BOARD MEETING DATE: February 14, 1997 AGENDA NO. 30
Report:
Mobile Source Committee
Synopsis:
The Mobile Source Committee met on Friday, January 17, 1997. Presentations were made on the following items: Legislative Update; Update on RTAC Activities Related to SB-836; Emissions Modifications to Previously Approved Rule 2202 AQIP Proposals; Changes to Rule 2202 ETC Training; Update on AQMP Mobile Source Measures; and a status report on REACH Task Force. The next meeting is February 28, 1997, at 9:30 a.m., in Conference Room CC-8.
Recommended Action:
1. Modify Rule 2202 AQIP Project Emissions Credit per Item #3 of this report.2. Receive and file this report.
Roy Wilson, Chairperson
Mobile Source Committee
ATTENDANCE: Present: Committee Chairperson Roy Wilson, Committee Vice Chair Nell Soto, and Committee Member Ronald Loveridge (arrived at 9:50 a.m.). In the absence of Committee Members Mee Hae Lee and Marvin Braude, and pursuant to the Procedures for Standing Committees of the Governing Board, adopted March 8, 1996, Board Chairman Jon Mikels appointed himself and Board Member Cody Cluff ad hoc Members of the Mobile Source Committee for the meeting on January 17, 1997 only. Attachment 1 is an attendance roster.
MOBILE SOURCE COMMITTEE DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Legislative Update
Staff gave an update on legislation recently introduced that pertains to the AQMD. Staff reported on AB 57, the bill that Assemblywoman Martha Escutia has introduced that would require the AQMD to subsidize the repair of gross polluting vehicles owned by low-income persons, using an unspecified percent of the AQMD’s portion of AB 2766 vehicle registration fee funds. Staff is currently in contact with Assemblywoman Escutia’s office to provide input and clarification as needed. (An analysis of this bill was provided by the AQMD’s Legislative Office in their December 20, 1996 Board letter - Agenda Item 22, Attachment 4.) Staff also mentioned that the unspent portion of AB 2766 funds that have been subvened to local governments is a source of growing interest and concern in Sacramento.
Staff stated that Senator John Lewis has introduced a bill (SB 113) that would allow large employers, within those cities that have their own transportation ordinance, to opt out of the city’s ordinance and meet compliance under Rule 2202 instead. Staff that the AQMD has taken a neutral is recommending a watch position on the the billbill for the time being. Committee Chairperson Wilson asked if the City of Santa Monica, (which currently is the only local government in the Basin to have their own transportation ordinance) had taken a position on SB 113. Staff stated that the City of Santa Monica is aware of the bill and its contents, but has not taken a position as of yet.
2. Update on RTAC Activities Related to SB 836 (Lewis)
Staff gave a status report (Attachment 2) on the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC). Staff indicated that RTAC has selected a six-person contractor team of consultants and academicians who will be responsible for developing the baseline and methodology for the project. In response to a request for clarification from Board Chairman Mikels, staff explained that the original bid of $99,000 had been reduced to the $91,000 contract amount due to the replacement of one of the consultants on the team.
Staff stated that at its January 10, 1997 meeting (Agenda Item 5), the Board approved the transfer of $1.5 million from the Air Quality Assistance Fund to the General Purpose Agency Fund. The RTAC Technical Advisory Committee (RTAC-TAC) is recommending to RTAC that the Orange County Transportation Authority administer and oversee the expenditures of those funds. This issue will be addressed by RTAC its January 24, 1997 meeting. Staff reported that the specific use of the funds has not yet been determined and is currently under discussion. Staff stated that a subcommittee of the RTAC-TAC has been created specifically to recommend how the monies will be spent. Board Chairman Mikels asked if Ventura and Imperial County representatives were members of the subcommittee. Staff confirmed that although Ventura and Imperial Counties had representatives on the subcommittee, the funds are to be identified for use solely within the Basin. Board Chairman Mikels asked staff what agencies were part of RTAC’s Advisory Committee. Staff stated that the Advisory Committee members represent the following agencies: EPA, ARB, SCAG, AQMD, a member from the academic community, a liaison to RTAC, and MTA. Staff stated that the RTAC-TAC is scheduled to make its recommendations on proposed use of funds at the end of February.
3. Emissions Modifications to Previously Approved Rule 2202 AQIP Proposals
Staff gave a presentation (Attachment 3) on proposed emissions modifications to two AQIP proposals that had been previously approved by the Board. Staff indicated that both proposals were to receive funding under the MSRC/AB 2766 program and the AQIP program. In order to ensure no double counting of credits, an adjustment to originally agreed upon amounts of credits to be retained for AQIP purposes is needed.the AQIP program. The Southeast Community Development Corporation (SCDC) proposal, a project designed to provide transit service to 10 communities and provide direct connection to the rail services in the surrounding area, would yield 262 less pounds of VOC and 3,171 pounds less of CO. Lapis Energy Inc., a project proposing to replace diesel school buses with CNG vehicles and build two fueling facilities, would yield 1,122 pounds less of NOx. Staff stated that though these two projects were resulting in fewer emission credits for AQIP purposes, both were chosen because of diversification and their beneficial impacts to the local communities. Staff indicated that the two proposals would still have been selected despite these adjustments. The adjustment to the AQIP Emissions Bank will have minimal impact to the balances and will not affect overall achievement of the 1996 annual targets for the program.
Board Chairman Mikels inquired about AQIP monies leftover from previous years, stating that perhaps the excess funds could be used to make up the shortfall should voluntary ridesharing and RTAC not meet its target. AQMD Counsel noted that fees need to be tied to the service provided. Staff to be relative to the service provided. Therefore, a surplus in dollars for a specific program could not be used for other general or unrelated programs. Staff stated that, if necessary, Rule 308 provides the AQMD with the opportunitynoted that, if necessary, a Rule 308 amendment can occur to adjust fees to employers, either higher or lower, thereby keeping the incoming fees at a consistent level with AQIP funds disbursed.
