9 AIR QUALITY

Thissectiondescribesthestudyareasexistingairqualityconditionsandapplicableairqualityregulations,and
analyzespotentialshorttermandlongtermairqualityimpactsthatcouldresultfromimplementationofthe
project.

9.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

TheprojectsiteislocatedinaportionofeasternPlacerCountythatisalsopartoftheMountainCountiesAir
Basin(MCAB).TheMCABcomprisesportionsofPlacerCounty,Plumas,Sierra,Nevada,portionsofElDorado
County,Amador,Calaveras,Tuolumne,andMariposacounties.Somevehicleactivity(e.g.,biomasshauling,
employeecommutetrips)andbiomasschippingassociatedwithoperationoftheproposedpowerplantwould
alsooccurintheLakeTahoeAirBasin(LTAB),includingotherportionsofPlacerandElDoradoCounties.

Theambientconcentrationsofairpollutantemissionsaredeterminedbytheamountofpollutantsemittedand
theatmospheresabilitytotransportanddilutesuchemissions.Naturalfactorsthataffecttransportanddilution
includeterrain,wind,atmosphericstability,andthepresenceofsunlight.Therefore,existingairquality
conditionsintheareaaredeterminedbysuchnaturalfactorsasclimate,meteorology,andtopography,in
additiontothelevelofemissionsbyexistingairpollutantsources.Thesefactorsarediscussedseparatelybelow.

9.1.1 CLIMATE, METEOROLOGY, AND TOPOGRAPHY

TheMCABincludesthecentralandnorthernSierraNevadaMountains.Elevationsrangefromseveralhundred
feetinthefoothillstoover10,000feetabovemeansealevelalongtheSierracrest.

Thecountygenerallyexperienceswarm,drysummersandwetwinters.Duringthesummer,inthewestern
portionoftheMCAB,temperaturesthatoftenexceed100degreesFahrenheit(F)coupledwithclearsky
conditionsarefavorableforozoneformation.Localclimatologyoftheprojectsiteisbestrepresentedby
measurementsattheSquawValleyLodgeandTruckeeAirportstations.Maximumtemperaturesoccurduring
Julyandreach80Fonaverage.Minimumtemperaturescanbeaslowat15Fduringwintermonths(WRCC
2012a).Averageannualprecipitationofapproximately51inches(247inchesofsnowfall)occursprimarilyduring
themonthsofNovemberthroughMarch(WRCC2012a).Averageannualwindspeedisapproximatelyfourmiles
perhourfromthesouth(WRCC2012b).

9.1.2 CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS

Concentrationsofozone,carbonmonoxide(CO),nitrogendioxide(NO2),sulfurdioxide(SO2),respirable
particulatematter(PM10),fineparticulatematter(PM2.5),andleadareusedasindicatorsofambientairquality
conditions.Becausethesearethemostprevalentairpollutantsknowntobedeleterioustohumanhealthand
extensivehealtheffectscriteriadocumentsareavailable,theyarecommonlyreferredtoascriteriaair
pollutants.

Abriefdescriptionofeachcriteriaairpollutantsourcetypes,healtheffects,andfuturetrendsisprovided
belowalongwithadescriptionofthemostcurrentemissionsinventory,attainmentareadesignations,and
monitoringdatafortheprojectarea.

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Table 9-1 Sources and Health Effects of Criteria Air Pollutants

Pollutant Sources Acute1 Health Effects Chronic2 Health Effects
Ozone Secondarypollutantresulting Increasedrespirationand Permeabilityofrespiratory
fromreactionofROGandNOXin pulmonaryresistance;cough, epithelia,possibilityofpermanent
presenceofsunlight.ROG pain,shortnessofbreath,lung lungimpairment
emissionsresultfromincomplete inflammation
combustionandevaporationof
chemicalsolventsandfuels;NOX
resultsfromthecombustionof
fuels
Carbon Incompletecombustionoffuels; headache,dizziness,fatigue, permanentheartandbraindamage
monoxide(CO) motorvehicleexhaust nausea,vomiting,death
Nitrogendioxide combustiondevices;e.g.,boilers, coughing,difficultybreathing, chronicbronchitis,decreasedlung
(NO2) gasturbines,andmobileand vomiting,headache,eye function
stationaryreciprocatinginternal irritation,chemicalpneumonitis
combustionengines orpulmonaryedema;breathing
abnormalities,cough,cyanosis,
chestpain,rapidheartbeat,
death
Sulfurdioxide coalandoilcombustion,steel Irritationofupperrespiratory InsufficientevidencelinkingSO2
(SO2) mills,refineries,andpulpand tract,increasedasthma exposuretochronichealthimpacts
papermills symptoms
Respirable fugitivedust,soot,smoke,mobile breathingandrespiratory alterationstotheimmunesystem,
particulate andstationarysources, symptoms,aggravationof carcinogenesis
matter(PM10), construction,firesandnatural existingrespiratoryand
Fineparticulate windblowndust,andformationin cardiovasculardiseases,
matter(PM2.5) theatmospherebycondensation prematuredeath
and/ortransformationofSO2and
ROG
Lead metalprocessing reproductive/developmental numerouseffectsincluding
effects(fetusesandchildren) neurological,endocrine,and
cardiovasculareffects
Notes: NOX = oxides of nitrogen; ROG = reactive organic gases.
1 Acute refers to effects of short-term exposures to criteria air pollutants, usually at fairly high concentrations.
2 Chronic refers to effects of long-term exposures to criteria air pollutants, usually at lower, ambient concentrations.

Sources: EPA 2011.

OZONE
Ozoneisaphotochemicaloxidant(asubstancewhoseoxygencombineschemicallywithanothersubstancein
thepresenceofsunlight)andtheprimarycomponentofsmog.Mostgroundlevelozoneisnotdirectlyemitted
intotheairbutisformedthroughcomplexchemicalreactionsbetweenprecursoremissionsofreactiveorganic
gases(ROG)andoxidesofnitrogen(NOX)inthepresenceofsunlight.ROGisasubsetofvolatileorganic
compoundsandROGemissionsresultprimarilyfromincompletecombustionandtheevaporationofchemical
solventsusedprimarilyincoatingandadhesiveprocesses,aswellasevaporationoffuels.ROGisalso
continuallyreleasedbiogenicallyinlargequantitiesfromplantandtrees.NOXareagroupofgaseous
compoundsofnitrogenandoxygenthatresultfromthecombustionoffuels.

EmissionsoftheozoneprecursorsROGandNOXhavedecreasedoverthepastseveralyearsbecauseofmore
stringentmotorvehiclestandardsandcleanerburningfuels.Duringthelast20yearsthemaximumamountof

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ROGandNOXoveran8hourperioddecreasedby17%.However,theozoneprobleminPlacerCountystillranks
amongthemostsevereinthestate(ARB2009).

NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NO2isabrownish,highlyreactivegasthatismostpresentinurbanenvironments.Themajorhumanmade
sourcesofNO2arecombustiondevices,suchasboilers,gasturbines,andmobileandstationaryreciprocating
internalcombustionengines.Combustiondevicesemitprimarilynitricoxide(NO),whichreactsthrough
oxidationintheatmospheretoformNO2.ThecombinedemissionsofNOandNO2arereferredtoasNOXand
arereportedasequivalentNO2.BecauseNO2isformedanddepletedbyreactionsassociatedwith
photochemicalsmog(ozone),theNO2concentrationinaparticulargeographicalareamaynotberepresentative
ofthelocalsourcesofNOXemissions(EPA2012).

PARTICULATE MATTER
Respirableparticulatematterwithanaerodynamicdiameterof10micrometersorlessisreferredtoasPM10.
PM10consistsofparticulatematteremitteddirectlyintotheair,suchasfugitivedust,soot,andsmokefrom
mobileandstationarysources,constructionoperations,firesandnaturalwindblowndust,andparticulate
matterformedintheatmospherebyreactionofgaseousprecursors(ARB2009).Fineparticulatematter(PM2.5)
includesasubgroupofsmallerparticlesthathaveanaerodynamicdiameterof2.5micrometersorless.

9.1.3 MONITORING STATION DATA AND ATTAINMENT AREA DESIGNATIONS

ConcentrationsofcriteriaairpollutantsaremeasuredatseveralmonitoringstationsintheMCAB.TheTruckee
FireStation,locatedapproximatelythreemilestothenorth,istheclosestmonitoringstationtotheprojectsite
withrecentdataforozoneandPM2.5.ThenextnearestmonitoringstationwithrecentdataforPM10istheSouth
LakeTahoeSandyWaystation,whichislocatedapproximately26milestothesouth.PCAPCDrecentlysetup
monitoringstationsinKingsBeachandinTahoeCityforozoneandPM2.5butdatafromthesestationsarenot
yetconsideredtobeofsufficientqualitytodetermineregulatorycompliance.Ingeneral,themeasurementsof
ambientairqualityfromthemonitoringstationsatTruckeeandSouthLakeTahoearerepresentativeoftheair
qualityinthevicinityoftheprojectarea.Table92summarizestheairqualitydatafromthesestationsforthe
pasttwoyears,20102011.

TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)andtheCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(ARB)usethistypeof
monitoringdatatodesignateareasaccordingtoattainmentstatusforcriteriaairpollutantsestablishedbythe
agencies.Thepurposeofthesedesignationsistoidentifythoseareaswithairqualityproblemsandthereby
initiateplanningeffortsforimprovement.Thethreebasicdesignationcategoriesarenonattainment,
attainment,andunclassified.Unclassifiedisusedinareasthatcannotbeclassifiedonthebasisof
availableinformationasmeetingornotmeetingthestandards.ThecurrentnationalandStateattainment
designationsforthePlacerCountyportionoftheMCABareshowninTable93foreachcriteriaairpollutant.

NotethatalthoughtheTruckeemonitoringstationindicatesthatthelocalTruckeeareaisinattainmentfor
ozone,theMCABisclassifiedasnonattainmentforozoneasaresultofozonelevelsmeasuredatother
monitoringstationsthroughouttheMCAB.

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Table 9-2 Summary of Annual Air Quality Data (20102011)

2010 2011
Ozone 1

Maximumconcentration(1hour/8hour,ppm) 0.065/0.053 0.058/0.053

NumberofdaysStatestandardexceeded(1hour/8hour) 0/0 0/0
Numberofdaysnationalstandardexceeded(1hour/8hour) 0/0 0/0
Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 1
MaximumConcentration(24houraverage,g/m3) 68.9 52.8
3
Numberofdaysnationalstandardexceeded(measured ) 0 0
Fine Particulate Matter (PM10) 2

MaximumConcentration(24houraverage,g/m3) 71.4 55.8
3
Numberofdaysnationalstandardexceeded(measured ) 2 3
Notes: g/m = micrograms per cubic meter, ppm = parts per million
3
1 Data provided from the Truckee-Fire Station monitoring station.
2 Data provided from the South Lake Tahoe-Sandy Way monitoring station.
3 Measured days are those days that an actual measurement was greater than the level of the State daily standard or the national daily standard.

