March 22, 2024

The Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) of the Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) has received three applications from Pacific Gas and Electric Company to increase the annual permitted hours of operation of Prime Powered Diesel-Fueled Generators at three (3) locations in Butte County:

The cause for the increase in permitted hours is to maintain power during Planned Safety Power Shutoff Events. The BCAQMD has reviewed the applications and determined, upon issuance of a permit, the operations will comply with BCAQMD rules and regulations. The BCAQMD routinely permits and inspects prime powered generators.

California Health & Safety Code (HSC) Section 42301.6 requires the APCO to distribute a public notice prior to approving any application for a permit to construct or modify any source which has the potential to emit toxic air contaminants if a Health Risk Assessment estimates a Cancer Risk beyond the facility property boundaries is greater than ten (10) in one million. The generator sets will emit diesel particulate matter, which has been identified as a toxic air contaminant. This notice is being distributed to each physical address located within 1,000 feet of the emission sources.

These Public Notices commence a 30-day public comment period to allow interested members of the public an opportunity to review the permit applications, proposed permits, and BCAQMD’s engineering evaluation and to provide written comments on the proposed permit before final action is taken by the APCO.

Copies of the documents and information regarding the compliance history of the facility are available for review during normal business hours at the BCAQMD office, located at 629 Entler Avenue, Suite 15, Chico, CA. The office is open to the public Tuesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Interested members of the public may submit written public comments to the APCO concerning the permit application and supporting documents. The APCO will review, consider and respond to all comments received on or before April 22, 2024 prior to taking final action on the applications for a Authority to Construct permit. Written public comments concerning these permits may be submitted to:
Butte County Air Quality Management District
ATTN: Riley Peacock
629 Entler Avenue, Suite 15
Chico, CA 95928

By: Stephen Ertle, Air Pollution Control Office