Title
Air Quality Management District (AQMD) recommending the AQMD Board of Directors receive and file a Motor Vehicle Emission Reduction Program presentation, providing an update on the air quality improvement progress, projects funded and program revenue. (Est. Time: 20 Min.)
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Air Quality Management District (AQMD) recommending the Board receive and file a Motor Vehicle Emission Reduction Program presentation.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The California Clean Air Act of 1988 requires local air quality management districts to adopt and implement plans to achieve air quality standards in a cost effective manner at the earliest practicable date. The western portion of El Dorado County is in "serious non-attainment" of the State 1-hour ozone Ambient Air Quality Standard (AAQS) and "severe non-attainment" of the federal 2008 8-hour ozone AAQS. The Lake Tahoe area is in "transitional non-attainment" of the federal 8-hour ozone AAQS.
Ozone is not emitted directly into the atmosphere but rather is the result of reactions between ozone precursor pollutants (primarily Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)) in the presence of sunlight. Petroleum combustion is a major source of ozone precursor pollutants. Petroleum combustion is also a major source of Greenhouse Gases (GHG), primarily Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Currently, over 89% of the NOx (the limiting reagent in the ozone reaction) emissions produced in El Dorado County are from motor vehicle petroleum combustion.
Sections 44223 and 44225 were added to the California Health and Safety Code and Section 9250.17 was added to the California Motor Vehicle Code to establish a mechanism to fund air districts’ motor vehicle emission reduction work. The El Dorado County AQMD Board of Directors/Supervisors authorized fund collection by adopting Resolutions 209-91, 70-94 and 079-2006.
To attain the State and federal ozone standards, El Dorado and the other air districts in the Sacramento region have prepared, submitted and are implementing State Implementation, Rate of Progress and Reasonable Further Progress Plans. These plans include stationary source and mobile source (vehicle) control measures. By Resolution, these plans have been approved by the Board. The funding sources identified for the implementation of the motor vehicle emission control measures are the local district Department of Motor Vehicles fees.
Motor vehicle emission reduction control measure projects implemented by AQMD staff have included school bus replacements, diesel engine emission control retrofits, event shuttles, bike lanes, sidewalks, park and ride facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, electric vehicle purchase incentive, marine engine replacements (Tahoe), biomass transport reduction (chipping) and several others. Additional project types to be implemented in the future include an old car scrap program and a residential vehicle charger incentive program.
This work has resulted in a reduction of ozone exposure to El Dorado County residents. AQMD staff and the cooperating agencies, businesses and residents continue to implement the myriad of motor vehicle emission reduction projects to achieve the ozone standards in a cost effective manner at the earliest practicable date.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Several County departments and local agencies have previously received and may continue to receive funds for motor vehicle emission reduction projects.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board receive and file this presentation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Dave Johnston, Air Pollution Control Officer