BOARD MEETING DATE: November 6, 2009
AGENDA NO. 25

REPORT:

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, October 16, 2009. Following is a summary of that meeting

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file the attached report.
 

Ronald O. Loveridge, Chair
Mobile Source Committee

Attendance

Chair Ronald Loveridge called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Present at AQMD were Vice-Chair Marion Ashley and Committee Members Jane Carney and Josie Gonzales. Committee member Bill Campbell attended via videoconference. Committee Member Jan Perry (arrived at 9:15 a.m.) via videoconference. The following items were presented.

ACTION ITEMS:

1. Appropriate Funds from Undesignated Fund Balance to the Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources FY 2009-10, Professional and Special Services Account Budget for Contracts for CEQA Analysis for Proposed Expansion and Modernization of Union Pacific’s Intermodal Container Transfer Facility
   
   Susan Nakamura, Planning and Rules Manager, provided a summary of staff’s proposal to recommend that the Board approve a transfer of $500,000 from the Undesignated Fund to the Planning, Rule Development, and Area Sources Professional Services Account as contingency funds to ensure completion of the CEQA documents on the proposed expansion and modernization of the Union Pacific Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) in Long Beach. The AQMD is acting as a consultant to the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, to prepare the necessary CEQA documents. Additional funds are needed to cover contingency costs associated with incorporating updated port forecasts, additional project alternatives, cumulative impacts, and anticipated extensive response to comments. With the appropriation of the additional funds, the total costs for all contracts will not exceed $1.5 million. It should be noted that the JPA has agreed to reimburse the AQMD for all expenditures, including staff time, up to $2.5 million. As a follow up to this action, Supervisor Josie Gonzales requested that staff contact the City of Long Beach and ask if there are any planned safeguards to ensure that future development of sensitive receptor areas adjacent to the ICTF project be protected from the emission impacts from the facility. Ms. Jane Carney asked about reimbursement of AQMD staff time. AQMD staff replied that staff time is being reimbursed and there is sufficient funding to cover future AQMD staff time.
   
   Motion by Gonzales; seconded by Ashley; and unanimously approved.
   
   
2. Establish List of Pre-qualified Consultants for Assistance Preparing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Documents and Other CEQA-related Technical Analyses
   
   Susan Nakamura gave a presentation on a recommendation to the Governing Board to establish a list of pre-qualified consultants in preparing CEQA documents, CEQA Handbook updates, and other CEQA-related projects.  The recommended lists were established from consultants that responded to an RFP approved for release by the Board on June 5, 2009.  Proposals were evaluated per the AQMD’s Consultant Selection Policy and Procedures.  The following six consulting firms are recommended to be included on a list of pre-qualified consultants:  Chambers Group, Inc., Christopher A. Joseph and Associates, Environmental Audit, Inc. Matrix Environmental, PMC, and Iteris, Inc.  Consulting services from the prequalified list will be used as the need arises.  The initial cost of the contract is $60,000 for fiscal year 2009-10, with an option to extend for a period of two years.  Increased funding may be requested at a later date if needed.
   
   Mayor Ron Loveridge commented that the amount of money for the contract did not seem like much for the services required and the small number of consultants that responded to the RFP.  Staff confirmed that this RFP was in response to comments from smaller CEQA firms to have an open bidding process for CEQA consulting.  The RFP did indicate additional funding may be added in the future.
   
   Motion by Campbell; seconded by Ashley; and unanimously approved.
   
   
3. Issue Program Announcement for Electric Lawn Mower Vendor
   
   Shashi Singeetham, Air Quality Specialist, gave a presentation on the staff recommendations for issuing a Program Announcement for Electric Lawn Mower Vendors. The presentation included information about the exchange events in 2009, a summary of the program to date, proposed 2010 events, purpose of the program announcement, proposal requirement and program details.
   
   Mayor Loveridge complimented staff for the efficient manner in which the exchange programs are conducted. He asked about the significance of the emission reduction numbers presented. Mr. Singeetham explained that a scrapped lawn mower is equivalent to the elimination of ten new cars from the road. Dr. Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, stated that the emission reductions are highlighted in the media press release. Mayor Loveridge recommended that staff follow up with prior participants to see if they are fully satisfied with their electric mowers. Dr. Wallerstein stated that staff would survey prior participants via email and report the results to the Committee at a future date.
   
