Notice of Public Hearing and Request for Comments

Draft Federal Part 70 Permit for the Plains Exploration and Production Co.
Point Pedernales/Lompoc Oil Field Stationary Source 

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has issued twelve (12) draft federal Part 70 permits for the Plains Exploration and Production Co. (PXP) facilities that are part of the Point Pedernales/Lompoc Oil Field Stationary Source.

The Point Pedernales/Lompoc Oil Field Stationary Source consists of Platform Irene and the Lompoc Oil and Gas Plant (LOGP), which processes oil and gas produced from Platform Irene and ten onshore oil and gas facilities that constitute the Lompoc Oil Field. The LOGP is located approximately 2.7 miles northeast of the city of Lompoc, CA and Platform Irene is located approximately four miles west of Point Pedernales. These two facilities have been operating since 1988. The Lompoc Oil Field facilities are located approximately 2.5 miles north of the city of Lompoc. The oil and gas production operation lifts oil to the surface, separates gas and water from the oil, uses the gas as fuel, and makes the oil available for sale. This stationary source is considered a major source for emissions of nitrogen oxides, reactive organic compounds and carbon monoxide.

Permitting Action

PXP’s operation currently has twelve combined APCD and Part 70 permits that are enforceable by the public, the APCD and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). This action is the renewal of these permits. Once issued by the APCD and the USEPA, the renewed permits will be valid for three years. No changes to facility operations or emission increases will occur as a result of this action.

Public Comment Procedures

Copies of the permit application, the draft permits and support materials are available for review from October 23, 2006 to November 22, 2006 on the APCD website on this page, and at the following locations:

Santa Barbara County APCD
260 No. San Antonio Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Contact: Jim Menno

Santa Barbara County APCD 
301 Cook St., Suite L 
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Contact: Jim Menno

Only the federally enforceable conditions in Sections 9.A through 9.C of these permits are subject to public comment. Comments on these sections should be submitted, in writing, to the APCD (Attn: Jim Menno). All comments must be received by November 22, 2006. The APCD will consider scheduling a hearing for public comments on the draft permits, if requested in writing, within two weeks after publication of this notice. To request a public hearing, please send correspondence to Jim Menno at the above APCD address.

Issues raised during the comment period will be addressed, in writing, by the APCD as part of the final permit issuance. For more information, please contact Jim Menno at (805) 614-6787 or write to the APCD at the address above.

                                                                                                                Published October 29,  2006