Overview
Learn about stationary combustion
Many stationary combustion sources are regulated at UCSF, requiring an authority to construct, permit to operate, detailed operational/maintenance documentation, routine inspection, and annual reports. UCSF Environmental Programs currently maintains over 50 regulated sources covering equipment at 12 UCSF sites.
Below are some guidelines to help you determine if your source is regulated:
Gas Turbines
UCSF owns and operates a cogeneration plant, which provides steam and electricity to the Parnassus Campus. UCSF currently operates under a Synthetic Minor permit issued by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). This facility is subject to routine inspection, annual reporting, and greenhouse gas reporting to both CARB and US EPA.
If you have proposal to add or modify any regulated equipment in this facility, please notify Environmental Programs immediately. Depending on the extent of the project, permitting may take 3-6 months.
Boilers
Boilers are a source of criteria air contaminants (NOx, CO) and greenhouse gasses (CO2) and are regulated under several different rules enforced by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
BAAQMD permit requirements for boilers depend on the heat input capacity of each unit.
Heat Input Required Action
> 10 MM Btu/hr BAAQMD permit required
1 – 10 MM Btu/hr BAAQMD registration required
0 – 1 MM Btu/hr Report to UCSF Environmental Programs
Additionally, boilers are regulated on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions under BAAQMD’s Reg 9, Rule 7. This rule requires that all boilers meet numerical NOx limits and is applied retroactively to all boilers with a rated heat input of 2 MM Btu/hr or greater if fired exclusively with natural gas (> 1 MM Btu/hr if fired with fuel other than natural gas).
The current compliance schedule affects 30 boilers university wide at six UCSF campuses
**Due to its relative age, the Mission Bay campus may take advantage of the “manufacturer’s date + 10 years” allowance outlined in the regulation.
Diesel Emissions- Stationary Equipment
Diesel emissions are a growing concern with agencies responsible for air quality and public health. Small particulate matter (PM10) has been identified as a significant public health risk by the San Francisco Dept of Public Health (SFDPH) and California Air Resources Board (CARB). Diesel emissions from stationary sources are primarily regulated by California’s Airborne Toxic Control Measure (17 CCR 93115) and enforced by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).
The most common source of these emissions at UCSF is emergency diesel generators and diesel powered fire pumps. The BAAQMD requires a Permit to Operate for all stationary diesel equipment > 50 bhp.
Typical permitting procedure is as follows:
- Notify UCSF Environmental Programs of a proposed project
- Plans Review (if necessary)
- Gather required data / information
- Make, model of the equipment and any associated abatement equipment (diesel particulate filters)
- Spec sheets / emissions data
- Proposed location
- Emissions stack location
- Emissions stack dimensions (height / diameter)
- Emissions stack exhaust temperature
- Distance to nearest public receptor
- Environmental programs generates and submits application package to BAAQMD
- Authority to Construct is issued upon final approval of the application
- Notify the BAAQMD prior to start up of the equipment
- A Permit to Operate is issued shortly after start up
Allow 12-16 weeks for processing of an application.
If you have a project that requires the installation, removal or modification of a stationary diesel source, please contact Environmental Programs as early as possible.