Minutes
Meeting of the SIP Advisory Panel
to the
Air Pollution Control Board of Jefferson County

September 11, 2001

 

A meeting of the SIP Advisory Panel to the Air Pollution Control Board of Jefferson County was called to order September 11, 2001, at 1:33 p.m. in the Board Room of the Air Pollution Control District, 850 Barret Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, by the Chairman, Pat Moran, Rohm and Haas.

The following members were present: Steve Marks, G.E.; Judith McCandless, KY Conservation Committee; Randy Simon, KIPDA; and Malcolm Winsper, Kentucky Motorcycle Association. There was not a quorum.

The following District staff were present: Jon Trout, Gayle Ballard, Doug Spillman, Deborah Donaldson, Cynthia Lee, Barry Zalph, Phyllis Fitzgerald, Art Chang, Richard Heil, Gary Flispart, T. J. Jessie, Bob Dorzback, Martha Gammons, and Helen Harman.

New Business

A. 1-Hour Redesignation Update

Mr. Trout said that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had proposed approval of the Kentucky and Indiana requests for redesignation to attainment for the Louisville 1-hour ozone nonattainment area, the Kentucky and Indiana maintenance plans, and the regional motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs). This proposed approval, initiating an opportunity for public comment, was published in the Federal Register June 22, 2001. Two sets of comments were received by the EPA. Copies of the comments from the EarthJustice Legal Defense Fund and the Kentucky Resources Council were distributed. The EPA is expected to issue final approval of redesignation, maintenance plans, and MVEBs in the early- to mid-October timeframe.

B. 8-Hour Ozone Air Monitoring Update

Mr. Chang discussed and distributed copies of the 8-hour and 1-hour Ozone Monitoring Report. There was 1 exceedance of the 1-hour ozone standard; this occurred on July 30th at the Shepherdsville (Bullitt County) monitor. This is the only exceedance of the 1-hour ozone standard that occurred in the eastern half of the United States on that day. During the two hours that the monitored ozone levels were greater than the standard at the Shepherdsville site, the ozone levels at the other six monitors in the Louisville area were actually going down and were not close to the standard. There have been 13 exceedances of the 8-hour ozone standard on nine days reported this year. A copy of this report is attached to the original minutes.

C. PM2.5 Ambient Air Monitoring Update

Mr. Chang discussed and distributed copies of the July 2001 PM2.5 monthly data summary and the year-to-date annual average summary. The PM2.5 monitored concentrations in Jefferson County for the month of July averaged 24.6 µg/m3. The annual PM2.5 standard is 15.0 µg/m3. During the past 31 months, the average PM2.5 monitored concentration in Jefferson County was 17.2 µg/m3 .

A copy is attached to the original minutes. Mr. Chang also discussed and distributed a bar chart and graph on PM2.5 readings.

D. Ozone Flex Policy

Mr. Trout said that EPA finalized the O3Flex Guidelines on June 21, 2001. A copy of the final guidelines was distributed. Mr. Trout indicated that participation in a voluntary program would, for a limited period, delay redesignation to nonattainment for an attainment area that had a new violation of the 1-hour ozone standard. However, such participation would not shield an area from being designated nonattainment for the 8-hour ozone standard if the area is in violation of the 8-hour ozone standard at the time initial designation occurs. Mr. Trout encouraged the SIP Advisory Panel members to read the final guidance document in preparation of a future discussion as to whether participation in this program would be beneficial.

E. No Mow Program

Ms. Lee said that this program has been presented to the County Judge's Office and received its approval. This program should be proceeding within the next few months under the guidance of Phyllis Fitzgerald.

F. Other Topics

Mr. Simon of the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) said that Horizon 2020 is one of three public participation programs from KIPDA that develops projects for Horizon 2025, the area’s long range transportation plan. He encouraged the public to review the project list which is available on KIPDA’s web site.

Mr. Winsper requested that the Air Pollution Control District staff report on the National Academies of Science Report on Inspection/Maintenance programs at the next meeting. Mr. Winsper also requested that Mr. Barker from the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) be invited to the next meeting to report on the 25-cent program funded by the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ).

Next Meeting Date

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 9, 2001, at 1:30 p.m.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 1:51 p.m.

 

 

________________________________
Patrick J. Moran
Chairman

 

__________________________________
Jonathan L. Trout
Secretary-Treasurer