Back

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, May 26, 2000. Following is a summary of that meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Cynthia P. Coad, Chair
Mobile Source Committee

Attendance

The meeting started at 9:00 a.m. Present: Committee Chair Cynthia Coad (participated via videoteleconference), Committee Vice Chair Roy Wilson (participated via videoteleconference), Committee Members Jane Carney and Jon Mikels, and Board Member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta. The attachment is an attendance roster.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Recommendation to Purchase Doppler Sodar Boundary Layer Wind Measurement Systems
   
   Staff reported that quotations were received from three bidders: AeroVironment Inc., Scintec, and URS Radian. The evaluation panel determined that all three of the bids were technically acceptable, and that AeroVironment Inc. had the lowest cost of the three bids. Staff therefore recommended that the contract be awarded to AeroVironment Inc.
   
   Committee Member Jane Carney moved to recommend approval of this item to the Governing Board and Committee Chair Cynthia Coad seconded. The motion was passed unanimously.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

2. Amendment to MOU Between SCAG and TCA
   
   Staff gave a brief presentation on the proposed amendments to the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor and Foothill/Eastern Corridor Pricing Policy MOU. Parties to the MOU are: TCA, SCAG and Caltrans. AQMD’s role is as a consultative agency. Purpose of the amendments is two-fold: participation in value pricing demonstration and AVO improvement. The amendments include: changing AVO to be comparable with other HOV lanes in Orange County, stipulating HOV lane provisions, and providing value pricing.
   
   
3. Study Results on the Effectiveness of Voluntary Ridesharing and Other Emission Reduction Options
   
   The objective of the study was to determine Rule 2202 emission reduction shortfall as a result of exemption to worksites of 100-249 employees. The methodology used was established by the SB 836 Oversight Committee in 1997. Employer activity surveys and employee travel behavior / average vehicle ridership (AVR) surveys were conducted. Based on these surveys AVRs were calculated and emission reduction shortfalls were quantified. Three categories of alternative programs - Employee Commute Reduction Plan (ECRP), Air Quality Investment Plan (AQIP), and Emission Reduction Strategy (ERS) were chosen by the deregulated employers. Surveys on the voluntary implementation of rideshare programs by these employers and the rideshare activity levels of their employees were conducted over the last three years. The 1999 emission reduction shortfalls under these programs are: for VOC – 0.38 TPD, for NOx – 0.55 TPD, and for CO – 3.92 TPD.
   
   This information item will be presented to the Governing Board at the June 2000 meeting.
   
   A brief discussion took place on ridesharing programs. Staff advised that the study shows that over the last three years participation in ridesharing programs by employees has not dropped significantly. Committee members commented that it would be advisable to disseminate this information to the public and Committee Chair Cynthia Coad asked for a P.R. release on this.
   
   
4. Status Report on AB 2766 Subvention Fund for FY 1998-99
   
   An annual report on the AB 2766 Subvention Fund Program was provided by staff. The report shows that during FY 1998-99 155 cities and counties participated in the program and submitted program reports as well. They received a total of approximately $16 million subvention funds. In FY 1996-97 a total of 359 projects were submitted out of which 29 projects were quantified (8% of projects submitted). In FY 1998-99 a total of 455 projects were submitted out of which 229 projects were quantified (50% of projects submitted). One of the reasons for this great increase was due to the outreach efforts conducted by AQMD staff. In FY 1996-97 emission reductions achieved were 3.6 million lbs. with a cost effectiveness of $1/lb. In FY 1998-99 emission reductions achieved were 5.9 million lbs. with a cost effectiveness of $2/lb. Overall, the report indicates that local governments have been identifying cost effective projects. Program activity during FY 1998-99 included: enhanced guidance; collaboration with Councils of Governments Outreach Committee; modification of reporting forms, automated diskette & paper forms; training sessions and workshops; policy clarification; and Resource Guide modification. This annual report will be presented to the Governing Board at the June 2000 meeting. Upon its approval the report will be submitted to CARB.
   
   Committee Chair Cynthia Coad made a comment on bike lane striping and asked if local governments would receive emission reduction credits for providing bike lanes. She also asked for additional information on bike trail projects on flood control maintenance roads as well as reports on successful projects with bike lanes.
   
