BOARD MEETING DATE: January 9, 2009
AGENDA NO. 18

REPORT:

California Air Resources Board Monthly Meeting

SYNOPSIS:

The California Air Resources Board met on December 11 and 12, 2008. The following is a summary of this meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.
 

Ronald O. Loveridge, Member
SCAQMD Governing Board

The Air Resources Board’s (ARB or Board) December meeting was held in Sacramento. Key meeting items are summarized below.

1.  Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) Scoping Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in California

ARB adopted the Climate Change Scoping Plan for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in California. The Scoping Plan, required under Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32, 2006) is designed to reduce statewide GHG emissions to 1990 levels in 2020 and serve as the springboard for reduction of GHG emissions to 85 percent of 1990 levels in 2050. During Board deliberations, Board members voiced strong support for working collaboratively with air quality management districts in the State, especially in the areas of data collection and rule development. All agreed that the Plan is extensive, impacting all economic sectors in the State. It is one of the most intensive planning efforts yet undertaken by the Board. Implementation of the Plan will include the adoption of a number of regulations and the establishment of a cap-and-trade program for GHG emissions.
 

2.  Health Update: Lung Cancer in the United States Trucking Industry

ARB staff presented the results of a recent health study of workers in the United States trucking industry. The study evaluated work records and causes of death of 31,000 workers, including long haul truckers, pickup and delivery truckers, dock workers, mechanics, and clerks, between the years of 1985 and 2000. The research found increased cancer risks among trucking industry employees exposed to diesel particulate matter (DPM) that were similar to the risks imposed on individuals exposed to environmental tobacco smoke on a regular basis. According to the study, risks from DPM exposure also increased with the number of years worked in the industry.
 

3. Reduction of Emissions from In-Use On-Road Diesel Trucks and School Buses

ARB adopted a far-reaching regulation that will significantly reduce NOx and diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions from in-use on-road diesel vehicles, notably diesel trucks. The adopted resolution meets ARB’s 2007 State Implementation Plan commitment for combined NOx and DPM reductions to be achieved in the South Coast Air Basin by 2014.

The new regulation requires on-road trucks to be retrofitted with controls or repowered with newer engines that reduce DPM emissions during a phase-in period between 2010 and 2014. Starting in 2012, trucks will also be required to reduce NOx emissions. By 2023, all affected vehicles will be required to meet 2010 emission limits for new trucks. The Board directed staff to report on the status of funding programs and school bus retrofits and replacements by the end of 2009. The Board also made conforming amendments to related regulations for in-use off-road vehicles, drayage trucks, municipality and utility vehicles, mobile cargo handling equipment, portable engines and equipment, heavy-duty engines and vehicle exhaust emissions standards and test procedures and commercial motor vehicle idling.
 

4. Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Heavy-Duty Vehicles

The Board adopted a regulation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty trucks. The regulation requires an EPA SmartWay certification for model year 2011 truck tractors and 53 foot or longer trailers driven on California highways. Truck tractors manufactured prior to 2011 must be equipped with SmartWay-certified low resistance tires after January 1, 2012. Truck tractors and trailers driven less than 50,000 miles per year exclusively within a 100-mile radius of a local haul base are exempt from the requirements of this regulation.
 

Attachment (DOC, 68k)

CARB December 11 & 12, 2008 Meeting Agenda