Calculated days are the estimated number of days that a measurement would have been greater than the level of the standard had
measurements been collected every day. The number of days above the standard is not necessarily the number of violations of the standard for
the year.
Sources: ARB 2012a

Table 9-3 Attainment Status Designations for the

Placer County Portion of the Mountain Counties Air Basin
Pollutant National Designation State Designation
Ozone Nonattainment Nonattainment
PM10 Unclassified Nonattainment
PM2.5 Attainment/Unclassified Unclassified
CO Attainment/Unclassified Unclassified
NO2 Attainment/Unclassified Attainment
SO2 Unclassified Attainment
Lead(Particulate) Attainment/Unclassified Attainment
HydrogenSulfide Unclassified
Sulfates Attainment
VisibilityReducingParticulates Unclassified
Notes: CO = carbon monoxide; NO2 = nitrogen dioxide; PM2.5 = fine particulate matter; PM10 = respirable particulate matter; SO2 = sulfur dioxide
Sources: ARB 2011

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9.1.4 EMISSIONS INVENTORY

Exhibit91summarizesemissionsofcriteriaairpollutantsandprecursorswithintheMCABportionofPlacer
Countyforvarioussourcecategories.AccordingtoPlacerCountysemissionsinventory,mobilesourcesarethe
largestcontributortotheestimatedannualaverageforairpollutantlevelsofROGandNOXaccountingfor
approximately72%and98%respectively,ofthetotalemissions.Areawidesourcesaccountforapproximately
94%and82%oftheCountysPM10andPM2.5emissions,respectively(ARB2008).

10

7
Emissions(Tons/day)

6
Stationary

5 Areawide
OnRoadVehicles
4
OtherMobile
3

0
ROG NOX PM10 PM2.5

Source: ARB 2008.

Exhibit 9-1 Mountain Counties Air Basin Portion of Placer County 2008 Emissions Inventory

9.1.5 TOXIC AIR CONTAMINANTS

Concentrationsoftoxicaircontaminants(TACs)arealsousedtoindicatethequalityofambientair.ATACisan
airpollutantthatmaycauseorcontributetoanincreaseinmortalityorinseriousillness,orthatmayposea
hazardtohumanhealth.TACsareusuallypresentintracequantitiesintheambientair;however,theirhigh
toxicityorhealthriskmayposeathreattopublichealthevenatlowconcentrations.

AccordingtotheCaliforniaAlmanacofEmissionsandAirQuality(ARB2009),themajorityoftheestimated
healthrisksfromTACscanbeattributedtorelativelyfewcompounds,themostimportantbeingdieselPM.
DieselPMdiffersfromotherTACsinthatitisnotasinglesubstance,butratheracomplexmixtureofhundreds
ofsubstances.AlthoughdieselPMisemittedbydieselfueledinternalcombustionengines,thecompositionof
theemissionsvariesdependingonenginetype,operatingconditions,fuelcomposition,lubricatingoil,and
whetheranemissionscontrolsystemisbeingused.UnliketheotherTACs,noambientmonitoringdataare
availablefordieselPMbecausenoroutinemeasurementmethodcurrentlyexists.However,ARBhasmade
preliminaryconcentrationestimatesbasedonaPMexposuremethod.ThismethodusestheARBemissions
inventorysPM10database,ambientPM10monitoringdata,andtheresultsfromseveralstudiestoestimate

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concentrationsofdieselPM.InadditiontodieselPM,theTACsforwhichdataareavailablethatposethe
greatestexistingambientriskinCaliforniaarebenzene,1,3butadiene,acetaldehyde,carbontetrachloride,
hexavalentchromium,paradichlorobenzene,formaldehyde,methylenechloride,andperchloroethylene.

MajorsourcesofTACsinthevicinityoftheprojectsiteincludemajorhighwaysandroadways,associatedwith
thepresenceofdieselPMemissionsfromvehicleexhaust.StateRoute89(SR89)islocatedtotheeastofthe
projectsiteandInterstate80(I80)islocatedtothenorthoftheprojectsite.

9.1.6 NATURALLY OCCURRING ASBESTOS

Asbestosisthecommonnameforagroupofnaturallyoccurringfibroussilicatemineralsthatcanseparateinto
thinbutstronganddurablefibers.Naturallyoccurringasbestos,whichwasidentifiedasaTACbyARBin1986,is
locatedinmanypartsofCaliforniaandiscommonlyassociatedwithserpentinesoilsandrocks.

AccordingtotworeportsbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofConservation,DivisionofMinesandGeologyRelative
LikelihoodforthePresenceofNaturallyOccurringAsbestosinPlacerCounty,CaliforniaandAGeneralLocation
GuidetoUltramaficRocksinCaliforniaAreasMoreLikelytoContainNaturallyOccurringAsbestos(Higginsand
Clinkenbeard2006:54,ChurchillandHill2000),thestudyareaisnotlikelytocontainnaturallyoccurring
asbestos.

9.1.7 ODORS
Odorsaregenerallyregardedasanannoyanceratherthanahealthhazard.However,manifestationsofa
personsreactiontofoulodorscanrangefrompsychological(e.g.,irritation,anger,oranxiety)tophysiological
(e.g.,circulatoryandrespiratoryeffects,nausea,vomiting,andheadache).

Withrespecttoodors,thehumannoseisthesolesensingdevice.Theabilitytodetectodorsvariesconsiderably
amongthepopulationandoverallisquitesubjective.Someindividualshavetheabilitytosmellveryminute
quantitiesofspecificsubstances;othersmaynothavethesamesensitivitybutmayhavesensitivitiestoodorsof
othersubstances.Inaddition,peoplemayhavedifferentreactionstothesameodor;anodorthatisoffensiveto
onepersonmaybeperfectlyacceptabletoanother(e.g.,fastfoodrestaurant).Itisimportanttonotethatan
unfamiliarodorismoreeasilydetectedandismorelikelytocausecomplaintsthanafamiliarone.Thisis
becauseofthephenomenonknownasodorfatigue,inwhichapersoncanbecomedesensitizedtoalmostany
odorandrecognitiononlyoccurswithanalterationintheintensity.

Qualityandintensityaretwopropertiespresentinanyodor.Thequalityofanodorindicatesthenatureofthe
smellexperience.Forinstance,ifapersondescribesanodorasfloweryorsweet,thenthepersonisdescribing
thequalityoftheodor.Intensityreferstothestrengthoftheodor.Forexample,apersonmayusetheword
strongtodescribetheintensityofanodor.Odorintensitydependsontheodorantconcentrationintheair.
Whenanodoroussampleisprogressivelydiluted,theodorantconcentrationdecreases.Asthisoccurs,theodor
intensityweakensandeventuallybecomessolowthatthedetectionorrecognitionoftheodorisquitedifficult.
Atsomepointduringdilution,theconcentrationoftheodorantreachesadetectionthreshold.Anodorant
concentrationbelowthedetectionthresholdmeansthattheconcentrationintheairisnotdetectablebythe
averagehuman.

Theproposedprojectisnotconsideredamajorsourceofodors.TheEasternRegionalMRFandTransferStation,
locatedadjacenttotheprojectsite,isconsideredalandusesometimesassociatedwithodorcomplaints.

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9.1.8 SENSITIVE LAND USES

Sensitivelandusesaregenerallyconsideredtoincludethoseuseswhereexposuretopollutantscouldresultin
healthrelatedriskstoindividuals.Residentialdwellingsandplaceswherepeoplerecreateorconjugatefor
extendedperiodsoftimesuchasparksorschoolsareofprimaryconcernbecauseofthepotentialforincreased
andprolongedexposureofindividualstopollutants.

Existingsensitivelandusesinthevicinityoftheprojectprimarilyincludesinglefamilyresidences.Two
residences(occupiedbythefacilitycaretakers)arelocatedontheEasternRegionalMRFandTransferStation
site.Thetwoacreprojectsiteincludesoneoftheresidences,whichwouldberemovedaspartoftheproject.
Theotherresidenceswouldremain.Theclosestonsiteresidenceislocatedapproximately775feettothe
northwestoftheprojectsite.Theclosestoffsiteresidencesareapproximately1,500feettotheeast,acrossSR
89andonthewestsideoftheTruckeeRiver.Therearenoothersensitivelanduseslocatedincloseproximityto
theproject.

9.2 REGULATORY SETTING

AirqualitywithinthePlacerCountyportionoftheMCABisregulatedbytheEPA,ARB,andPlacerCountyAir
PollutionControlDistrict(PCAPCD).AirqualitywithintheLTABisalsoregulatedbytheTahoeRegionalPlanning
Agency(TRPA).Eachoftheseagenciesdevelopsrules,regulations,policies,and/orgoalstocomplywith
applicablelegislation.AlthoughEPAregulationsmaynotbesuperseded,Stateandlocalregulationsmaybe
morestringent.

9.2.1 FEDERAL
EPAhasbeenchargedwithimplementingnationalairqualityprograms.EPAsairqualitymandatesaredrawn
primarilyfromtheFederalCleanAirAct(CAA),whichwasenactedin1970.Themostrecentmajoramendments
totheCAAweremadebyCongresswerein1990.

CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS

TheCAArequiredEPAtoestablishnationalambientairqualitystandards(NAAQS).AsshowninTable94,EPA
hasestablishedprimaryandsecondaryNAAQSforthefollowingcriteriaairpollutants:ozone,CO,NO2,SO2,
respirableandfineparticulatematter(PM10andPM2.5),andlead.Theprimarystandardsprotectthepublic
healthandthesecondarystandardsprotectpublicwelfare.TheCAAalsorequiredeachstatetoprepareanair
qualitycontrolplanreferredtoasaStateImplementationPlan(SIP).TheFederalCleanAirActAmendmentsof
1990(CAAA)addedrequirementsforstateswithnonattainmentareastorevisetheirSIPstoincorporate
additionalcontrolmeasurestoreduceairpollution.TheSIPismodifiedperiodicallytoreflectthelatest
emissionsinventories,planningdocuments,andrulesandregulationsoftheairbasinsasreportedbytheir
jurisdictionalagencies.EPAisresponsibleforreviewingallSIPstodeterminewhethertheyconformtothe
mandatesoftheCAAanditsamendments,andwhetherimplementationwillachieveairqualitygoals.IfEPA
determinesaSIPtobeinadequate,afederalimplementationplanthatimposesadditionalcontrolmeasures
maybepreparedforthenonattainmentarea.IfanapprovableSIPisnotsubmittedorimplementedwithinthe
mandatedtimeframe,sanctionsmaybeappliedtotransportationfundingandstationaryairpollutionsourcesin
theairbasin.

