CHEVY CHASE, MD — The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) of Southern California has announced new UV/EB technology listings for its Best Available Control Technology Guidelines (BACT). BACT is a pollution control standard mandated by the Clean Air Act that applies to any new or modified source.
The SCAQMD is working to update its BACT listings, with encouragement from RadTech, to better reflect the fast growing pace of UV/EB technology. Rita Loof, RadTech’s, Director of Environmental Affairs, testified at SCAQMD committee hearings, pointing out that other California air districts such as Bay Area and San Joaquin have updated their guidelines, which included super-compliant materials and specifically UV coatings as alternatives to add-on controls. “Our technology is a pollution prevention technology and should be recognized as an alternative to add-on control devices in the guidelines,” said Loof at a meeting of the District’s Board. Several SCAQMD Board members expressed support for UV/EB technology, indicating they believed it is “very clean.” In 2017, the Board unanimously supported a motion by Governor appointee Joe Lyou to adopt the following resolution language: “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board directs AQMD staff to work with industry and other stakeholders on assessing Ultraviolet/ Electron Beam (UV/EB) technology as an alternative to meet Best Available Control Technology.”