South Coast Air Quality Management District

The Hearing Board agenda includes several sessions to consider variances and abatement orders for various companies and facilities. Key matters involve short and alternative operating conditions for Torrance Refining Company LLC, a short variance for the City of Riverside Water Quality Control Plant, an order for abatement regarding Lalo Onsurez, an order for abatement for Laser Industries, Inc., a regular variance for Amazon.com Services LLC, a status report and modification to an abatement order for FlexFirm Holdings, LLC, a status report and modification to an abatement order for Southern California Edison's Pebbly Beach facility, and a status report and modification to an abatement order for Chiquita Canyon, LLC.

This document outlines the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget and Work Program for the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Its mission is to clean the air and protect the health of all residents through practical and innovative strategies. The plan is structured around three core goals: achieving clean air standards, enhancing public education and equitable treatment for all communities, and operating efficiently and transparently. These goals are supported by nine work program categories, including advancing clean air technology, ensuring compliance with air rules, customer service and business assistance, developing programs and rules for clean air, monitoring air quality, operational support, timely permit review, and policy support.

This document outlines the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget and Work Program, presenting detailed financial summaries, expenditure and revenue comparisons, and a five-year projection. It identifies key operational activities and proposes amendments to Regulation III, focusing on changes to various fees including those for laser cutters, application rejections, CEMS review maximums, hearing board, and toxic air contaminants. The document also includes an annual budget timetable and details of the public consultation process.

The board meetings covered several key topics including the recognition of long-serving employees, modifications to HEROS II program elements, contract approvals for goods movement projects, legislative representation, and information technology projects. The board also held public hearings to amend rules concerning consumer paint thinners, multi-purpose solvents, and refrigerant emissions from stationary systems. Additionally, the board discussed the U.S. EPA's stance on the PM2.5 plan and held a closed session to confer on pending litigation and initiation of new legal cases. A special meeting was specifically conducted to approve a contract for RRM Properties Ltd under the Proposition 1B Goods Movement Program.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District's 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Plan Update details the Clean Fuels Program's strategic efforts to achieve cleaner air by advancing and deploying zero-emission and low-emission technologies. The plan focuses on key areas including hydrogen and mobile fuel cell technologies, ultra-low-NOx engine systems, battery-electric and hybrid vehicle technologies, and the development of robust zero-emission infrastructure for both hydrogen and electric charging. It also prioritizes fueling infrastructure and deployment (renewable fuels), stationary clean fuel technologies (microgrids, renewables, linear generators), fuel and emissions studies, emission control technologies, health impacts assessments, and technology assessment/transfer/outreach. The overarching goal is to reduce NOx, PM2.5, and GHG emissions, overcome commercialization barriers, ensure compliance with air quality standards, and improve public health in the South Coast Air Basin.