BOARD MEETING DATE: May 5, 2006
AGENDA NO. 26

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, April 28, 2006. 
Following is a summary of that meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve.

Roy Wilson, Vice Chair
Mobile Source Committee

Attendance

The meeting started at 9:10 a.m.  Present: Committee Vice Chair Roy Wilson (via videoconference) and Committee Members Jan Perry (via videoconference), Ron Loveridge and Gary Ovitt.  Agenda Item 2 was heard first because the presentation was videoconferenced from West Virginia.

ACTION ITEM:

1. Execute Contracts for Rule 2202 AQIP and Allocate Funds to Assist in Purchase of Natural Gas Fueled Vehicles for Taxicab Services.

Shashi Singeetham gave a presentation on the staff recommendations for the Rule  2202 AQIP for the second semiannual period of 2005.  The presentation included the emission reduction target, funding amount available, list of all the proposals received, and projects recommended for funding.   

Three projects, Don Copps (repower plant generator), Peed Equipment, Science & Technology Development Corp. (repower off-road engines), and AQMS Automotive (vehicle scrapping) were recommended for funding.

The presentation also included a recommendation for funding assistance for the purchase of Natural Gas Vehicles for Taxicab Services.  The funding is to come from AQIP ($547,400) as well as Clean Fuels Fund ($1,000,000).  It is expected that 65 taxi cabs can be purchased with the funding from both programs.

Henry Hogo answered the committee’s questions about the taxicab guidelines at various South land airports.

Board Member Ovitt moved the item and it was seconded by Board Member Loveridge.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

2. Report on In-Use Emission Testing of Heavy Duty Trucks

Professor Mridul Gautam gave a presentation via videoconferencing on NOx Emission Levels from Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines in the 1990s.   The test reports that were discussed are CRC E55 and E59.  This program had the objectives of acquiring regulated and non-regulated NOx and PM emissions data from in-use heavy-duty trucks in California.  The in-use testing was done on various engine makes and models from 1975 to 2003.  The test results indicate that for transient mode operation, heavy-duty diesel vehicles NOx emissions did not significantly change over the period from 1977 to 2002 even though CARB engine certification standards during the same period were reduced by approximately fifty percent.  These tests suggest that mobile source emissions have not declined to the extent suggested by CARB.  This has negative implications for AQMD’s regulatory program, including the accuracy of the AQMD’s basin-wide emissions modeling and the emission reductions required for attainment. 

Professor Gautam suggested that for fleet modernization programs, 2003 and newer engines should be used to replace older diesel engines.  Due to the lack of emissions test data, in-use emissions testing is recommended on 2004 and newer engines.  Also, natural gas engines should be an option in any fleet modernization program.

3. Status Report on CO Redesignation

The status of the request to redesignate the Basin attainment for CO was presented to the committee.   CARB submitted the request as part of the SIP to U.S. EPA this past February.  As part of their submittal, they included supporting documentation that California’s Inspection and Maintenance Program (I& M) was compliant with federal requirements for enhanced I& M status.  U.S. EPA is reviewing the request and Maintenance Plan and is expected to release a draft notice of attainment in June.  Final approval is anticipated by the end of the year after U.S. EPA completes its evaluation.

4. Set Public Hearing May 5, 2006 to Amend Rule 1195 – Clean On-Road School Buses

Mr. Henry Hogo gave an overview of staff’s proposal to reinstate an exemption provision relative to alternative fuel refueling infrastructure availability within five miles of where school buses are domiciled.  This provision sunsetted on January 1, 2003.  Staff received comments that the exemption provision is still needed for school districts in the outer regions.  Staff is recommending that the provisions be reinstated with a sunset date of July 1, 2008.  The additional time will provide implementation flexibility to school districts.  This item will be considered by the Governing Board on May 5, 2006.

5. Set Public Hearing May 5, 2006 to Amend Rules 1186.1 – Less-Polluting Sweepers and 1196 – Clean On-Road Heavy-Duty Fleet Vehicles

Mr. Hogo indicated that the alternative fuel refueling exemption provisions in Rules 1186.1 and 1196 are about to sunset on July 1, 2006.  The majority of the exemption requests are from the state Department of Transportation (Caltrans).  Much of Caltrans’ work is in more remote areas of the district.  As such, the exemption provision is still necessary.  Staff is recommending that the provisions be reinstated with a sunset date of July 1, 2008.  The additional time will provide implementation flexibility to Caltrans and other public entities located in the outer areas of the district.  This item will be considered by the Governing Board on May 5, 2006.

6. Rule 2202 Annual Status Report

Ms. Carol Gomez presented a Calendar Year 2005 Annual Program Update for 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).  Employer participation in the compliance options was as follows: 53.6% ECRP, 39.9% ERS, and 6.5% AQIP.  Tons a day of emissions reduced, including inter-pollutant crediting was: 4.76 VOC, 5.96 NOx, and 28.94 CO.  Two employers filed diesel minimization plans to retrofit four forklifts with diesel particulate traps and to replace one forklift with a model that will operate on alternative fuel.  Fifteen employers complied with the clean fleet purchase lease program by purchasing or leasing 257 ULEV passenger vehicles or light –duty trucks and 24 SULEV medium-duty trucks.

Staff will continue to provide outreach and technical assistance to the regulated community and stakeholders.  Committee members commented that hybrid vehicles should be highlighted as a viable compliance option and companies with innovative rideshare programs should be more publicly recognized.

7. AQMS Pilot Test Program

This item was continued to the May 26, 2006 Mobile Source Committee.

8. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives – CEQA Document Commenting Update

Written report submitted.  No comments.

10. Other Business

None.

11. Public Comment

None.

The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

Attachment

SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
MOBILE SOURCE COMMITTEE
APRIL 28, 2006

ATTENDANCE ROSTER