Crucial Air District Hearing on Capping Refinery Emissions

After three years of our work to stop the potential rise of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants at the largest industrial emitters in the Bay Area, the Air District (BAAQMD) is finally holding the first hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for Rule 12-16, which would put a cap on the emissions of each refinery. All those who can attend this hearing at the BAAQMD offices, 375 Beale Street, San Francisco on May 31 at 9:45 am, are strongly urged to do so.

UPDATED 5/30:

We are on the cusp of a huge win to cap GHGs at the Bay Area’s five refineries. Members of our coalition met this week with BAAQMD Board Director John Gioia and Chief Executive Officer Jack Broadbent. Both now believe that due to our initiative in pressing for emission caps, both the State of California and the Air District are prepared to recommend approval of Rule 12-16 to cap GHG emissions.

If successful this would be the first such regulatory limit on the rise of GHGs at any refinery in the country and perhaps the world.

Please attend the first hearing next Wednesday May 31 that we hope will lead to final approval at the Board’s June 21 hearing. Thanks to many of you who have previously attended Board meetings, over the last three years we have successfully built momentum towards this historic action. At long last, the State, District Staff and Director Gioia are in alignment with our proposal. We are confidant that moving forward as quickly as possible is in our best interest. It is important to note that the recommendation does not cover Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) and other pollutants, which will be addressed in rule making by the District in the near future and which we will also follow closely.

We expect Richard Corey from the CA Air Resources Board to speak in favor of the Rule, along with health experts and representatives of our coalition, before Director Gioia makes the motion to direct staff to prepare the approval documents for the June 21st hearing. Your presence and support will help propel the Board towards a positive decision. Since attendees are only allotted one minute to speak, it would be helpful if you would consider ceding that minute to our public health experts and community spokespersons. We already know the industry will once again send paid refinery workers into the meeting, so you are encouraged to arrive between 9 and 9:15 to fill out a speaker’s card, and indicate your willingness to cede time to the person holding a “Cede Time Here” sign in the building lobby. Arriving early will also ensure you get a seat.

We’ll have one or more groups carpooling from Marin.

If you’re interested in going, contact Richard Gray at richardgraysart@gmail.com and/or RSVP below.

May 31, 9:45am

375 Beale Street
San Francisco