BOARD MEETING DATE: May 1, 2009
AGENDA NO. 29

REPORT:

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, April 17, 2009.
Following is a summary of that meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file the attached report.
 

Jane Carney, Acting Chair
Mobile Source Committee

Attendance
Acting Chair Jane Carney called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. Present was Committee Member Josie Gonzales. Absent were Chair Ronald Loveridge, Vice-Chair Roy Wilson, and Committee Members Bill Campbell and Jan Perry. Board Member Joseph Lyou joined the meeting at 10:10 a.m. and was appointed to be a Committee Member for this meeting only. The following items were presented:
 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:

2) Update on Statewide In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation
Staff provided an overview of the legislatively mandated changes to the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation. As part of the approved California Budget, the State Legislature mandated three modifications to the existing regulation to provide relief to affected fleets. Additional compliance credit was to be allowed for fleets that retired equipment between March 1, 2006 and March 1, 2010, and for reduction in activity between July 1, 2007 and March 1, 2010. In addition to the new credit provisions, language was to be added to allow fleets to “backload” their requirements between the years 2011 and 2013 inclusive so that less would need to be done in the years 2011 and 2012 (20% in each year), and the fleets would catch up in 2013 (60% in the last year).

Should the proposed modifications be adopted approximately 17% of the NOx emission reductions will be lost resulting in a loss of emission reductions in the South Coast Air Basin of about 1.8 tpd of NOx, and about 100 fewer early deaths forgone. Economically affected fleets will see relief from the requirements of the regulation in the first few years.

Staff’s analysis of the proposed modifications was also presented. The majority of the delayed emission reductions can be attributed to the credits provided by the reduced activity. These credits allow fleets to meet their regulatory obligations with fewer clean-up actions, leaving older dirtier vehicles in the fleets longer. Staff believes that the amendments should also include a mechanism to recover the reduced activity credits used by the fleets. This would help minimize the emissions disbenefits.
 

3) Report on CARB’s Proposed 2007 SIP Revisions
Staff presented a summary of proposed 2007 SIP revisions to the state strategy by CARB’s staff. This item will be heard by the CARB board at their April 2009 meeting. The proposed revisions are designed to address concerns raised by the U.S. EPA staff regarding SIP approvability on enforceable SIP commitment. There are three criteria for such commitment to be SIP approvable: limited amount reduction commitment, ability to deliver the commitment, and the duration to complete the commitment. As a result, CARB staff highlighted the progress made by CARB through adoption of 13 measures in 2007-2008 that achieved over 60% of committed VOC and NOx reductions. It also demonstrated the resource and expertise CARB staff has in developing further mobile source regulations to deliver the remaining commitment for the defined short term according to a set of rule-making schedule for the next 2 to 3 years. With respect to long-term (“black-box”) measures, CARB staff is proposing to conduct coordinated research efforts with U.S. EPA and local air districts to develop new technologies. CARB staff is also committed to an annual progress report to its Board on SIP implementation and a public process to involve all stakeholders in developing additional defined measures to reduce the size of the “black-box”. A potential SIP amendment by June 30, 2010 is also noted to reflect the latest science and planning assumptions, if necessary.

Mrs. Carney asked staff regarding the past effectiveness of sharing research results among agencies. Staff intends to testify at the April CARB Board meeting to urge the need for continued reduction efforts due to the size of the “black-box”, while acknowledging the significant progress made in the last two years for mobile source rulemaking.
 

4) Report on I-710 Project Status
Susan Nakamura, Planning & Rules Manager, provided a status update for the Proposed I-710 project.  California Department of Transportation is proposing expansion and improvements on 18 miles of the I-710 freeway from Ocean Blvd. to the 60 Freeway.  The proposed project includes four alternatives, one which will include a zero emission truck or fixed guideway system for trucks.  The AQMD staff explained that this project is critical to the development of a zero emission transport system for goods movement and may influence the type of technology used on the southern and northern ends of the proposed project.  Supervisor Josie Gonzales asked how solutions to air quality issues can influence the Inland Empire.  Dr. Wallerstein responded that Riverside and San Bernardino are aware of these issues through the California Air Resources Board’s health risk assessments, San Bernardino Association of Governments, Southern California Association of Governments, and AQMD’s CEQA commenting.  Mrs. Carney asked if electric trucks are currently being used.  Dr. Wallerstein responded that the AQMD staff needs to work with partners to further develop the technology and implement demonstration programs.  Supervisor Gonzales asked if the AQMD staff has contacted the railroads regarding electric rail.  Dr. Wallerstein explained that electric rail is feasible and is used in Europe.  However, the Class I railroads are resistant to electric rail.  Supervisor Gonzales also commented that in the Inland Empire there is a third rail that is being constructed.  She commented that the third rail should utilize a clean technology.

ACTION ITEM:

1) Execute Contract for Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program

Shashi Singeetham, Air Quality Specialist, gave a presentation on the staff recommendations for executing contracts for Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program. The presentation included slides on background information on the Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP), Emission Reduction Target, Project Selection Criteria, Available Funding, Proposals Received with staff recommendations and Emission Reductions Achieved.

There was a brief discussion on the turn back amount. Board Member Dr. Joseph Lyou inquired about the de-obligated contract to Connolly Pacific. Mr. Singeetham explained that at the time of the award a new protocol for Marine vessels was in the works and the contract award was held back. Acting Chair Jane Carney inquired about the contracts to AQMS Automotive, LLC that had expired. Mr. Singeetham explained that AQMS had two large contracts and that they could not complete in time and the contracts eventually expired. He also stated that this time three different scrapping contractors were being recommended for an equal amount which would result in faster completion.

Motion by Lyou; seconded by Gonzales; and unanimously approved. 

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
None

8) Public Comment
None
 

The meeting adjourned at 10:22 a.m.
 

Attachment

Attendance Roster