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4 Environmental Analysis 4.3 Air Quality Tracy is approximately 5 miles northeast of the Project. Due to the remote nature of the area, impacts to sensitive receptors are expected to be limited. 4.3.1.4 Valley Fever Valley Fever is an infection caused by inhalation of Coccidioides immitus (C. immitus) fungus spores. The fungus grows in the soil in areas of California and the southwestern U.S. It is prevalent in the San Joaquin Valley and particularly during conditions of high summer temperatures, mild winters, sparse rainfall, and alkaline sandy soils. Fungus spores lie dormant in the soil until they are disturbed by wind, vehicles, or other ground-disturbing activities and become airborne. Agricultural workers, construction workers, and other people who are exposed to wind and dust outdoors are most prone to contracting Valley Fever. Infections can result in mild influenza-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, chest pain, muscle or joint aches, night sweats, and rash. Rarely, in more serious cases, it can infect the brain,joints, bone, skin, or other organs, or cause death. Approximately 60 percent of people exposed to fungal spores are asymptomatic and show no signs of infection (CDC 2020). 4.3.2 Regulatory Setting Ambient air quality standards are the levels of air quality considered safe, with an adequate margin of safety, to protect the public health and safety. They are designed to protect those people most susceptible to respiratory distress (i.e., sensitive receptors), such as asthmatics, the elderly, very young children, people already weakened by other disease or illness, and people engaged in strenuous work or exercise. Healthy adults can tolerate occasional exposure to air pollutant concentrations considerably above these minimum standards before adverse effects are observed. Recent research suggests, however, that long-term exposure to air pollution at levels that meet air quality standards may have adverse health effects. For example, ozone exposure even at levels close to the ambient air quality standard may lead to adverse respiratory health. The following discussion describes the regulatory authority of the federal, state, and local jurisdictions. The federal CAA, the California Clean Air Act (CCAA), and the most recent Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) prepared and adopted by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) regulate air quality in the air basin. Federal and state standards are shown in Table 1. 4.3.2.1 Federal Regulations Criteria Air Pollutants The federal CAA (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] Section 7401-7671q) is a comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from area, stationary, and mobile sources and requires the adoption of the NAAQS to protect public health and welfare from the effects of air pollution. The federal CAA Amendments of 1990 required that the USEPA review all NAAQS with respect to health impacts and propose modifications or new rules as appropriate. In addition, the amendments of the 1990 federal CAA are associated with the attainment and maintenance of air quality standards, permits and enforcement, toxic air pollutants, acid deposition, stratospheric ozone protection, and motor vehicles and fuels. Current NAAQS are assigned to SO2, CO, NO2, 03, PM10, PM2.5, and Pb. These pollutants are designated criteria pollutants. Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.3-4 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023