Kern Air Pollution: What's The District's Role?

The Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is a governmental body responsible for maintaining air quality standards in the eastern portion of Kern County, California. The APCD works in conjunction with the California Air Resources Board and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement and enforce regulations aimed at reducing air pollution and protecting public health and the environment.

Location: Eastern Kern APCD is in Bakersfield, California

The Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (Eastern Kern APCD) is located in Bakersfield, California, in the eastern portion of Kern County. The full address of the Eastern Kern APCD is: Eastern Kern APCD, 2700 M Street, Suite 302, Bakersfield, CA 93301-2370, United States of America. This address is where the Eastern Kern APCD carries out its operations and works towards its goals of air pollution control and improvement in the local area.

Bakersfield is a city in Kern County, California, located in the southern San Joaquin Valley. It is a rapidly growing city with a diverse economic base, including agriculture, oil and gas production, and logistics. The city is known for its vibrant culture and rich history, with a strong focus on community development and improvement.

The location of the Eastern Kern APCD in Bakersfield places it at the heart of the region's administrative and regulatory activities. Bakersfield is home to various government offices and agencies responsible for overseeing the area's development and ensuring the well-being of its citizens. The city also serves as a hub for businesses and organizations working towards environmental sustainability and the improvement of air quality.

By being situated in Bakersfield, the Eastern Kern APCD can collaborate closely with local authorities, community organizations, and stakeholders to address air pollution challenges effectively. The location facilitates easy access to the areas within the Eastern Kern APCD's jurisdiction, enabling efficient monitoring, enforcement, and response to air quality concerns.

Furthermore, Bakersfield's central position within the region allows the Eastern Kern APCD to coordinate efforts with neighbouring counties and air pollution control districts. This collaborative potential is crucial in addressing air pollution, as it often transcends geographical boundaries and requires a unified approach to find sustainable solutions. Overall, the location of the Eastern Kern APCD in Bakersfield, California, strategically positions it to fulfil its responsibilities and work towards improving the air quality in the eastern portion of Kern County.

EPA-approved: The EPA approves rules and regulations for Kern County APCD

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approves and compiles rules and regulations for the Eastern Kern County Air Pollution Control District's (APCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). The EPA's Pacific Southwest Office maintains tables of these rules and regulations, codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, and updates them to reflect any changes.

The EPA-approved Kern County APCD regulations are part of the California SIP, which aims to improve air quality and reduce pollution in the state. The APCD is responsible for developing and implementing regulations to control and reduce air pollution within Kern County, including the eastern portion of the county, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Kern APCD.

The specific rules and regulations approved by the EPA for the Eastern Kern County APCD are not publicly available on the EPA website. However, the EPA provides a document titled "EPA-Approved Kern County APCD Regulations in the California SIP" that compiles these rules and regulations. This document can be accessed on the EPA website and is available in PDF format.

It is important to note that the EPA also approves and compiles rules and regulations for other Air Pollution Control Districts (APCDs) in California, including the San Joaquin Valley Unified APCD and its constituent counties such as Fresno County, Madera County, Merced County, and more. These regulations are also part of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) and are available on the EPA website.

The EPA's approval of rules and regulations for Air Pollution Control Districts, such as the Kern County APCD, ensures that local regulations align with federal standards and contribute to the broader goal of improving air quality and protecting public health in California.

California SIP: Kern County APCD is part of the California State Implementation Plan

The Eastern Kern County Air Pollution Control District (EKAPCD) is a part of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP is a set of air quality regulations approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) within California. The EKAPCD is responsible for maintaining air quality standards in the eastern portion of Kern County, California.

The EPA has approved rules and regulations for the EKAPCD's portion of the California SIP. These rules are maintained and updated by the EPA's Pacific Southwest Office to reflect any changes in the official tables codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. The EPA also provides web-based versions of the approved SIPs for reference.

In 2022, the EPA took final action to approve revisions to the EKAPCD portion of the California SIP. These revisions were submitted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in response to the EPA's finding of substantial inadequacy and SIP call for certain provisions related to affirmative defenses applicable to excess emissions during startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) events. The EPA determined that the revisions were in accordance with the requirements for SIP provisions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and corrected the deficiencies identified in the 2015 SIP call.

The EPA's updated policy outlines that affirmative defense SIP provisions are not consistent with CAA requirements. The 2015 SSM SIP Action clarified and updated the EPA's interpretation that SSM exemptions and affirmative defense SIP provisions are inconsistent with CAA requirements. The EPA's 2021 Memorandum reiterated this policy approach, stating that SIP provisions containing exemptions or affirmative defense provisions are generally not approvable if contained in a SIP submission.

Contact: Eastern Kern APCD can be contacted via a listed address and PO box

The Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is a department that manages the eastern portion of Kern County. The APCD has a physical address and PO box where they can be contacted.

The physical address for the Eastern Kern APCD is:

Eastern Kern APCD

2700 M Street, Suite 302

Bakersfield, CA 93301-2370

This address is located in the eastern portion of Kern County, which falls under the jurisdiction of the APCD. The department is responsible for managing and regulating air pollution within this region, and their address is publicly available to allow for communication and enquiries.

The APCD also holds a PO box address, which is often used as an alternative to a physical address for mail correspondence. The PO box address for the Eastern Kern APCD is:

Eastern Kern APCD

PO Box 2370

Bakersfield, CA 93303

This PO box is likely utilised to ensure secure and efficient mail handling for the department. It provides a central point of contact for all mail correspondence, enabling the APCD to manage their postal communications effectively.

By providing both a physical address and a PO box, the Eastern Kern APCD offers accessible means of contact for members of the public, businesses, and other organisations who may need to get in touch with the department regarding air pollution matters within their jurisdiction.

Air quality: The district aims to control and improve air pollution in Kern County

The Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (EKAPCD) aims to control and improve air pollution in Kern County, California. The district is responsible for developing and implementing regulations to reduce air pollution and improve air quality in the eastern portion of the county.

EKAPCD has worked closely with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that its regulations are aligned with the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). The EPA has approved and compiled rules and regulations for the Kern County APCD's portion of the SIP. This ensures that the district's efforts to improve air quality are consistent with state and federal standards.

To achieve its goals, EKAPCD may implement a range of measures, including monitoring air quality, enforcing regulations, and collaborating with local industries and communities to reduce emissions and improve air quality. The district may also provide education and outreach programs to raise awareness about air pollution and promote actions that can be taken to improve air quality.

One of the key challenges in Kern County is the presence of oil and gas extraction activities, which can contribute to air pollution. EKAPCD works closely with these industries to ensure that they comply with regulations and minimize their impact on air quality. This includes enforcing strict emissions standards and requiring the use of best-available control technology to reduce pollution from these sources.

Additionally, EKAPCD may also address other sources of air pollution, such as vehicle emissions, agricultural activities, and dust from construction sites. By targeting a range of pollution sources and implementing effective regulations and practices, the district strives to improve air quality and protect the health and well-being of residents in Kern County. Overall, the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing air quality in Kern County, ensuring that residents can breathe cleaner air and enjoy a healthier environment.

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