BOARD MEETING DATE: February 6, 2009
AGENDA NO. 24

REPORT:

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, January 23, 2009.
Following is a summary of that meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file the attached report.
 

Ronald O. Loveridge, Chair
Mobile Source Committee

Attendance

Chair Ronald Loveridge called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Present were Vice-Chair Roy Wilson (via videoconference), and Committee Member Bill Campbell (via videoconference). Committee Member Jan Perry joined the meeting at 9:10 a.m. (via videoconference). Absent were Committee Members Jane Carney and Gary Ovitt. The following items were presented:

ACTION ITEM:

1) Execute Contracts to Conduct 2009 Lawn Mower Exchange Program and Leaf Blower Exchange Program for Public Parks
Shashi Singeetham, Air Quality Specialist, gave a presentation on the staff recommendations for the 2009 Lawn Mower Exchange Program, and the Leaf Blower Exchange Program for Public Parks. The presentation included background information on the Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP), available funding for the period; 2009 Lawn Mower Exchange Program features; lawn mower comparison; the AQIP emission bank; request for additional funds from CARB, the proposed Leaf Blower Exchange Program for Public Parks; and staff funding recommendations.

Chair Ron Loveridge inquired as to how the cities and counties will be notified about the program. Mr. Singeetham explained that the cities and counties will be notified via e-mail following Board approval of this item, and responses will be accepted via e-mail. The 156 blowers will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Supervisor Wilson stated that county CEO’s and City Managers should also be notified. Chair Loveridge also requested that the Board members be notified of the recipients of this notification.

Motion by Wilson; seconded by Campbell; and unanimously approved. 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:

2) Reductions in Air Pollution Through the Green Valley Initiative
Les Hamasaki (Executive Director) and Deniene Husted (Director of Communications) of the Green Institute for Village Empowerment (GIVE) presented information about the Green Valley Initiative (GVI) and their accomplishments. GVI is a regional economic development effort to create jobs and promote clean and green technologies in the Inland Empire. One of its major focuses is on the trade and logistics industry, which includes trucking and shipping, warehousing, packaging and recycling -- key industries in this region. The presentation focused on how their efforts will help to reduce air pollution through the use of clean and green technologies, innovative transit strategies, energy audits, alternative fueling stations and more. For information, visit www.greenvalleynow.org.

The counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, several cities and organizations have adopted resolutions in support of GVI and its mission. Ms. Husted requested that the Committee consider adopting a resolution of support and participation as a partner in discussing new strategies and new technologies that may fit in the Inland Empire. Barbara Baird, District Counsel, recommended that a formal resolution be submitted via the Executive Officer to the Administrative Committee for consideration as a Board agenda item.
 

3) Status Report on Proposed Rule 2301 – Control of Emissions from New or Redevelopment Projects
Carol Gomez, Planning & Rules Manager, presented a status update on the development of Proposed Rule 2301. This proposed rule was previously referred to as Emission Growth Measure (EGM)-01 in the 2007 AQMP. The purpose of the rule is to mitigate emissions from new or redevelopment residential, commercial, and industrial development projects.

The AQMD is required by law to consider “all feasible measures” for reducing emissions. A number of Air Districts in California have already adopted indirect source rules or polices addressing emissions from development projects, therefore triggering the all feasible measure requirement. The 2023 emission reduction goal for PR2301 is 0.8 tpd/NOx, 0.5 tpd/VOC, and 0.5 tpd PM2.5. Additional emission reductions obtained will be applied to the black box. This proposed rule will apply to development projects with operational NOx emissions of 2 tons/year or more, and projects required to prepare an EIR, negative declaration, or mitigated negative declaration.

For new development or redevelopment projects, PR2301 will address requirements for both the construction and operational phases. Under the construction phase all projects will be required to verify compliance with the CARB In-Use Off-Road Diesel regulation, and will be required to use architectural coatings that do not exceed 50% of the VOC limits in R1113. Alternatively, a project proponent could select the use of Certified Clean Air Choice cleaning products or specific CARB certified leaf blowers. In the operational phase of the development, the project will be required to reduce equivalent area source emissions by a certain percentage beyond Title 24 energy standards; and will be required to implement a number of transportation emission reduction strategies. The rule is designed to fit into the current CEQA process, thereby reducing the level of effort required on the regulated community.

