State of California
AIR RESOURCES BOARD

Summary of Board Meeting
November 19, 1998

Air Resources Board
Board Hearing Room, Lower Level
2020 "L" Street
Sacramento, California





MEMBERS PRESENT: Hons. Barbara Riordan, Chairman
Joseph C. Calhoun. P.E.
Mark DeSaulnier
John D. Dunlap, III
Lynne T. Edgerton, Esq.
William F. Friedman, M.D.
Barbara Patrick
Ron Roberts

AGENDA ITEM #

98-13-1

Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of ARB Modifications to ARB Method 310 to Include the Determination of Low Vapor Pressure-Volatile Organic Compounds (LVP-VOC) in Consumer Products and Amendments to the Definition and Test Method Sections of the California Regulations to Include the Determination of Low Vapor Pressure-Volatile Organic Compounds (LVP-VOC) in Antiperspirants and Deodorants, Consumer Products, and Aerosol Coating Products

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM:

The staff proposed revisions to the definition of LVP-VOC in the consumer products regulation to provide the criteria necessary to determine if a compound or mixture qualifies for exemption as an LVP-VOC. The proposed revisions also incorporate by reference test methods for determining LVP-VOC into ARB Method 310. Other minor modifications were made to the regulation and ARB Method 310 for clarification and updating the referenced test procedures. In response to public comments, the staff agreed as a 15-day change to include the ebulliometry test method pending the completion of the evaluation.

ORAL TESTIMONY:

D. Douglas Fratz, Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association

Scott P. Christensen, Union Carbide Corp.

Janet S. Catanach, Exxon Chemical Co.

FORMAL BOARD ACTION:

Approved Resolution 98-54 by a unanimous vote.

RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: MLD

STAFF REPORT: Yes (46 pages)

98-13-2

Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the Regulations for Reducing Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Aerosol Coatings, Antiperspirants and Deodorants, and Consumer Products

The staff recommended that the Air Resources Board adopt several amendments to the aerosol coatings regulation. Specifically, staff proposed modifications to 23 of the 35 VOC limits scheduled to become effective on December 31, 1999. Staff also proposed to extend the effective date for all the 1999 limits to January 1, 2002, to allow manufacturers sufficient time to develop commercially viable products. Finally, staff proposed several minor changes including: (1) adding a provision to accommodate metallic high temperature coatings; (2) corrections of errors in the California Code of Regulations; and (3 the elimination of outdated provisions.

The hearing satisfies statutory requirements to review the technological and commercial feasibility of the December 31, 1999, VOC limits at a public hearing. Staff's proposed limits would achieve fewer emission reductions than the existing 1999 limits. However, the standards represent the most stringent feasible limits and will fulfill the State Implementation Plan commitments through 2002.

The staff also proposed to exempt methyl acetate from the VOC definitions in all the consumer products regulations. This would make the VOC definitions consistent with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's VOC definition. The exemption of methyl acetate is expected to have no significant environmental or economic impacts, and is expected to provide manufacturers with additional compliance flexibility.

The Board heard testimony from three individuals at the hearing. The representative of Flecto Company and the National Paint and Coatings Association requested that the effective date of the proposed limits be extended an extra year to January 1, 2003. The representative from Sherwin Williams supported the proposed amendments. The representative from Gemini-Mohawk Finishing Products requested an additional year to either reformulate wood touch-up, repair, or restoration products, or use the Alternative Control Plan to comply with the regulation.

ORAL TESTIMONY:

Ken Trautwein, Flecto Company/National Paint & Coatings Association

Bob Graham, Sherwin Williams

Ron Ashby, Gemini-Mohawk Finishing Products & Liberon/Star Supply

FORMAL BOARD ACTION:

The Board approved resolution 98-55 by a unanimous vote.

RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: SSD

STAFF REPORT: Yes (215 pages)

98-13-3

Public Hearing to Consider the Adoption of Certification Procedures for all Aftermarket Parts and Conversion Systems for Off-Road Vehicles, Engines, and Equipment

The staff proposed adding a new chapter and sections to the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 13, sections 2470-2976, and the incorporated certification procedures. The staff's recommendation would establish certification procedures for aftermarket parts for off-road vehicle categories, and establish consistent anti-tampering provisions for off-road sources that are currently unregulated by Vehicle Code sections 27156 and 38392. By adopting anti- tampering provisions, the warranty regulations for currently regulated off-road sources were amended to allow the sale, offer for sale, and installation of add-on and modified parts, provided such parts had been exempted in accordance with the procedures. The proposed off-road requirements mirror the certification procedures for on-road aftermarket parts.

Changes proposed by the staff at the Board Hearing included clarification of in-use liability during warranty claims, inclusion of a back pressure requirement in the catalytic converter procedures, and allowance for alternative test procedures under specific conditions with low sales volumes.

ORAL TESTIMONY:

Paul Maurer, Maurdyne Industries, Inc.

Michael Block, Engine Manufacturers Association

Terry Ellis, Clean Cam Technology Systems

William Bergman, Outdoor Power Equipment Aftermarket Association

Robert Shepherd, Power Systems Associates

FORMAL BOARD ACTION:

Approved Resolution 98-56 by a unanimous vote.

RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: MSCD

STAFF REPORT: Yes (16 pages)

98-11-4

Continuation of Public Hearing to Consider Revisions to the State Implementation for Carbon Monoxide-Continuation from the October 22, 1998 Board Meeting

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM:

At a public hearing conducted on August 27, 1998, the Board approved amendments to section 2262.5 in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). This action removed the state requirement for oxygen in gasoline for several areas of the state which attain the ambient CO standard. The purpose of this meeting was to consider a revision to the CO maintenance demonstration which reflected the Board approved amendments to Title 13 of the CCR.

The current State Implementation Plan for Carbon Monoxide was approved by the Board on April 26, 1998. This plan was approved by U.S. EPA on March 31, 1998, became effective on June 1, 1998, and covers 10 federal planning areas. The ten federal planning areas are: Bakersfield Metropolitan Area, Fresno Urbanized Area, Lake Tahoe South Shore Area, Sacramento Area, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Area, Chico Urbanized Area, Lake Tahoe North Shore Area, Modesto Urbanized Area, San Diego Area and the Stockton Urbanized Area. This plan contains a maintenance demonstration which incorporates the effects of wintertime oxygenated gasoline, and several contingency measures that are being or will be implemented. Changes proposed by the staff at the Board Hearing included a revision to the maintenance demonstration which removes the effects of the wintertime oxygenate requirements in gasoline. The revised maintenance demonstration continues to show emission levels below the 1995 attainment year cap.

ORAL TESTIMONY: None

FORMAL BOARD ACTION:

Approved Resolution 98-52 by a unanimous vote.

RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: EO/OAQTP

STAFF REPORT: Yes (7 pages)

98-13-4 Consideration of Research Proposals

The Board approved Resolution Nos. 98-57, 98-58, 98-59, 98-60, 98-61, and 98-62 by a unanimous vote.
98-13-5

Public Meeting to Consider an Update of the ICAT Program

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM: Staff presented an update on an ICAT project from Catalytica Combustion Systems. Catalytica recently sponsored a ribbon-cutting event in Santa Clara to celebrate the first demonstration of their technology, which allows natural gas-fired turbines to operate with lower emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The update included a brief description of how NOx is formed in a gas-fired turbine and a description of XONON, Catalytica's Nox emission prevention technology. Staff also showed a short videotape consisting of newsclips from two Bay Area stations that featured additional information on Catalytica's XONON installation at the Santa Clara power generation facility.

ORAL TESTIMONY: None

FORMAL BOARD ACTION: None

RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: RD

STAFF REPORT: None