In this section:
The Air Pollution Control District’s Role in the Land Development
Process in Jefferson County
For Additional Information
Overview
The Air Pollution Control District (APCD) of Jefferson County is the air pollution control agency of the City of Louisville and Jefferson County, including about 85 smaller suburban cities. It is the only local air pollution control agency in Kentucky. Established in 1945 as the Louisville Smoke Commission, it became the Air Pollution Control District of Jefferson County in 1952. The Air Pollution Control Board, an unpaid citizen board that oversees the APCD, is appointed by the Mayor of Louisville and the Judge Executive of Jefferson County.
Mission
For more than 50 years, the APCD has worked to ensure safer air for the residents of Jefferson County. We believe that a healthy environment leads to greater economic security and prosperity for our citizens and future generations. This conviction guides this agency as we develop and enforce emission and ambient air standards, monitor air quality, and track trends in the surrounding metropolitan area. The agency seeks to ensure healthy air for breathing while helping local industries and businesses meet local, state, and national air quality standards.
Functions
The Air Pollution Control Board issues regulations to control air pollution in Jefferson County; the APCD staff draft and enforce these regulations. The main functions of APCD are as follows:
Air Quality Monitoring - The Air Quality section continuously monitors the quality of the ambient air in Jefferson County.
Asbestos Removal - The Asbestos group of the Engineering and Enforcement section enforces federal and local laws and regulations on handling asbestos-containing materials.
Citizen Complaints - The Field Services unit responds to reports from the public of air pollution, odor, and dust problems.
Environmental Programs - The Environmental Programs section deals with transportation and land use planning, voluntary ozone prevention initiatives, alternative fuel technologies, energy efficiency, reducing pollution from mobile sources (cars, trucks, lawn equipment, etc.), reducing traffic congestion, and related issues. These programs help to prevent air pollution, often while saving money for citizens and businesses.
Gasoline Dispensing - The “Stage II” group inspects and issues permits to gasoline stations and other fuel dispensing facilities to ensure that their equipment meets federal and local requirements. This program reduces emissions of volatile organic compounds, key ingredients in forming smog.
Permits - The Engineering and Enforcement division issues permits to regulated facilities (factories, power plants, dry cleaners, auto body shops, etc.) and conducts periodic inspections to verify compliance. These permits specify emission control devices and/or restrict the quantities of pollutants that may be emitted.
Vehicle Emissions Testing (VET) - Most Jefferson County motor vehicles are required to be tested yearly to determine whether they meet the minimum clean air requirements for vehicles in Jefferson County.
The Air Pollution Control District’s Role in the Land Development Process in Jefferson County
The Louisville and Jefferson County Planning Commission, the Jefferson County Public Works Department, and APCD developed and use a joint staff procedure to coordinate and expedite the use of air quality information in the Planning Commission process.
The Planning Commission refers each development proposal to APCD for a preliminary screening to determine whether the proposed development would harm air quality. In some cases, APCD recommends that the preliminary screening be followed by a comprehensive air quality assessment. Then, the developer meets with staff members from the Planning Commission, Public Works, and APCD to determine responsibilities and specific data requirements. The assessment is performed by a previously certified professional, either a member of the developer’s staff or a consultant. The assessment is subject to APCD’s review and approval.
During the preliminary reviews, the District may recommend changes in the projected development to mitigate any anticipated adverse impact on air quality. Upon completion of a review, the air quality findings and the District’s recommendations are sent to the Planning Commission in advance of the development’s initial appearance on the agenda of the Land Development and Transportation (LD&T) Committee. The analysis and recommendations are discussed at the Committee meeting and are included in the staff report. APCD has the ability, in addition to this procedure, to publicly express its concerns on any proposed development.
If an applicant refuses to follow this process or to wait until an air quality assessment is complete, the case may be scheduled for the LD&T committee meeting where air pollution concerns, as well as other considerations, may be discussed.
The APCD Environmental Programs group also consults with the Planning Commission staff on county-wide land use and planning issues that may affect air quality. In addition, the Environmental Programs group proposes guidelines and incentives for development that benefit both air quality and the local economy.
For Additional Information
Additional information may be found on Air Pollution Control District’s Website, www.apcd.org.