consider the stoves already purchased by consumers as certified since consumers bought them in good faith, the number of units is small and they meet EPA's standard. Ecology urges all wood stove users to operate their heaters properly and to always meet the state opacity standard.
A-Way with Waste K-12 curriculum: Teacher workshops on the revised A-Way with Waste curriculum, now including air quality information, have been held in Olympia and Aberdeen. More workshops are scheduled for this fall and winter in Spokane, Wenatchee and Moses Lake. Contact: Sandi Newton, (360) 407-6826, or E-mail: snew461@ecy.wa.gov.
EPA 105 grant status for FFY97: In the budget recently approved by Congress, Region 10 expects to receive more than a 10 percent reduction in federal 105 grant funds below FFY96 levels. The four state air directors have agreed to two principles for distribution of the FFY97 money: (1) Base grants will be protected; and (2) Each state will suffer its share of the cut. Because the cuts are coupled with national spending priorities that restrict the use of some funds, Washington can expect to see substantially less supplemental 105 funding. Contact: Stu Clark, (360) 407-6873, or E-mail: scla461@ecy.wa.gov.
Ecology Budget Request: Ecology submitted its budget request to Governor Lowry on September 6, 1996. For the first time in several years, the Governor did not request budget reductions from executive agencies. Ecology's budget request continues to provide solid funding for air quality activities. The proposed budget provides the same level of funding for current base activities. Ecology's request also included a partial carryforward of $1.5 million of the $2.1 million supplemental air pollution control account funds appropriated in the 1996 supplemental budget.
While appropriation levels are an essential part of the budget equation, revenue from taxes and fees must be sufficient to support appropriation levels. At this time, it is not clear whether taxes and fees will support all of the requested appropriation levels in two key funds: the Air Pollution Control Account and the Wood Stove Education and Enforcement Account. Ecology staff will monitor these funds closely over the next biennium to assure that sufficient revenue is available to support spending levels. Contact: Stu Clark, (360) 407-6873, or E-mail: scla461@ecy.wa.gov.
Governor Lowry's budget will be submitted sometime in November or December 1996. However, the new Governor elected in November will also likely submit a budget in January or February 1997. There could be significant changes to the budget at that time or during the legislative session. A signed budget bill and final budgets for air quality work will be available in May or June 1997. Contact: Marsh Taylor, (360) 407-6997, or E-mail: mtay461@ecy.wa.gov.
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