TO: Napa-Vallejo Waste Management Authority Board of Directors
FROM: Chris Celsi, Executive Director
REPORT BY: Chris Celsi, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Settlement of 2 Notices of Violation issued by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize the Executive Director to sign a settlement form and pay $20,000 to resolve 2 notices of violation issued by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Authority maintains the closed American Canyon Sanitary Landfill with minimal daily personnel oversight. One of the components of the closed landfill is the Gas Collection and Control System (GCCS) which continuously operates to collect and flare methane gas that is generated by the landfill as its contents decompose. Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Notice of Violation 61521: On April 1, 2022, the GCCS failed to properly operate for 61/4 hours. The cause of this failure was grazing livestock (goats and sheep) which damaged a landfill lateral gas line. The damage was repaired and the GCCS returned to normal operation. Failure for the GCCS to operate continuously is a violation of the Authority's permit. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has proposed a $3,000 penalty to resolve this violation.
Notice of Violation 61526: On December 31, 2022, the GCCS failed to operate for 40 hours over three days. The reason was the condensate pump failed to pump water from the on-site sump. The pump was replaced, and the system was returned to operating properly on January 2, 2023. The Authority is required to notify BAAQMD immediately using online form Reportable Compliance Activity when the GCCS fails to operate. The failure was not reported until January 5, 2023. The Authority is also required to submit a 30-Day Follow Up Notification explaining what failed and why it failed. This notice was due by January 30, 2023, but it was not reported to BAAQMD until M...
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