State of California
AIR RESOURCES BOARD
Summary of Board Meeting
October 23, 1997
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. Mark DeSaulnier Lynne T. Edgerton, Esq. William F. Friedman, M.D. Jack C. Parnell Barbara Patrick Sally Rakow Barbara Riordan Ron Roberts James W. Silva |
AGENDA ITEM #
| 97-8-1 | Public Meeting to Consider the Report "Health Effects of Exposure
to Environmental Tobacco Smoke" prepared by the Office of Environmental
Health Hazard Assessment SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM: The staff recommended the Board approve the proposed resolution to accept the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's (OEHHA) report "Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke." Many Californians are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) at home, at work, and in public places. Despite an increasing number of restrictions on smoking and increased awareness of health impacts, ETS exposures continue to be a public health concern. Interest in the health effects of ETS on the part of the Scientific Review Panel (SRP) on Toxic Air Contaminants led the SRP to request the OEHHA to perform a health assessment of ETS. Although 97-8-1 ETS was not formally entered into the State's (Continued) Assembly Bill 1807 (AB 1807) Toxic Air Contaminant Program, the ARB, SRP, and OEHHA agreed that a thorough assessment of the risk from ETS similar to that done under the AB 1807 process was warranted. This was done to ensure a comprehensive review of the scientific data, obtain public input through public comment periods and workshops, and secure an independent peer review by the SRP. The Board approved the resolution directing the Executive Officer to transmit the ETS report to the California Department of Health Services (DHS), California Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Technical Services (Cal/OSHA) within the Department of Industrial Relations, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These agencies will be urged to use the report to assist them in carrying out their mandates related to ETS. The DHS and Cal/OSHA each had a representative attend the Board meeting to receive the report. They each made a statement to the Board acknowledging that the report represents the most recent scientific findings on the health effects of exposure to ETS, praised the work done by the OEHHA staff, and stated that the report will be very helpful in fulfilling their mandates related to ETS. In addition, the Executive Officer was directed by the Board to work with DHS in providing updates to the Board on the progress made in their Tobacco Control Program. ORAL TESTIMONY: Paul Knepprath American Lung Association FORMAL BOARD ACTION: Approved Resolution 97-40 by a unanimous vote. RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: SSD STAFF REPORT: Yes (784 pages) |
| 97-8-2 | Public Meeting to Consider a Status Report on the Motor Vehicle
Registration Fees Program SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM: Staff gave a status report on the Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Program. This program provides funding for air districts to meet their responsibilities in implementing the California Clean Air Act (CCAA) and for projects that reduce emissions from motor vehicles. Staff reported on statewide response to the four program criteria adopted by the Board in 1995: implementing the CCAA, leveraging funds through co-funding, funding new technology, and cost-effectiveness of emission reducing projects. Staff concluded that all criteria are being adequately addressed except cost-effectiveness. Staff presented the available cost-effectiveness information reported to ARB by recipient agencies. The data indicate that many projects selected for funding did not meet the Board's cost-effectiveness criterion of $20,000/ton. The data also shows that a wide variety of projects can meet this criterion if well designed. These include: cleaner transit and school bus purchases, cleaner heavy-duty truck purchases and retrofits, cleaner construction and farm equipment, vehicle scrappage, long-distance commuter bus and vanpool services, shuttle services and transit use incentives that reduce vehicle trips, and commuter-oriented bicycle projects. To improve the cost-effectiveness of future projects funded by these fees, staff made the following recommendations: meet with stakeholders, develop statewide guidelines, and convene a statewide technical working group to assist in the effort. The Board approved these recommendations and also directed staff to hold a conference on cost-effective projects, investigate the use of incentives to encourage cost-effectiveness, and report to the Board annually on the program. Five air district staff made comments and also represented the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA). Air districts supported statewide guidelines, but asked for continued flexibility in the program to meet individual district needs. The Bay Area AQMD representative stated that while many of their projects would not meet the $20,000 cost- (Continued) effectiveness criterion, their average cost-effectiveness was near that level. The CAPCOA representative stressed the progress that the districts have made in increasing the overall cost-effectiveness of the projects funded. The rural district representative emphasized that statewide guidelines should consider the unique needs of rural districts with small budgets. ORAL TESTIMONY: Oscar Abarca South Coast AQMD Edward Miller Bay Area AQMD Norm Covell Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD Mark Boese San Joaquin Valley Unified APCD and CAPCOA Barbara Lee North Sonoma APCD and CAPCOA rural districts FORMAL BOARD ACTION: None RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: EO (OAQTP) STAFF REPORT: No |