South Coast Air Quality Management District

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, MayMarch 253, 2001. Following is a summary of that meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

S. Roy Wilson, Chair
Mobile Source Committee

Attendance

The meeting started at 9:05 a.m. Present: Committee Chair Roy Wilson, Committee Vice Chair Jon Mikels, and Committee Member Ron Loveridge. Absent: Committee Members Jane Carney, Norma Glover, and Jim Silva. The attachment is an attendance roster.

INFORMATION ITEMS

1. Status Report on 2001 AQMP
   Staff provided a status report on the development of the 2001 AQMP. This is a tri-annual update of the AQMP under the state Clean Air Act. In addition, as part of the SIP litigation and in view of last year’s I&M shortfall, CARB has made specific commitments to rectify the problems identified earlier through this SIP revision.
   
   Key issues anticipated in the current plan revision include the following: increased mobile source emissions; new air quality episodes which will include a weekend episode; fair-share reduction responsibility by each of the four agencies: U.S. EPA, CARB, SCAG and AQMD; and CO attainment demonstration. Other key issues that will be looked at closely include: analysis of the new eight-hour PM standards and PM2.5 standards; conformity; and energy issues. Under the energy issues, staff will evaluate the long-term energy policy implications.
   
   With regard to the status of the technical enhancement program (TEP 2000) established to improve PM monitoring, emission inventory and air quality modeling, most of the work is near completion. Speciated data on 98-99 PM10 and PM2.5 have been collected; emission inventory for marine vessels, aircraft, and on-road mobile sources have been updated. New air quality models for PM2.5 will be completed shortly.
   
   Staff also reported on the schedule for the plan revision. The 2001 RTP was adopted by SCAG’s Regional Council in April this year. CARB’s Mobile Source Plan and the Draft 2001 AQMP will be released in the summer, and staff plans to present the final 2001 AQMP to the Board for its consideration in October/November of this year.
   
   
2. Co-Sponsoring a Study with CARB on Economic Valuation of Reducing Ozone Exposures
   Staff reported that CARB is in the process of initiating an ozone reduction benefits study with California State University, Fullerton to determine the economic benefits that would result from reduced school absences and related illnesses and symptoms associated with reductions in ozone levels in the South Coast Air Basin, and has asked the AQMD to co-sponsor this project. The project will use standard economic valuation methods. The study will assess historical exposures using air quality data from 1990 and 1999. The study will also project the reduction in exposures and associated health effects expected to result from attaining the air quality standard for ozone. The data on exposure and effects frequencies will be combined with the economic valuations to determine the benefits of reducing ozone levels. The results from this study can be used to update the health benefit analysis for the upcoming 2001 AQMP revisions. The total cost of this project is estimated to be $37,000, of which CARB’s share is $22,500 and AQMD’s share is $14,500. The project will begin in June, 2001 and will take approximately 3 months to complete.
   
   
3. AB 2766 Annual Report
   An annual report for FY 1999-00 on the AB 2766 Subvention Fund Program was presented. Staff noted that this report will be presented to the AQMD Board as an information item in June, after which it will also be provided to CARB. In addition, it will be made available to local governments and other entities as an information item. This report consists of three parts: Subvention Fund Program, Discretionary Program (MSRC), and AQMD Program. The report shows that the AQMD subvened funds amounted to $16.6 million, and the total number of participating cities and counties was 157. Staff reported an informal telephone survey was conducted with 25% of the 157 participants. Just under 50% of the respondents used the funds toward the compliance of Rule 2202. The financial summary shows that the beginning balance for the four Counties was $23.6 million, funds received was $16.6 million, project spending was $19.1 million, funds earmarked for future projects was $16.1 million and the remaining balance was $6.1 million. Staff indicated that the funds earmarked for future projects amount to 50% above the past two years’ level, a considerable improvement. The percent of quantifiable projects over the last three years shows a slight decline. There was a total of 11 project categories. Of these, Transportation Demand Management (TDM), alternative fuels / electric vehicles, traffic management and public transportation are the most popular projects. For FY 99-00, emission reductions amounted to 4,500 tons (compared to 800 tons in FY 97-98), with a cost effectiveness of $4,000 per ton (compared to $10,000 per ton in FY 97-98). This is well within the range acceptable by CARB.
   
   In summary, the report shows increase in project spending, emission reductions and use of automated diskette by participants. It also shows improved range of cost-effectiveness, stabilizing of earmarked funds and decrease in fund balances after earmarking. Committee Members commented that overall the report shows significant accomplishments by staff with these programs.
   
   Staff will continue to coordinate with CARB and local governments to improve the programs.
   
   During the presentation, there were discussions regarding quantifiable and non-quantifiable projects, credits generated by each category, applicability of credits generated by Rule 2202 compliance, and free floating credits. Committee Member Jon Mikels made the suggestion that staff should consider using the free floating credits to backstop the NOx shortfall.
   
