BOARD MEETING DATE: February 3, 2006
AGENDA NO. 4

Appropriate Funds and Execute Contract for Study to Determine Feasibility of Using Remote Sensing Technology to Measure Locomotive Emissions

SYNPOSIS:

AB 1222 (Jones) directs CARB to implement a pilot program to determine the feasibility of using remote sensing technology to quantify emissions from locomotives. The specific objectives of the pi-lot program are to ascertain whether remote sensing technology can: (1) accurately measure NOx, PM, and CO emissions from locomotives, (2) identify applicable Tier 0, 1, or 2 federal certification standards for a locomotive, and (3) determine a locomotive’s emission levels relative to its applicable federal emission certification level. AB 1222 further requires the AQMD to reimburse CARB for a portion of the pilot program costs. This action is to appropriate up to $300,000 from the General Fund to the Science and Technology Advancement FY 2005-06 Budget, Professional and Special Services Account. The funding could be reimbursed through a Federal Grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for purposes of reducing diesel emissions in the SCAQMD upon approval from Caltrans. In addition, this account will potentially accept up to $200,000 from railroad industry for purposes of executing a contract with CARB or another entity designated by CARB for an amount not to exceed $500,000 for purposes of funding the pilot program as specified in AB 1222.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, January 27, 2006. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Appropriate $300,000 from the General Fund, Undesignated Fund Balance to the Science and Technology Advancement FY 2005-06 Budget, Professional and Special Services Account.
2. Reimburse the General Fund up to $300,000 if successful in procuring a federal grant through Cal-Trans for purpose of reducing diesel emissions in the SCAQMD.
3. Recognize of up to $200,000 in total from the Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington Northern Railroad to the General Fund and appropriate these funds to the Science and Technology Advancement FY 2005-06 Budget, Professional and Special Services Account.
4. Authorize the Chairman to execute a sole-source contract with CARB or other entity as designated by CARB for the implementation of the AB 1222 Pilot Program, in an amount not to exceed $500,000 from the Science and Technology Advancement FY 2005-06 Budget, Professional and Special Services Account.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Remote sensing is a technology that has been traditionally used to measure pollutant levels from light and medium-duty vehicle exhaust while the vehicle is traveling along the road. Unlike most equipment normally used to measure vehicle emissions, remote sensing devices (RSDs) do not need to be physically connected to the vehicle. Thus, RSDs can be used as an efficient tool to monitor the vehicle fleet and identify excessive or “high-emitting” polluting vehicles, complementing traditional mobile source emission reduction programs. Significant study into the use of RSDs began in the early 1990s for on-road motor vehicle applications. The current state Smog Check program contains provisions that authorize the use of RSDs for the purpose of identifying high-emitting vehicles.

The potential application of RSD technology to emission sources other than on-road motor vehicles has long been recognized. In particular, the use of RSD technology to measure diesel emissions from locomotives appears to be feasible. AB 1222 (Jones), signed into State Law in 2005, directs CARB to conduct a pilot program for the remote sensing of locomotive emissions, with the objective of determining whether RSDs can accurately measure NOx, CO, and PM emissions from locomotives as well as identify diesel-powered locomotives that do not comply with their applicable federal emission standards.

AB 1222 requires that the AQMD, Union Pacific Railroad, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad cover the costs associated with implementing the pilot program. The railroads are specifically responsible for 25 percent of those costs, not to exceed $200,000; and the AQMD is responsible for the balance of those costs, not to exceed $300,000. Other pertinent provisions of AB 1222 include a requirement that CARB submit a report to the Legislature on or before December 31, 2006 that summarize the data acquired through the pilot program and a determination as to whether remote sensing met the objectives of the program. Finally, AB 1222 requires the establishment of an advisory group to be appointed by the AQMD, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, and the two private railroad companies (Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe) if these companies choose to participate.

Proposal

This action is to authorize the transfer of up to $300,000 from the AQMD Undesignated Fund Balance to the Science and Technology Advancement FY 2005-06 Budget, Professional and Special Service Account. Execute a sole-source contract with CARB or other entity as designated by CARB for a legislative-mandated pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of RSD technology in locomotive applications. The length of the study would be approximately one year, and AQMD would have the ability to appoint members to an advisory group that would provide guidance to CARB on the design, contractor selection, and implementation of the pilot program. A written report will be submitted by CARB to the Legislature on this pilot program by December 31, 2006.

Sole Source Justification

AB 1222 was approved by the state legislature and signed by the Governor in October 2005. The legislation requires that the California Air Resources Board implement the study and that the cost of the study be cost-shared between the AQMD and Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads.

Benefits to AQMD

This project may provide useful data relative to determining the effectiveness of RSD 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 PM emissions. Studies have shown that there are elevated concentrations of diesel PM and associated cancer risk impacting areas in near proximity to diesel sources such as rail yards.

Resource Impacts

AQMD’s share of the project cost is statutorily limited to $300,000. If successful in procuring a federal grant through Cal-Trans for purpose of reducing diesel emissions in the SCAQMD, minimal resource impacts is anticipated. Minimal resource impact anticipated with administering contracts for CARB and Cal-Trans.

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