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Welcome to the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District

District Mission__________________________________________

To attain and maintain National and State Ambient Air Quality Standards and to insure air pollutants do not pose a nuisance or significant public health threat.

Announcements____________________________________________

NOTICE OF PRELIMINARY DECISION FOR THE PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF AN AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
The District solicits public comment on the use of Inter-District Emissions Offsets by Cal Portland Cement Company.  Emissions offsets are required prior to issuance of Authority to Construct (ATC) permit to install a generator set driven by diesel piston engine.

The analysis of the regulatory basis for this proposed action, Project # 230526 and application number 1003077, is available for public inspection by Clicking the Link Below, or by visiting the District’s administrative office.  For additional information, please contact Miguel Sandoval of the District at 661-862-5250.  Written comments are invited for consideration and will be received until the close of business on April 15, 2024.

Written comments may be submitted to the Administrative Office addressed to:  Gary Ray, Jr, Eastern Kern APCD 2700 “M” Street, Suite #302, Bakersfield, CA  93301; Email: ekapcd@kerncounty.com, Phone: (661) 862-5250, or Fax: (661) 862-5251.

Cal Portland Preliminary Decision

 

Proposed National Cement Title V Permit Renewal

Pursuant to District Rule 201.1 (Permits to Operate for Sources Subject to Title V (Title V) of the Federal Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990), a Federal Part 70 Permit Renewal has been drafted and proposed for National Cement Title V Permit Renewal (National Cement).

PERMITTING ACTION: The District issued an initial Title V Permit to Operate to this facility in 2001.  The purpose of this permitting action is to update and renew the facility’s previous Title V permit.  No significant modifications have occurred to the permit since its last issuance.  This permit will be valid for five years once issued by the District and approved the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES: Copies of National Cement’s proposed Title V renewal and Technical Support Document (TSD) can be downloaded for review through the links below.  If you are unable to download the documents, they can be reviewed at the District’s Administrative office located at: 2700 “M” Street, Suite 302, Bakersfield, CA 93301.  Comments can be submitted in writing to the District by 5:00 PM on March 29, 2024 or emailed to ekapcd@kerncounty.com.

National Cement 2024 Draft Title V Permit

National Cement Title V Technical Support Document (TSD)

 

Open Burning on SRA land will be allowed starting January 5, 2024

Kern County Fire Department announced Open Burning on SRA land within Eastern Kern County will be allowed starting January 5, 2024. Fire hazard reduction open burning will also be allowed on non-SRA land durring approved favorable burn days.

Be advised: Fire hazard reduction open burning requires a burn burmit. Burn Permits can be obtained online through Community Connect. Community Connect can be accessed by clicking the link below, or through the Hazard Reduction Pile Burning Permit Application widget on the sidebar. Instruction for obtaining a burn permit can be found by clicking the link below.

Hazard Reduction Burn Permit Instructions

Link for obtaining Hazard Reduction Burn Permit

 

Health Effects of Inhaling Smoke

Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic matter burns. The biggest health threat from smoke comes from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases and are even linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.

People with asthma, heart disease, lung disease, older adults, and children are at greater risk of being affected by smoke. If you are healthy, you're usually not at a major risk from smoke but it's still a good idea to avoid breathing smoke if you can help it. It's important to limit your exposure to smoke, especially if you may be susceptible.

How to tell if smoke is affecting you:
Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes or a runny nose. If you have heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse. People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or as vigorously as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath. When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms.

Protect yourself:
Watch local news and weather stations, pay attention to health warning and air quality reports, you can also use the EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI). Use common sense; if it looks smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn, go for a run, or let children play outside.

If your advised to stay indoors take steps to keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed. Run an air conditioner if needed but make the fresh air intake is closed and the filter is clean. Do not use a swamp cooler as it will pull in lots of smoke from outside. If your house becomes to hot to be comfortable seek alternative shelter. If it is cool outside try to avoid anything that produces heat from burning such as a fireplace, gas logs, or a gas stove.

 

Residential Wood BurningDry_Wood_Chart

Many Eastern Kern County residents
use woodstoves and fireplaces to heat
their homes.

If you burn please remember to do so
as cleanly as possible.

Never burn household waste in your
woodstove or fireplace and only burn
clean, dry, seasoned wood, and maintain
a hot fire.

 

December 2023 Desert Breeze

December 2023, issue of the District's quarterly news letter "Desert Breeze" is now available. Click the link below to download a pdf copy or contact the District to have a copy mailed to you. All back issues can be found by clicking here.

 

DMV Grant Program is Closed

The DMV Grant Project awards up to $50,000 per eligible project from the following four categories: Infrastructure, Road Improvement, Public Education, and Innovative Emission Reduction.  The application submittal period ended at 5 PM February 23, 2024.

 

Wood Smoke Reduction Program (WSRP) is Out of Funds

The District offers rebate vouchers through its Wood Smoke Reduction Program (WSRP) to replace Non-EPA certified wood stoves with new an EPA certified wood, pellet, or electric stove, or to install an EPA certified wood, pellet, or electric fireplace insert into a home that uses the heating device as its primary source of heat.

The WSRP is Out of Funds.

No retroactive vouchers or rebates will be allowed.

 

DMV Vehicle Voucher Program is Out of Funds

The District’s DMV Vehicle Voucher Program offers eligible applicants a $4,000 voucher for the purchase, not lease of a new Zero Emission Electric Vehicle (ZEV).  The program begins October 1st of each year and is on-going until all funds have been awarded.  Applications are processed first-come first-served and vouchers are issued accordingly.

Be advised: No retroactive payments will be made. You must receive a voucher prior to purchase 

The DMV Vehicle Voucher Program is Out of Funds.

 
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