PR2301 also includes a provision for the AQMD to delegate rule authority to a local government. This optional component provides an opportunity to incorporate rule requirements into General Plans, and Air Quality and/or Climate Change policies and programs. Examples of local ordinances that have incorporated District rules are the Coachella Valley Association of Government’s PM10 mitigation measures for Rule 403, and the City of Santa Monica’s Ordinance #1604, which implements Rule 2202.

The proposed rule calls for a phase in of compliance based on a project’s emissions. The largest projects, those with 10 tons/year of NOx or greater would begin rule implementation in January 2010, with projects of 4 tons/year or greater to begin in 2011, and projects of 2 tons/year or greater in 2012. Key issues include the environmental community’s concern that the proposed rule is not stringent enough especially without a fee component, and the private sector’s recommendation that the proposed rule be implemented through the existing CEQA process enabling lead agencies to make final project determination.

Supervisor Campbell suggested that staff move forward in a manner that keeps the rule as simple as possible, such as adopting a design requirement for all new development projects. He also asked Carol to provide the committee with a summary of similar programs or rules that are being implemented by other air agencies. Chair Loveridge inquired about potential costs associated with the rule and the upcoming schedule. Staff indicated that the costs have not yet been determined. One member of the public commented on the Rule, on behalf of the private sector, recommending that the Governing Board consider using the CEQA process to implement PR 2301 and believe it can achieve the same emissions committed in the AQMP. In response to Chair Loveridge, staff stated that the rule will go through a two-step Hearing Board process as committed to in the 2007 AQMP. The Pre-Hearing will be held in the spring with the public hearing planned for summer or fall 2009.

4) Update on Recent Health Studies
Staff presented a summary of the CARB revised methodology for calculating mortality from PM2.5, and provided summary updates for several recent studies on motor vehicle related air pollution and health effects.

The revised mortality estimates indicate that about 9,300 premature deaths annually are attributable to PM2.5 exposures in California. The SCAB accounts for the bulk of this number – about 6,200 per year.

Supervisor Campbell asked about the time of life lost regarding the premature deaths. Staff responded that a previous analysis by CARB staff estimated that exposures to fine particulates can shorten life by about 14 years for people who die prematurely.

The other studies presented are as follows:

• In a study of 51 metropolitan areas of the U.S., reductions in exposures to PM2.5 were shown to be associated with an increase in average life span of about 7 months.
• A study of trucking industry workers found that job categories with exposures to diesel and other vehicle exhausts, including long haul drivers, dockworkers, and pickup/delivery drivers, exhibited increased risks of lung cancer.
• A study of children in the San Francisco Bay area found that asthma and bronchitis symptoms were higher in children living near freeways than those living farther away.
• A study in Toronto found that among patients who sought care from a respiratory clinic, and had elevated incidence of heart and lung diseases, the risk of death from circulatory disease correlated with NO2 levels at the individual’s residence. The NO2 levels were used as a surrogate for traffic related emissions.
• A study of individuals recruited for a coronary artery disease study - who did not have heart disease at the time of study enrollment - found that the risk of newly diagnosed heart disease increased with exposure to traffic emissions. Distance from major roadways and traffic volumes were used to estimate traffic exposures.
   

5) Rule 2202 Activity Report
Written report submitted. No comments.
 

6) Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives – CEQA Document Commenting Update
Written report submitted. No comments.
 

7) Other Business
Supervisor Campbell noted that he had been contacted by a manufacturer of a proposed device for reducing pollution from heavy-duty trucks and passenger cars. Chair Loveridge inquired about the process for the testing of new air pollution control technologies. Dr. Elaine Chang, Deputy Executive Officer, stated that proposals for new technologies are referred to the Technology Advancement Office for review. Chair Loveridge requested that staff update Supervisor Campbell on staff’s assessment of the proposed device.

8) Public Comment
None

The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.

Attachment
Attendance Roster