BOARD MEETING DATE: March 7, 2008
AGENDA NO. 28

REPORT:

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, February 15, 2008.

 Following is a summary of that meeting.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, February 8, 2008, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

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 Gary Ovitt, and Committee Member Bill Campbell participated via videoconference. Absent were Vice-Chair Roy Wilson , and Committee Members Jane Carney, and Jan Perry. The following items were presented:

ACTION ITEMS:

1) Approval of Changes to January 18, 2008 Meeting Report
At the February 1, 2008 Board meeting, Dr. Lyou requested that Page 3 of the January 18, 2008 Mobile Source Committee report be amended to clarify SCAG’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) discussions. Based on Dr. Lyou’s comments, the following language was amended to read as follows:

“In comparison to not implementing the Plan (RTP), the Plan (RTP) by 2035 is to achieve an 8% increase in vehicle travel speeds, an 18% reduction in delays, reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, and help meet air quality mandates.”

Moved by Supervisor Campbell, seconded by Supervisor Ovitt and unanimously approved. Mayor Loveridge directed staff to obtain Dr. Lyou’s concurrence prior to the March 7, 2008 Board meeting. (Staff did subsequently present the changes to Dr. Lyou for his concurrence.)

2) Report on Transportation Corridors Improvement Fund (TCIF) Project Submittal and Approval to Submit Comments.
Staff provided a report on the status of the Proposition 1B TCIF element, which would provide up to $3 billion in public funds to eligible transportation infrastructure improvement projects. Staff indicated that under Senate Bill 1266, specific criteria were set on the types of transportation projects that would be eligible for funding. In addition, the AQMD Governing Board adopted a Resolution in April 2007 setting forth conditions for various types of infrastructure projects nominated for Proposition 1B funding. The Board placed a priority on funding rail grade separation projects and on requiring projects to have the cleanest available technologies. The Board proposed that all selected projects must undergo full CEQA analysis.

Staff indicated that by the January 17, 2008 submittal deadline, the Southern California Consensus Group consisting of the regional transportation agencies nominated 53 projects for a total requested funding of approximately $2.1 billion. A two-tiered funding priority was provided with 42 projects (with a total requested funding of $1.7 billion) in the first tier and 11 in the second tier.

Staff conducted an initial evaluation of the 53 projects relative to the Board Resolution conditions. Of the 42 Tier 1 projects, 30 projects are grade separation projects, five interchange improvements, two rail projects, two bridge improvement/replacement projects, two highway enhancement projects, and one cargo port ground access improvement project. Of the 11 Tier 2 projects, three are grade separation projects, four truck climbing/access lane projects, two highway projects, and two rail projects. Staff commented that all of the grade separation projects should be consistent with the Board Resolution. Staff further discussed the Port’s proposed on-dock rail system and indicated that the initial analysis indicate that the nearest residents are over 1000 feet from the proposed project and meet the initial air quality screening criteria established for nominated projects. Staff indicated that all of the nominated projects will undergo more detailed evaluation.

Staff commented that Caltrans nominated a rail project outside of the Consensus Group process. The rail project known as the Colton Crossing Flyover project would request Proposition 1B funding of $74 million (which is 50 percent of the total project cost) to construct an over-crossing so that locomotives would not need to stop. The rail crossing is on private property. The Committee members’ discussion indicated that the Colton Crossing project has been considered by the Consensus Group and was placed at lower priority given the benefits of the other projects considered and the limited public funding available.

Staff requested the Committee’s approval to provide comments at the February 19, 2008 California Transportation Commission hearing, including support for the grade separation projects, and for the requirement that projects must be consistent with the Board Resolution conditions. In addition, staff would express the concerns raised regarding the Colton Crossing project nomination.

Motion moved by Supervisor Ovitt for staff to provide comments and prepare a letter to the CTC. Motion seconded by Supervisor Campbell, and unanimously approved.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
3) Overview of the 2008 Federal and State Regulatory Agenda

Staff provided a report on state and federal regulatory activities scheduled for 2008 as they relate to the 2007 AQMP. Staff indicated that there are ten mobile source control measures slated to be adopted in 2007 or 2008. Of the ten, five have been either fully or partially adopted in 2007.

