375 Beale St.
San Francisco
There is no longer any doubt that soot, or “particulate matter” emissions are the primary causes of death and illness due to air pollution. Yet, despite multiple requests BAAQMD has yet to provide any firm timeline for progress on four key actions to reduce particulate matter emissions (PM 2.5) from Bay Area refineries. The majority of refinery particulate emissions are due to the facilities used to “crack” or break down heavy crude oils into lighter, useable fuels. Rules 6-5, for the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, and Rule 9-1 for Fuel Gas Hydrotreating facility have both been promised action to implement known and proven technologies that can drastically reduce emissions. Yet, we have no timelines to complete these rules. The same is true for rules to end refinery PM pollution trading or implement a combustion strategy to reduce emissions.
Multiple letters have been sent to the BAAQMD executive leadership and the Board requesting specific timelines, with very vague and unspecific responses by Jack Broadbent. These letters and Broadbent’s response can be seen here.
This meeting will be our only opportunity all summer to demand that the Board of Directors insist that staff supply a specific action timeline to implement these necessary rules. We have requested the Board to place this item on the agenda for July 31. This is a necessary step for Board members to act on our demands and not just listen to “non-agenda item” public comments.
Come to the Board meeting on July 31 and insist that timely and direct actions be taken to immediately reduce particulate emissions from Bay Area refineries to protect the health of all communities.
For talking points on July 31st, see this document: July 31 Talking Points