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Table 9-4 Ambient Air Quality Standards and Designations

Averaging National c
Pollutant Californiaa,b
Time Primary b,d Secondary b,e
Ozone 0.09ppm
1hour e
(180g/m3) Sameasprimary
0.070ppm 0.075ppm standard
8hour
(137g/m3) (147g/m3)
Carbonmonoxide(CO) 20ppm 35ppm
1hour
(23mg/m3) (40mg/m3) Sameasprimary
6ppmf 9ppm standard
8hour
(7mg/m3) (10mg/m3)
Nitrogendioxide(NO2)g 0.030ppm 53ppb Sameasprimary
Annualarithmeticmean
(57g/m3) (100g/m3) standard
0.18ppm 100ppb
1hour
(339g/m3) (188g/m3)
Sulfurdioxide(SO2) 0.04ppm
24hour
(105g/m3)
0.5ppm
3hour
(1300g/m3)
0.25ppm 75ppb
1hour
(655g/m3) (196g/m3)
Respirableparticulate Annualarithmeticmean 20g/m3 Sameasprimary
matter(PM10) 24hour 50g/m3 150g/m3 standard
Fineparticulatematter Annualarithmeticmean 12g/m3 15.0g/m3 Sameasprimary
(PM2.5) 24hour 35g/m3 standard
Leadg Sameasprimary
Calendarquarter 1.5g/m3
standard
30Dayaverage 1.5g/m3
Rolling3Month Sameasprimary
0.15g/m3
Average standard
Hydrogensulfide 0.03ppm
1hour
(42g/m3)
Sulfates 24hour 25g/m3 No
national
Vinylchloridef 24hour 0.01ppm(26g/m3) standards
Visibilityreducing 8hour

particulatematter
Notes: g/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter; km = kilometers; ppb = parts per billion; ppm = parts per million.
a California standards for ozone, SO2 (1- and 24-hour), NO2, particulate matter, and visibility-reducing particles are values that are not to be

exceeded. All others are not to be equaled or exceeded. California ambient air quality standards are listed in the Table of Standards in Section
70200 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.
b Concentration expressed first in units in which it was issued. Equivalent units given in parentheses are based on a reference temperature of 25

degrees Celsius (C) and a reference pressure of 760 torr. Most measurements of air quality are to be corrected to a reference temperature of
25C and a reference pressure of 760 torr; ppm in this table refers to ppm by volume, or micromoles of pollutant per mole of gas.
c National standards (other than ozone, particulate matter, and those based on annual averages or annual arithmetic means) are not to be

exceeded more than once a year. The ozone standard is attained when the fourth highest 8-hour concentration in a year, averaged over 3 years, is
equal to or less than the standard. The PM10 24-hour standard is attained when 99 percent of the daily concentrations, averaged over 3 years, are
equal to or less than the standard. The PM2.5 24-hour standard is attained when 98 percent of the daily concentrations, averaged over 3 years,
are equal to or less than the standard. Contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for further clarification and current Federal policies.
d National primary standards: The levels of air quality necessary, with an adequate margin of safety, to protect the public health.
e National secondary standards: The levels of air quality necessary to protect the public welfare from any known or anticipated adverse effects of a

pollutant.
f The California Air Resources Board has identified lead and vinyl chloride as toxic air contaminants with no threshold of exposure for adverse

health effects determined. These actions allow for the implementation of control measures at levels below the ambient concentrations specified
for these pollutants.
Source: ARB 2012b

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TOXIC AIR CONTAMINANTS/HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS

AirqualityregulationsalsofocusonTACs,orinFederalparlancehazardousairpollutants(HAPs).Ingeneral,for
thoseTACsthatmaycausecancer,thereisnoconcentrationthatdoesnotpresentsomerisk.Inotherwords,
thereisnothresholdlevelbelowwhichadversehealthimpactsmaynotbeexpectedtooccur.(Bycontrast,for
thecriteriaairpollutants,acceptablelevelsofexposurecanbedeterminedandtheambientstandardshave
beenestablished[Table94].)Instead,EPAand,inCalifornia,ARBregulateHAPsandTACs,respectively,through
statutesandregulationsthatgenerallyrequiretheuseofthemaximumavailablecontroltechnologyorbest
availablecontroltechnologyfortoxicstolimitemissions.(SeethediscussionofTACsintheStatesection
belowforadescriptionofARBsefforts.)TheseinconjunctionwithadditionalrulessetforthbyPCAPCD,
describedbelowunderPlacerCountyAirPollutionControlDistrict,establishtheregulatoryframeworkfor
TACs.

EPAhasprogramsforidentifyingandregulatingHAPs.TitleIIIoftheCAAAdirectedEPAtopromulgatenational
emissionsstandardsforHAPs(NESHAP).TheNESHAPmaydifferformajorsourcesthanforareasourcesof
HAPs.Majorsourcesaredefinedasstationarysourceswithpotentialtoemitmorethan10tonsperyear(TPY)
ofanyHAPormorethan25TPYofanycombinationofHAPs;allothersourcesareconsideredareasources.The
emissionsstandardsaretobepromulgatedintwophases.Inthefirstphase(19922000),EPAdeveloped
technologybasedemissionstandardsdesignedtoproducethemaximumemissionreductionachievable.These
standardsaregenerallyreferredtoasrequiringmaximumavailablecontroltechnologyfortoxics(MACT).For
areasources,thestandardsmaybedifferent,basedongenerallyavailablecontroltechnology.Inthesecond
phase(20012008),EPAisrequiredtopromulgatehealthriskbasedemissionsstandardswhendeemed
necessarytoaddressrisksremainingafterimplementationofthetechnologybasedNESHAPstandards.

TheCAAAalsorequiredEPAtoissuevehicleorfuelstandardscontainingreasonablerequirementsthatcontrol
toxicemissionsof,ataminimum,benzeneandformaldehyde.Performancecriteriawereestablishedtolimit
mobilesourceemissionsoftoxics,includingbenzene,formaldehyde,and1,3butadiene.Inaddition,Section
219requiredtheuseofreformulatedgasolineinselectedareaswiththemostsevereozonenonattainment
conditionstofurtherreducemobilesourceemissions.

9.2.2 STATE
ARBistheagencyresponsibleforcoordinationandoversightofStateandlocalairpollutioncontrolprogramsin
CaliforniaandforimplementingtheCaliforniaCleanAirAct(CCAA).TheCCAA,whichwasadoptedin1988,
requiredARBtoestablishCaliforniaambientairqualitystandards(CAAQS)(Table94).

CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS

ARBhasestablishedCAAQSforsulfates,hydrogensulfide,vinylchloride,visibilityreducingparticulatematter,
andtheabovementionedcriteriaairpollutants.InmostcasestheCAAQSaremorestringentthantheNAAQS.
Differencesinthestandardsaregenerallyexplainedbythehealtheffectsstudiesconsideredduringthe
standardsettingprocessandtheinterpretationofthestudies.Inaddition,theCAAQSincorporateamarginof
safetytoprotectsensitiveindividuals.

TheCCAArequiresthatalllocalairdistrictsinthestateendeavortoachieveandmaintaintheCAAQSbythe
earliestdatepractical.Theactspecifiesthatlocalairdistrictsshouldfocusparticularattentiononreducingthe
emissionsfromtransportationandareawideemissionsources,andprovidesdistrictswiththeauthorityto
regulateindirectsources.

AmongARBsotherresponsibilitiesareoverseeinglocalairdistrictcompliancewithFederalandStatelaws,
approvinglocalairqualityplans,submittingSIPstoEPA,monitoringairquality,determiningandupdatingarea
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designationsandmaps,andsettingemissionsstandardsfornewmobilesources,consumerproducts,small
utilityengines,offroadvehicles,andfuels.

TOXIC AIR CONTAMINANTS

TACsinCaliforniaareregulatedprimarilythroughtheTannerAirToxicsAct(AssemblyBill[AB]1807,Chapter
1047,Statutesof1983)andtheAirToxicsHotSpotsInformationandAssessmentActof1987(AB2588,Chapter
1252,Statutesof1987).AB1807setsforthaformalprocedureforARBtodesignatesubstancesasTACs.
Research,publicparticipation,andscientificpeerreviewarerequiredbeforeARBcandesignateasubstanceasa
TAC.Todate,ARBhasidentifiedmorethan21TACsandadoptedEPAslistofHAPsasTACs.Mostrecently,
dieselPMwasaddedtoARBslistofTACs.

OnceaTACisidentified,ARBthenadoptsanairbornetoxicscontrolmeasureforsourcesthatemitthat
particularTAC.Ifasafethresholdexistsforasubstanceatwhichthereisnotoxiceffect,thecontrolmeasure
mustreduceexposurebelowthatthreshold.Ifnosafethresholdexists,themeasuremustincorporatebest
availablecontroltechnologyfortoxicstominimizeemissions.

TheHotSpotsActrequiresthatexistingfacilitiesthatemittoxicsubstancesaboveaspecifiedlevelpreparean
inventoryoftoxicemissions,prepareariskassessmentifemissionsaresignificant,notifythepublicofsignificant
risklevels,andprepareandimplementriskreductionmeasures.

ARBhasadopteddieselexhaustcontrolmeasuresandmorestringentemissionstandardsforvariousonroad
mobilesourcesofemissions,includingtransitbuses,andoffroaddieselequipment(e.g.,tractors,generators).
InFebruary2000,ARBadoptedanewpublictransitbusfleetruleandemissionsstandardsfornewurbanbuses.
Theserulesandstandardsincludedmorestringentemissionstandardsforsomenewurbanbusengines,
beginningwiththe2002modelyear;zeroemissionbusdemonstrationandpurchaserequirementsfortransit
agencies;andreportingrequirements,underwhichtransitagenciesmustdemonstratecompliancewiththe
publictransitbusfleetrule.Recentmilestonesincludedthelowsulfurdieselfuelrequirement,andtighter
emissionsstandardsforheavydutydieseltrucks(effectivein2007andsubsequentmodelyears)andoffroad
dieselequipment(2011)nationwide.Overtime,replacingoldervehicleswillresultinavehiclefleetthat
producessubstantiallylowerlevelsofTACsthanundercurrentconditions.MobilesourceemissionsofTACs
(e.g.,benzene,13butadiene,dieselPM)inCaliforniahavebeenreducedsignificantlyoverthelastdecade;such
emissionswillbereducedfurtherthroughaprogressionofregulatorymeasures(e.g.,LowEmission
Vehicle/CleanFuelsandPhaseIIreformulatedgasolineregulations)andcontroltechnologies.

