September 8, 1995

South Coast Air Quality

Management District Board

In April 1995, the Governing Board adopted Rule 1501.1 - Alternatives to Work Trip Reduction Plans. Rule 1501.1 provides alternatives to compliance with Rule 1501 and represents a significant departure from the trip reduction strategies previously available to affected employers. Alternative II of Rule 1501.1, the Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP), allows employers with 100-200 employees per worksite to participate in an air quality investment program in lieu of complying with the requirements of Rule 1501. An employer may elect to participate in the program by investing annually into a District administered restricted fund. Monies collected from the restricted fund will be used by the District to fund proposals that reduce mobile source emissions or trips equivalent to that which would otherwise be achieved under Rule 1501.

Staff has prepared the attached Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit cost-effective projects that could result in equivalent emissions reductions. Some of the projects that could be considered to receive funding may include the procurement of low or zero emission vehicles; implementation of remote sensing; old vehicle scrapping; the creation or improvement of localized demand responsive, mobility enhancing services, such as shuttle services; and others.

The AQIP funds will be dispersed quarterly upon Board approval of staff recommended projects. This RFP was reviewed and approved by the Mobile Source Committee on August 25, 1995 (to be added after Committee action). As of August 7, of this year, $273,220 has been collected and is available to be awarded. Staff will be bringing the first recommendation for disbursement to the Board at the November 17, 1995 hearing.

THEREFORE IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD

--Approve the Release of the Air Quality Investment Program Request for Proposals.

Respectfully,

James M. Lents, Ph.D.

Executive Officer

BRW:CLW:LT:ENL

Attachments