SU0015801 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4 Environmental Analysis 4.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions at the corporate level. An estimated 85 percent of the total U.S. GHG emissions, from approximately 10,000 facilities, are covered by this final rule. Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for GHGs under the CAA On December 7, 2009, the USEPA adopted its Proposed Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under the CAA (Endangerment Finding). The Endangerment Finding is based on Section 202(a)of the CAA, which states that the Administrator(of the USEPA) should regulate and develop standards for "emission[s] of air pollution from any class of classes of new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines, which in [its]judgment cause, or contribute to, air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare." The rule addresses Section 202(a) in two distinct findings. The first addresses whether the concentrations of the six key GHGs (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, and SF6) in the atmosphere threaten the health and welfare of current and future generations. The second addresses whether the combined emissions of GHGs from new motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines contribute to atmospheric concentrations of GHGs and, therefore, the threat of climate change. The Administrator found that atmospheric concentrations of GHGs endanger the public health and welfare within the meaning of Section 202(a)of the CAA. The evidence supporting this finding consists of human activity resulting in "high atmospheric levels" of GHG emissions, which are most likely responsible for increases in average temperatures and other climatic changes. Furthermore, the observed and projected results of climate change (e.g., higher likelihood of heat waves, wildfires, droughts, sea level rise, and higher intensity storms)are a threat to public health and welfare. Therefore, GHGs were found to endanger the public health and welfare of current and future generations. The Administrator also found that GHG emissions from new motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines are contributing to air pollution, which is endangering public health and welfare. The USEPA's final findings respond to the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision that GHGs fit within the CAA definition of air pollutants. The findings do not in and of themselves impose any emission reduction requirements, but rather allow the USEPA to define the GHG standards proposed earlier in 2009 for new light-duty vehicles as part of the joint rulemaking with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Various subsequent federal rulemakings limit GHG emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants through the USEPA's major stationary source permitting program and through the USEPA's New Source Performance Standards. These rulemakings have been subject to court challenges and political manipulation, such that applicants for air permits are required to evaluate the current status of the regulatory requirements. These GHG rules do not apply to the activities associated with the Project. 4.8.2.2 State While climate change has been a concern since at least 1988, the efforts devoted to GHG emissions reduction and climate change policy have increased dramatically in recent years. In 2002, California passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1493, which requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop and implement regulations to reduce automobile and light truck GHG emissions beginning with the 2009 model year. In June 2005, Executive Order S-3-05 was signed to reduce California's GHG emissions to: (1) 2000 levels by the year 2010; (2) 1990 levels by the Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.8-4 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023