WithimplementationofARBsriskreductionplan,itisexpectedthatconcentrationsofdieselPMwillbe
reducedby75percentin2010and85percentin2020fromtheestimatedyear2000level.Adoptedregulations
arealsoexpectedtocontinuetoreduceformaldehydeemissionsfromcarsandlightdutytrucks.Asemissions
arereduced,itisexpectedthatrisksassociatedwithexposuretotheemissionswillalsobereduced.

9.2.3 LOCAL
PLACER COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT
CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS
PCAPCDattainsandmaintainsairqualityconditionsinPlacerCountythroughacomprehensiveprogramof
planning,regulation,enforcement,technicalinnovation,andpromotionoftheunderstandingofairquality
issues.ThecleanairstrategyofPCAPCDincludespreparingplansfortheattainmentofambientairquality
standards,adoptingandenforcingrulesandregulationsconcerningsourcesofairpollution,andissuingpermits
forstationarysourcesofairpollution.PCAPCDalsoinspectsstationarysourcesofairpollutionandrespondsto
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citizencomplaints,monitorsambientairqualityandmeteorologicalconditions,andimplementsprogramsand
regulationsrequiredbytheCAA,CAAA,andCCAA.

AllprojectsaresubjecttoadoptedPCACPDrulesandregulationsineffectatthetimeofconstruction.Specific
rulesapplicabletotheconstructionoftheprojectmayincludebutarenotlimitedtothefollowing:

Rule202VisibleEmissions.Requiresthatopacityemissionsfromanyemissionsourcenotexceed20%for
morethan3minutesinanyonehour.
Rule217CutbackandEmulsifiedAsphaltPavingMaterials.Prohibitstheuseofthefollowingasphalt
materialsforroadpaving:rapidcurecutbackasphalt;slowcurecutbackasphalt;mediumcurecutback
asphalt;oremulsifiedasphalt.
Rule218ApplicationofArchitecturalCoatings.Requiresarchitecturalcoatingstomeetvariousvolatile
organiccompound(VOC)contentlimits.
Rule228FugitiveDust.
Visibleemissionsarenotallowedbeyondtheprojectboundaryline.
Visibleemissionsmaynothaveopacityofgreaterthan40%atanytime.
Trackoutmustbeminimizedfrompavedpublicroadways.
Rule231Industrial,Institutional,andCommercialBoilers,SteamGenerators,andProcessHeaters.
EstablisheslimitsforNOxandCOforcertaintypesofboilers.Thisruleisnotapplicabletotheprojector
projectalternatives.
Rule233BiomassBoilers.EstablishesNOXandCOemissionslimitstobiomassboilers.Thisruleis
applicabletothedirectcombustionalternativetotheproposedproject.
Rule242StationaryInternalCombustionEngines.EstablisheslimitsforNOXandCOemissionsfrom
internalcombustionengines.
Rule501GeneralPermitRequirements.Establishesthatnewstationarysourcesofairemissions,suchas
thebiomassprojectthisisthesubjectofthisdocument,requireoperatingpermitsfromPCAPCD.
Rule502NewSourceReview.Establishespermittingrequirementsfornewsources.Thisincludes
thresholdsfortherequirementtoutilizeBestAvailableControlTechnologyandtheneedtomeet
emissionoffsetsbyobtainingemissionreductioncredits.
Rule507FederalOperatingPermit.EstablishestheneedforafederalTitleVpermit,andthe
requirementsforthispermit.

TOXIC AIR CONTAMINANTS

Atthelocallevel,airpollutioncontrolormanagementdistrictsmayadoptandenforceARBscontrolmeasures.
UnderPCAPCDRule501(GeneralPermitRequirements),Rule502(NewSourceReview),andRule507
(FederalOperatingPermit),allsourcesthatpossessthepotentialtoemitTACsarerequiredtoobtainpermits
fromthedistrict.Permitsmaybegrantedtotheseoperationsiftheyareconstructedandoperatedin
accordancewithapplicableregulations,includingnewsourcereviewstandards(seeRule502above)andair
toxicscontrolmeasures.PCAPCDlimitsemissionsandpublicexposuretoTACsthroughanumberofprograms.
PCAPCDprioritizesTACemittingstationarysourcesbasedonthequantityandtoxicityoftheTACemissionsand
theproximityofthefacilitiestosensitivereceptors.

SourcesthatrequireapermitareanalyzedbyPCAPCD(e.g.,healthriskassessment)basedontheirpotentialto
emittoxics.IfitisdeterminedthattheprojectwillemittoxicsinexcessofPCAPCDsthresholdofsignificancefor
TACs(identifiedbelow),sourceshavetoimplementbestavailablecontroltechnology(BACT)forTACstoreduce
emissions.IfasourcecannotreducetheriskbelowthethresholdofsignificanceevenafterBACThasbeen
implemented,PCAPCDwilldenythepermitrequiredbythesource.Thishelpstopreventnewproblemsand

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reducesemissionsfromexistingoldersourcesbyrequiringthemtoapplynewtechnologywhenretrofittingwith
respecttoTACs.

ODORS
PCAPCDhasdeterminedsomecommontypesoffacilitiesthathavebeenknowntoproduceodors:wastewater
treatmentfacilities,chemicalmanufacturingplants,painting/coatingoperations,feedlots/dairies,composting
facilities,landfills,andtransferstations.Becauseoffensiveodorsrarelycauseanyphysicalharm,andFederal
andStateairqualityregulationsdonotcontainanyrequirementsfortheircontrolareincludedinFederalor
Stateairqualityregulations,PCAPCDhastheauthoritytorestrictandpreventthereleaseofodorousair
contaminantsthroughRule205(Nuisance):

Rule205Nuisance.Apersonshallnotdischargefromanysourcewhatsoeversuchquantitiesofair
contaminantsorothermaterialwhichcauseinjury,detriment,nuisanceorannoyancetoanyconsiderable
numberofpersons,ortothepublic,orwhichendangerthecomfort,repose,healthorsafetyofanysuch
persons,orthepublic,orwhichcausetohaveanaturaltendencytocauseinjuryordamagetobusinessor
property.TheprovisionsofRule205donotapplytoodorsemanatingfromagricultureoperationsnecessary
forthegrowingofcropsorraisingoffowloranimals.

AnyactionsrelatedtoodorsarebasedoncitizencomplaintstolocalgovernmentsandPCAPCD.

PLACER COUNTY GENERAL PLAN

ThePlacerCountyGeneralPlanAirQualityElementprovidesCountywidegoalsandpolicesaimedatimproving
airquality(PlacerCounty1994).GoalsandpoliciesintheAirQualityElementparallelthoseidentifiedinthe
StateandfederalplansapplicabletoPlacerCounty.ThefollowingpoliciesrelatedtoGoal6.FoftheGeneral
Plan,whichistoprotectandimproveairqualityinPlacerCounty:

6.F.1.TheCountyshallcooperatewithotheragenciestodevelopaconsistentandeffectiveapproachtoair
qualityplanningandmanagement.

6.F.2.TheCountyshalldevelopmitigationmeasurestominimizestationarysourceandareasourceemissions.

6.F.3.TheCountyshallsupportthePCAPCDinitsdevelopmentofimprovedambientairqualitymonitoring
capabilitiesandtheestablishmentofstandards,thresholds,andrulestomoreadequatelyaddresstheair
qualityimpactsofnewdevelopment.

6.F.4.TheCountyshallsolicitandconsidercommentsfromlocalandregionalagenciesonproposedprojects
thatmayaffectregionalairquality.

6.F.5.TheCountyshallencourageprojectproponentstoconsultearlyintheplanningprocesswiththeCounty
regardingtheapplicabilityofCountywideindirectandareawidesourceprogramsandtransportation
controlmeasuresprograms.Projectreviewshallalsoaddressenergyefficientbuildingandsitedesignsand
properstorage,use,anddisposalofhazardousmaterials.

6.F.6.TheCountyshallrequireprojectlevelenvironmentalreviewtoincludeidentificationofpotentialair
qualityimpactsanddesignationofdesignandotherappropriatemitigationmeasuresoroffsetfeesto
reduceimpacts.TheCountyshalldedicatestafftoworkwithprojectproponentsandotheragenciesin
identifying,ensuringtheimplementationof,andmonitoringthesuccessofmitigationmeasures.

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6.F.7.TheCountyshallencouragedevelopmenttobelocatedanddesignedtominimizedirectandindirectair
pollutants.

6.F.8.TheCountyshallsubmitdevelopmentproposalstothePCAPCDforreviewandcommentincompliance
withCEQApriortoconsiderationbytheappropriatedecisionmakingbody.

6.F.9.Inreviewingprojectapplications,theCountyshallconsideralternativesoramendmentsthatreduce
emissionsofairpollutants.

6.F.10.TheCountymayrequirenewdevelopmentprojectstosubmitanairqualityanalysisforreviewand
approval.TheCountyshallrequireappropriatemitigationmeasuresconsistentwiththemostrecentAir
QualityAttainmentPlan.

6.F.11.TheCountyshallapplythebufferstandardsdescribedinPartI[oftheGeneralPlan]andmeteorological
analysestoprovideseparationbetweenpossibleemission/nuisancesources(suchasindustrialand
commercialuses)andresidentialuses.Generally,industrial/residentialbuffersshallbeaminimumwidth
of300feet,butmaybereducedtonotlessthan100feetwherethebufferincludessuchfeaturesas
screeningwalls,landscapedberms,and/ordenselandscaping,withguaranteesofproper,ongoing
landscapingmaintenance.

ThefollowingpoliciesrelatedtoGoal6.GoftheGeneralPlan,whichistointegrateairqualityplanningwiththe
landuseandtransportationplanningprocess,andareapplicabletotheproposedproject:

6.G.1.TheCountyshallrequirenewdevelopmenttobeplannedtoresultinsmoothflowingtrafficconditionsfor
majorroadways.Thisincludestrafficsignalsandtrafficsignalcoordination,parallelroadways,andintra
andinterneighborhoodconnectionswheresignificantreductionsinoverallemissionscanbeachieved.

