Air Quality & Pollution

The EH&S Air Quality program assists the campus in air pollution prevention and provides compliance assistance on environmental regulations.  If you would like more information on campus air emissions or need assistance services below, please contact Miranda Monge.

  • Investigation and response to outdoor air complaints
  • Facilitate the collection of outdoor air quality parameters
  • Facilitate the assessment of air toxic risk to the community
  • Produce outreach material and guidelines to comply with regulations
  • Purchase and Permitting Assistance

For any of the following, please contact EH&S prior to purchasing:

Standby Generator Sets

For more information about purchasing, permitting, particulate filters, and other issues, contact Miranda Monge.

Generator Specifications

It is crucial that you contact EH&S before purchasing your generator to ensure that it meets current emission requirements. If a generator is purchased that does not meet the emissions criteria, it cannot be permitted and installed.

Choose a generator that meets your needs

  • Larger than 50 horsepower (hp):  You are required to permit the generator and comply with the BAAQMD-administered Statewide Air Toxics Control Measure (ATCM).
  • Less than or equal to 50 horsepower (hp):  You are not required to permit the generator, but please contact EH&S for additional requirements.

Does your generator set meet air quality regulations?

Currently, the ATCM for new emergency generators has an emission requirement of 0.15 grams per brake horsepower-hour (g/bhp-hr) for particulate matter (PM) in addition to emission requirements for NOx and CO which are based on engine power and model year.  These emission requirements are outlined in the current regulation.

Permit Process

See Air Quality Permitting Process below

Portable Generator Sets/Equipment

For more information about purchasing, registration, and other issues, contact Miranda Monge.

GENERATOR SPECIFICATIONS

It is crucial that you contact EH&S before purchasing your engine to ensure that it meets current emission requirements. If an engine is purchased that does not meet the emissions criteria, it cannot be permitted and installed.

CHOOSE A GENERATOR THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS

  • Larger than 50 horsepower (hp):  You are required to register the engine to comply with air quality regulations.
  • Less than or equal to 50 horsepower (hp):  You are not required to permit the engine, but please contact EH&S for additional requirements.

PERMIT PROCESS

See Air Quality Permitting Process below

Recordkeeping

The owning department should keep a log that indicates:

  • Date
  • Hours of operation for reliability-related activities (maintenance and testing)
  • Hours of operation for emission testing
  • Hours of operation for emergency
  • For each emergency, the nature of the emergency condition
  • Receipts of fuel purchased
  • The location where the engine was running (portable engines must be moved every year to meet portability requirement)

Boilers

For more information about purchasing, permitting, particulate filters, and other issues, contact Miranda Monge.

GENERATOR SPECIFICATIONS

It is crucial that you contact EH&S before purchasing your boiler to ensure that it meets current emission requirements. If a boiler is purchased that does not meet the emissions criteria, it cannot be permitted and installed.

DOES YOUR GENERATOR SET MEET AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS?

Boilers to be installed on campus must meet the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Regulation 9, Rule 7 as well as any other applicable regulations.

CHOOSE A GENERATOR THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS

  • Heat Rating larger than 10 MM BTU/hr: You are required to permit the boiler.
  • Heat Rating of  >2  to  < 10 MM BTU: You are required to register the boiler.

PERMIT PROCESS

See Air Quality Permitting Process below

Registration PROCESS

The registration process can take up to 3 months to complete. A general timeline of the process is as follows:

Step 1: Begin the registration process
Submit boiler specifications to EH&S. EH&S will then register the boiler in the BAAQMD Database.
1 week
Step 2: Receive invoice; Department pays the invoice 30 days
Step 3: BAAQMD sends registration confirmation 2 months

Vehicles (Mobile Sources)

A vehicle is defined as a self-propelled unit and may include, but is not limited to: backhoes, boom lifts, bore/drill rigs, bucket trucks, cranes, excavators, forklifts, graders, lawnmowers, pavers, rollers, and tractors.  For any other inquiries, contact Miranda Monge.

Vehicle Acquisitions

It is crucial that you contact EH&S before purchasing your vehicle to ensure that it meets current emission requirements. If a vehicle is purchased that does not meet the emissions criteria, it cannot be registered or operated. EH&S works in conjunction with Fleet Services to review acquisitions of vehicles.

On-Road VEHICLE (garbage trucks, cars, etc)

On-Road Vehicles are issued a standard license plate

Contact Fleet Services with the proposed vehicle. EH&S and Fleet Services will work together to ensure compliance.

Off-ROAD VEHICLE (Tractors, Forklifts, lawnmowers, etc)

Contact Fleet Services and EH&S Environmental Protection with the following information to review:

  • Department
  • Contact Information of Purchaser
  • Type of Vehicle (forklift, lawnmower, etc.)
  • Vehicle Specifications (Make, Model, Year)
  • Emissions Data
  • Estimated Usage per year (in hours)
  • Fuel Type
  • A copy of CARB/EPA certifications (if diesel)

Once reviewed and approved, the department is required to comply with operating requirements, adhere to the 5-minute no-idling policy, and submit information regarding the vehicle upon request to EH&S.

RECORDKEEPING

On-Road Vehicles - Contact EH&S Environmental Protection

Off-Road Vehicles - EH&S will contact the department annually for hour meter readings and updated fleet information.

Air Quality Permitting Process

Standby Emergency Generators, Portable Emergency Generators, and Boilers may need to be registered/permitted. The permit process can take up to 12 months to complete, depending on your equipment.  A general timeline of the process is as follows:

Step 1: Begin the process
EH&S prepares the documents. However, detailed information required for the application must be provided to EH&S by the Project in order to have a comprehensive submittal.
 
Step 2: EH&S will prepare the application forms and submit the application to the Governing Body 1 to 3 weeks
Step 3: Governing Body Review 1 week to 4 months
Step 4: Receive invoice; Project pays the invoice 30 days
Step 5: Governing Body Review 1 week to 4 months
Step 6: Governing Body sends “Authority to Construct” to EH&S (Boiler/Standby Generator ONLY)
This document allows us to go forward with purchasing and installing the new boiler/generator.
 
Step 7: Start-Up Notification (If Necessary)
If the governing body requires notification, the Project must alert EH&S (at least three days prior) to the start-up date of the boiler/generator. This start-up could be for initial testing or general operation. EH&S will then submit this start-up date to the governing body.
 
Step 8: Governing Body sends permit to EH&S 1 week to 2 months