Bureau of Air Quality officials reviewed aspects of the proposed state implementation plan Wednesday night during a scoping meeting at Provo High School.

The bureau will submit a draft state implementation plan for controlling fine particulate matter, or PM10 emissions in Salt Lake, Davis and Utah counties to the Air Conservation Committee on June 12. The draft plan, if approved by the committee, will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency by June 30. A final plan is scheduled to be prepared by Sept. 30.The bureau estimates PM10 levels must be reduced 42 percent in Utah County in order to comply with the maximum allowable standard of 150 micrograms per cubic meter. Salt Lake County must adopt measures that will reduce PM10 levels by 14 percent.

"There are many, many great unknowns, but we are working our tails off to develop a PM10 plan while still allowing industry to meets its requirements and the state to grow," said Dave McNeil, a bureau employee.

The bureau previewed control measures proposed for diesel vehicles, woodburning stoves, Salt Lake industries and road salt/sanding. Control measures for Utah County industries, in particular Geneva Steel, have not been finalized.

Sam Rushforth, co-chairman of the Utah County Clean Air Coalition, asked the bureau to allow interested citizens to participate in the bureau's discussions with industrial sources of PM10. Rushforth said the coalition dropped a suit pending against the state six months ago after the bureau and the group drafted a memorandum of agreement that included such a provision.

However, Montie Keller, bureau technical evaluation manager, said the bureau doesn't have time to notify individuals every time it meets with industry representatives for such discussions. He also said he was unsure whether industries would allow citizens to sit in on such meetings for proprietary reasons.

Julie Mack, co-chair of the coalition, said the coalition favors "strict control measures for industrial sources in Utah County."

"We have waited patiently to inspect the pollution control plan of Geneva Steel for the past six months," Mack said. "Unfortunately, we still have not seen this plan and therefore cannot comment cogently upon its merits."

Mack said that unless regulations are tough, enforceable and encompass all sources, the SIP will be ineffective and unworkable.

Ray Nelson, a former Geneva employee, said the bureau should not adopt more stringent standards that might force the plant to close down.

Comments on the bureau's proposal may be made up to June 7 by calling the bureau at 538-6108 or writing to Bureau of Air Quality, P.O. Box 16690, Salt Lake City, UT 84116-0690.

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What is proposed

Wood-burning stoves: Regulations would apply in Utah County from Payson to the east side of U-68 and to areas below the 6,500-feet level. During 1991-92, a voluntary no-burn period would be initiated when ambient air concentrations of PM10 reach 80 micrograms. Exemptions are allowed for EPA-certified stoves, EPA-exempt stoves and for stoves that provide the sole source of heat for a home.

In 1992-93, an additional phase would be added that would allow only sole-source and EPA stoves to be used when PM10 levels reach 110 micrograms.

By 1995, the proposal would ban use of all solid-fuel burning devices except EPA certified and exempt stoves.

Reduction to be achieved: 50 percent in non-industrial solid-fuel burning emissions.

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Salt/sand: Use smaller, low-silt salt that has no more than 2 percent by weight of insoluble solids.

Reduction to be achieved: 20 percent.

Diesels: A bill passed in the 1990 legislative session requires counties involved in the SIP process to develop a diesel inspection and maintenance program.

Reduction to be achieved: 20 percent.

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