Aug. 10, 2001

Southland air quality officials have secured a stringent agreement with Omnitrans requiring the transit agency to take specific actions to promptly eliminate odors from its San Bernardino natural gas fueling facility.

Residents living near the public transit agency's fueling facility at 1700 W. Fifth St. have complained of strong odors, particularly during evening hours. The odors are associated with the off-gassing vents from the old-style compressors used to fuel Omnitrans' compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses. The odors are from methyl mercaptan, a non-toxic but extremely pungent chemical added to natural gas -- including gas used in home stoves and appliances.

Under terms of the agreement, Omnitrans will replace its existing CNG fuel supply with a temporary liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel supply no later than Oct. 5. Unlike CNG, liquefied natural gas does not contain methyl mercaptan or other odorants.

In addition, Omnitrans also agreed to an aggressive and stepped-up maintenance program, effective immediately, to curtail any odors from its CNG-powered compressors used in its fueling station.

The temporary LNG fueling equipment, which will cost Omnitrans more than $150,000, will be replaced by a permanent, $3.5 million LNG fueling station early next year.

"Omnitrans recognizes that its fueling operations have caused a significant concern in the community and has agreed to switch to a temporary, non-odorized liquefied natural gas fuel supply within the next two months to eliminate odors," said Peter Mieras, district prosecutor for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

"Natural gas is an extremely clean-burning fuel that offers great potential for reducing the Southland's smog," Mieras said. "However, there is no reason that the use of alternative fuels should cause odor problems for the community. This settlement will ensure cleaner air for the region and an end to nuisance odors in west San Bernardino from Omnitrans' fueling facility."

The agreement settles a notice of violation that SCAQMD issued to Omnitrans for odor complaints on June 29 that were verified by an SCAQMD inspector.

Omnitrans agreed to pay penalties to settle the violation as follows:

• $2,500, which Omnitrans will apply to the cost of the temporary LNG equipment;
• $2,500 if Omnitrans receives any further nuisance odor violations in the next 12 months (This would be in addition to the regular penalties that could be incurred by such violations.); and
• $5,000 if Omnitrans fails to meet the Oct. 5 deadline for installing and operating temporary LNG fueling equipment.

AQMD can extend the Oct. 5 deadline if it determines that Omnitrans cannot reasonably meet it due to any delays in obtaining fire and safety permits.

SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

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