BOARD MEETING DATE: September 5, 2008
AGENDA NO. 40

PROPOSAL:

Proposed AQMD Climate Change Policy

SYNOPSIS:

Staff has developed a Climate Change Policy for the Board’s consideration. Implementation of the policy will complement existing programs for criteria and toxic pollutants and provide leadership and assistance with efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.

COMMITTEE:

Climate Change, August 13, 2008, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Adopt the attached resolution:
Approving the proposed AQMD Climate Change Policy

 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Climate change is a global problem. While emissions of greenhouse gases in any region are relatively small compared to global totals, efforts at all levels, including the local level, will be necessary to help reduce many detrimental effects from increased temperature and other climate change impacts.

Fuel combustion and energy use are the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. In California, for the year 2004, transportation represented 38 percent, electricity generation (in-state and imported from other states) 25 percent, industrial 20 percent, commercial and residential operations 9 percent, and agriculture 6 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the sources that emit greenhouse gases also emit criteria or toxic pollutants, and are subject to AQMD rules, permitting, and inspection.

In 1989, the SCAQMD Governing Board approved the Global Warming and Stratosphere Ozone Depleting Policy, which laid out regulatory and other strategies to contribute to the global reductions necessary to reduce these emissions, and prevent problems such as increased skin cancer.

The proposed climate change policy can continue the District’s tradition, while complementing the District’s main objectives of cleaning the air and protecting local public health.

Proposed Climate Change Policy

The attached climate change policy summarizes key actions that staff will take, including greenhouse gas inventory and reduction strategies, integration of rule, permitting and inspection requirements, evaluation of rules and policies, updating District purchasing and contracting policies, legislative review, and assistance to local governments, public education, and other actions.

Public Process

On August 13^th, the Board Climate Change Committee met to discuss the draft Climate Change Policy. The Committee members expressed support for the general framework. Some concerns were expressed about resource impacts for assisting local governments, and it was suggested that workshops and information on the website would be a good way to assist local governments in understanding how to develop greenhouse gas emission inventories. Staff will come back to the committee and, as needed, to the full Board if resource demands require budgeting changes.

Two public meetings were held (August 15^th and August 21^st) to solicit input on the draft policy. Approximately 3 dozen people attended, and two comment letters were received. The key comments and staff responses are summarized below:

As specific aspects of the policy are developed, public workshops and other public meetings will be held.
 

CEQA and Socioeconomic Impacts

Appropriate CEQA and socioeconomic impact assessments will be conducted as specific programs or work products are developed.
 

AQMP and Legal Mandates

There are no specific AQMP or legal mandates for the SCAQMD to have a climate change policy. However, SCAQMD involvement can help ensure that our main objectives related to criteria and toxic programs are enhanced. In addition, staff has significant expertise to help inform and shape programs being developed by CARB and others.
 

Implementation Plan and Resource Impacts

Existing resources can be used to implement the policy. If any of the items in the Policy result in more work than anticipated, staff will return to the Climate Change Committee and the Board to seek their input.
 

Attachments

1. Resolution
2. Proposed SCAQMD Climate Change Policy

ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO. 08-  

A Resolution of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board approving the attached Climate Change Policy.

WHEREAS, global warming is a significant environmental problem that can impact public health, welfare, and safety due to increased temperatures, higher air pollution levels, decreased snow and ice levels, diminished potable water supply and quality, rising sea levels, more frequent and more severe droughts and flash floods, increased infectious diseases, more fires and other problems; and

WHEREAS, the following gases are the key contributors worldwide to global warming: carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂0), sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and

WHEREAS, California contributes about 6 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, which is more than many other countries;

WHEREAS, in 2004, the transportation sector contributed approximately 38 percent, electricity generation and imports emitted about 25 percent, and various industrial sources accounted for approximately 20 percent of California emissions of global warming gases; and

WHEREAS, in 2006, AQMD’s greenhouse gas emissions were 5,886 metric tons of CO₂E, including 61 percent from electricity use, 29 percent from stationary combustion and 10 percent from use of fleet vehicles; and

WHEREAS, many of the sources that will be regulated by the California Air Resources Board are facilities that are located in the South Coast Air Basin and are subject to SCAQMD permitting, rules, and compliance activities; and

WHEREAS, efforts to reduce global warming gases are often complementary and can accelerate or enhance criteria and toxic air pollutant programs, but may have some negative consequences if not designed correctly; and

WHEREAS, Governor Schwarzenegger, through Executive Order S-01-07 (January 2007) has mandated that California greenhouse gas emissions be at the same amount or less by 2020 than were emitted in 1990, and has ordered a further 80 percent reduction by 2050; and

WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (August 2006) gives broad authority to CARB to establish the 1990 inventory, require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, adopt rules to achieve the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective reductions, authorizes adoption of market-based mechanisms, and ensure compliance; and

