Report:

Mobile Source Committee

Synopsis:

The Mobile Source Committee met on Friday, April 25, 1997. Presentations were made on the following items: Legislative Update; Update on RTAC Activities Related to SB 836; Rule 2202 Technical Assistance Team Report; AQMD Funding Sources and Motor Vehicle Registration Fees; Report to CARB for FY 1995-96; Update on AQMP Mobile Source Measures; Proposed Amended Rule 701 - Air Pollution Emergency Contingency Actions; Update on Rule 1610 - Old Vehicle Scrapping; Update on Proposed Rule 2501 - AQIP; and Update on REACH Task Force. The next meeting is May 16, 1997, at 9:30 a.m., in Conference Room CC-8.

Recommended Action:

Receive and file this report.

Nell Soto, Vice Chair
Mobile Source Committee

ATTENDANCE: Present: Committee Vice Chair Nell Soto. Absent: Committee Chair Dr. S. Roy Wilson and Committee Members Ronald Loveridge, Marvin Braude, Norma Glover and Mee Hae Lee. Board Members Cody Cluff (arrived at 9:45 a.m.) and Leonard Paulitz (arrived 11:25 a.m.) were present, not voting. Attachment 1 is an attendance roster.

MOBILE SOURCE COMMITTEE DISCUSSION ITEMS

At Committee Vice Chair Soto’s request staff reported on the last meeting of the Board’s Ad Hoc Committee on Airport and Marine Port Operations. Staff updated the Ad Hoc Committee on its participation in the U.S. EPA consultative process to discuss possible marine ports and airport control measures. The Committee also received a report on the proposed Los Angeles Airport (LAX) expansion and the realignment of March Air Force Base. Working with LAX, staff will also be conducting a field study to determine the level of air pollution exposure at select locations in LAX.

1. Legislative Update (Attachment 2)

Staff stated that SB 476 (Rosenthal) which would have extended program funding for the AQMD Technology Advancement Office (TAO) beyond 1999 failed in the Senate Transportation Committee on April 21, 1997. Senate Transportation Committee Chair Quentin Kopp stated that he felt that funding for the TAO Office should come from the existing $4 DMV registration fee that currently goes to the AQMD. Staff stated that the AQMD will request the same type of bill during next year’s legislative session. A letter was faxed by staff to those legislators who supported SB 476, stating that even though the bill had failed, there were other proposed bills that could put the AQMD $4 DMV fees in jeopardy.

Staff stated that AB 3048 (Olberg), a bill that was passed during last year’s legislative session, took away subsidies provided to schools for Rule 2202 plans. Senator Lewis has agreed to add the appropriate language to his proposed bill, SB 113, to restore the school subsidy. April 25, 1997 is the last day for policy committees to hear proposed legislative bills. Legislative bills that have been approved will now go before the fiscal committees and continue on to the other legislative house.

2. Update on RTAC Activities Related to SB 836

Staff reported that the agreement to transfer monies from the AQMD to SCAG for the Regional Transportation Agencies’ Coalition has been signed by SCAG. When signed by Dr. Lents and Chairman Mikels, $1.5 million will be disbursed to SCAG. Staff stated that a letter has been written to Senator Lewis from Board Chairman Mikels indicating that a consensus has been reached regarding the $1.5 million disbursement and project/funding monitoring procedures, and that the check will be sent to SCAG shortly.

3. Rule 2202 Technical Assistance Team Report (Attachment 3)

Staff reported that 262 employers were given one-on-one technical support during 1996 and were provided with emission reduction calculations and cost analysis spreadsheets for their individual worksites. Staff has presented employers with various alternatives and options to the conventional employers’ commute reduction programs and in some cases, employers have implemented a combination of both the employer commute reduction programs options and the alternatives. Committee Chair Soto stated that local elected officials should be informed of the Technical Assistance Team (TAT) and its outreach efforts. Staff stated that the TAT will be expanding outreach efforts to Chambers of Commerce and that local elected officials will be included on the expanded outreach priority list. A 1996 summary report will be presented to the Governing Board at an upcoming Board meeting.