   Donna Peterson from Finance Division also provided an analysis on the expenditure of the AB2766 funds. Of the total funds, local government’s share was 40%; AQMD and MSRC’s share was 30% each. AQMD’s expenditure for FY 99-00 amounted to $12.1 million. The top four projects using the fund were: air quality monitoring, Motor vehicle emission reduction, public education, and TCM development/implementation. MSRC’s expenditure amounted to $20.9 million. The main project using the fund was alternative fuel/electric vehicles which represented a 93.1% of the expenditure.
   
   
4. Funding Process for PM10 Trap Retrofit on School Buses Using Mitigation Fees Collected Under Rule 1309.1 – Priority Reserve
   At the April Board meeting, the Board directed staff to place a priority on retrofitting diesel-powered school buses with PM10 traps and report back to the Board within 60 days on the funding process to be followed. At this meeting staff gave a presentation on the project and the proposal for the funding process. The Priority Reserve Funds are estimated to be between $19.4 million - $48.6 million. The funds will be generated over a 3-year period, and to date $8.6 million has been received. A total number of 8,192 school buses will need to be retrofitted: 4,523 heavy-duty, and 3,669 medium-duty school buses. PM10 traps will work for heavy-duty buses, but do not work for all buses. The total funds needed are estimated to be $26.25 million: 3,500 heavy-duty buses to be retrofitted with the trap cost at $7,500 per bus. At this time funds are available under the statewide School Bus Program - $5.5 million, and another $20.75 million would be needed to be set aside over the three-year period if no other external sources of funding is identified.
   
   Staff’s proposal includes the following. The first $20.75 million generated to be set aside into a separate account; funds to be set up to complement other future funding programs and these set-aside funds are to be reduced by an amount equal to other funding programs so as to maintain a total of $20.75 million; open up application process for funds by beginning of fall of this year and maintain the process on an on-going basis; and the program should be administered over a five-year period (prior to State or Federal retrofit requirements). A list of engine families eligible for trap retrofitting and is being developed and staff will continue to evaluate new trap technology development. Progress reports will be provided to the Committee on a quarterly basis.
   
   
5. Status Report on Fleet Rules Implementation
   Staff provided a status report on the seven fleet rules that have been adopted by the Board, as follows:
   
   Rule 1191. Implementation will begin July 1, 2001. Some cities have begun implementation and several zero-emission vehicles are now in use. The list of rule-compliant vehicles prepared in January 2001 is currently being updated and will be available next month. There has not been any implementation issues identified to-date.
   
   Rule 1192. Six major transit agencies have declared alternative-fuel (A-F) path. The smaller transit agencies have declared diesel path but are moving forward with evaluating hybrids and other A-Fs. Long Beach Transit has requested for waiver to purchase diesel-powered articulated buses. Gardena Transit is in the process of securing A-F stations, and is requesting waiver to purchase diesel buses in the interim.
   
   Rule 1193. Staff has drafted an implementation guidance for review by the Implementation Advisory Group. Concerns raised include: A-F infrastructure availability; signed contracts to purchase vehicles prior to rule implementation; adequate funding sources; need for training for mechanics; and requests for temporary relief due to delays in obtaining approvals from other permitting agencies.
   
   Rule 1194. Staff will co-sponsor a workshop for airport fleet operators on May 31, 2001. Staff is working with LAWA to create a $1.00 surcharge to support the purchase of rule-compliant vehicles.
   
   Rule 1195. Implementation will begin July 1, 2001. The Implementation Guidance and Fund Availability Form are being developed. An Implementation Working Group meeting is scheduled for June. Several school districts have asked for clarification on rule implementation. Bear Valley School District has requested exemption based on bus route application.
   
   Rule 1196. The first draft technical infeasibility certification form was released for public review. The list of rule-compliant engines is being developed.
   
   Rule 1186.1. The first draft technical infeasibility certification form was released for public review. A brochure on rule requirements has been prepared for operators of street sweepers.
   
   For general rule implementation requirements, operators are required to include specification of rule-compliant vehicles/engines in their procurement requests, and bidders must ensure products are rule-compliant.
   
   Staff also reported on current staff activities and funding specific to fleet rules.
   
   
6. Report on 2001 RTP Funding
   Written report submitted, no comments.
   
   
7. Rule 2202 Activity Report
   Rule 2202 Summary Status Report submitted, no comments.
   
   
8. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives
   Item #4 – CEQA Commenting:
   a. CEQA Document Commenting Update: Written reports submitted, no comments.
   
   
9. Other Business
   None.
   
   
10. Public Comment
    None.

The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

Attendance Roster

SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
MOBILE SOURCE COMMITTEE

MAY 25, 2001

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