MDAQMD's Compliance Section ensures that industry, businesses, institutions and individuals comply with our local, state, and federal air quality regulations and air pollution control

The Mojave Desert AQMD implements air quality programs required by State and Federal mandates and enforces rules and regulations based on air pollution law. The Compliance Section also provides technical assistance to industries and individuals and assists in the drafting of air quality-related statutes and regulations.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, and gathers air quality (AQ) data for the State of California, ensures the quality of this data, designs and implements air models, and sets ambient air quality standards for the state. ARB compiles the state's emissions inventory and performs air quality and emissions inventory special studies. The Air Quality Data page provides access to ambient air quality data, maps of areas that violate the national and state air quality standards, and maps of the ambient air quality monitoring network. The ARB uses the Emissions Inventory and Air Quality Models to evaluate air quality and reduce emissions in each of the 35 local air districts. For more information on ARB, click here.

 What Do Inspectors Do?                                                                                                                                                                         

• Inspect facilities and investigate complaints to determine compliance with District, state, and federal air pollution rules.   

• Issue notices to ensure compliance with rules, including Notices of Violation, Notices to Comply and Minor Infraction Notices.

• Learn and apply complex inspection and investigative methods for petroleum and industrial facilities that have to comply with multiple regulations.

• Develop recommendations on how new or proposed rules can best be implemented, and made effective and enforceable.

• Prepare reports on findings of inspections and complaint investigations.

• Help prepare Hearing Board cases or recommend variance conditions to ensure compliance with District rules. Provide testimony before the Hearing Board, or in court or administrative hearings, on civil and criminal air pollution cases when requested.

• Represent the District at meetings and conferences and respond to inquiries about District rules and processes.

• Analyze and determine the cause and nature of air contaminant emissions and coordinate the physical testing of sources.

• Re-inspect sources found in non-compliance.

What Do We Regulate?

We regulate “stationary sources” or business sources of air pollution. Inspectors inspect a range of facilities, activities and equipment in San Bernardino County’s High Desert and Riverside County’s Palo Verde Valley, including:

• Dry cleaners
• Gas stations
• Autobody shops  
• Facilities that use solvents
• Sand, rock and gravel processing facilities
• Concrete and asphalt batch plants
• Diatomaceous minerals mining and processing
• Agricultural engines
• State registered portable engines
• Gas plants
• Asphalt refineries
• Asbestos demolition and renovation
•  Onshore oil and gas processing and  storage facilities
• Landfills
• Cogeneration facilities

Gas Stations - Aboveground Storage Tanks Vapor Recovery

Since 2001, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted a number of significant enhancements to gasoline dispensing facilities' (GDFs') vapor recovery systems.  These efforts are necessary to ensure the continued effective operation of the vapor recovery systems during the transfer and dispensing of gasoline at these facilities.

RB has developed Enhanced Vapor Recovery (EVR) standards for vapor recovery systems using Aboveground Gasoline Storage Tanks (AST).  On May 2, 2008 the Board approved Certification Procedure CP-206, which describes the procedure for evaluating and certifying ASTs, Standing Loss Control, Phase I and Phase II vapor recovery systems, and components used at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities (GDF). At the same time Test Procedures TP-206.1, TP-206.2, and TP-206.3 were certified in regards to determining compliance with AST EVR system performance standards. Click here for more information on CARB's EVR standards.

Gas station inspection:

At the MDAQMD, we work to limit your exposure to emissions and air toxics and help you be better informed so you can protect your health.