State of California
AIR RESOURCES BOARD
Summary of Board Meeting
November 21, 1996
Air Resources Board
Board Hearing Room, Lower Level
2020 "L" Street
Sacramento, California
MEMBERS PRESENT: Hons. John D. Dunlap, III, Chairman
Joseph
C. Calhoun, P.E.
Lynne
T. Edgerton, Esq.
M.
Patricia Hilligoss
Jack
C. Parnell
Barbara
Riordan
Ron
Roberts
James
W. Silva
Doug
Vagim
AGENDA ITEM #
96-9-1 |
Public Meeting to Consider the Status of Implementation of the Low-Emission Vehicle Program SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM: In September, 1990, the ARB adopted the Low-Emission Vehicle and Clean Fuels regulations. These regulations require automobile manufacturers to introduce progressively cleaner light- and medium-duty vehicles with more durable emission controls. Because of the long-term nature and technological challenges that the Low-Emission Vehicle regulations present, the ARB directed staff to update the Board at least biennially on the status of implementation of the regulations and to propose any appropriate modifications. This was the fourth Low-Emission Vehicle program review. In assessing the status of implementation of the program, staff reviewed the available information and conducted discussions with individual vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers regarding the vehicle technologies likely to be implemented and their associated costs. Since initial adoption of the Low-Emission Vehicle regulations in 1990, significant progress has been made toward compliance with the new emission standards. The technologies for meeting the transitional low-emission vehicle (TLEV), low-emission vehicle (LEV), and ultra-low-emission vehicle (ULEV) standards are developing on schedule. TLEVs were first introduced in 1993 and now comprise over 25% of new 1996 model year vehicles. 1996 also marked the introduction of the first gasoline powered LEV. More LEVs will be introduced in 1997. Many of the basic emission control approaches incorporated by these low-emission vehicles remain similar to those being used on vehicles that meet less stringent standards. The most significant improvements have been to traditional catalysts, which now warm up very rapidly and are substantially more durable than past technology, and to fuel control, which is much more precise and accurate than previous systems. Although some of the more difficult to control vehicles may need additional advanced emission control technologies to meet the stringent ULEV requirements, it is projected that the lead time available will allow manufacturers to successfully develop and implement new technologies on schedule. The cost-effectiveness of TLEVs, LEVs, and ULEVs is estimated to be less than $1.00 per pound of emissions reduced. Overall, the Low-Emission vehicle program is on track, and no changes to the schedule or standards are necessary at this time. Automakers have responded well to the additional flexibility offered by the modified ZEV program. Three automakers have indicated plans to introduce EVs prior to 1998. Also, it is apparent that automakers will offer battery/vehicle combinations distinct from other automakers, each with its own selling points . This indicates a highly competitive approach to the EV market that is necessary for technology and market growth. ORAL TESTIMONY: Steven Douglas American
Automobile Manufacturers Bruce Bertelsen Manufacturers
of Emission Controls Janet Hathaway National
Resource Defense Council FORMAL BOARD ACTION: None RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: MSCD STAFF REPORT: Yes (33 pages) |
96-9-2 | Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the Area Designations
for the State Ambient Air Quality Standards
SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM: Health and Safety Code (H&SC) section 39608 requires the Board to designate areas as nonattainment, attainment, or unclassified for the State standards. These area designations must be reviewed annually. In this year s review, the staff considered air quality data collected during 1993 through 1995. Based on these data, the Board adopted the staff s recommendations of the following amendments to the area designation regulations: Redesignate Mono County in the Great Basin
Valleys Air Basin as Redesignate the following as attainment
for carbon monoxide: Tuolumne Redesignate the portion of El Dorado County
in the Lake Tahoe Air Basin as Redesignate Calaveras County in the Mountain
Counties Air Basin as Redesignate the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin as attainment for sulfates. In addition to these amendments based on new data, the Board adopted the staff recommendations to amend the area designation regulations to reflect two new air basins. Last May, the Board approved regulations that divide the former Southeast Desert Air Basin into two new air basins: the Mojave Desert Air Basin and the Salton Sea Air Basin. Designations of these areas were modified to conform with the new air basin. ORAL TESTIMONY: Lakhmir Grewal Calaveras Co. APCD FORMAL BOARD ACTION: Approved Resolution 96-55 by a unanimous vote. RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: TSD STAFF REPORT: Yes (206 pages) |
96-9-3 | Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the Assessment
of the Impacts of Transported Pollutants on Ozone Concentrations in California
SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM: Health and Safety Code Section 39610, requires the Air Resources Board to: assess transport between air basins or regions using characterizations of overwhelming, significant, or inconsequential; to establish mitigation requirements for identified upwind areas commensurate with their level of contribution; and to update the analysis at least once every three years. The staff's proposal represented the second triennial update. Several transport working groups were established subsequent to the 1993 triennial update, as directed by the Board; the staff worked with these groups to develop its proposal. A public meeting was also held to seek the input of interested parties. The staff's proposal included assessments of established ozone transport couples for the purpose of keeping the assessments current, based on more recent data. It also included new transport couples based upon new data or to conform with recently formed air basins. The following changes to the transport assessments were proposed and approved by the Board. - Due to the splitting of the Southeast Desert Air Basin into the Mojave