6.G.4.TheCountyshallconsiderinstitutingdisincentivesforsingleoccupantvehicletrips,includinglimitationsin
parkingsupplyinareaswherealternativetransportationmodesareavailableandothermeasures
identifiedbyPCAPCDandincorporatedintoregionalplans.

6.G.7.TheCountyshallrequirestationarysourceprojectsthatgeneratesignificantamountsofairpollutantsto
incorporateairqualitymitigationintheirdesign.

EL DORADO COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT AND NORTHERN SIERRA

AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
WhiletheproposedbiomassplantwouldbeconstructedandoperatedinPlacerCounty,whichisunderthe
jurisdictionofPCAPCD,someoperationrelatedactivitywouldoccurinneighboringairdistricts.Thechippingof
biomassintheforestswherebiomassiscollectedwouldalsooccurinthejurisdictionsoftheElDoradoCounty
AirPollutionControlDistrict(EDCAPCD)andtheNorthernSierraAirQualityManagementDistrict(NSAQMD),as
wouldsomeofthehaulingofbiomasstotheCabinCreeksiteandsomeemployeecommutetrips.Trucks
haulingbiocharfromtheplanttotheLockwoodRegionalLandfillnearSparks,NVwouldpassthroughthe
jurisdictionsofbothPCAPCDandNSAQMD.Theseemissionsourceswillbediscussedinmoredetailinthe
impactanalysisbelow.LikePCAPCD,EDCAPCDandNSAQMDworktoattainandmaintainairqualityconditions
intheLakeTahoeAirBasinandtheMountainCountiesAirBasin,respectively,throughacomprehensive
programofplanning,andthroughtheadoptionandenforcementofrulesandregulationsconcerningsourcesof
airpollution.

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TAHOE REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY

InAugust1982,TRPAadoptedResolutionNo.8211,whichincludedEnvironmentalThresholdCarrying
Capacities(ETCC)relatedtoairqualityandotherresourcetopicsfortheLakeTahoeRegion.TRPAconductsa
comprehensiveevaluationevery5yearstodeterminewhethereachETCCisbeingachievedand/ormaintained,
makesspecificrecommendationstoaddressproblemareas,anddirectsgeneralplanningeffortsforthenext
yearperiod.Themostrecentevaluationwascompletedin2012(TRPA2012).

TRPAthresholdstandardsaddressCO,ozone,regionalandsubregionalvisibility,andatmosphericdeposition.
Numericalstandardshavebeenestablishedforeachoftheseparameters,andmanagementstandardshavebeen
developedthatareintendedtoassistinattainingthethresholdstandards.Themanagementstandardsinclude
reducingparticulatematter,maintaininglevelsofNOX,reducingtrafficvolumesonU.S.Highway50,andreducing
vehiclemilestraveled.Inaddition,theTahoeRegionalPlanningCompactstatesthattheTahoeRegionalPlanshall
provideforattainingandmaintainingfederal,state,orlocalairqualitystandards,whicheverarestrictest,inthe
respectiveportionsoftheregionforwhichthestandardsareapplicable.

TRPAalsoestablishesGoalsandPoliciesthataredesignedtoachieveandmaintainadoptedETCCsandare
implementedthroughitsCodeofOrdinances.NoneoftheprovisionsinTRPAsCodeofOrdinancesaredirectly
applicabletotheproposedproject.

TheTahoeMetropolitanPlanningOrganization,thetransportationdivisionofTRPA,preparesaRegional
TransportationPlan(RTP),whichaimstoattainandmaintaintheETCCsandallapplicablefederal,state,and
localstandardsestablishedfortransportationandairqualityintheLakeTahoeregion(TMPO2012).TheRTP
containsspecifictransportationinfrastructureprojectsandtransportationstrategiesdesignedtosupportair
qualityobjectivesoftheTahoeRegionalPlanandtoattainandmaintaintheTRPAthresholdstandards.The
RegionalPlanUpdateisinaprocessparallelwiththeupdateoftheRTP.TheTahoeRegionalPlanandRTPfocus
onnewdevelopmentintheTahoeBasinandassociatedtransportationneeds.Becausetheproposedbiomass
powerplantwouldbelocatedoutsideoftheTahoeBasin,noneofthefeaturesoftheTahoeRegionalPlanand
RTParedirectlyapplicabletotheproposedproject.However,someprojectrelatedthoughsomevehicleactivity
(e.g.,biomasshauling,employeecommutetrips)andbiomasschippingassociatedwithoperationofthe
proposedpowerplantwouldoccurintheLakeTahoeBasin.

9.3 IMPACTS
9.3.1 SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA
Forthisanalysis,significancecriteriaarebasedonthechecklistpresentedinAppendixGoftheStateCEQA
Guidelines.BasedonAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelines,anairqualityimpactisconsideredsignificantif
implementationoftheprojectwoulddoanyofthefollowing:

conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan;
violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation
(Table94);
resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriaairpollutantforwhichtheprojectregionis
innonattainmentunderanyapplicableNationalorStateambientairqualitystandards(includingreleasing
emissionsthatexceedquantitativestandardsforozoneprecursors);
exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations(includingTACs/HAPs);or
createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople.

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AsstatedinAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelines,thesignificanceofcriteriaestablishedbytheapplicable
airqualitymanagementorairpollutioncontroldistrictmaybereliedupontomaketheabovedeterminations.
Thus,basedonrecommendationsbyPCAPCD,EDAPCD,andNSAQMD,theprojectwouldresultinapotentially
significantimpactonairqualityif:

constructiongeneratedcriteriaairpollutantorprecursoremissionsinPlacerCountywouldexceedthe
PCAPCDrecommendedthresholdof82poundsperday(lb/day)forROG,NOX,orPM10;
longtermoperational(regional)criteriaairpollutantorprecursoremissionswouldexceeddistrict
recommendedthresholds(i.e.,82lb/dayforROG,NOX,orPM10inPlacerCounty[PCAPCDsjurisdiction];
82lb/dayforROGorNOX,orresultinElDoradoCounty[EDCAPCDsjurisdiction];or,forPM10andPM2.5,
resultinaviolationoftheambientairqualitystandardorasubstantialcontributiontoanexistingor
projectedairqualityviolation;orexceedoneofNSAQMDstiersforROG,NOX,orPM10without
implementingallapplicablereductionmeasures);
longtermoperationallocalmobilesourceCOemissionswouldviolateorcontributesubstantiallyto
concentrationsthatexceedtheCalifornia1hourambientairqualitystandardof20ppmorthe8hour
standardof9ppm;or
exposureofsensitivereceptorstoTACemissionswouldexceed10in1millionforthecarcinogenicrisk(i.e.,
theriskofcontractingcancer)oranoncarcinogenicHazardIndexof1forthemaximallyexposedindividual.

9.3.2 METHODS AND ASSUMPTIONS

Shorttermconstructionrelatedemissionsofcriteriaairpollutantsandprecursorswerecalculatedusingthe
CaliforniaEmissionsEstimatorModel(CalEEMod)Version2011.1.1computerprogram(SCAQMD2011),as
recommendedbyPCAPCDandotherairdistrictsinCalifornia. Modelingwasbasedonprojectspecific
information(e.g.,size,amountsofgravelimportedandmaterialexported),whereavailable,reasonable
assumptionsbasedontypicalconstructionactivities,anddefaultvaluesinCalEEModthatarebasedonthe
projectslocationandlandusetype.Foradetaileddescriptionofmodelinputandoutputparameters,and
assumptions,refertoAppendixD.

Operationalemissionsofcriteriaairpollutantsandprecursorswereestimatedusingavarietyofsourcesand
models.

Table95summarizestheprojectrelatedactivitiesforwhichemissionswereestimated;themodel,protocol,
andsourceofemissionfactorsused;andthekeyinputparametersonwhicheachactivitysemissionswere
determined.Operationalemissionsincludethosestationarysourceemissionsgeneratedbythepowerplantand
supportemissions,whichrefertoemissionsfromthoseactivitiesthatdirectlysupportoperationofthepower
plantandwouldnototherwiseoccur.

Thissignificancedeterminationinthisquantitativeanalysisdoesnotaccountforlevelsofemissionsassociated
withtheopenburningofforestthinningdebrisandhazardousfuelsinareaforeststhatwouldbeavoidedbythe
operationofthebiomassplant.Thisisbecausetheairdistrictsrespectivemassemissionthresholdsarefor
maximumdailyemissionlevelsandthetimingofopenburningisunknown.Inotherwords,itislikelythatthere
wouldbedayswhenalltheemissionssourceslistedinTable95wouldbeinoperation,butopenburningof
forestrefusewouldnotbetakingplace.Forsakeofdisclosure,however,thischapterprovidesestimatesofthe
levelsofemissionsfromtheopenburningoftheamountofbiomassthatwouldbeconsumedbytheproposed
biomassplantoverthecourseofayear.Theseestimatesarebasedonemissionfactorsforopenburning
publishedbyARB(ARB2006).

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Table 9-5 Methodologies Used to Estimate Project-Related Operational Emissions of

Criteria Air Pollutants and Precursors
Model/Protocol/
Category and Source Key Input Parameter(s)
Source of Emission Factors
Construction Emissions CalEEMod model1 hours of off-road equipment use
Operational Emissions
SyngasCombustionbyPowerPlant TechnologyProviders2 biomassfueltypeandcomposition
Support Emissions
NaturalGasCombustionbyPowerPlant EPAsAP42EmissionFactors3 energycontentofnaturalgas
4 5
ChippingBiomass PilotStudy ,ARBsOffroad2007model dieselequipmentuse
6
ARBsEmfac2011 model ,EPAsRoadway
TrucksHaulingBiomasstoPlant VMTofhaulroutes
DustEmissionFactors
TruckActivityatthePlant(Idling) ARBsEmfac2011 model (truckmodule)8 truckidlehours
5
LoaderatthePlantandFuelYard ARBsOffroad2007model hoursof use
6
EmployeeTrips ARBsEmfac2011 model VMTofemployeecommutetrips
6
ARBsEmfac2011 model ,EPAsRoadway
TrucksHaulingBiochar VMTofhaulroutes
DustEmissionFactors8
VMT = vehicle miles travelled
Models:
1 South Coast Air Quality Management District. 2011. California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod), Version 2011.1.1. Available:

<http://www.caleemod.com/>. This model has been approved by ARB, PCAPCD, and all air districts in California.
2 Gasification power plant emissions estimates were reviewed and developed by PCAPCD staff using data from multiple technology providers that

specialize in power generation using biomass feedstock. These estimates are published in a 2011 report prepared by TSS Consultants and
PCAPCD (TSS and PCAPCD 2011).
3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1998 (July). Emission Factors & AP 42, Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors, Section 1.4, Natural

Gas Combustion. From EPAs Technology Transfer Networks Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emission Factors. Available:
<http://www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/ap42/ch01/final/c01s04.pdf>. Accessed May 7, 2012.
4 Sierra Nevada Conservancy. 2008 (November 17). Forest Biomass Removal on National Forest Lands: First Progress Report. Prepared by Placer

County Chief Executive Office and TSS Consultants.