4. Changes to Rule 2202 ETC Training
Staff gave a status report on the preliminary evaluation and changes to Rule 2202 Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) certified training (Attachment 4). Staff reported that prior to 1996, it was the norm to have approximately 100 ETCs attend certification training each month. As a result of recent changes to Rule 2202, attendance is as low as 20 people per month to be trained. Staff stated that under Rule 2202, several of the compliance options do not require an ETC, and as a consequence, there are fewer ETCs. Staff stated that several meetings have been held with training providers and ETCs to determine their needs. The training providers indicated that due to a decrease in demand, they were forced to either cancel scheduled classes or reduce the number of classes offered. ETCs complained that training classes were either canceled at the last minute or held in substandard locations. As a result, the AQMD has issued an RFP to retain one certified contractor to provide all of Rule 2202 ETC certified training. The RFP is at no cost to the AQMD since the contractor will be directly reimbursed by ETCs who attend. Six proposals to the RFP were received and the contractor is scheduled to be selected by late January.
5. Update on AQMP Mobile Source Measures
Staff gave a presentation (Attachments 5 and 6) on the AQMP Mobile Source Measures and accomplishments that have occurred thus far. Staff reported that there are 24 such measures contained in the 1997 AQMP: eight On-Road Measures; nine Off-Road Measures; one Transportation Control Measure, which is essentially the Regional Transportation Improvement Plan; five Advanced Transportation Technology Measures; and one Further Study Measure. Staff highlighted each of the measures and indicated that an ad hoc committee has been formed to evaluate emissions from airports and ports. Staff also indicated that catalyst attachment new technologies may become available such as a catalyst additive for heavy duty engines that destroys particulate matter (PM). A manufacturer is currently working with ARB to certify such an additive. Staff stated that though new diesel engines emit lower NOx, they generate higher PM. The catalyst additive could complement the diesel engines and lower PM emissions. Such technologies could be incentivized through the 1997 AQMP control measure MON-09-In-Use Vehicle Certification Programs.
Staff briefly discussed each of the state control measures. Staff stated that SB 501 directed ARB to develop a statewide light-duty vehicle scrapping program. The bill also establishes a High Polluter Repair or Removal Account that may be funded by allowing new vehicles to bypass their first-time smog check test. A nominal fee would be assessed and placed into the account. Staff stated that ARB has created a technical advisory group to evaluate and recommend an emissions quantification methodology. Committee Member Loveridge commented that the ARB has experienced budget cuts and asked if ARB’s ability to develop and implement state measures would be affected. Jackie Lourenco of ARB indicated that she had not received any indication from her management that the development and implementation of state mobile source measures would be impacted.
Staff highlighted the federal measures and stated that all ofincluded in the recently approved 1994 SIP and that the AQMD is committed to implementing the these measures have been recently approved in the 1994 Ozone SIP and that the 1997 AQMP continues the commitment to implement these measures. Staff stated that EPA has developed a very open public consultation process to develop acceptable control strategies that are implementable. Board Chairman Mikels stated that EPA measures are part of our AQMP and the SIP/FIP issue could result in a timeline delay if either the state or federal governments move away from implementing them. Staff stated that EPA has moved away from emissions from airplanes and has focused their efforts on emissions reductions from airport surface equipment. Board Chairman Mikels asked staff if there has been a sizable shortfall in emissions with regards to SIP measures. Staff stated that some of the SIP measures are running behind the schedule provided in the 1997 AQMP. Board Chairman Mikels asked staff if they had received any timelines from EPA with regards to emissions reductions achieved from SIP measures. Staff responded by stating that EPA has been cautious and has not given staff a final deadline. Staff stated that EPA has formed two subgroups to evaluate emissions from both airport and port/marine vessels. There have been ongoing consultative meetings (Attachment 7) for both subgroups and EPA is scheduled to have a public meeting in June of 1997 to summarize their findings and recommendations.
6. Status Report on REACH Task Force
Staff distributed a copy (Attachment 8) of the draft final Executive Summary of the final report, including recommendations of the REACH Task Force. The report defines implementation steps and gives a proposal for phase II analysis. The study emphasizes testing the on-road pricing strategy which is currently in effect via the 91 Freeway HOT Lane. Staff expressed concern that HOT Lanes may not help from an air quality perspective and may in fact have a negative emissions impact. Staff stated that strategies that emphasize paying for emissions on a mileage basis would have a greater air quality benefit. Committee Member Loveridge asked who would be overseeing this effort in light of Co-Chair Judy Wright’s departure. That information is unknown at this time. Committee Vice Chair Soto inquired about potential funding for REACH from AB 2766 Discretionary Funds and asked staff who would be submitting any such proposal. Staff stated that a proposal would likely come from SCAG or Caltrans. Board Chairman Mikels stated that REACH was a large and broad-based group. He also stated that whatever recommendations came out of REACH would have to obtain legislative support in Sacramento prior to the recommendations being fully implemented.
The November 22, 1996 REACH Task Force minutes are included as Attachment 9.
7. Rule 2202 Activity Report
Written report submitted, no comments (Attachment 10).
8. EIR Review and Preparation
Written report submitted, no comments. (This report is included as an attachment to Board Agenda Item 19 "Lead Agency Projects and Environmental Documents Received by the AQMD.")
9. Other Business
There was no other business.
10. Public Comment
There were no public comments. The meeting was adjourned at 10:49 a.m.