Desert - Identify the San Joaquin Valley to the North Central Coast Air Basin
as a - Eliminate the inconsequential transport classification from the Broader - Extend the area impacted by overwhelming transport of ozone or ozone ORAL TESTIMONY: Eldon Heaston Mojave Desert AQMD Gene Kulesza Riverside Cement Company FORMAL BOARD ACTION: Approved resolution 96-56 by a unanimous vote. RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: TSD STAFF REPORT: Yes (190 pages) |
96-9-4 | Public Hearing to Consider the Adoption of a New Test
Method for the Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Consumer
Products; and The Adoption of Amendments to the Test Method Sections of
the California Regulations for Reducing VOC Emissions from Antiperspirants
and Deodorants, Consumer Products, and Aerosol Coating Products
SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM: The staff proposed that the Test Method Sections of the Antiperspirant
and Deodorants, Consumer Products, and Aerosol Coating Products regulations
be amended to reference Method 310, Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC) in Consumer Products. Method 310 will be used to determine compliance
with the applicable VOC standards established for each product category. ORAL TESTIMONY: Laurie Nelson Chemical
Specialties Manufacturers Michelle Stephens The Dial Corporation Robin Gentz The Clorox Co. FORMAL BOARD ACTION: Approved Resolution 96-57 by a unanimous vote. RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: MLD STAFF REPORT: Yes (33 pages) |
96-9-5 | Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Amendments to
the California Regulations for Reducing Volatile Organic Compound Emissions
from Consumer Products and Aerosol Coating Products
SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM: When the consumer products regulation was adopted, the Board recognized that the future effective standards may present formulation challenges for manufacturers. The Board therefore directed staff to assess the industry's progress in meeting the standards and to periodically report back to the Board. In response to this directive, the staff presented a technical assessment for the four product categories with January 1, 1997, effective dates. For three of these categories - fabric protectants, aerosol dusting aids, and automotive brake cleaners - staff concluded that most manufacturers have already developed or are developing complying products to meet the January 1, 1997, VOC standards on time. Therefore, the staff recommended that no change be made to those standards. For the fourth category, aerosol adhesives, staff concluded that additional time is needed to meet the January 1, 1997, 25 percent VOC standard. Staff proposed to postpone the effective date of the 25 percent standard from January 1, 1997, to January 1, 2002. Staff also proposed that the Board hold a public hearing by June 1, 2000, to review and consider any appropriate modifications to the 25 percent VOC standard. After an in-depth environmental impacts assessment, staff also proposed the exemption of perchloroethylene from the VOC definition in the consumer products and aerosol coatings regulations. This follows similar action in March 1996 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to exempt perchloroethylene from their VOC definition because of this compound's low photochemical reactivity. Staff also proposed to amend several definitions and make various other changes to the consumer products regulation in order to enhance clarity and improve enforcement. Staff also proposed an amendment specifying that the results of Method 310 (which the Board adopted as a separate item) take precedence over manufacturers' formulations records in situations where the records conflict with the test results. Staff also proposed some additional changes to the consumer products, aerosol coatings, and antiperspirant and deodorant regulations to reflect two changes to State law as a result of Assembly Bill (AB) 1849. The VOC standard from 18 months to three years after the category's effective date. The second proposed amendment in response to AB 1849 places the authority to regulate all aerosol industrial adhesives, which was with the local districts, with the State. Another change was proposed regarding the proposed exemption of perchloroethylene in the VOC definitions in the consumer products and aerosol coatings regulations. The staff proposed to include a requirement in the consumer products and aerosol coatings regulations requiring manufacturers of any perchloroethylene-containing consumer products to submit annual reports describing their perchloroethylene use for the next five years. The staff also proposed to conduct an assessment of the need to control perchloroethylene emissions from consumer products under the State toxic air contaminant program, and to report their findings back to the Board no later than June 1997. These amendments are intended to promote the California Environmental Protection Agency's policy of integrated pollution prevention and to address concerns regarding potential exposure of consumers to perchloroethylene from consumer products. The Board voted to adopt all amendments proposed by the staff. The modifications presented at the hearing will be made available for public review and comment for 15 days in a Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text. ORAL TESTIMONY: Laurie Nelson Chemical
Specialties Manufacturers "Chip" Brewer S.C. Johnson Wax Stephen Risotto Halogenated Solvents Industry Bob Graham Sherwin Williams/Diversified Brands Dennis Stein 3M FORMAL BOARD ACTION: Approved Resolution 96-58 by a unanimous vote. RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: SSD STAFF REPORT: Yes (139 pages) |