BOARD MEETING DATE: October 3, 2008
AGENDA NO. 28

REPORT:

Mobile Source Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Mobile Source Committee met Friday, September 19, 2008.
Following is a summary of that meeting.

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 9:09 a.m. Present were Committee Member Jane Carney, and Committee Member Bill Campbell (via videoconference). Committee Member Jan Perry joined the meeting at 9:20 (via videoconference). Absent were Vice-Chair Roy Wilson, and Committee Member Gary Ovitt. The following items were presented:
 

ACTION ITEMS:

1) Execute Contract for CEQA Analysis for Expansion and Modernization of Union Pacific Intermodal Container Transfer Facility

Susan Nakamura, Planning & Rules Manager, provided a summary of staff’s proposal to recommend that the Board approve a contract for Parson’s Transportation Group (Parsons) to help develop and evaluate alternatives to the proposed expansion and modernization of the Union Pacific Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) in Long Beach.  The AQMD is acting as a consultant to the ICTF Joint Powers Authority (JPA), to prepare the CEQA documents for Union Pacific Railroad’s planned expansion and modernization to ICTF.  Staff is recommending that the Governing Board approve an additional sole source contract for Parsons in amount of $150,000, with an additional amount not to exceed $100,000 if needed.  The total costs for the Parsons contract will not exceed $250,000, bringing the total costs for all contracts on this project to $900,000.  It should be noted that the JPA has agreed to reimburse the AQMD for all expenditures, including staff time, up to $2.5 million.

Board Member Loveridge asked staff about why the Parsons proposal wasn’t included in the July board action when all the other consultants were approved.  Staff explained that the AQMD was originally going to use several consultants under existing contracts to help develop and evaluate alternatives to the ICTF project, but the JPA recommended Parsons instead because of their extensive background in evaluating on-dock rail and alternative truck drayage systems.  There was no sufficient time to incorporate Parsons into the July board package.  Board Member Loveridge also sought clarification on whether the JPA can change the CEQA documents that the AQMD is preparing.  Staff replied that the JPA is the lead agency and will make the final decision on the content of the environmental documents.  In response to a question from Board Member Carney, staff explained that the AQMD is submitting monthly invoices to the JPA for reimbursement for AQMD staff time.

Motion by Campbell; seconded by Carney; and unanimously approved. 
 

2) Request to Withdraw Portions of 2003 AQMP to Facilitate U.S. EPA’s Action on 1-Hour Ozone SIP

Dr. Elaine Chang, Deputy Executive Officer, explained to the committee that U.S. EPA was litigated by several environmental groups for not acting on the 2003 AQMP. Under the consent decree reached, U.S. EPA has to release its proposed decision on 2003 AQMP by October 15, 2008 and the final action by January 15, 2009. To facilitate U.S. EPA’s action and avoid confusion, staff is proposing the Board to authorize the Executive Office to withdraw the attainment demonstration, transportation budgets, and Contingency Measure CTY-04 – Enhanced Oxygenated Fuels Content for CO associated with CO. Since U.S. EPA has already approved the subsequent revisions to these elements as part of AQMD’s CO attainment re-designation request in 2004, further actions on the 2003 AQMP are not necessary or meaningful at this time.

Motion by Carney; seconded by Campbell; and unanimously approved. 
 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:

3) Congestion Pricing and “HOT” Lanes as a Strategy for Reduction of Mobile Source Emissions and Mobility Enhancement

Dr. Anupom Ganguli, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, began the presentation about Congestion Pricing and HOT Lanes. He explained that in 2009, Congress will take up Surface Transportation Reauthorization legislation which Senator Barbara Boxer has named MAP-21. Engaging on this bill is part of AQMD’s Legislative Goals & Priorities. In addition, the Board approved a Statement of Principles in September to direct staff in their discussions on this legislation includes a principle which states that “transportation projects designed to reduce congestion must also be designed to help improve air quality.” HOT Lanes will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if a project benefits air quality.

Dr. Ganguli then discussed other aspects of those principles such as working to get transportation projects to consider air quality criteria, protecting CMAQ, cleaning up the Goods Movement chain, and addressing co-benefits when controlling Greenhouse Gases.

High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes are HOV lanes (for car/vanpools & buses) that are open to solo drivers who pay a toll. Toll rates adjust electronically to ensure that traffic in the HOT lane is free flowing even when the regular lanes are congested. Dr. Ganguli then shared benefits of HOT lanes (reducing congestion, maximizing roadway efficiency ensuring that the commuter faces the true cost of a trip, and encouraging transit use) and challenges for HOT Lanes, such as system management, apportioning the revenues, equity concerns and most importantly, the fact that HOT Lanes have an unknown emission reduction impact.

Committee member Bill Campbell left the meeting at 9:40 a.m. and Committee member Jan Perry left the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
 

4) 2008 Olympics Air Quality Profile

Joe Cassmassi, Planning & Rules Manager, provided an overview summarizing the efforts of the Chinese Government to reduce ambient air pollution levels during the 2008 Olympic Games held this summer in Beijing.  Briefly, a significant control program was implemented targeting 30 percent emissions reductions from key major sources, elimination of coal usage and initiating several operational curtailment actions.  In addition, mandated restrictions on vehicle usage (based on odd/even plates) were implemented resulting in over 3 million cars being prohibited from driving on prescribed days.  The preliminary impact of the control program appears to have resulted in a 40 percent temporary improvement in particulate levels in the city.  (Ozone air quality was not available for analysis).  While the program succeeded in lowering ambient pollution levels, it is important to note that the residual particulate air quality continued to be significantly higher than comparable levels in the Basin.  Many of the actions taken in Beijing are already governed by District Rules, lessening the applicability of the Chinese approach to the Basin’s problem.  However, the District and Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau are discussing a partnership between the two cites that will provide mutual assistance and an exchange of program information.

Board Member Joe Lyou joined the meeting at 10:00 a.m. and was appointed to be a Committee Member for this meeting only.
 

5) The Impact of Long Range Transport from Asia

This item was deferred to the October meeting.
 

6) Rule 2202 Activity Report

 Written report submitted. Committee members inquired about recent rideshare activities due to the price of gasoline, and commented on the opportunity to assist in such effort in response to increased consumer awareness. Staff will agendize this item for a more detailed discussion at the next Committee meeting.
 

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 10:25 a.m.
 

Attachment

Attendance Roster