BOARD MEETING DATE: July 13, 2007
AGENDA NO. 25

REPORT:

California Air Resources Board Monthly Meeting

SYNOPSIS:

The California Air Resources Board met on June 14, 2007 and
June 21 and 22, 2007. The following is a summary of those meetings.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Ronald O. Loveridge, Member
SCAQMD Governing Board

The June 14 meeting was held in Fresno. Key items presented are summarized below.

1. San Joaquin Valley 2007 Ozone Plan  

The Board approved the San Joaquin Valley’s plan for attaining the federal 8-hour ozone standard. The plan includes a request for re-classification from “serious” to “extreme,” which recognizes the severity of air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley and the need to rely in part on technologies that have not yet been identified to bring the region into attainment. The “bump-up” would also give the region to 2023 to attain the standard. The plan is dependent on additional reductions from the ARB, including those identified in the proposed State Strategy. The Board also established a task force to identify opportunities to accelerate and increase the plan’s emission reduction commitments. The task force is to report back in six months.

2. 2007 Amendments to the Phase 3 California Reformulated Gasoline Regulations  

The Board amended the California Phase 3 Reformulated Gasoline (CaRFG3) regulations to update the Predictive Model used by refiners to ensure that their formulations comply with the CaRFG3 standard. The model was updated to accommodate increased use of ethanol while preserving air quality benefits, to increase flexibility for refiners and producers certifying alternative formulations, and to increase enforceability and consistency.

Key items from the Board’s June 21 and 22 hearing, held in Los Angeles, are summarized below:

1. Early Action Measures to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

ARB approved a set of 37 early action measures for climate change mitigation as required by the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The measures are part of the State's comprehensive plan for achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions. The Board’s actions included the adoption of three rules that are enforceable by 2010:

• A low-carbon fuel standard that will reduce the carbon intensity in California fuels.
• Restrictions on the sale of "do-it-yourself" automotive refrigerants, to reduce refrigerant losses from motor vehicle air conditioning system maintenance.
• Requirements for broader use of state-of-the-art methane capture technologies at landfills.

The early action items also include 23 post-2010 strategies and 11 diesel and ozone controls. The early actions will be enacted by ARB and other state agencies. These 37 measures are expected to provide up to one-quarter of the overall emission reductions called for in the Global Warming Solutions Act goals.

2. Motor Vehicle Emissions Labeling Requirements

The Board modified the Smog Index Label that must be displayed on new passenger vehicles to standardize the format and add a Global Warming Index. The new label rates each car’s smog-forming and global warming emissions on separate “1-to-10” scales, with “10” representing the lowest emitting vehicles available in that model year. The label also shows the average emission level for that model year. The new labeling was authorized by Assembly Bill 1229 (Chapter 575, 2005), and the requirement takes effect in October 2008.

3. Above-Ground Fuel Storage Tank Requirements

The Board adopted requirements for above-ground gasoline storage tanks (AST) that will reduce reactive organic gas (ROG) emissions from these units by about two tons statewide by 2010, and save about 600 gallons per day of gasoline statewide. ASTs are used primarily in agricultural and fleet operations, in marinas, and by small rural service stations. The emission reductions are the result of new performance standards that will reduce the “standing losses” that occur as gasoline evaporates from hoses, fittings etc. in warm temperatures, and the “working losses” that occur when gasoline is transferred to the storage tanks and during vehicle re-fueling. New tanks will be required to comply with the new regulations by 2009; existing tanks by 2013.

4. State Strategy for the 2007 SIP

At its June 22 meeting, the Board considered the adoption of a new Statewide Strategy to reduce emissions from sources subject to control by the State and the U.S. Federal Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for the purposes of attaining the federal annual average PM2.5 standard, and the 8-hour ozone standard. The staff proposal identified measures to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), reactive organic gasses (ROG), sulfur oxides (SOx), and directly emitted fine particulates (PM2.5) from a wide variety of mobile sources, and ROG emissions from consumer products and pesticides.

After a day of testimony mostly calling for more aggressive action, the Board:

• Continued the item to its July meeting, and directed staff to report at that time on whether delaying final action to September would adversely impact transportation conformity findings in the San Joaquin Valley.
• Directed staff to continue working with the staff of the South Coast Air Quality Management District to identify additional options for reducing ozone and PM2.5 precursor emissions.

The Board is tentatively scheduled to consider approval of the South Coast ozone and PM2.5 plan at its September Board hearing, which will be held in the South Coast.

Attachments (EXE 44kb)
CARB June 14, 2007 and June 21-22, 2007 Meeting Agenda