BOARD MEETING DATE: December 5, 2008
AGENDA NO. 20

REPORT:

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, November 21, 2008.
Following is a summary of that meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file the attached report.
 

Jane Carney, Acting Chair
Mobile Source Committee

Attendance

Jane Carney, Acting Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Present was Committee Member Bill Campbell (via videoconference). Committee Member Jan Perry joined the meeting at 9:15 a.m. (via teleconference). Absent were Chairman Ron Loveridge, Vice-Chair Roy Wilson, and Committee Member Gary Ovitt. The following items were presented:

          INFORMATIONAL ITEM:

1. Set Public Hearing January 9, 2009 to Amend Rule 1186.1 – Less-Polluting Sweepers
   
   Dean Saito, Fleet Rules Implementation Manager, presented a focused rule amendment for Rule 1186.1 - Less Polluting Sweepers. Mr. Saito provided background information of Rule 1186.1 relative to past adopted date of the rule and dates of previous rule amendments. Staff was recently made aware of two issues related to the implementation of Rule 1186.1. The two issues brought to staff’s attention by the street sweeping industry were as follows: 1) the need for public entities to ensure actual use of rule compliant street sweepers; and 2) recognition that flexibility is needed to address the lack of availability of rule compliant street sweepers for an interim period of when a contract is awarded and the delivery date of rule compliant street sweepers. Mr. Saito presented the actual amended rule language to address these issues and the time schedule that would lead to the public hearing of this item to the Board in January. Greg Adams from the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts commented as to whether public entities possessed the necessary resources to verify rule compliant vehicles on a daily basis. Staff agreed to host an implementation workgroup meeting to address this enforcement matter and AQMD staff expectations.
   
   
   ACTION ITEM:
2. Approve Rule 2202 Marine Vessel Emission Reduction Quantification Protocol
   
   Staff presented a protocol for quantifying emission reductions from new marine vessel projects that may be submitted pursuant to Rule 2202(f)(5). This protocol identifies the minimum requirements for projects, quantification method, and other conditions that are necessary to insure consistency in the evaluation, approval and monitoring of all marine vessel projects approved under Rule 2202. The protocol was approved by the Mobile Source Committee, and is now available to applicants, boat owners and other companies proposing to implement a marine vessel project and generate emission reductions for use in the Rule 2202 program.
   
   The same protocol is also applicable to AQMD’s Rule 2202 AQIP funded projects.
   
   Motion by Campbell, seconded by Perry, and unanimously approved.
   
   
   INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
3. Study of Employee Work Trip Reduction
   
   Carol Gomez, Planning & Rules Manager, presented an overview of employee trip reduction programs. The three types of programs discussed were: employer sponsored, Regional Commute Management Agencies, and regulatory. Employers will offer trip reduction programs for a number of reasons; as part of a benefit package, to reduce parking expenses, to reduce employee stress, to incorporate in “green” programs, and to meet regulatory requirements. Employer programs will contain various levels of marketing, trip reduction program support, and direct strategies. Two examples, from Cal State LA and the other from a Hyatt Regency, where shared to illustrate components of actual programs.
   
   The second type of program, Regional Commute Management Agencies, consists of ridematching and average vehicle rideshare (AVR) calculation activities, as well as providing bus/rail trip planners, assisting employers in the development of rideshare programs, conducting marketing workshops, providing regional rideshare incentive programs, and maintaining the commutesmart.org website. These agencies have measured a 42% increase in rideshare call activity in the recent months, with website registrations up 40%. In 2009 the Transportation Commissions may be launching a new 511 traveler information telephone number which will expand upon the services provided by commutesmart.org.
   
   The third component discussed was regulatory programs with the main emphasis on AQMD’s Rule 2202. Rule 2202 applies to employers with 250 or more employees at a worksite, of which there are approximately 1,500. About 700 of these employers have chosen the Employee Commute Reduction Program (ECRP) for rule compliance. To assist these employers in their program developments, the District provides information on regional and local programs, rideshare incentive programs, transit and vanpool service providers, and alternative fuel and clean fleet programs. To enhance the dissemination of this information staff recommended the development of a rideshare/commute icon for the AQMD home webpage to provide a more convenient/obvious link to District provide commute information; and to sponsor Informational Sessions to highlight best implementation practices. Supervisor Bill Campbell requested that this information be presented at a future Board meeting.
   
    
4. 2008 Preliminary Air Quality Overview
   
   Joe Cassmassi, Planning & Rules Manager, provided a preliminary overview of the 2008 ozone season.  The observed number of days exceeding the federal 8-hour average standard (120) increased in 2008 by 11 percent over 2007 numbers.  The Basin however, experienced fewer violations than the San Joaquin Valley but more than Houston, the area of the country outside California with the most exceedances.  Regardless, the peak 8-hour average concentration observed in the Basin was the lowest recorded to date, yet at 131 ppb, the level was still almost  twice the value of the standard.  While the Basin depicted an increase in ozone violation frequency, the Coachella Valley tallied fewer days than the preceding year.  Supervisor Campbell inquired about the causes of flattening of the ozone trends in the coastal communities. Ms. Carney echoed the concern, then requested that staff conduct a more extensive evaluation of the causes and implications of the observed and projected ozone trends.  Ms. Carney also requested that the air quality analysis for the last couple of years and its implication on future control strategies be placed as an item on the agenda for the next Board retreat.
   
    
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 10:12 a.m.

Attachment

Attendance Roster