BOARD MEETING DATE: April 4, 2008
AGENDA NO. 26

REPORT:

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, March 21, 2008.

Following is a summary of that meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file the attached report.
 

Ronald O. Loveridge, Chair
Mobile Source Committee

Attendance

Chair Ronald Loveridge called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Present was Committee Member Jan Carney, and Committee Member Jan Perry joined the meeting at 9:10. Absent were Vice-Chair Roy Wilson, and Committee Members Bill Campbell and Gary Ovitt. The following items were presented:
 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:

1) Update on Fleet Rules and Set May Hearing for Rules 1186.1 – Less Polluting Sweepers and 1196 – Clean On-Road Heavy-Duty Fleet Vehicles, to Extend Sunset Dates for Alternative Fueling Stations Availability

Staff provided a report on the implementation of the seven on-road fleet vehicle rules adopted in 2000 and 2001. Staff indicated that the settlement with the plaintiffs on the fleet rule litigation was signed by the Court in February 2008. Staff has been implementing the fleet rules based on July 20, 2005 Advisory Notice, which requires affected public fleets to meet the provisions of the applicable fleet rules and certain private fleets based on their contractual arrangements with public entities. Staff is continuing to encourage affected fleets to apply for public funding assistance in purchasing rule compliant vehicles. Staff indicated that since January 2006, over 1,800 rule compliant vehicles (primarily alternative-fueled vehicles) have been purchased. Staff also provided statistics regarding the number of vehicle exemption requests that have been approved or denied. A majority of the requests are from private school bus transportation providers in anticipation of a request for school bus services must apply for exemption of school buses if no funding is available. The actual number of exempted school buses is far smaller compared to the total exemptions approved (82 compared to 382 potential exemptions). Besides the school bus exemptions, public fleets have been applying for exemptions for vocational vehicles where rule compliant engines cannot be used. Committee Member Carney asked a question regarding rule compliance for Rule 1191, which covers light- and medium-duty vehicles. Staff indicated that Rule 1191 requires affected public entities to purchase vehicles that are certified at ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) or better. Ms. Carney asked how many vehicles are now certified at super-ULEV (SULEV) or better and whether the rule should reflect a cleaner vehicle requirement. Staff will evaluate the number of certified SULEV or cleaner vehicles and provide the information to the Committee.

Staff also provided a discussion on the availability of rule-compliant engines. Staff indicated that since the adoption of the fleet rules, there are now natural gas engines certified at the 2010 on-road heavy-duty emissions standard. In addition, there is a large natural gas engine (15 liters in displacement) offered for Class 8 (or line-haul) truck applications. In addition to natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or propane) powered engines are being certified to levels below the 2007 average emissions standard. Lastly, there is a potential for many of the alternative-fueled engines to operate in hybrid systems, which further reduce emissions and provide additional environmental benefits.

Staff discussed the various emissions certification levels of diesel, natural gas, gasoline, and propane engines as of March 25, 2008. Staff indicated that relative to particulate matter that all engines must meet a much tighter standard of 0.01 g/bhp-hr. At these very low emission levels, there is essentially no difference in the particulate matter emissions. However, the some of the natural gas and propane engines are six times cleaner in NOx emissions compared to diesel engines. In addition to certification levels, staff provided information regarding engine in-use emissions, which showed that the in-use “not-to-exceed” emission levels of NOx are above the 2007 NOx average emissions standard of 1.2 g/bhp-hr. However, the “not-to-exceed” levels of natural gas engines are significantly below the 2007 NOx average emissions standard (the highest “not-to-exceed” level is at the 2007 NOx average emissions standard).