   The Mobile Source Committee unanimously approved.
   
   
   INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
   
4. Request to Revise the 8-Hour Ozone and PM2.5 Transportation Conformity Emission Budgets for the South Coast Air Basin and Coachella Valley
   
   Joseph Cassmassi, Planning & Rules Manager, provided a brief summary of proposed revisions to the Basin and Coachella Valley PM2.5 and ozone transportation conformity budgets.  As part of its review of the 2007 AQMP, EPA has requested that the transportation conformity emissions budgets be updated to reflect the mobile source rules adopted in 2007 and 2008 by CARB as part of their Statewide Strategy.   The proposal would replace the budgets previously found adequate by EPA with budgets reflecting adopted measures.   At the request of Mayor Loveridge, Mr. Cassmassi provided Supervisor Marion Ashley with a brief overview of the transportation conformity budget process.   No further requests or questions were made on the subject matter.
   
   Councilwoman Jan Perry left the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
   
   
5. Amend Rule 1193 – Clean On-Road Residential and Commercial Collection Vehicles
   
   Dean Saito, On-Road Mobile Source Strategy Manager, presented proposed rule amendments to Rule 1193 – Clean On-Road Residential and Commercial Refuse Collection Vehicles. Mr. Saito provided background information of Rule 1193 relative to past adopted date of the rule and dates of previous rule amendments. Mr. Saito explained that amendments to Rule 1193 are proposed to be consistent with recent amendments to Rule 1186.1 (Less Polluting Sweepers) and the U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding Fleet Rule implementation. Mr. Saito covered the proposed rule amendments by sections as follows: 1) new vehicle breakdown provisions; 2) applicability of the rule for government and private fleets; 3) addition of new section if total number of public combined with private fleets is less than 15. Public comments received to date included: 1)impact of proposed amendments on fleets with less than 100 vehicles; 2) definition of contracts and services provided to local governments; 3) impact of proposed breakdown provisions to transfer and collection vehicles; and 4) fueling station availability. A map of existing LNG and CNG fueling stations in the region was presented indicating the fueling infrastructure expansion to date.There are about 75 public access CNG stations and about 20 LNG stations. The majority of the CNG stations are used by light-duty CNG vehicles. The majority of the natural gas refuse vehicles operate on LNG. LNG refueling occurs at the fleet’s yard and the stations are generally not open to the public. In addition, public access LNG stations are being constructed at or near landfills and transfer stations where refuse vehicles generally travel. Mr. Saito concluded with a discussion on the schedule for the public hearing of this item to the Board in December 2009.
   
   Supervisor Bill Campbell asked about the impact on smaller fleets and the smaller fleet’s ability to turn over their fleet to alternative fuel upon either a contract renewal or solicitation of a new contract. Supervisor Campbell also questioned the applicability requirement of 15 refuse vehicles and whether or not the total number of vehicles in a company’s fleet had any affect on the total vehicle count. Kurt Wiese responded that the total vehicles in the fleet would only be accounted for if the fleet could not specifically discern those refuse vehicles by individual contracts. Supervisor Gonzales suggested that staff consider a gradual phase-in based on the size/number of refuse truck in the smaller fleets. Board Member Carney suggested that a thorough evaluation be conducted on the proposed amendments on the smaller fleets and having to travel any distance for alternative fueling infrastructure.
   
   
6. Update on California Hydrogen Highway Network Program
   
   Dr. Matt Miyasato, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, provided an overview of the state's Hydrogen Highway Network program within the context of the AQMD's long-standing support for hydrogen and fuel cells. The state has committed funding for seven stations, totaling close to $15M, five in the South Coast region with two being co-funded by the AQMD. In response to the Committee's question, staff estimated fuel cell vehicle deployments in the 1,000's starting in 2012 as required by the state's ZEV regulation with the majority of these vehicle deployments occurring in Southern California. 
   
   
7. Rule 2202 Activity Report
   
   Written report submitted. No comments.  
   
   
8. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives – CEQA Document Commenting Update
   
   Written report submitted. No comments.
   
   
9. Other Business
   
   None
   
   
10. Public Comment
    
    None

 
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

Attachment (DOC, 56k)

Attendance Roster