BOARD MEETING DATE: October 3, 2008
AGENDA NO. 32
REPORT:
California Air Resources Board Monthly Meeting
SYNOPSIS:
The California Air Resources Board met on September 25, 2008. The following is a summary of this meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Receive and file.
Ronald O. Loveridge, Member
SCAQMD Governing Board
Background
The Air Resources Board’s (ARB or Board) September meeting was held in Diamond Bar. Key meeting items are summarized below.
1. Health Update on Indoor Chemical Links to Respiratory and Allergic Effects in Children
ARB staff presented the findings of 21 recent studies that investigated previously unknown risks to children from the indoor use of common chemical solutions. Children aged 1 month to 15 years with mild or moderate asthma and/or allergies who were exposed to higher concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC), phthalates (semi-volatile plasticizing agents), and/or formaldehyde experienced substantially worsened and prolonged symptoms. The studies revealed that a much smaller amount of formaldehyde than previously studied still triggered asthmatic effects. These findings lend support to the California Green Chemistry Initiative and to stronger consumer product regulations that would adequately protect sensitive populations.
2. Update on the Air Monitoring Efforts in the Port Communities of Southern Los Angeles County
The Board postponed this item to allow sufficient review of written materials.
3. Regulations for Portable Outboard Marine Tanks and Components
The Board approved a regulation to reduce VOC and air toxics emissions from new portable outboard marine tanks and components. The regulation establishes certification standards that require the use of self-seal fill caps and limit fuel hose permeation losses starting in January 2010. Tank permeation limits and emission limits for primer bulbs take effect in January 2011. Technologies that meet these limits are currently available for other portable fuel containers and have been shown to be cost-effective for application to marine tanks. U.S. EPA recently announced its approval of similar requirements. The new regulation will reduce statewide VOC emissions from portable outboard marine tanks by 75 percent by 2020, and will also reduce releases of the toxic air contaminants toluene, xylene, and benzene to the air and water.
4. South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Climate Change Programs
Dr. Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), reported on SCAQMD’s climate change programs. The SCAQMD climate change activities include the appointment of a Climate Change Committee, the SoCal Climate Solutions Exchange, a greenhouse gas reduction program, local government assistance, various climate change policies, and the modification of the annual emissions reporting software to accommodate greenhouse gases. The District’s CEQA greenhouse gas threshold group is creating an interim threshold that can be used by other local agencies within a few months until statewide thresholds are recommended. SCAQMD’s emission programs and compliance efforts are complemented by the mandatory reporting, voluntary early reductions, and cap-and-trade system of the Scoping Plan. SCAQMD leads a voluntary program, consistent with the Scoping Plan, to verify and track emission reductions through the Basin. The District also makes a consistent effort to track carbon-offset market funds to ensure the funds are spent wisely where the greatest benefit can be realized, with first priority going to projects in environmental justice communities.
5. Adoption of Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Project Protocols for Local Government Operations, Urban Forestry, and Livestock Manure Digesters
ARB adopted California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) protocols for quantifying greenhouse gas savings from three types of voluntary early actions: local government operations, urban forestry projects, and livestock manure digesters. These protocols will encourage early action and provide emission reduction that can be used in the implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act. The local government operations protocol provides specific guidelines to develop greenhouse gas emission inventories, to track emission reduction efforts, and to identify additional reduction opportunities. The manure digester project protocol specifies methods for calculating the methane that would have been released without a digester. Captured methane can be used as a fossil-fuel substitute for heating, natural gas pipeline injection, and electricity generation. The urban forestry project protocol maximizes carbon sequestration and reduces the “heat island” effect.
6. Adoption of Proposed Assembly Bill 118 Air Quality Guidelines
ARB adopted guidelines for the distribution of funds to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles. The California Alternative and Renewable Fuel, Vehicle Technology, Clean Air, and Carbon Reduction Act of 2007 (AB 118) created three new incentive programs to be funded with a total of $200 million annually through 2015. The funds will be distributed via the Alternative and Renewable Fuels and Vehicle Technology Program ($120 million, to be administered by the California Energy Commission); the Air Quality Improvement Program ($50 million, to be administered by ARB); and the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program ($30 million, to be administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair). To be eligible for program funding, a project must: maintain or reduce greenhouse gases, air toxics, and criteria pollutants; demonstrate environmental justice criteria; and implement all recommended air pollution mitigation strategies.
Attachment
CARB September 25, 2008 Meeting Agenda (DOC, 69K)