South Coast Air Quality Management District

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Mobile Source Committee met on September 27, 2002. 
Attached is a summary of the meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

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

Attendance

The meeting started at 9:00 a.m. Present: Committee Chair Roy Wilson, Vice Chair Jon Mikels (arrived at 9:20 a.m.) and Committee Members Jane Carney and Jim Silva. Absent: Committee Members Norma Glover and Ron Loveridge. The attachment is an attendance roster.

INFORMATION ITEMS
 

1)	Overview of 2003 AQMP Control Strategy – AQMD Control Measures A brief overview on the status of the 2003 AQMP control strategy development was provided with emphasis on AQMD control measures. The primary guiding principles in developing the 2003 AQMP control strategy include: demonstration of attainment with air quality standards currently exceeded in the Basin, emphasis on short-term measures because of upcoming attainment dates, and fair share reduction responsibilities among agencies, namely AQMD, CARB, EPA, and SCAG. The attainment dates for PM10 and ozone (1-hr) standards are 2006 and 2010, respectively. For new standards (PM2.5 and 8-hr ozone), attainment dates have not yet been established. The major contributors to PM10 emissions are paved road dust (46%), construction and demolition (15%), on-road and off-road mobile sources (13%) and fugitive windblown dust (5%). The major source contributors to ozone precursors (VOC and NOx) include: trucks and buses (31%), off-road equipment (16%), passenger cars (15%), aircraft/ships/trains (8%), consumer products (8%), fuel combustion (7%), and cleaning and surface coating (6%). Out of 1390 tons per day of VOC and NOx in 2010, 21% of emissions are associated with categories under AQMD's jurisdiction and 79% are under CARB's and EPA's jurisdiction. Progress made to date indicates that AQMD has met all of its targets established in the 1997/99 AQMP for 2010, while significant additional reductions are needed from sources under CARB and EPA jurisdictions. The overall approach in developing the AQMP control strategy is to have a comprehensive strategy which would address all pollutants: PM10, 1-hr ozone, 8-hr ozone, and PM2.5. Models are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of control strategies. Also, control measures are developed based on technical feasibility, cost, and implementation schedule. For 2006 PM10 attainment demonstration, the control strategy will be based on primary PM10 (i.e., basinwide or localized controls) for near-term implementation and secondary PM10 which would also be beneficial in reducing PM2.5 emissions. For 2010 ozone attainment, VOC controls are needed for both ozone and PM10/PM2.5 and NOx control are needed for PM10 and PM2.5.  AQMD's stationary source control strategy is comprised of: remaining 1997/99 AQMP control measures, new control measures, and other set-aside budget items. The remaining 1997/99 AQMP control measures would impact the following categories: architectural coatings, fugitive emission sources, fluid catalytic cracking units, refinery flares, livestock operations, composting operations, industrial process operations and miscellaneous industrial coatings and solvents. Other measures include voluntary/incentive measures such as economic incentive programs, lighter color roofing and road materials, catalyst surface coating technology, and a contingency measure to charge an emission fee for VOC sources emitting over 10 tons/year in the event the ozone standard is not met in 2010. The new control measures currently being considered for inclusion into the 2003 AQMP include aggregate operations, additional fugitive dust controls, re-evaluation of RECLAIM ending allocations, and an ammonia control program. The other set-aside budget items would establish tracking and budget for NSR offset purposes and for SIP shortfalls associated with potential rule relaxations. Staff is currently awaiting the CARB's "State and Federal Component" of the 2003 AQMP which would address the proposed control requirements for on-road mobile sources, federal sources (aircraft/ships/trains), off-road equipment and vehicles, and consumer products. Committee Member Jon Mikels inquired about the efficiency of windscreens (fences) to prevent PM10 emissions from fugitive dust sources. Staff agreed to provide a presentation on this issue at the next Mobile Source Committee meeting. In addition, there was substantial discussion regarding air quality models and carrying capacity for key pollutants.
2)	Rule 2202 Annual Report Staff presented a 2001 Program Status Report on Rule 2202 – On-Road Motor Vehicle Mitigation Options. Rule 2202 requires employers with 250 or more employees on a full or part-time basis to implement an emissions reduction program to reduce mobile source emissions generated by employee commutes during peak hours. Employers may select one of three program options to comply with Rule 2202: an Employee Commute Reduction Program (ECRP), Emissions Reduction Strategies (ERS), or an Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP). The report was divided into four sections. The first section described worksite activity that included data on employer participation in the available compliance options and the corresponding emission reductions. Participation in the compliance options was as follows: 58% ECRP, 26% ERS, and16% AQIP. Tons a day of emissions reduced were: 3.02 VOC, 3.53 NOx, and 29.80 CO. The second section contained outreach information describing training for employee transportation coordinators (ETCs), Internet Web site, AQIP bidders’ conference, and updated rule information for consultants, Transportation Management Associations (TMAs), rideshare events, and regulated employers. The third section contained information on program compliance that includes an audit process triggered by complaints from the public and/or staff requests. The last section of the report listed future activities that staff is planning to implement to streamline Rule 2202 operations and administration. Rule 2202 continues to make steady progress towards reducing mobile source emissions. Over the past year, employers have significantly increased their participation in the AQIP. Staff will continue to develop innovative techniques to heighten public awareness on successful emission reduction strategies that will enable the region to meet the established air quality standards.
3)	Update on CARB Transit Bus Study Staff gave an overview of recent results from the ongoing CARB transit bus study. The data were from tests of two natural gas-buses equipped with oxidation catalysts. The results were presented with the earlier data from diesel buses and CNG buses without exhaust after treatment. The CNG buses showed about one half of the NOx emissions of the diesel buses, and did not show an increased portion of NO2 emissions as the diesel buses with particulate traps previously showed. Carbon monoxide emissions were reduced by the catalysts, as were particulate emissions. The catalysts greatly reduced emissions of aldehydes and gaseous organics such as benzene. The analyses for mutagenicity and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. There are also additional studies that are being pursued by District staff. These included the development and testing of a particulate trap for CNG-fuel transit buses, and a project to optimize catalyst performance regarding CO and particulate emissions reductions. Staff also presented a brief summary of the of the preliminary results of the mutagenicity analyses of exhausts from diesel and CNG fueled buses from the study the District is co-funding with BP, NREL, and CARB. The results are different from those released earlier this year by CARB and generated considerable discussion. Specifically, the vapor fraction showed significant activity and overall results were similar for several technology/fuel combinations.
4)	Status Report on Mira Loma Study This item will be presented at the next Mobile Source Committee meeting.are
5)	Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority Fees for Inter-Basin, Short-Rail Hauls The District has received a request to assist the Imperial Valley APCD in reviewing recently enacted rail fees for freight containers shipped through the Alameda Corridor bound for overseas locations. These per-container fees are assessed to the railroad companies which pass them on to their customers. A local Imperial County feed grower, who currently uses rail, has suggested that the short-haul fees would force his operation to begin trucking product. This would create thousands of additional truck trips through the SCAB, which would have a negative impact on air quality and contribute to traffic congestion. The Committee has requested that staff meet with representatives from SCAG, the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, and the local railroads to discuss the issue, look at alternatives, and return to the next Mobile Source Committee meeting with the results of the discussions. The Committee further requested staff to look into how many other companies in the basin or surrounding counties have a similar problem of being priced out of the rail haul.
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)	Other Business None.
9)	Public Comment None.

The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Attachment

Attendance Roster

SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
MOBILE SOURCE COMMITTEE

SEPTEMBER 27, 2002

ATTENDANCE ROSTER

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