South Coast Air Quality Management District

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, October 25, 2002. Following is a summary of that meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

S. Roy Wilson, Ed.D., Chair
Mobile Source Committee

Attendance

The meeting started at 9:03 a.m. Present: Committee Chair Roy Wilson, and Committee Members Jane Carney, Ron Loveridge, and Jim Silva. Absent: Vice Chair Jon Mikels and Committee Member Norma Glover.

ACTION ITEM
 

1)

Rule 2202 – AQIP Proposal of Recommendations for 2nd Quarter of 2002 Staff’s presentation to the Committee for its consideration included: summary of available funding; proposals received - 16 in total; emission reductions from the proposed projects; cost effectiveness of each proposal; and summary of emission reduction credits surplus. Staff recommends that nine contracts be awarded as follows: To: Specialty Env. Services, in the amount of $50,000, for repowering of 5 boats with 4-stroke engines; To: Specialty Env. Services; in the amount of $56,000, for repowering of 2 oil-spill response boats with 4-stroke engines; To: Bragg Crane Services; in the amount of $67,587; for diesel repowering of 3 engines in cranes; To: California Street Maintenance; in the amount of $200,000; for replacement of 4 pre-1987 diesel street sweepers with propane-powered street sweepers; To: R.F. Dickson Co., Inc.; in the amount of $660,000; for repowering of 8 diesel street sweepers with CNG-fueled street sweepers; To: Seaboard Marine; in the amount of $79,500; for diesel repowering of 7 construction equipment; To: F.S.T. Sand & Gravel; in the amount of $310,297; for diesel repowering of 5 construction equipment; To: Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.; in the amount of $498,000; to exchange 2000 units of older gasoline-powered lawn mowers with battery-powered electric lawn-mowers; To: Taxicab Services; in the amount of $399,932; for switching up to 26 vehicles to CNG-fueled vehicles. Committee Member Jane Carney moved to recommend approval of this item to the Governing Board and Committee Member Jim Silva seconded. The motion was passed unanimously.

INFORMATION ITEMS
  

2)		Update on Discussions with the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority Regarding New Rail Corridor User Fees At the last meeting the Committee asked staff to meet with representatives from SCAG, the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA), and the local railroads to discuss recently enacted rail fees for freight containers shipped through the Alameda Corridor bound for overseas locations. This is a status report on the discussion with these agencies. Staff reported that these per container fees are assessed to the railroad companies which pass them on to their customers for the purpose of repaying a construction bond issue. A local Imperial County feed grower, who currently uses rail, has suggested that the short-haul fees would force his operation to begin trucking its products. Staff has assessed the potential air quality impact and has discussed this issue with representatives from ACTA, SCAG, and the BNSF. There are no mechanisms to waive the User Fees, and a transition to trucking would have an impact on air quality. Staff feels that a more detailed analysis of various material preparation, shipping costs, and container configurations would be necessary to ascertain any specific financial impacts on shipping. Executive Officer, Barry Wallerstein, informed the Committee that he will be meeting with the Imperial Valley APC Officer next week and will have a discussion with him regarding our findings.
3)		Report on AQMP Modeling Approach Staff provided the Committee with an informational overview of the 2003 AQMP air quality modeling approach. The discussion provided technical background describing the goals, requirements and protocol specifying the analyses. The presentation outlined the different air quality models, emissions development and meteorological episodes currently being evaluated for the attainment demonstration analysis. Updates on the status of the ozone, particulate and carbon monoxide modeling analyses together with the future steps required to finalize the analysis were presented.
4)		Status Report on Mira Loma Study Staff provided a brief status report on the Mira Loma Study. Some of the related on-going activities include: commenting on CE-CERT study (relative to PM2.5 emissions); proposing mitigation measures for future projects; conducting additional modeling analysis to incorporate updated land use information and to evaluate potential mitigation measures; and preparing briefing materials for the next Riverside Planning Commission meeting. Study recommendations are to be implemented based on a bifurcated approach by AQMD and local government. Under AQMD programs, AQMP control strategies and rules will be considered for specific source categories such as the proposed rule for intermodal equipment. AQMD will also provide technical assistance in identifying control options as well as funding mechanisms. Under local programs, local ordinances may be considered in partnership with AQMD and stakeholders coupled with mechanism to provide financial incentives. The Committee directed staff to work with county staff to form a task force similar to the Coachella Valley SIP Task Force that brings together local stakeholders to develop specific strategies to reduce diesel PM emissions.
5)		Update on Heavy-Duty Engines Certified to the New Emission Standards At the February 2002 meeting, staff indicated that an update on the number of heavy-duty engines certified to the new heavy-duty engine exhaust emission standards would be provided to the Committee in October 2002. Seven engine manufacturers under a consent decree with U.S. EPA and CARB, agreed to produce heavy-duty engines that meet the 2004 emission standards beginning October 2002. However, at the February 2002 meeting, it was unclear whether there would be any diesel or alternative fueled engines certified to the new emission levels. The new exhaust emission standards would require manufacturers to produce engines that meet a combined 2.5 gm/bhp-hr nonmethane hydrocarbon (NMHC) plus nitrogen oxide (NOx) level. Optional emission standards begin at 1.8 gm/bhp-hr with 0.3 gm/bhp-hr increments. Staff provided a summary of the number of heavy-duty engines certified prior to October 2002 by fuel type (19 diesel engines, 2 gasoline engines, 13 natural gas engines, 2 dual-fuel engines, and 1 propane engine) and the number of heavy-duty engines certified since the beginning of October 2002 (10 diesel engines, 6 gasoline engines, and 6 natural gas engines). All of natural gas engines certified since October 1, 2002 meet CARB optional emission standards. One engine produced by Detroit Diesel for urban bus applications was certified at 1.0 gm/bhp-hr combined NMHC and NOx. Staff indicated that heavy-duty engine certifications occur year-round and the number of certified engines for model year 2003 will continue to increase. Lastly, staff provided the Committee a summary of the control technologies and research efforts by various engine manufacturers to meet the new emission standards.
6)		Rule 2202 Activity Report Rule 2202 Summary Status Report submitted, no comments.
7)		Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives Item #4 – CEQA Commenting: a. CEQA Document Commenting Update: Written reports submitted, no comments.
8)		Quarterly Status Report on Mobile and Area Source Credits for RECLAIM Written report submitted, no comments.
9)		Report on Efficiency of Windscreens for Prevention of PM10 Emissions from Fugitive Dust Sources Written report submitted, no comments.
10)		Other Business The Committee agreed to hold a combined November/December meeting on November 22, 2002.
11)		Public Comment None.

The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.

Attachment

Attendance Roster

SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
MOBILE SOURCE COMMITTEE

OCTOBER 25, 2002


ATTENDANCE ROSTER
 

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