Staff concluded the update on the fleet rules describing future activities, which include continued implementation of the fleet rules, working with engine manufacturers to offer more commercial rule-compliant engines, and staff proposal to extend the sunset dates relative to the availability of alternative fuel refueling stations. Staff indicated that there are still areas in the South Coast Air Quality Management District, where there are no alternative fuel refueling stations within five miles of where rule compliant vehicles are domiciled. Staff is continuing to work with stakeholders to fill gaps in the alternative fuel refueling station network. However, there are still gaps in the less urbanized areas of the region. As such, staff believes that a two-year extension of the sunset dates is necessary. In addition to the sunset date extensions, staff is proposing minor administrative amendments to Rule 1186.1 relative to references to Rule 1186 provisions that are no longer in the current Rule 1186.

Committee Member Carney asked where does staff see the fleet rules heading as 2010 approaches. Staff indicated that staff is continuing to implement the fleet rules and that there are opportunities to further enhance the emission levels of alternative fueled engines to provide further criteria pollutant emission reductions and provide additional environmental benefits. Staff will continue to evaluate further actions (within the AQMD’s authority) to deploy the cleanest vehicles as early as possible.
 

2) Update on the SOON Program

Staff provided a brief verbal report on the SOON Program activities. (There were no written materials.) Staff indicated that CARB has closed its 15-day notice on the SOON regulations and is in the process of finalizing the SOON regulation. AQMD staff is continuing to work with potential affected fleets on the SOON program and providing assistance in preparing compliance plan and project submittals for the SOON funding announcement, which closes on May 2, 2008. Lastly, staff indicated that staff is preparing a socioeconomic assessment of the SOON Program for public comment. The socioeconomic assessment will be shortly released for public comments.

Staff will be recommending at its May 2008 meeting, that the Board opt-in to the SOON Program as a mandatory program and adopt Proposed Rule 2449, which implements the SOON regulation.
 

3) Update on MATES III Study

Staff presented a summary of public outreach activities for the Draft MATES III Report.  To date, seven public workshops have been held, eight invited presentations that include local COGs, Board advisory groups, local authorities, and community groups.  Four invited presentations to scientific and technical meetings are planned.  The Technical Advisory Group also met last week and provided comments and input.  Data requests have been received from two consulting organizations working with industry groups.  Staff is providing the draft data to be used as an aid in evaluating and commenting on the draft report upon request.

The comment period for the draft report closes April 4, 2008.  Staff will respond to the comments received and revise the report as appropriate.  Staff anticipates completing the report in June, 2008.
 

4) Discussion: Rule 1186 – Street Sweepers

Jill Whynot, Director of Strategic Initiatives, briefed the committee.  At the March 7^th Governing Board meeting, during public comment, a representative from a street sweeper broom manufacturer addressed the Board regarding the inability to sell aftermarket replacement parts to end users.  At the Board’s request, this issue was brought to the Mobile Source Committee. 

Ms. Whynot explained that staff has been working on this issue and have been exploring different solutions. Rule 1186 requires that street sweepers be certified as PM10 efficient and that the sweepers be operated and maintained per the manufacturer’s specifications. Sweeper manufacturers have stated that wear item specifications, such as brooms, are proprietary and the parts must be purchased through the original equipment manufacturer to ensure equipment integrity and, therefore, PM10 certification.  Staff will report back to the Committee in two months with additional information on how this issue can be addressed.  Possible solutions may include using Rule 1309.1 funds for limited testing of street sweepers, including some with aftermarket parts, and a rule amendment to develop criteria for evaluating such aftermarket parts without further emission testing.

Greg Molotky of United Rotary Brush addressed the Committee and endorsed staff efforts to resolve the issue, including testing that may be based on reverse engineering.  James Wagner of American Rotary Broom also addressed the Committee.  He recommended that staff move forward with a rule amendment to quickly resolve the issue, and that a testing program was not necessary and would take too long to be of help to his business. 
 

5) Rule 2202 Activity Report

Written report submitted. No comments.
 

6) Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives – CEQA Document Commenting Update

Written report submitted. No comments.
 

7) Other Business

None

8) Public Comment
None

The meeting adjourned at 10:28 a.m.
 

Attachment

Attendance Roster