BOARD MEETING DATE: September 10, 2010
AGENDA NO. 30
REPORT:
Mobile Source Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, July 23, 2010. 9;Following is a summary of that meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file the attached report.
Ronald O. Loveridge, Chair
Mobile Source Committee
Attendance
Committee Member Josie Gonzales called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Present at the AQMD was Chair Ron Loveridge (arrived 9:08 a.m.). Committee Member Jane Carney attended via teleconference. Attending via videoconference were Committee Members Bill Campbell and Jan Perry (arrived 9:15 a.m.). Vice-Chair Marion Ashley was absent. The following items were presented:
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
- Annual Report on AB 2766 Funds from Motor Vehicle Registration Fees for FY 2008-09
The purpose of this report is to summarize the outcome of FY 2008-09 AB 2766 Subvention Fund usage and program results. This information is presented to the AQMD’s Governing Board, local governments and other entities and subsequently forwarded to CARB. AB 2766 was signed into law September 1990. It currently authorizes a $6 motor vehicle registration fee surcharge, of which 40% of $4 of the funds is subvened to local governments to implement projects that reduce mobile source emissions.
Kathryn Higgins, Program Supervisor, reported that 160 local jurisdictions receive AB2 2766 funds. The report included the Subvention Fund’s financial summary relative to the beginning balance ($36 million), funds received ($19.2 million), project spending ($19.8 million), earmarked funds ($31.7 million), and funds remaining after earmarking ($4.5 million). In addition, staff reported on the number of projects funded and quantified over the past seven fiscal years. For FY 2008-09, local governments reported that they funded 356 projects of which 191 were quantified, resulting in a total of 3,872 tons of emissions reduced. Ms. Higgins explained that there were 191 projects implemented, reporting specific emission reductions during fiscal year 08/09 and that local governments are steered toward implementing those types of projects. Expenditures in ten of the eleven AB 2766 project categories indicated that Transportation Demand Management and Alternative Fuels had the highest project spending. Board member Gonzales asked if projects or project categories are prioritized and if cities are obligated to spend funds on best the projects. Staff responded that a list of preferred projects has been established and that emphasis is placed on the need for quantifiable projects. However, there is no project prioritization mandated by statute.
Supervisor Josie Gonzales asked whether staff could identify a better approach to the quantification of projects. Staff responded that there is ongoing and frequent communication between AQMD staff and staff from various cities who often inquire about AQMD’s feedback on cost-effective, emission reduction type projects, but that AQMD staff’s role is in an advisory capacity and guidance based, only. In response to Mayor Loveridge’s question as to how emissions are reduced for specific types of projects, Ms. Higgins gave an example of police officers use of bicycles for patrols in lieu of motor vehicles. The overall average cost-effectiveness of all projects implemented was reported to be $1.10/lb, well under CARB’s threshold of $10/lb. Ms. Jane Carney inquired about the rationale for the high cost effectiveness reported in the Alternative Fuels category. Staff explained that the difference between paying for the full cost versus cost differential has an impact and tends to decrease cost-effectiveness. Supervisor Campbell requested that staff provide data on project cost-effectiveness per county.
The summary of accomplishments presented by staff indicated an increase in earmarked funds, and percentage of project quantification, but a decrease in cost effectiveness and emission reductions achieved. Mayor Loveridge requested that staff explore opportunities to incentivize or provide bonuses to cities that implement quantifiable projects, including sending a letter to local elected officials that acknowledge their city’s accomplishments during the year relative to this program. Staff will meet with Mayor Loveridge’s staff to begin developing an outreach strategy.
Staff’s future efforts will focus on encouraging the funding of SIP creditable & cost effective projects and continuing AQMD’s outreach presence. Mayor Loveridge suggested that staff highlight “best practices” implemented by cities so that the public is aware of the how the AB 2766 funds are being spent. He encouraged staff to develop ways that will involve elected officials in the project selection process and increase program visibility. Staff will be working to develop additional outreach mechanisms to better educate elected officials about the program status.
Sharon Rubalcava of Alston & Bird asked if AB2766 funds could be used for the Section 185 Nonattainment Fee Program. Barbara Baird, District Counsel, explained that internal discussions have taken place on this matter and that SIP credit has already been taken for the AB2766 Program, therefore, the AB2766 funds are not eligible at this time for Section 185.
- Zero-Emission Container Transport Technologies
Peter Greenwald, Senior Policy Advisor, provided a briefing on zero-emission technologies to transport containers between the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and the Union Pacific Intermodal Container Transfer Facility – a railyard about 5 miles north of the ports. This is a short, but high volume corridor that is currently served by diesel trucks. Last year, the Port of Long Beach, in conjunction with the Port of Los Angeles and the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, issued a “Request for Concepts and Solutions” for moving containers on this corridor without emissions, and at no cost to the ports. Several proposals were received. Port staff will be releasing a report regarding the proposals in the near future. This is just the first step of a process that might include additional solicitation of proposals from prequalified firms, if the current solicitation identifies viable technologies. The Committee heard from two presenters. Tony Morris, President & CEO, American Maglev Technology, Inc., described its maglev proposal and its prototype in Atlanta, GA. Also, Dr. Sam Gurol, Director, Transportation Systems, General Atomics, Inc. described its proposals for use of the electromagnetic drive for onroad trucks, trains or other conveyances. It has a prototype maglev system in Rancho Bernardo, CA. The Committee recommended that Dr. Burke send a letter to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners urging them to expeditiously proceed to implement a zero-emission container movement system.
Councilwoman Jan Perry left the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
- Rule 2202 Activity Report
Written report submitted. No comments.
- Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives – CEQA Document Commenting Update
Written report submitted. No comments.
- Other Business
None
- Public Comment
None
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Attachment (DOC, 56k)
Attendance Roster