BOARD MEETING DATE: June 1, 2007
AGENDA NO. 35

REPORT:

California Air Resources Board Monthly Meeting

SYNOPSIS:

The California Air Resources Board met on May 24 and 25, 2007. The following is a summary of that meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Ronald O. Loveridge, Member
SCAQMD Governing Board

The meeting held was held on May 24 and 25 at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar Hotel. Key items presented are summarized below.

1. Zero Emission Vehicle Program Update

The Board heard a status report on the Zero Emission Vehicle Program. The Board provided direction to the staff in reviewing the potential need for changes to the program. Any changes would be considered by the Board at a public hearing later this year. The Board’s direction emphasized no backsliding, transparency in program compliance, and interest in plug in technology.

The Board approved expenditure of $25 million in incentive funds for alternative fuel projects. Projects were approved for funding in these categories: alternative fueling infrastructure, biofuels production, plug-in hybrids, transit bus projects, vehicle incentives, and consumer education and outreach. One time funding was provided in the 2006-07 State budget.

The San Diego Air Basin is classified as a “basic” ozone nonattainment area for the national 8-hour ozone ambient air quality standard, and is required to attain the standard by June 2009. The San Diego Air Pollution Control District adopted a plan demonstrating that existing local, State, and federal controls will bring the San Diego ozone nonattainment area into attainment by the June, 2009 deadline. The Board approved the 2007 San Diego 8-Hour Ozone Attainment Plan and directed the Executive Officer to submit the plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) as a revision to the California SIP.

Off-road diesel vehicles are responsible for nearly a quarter of the total diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions from all sources and nearly a fifth of the total oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from mobile diesel sources. These emissions pose a significant health risk because of their contribution to toxic ambient PM and ozone, which can lead to increased mortality.

The ARB staff presented a proposed regulation that would require fleet owners to reduce their diesel PM and NOx emissions by using strategies that include fleet modernization, such as replacing older engines or vehicles with newer cleaner ones, and installation of exhaust retrofits that capture and destroy pollutants before they are emitted to the atmosphere. In an all-day hearing, the Board also heard testimony from over 70 people. While some of the witnesses represented environmental groups supporting the regulation, most were members of the construction industry who generally opposed the proposed regulation or called for more time to comply. The Board continued the hearing to July 26, and asked staff to look into the differences between the staff’s estimate that the regulation would cost $3 billion, and the industry’s estimated $13 billion price tag.

Attachment (DOC 62kb)
CARB May 24 & 25, 2007 Meeting Agenda