WHEREAS, every area needs to contribute to reducing global warming; and

WHEREAS, the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board has a strong history of taking a leadership role and being a model for other agencies to follow; and

WHEREAS, the South Coast Air Quality Management District staff has significant expertise and experience in many of the key areas needed to reduce greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, it would be beneficial for the South Coast Air Quality Management District to assist the state, cities, local governments, businesses, and residents in areas related to reducing emissions that contribute to global warming;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board does hereby approve the attached Climate Change Policy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the staff is directed to work on these projects and programs, with public input, as appropriate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that staff will work with the Board’s Climate Change Committee, and update other Board committees, as appropriate, and will report to the Governing Board annually regarding implementation of the Climate Change Policy.
 

DATE:   

Clerk of the Boards

ATTACHMENT B
SCAQMD Climate Change Policy

It is the policy of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to actively seek opportunities to reduce emissions of criteria, toxic, and climate change pollutants and maximize synergistic effects of strategies that reduce emissions in more than one of these categories. It is the policy of the SCAQMD to assist businesses and local governments implementing climate change measures, decrease the agency’s carbon footprint and provide information regarding climate change to the public. If greenhouse gas reduction strategies have potential negative impacts or slow progress in reducing criteria or toxic pollutants, the impacts must be carefully evaluated and disclosed. In these instances, public health protection should prevail in the majority of circumstances. This policy provides additional direction to staff relative to future actions related to greenhouse gas emission reductions and climate change.

Pursuant to this policy, the District staff will take the following actions:

1. Climate Change Programs
   Work cooperatively with other agencies/entities to develop quantification protocols, rules, and programs related to greenhouse gases. Assist CARB in achieving AB 32 goals. Staff will actively pursue funding opportunities for research projects and for emission reduction projects in the South Coast Air Basin, particularly those that would benefit environmental justice areas. Participate in the development of programs at the state, multi-state, and federal level that impact Basin residents, to protect air quality and that impact SCAQMD sources to proactively resolve any potential conflicts related to rules, permitting, and inspections and seek to integrate requirements in an efficient manner into climate change programs.
   
2. SCAQMD Command-and-Control and Market-Based Rules
   Share experiences and lessons learned relative to the Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM) to help inform state, multi-state, and federal development of effective, enforceable cap-and-trade programs. To the extent practicable, staff will actively engage in current and future regulatory development to ensure that early actions taken by local businesses to reduce greenhouse gases will be treated fairly and equitably. Staff will seek to streamline administrative procedures to the extent feasible to facilitate the implementation of AB 32 measures. Evaluate and incorporate concurrent greenhouse gas benefits in Proposed Rule 2301 – Control of Emissions from New or Redevelopment Projects, an indirect source rule that will reduce emissions through mechanisms such as energy usage and vehicle miles traveled. As SCAQMD amends its rules in the future, staff will consider further greenhouse gas reduction opportunities consistent with the goals of AB 32.
   
3. Legislation
   Review and comment on proposed legislation related to climate change and greenhouse gases, pursuant to the ‘Guiding Principles for SCAQMD Staff Comments on Legislation Relating to Climate Change’ approved at the Board Special Meeting in April 2008.
   
4. Prioritization
   When criteria and toxic benefits of a project are equal, consider giving higher priority to TAO projects or contracts that also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
   
5. CEQA
   Develop recommendations through a public process for an interim greenhouse gas CEQA significance threshold, until such time that an applicable and appropriate statewide greenhouse gas significance level is established. Provide guidance on analyzing greenhouse gas emissions and identify mitigation measures. Continue to consider GHG impacts and mitigation in SCAQMD lead agency documents and in comments when SCAQMD is a responsible agency.
   
6. Guidance Document
   Revise the SCAQMD’s Guidance Document for Addressing Air Quality Issues in General Plans and Local Planning to include information on greenhouse gas strategies as a resource for local governments. The Guidance Document will be consistent with state guidance, including CARB’s Scoping Plan.

7. Inventory
   Update the Basin’s greenhouse gas inventory in conjunction with each Air Quality Management Plan. Information and data used will be determined in consultation with CARB, to ensure consistency with state programs. Staff will also assist local governments in developing greenhouse gas inventories.* Assumptions and methodologies used will be documented to assist other jurisdictions in establishing inventories.

8. Reducing SCAQMD Climate Change Impacts
   Bring recommendations to the Board on how the agency can reduce its own carbon footprint from operation of its buildings, purchases and employee work-related activities, including drafting a Green Building Policy with recommendations regarding SCAQMD purchases, building maintenance, and other areas of products and services. Assess employee travel, as well as other activities that are not part of a GHG inventory, per se, and determine what greenhouse gas emissions these activities represent, how they could be reduced, and what it would cost to offset the emissions.