Relative to CARB regulatory activities, staff indicated that there are five on-road regulatory proposals: amendments to the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate; in-use on-road heavy-duty vehicle requirements; biennial update to the heavy-duty on-board diagnostic regulation with proposed new standards; further controls on transport refrigeration units for NOx; and zero evaporative emissions requirements for light-duty vehicles. Staff indicated that the ZEV amendments will include a category for plug-in hybrid vehicles. The in-use on-road heavy-duty vehicle regulation will be a significant rulemaking, which affects about 160,000 heavy-duty vehicles statewide.

CARB will be considering five off-road regulatory proposals: low-sulfur fuel for marine main engines; Phase 2 controls for commercial harbor craft and marine vessels at-berth; amendments to the small off-road engine regulation and large spark ignition engines; and spark ignition marine engines (outboard). The low-sulfur fuel requirement for marine main engines will be a significant rulemaking this year.

Lastly, CARB will be considering five fuel-specification-related regulations for hydrogen, E85, compressed natural gas, diesel, and gasoline. In addition, CARB will be revising various test procedures for diesel engines and light-duty vehicles.

Relative to federal activities, U.S. EPA will be finalizing its locomotive and Category 1 and 2 marine vessel proposals. In addition, U.S. EPA proposed new standards for small off-road spark ignition engines, which include lawn and garden equipment and small marine engines. The locomotive and marine vessel proposals are expected to be finalized in the spring. Staff indicated that the current proposal for locomotive is not sufficient for the region to meet the PM_2.5 air quality standard, and staff had provided comments recommending that the proposal be strengthened.

4) Update on the SOON Program
Staff provided an update on SOON Program activities since the Governing Board meeting on February 1, 2008. The SOON Program is the opt-in portion of CARB’s proposed regulations for heavy-duty off-road vehicles. Staff indicated that CARB had recently released a revised off-road diesel vehicle regulation with changes in the SOON portion of the regulation, and the close of comments would be the day before the Board’s March meeting. Accordingly, staff will be recommending that the public hearing on Proposed Rule 2449 (to implement the SOON Program) be continued to the May 2008 Board meeting. This would allow CARB to complete its public process and submit the final regulation to the state Office of Administrative Law for final approval.

In the current proposed SOON regulation, CARB is proposing that the program be voluntary before April 2, 2009. After April 2, 2009, the SOON program would be mandatory or voluntary. At the time an air district is considering opting into the SOON Program, the air district Board would need to declare whether the program will be mandatory or voluntary. Staff indicated that in order to ensure that the 12 tons/day of NOx emission reductions called for from the SOON Program in the 2007 AQMP are realized by 2014, the program needs to be mandatory.

Supervisor Campbell asked several questions regarding implementation concerns. To address concerns raised, staff has been meeting on a one-on-one basis with potential affected fleets to assist in the preparation of compliance plans, identify off-road vehicles that could participate in the SOON funding, and provide assistance in the preparation of SOON funding applications. Staff has met with about ten fleets to-date and has scheduled to meet with over 20 fleets in the next few weeks. In addition, staff will be recommending that the Board retain external consultants with prior experience in assisting fleets with Carl Moyer Program funding to meet with affected fleets and provide assistance in implementing the SOON Program.

Staff will update the Committee in April on recommendation to adopt Proposed Rule 2449.

5) Review of AQMD Interaction and Support of the Clean Cities Coalitions in the Basin
Connie Day, Program Supervisor reviewed the activities of the Clean Cities Coalitions (CCC) and the interaction with the AQMD for the past year. Ms. Day stated that this report was a result of the Governing Board actions of April 6, 2007 where the Board directed Staff to continue with support of the CCC's, by sponsoring the national conference, providing technical , financial and in-kind assistance and by holding an annual coordination meeting to discuss the goals and program activities for the following year.

 Ms. Day reported that the CCC met through a series of conference calls and provided a list of Goals for 2008. She stated that Staff will continue to conduct annual coordination meetings and bring a report back to the board of goals and progress on the previous year. Board member Loveridge requested that the Mobile Source Committee review that report.

6) Rule 2202 Activity Report
Written report submitted. No comments.

7) Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives – CEQA Document Commenting Update
Written report submitted. No comments.

8) Other Business
None

9) Public Comment
None

The meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

Attachment

Attendance Roster