HomeMy WebLinkAbout88-18 - Publicy-Owned Wastewater Treatment FacilitiesA RESOLUTIO
OF NEWPORT
LEGISLATION
NEW - SOURCE
REGULATIONS
MANAGEMENT
RESOLUTION NO. 88 -18
N OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
BEACH ENDORSING AND SUPPORTING
AS NECESSARY AND A REVISION OF THE
REVIEW /EMISSION REDUCTION CREDIT
OF THE SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY
DISTRICT FOR PUBLICLY -OWNED
0 WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
WHEREAS, the South Coast Air Quality Management
District's New Source Review Program requires that newly -
constructed facilities obtain emission reduction credit offsets
from other sources as a condition of obtaining a permit to
construct; and
WHEREAS, local public wastewater treatment agencies are
required by law to operate and maintain facilities for the
treatment of sewage, to preserve and improve water quality for
the protection and propagation of fish and wildlife and to
provide for recreation in and on the waters of the nation and
this State; and
WHEREAS, it is the nation's and State of California's
policy that publicly -owned wastewater treatment facilities of the
best available and practical design be constructed in order to
eliminate the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters and
to ensure the highest level of protection to the environment; and
WHEREAS, the New Source Review Program of SCAQMD
relating to air emissions places undue hardships on non-
discriminatory construction of public facilities for the
treatment of sewage and is counterproductive to the legal
requirements and national and state goals of improved water
quality; and
WHEREAS, the best overall improvement to our environment
will be achieved by cross media assessment practices, whereby a
balanced and coordinated evaluation, analysis and implementation
of practices, procedures and requirements relating to water, land
and air are utilized; and
WHEREAS, by example, the County Sanitation Districts of
Orange County intend to construct Central Power Generation
Systems which are considered essential projects in the public
interest; and
WHEREAS, the Central Power Generation Systems will
provide sufficient electrical power to run vital equipment
through the efficient use of digester gas produced at wastewater
treatment plants. This energy source will reduce the Districts'
demand on other limited energy sources, reduce total emissions to
the air basin, and provide electrical reliability to ensure
treatment needs and outfall disposal pumping requirements at all
times; and
WHEREAS, the Districts' proposed Central Power
Generating Systems will be designed and equipped with the Best
Available Control Technology (BACT), which will use all digester
gas produced in the wastewater treatment process and will provide
the benefits of a substantial net air emissions reduction; and
WHEREAS, by example, the SCAQND Emission Reduction
Credit Program would require the County Sanitation Districts of
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Orange County to obtain credits from private sources at a cost of
$3,050,080.00 to the County's taxpayers for the construction of
its Central Power Generating Systems without giving full
consideration to all reduction of' emissions achieved by the
Districts through the projects.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of
the City of Newport Beach, that it endorses legislation to exempt
• public works projects involving the construction, modification or
repair of wastewater treatment facilities from the SCAQMD New
Source Review Program requirements, provided such projects, are
essential to the public health, welfare and interest.
BE IT FARTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City
of Newport Beach that it endorses a revision of the New Source
Review Regulation of the South Coast Air Quality Management
District to give public works projects such as wastewater
treatment facilities first priority on the use of the accumulated
emissions reductions due to shutdowns for the purpose of
offsetting any increase in emissions due to the construction and
operation of such facilities, in recognition of the fact that
such facilities provide necessary and vital services to their
communities.
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