5 California Air Resources Board. 2006. Off-Road 2007 computer program, Version 2.0.1.2. Available:

<http://www.arb.ca.gov/html/soft.htm#modeling>. Last updated April 14, 2010. Accessed May 2010.

6 California Air Resources Board. 2012 (February 8). Emfac2011 computer program. Sacramento, CA. Available:

<http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/modeling.htm>. Last updated [February 9, 2012]. Accessed May 3, 2012.

7 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2006 (November). Emission Factors & AP 42, Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors-Section 13.2.2

Unpaved Roads. Available http://www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/ap42/. Accessed May 5, 2012

8 California Air Resources Board. 2012 (February 8) (last updated). EMFAC2011 Idling Emission Rates. Available:

<http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/modeling.htm>. Accessed May 3, 2012.

Source: Methodologies researched and identified by Ascent Environmental in 2012.

ThepotentialforvehicletripsgeneratedbytheprojecttocontributetoexceedancesoftheNAAQSandCAAQS
atcongestedintersectionsintheprojectareaisevaluatedusingthescreeningmethodologydevelopedby
Caltransstaffthatisbasedonanintersectionslevelofservice(LOS)(Garza,Graney,andSperling1997).

ConstructionrelatedemissionsofTACswereevaluatedbasedonthemassofPM2.5exhaustemittedbyheavy
dutyconstructionequipment,whichisconsideredasurrogatefordieselPM,thedurationofequipmentuseat
anysinglelocation,theproximityofnearbysensitivereceptors.

Atthistime,PCAPCDhasnotadoptedamethodologyforanalyzingshorttermconstructionrelatedemissionsof
TACs.Therefore,projectgenerated,constructionrelatedemissionsofTACswereassessedinaqualitative
manner.Withrespecttolongterm,operationrelatedexposureofsensitivereceptorstoemissionsofTACs,
levelsofcancerandnoncancerhealthriskwereestimatedbasedontheHealthRiskAssessment(HRA)prepared
byAirPermittingSpecialists(AirPermittingSpecialists2011).

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Theassessmentofodorrelatedimpactswasbasedontheproximityofnearbyreceptorsandthehistoryof
confirmedodorcomplaintsforsimilarbiomasspowerplantsintheregion.

9.3.3 ISSUES OR POTENTIAL IMPACTS NOT DISCUSSED FURTHER

Allissuesdiscussedaboveunder9.3.1,SignificanceCriteria,arediscussedbelow.

9.3.4 IMPACT ANALYSIS

Impact Short-Term, Construction-Generated Emissions of ROG, NOX, PM10 and PM2.5. Short-term,
9-1 construction-generated emissions would not exceed PCAPCDs significance threshold for ROG,
NOX, or PM10. Thus, short-term operational emissions of criteria area pollutants and precursors
would not violate or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation,
expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations, and/or conflict with air
quality planning efforts. This impact would be less than significant.

Constructionemissionsaredescribedasshorttermortemporaryindurationandmayrepresentasignificant
impactonairquality.Themajorityofconstructionrelatedemissionswouldbegeneratedattheprojectsite,
whichisinthejurisdictionofPCAPCD.Constructionrelatedactivitieswouldresultinprojectgenerated
emissionsofROG,NOX,PM10andPM2.5fromsitepreparation(e.g.,excavation,grading,andclearing),offroad
equipment,materialdelivery,andworkercommuteexhaustemissions,vehicletravel,andothermiscellaneous
activities(e.g.,buildingconstruction,asphaltpaving,applicationofarchitecturalcoatings).Fugitivedust
emissionsareassociatedprimarilywithsitepreparationandvaryasafunctionofsoilsiltcontent,soilmoisture,
windspeed,acreageofdisturbance,VMTonandoffsite,andotherfactors.OzoneprecursoremissionsofROG
andNOXareassociatedprimarilywithconstructionequipmentexhaustandtheapplicationofarchitectural
coatings.

Theprojectincludestheconstructionofa10,800squarefootbuildingthatwouldcontainthebiomassenergy
facility,anapproximateoneacrecoveredstoragebuilding,associatedaccessroads,trenchingforan
undergroundtransmissionlineconnection,andaparkinglotforemployees.Constructionactivitieswould
disturbatotalofapproximately3.7acresofcurrentlyforestedorundevelopedland.Constructionemissionsare
summarizedinTable96,below.RefertoAppendixDforadetailedsummaryofthemodelingassumptions,
inputs,andoutputs.

Table 9-6 Summary of Modeled Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants and Precursors
Associated with Project Construction Activities
ROG NOX PM10 PM2.5
(lb/day) (lb/day) (lb/day) (lb/day)
MaximumDailyEmissions 69 40 8 5
PCAPCDThresholdsofSignificance 82 82 82 NA
Notes:
ROG = reactive organic gases
NOX = oxides of nitrogen
PM10 = respirable particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 micrometers or less
PM2.5 = respirable particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less
lb/day = pounds per day
PCAPCD = Placer County Air Pollution Control District

Modeled values represent maximum daily emissions that would occur over the duration of the construction period. See Appendix D for detail on
model inputs, assumptions, and project specific modeling parameters.
Source: Modeling Conducted by Ascent Environmental 2012.

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AsshowninTable96,constructionoftheprojectwouldresultinmaximumunmitigateddailyemissionsof
approximately69lb/dayofROG,40lb/dayofNOX,8lb/dayofPM10and5lb/dayofPM2.5.Fugitivedust
emissionswouldalsobeminimizedduetothedustcontrolpracticesthatwouldbeimplementedaspartof
ConstructionMeasure1oftheprojectsEnvironmentalCommitments,aspresentedinSection3,Project
Description.ExhaustemissionswouldalsobereducedduetoConstructionMeasure3,whichrequires
contractorstolimitidlingbyoffroadequipmenttolessthan5minutes.Shorttermconstructiongenerated
emissionswouldnotexceedPCAPCDssignificancethresholdforROG,NOX,orPM10,andthus,wouldnotbe
expectedtocontributetopollutantconcentrationsthatexceedtheNAAQSorCAAQS.Becauseconstruction
generatedPM10emissionswouldbelessthantheapplicablethresholdof82lb/day,andbecausePM2.5isa
subsetofPM10,itisnotanticipatedthatconstructionactivitywouldresultinconcentrationsofPM2.5thatwould
violateorsubstantiallycontributetoaviolationoftheambientairqualitystandardsforPM2.5.Inaddition,
operationalemissionswouldnotdirectlyviolateanyETCCsoftheTRPA.Thiswouldbealessthansignificant
impact.

Impact Long-Term, Operation-Related (Regional) Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants and Precursor
9-2 Emissions. Operation of the project would not result in mass emissions of criteria air pollutants
or precursors in the Mountain Counties Air Basin or the Lake Tahoe Air Basin that exceed
applicable mass emission thresholds. Thus, long-term operational emissions of criteria air
pollutants and precursors would not violate or contribute substantially to an existing or
projected air quality violation, expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations, and/or conflict with air quality planning efforts. This impact would be less than
significant.

Emissionsofcriteriaairpollutantsandprecursorswouldbegeneratedthroughouttheoperationallifeofthe
project.Stationarysourceoperationalemissionswouldconsistofthoseemissionsresultingfromcombustionof
syngasatthepowerplant.Thebiomassgasifiedatthepowerplantwouldbefromforestresiduals.Forest
biomassconsumedbytheproposedfacilitywouldconsistofdebrisfromforestthinningandhazardousfuels
reductionprojects.EmissionsofNOX,ROG,PM10,CO,andoxidesofsulfurgeneratedbytheplantwouldbe
subjecttoPCAPCDRule502,NewSourceReview,andsubjecttoapplicableBACTandoffsetrequirements.The
projectstationarysourceemissionsestimatesarefromthegreaterofestimatesfortwodifferentgasification
technologiesthatwererecentlyevaluatedinastudysponsoredbytheprojectapplicant(TSS&PCAPCD2011).
DirectemissionsfromthebiomassplantwouldbesubjecttothePCAPCDpermittingrequirements,including
PCAPCDRules501and502.Whileexactdetailswouldnotbeknownuntiltheapplicantandthespecific
gasificationtechnologyisdetermined,basedontheprojectedprojectemissionslevelsandBACTrequirements
inRule502,BACTwouldberequiredforNOXandVOCs.TomeettheseBACTrequirements,selectivecatalytic
reductionwouldbeusedtocontrolNOXifthegasificationplantconsistsofaleanburnenginedesignanda
threewaycatalyticconverterwouldbeusedtocontrolNOXfromarichburnengineoperation.Combustion
controlswouldbeusedtoreduceVOCemissionsfromaleanburnengineandacombinationofcombustion
controlsandacatalyticconverterwouldbeusedtoreduceVOCemissionsfromarichburnengine.WhileBACT
isnotrequiredforparticulatematter,aBACTequivalentcontroldevice,highefficiencywetscrubber(or
equivalent),wouldbeusedtocontrolfineparticulatefromthegasifierforsyngascleaneduppriorto
combustionintheengine.Similarly,althoughBACTwouldnotberequiredtocontrolCO,acombustioncontrol
and/oracatalyticconverterwouldbeusedtomeetaBACTlikelevel.Becauseprojectedgasification/engine
systememissionswouldbebelowthePCAPCDRule502offsetthresholds,emissionreductioncreditswouldnot
berequiredtopermittheproject(TSS&PCAPCD2011).

Further,thePCAPCDstationarysourcepermitfortheproposedprojectwouldincluderestrictionson
gasifier/enginesystemoperationstoensureemissionslimitsandemissionscriteriaarebeingachievedona
continuous,longterm,basis.Conditionswouldaddresswoodybiomasstype,composition(moistureandenergy
content),andtheprocessingfeedrate.PCAPCDwouldalsorequireamonitoringprocedurethatdirectly
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measuresstackgasemissionsofCO,NOX,andopacity,aswellasgasifier/engineoperatingcharacteristics
includingtemperatures,flowrates,andpressure.Periodicsourcetestingbyindependentcontractorswouldalso
berequiredtodemonstratecompliancewithemissionslimits.Thepermitwouldalsocontainrecordkeepingand
reportingrequirementstoensuremonitoringactivitiesareproperlyperformed.PCAPCDstaffwouldalso
conductperiodic,unannounced,onsiteinspectionstoconfirmpermitconditionsaremet.