   
5. Transportation Conformity
   
   Staff advised the Committee that the AQMD received a letter from SCAG on May 18^th that indicates the Basin faces a potential SIP shortfall, which has implications relative to showing transportation conformity. A summary of the letter was provided. Based on SCAG’s analysis, the shortfall amounts to approximately 15 TPD of VOC in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB). As a result, it will not be possible for the Region to make a determination of conformity for the upcoming 2000 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) which must be adopted in September. In the absence of a federally approved and conforming RTIP, the SCAB portion of the Region could face a conformity lapse on October 1, 2000, and the Region could lose authority to initiate new transportation projects. The RTIP funds more than $22 billion in projects over the next six fiscal years, out of which approximately 80% of the expenditures are in the SCAB.
   
   The following three programs are responsible for most of the VOC shortfalls:
   
               - The Enhanced Inspection & Maintenance (I/M) Program
   
               - The M1 Program automobile scrappage program – (due to
                  lack of funding)
   
               - The M2 Program for emission reductions from light-duty vehicles.
   
   
   SCAG staff has recommended that CARB develop additional mobile source measures to directly remedy the emission shortfalls. Alternative proposals include: first, modify the emission reduction allocations between on-road and off-road categories currently contained in the 1997 AQMP; second, ask U.S. EPA to disapprove the 1994 and 1997 AQMPs, specifically the mobile source portions.
   
   Currently AQMD staff is working with CARB to evaluate SCAG’s analysis, as well as exploring alternative control measures.
   
   Staff also advised the Committee that SCAG staff has scheduled a Transportation Conformity Working Group meeting on June 9, and that a copy of the draft agenda will be provided to the Committee Members.
   
   
6. Report on U.S. EPA’s Proposed Diesel, PM, NOx, and Fuel Standards
   
   Staff reported that on May 17 U.S. EPA released a proposed draft rule to tighten the heavy-duty vehicle emission standards, and also to lower the sulfur content in the diesel fuel. The proposed regulation will require engine manufacturers to perform some engine modifications as well as development of aftertreatment devices. These technologies, combined with low sulfur content in the fuel, will achieve 90% emission reductions. In terms of proposed diesel fuel quality, the current limit is 500 ppm (cap), and the proposed limit is 15 ppm (cap). The effective date for the proposed limit is June 1, 2006. Emission benefits in SCAB are estimated to be: NMHC – 2.2 TPD, NOx – 43.0 TPD, PM – 1.3 TPD. Currently this proposal is out for public review and written comments are due by August 14, 2000. Five public hearings will be held in different cities in June. The hearing in Los Angeles will be held on June 27, 2000. Staff is evaluating the sulfur content specifications of the proposal as part of the fleet rule rulemaking efforts.
   
   
7. Status Report on Fleet Rule Development
   
   Staff advised the Committee that the status report being presented at the meeting was an update report following the special study session held after the Board meeting on May 19. At the special study session Chairman William Burke asked for definitions of alternative fuels and this information was provided to the Committee. Staff reported that currently there is no "Clean Diesel" commercially available (only limited NOx control), and that CARB’s retrofit program for PM has demonstrated a much lower emission level, but not to the level of natural gas (CNG). In addition, staff reported that rule language is now available for PR 1191 – PR 1194 and PR 1186.1. Staff also provided reports on the following: estimated emission reductions, cost, and cost effectiveness by each proposed rule; and outstanding issues with PR 1191 – PR 1193. Relative to PR 1191, AQMD received a large number of support letters from local governments, and most of the other concerns were from industries and engine manufacturers. The current proposed rule adoption schedule for PR 1191 – PR 1193 is set for June 2000.
   
   
8. Rule 2202 Activity Report
   
   Rule 2202 Summary Status Report submitted, no comments.
   
   
9. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives
   
   Item #4 – CEQA Commenting:
   a. CEQA Document Commenting Update: Written report submitted, no comments.
   
   
10. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives
    
    Item #7 – Cleanup Incentives for Diesel: Written report submitted, no comments.
    
    
11. Other Business
    
    None
    
    
12. Public Comment
    
    None

The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.

Attachment
Attendance Roster

SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
MOBILE SOURCE COMMITTEE

MAY 26, 2000

ATTENDANCE ROSTER

/ / /