CDAWG 2009 Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District Regulatory Update Ted Schade, APCO October 21, 2009 Death Valley, California

Dust Control at the Owens Dry Lake continues to be the biggest challenge faced by the Great Basin APCD

The work has been extremely challenging with: 500 miles of pipe and drains 500 miles of pipe and drains 10 million cu.yds. Of grading 10 million cu.yds. Of grading 3,500 miles of drip tube 3,500 miles of drip tube 7,300 flood bubblers 7,300 flood bubblers 95,000 ac-ft of water per year 95,000 ac-ft of water per year

However, there have been significant decreases in both the number of federal PM 10 exceedances per year, as well as the average annual PM 10 values. Number of federal 24-hr PM 10 exceedances per year (150 µg/m³) Average annual PM 10 level (µg/m³)

Now that a solution to the Owens Lake dust problem is in sight, efforts have shifted to making the controls as efficient as possible. This includes water saving efforts and …

The use of solar panels to control dust, generate clean power and save water.

District efforts at Mono Lake mainly include monitoring air quality and waiting for the lake level to naturally rise. The lake remains about 10 feet lower than it needs to be to meet the federal PM10 standard. The District has installed a unique solar powered continuous PM10 TEOM monitor.

A view for the solar-powered TEOM (right), with solar panels, battery boxes and Mono Lake in the background.

Geothermal power generation continues to be active. The Coso Geothermal plants are expanding their generation activities and Mammoth Pacific continues to operate at full capacity.

The District also works with the U.S. Navy at their China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station. Activities include Open Burn/Open Detonation of munitions and explosives, construction of research/test facilities and permitting of diesel equipment.

Finally, the District continues a mostly successful relationship with our federal and state land managers to minimize the impact of wildland fire smoke on District residents. We are also continuing our mostly underfunded woodstove replacement program.