Title
Air Quality Management District (AQMD) recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) No. 001A-MOU-10/11-BOS (315-M1111) with Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) to provide funding in the amount of $5,000 for the term of March 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011 to support the regional Mow Down Air Pollution Program.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost |
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$ 5,000 |
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$ 5,000 |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$ 5,000 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$ 5,000 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
No impact to net county cost. Funds available in the AQMD Emissions Reduction Budget.
Background:
The Sacramento Region is currently designated as severe federal ozone nonattainment area under the Clean Air Act (CAA). In compliance with federal laws and regulations, on February 10, 2009, the AQMD Board adopted Resolution 021-2009 to approve and implement the Sacramento Regional Attainment Plan (Plan). The Plan demonstrates attainment of the federal ozone standard as expeditiously as possible, but not later than our attainment deadline on June 15, 2019. Among numerous emission reduction strategies outlined in the Plan are new and existing incentive programs for off-road equipment, which includes residential lawn and garden equipment.
Reason for Recommendation:
The purpose of the Rechargeable Lawn Mower Incentive Program (Mow Down Air Pollution) is to reduce emissions from residential lawn and garden equipment use in the Sacramento region. In addition to complying with the approved Regional Attainment Plan, this program increases public awareness of the negative effects gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment has on air pollution.
Since the inception of the Mow Down Air Pollution program in 1997, 13,370 old gas mowers have been exchanged for cordless electric mowers. Based on an average of 7 years mower life, this equates to 305,813 LBS or 152.9 tons of gasoline emission reductions.
This incentive program also helps reduce storm water pollution and promotes recycling (390.3 tons of metal has been recycled since 1997). The AQMD has been an active participant in the program along with Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD, SMUD, Yolo-Solano AQMD, Placer County APCD, California Air Resources Board and the City and County of Sacramento Recycling Divisions. In 2004, SMUD agreed to take the lead for the program and administer AQMD funds for the 2011 Lawn Mower Program.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
Forward signed MOU to AQMD for further processing.
Contact:
Air Pollution Control Officer
Concurrences:
County Counsel and Risk Management have approved the MOU.