BOARD MEETING DATE: February 1, 2008
AGENDA NO. 29
REPORT:
California Air Resources Board Monthly Meeting
SYNOPSIS:
The California Air Resources Board met on January 24, 2008.
The following is a summary of this meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Ronald O. Loveridge, Member
SCAQMD Governing Board
The Air Resources Board’s (ARB or Board) January meeting was held in Sacramento. Upon commencement, the Board recognized the appointment of Dr. John Balmes to fill the vacancy left by the death of Dr. Henry Gong. Key meeting items are summarized below.
- Health Update: Health Effects by Occupation in the U.S. Trucking Industry
The health update summarized the results of an epidemiological study conducted among 54,000 members of the Teamster’s Union employed in trucking and portside activities. Based on survey data submitted by members, overall cancer death rates among the study participants were found to be about 10% higher than in the general population, and cardio-vascular death rates were found to be between 32% and 45% higher, depending on job classification.
- Air Resources Board’s Action Plan for 2008
ARB Executive Officer James Goldstene presented the Board’s action plan for 2008. The factors driving this year’s plan include air quality standards, continued growth in goods movement, and implementation of climate change legislation. Rulemaking in support of the associated air quality goals will focus on on-road trucks, agricultural equipment, ocean-going vessel fuel requirements, and consumer products. ARB staff will be engaged in the administration of new and expanding incentive funding programs such as Proposition 1B, AB 118, and Moyer air quality improvement programs. To maximize the air quality benefits of rulemaking and incentive programs, agency resources devoted to enforcement will be increased. The challenges of AB 32 will be met by adopting the scoping plan and emission accounting protocols in 2008, and continuing development and rulemaking on early action programs. This ambitious effort will be moved forward by a strong technical foundation, extensive public input, and partnerships with the public and stakeholders, including air districts.
- Amendments to Verification Procedure for In–Use Strategies to Control Emissions from Diesel Engines
The Board adopted amendments to regulations governing the verification of retrofit emission control equipment for diesel engines. The amendments will increase flexibility in certifying new control equipment by establishing a separate certification track for NOx-only control devices, and providing for the conditional use of verified off-road engine devices on on-road vehicles. The amendments also revise the testing procedures for off-road equipment, and improve testing procedures for systems intended to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx).
- Disclosure of Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Credit Data Based on Submittals by Vehicle Manufacturers Who Have Designated the Data as Confidential Trade Secret Information
The Board directed staff to release ZEV credit data from manufacturers for 2010 model year automobiles. This action followed a presentation by staff at the December Board meeting on the issues of trade secret status for these data, as claimed by the manufacturers, and the release of emissions data, as requested by a coalition of health, environment, and public interest groups. At December meeting, the Board directed staff to further negotiate with the two parties and find a compromise acceptable to both. The resulting compromise would release future ZEV credit data starting in 2010, but maintain historical data under trade secret status.
Attachment
CARB January 24, 2008 Meeting Agenda