AB 1256

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law establishes in the California Environmental Protection Agency the State Air Resources Board, which is responsible for control of emissions from motor vehicles and is designated the air pollution control agency for all purposes set forth in federal law. Existing law requires the state board to identify toxic air contaminants that are emitted into the ambient air of the state, and requires the state board to designate those substances listed as hazardous air pollutants pursuant to federal law. Existing law requires the state board, not later than December 31, 1989, to identify each air basin, or subregion thereof, in which transported air pollutants from upwind areas outside the air basin, or subregion thereof, cause or contribute to a violation of the state ambient air quality standard for ozone, and to identify the district of origin of the transported air pollutants based upon the preponderance of available evidence. Existing law requires the state board, in cooperation with the districts, to assess the relative contribution of upwind emissions to downwind ozone ambient air pollutant levels to the extent permitted by available data, and to establish mitigation requirements commensurate with the level of contribution. This bill would require the state board to identify each air basin, or subregion of an air basin, in which transported air pollutants from upwind areas outside the air basin, or subregion of an air basin, cause or contribute to a violation of a state or federal ambient air quality standard in a downwind district, and to identify the district of origin of the transported air pollutants. The bill would require the state board to assess the relative contribution of upwind emissions to downwind ambient air pollutant levels to the extent permitted by available data, and to establish cost reimbursement for a downwind district commensurate with the level of contribution by the district of origin, including, but not limited to, cost reimbursement for mitigation and any state or federal fine imposed on a downwind district for a violation of state or federal ambient air quality standards.