BOARD MEETING DATE: June 4, 2004
AGENDA NO. 9

Enter Into MOU with SCAG Regarding Participation in Clean Cities Program

SYNOPSIS:

SCAG has requested that AQMD enter into an MOU to participate in the SCAG Clean Cities Program. The Clean Cities Program is administered by the federal Department of Energy and implemented at the local level by Clean Cities Coalitions. Participation is voluntary.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, May 28, 2004, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Executive Officer to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to participate in the Southern California Association of Governments’ Clean Cities Program.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The Clean Cities Program draws local stakeholders from the public and private sectors. Represented are local, state and federal agencies; public health and transportation departments; transit agencies; and other government offices; as well as auto manufacturers, car dealers, fuel suppliers, public utilities, and professional associations. Participation in Clean Cities activities is voluntary. AQMD recently submitted proposals through the SCAG Clean Cities Coalition to the State Energy Program (SEP) for grant funding. The SEP grant is only available to Clean City Coalition members. As part of this process it was discovered that no formal agreement between AQMD and SCAG could be located.

Therefore, the SCAG coalition coordinator requested that the AQMD enter into a MOU to formalize AQMD’s participation in the Clean Cities Coalition.

Benefits to the AQMD

Documented membership in the SCAG coalition will provide the AQMD with the opportunity to participate and potentially receive funds from the annual SEP allocations. As a member of each coalition AQMD benefits from the network of stakeholders to receive information and feedback, participate in various outreach activities and to utilize the Clean City Resources to disseminate information. Active participation in the various Clean City Coalitions in the South Coast Air Basin serves to strengthen ties within the member communities.

Resource Impacts

There are no costs associated with membership in the SCAG Clean Cities Coalition. All efforts carried out under this MOU are voluntary. Any unusual requests for funding or extraordinary efforts on behalf of the AQMD require approval of both the Governing Board and SCAG’s Regional Council.

Attachments

Memorandum of Understanding Between SCAG and AQMD re: Clean Cities

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SCAG)
AND THE SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN THE CLEAN CITIES PROGRAM

                    WHEREAS, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the counties of Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, Orange, and Los Angeles and 184 cities within these counties; and

                    WHEREAS, the cities and counties within the jurisdiction of SCAG are also located in the South Coast Air Basin, Mojave Desert Air Basin, Salton Sea Air Basin, and the South Central Air Basin (Ventura County); and

                    WHEREAS, the South Coast Air Basin is designated as "extreme" nonattainment of the federal 1-hr ozone ambient air quality standard; and

                    WHEREAS, the South Coast Air Basin is the only area designated as "severe-17" nonattainment of the federal 8-hr ozone ambient air quality standard; and

                    WHEREAS, portions of the Mojave Desert Air Basin, Salton Sea Air Basin and South Central Air Basin are in the "severe" category for nonattainment for ozone nonattainment; and

                    WHEREAS, the respective State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittals for these air basins contain transportation control measures (TCMs) designed to improve the region’s air quality and thus bring the region into compliance with state and federal air quality standards; and

                    WHEREAS, the California Air Resources Board has promulgated regulations pertaining to ZEVs and AFVs and these measures are necessary to attain federal air quality standards; and

                    WHEREAS, the Energy Chapter of the SCAG Regional Comprehensive Plan recommends implementing the development of alternative fuels, AFVs and ZEVs; and

                    WHEREAS, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to energy use in the transportation sector that is safer, more environmentally sound, efficient, and sustainable, and which is less dependent on foreign energy sources; and

                    WHEREAS, the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and Executive Order 12844 (concerning Federal use of AFVs) all establish guidelines for effecting a favorable energy and environmental situation in the transportation sector; and

                    WHEREAS, the 1994 SCAG Regional Mobility Plan contains an Advanced Transportation Technology Strategy that includes AFVs and ZEVs and support for the Southern California Economic Partnership, a public/private organization, to develop early deployment plans for these technologies; and

                    WHEREAS, at their meeting on May 5, 1994, the SCAG Regional Council approved a request to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy to designate SCAG as a member of the Clean Cities Program.

                    NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED, that the South Coast Air Quality Management District will participate in the SCAG Clean Cities Program in the interest of:

1. Reducing the national dependence on imported petroleum for transportation uses, as specified in the Energy Policy Act of 1992;
    
2. Complying with the Alternative Fuel Fleet provisions of the Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992;
    
3. Assisting the region to comply with Alternative Fuel Fleet provision of Title II of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the California Clean Air Act, and local Air Quality District regulations as SCAG region is considered to be a non-attainment area;
    
4. Educating the public on alternative fuels and available vehicles which encourage their use;
    
5. Assisting to stimulate the economic vitality of the region and California by encouraging the utilization of emerging advanced transportation technologies; and
    
6. Encouraging the development of a market driven and sustained public alternative fuel infrastructure.

The undersigned agencies and entities enter into this voluntary Memorandum of Understanding in order to:

1. Join in a coordinated effort to promote and accommodate the acquisition and use of alternative fuel vehicles, change local and state laws to facilitate alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure, and establish necessary refueling sites and servicing facilities as approved by the AQMD Governing Board and the SCAG Regional Council;
    
2. Provide assistance in the collection and analysis of environmental, economic, and performance data on alternative fuel vehicle use and experience, and distribution of information regarding alternative fuels and vehicles;
    
3. Work with SCAG and public private organizations such as the Southern California Economic Partnership to encourage engine manufacturers and alternative fuel producers to develop vehicles and infrastructures that meet local and regional needs; and
    
4. Develop applications for funding or services from the state and federal governments or other appropriate sources to sustain the objectives of the program.

This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended by mutual agreement between SCAG and signatories or may be terminated by mutual agreement. Signatories may terminate individual participation upon a 30-day written notice. This Memorandum of Understanding is not intended to and does not create any contractual rights and obligations with respect to the signatories or any other parties. This Memorandum of Understanding does not commit any financial resources of the signatory agencies.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, this MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING has been executed on the day and year first written above and shall remain in effect for a period of five (5) years, after which the Memorandum of Understanding becomes eligible for renewal.

 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS	SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY    MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
________________________________ By:   Mark Pisano         Executive Director, SCAG	______________________________ By:    Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.          Executive Officer, SCAQMD
________________________________ Date	______________________________ Date
	ATTEST: ______________________________ Clerk of the Board

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