Additionaloperationalactivitieswouldalsoresultinemissionsofcriteriaairpollutantsandprecursors,including
thechippingofbiomassbeforeitishauledtotheplant,truckshaulingbiomasstotheplantandidlingatthe
projectsiteonbothpavedandunpavedroads,operationofaloaderattheplantandfuelyard,employee
commutetrips,andtruckshaulingbiocharawayfromtheplant.Asmentionedabove,becausetheseactivities
directlysupportoperationofthepowerplantandwouldnototherwiseoccurbutforoperationoftheplant,
emissionsfromtheseactivitiesarereferredtoassupportemissions.

Table97summarizesthestationaryandsupportemissionsassociatedwithoperationoftheprojectaswellas
theairdistrictjurisdictionsinwhichtheemissionswouldoccur.RefertoAppendixDforadetailedsummaryof
themodelingassumptions,inputs,andoutputs.

Table 9-7 Summary of Operational Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants and Precursors
Maximum Daily Operational
Jurisdictions where Pollutants would be Emitted
Emissions (lb/day)1
PCAPCD PCAPCD EDCAQMD NSAQMD Nevada
NOX ROG PM10 PM2.5 portion of portion of portion of portion of portion of
Emissions Source MCAB LTAB LTAB MCAB LTAB
SyngasCombustionbyPowerPlant 15.4 72.0 14.4 14.4 all none none none None
ChippingBiomass 42.2 4.0 1.4 1.4 some some some some Some
TruckActivityatthePlant 0.7 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 all none none none None
LoaderActivityatthePlant 8.8 0.9 0.3 0.3 all none none none None
EmployeeCommuteTrips 0.3 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 some some some some Some
TrucksHaulingBiomass 9.5 0.2 13.4 1.4 some some some some None
TrucksHaulingBiochar 0.9 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 some some none some None
Total 77.7 77.5 29.5 17.5 some some some some Some
PCAPCDThresholds 82 82 82 none
EDCAQMDThresholds 82 82 none none
NSAQMDsLevelATier 24 24 79 none
Notes:
ROG = reactive organic gases
NOX = oxides of nitrogen
PM10 = respirable particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 micrometers or less
PM2.5 = respirable particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less
lb/day = pounds per day
PCAPCD = Placer County Air Pollution Control District
EDCAQMD = El Dorado County Air Quality Management District
NSAQMD = Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District
MCAB = Mountain Counties Air Basin
LTAB = Lake Tahoe Air Basin

1Modeled values represent maximum daily emissions that would occur on a worst-case day. See Appendix D for detail on model inputs,
assumptions, and project specific modeling parameters.
Source: Modeling Conducted by Ascent Environmental 2012.

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AsshowninTable97,operationoftheprojectwouldresultinmaximumdailyemissionincreasesinNOX,ROG,
PM10,andPM2.5ofapproximately78lb/day,78lb/day,30lb/day,and18lb/day,respectively.Thesemaximum
dailylevelsarelessthanthemassemissionthresholdsestablishedbyPCAPCD.Further,asshowninTable97,
notalloftheseemissionswouldoccurinsidePCAPCDsjurisdiction.Forinstance,mobilesourceemissions
generatedbyemployeecommutetripsandtruckhaulingofbiomassandbiocharwouldalsotakeplaceinthe
jurisdictionsofEDAQMDandNSAQMD.Inaddition,chipping,whichwouldbethelargestoperationalsourceof
NOXemissions,wouldoccurinthevariousforestswherebiomassiscollected,whicharelocatedinthe
jurisdictionsofPCAPCD,EDCAQMD,NSAQMD,andinNevada.Onaworstcasedaywhenallchippingactivities
andthemajorityoftrucktravelbytruckshaulingchippedbiomassaretakingplaceinthejurisdictionof
EDCAQMD,associatedmassemissionswouldnotexceedEDCAQMDsmassemissionthresholdsof82lb/dayfor
NOX,ROG,orPM10.

DependingonhowmuchofthechippingisperformedinforestslocatedinNSAQMDsjurisdiction,associated
emissions,incombinationwithemissionsfromtruckhaulingofbiomassandbiochar,couldexceedNSAQMDs
LevelAtierof24lb/dayforNOX.NSAQMDhasestablishedthreetiersofmassemissionlevelsandtheprojects
withoperationalemissionsthatexceedtheLevelAtierarerequiredtoimplementmitigationidentifiedin
NSAQMDsCEQAguidance(NSAQMD2009).AlloftheNSAQMDrecommendedmitigationthatareapplicableto
theprojectareinherenttotheprojectsdesign.Forexample,themeasurethatrecommendstheuseofgrid
powerandimplementingtemporarytrafficcontrolsduringconstructionandlimitingthenumberofwood
burningappliancesinresidentialunitswouldnotbeapplicabletotheprojectbecausenoconstructionactivity
wouldoccurinNSAQMDsjurisdiction.TheotherNSAQMDrecommendedmeasureofusingalternativestoopen
burningofvegetationbeusedunlessotherwisedeemedinfeasiblebyNSAQMDandsuitablealternativeinclude
chipping,mulching,orconversionofvegetativematerialtobiomassfuelisinherenttothedesignoftheproject.
Therefore,theprojecthascompliedwithLevelArequirementstothefullestextentpossible,andnofurther
mitigationcanbeimplemented.

Moreover,minimalfugitivedustemissionswouldoccurduringtransportandhandlingofbiocharthatishauled
awayfromtheplantbecausetheapplicantwouldrequirethehaulertofullyenclosethebiocharduring
transport,asstatedinOperationMeasure1oftheEnvironmentalCommitments.Exhaustemissionswouldalso
bereducedduetoimplementationofOperationMeasure3,whichrequirestheloaderandvisitingtruckstonot
idleformorethan5minutes.

BecauseoperationalemissionofPM10wouldbelessthantheapplicableairdistrictthresholds,andbecause
PM2.5isasubsetofPM10,itisnotanticipatedthatprojectoperationswouldresultinconcentrationsofPM2.5
thatwouldviolateorsubstantiallycontributetoaviolationoftheambientairqualitystandardsforPM2.5.Also,
thetotalmaximumdailyemissionsofPM10,PM2.5,andothercriteriaareapollutantsandprecursorswouldnot
occuratanysinglelocationduetothedispersednatureofassociatedtrucktripsandchippingactivity.

Insummary,theprojectwouldnotgenerateoperationalemissionsofcriteriaairpollutantsandprecursorsin
effectedairdistrictsthatwouldexceedapplicablemassemissionthresholds(i.e.,PCAPCDandEDCAQMD)and
applicableNSAQMDrecommendedmitigationareinherenttotheprojectdesign.Thus,longtermoperational
emissionsofcriteriaairpollutantsandprecursorswouldnotviolateorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingor
projectedairqualityviolation,exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations,and/orconflict
withairqualityplanningefforts.Inaddition,operationalemissionswouldnotdirectlyviolateanyETCCsofthe
TRPA.Asaresult,thiswouldbealessthansignificantimpact.

Asdiscussedabove,thissignificancedeterminationdoesnotaccountforthefactthatoperationofthebiomass
plantwouldresultinareductionintheopenburningofforestsourcedbiomassandassociatedemissions.While
thelevelofopenburningthatwouldoccuronanyparticulardayisunknown,thequantityofbiomassthatwould
beconsumedbytheproposedplantand,thus,notopenburnedintheforests,isknown.Theannuallevelof
avoidedemissionsgeneratedbytheopenburningofbiomassispresentedinTable98
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Table 9-8 Avoided Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants and Precursors Associated with Open
Burning(tons/year)
Avoided Emissions NOX ROG PM10 PM2.5
OpenBurningofForestSourcedBiomass 78 102 167 142
Notes:
ROG = reactive organic gases
NOX = oxides of nitrogen
PM10 = respirable particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 micrometers or less
PM2.5 = respirable particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less
tons/year = tons per year

Estimated emissions levels assume that 17,000 bone dry tons of forest-sourced biomass would be consumed by the plant. Appendix X for detail on
model inputs, assumptions, and project specific modeling parameters.

Source: Modeling Conducted by Ascent Environmental 2012.

AsshowninTable98,abiomassplantthatwouldconsume17,000bonedrytonsofbiomassperyearwould
resultinanannualreductionof78tons/yearofNOX,102tons/yearofROG,167tons/yearofPM10,and142
tons/yearofPM2.5.

Impact Mobile-Source CO Concentrations. Short-term, construction-generated emissions would not

9-3 exceed PCAPCDs significance threshold for ROG, NOX, or PM10, and thus, would not be
expected to contribute to pollutant concentrations that exceed the NAAQS or CAAQS. This
would be a less-than-significant impact.

LocalmobilesourceCOemissionsnearroadwayintersectionsareadirectfunctionoftrafficvolume,speed,and
delay.TransportofCOisextremelylimitedbecauseitdispersesrapidlywithdistancefromthesourceunder
normalmeteorologicalconditions.However,undercertainspecificmeteorologicalconditions,CO
concentrationsnearroadwaysand/orintersectionsmayreachunhealthylevelsatnearbysensitivelanduses,
suchasresidentialunits,hospitals,schools,andchildcarefacilities.Thus,highlocalCOconcentrationsare
consideredtohaveadirectinfluenceonthereceptorstheyaffect.ModelingofCOconcentrationsistypically
recommendedforareaslocatednearsignalizedroadwayintersectionsthatareprojectedtooperateatan
unacceptablelevelofservice(LOS)(i.e.,LOSEorF)duringpeaktraffichours(Garza,Graney,andSperling1997).

Unsignalizedintersectionsdonotexperiencehighenoughtrafficvolumesandassociatedcongestiontoresultin
localviolationsoftheAAQS;therefore,COmodelingisnotrecommendedforunsignalizedintersections(Garza,
Graney,andSperling1997).Becauseunsignalizedintersectionswouldaccommodatefewervehiclesthan
signalizedintersections,itisreasonabletoconcludethatcongestionattheseintersectionswouldnotresultin
COconcentrationsthatexceedtheAAQS.Basedonthetrafficstudyconductedfortheproject(SeeImpact82in
Chapter8TrafficandTransportation),theprojectwouldnotresultintrafficvolumesthatmeetcriteriafor
installingatrafficsignal.Additionally,asshowninTable810,theintersectionwouldoperateatLOSAwithor
withouttrafficgeneratedbytheproject.Therefore,implementationoftheprojectwouldnotresultin
substantialincreasesinvehiclecongestionatthestudyintersection.

