Natural gas plants: methane monitoring systems and reporting.

Existing law generally designates air pollution control and air quality management districts with the primary responsibility for the control of air pollution from all sources other than vehicular sources. Existing law authorizes the State Air Resources Board or the air district to require the owner or the operator of an air pollution emission source to take any action that the state board or the air district determines to be reasonable for the determination of the amount of air pollution emissions from that source. This bill would require an owner or operator of a natural gas plant, as defined, to develop, install, operate, and maintain, in accordance with guidance developed by the appropriate air district, a fence-line monitoring system, as defined, to measure and record methane concentrations at or adjacent to a natural gas plant. The bill would require the air district and the owner or operator of a natural gas plant to collect real-time data from these fence-line monitoring systems, provide that data to the public as quickly as possible in a publicly accessible format, and maintain records of that data. The bill would require an owner or operator of a natural gas plant to report methane concentrations readings that exceed background levels to the air district and would require the air district to report those readings to Members of the Legislature representing the district in which the natural gas plant is located. The bill would require the owner or operator of a natural gas plant to be responsible for the costs associated with the fence-line monitoring system. By adding to the duties of local air districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.