- - Draft - - PSD Project Workgroup 6/12/02 Conference Call Summary

Participants

Topics

1.    Background (info posted at www.westar.org/psd)

Dan summarized the discussion on PSD at the Spring WESTAR business meeting. PSD has been a priority issue for the air directors for years. Western states host most of the nation's Class I areas, and baseline areas tend to be large. There has been a renewed emphasis on PSD in recent years with the focus on regional haze. EPA has been working on revisions to their policies related to the implementation of the PSD program. In part, these updated policies will clarify EPA's expectations on boundary re-designations and increment tracking.

The WESTAR air directors directed staff, through the WESTAR operating committees (Sources, Planning and Technical) to work with EPA, FLMs, and tribes to evaluate options for boundary re-designations and increment tracking, and to recommend actions that will ensure predictable and timely responses from EPA at WESTAR's fall business meeting (scheduled for September 4-6 in Santa Fe).

2.    Draft Project description
        - refer to draft work plan

Dan summarized the draft problem statement and project description. There are, in fact, two related issues that need to be addressed by the group - policies related to revising baseline areas, and options for increment tracking.

3.    Process and timeline
        - refer to draft work plan for process and timeline

The ad hoc workgroup has been formed to respond to the air directors request. The lead WESTAR committee will be the Sources Committee (John Volkerding, New Mexico, and Mike Silverstein, Colorado, are co-chairs). 

The project description proposes a 5-step approach: Form workgroup; Determine current status; Evaluate options; Select preferred option; Present recommendations at September 4 business meeting. Karen pointed out that this is a very optimistic schedule. Recommendation was made for a face-to-face meeting. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 18 and 19 in Denver, possibly at the EPA Region 8 office.

4.    Do we need additional representatives or expertise? (All)
        - refer to list of workgroup members

Recommendations for additional representatives for the workgroup included: 

    Larry Svoboda - EPA Region 8 (Karen will contact)
    Kevin Golden - EPA Region 8
    John Bunyak - Park Service (Bud will contact)
    Ken Bigos - EPA Region 9
    Dave Bray - EPA Region 10 (Rose will be in touch with Dave regarding tribal interest in PSD issues)
    Representative from the Navejo tribe (Bob will contact)

It was decided not to add a lawyer to the group, but instead to compile legal questions and ask for advise/opinions on an as-needed basis.

5.    Next meeting

Since the face-to-face kick off meeting is not scheduled until July 18, the workgroup felt that there should be an interim conference call. The call is scheduled for June 25 at 10:00 Pacific time. Workgroup members were asked to contribute agenda items between now and June 18, after which Dan will circulate an agenda.

Action Items

1.  Mark calendars for 7/18-19 meeting (All)

2.  Send Dan suggested agenda items for 6/25 conference call (All)

3.  Send Dan relevant PSD related documents for posting on website (All)

4.  Add workgroup members suggested above (Dan)

5.  Make arrangements for 7/18-19 meeting and notify workgroup members (Dan)