Thus,eventhoughtheprojectwouldresultinadditionalvehicletrips,projectgeneratedlocalmobilesourceCO
emissionswouldnotresultinorsubstantiallycontributetoconcentrationsthatexceedthe1hourambientair
qualitystandardof20ppmorthe8hourstandardof9ppm.Asaresult,thisimpactwouldbelessthan
significant.

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Impact Toxic Air Contaminant Concentrations. Construction and operation of the project would result
9-4 in increased health risk levels associated with short-and long-term emissions of diesel PM and
other TACs. However, the incremental increase in health risk levels, including cancer risk and
noncancer chronic risk, would not exceed applicable thresholds at affected sensitive
receptors. As a result, this impact would be less than significant.

TheexposureofsensitivereceptorstoemissionsofTACsfromonsitesourcesduringconstructionandoperation
oftheprojectarediscussedseparatelybelow.

SHORT-TERM CONSTRUCTION-RELATED EMISSIONS

Constructionrelatedactivitieswouldresultintemporary,shorttermprojectgeneratedemissionsofdieselPM
fromtheexhaustofoffroad,heavydutydieselequipmentforsitepreparation(e.g.,demolition,grading,
excavation,grading,andclearing);paving;applicationofarchitecturalcoatings;andothermiscellaneous
activities.BasedontheCalEEModmodelingperformedfortheanalysisofmassemissionsofcriteriaair
pollutantsandprecursorsunderImpact92,offroad,dieselpoweredequipmentoperatedduringproject
constructionwouldgenerateupto2.21poundsofdieselPMexhaustemissionsattheprojectsiteduringthe
moreintensivephasesoftheapproximate14monthconstructioneffort.RefertoAppendixDfordetailed
assumptionsandcalculations.

DieselPMwasidentifiedasaTACbyARBin1998.ThepotentialcancerriskfromtheinhalationofdieselPM,as
discussedbelow,outweighsthepotentialforallotherhealthimpacts(ARB2003).Atthistime,PCAPCDhasnot
adoptedamethodologyforanalyzingsuchimpacts.

Theclosestsensitivereceptorisahouselocatedapproximately775northwestofthesouthernendofthe
projectsite.Giventhatthepredominantwinddirectionisfromthesouth(WRCC2012b),asdescribedinthe
settingabove;thatdieselPMemittingequipmentwouldbeoperatedthroughouttheconstructionsite,shown
inExhibit111;andthehighlydispersivepropertiesofdieselPM(Zhuetal.2002),itisnotanticipatedthatthe
closestreceptorwouldbeexposedtohighconcentrationsofdieselPM.

Moreover,thedosetowhichreceptorsareexposedistheprimaryfactorusedtodeterminehealthrisk(i.e.,
potentialexposuretoTACemissionlevelsthatexceedapplicablestandards).Doseisafunctionofthe
concentrationofasubstanceorsubstancesintheenvironmentandthedurationofexposuretothesubstance.
Doseispositivelycorrelatedwithtime,meaningthatalongerexposureperiodwouldresultinahigherexposure
levelforthemaximallyexposedindividual.Thus,therisksestimatedforamaximallyexposedindividualare
higherifafixedexposureoccursoveralongerperiodoftime.AccordingtotheOfficeofEnvironmentalHealth
HazardAssessment,healthriskassessments,whichdeterminetheexposureofsensitivereceptorstoTAC
emissions,shouldbebasedona70yearexposureperiod;however,suchassessmentsshouldbelimitedtothe
period/durationofactivitiesassociatedwiththeproject(OEHHA2001).Thus,becausetheuseofoffroadheavy
dutydieselequipmentwouldbetemporary,becausetherearenosensitivereceptorslocatedimmediately
downwindoftheprojectsite,constructionrelatedemissionsofTACswouldnotexposesensitivereceptorsto
substantialemissionsofTACs.Asaresult,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

LONG-TERM OPERATION-RELATED EMISSIONS

Inordertoestimatethelevelofhealthriskexposurefromstackandequipmentemissionsattheplant,a
detailedHRAwasperformedforthePCAPCDPlanningServicesDivision(AirPermittingSpecialists2011),andis
includedinAppendixE.TheHRAincludeddispersionmodelingofavarietyofTACsthatwouldbeemittedduring
plantoperations,includingemissionsofpolycyclicaromatichydrocarbons,benzene,andnickel;andemissionsof
dieselPMbytheloaderinthefuelyard,trucksdeliveringbiomass,truckspickingupbiochar,andthediesel

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poweredgrindersthatalreadyoperateattheEasternRegionalMRFandTransferStation.Airdispersion
modelingwasperformedwiththeIndustrialSourceComplexdispersionmodelusinghourlymeteorologicaldata
toestimatethemaximumonehourandmaximumannualconcentrationsofTACsatnearbyresidences.Health
riskfactorswereappliedtoestimatetheincrementalincreaseinlevelsofcancerrisk,chronichazardrisk
(noncancer),andacutehazardrisktowhichnearbyresidenceswouldbeexposed.TheHRAdeterminedthe
maximumincrementalincreaseincancerriskfromthelongtermoperationofthebiomassplantwouldbe2.4in
chancespermillion.Italsoestimatedthechronichazardindexandacutehazardindextobe0.0082and0.105,
respectively.DetailsofthesecalculationsarepresentedinAppendixE.TheselevelswouldbelessthanPCAPCDs
significancethresholdsofanincrementalincreaseincancerriskof10inonemillionand/orexceedanceofa
noncarcinogenicHazardIndexof1forthemaximallyexposedindividual.Thus,theeffectsfromlongterm
operationalonsiteemissionsassociatedwiththeprojectwouldnotresultintheexposureofanyoffsitesensitive
receptorstolevelsthatexceedapplicablethresholds.Asaresult,thiswouldbealessthansignificantimpact.

Impact Odorous Emission. The project would introduce new odor sources into the area (e.g., diesel
9-5 exhaust emissions, storage piles of biomass). However, these odor sources would not be
expected to adversely affect adjacent land uses because project operations would include
provisions that would guard against anaerobic activity in biomass storage piles and because
the nearest sensitive receptor to odors is located over 1,000 feet to the west, beyond the MRF
site. Therefore, this impact would be considered less than significant.

Theoccurrenceandseverityofodorimpactsdependsonnumerousfactors,including:thenature,frequency,
andintensityofthesource;windspeedanddirection;andthesensitivityofthereceptors.Whileoffensiveodors
rarelycauseanyphysicalharm,theystillcanbeveryunpleasant,leadingtoconsiderabledistressamongthe
publicandoftengeneratingcitizencomplaintstolocalgovernmentsandregulatoryagencies.Projectswiththe
potentialtofrequentlyexposeasubstantialnumberofmembersofthepublictoobjectionableodorswouldbe
deemedtohaveasignificantimpact.

Theclosestsensitivelandusetotheprojectsiteistheonsiteresidencelocatedapproximately775feettothe
northwestoftheprojectsite.

Theconstructionoftheprojectwouldresultindieselexhaustemissionsfromonsiteconstructionequipment.
ThedieselexhaustemissionswouldbeintermittentandtemporaryandConstructionMeasures2and3,which
arelistedasEnvironmentalCommitmentsinSection3,ProjectDescription,wouldreducetheamountofdiesel
exhaustgeneratedduringprojectconstruction.Similarly,OperationMeasures3,alsolistedamongthe
EnvironmentalCommitments,wouldminimizetheamountofdieselexhaustgeneratedduringproject
operationsbylimitingidlingbytheonsiteloaderandvisitingdieseltrucks.Dieselexhaustwouldalsodissipate
rapidlyfromthesourcewithanincreaseindistance.

Odorscouldpotentiallyresultifpilesofwoodybiomasswouldbestoredforanextendedperiodsuchthat
anaerobicactivityoccursinthepiles.However,thepotentialforanaerobicactivitytooccurwouldbediminished
becausefuelsfromvarioussourceswouldbefrequentlymixedtomakesurethatthestreamoffuelconveyedto
theboilerisconsistentinsize,moisture,andenergycontent.Also,thebiomassfuelwouldgenerallymove
throughthefacilityonafirstin,firstoutbasis.Furthermore,Mitigation164wouldrequiretheapplicantto
prepareandfollowdetailedwrittenproceduresforminimizingodorsfromthestoragepiles,amongother
objectives,thatmustbeapprovedbytheCountyLocalEnforcementAgencyandtheTruckeeFireProtection
District.Amongtheseproceduresistherequirementtovisuallyinspectthepilesregularlywithportable
temperatureprobestopreventpotentialfires.Theseinspectionswouldalsoserveasaprecautionagainstodor
generatinganaerobicactivityinthefuelpiles.

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Theodorcomplainthistoryofotherbiomasspowerplantsintheregionrevealsthatfacilitiessimilartothe
projecthavenotreceivedanyconfirmedodorcomplaints.NoodorcomplaintshavebeenrecordedbyPCAPCD
forthe20MWfacilityoperatedbySierraPacificIndustriesnearLincoln,whichburnsagriculturalwasteand
sawmillwaste(Springsteen,pers.comm.,2010);noconfirmedodorcomplaintshavebeenrecordedbytheSan
JoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrictfromthe23MWbiomasspowerfacilityoperatednearTracyorthe
biomasspowerplantoutsidethecityofMerced(Giannone,pers.comm.,2010);andnoconfirmedcomplaints
werereceivedbytheYoloSolanoAirQualityManagementDistrictregardingthebiomasspowerplantin
Woodland(Smith,pers.comm.,2010).

Becauseprojectoperationswouldincludeprovisionsthatwouldguardagainstanaerobicactivityinfuelstorage
pilesatthefuelyardandbecausethenearestsensitivereceptortoodorsislocatedover1,000feettothewest,
beyondtheMRFsite,theprojectwouldnotbeexpectedtocreateobjectionableodorsthatwouldaffecta
substantialnumberofpeople.Also,theprojectwouldbesubjecttoPCAPCDRule205(Nuisance)regardingthe
controlofnuisances.Thisimpactwouldbeconsideredlessthansignificant.

9.4 MITIGATION MEASURES

No mitigation measures are necessary.

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