Small steps are needed to increase public awareness
What is the responsibility of AQMD? How is it funded?
AQMD sets air quality standards and ensures compliance. It also funds research and development and markets appropriate technologies. It issues permits and fines errant industries. We get our finances from issuing permits and the emission fees we receive. There are three types of fees: permit passes and fees, annual emission fees based on how much you emit, and annual operating fee.
A single business may have to obtain 400 permits. Each piece of equipment has a permit for use. We carry out unannounced inspections, wherein defaulters are fined very heavily. Our annual budget is about US $98 million. AQMD also receives project-specific $3-4 million Federal funds.
We have to ensure adherence of the Clean Air Act (a Federal law); the California Implementation Plan (a state law); and the Air Quality Management Plan (a local law). These specify the types of pollution we have, levels of emissions we have to achieve. If we fail in achieving cuts in emissions specified, Federal funding for highways and irrigation, for instance, will be cut.
What relationship does AQMD share with the industry? How do you ensure that industry adheres to air quality norms and standards?
We adopt the carrot-and-stick approach. The industry doesn't like controls and fines. But once they know that they have to do it, they get completely activated and ensure that the regulations set are realistic. We conduct what are termed regulation discussions, and conduct workshops to discuss issues.
AQMD has technically qualified personnel who are competent enough to recommend a certain type of technology. In fact, if a business uses a technology recommended by us, they get their permits in double-quick time, and also at a discount. These technologies pass through rigorous testing. On the other hand, if a problem area is identified, we fund a company to conduct research for an alternative. If that succeeds, we encourage other businesses to adopt it. But if it fails, we offer further funds till a solution is reached. But deadlines are very tight, and everyone is very clear of this.
In all this, we follow the BACT principle