• Board Tightens Solvent Emissions Limits
• Board Approves $17 Million in Transportation Projects
• Board Sets 2001 Meeting Schedule

The Board amended Rule 442 -- Usage of Solvents -- to reduce smog-forming volatile organic compound emissions from a variety of businesses by 1.6 tons per day by 2003.

The amendment will apply to businesses and equipment previously unregulated by solvent rules including inkjet printers, printed circuit board manufacturers, machine and metalworking shops, film cleaners and stone, leather and other coating operations. It will affect about 60 businesses.

Most facilities are expected to comply by switching from petroleum-based solvents to water-based or non-smog-forming solvents. Some may elect to add on pollution control devices.

The rule will reduce the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions limit for affected businesses from 600 pounds per day to 833 pounds per month starting Jan. 1, 2003.

The Board approved a $17.3 million work program by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee for clean vehicle projects during the current fiscal year.

The projects will include:

• $12.3 million for 29 transit bus, heavy duty vehicle and transportation control measure projects;
• $2 million for incentives to purchase clean light-duty vehicles; and
• $3 million for the Alternative Fuels Subvention Fund Match Program to assist local governments in purchasing alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure.

For more information, call (909) 396-2777 or visit the MSRC's website .

In other action the Board:

• Approved a contract for $149,720 with the Institute for Research and Technical Assistance to develop low-VOC solvent cleaning systems needed for reduced VOC limits in Rule 1171 -- Solvent Cleaning Operations in 2005; and
• Set its meeting schedule for 2001 as follows:

• Jan. 19
• Feb. 16
• March 16
• April 20
• May 11
• June 15
• July 20
• Aug. 17
• Sept. 21
• Oct. 19
• Nov. 9
• Dec. 21

All Governing Board meetings start at 9 a.m. at AQMD headquarters at 21865 Copley Dr. in Diamond Bar.

AQMD Home Page
This page updated: August 20, 2004
URL: http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/Governing_Board/Bs12_15_00.htm