4. AQMD Funding Sources and Motor Vehicle Registration Fees Report to CARB for FY 1995-96

Staff presented an updated annual report (included in May Board package as agenda number 20) on DMV registration fees received by local municipalities within the AQMD jurisdiction. Local municipalities were allocated $38 million in 1995 to implement effective programs within their cities. During 1995, local municipalities spent or earmarked $30 million of the $38 million. Staff stated that a 25% matching of discretionary funds will reward local governments for effectively utilizing subvention funds allocated to them.

AQMD Consultant Charmaine Roberts (of The Solis Group) stated that, as directed by staff, those local municipalities which haven’t spent their DMV funds are a priority for her firm to contact and work with in developing a 3-5 year plan to implement programs. Staff stated that a joint workshop co-sponsored by the AQMD and The Gas Company will be held in May to address the utilization of alternative fuels and other technologically advanced strategies.

Roberta Hughan of CARB reported that CARB will evaluate the use of the DMV funds by local governments, assessing whether local municipalities are implementing strategies identified in the AQMP, cost-effectiveness of programs, and the use of technologically advanced strategies. Ms. Hughan stated that CARB staff has developed a methodology to measure cost-effectiveness and quantification of emission reductions. Ms. Hughan stated that U.S. EPA has expressed an interest in using CARB’s methodology.

Ms. Hughan stated that emission reductions are being achieved by air pollution control districts throughout California in different ways. Ms. Hughan stated that the Bay Area AQMD is implementing TCMs in their maintenance plan as well as working with U.S. EPA to quantify vehicle smoking programs and voluntary rideshare programs. The San Joaquin APCD has developed heavy-duty diesel strategies as part of their PM10 plan. Ms. Hughan stated that CARB currently is preparing a document to summarize funded and quantifiable projects and proposals that could assist other agencies and organizations.

5. Update on AQMP Mobile Source Measures (Attachments 4 & 5)

Staff stated that Control Measure M1, the Accelerated Retirement of Cars and Light-Duty Trucks, is designed to eliminate emissions of VOC and NOx through the scrapping of approximately 75,000 vehicles per year from the years 1999 through 2010. Funding to implement Control Measure M1 has not yet been identified. There are concerns that there may be a shortage of vehicles available for scrapping. CARB has indicated that it would like the vehicle engine block to be destroyed as part of this program. Current licensed scrappers and collector car enthusiasts have indicated that they would like to use the current "engine sanding" procedure to disable the engine block.

Staff advised that Control Measure M13, Emissions from Marine Vessels is estimated to provide a 30% emission reduction from ocean vessels. U.S. EPA will go through the consultative process to determine where the emission reductions will come from.

Staff stated that the locomotive industry is working on an MOU with U.S. EPA and CARB to introduce in California a cleaner locomotive that will achieve a 60 to 70% emission reduction by the year 2010. The MOU is scheduled to be finalized by the end of the year. Staff stated that U.S. EPA has realized that there may be a potential shortfall under Control Measure M15, Emissions from Aircraft. U.S. EPA is currently developing an MOA to determine how shortfalls will be addressed.

Debra Kurilchyk from Southern California Edison stated that she is concerned with Control Measure M1 implementation and its impact on local programs. Ms. Kurilchyk stated that the AQMD should be part of the discussion with the Bureau of Automotive Repair, CARB and the Western States Petroleum Association. Ms Kurilchyk stated that the AQMD should have the ability to use both private and local vehicle scrappers.

6. Proposed Amended Rule 701 - Air Pollution Emergency Contingency Actions (Attachment 6)

Rule 701 was amended in September of 1995 to streamline the rule’s implementation. Following the rescission of Rules 1501 and 1501 and as a result of the passage of SB 437 (Lewis) and SB 772 (Hurtt), the current amendments are being proposed to ensure consistency with state law. In addition, there was a request to modify Source Receptor 24, allowing for Source Receptor 24A to be created between Source Receptor 23 and 24. Staff stated that a public workshop was held on March 18, 1997 with two comments received from CARB and the U.S. Postal Service. The proposed amended rule is scheduled for a public hearing in June 1997.

