BOARD MEETING DATE: April 7, 2006
AGENDA NO. 5

Approve Advisory Group Membership for AB 1222 Remote Sensing Pilot Program

SYNOPSIS:

AB 1222 (Jones) directs CARB to implement a pilot program to determine the feasibility of using remote sensing technology to quantify emissions from locomotives.  In addition, AB 1222 directs CARB to establish an advisory group to make recommendations regarding the design and implementation of the pilot program.  Furthermore, AB 1222 provides that the Boards of the AQMD and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District will determine the members to serve on the advisory group. This action is to approve the members serving on the advisory group.  The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District will be taking a similar action.

COMMITTEE:

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the membership appointments as provided in Attachment 1 to the Advisory Group for the AB 1222 Remote Sensing Pilot Program.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

AB 1222 (Jones), signed into State Law in 2005 [Health and Safety Code (H& SC) Section 39940 et. Seq.], establishes the Remote Sensing Pilot Program for locomotives and requires CARB to implement a pilot program to determine emissions from locomotives using remote sensing devices.  In addition, AB 1222 requires CARB to design and implement the pilot program in consultation with an advisory group established by CARB and assess the feasibility of remote sensing technology to measure locomotive emissions.  H& SC Section 39941(a) provides that the “advisory group shall consist of an even number of members, not to exceed 14, as determined by the boards of the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.”  The advisory group must consist of recognized experts in the field of remote sensing and locomotive engine technology, representatives of citizen community groups, representatives of the AQMD, and representatives of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD).  The advisory group must also include representatives from Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, if they choose to participate.  In that case, Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway could choose 50 percent of the members of the advisory group, while 50 percent of the members would be appointed by the SCAQMD and SMAQMD.

CARB has started initiation of the advisory group as required under AB 1222.  The two railroads have decided to participate and so far have appointed five members. SCAQMD and SMAQMD staff have, in turn, recommended seven members for appointment.  In order to proceed with the program, the Boards of the two air districts must approve the appointments as required under AB 1222. 

Proposal

Table 1 shows the seven members recommended to represent the AQMD and SMAQMD as required under AB 1222.  Five of the members represent the South Coast region and two represent the Sacramento region.  The members were chosen as provided in AB 1222.  This action is to approve the membership appointments as provided in Table 1.  The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District will be taking a similar action relative to the seven appointments shown in Table 1.

Table 1.  Membership Appointments to the AB 1222 Advisory Group for the AQMD and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.

Benefits to AQMD

This project may provide useful data relative to determining the effectiveness of remote sensing detection technology in facilitating emission reductions from locomotive operations in the AQMD.  Locomotives currently contribute approximately 37 tons per day of NOx in the AQMD and are a significant source of particulate emissions.  Studies have shown that there are elevated concentrations of diesel particulates and associated cancer risk impacting areas in near proximity to diesel sources such as rail yards.

Resource Impacts

There will be minimal administrative costs associated with participation on the advisory group.