BOARD MEETING DATE: January 8, 2010
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PROPOSAL:
SYNOPSIS:
COMMITTEE:
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env. Background At its July 13, 2007 meeting, the Board adopted the 2007 Final Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) transportation conformity emission budgets which were subsequently forwarded to CARB for approval and incorporation into the 2007 State Implementation Plan (SIP). On November 15, 2007, CARB approved the modified transportation conformity emission budgets to reflect the additional on-road mobile source emission reductions associated with the revised Statewide Strategy. The 2007 SIP, which included the South Coast Air Basin (Basin) 8-hour ozone and PM2.5 transportation conformity emission budgets, was subsequently forwarded by CARB to the U.S. EPA for approval on November 28, 2007. The 8-hour ozone conformity budgets for Coachella Valley were submitted to U.S. EPA following CARB’s approval of the Early Progress Plan for transport-impacted ozone nonattainment areas in February 2008. U.S. EPA found the Coachella Valley 8-hour ozone conformity budgets adequate on May 7, 2008 [Federal Register: May 7, 2008 (Vol. 73, No. 89, Notices, P. 25694)]. On April 4, 2008, the AQMD Governing Board approved a request to CARB to provide an alternative approach for transportation conformity emission budgets for the Basin based on the 2007 SIP baseline emissions reflecting only the regulations adopted as of October 2006 for all milestone years up to the attainment years. The CARB Governing Board approved Resolution 08-27 itemizing the modifications to the Basin transportation conformity emission budgets, and the reasonable further progress baseline budget was found adequate by U.S. EPA on May 15, 2008 [Federal Register: May 15, 2008 (Vol. 73, No. 95, Notices, P.28110)]. Under the U.S. EPA transportation conformity rule (40 CFR parts 51 and 93), the on-road motor vehicle emission budgets established in SIPs serve as a “ceiling” for ensuring the conformity of transportation plans and programs with the SIP attainment demonstration. Exceedances of the budget indicate an inconsistency with the SIP and could jeopardize the flow of federal funds for transportation improvements in the region. Since the adoption of the 2007 AQMP, CARB has adopted several motor vehicle rules and control measures outlined as part of the Statewide Strategy. U.S. EPA staff has requested that the baseline 8-hour ozone and PM2.5 transportation conformity budgets for the Basin and 8-hour ozone transportation conformity budgets for the Coachella Valley be updated to reflect emission reductions achieved from the rules and control measures in the Statewide Strategy that were adopted in 2007 and 2008. Proposal In response to U.S. EPA’s request, staff is recommending that the Governing Board adopt the revised baseline transportation conformity budgets that reflect emissions reductions from control measures and rules recently adopted by CARB in 2007 and 2008 as part of the Statewide Strategy for:
In addition, it is recommended that the Board direct staff to forward the adopted revised budgets to CARB for their approval and inclusion as part of the SIP and recommend that CARB forward the budget to U.S. EPA for their determination of adequacy and approval. Public Process As required by federal law, a 30-day notice is required before holding a hearing to adopt a SIP revision including a transportation conformity budget update. A Notice of Public Hearing providing the proposed updated transportation conformity budgets was released on December 5, 2009. CEQA and Socioeconomic Impacts CEQA and socioeconomic impacts for all control measures that have been subsequently adopted by CARB as part of the Statewide Strategy were already analyzed as part of the 2007 AQMP and there is no need for any additional analysis as a result of the proposed revision. AQMP and Legal Mandates The proposed revision to the transportation conformity emission budget will not impact the 2007 SIP attainment demonstration or the overall SIP reduction commitment. Resource Impacts The proposed revision to the transportation conformity emission budget will require no additional staff resources and funding. Attachments (EXE, 68k)
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