BACT RACT and BARCT

Best Available Control Technology (BACT)
Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT)
Best Available Retrofit Control Technology (BARCT)

BACT is the level of emission control or reduction for new and modified sources of emissions that have the potential to emit 10 or more pounds of any criteria pollutant (NOx, CO, POC, NPOC, SO2 or PM10) on a worst-case day. BACT is intended to reduce emissions to the maximum extent possible considering technological and economic feasibility. For the specific regulatory language, see Section 301 of  Regulation 2, Rule 2 (69 k PDF, 20 pgs).

RACT is required under the Federal Clean Air Act to be implemented for existing sources of critiera pollutant emissions in the development of attainment plans to achieve federal ambient air quality standards. Moreover, the California Clean Air Act (CCAA) requires that local air districts develop attainment plans to achieve the state ambient air quality standards. These plans must include measures that require control technolgies for reducing emissions from existing sources (RACT/BARCT). While the CCAA does not define RACT, RACT for existing sources is generally considered to be those emission limits that would result from the application of demonstrated technology to reduce emissions. BARCT is defined in the California Health and Safefty Code as "an emission limitation that is based on the maximum degree of reduction achievable, taking into account environmental, energy, and economic impacts by each class or category of source." Although the terms are often used interchangably, BARCT requirements are generally more stringent than RACT requirements.

The following policies and procedures have been developed for BACT & RACT.

BACT Policies & Procedures

Procedure: BACT1 Review for Automatic Blanket Wash Systems (42 k PDF, 4 pgs) - 2/28/2008

Procedure: Conducting a BACT Determination & Updating the BACT/TBACT Workbook (56 k PDF, 7 pgs) - 2/28/2008

RACT Policies & Procedures

Policy: NOx and CO RACT Levels for Thermal Oxidizers (35 k PDF, 2 pgs) - 2/28/2008