7. Update on Rule 1610 - Old Vehicle Scrapping (Attachment 7)

Staff reported that the environmental community expressed specific concerns related to Rule 1142, which allows facilities to utilize Rule 1610 credits to meet air quality requirements in lieu of specific control requirements for their sites. Staff stated that proposed revisions address portable Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs), apply Rule 1303 requirements and ensure that the use of credits do not interfere with air toxics control. Staff stated that a public consultation meeting was held on April 25, 1997. In addition, staff is requesting that the Board reaffirm the existing quantification methodologies. Dee Allen from the City of Los Angeles stated that since U.S. EPA has not approved Rule 1610, local jurisdictions are put in a predicament. Staff indicated that the administrative amendments adopted by the Governing Board in April address U.S. EPA’s concerns and should expedite U.S. EPA’s approval process for Rule 1610.

8. Update on Proposed Rule 2501 - AQIP (Attachment 8)

Staff stated that U.S. EPA provided comments and indicated that the emissions quantification protocols must be pre-approved. U.S. EPA also stated that staff should not use the federal policies to determine applicability relative to federal rules. Staff indicated that the environmental community stated that the toxics provision of the proposed rule does not adequately protect the public and that there needs to be a broader review of the AQMD’s toxics policies. The business community stated that the BACT cost-effectiveness threshold being used in Rule 2501 was too high and that the toxics requirements were duplicative.

Debra Kurilchyk of Southern California Edison asked staff why BACT cost effectiveness was selected as a criteria for participation versus a BARCT threshold. Staff stated that consideration was given to U.S. EPA approvability and resource requirements. Ms. Kurilchyk asked staff why there is a need for an enforceable procedure rule. Staff responded that the enforceable procedure rule is designed to address enforcement and compliance verification issues raised by U.S. EPA and CARB. Board member Cody Cluff asked about the VOC component of the proposed rule. Staff stated that any concerns about VOC issues are primarily related to the toxics provisions and they have been addressed consistent with existing Board policies.

Board member Cody Cluff asked staff how AQMD would decide what proposals to fund. Staff stated that a consultative committee would provide advice to staff while it evaluates submittals and the proposed rule contains criteria for proposal qualification and prioritization. Staff stated that ultimate approval of funding will rest with the Board.

9. Update on REACH Task Force

Staff stated that the Task Force met on April 24, 1997 which was the kickoff for Phase II of the project. Phase II meetings will be co-chaired by David Myers, City of Palmdale and Board Chair Jon Mikels. At the first meeting, an overview was presented on Phase I work and Phase II proposed efforts which will explore HOT Lanes as demonstration projects. Presentations were given to the Task Force on current HOT Lane projects underway or being considered in Orange, San Diego and Riverside Counties. Staff stated that SCAG gave a presentation on truck lanes as well, with a cost estimate of approximately $8 billion for the development of truck lanes on federal highways.

10. Rule 2202 Activity Report/Upcoming Events

Written report submitted, no comments. (Attachment 9)

11. EIR Review and Preparation

Written report submitted, no comments. (This report is included in the May Board package as an attachment to agenda item number 25 "Lead Agency Projects and Environmental Documents Received by the AQMD.")

12. Other Business

There was no other business.

13. Public Comment

There were no public comments. The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.

Attachments

1. Attendance Roster
2. Legislative Update
3. Rule 2202 Technical Assistance Team Report
4 & 5 Update on AQMP Mobile Source Measures
6. Proposed Amended Rule 701 - Air Pollution Emergency Contingency Actions
7. Update on Rule 1610 - Old Vehicle Scrapping
8. Update on Proposed Rule 2501 - AQIP
9. Rule 2202 Activity Report