2008 Flare Minimization Plan Updates

Approval of Refinery Flare Minimization Plan (FMP) First Annual Updates

On April 17, 2009, the District approved the FMP First Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments received as required by Regulation 12-12.

Background

Pursuant to the District's landmark Regulation 12-12 refinery flare rule, FMPs are required to be submitted to and approved by the District. Since rule adoption in 2005, two rounds of FMPs have been reviewed and approved by the District, and a substantial reduction in flare emissions in the Bay Area has resulted.

The plans incorporate new measures identified to reduce refinery flare emissions by reducing the frequency and magnitude of flaring events (“prevention measures”). Prevention measures identified must address flaring as a result of planned major maintenance, including startup and shutdown; flaring that may be reasonably expected to occur due to issues of gas quality or quantity; and flaring caused by recurrent failure of air pollution control equipment, process equipment, or processes.

An ongoing requirement under Regulation 12-12 is that each refinery shall submit an FMP Annual Update, which will be approved only after consideration of public comments, and if the District determines that all feasible prevention measures have been incorporated and, if not already undertaken, scheduled for expeditious implementation.

Approved FMP First Annual Updates for each refinery and the FMP Annual Update public comments are provided in the following table.

Note: These are redacted versions of the FMP Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.

The second FMP Annual Updates are due no later than October 1, 2009.

The second FMP Annual Updates are now available for public comment.