Notice of Public Workshop and CEQA Scoping Meeting
Proposed Rule 1177 – Liquefied Petroleum Gas Transfer and Dispensing

Purpose of The Meeting

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has scheduled a public workshop to solicit information and suggestions from the public on Proposed Rule (PR) 1177 – Liquefied Petroleum Gas Transfer and Dispensing.

PR 1177 will be considered for adoption by the AQMD Governing Board at a public hearing tentatively scheduled for November 4, 2011.  This public workshop will allow for comments and discussion of PR 1177 with all public members including potentially impacted stakeholders and other interested parties.

Air Quality Objective

The air quality objective of PR 1177 is to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the transfer and dispensing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).  The processes contributing to these emissions include delivery to residential, industrial and commercial users, fueling stations and cylinder refueling.  These emission reductions are necessary for the AQMD to attain and maintain state and federal air quality standards for this region.

Summary of Proposed Rule

PR 1177 is a new rule that will reduce fugitive VOC emissions released during LPG transfer and dispensing.  PR 1177 applies to the transfer of LPG to and from stationary storage tanks and cargo tanks, including bobtails, tanker trucks and rail tank cars, and into portable refillable cylinders.  PR 1177 requires the following:

• Installation of low-emission fixed liquid level gauges on applicable receiving tanks and cylinders in accordance with the installation schedule of the proposed rule beginning July 1, 2012 and ending July 1, 2016.
• Use of properly installed low-emission connectors that minimize loss of LPG during disconnection, effective July 1, 2012.
• Routine LPG transfer equipment and component leak detection and repair by trained personnel, effective January 1, 2012.
• Associated recordkeeping and reporting to demonstrate compliance with the proposed rule requirements.

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the AQMD’s Certified Regulatory Program (Rule 110), AQMD staff will be reviewing PR 1177 and will determine if the proposed project will result in any potential adverse environmental impacts.  Appropriate CEQA documentation for PR 1177 will be prepared based on the analysis.  Comments received at the public workshop and CEQA scoping meeting will be considered when preparing the CEQA document.

Comments and suggestions regarding the CEQA analysis for PR 1177 should be directed to:

Submission of Documents or Comments

The public is requested to send documents, studies, data, reports, comments and any other information relevant to PR 1177 by September 08, 2011 to:

Supporting Documents and Other Relevant Information

The following supporting documents will be available on the AQMD website at http://www.aqmd.gov/rules/proposed.html prior to the workshop:

• Draft PR 1177
• Preliminary Draft Staff Report for PR 1177

Copies of the above documents may also be obtained from: