BET On California July 1996 Innovative Clean Air Technologies Program The California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Innovative Clean Air Technologies (ICAT) Program has funds available to support the development and demonstration of innovative technologies. The innovations accepted by this program must increase the efficiency of existing air pollution prevention and control technologies, increase cost-effectiveness, or develop new, cost-effective alternatives. Technologies must also be innovative with the potential for creating jobs in California. Some of the types of technologies that will be considered include: emission control technologies, emissions prevention technologies, alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and less polluting consumer products. The CARB has released the Request For Proposals (RFPs) for the third year of the ICAT Program. For more information, please contact Ms. Annmarie Mora at the California Air Resources Board, Research Division, 2020 L Street, Sacramento, California 95814. You can also phone her at (916) 323-1067, or send a fax to (916) 322-4357. CARBIS Update The following features have recently been added to the California Air Resources Board Information System (CARBIS): - 1996 Ca. Air Pollution Control Laws - ARB Strategic Plan - Several cleaner burning gasoline updates - Ombudsman Program The vast majority of CARBIS is available via the Internet. Using a web browser, the CARBIS can be reached at http://www.arb.ca.gov. For those lacking Internet access, the bulletin board can be reached by calling (916) 322-2826. Green Seal Is Helping The Environment Green Seal is a private, non-profit organization that helps to coordinate its member's purchase and use of environmentally sensitive products. In addition, you have probably seen the "Green Seal" of Approval on many different types of products. Green Seal's approval is given to products that have been thoroughly tested and found to meet rigorous environmental standards. Green Seal's goal is to help organizations and individuals make environmentally responsible choices. The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), along with over 250 other institutions, has joined the Green Seal Environmental Partners membership program. Most of Cal/EPA's boards and departments have "green procurement" policies and active recycling programs. The new partnership with Green Seal will provide us with additional information and advice on further steps for continuing environmental improvement. We will also be working with Green Seal to help spread information about products and new technological developments. Some of the other groups that Green Seal is working with include leaders of the entertainment industry, lodging industry, Postal Service, U.S. EPA, City of Santa Monica, and numerous businesses both large and small. As a result of these efforts, a wide range of businesses, government agencies, and consumers are now taking the environment into account when buying products and services. If you would like additional information about this program for your products and/or your business, please call Green Seal at (202) 331-7337, or fax them at (202) 331-7533. Aftermarket Parts Automotive emissions account for over 50% of all smog-forming pollutants in California. To improve air quality, the ARB requires vehicle manufacturers to develop engine and emission equipment systems that reduce the specific pollutants that cause California's severe air quality problem. To ensure that these systems operate properly, California Vehicle Code Section 27156 and the Federal Clean Air Act prohibit modifications that increase motor vehicle emissions. These laws allow the installation of parts or modifications only when proven by their manufacturers and approved by the ARB as not increasing vehicle emissions. When properly designed, most performance parts and modifications do not increase vehicle emissions. When adding or replacing a part on your vehicle make sure the part is legal to use. It must not increase emissions. If it is an off-road or racing part then it is not legal for street use. Check the manufacturer's catalogue to verify vehicle application and look for disclaimers, such as "Not legal for street use in California." If you have any questions about a replacement part, please contact the California Air Resources Board Vehicle Hotline at (800) 242-4450. The Assistance Connection Several callers have been interested in the ARB's new dry cleaner training programs. The ARB recently adopted an airborne toxic control measure to reduce perchloroethylene emissions from dry cleaning operations. This measure requires each dry cleaning facility to have at least one operator who has attended an ARB-approved training course. Facility operators must attend this training by mid-1996, provided that the courses are reasonably available. The purpose of the course is to help dry cleaners comply with the equipment, operations, maintenance, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements of the measure. Courses are now being offered statewide by instructors certified by the ARB. The ARB encourages persons to attend courses as soon as possible. Information on certified instructors, the dates, times, and locations of these classes is available by calling the Business Assistance Helpline at (800) 272-4572. This information can also be found on the ARB's home page at http://www.arb.ca.gov. Briefly... - The United States Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) Office of Compliance has recently published Industry Sector Notebooks for 18 major industries. These multi-media notebooks range in price from $5.50 to $11.00. If you would like additional information on the types of notebooks available, please call the U.S. EPA at (202) 512-1800. - Renew America is a national organization that identifies, verifies, and promotes examples of successful environmental programs. If you would like to access their index of over 1,600 programs, they can be reached on the World Wide Web at http://solstice.crest.org/renew_america. You can also call them at (202) 232-2252. - The California Department of Conservation has an electronic bulletin board system dedicated to recycling. The "InfoCycle" is a forum for exchanging information among public and private groups and individuals. For further information please call (916) 445-1490. - The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a program of the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology, is available for small and medium size manufacturer'stechnical and business problems. This network offers technical assistance and the newest business practices to small manufacturers. To contact your nearest MEP, please call (800) MEP-4MFG.