Santa Barbara’s Air Pollution Control District reaches $1.3 million settlement with Lompoc cannabis processing facility
Santa Barbara's Air Pollution Control District reaches $1.3 million settlement with Lompoc cannabis processing facility KEYT
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Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District Announces $1.3 Million Settlement with Central Coast Agriculture
The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD) has announced a $1.3 million settlement with Central Coast Agriculture over penalties issued to the company’s cannabis manufacturing facility in Lompoc.
Air Quality Violations and Notices of Violation
Between 2020 and 2023, the SBCAPCD documented multiple air quality violations at Central Coast Agriculture’s facility and issued several notices of violations. These violations were detailed in a press release about the settlement.
Allocation of Settlement Funds
Out of the $1.3 million settlement, $200,000 will be allocated to the SBCAPCD’s Clean Air Fund, which funds projects aimed at improving air quality in the Lompoc community. The remaining amount will be used for an expansion of surveillance of post-harvest cannabis operations across the county, with the remainder going into the SBCAPCD’s fund for future use.
Compliance Requirements
As part of the settlement, Central Coast Agriculture is required to submit the full civil penalty no later than June 7, 2024.
Previous Violations and Permits
In October 2020, the SBCAPCD issued a notice of violation to Central Coast Agriculture for operating a cannabis manufacturing facility in Lompoc without a proper permit and emissions control systems. Subsequently, nine more notices of violation were issued for the Lompoc facility, along with 17 notices of violation for two other facilities in the Buellton area.
On November 29, 2023, the SBCAPCD issued a final permit for Central Coast Agriculture’s Lompoc facility after the implementation of emissions control requirements. The company has installed a solvent recapture system and is expected to install emissions control equipment by September of this year.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 13: Climate Action
Impact on Air Quality
The SBCAPCD stated that the Lompoc facility emitted significant amounts of regional ozone precursor pollutants since the initial notice of violation in October 2020. The implementation of emissions control measures is expected to reduce these emissions.
Solvent Recapture System
Central Coast Agriculture’s solvent recapture system, developed and proposed by the company, is considered unique to the facility and may serve as a model for other cannabis production facilities. The system aims to reuse over 97 percent of the solvent used for cannabis production, preventing it from being emitted into the atmosphere.
Statement from SBCAPCD Executive Director
“We are thankful to have reached a settlement, and more importantly worked with Central Coast Agriculture to achieve compliance with air quality regulations for their manufacturing operations,” said Aeron Arlin Genet, Executive Director for the SBCAPCD. “The magnitude of this settlement reflects the significance of the violations and the amount of emissions over three years. The Clean Air Fund portion of this settlement will be used for other projects throughout the Lompoc community to reduce emissions and improve air quality.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article discusses air quality violations and the need to improve air quality in the Lompoc community.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article mentions the expansion of surveillance of post-harvest cannabis operations across the county, indicating a focus on sustainable urban development.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – The article highlights the implementation of emissions control requirements and the installation of emissions control equipment at the cannabis manufacturing facility.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – The article refers to the emissions of ozone precursor pollutants and the need to reduce emissions to protect the environment.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of air quality violations documented and notices of violations issued by the SBCAPCD.
- Amount of settlement funds allocated to the SBCAPCD’s Clean Air Fund for improving air quality in the Lompoc community.
- Expansion of surveillance of post-harvest cannabis operations across the county.
- Installation of emissions control equipment at the cannabis manufacturing facility.
- Percentage of solvent recaptured and reused for cannabis production at the Lompoc facility.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Number of air quality violations documented and notices of violations issued by the SBCAPCD. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | – Amount of settlement funds allocated to the SBCAPCD’s Clean Air Fund for improving air quality in the Lompoc community. – Expansion of surveillance of post-harvest cannabis operations across the county. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | – Installation of emissions control equipment at the cannabis manufacturing facility. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | – Percentage of solvent recaptured and reused for cannabis production at the Lompoc facility. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: keyt.com
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